Hey all, just want to say thanks for all the reviews and comments on the story so far. I'm still pretty out of my comfort zone when it comes to writing first person, its my first time doing so, but I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it. I hope you are down for some slice of life, because that's what this chapter is lol.
I don't own Danmachi or its connected works.
I give a tug at the tight white collar of my uniform, it was tight enough before I put the pre-tied bow-tie on and now it's almost unbearable, but I suppose I'll get used to it. I'll admit, when Ms. Ryuu told me my uniform was in the wardrobe, I hadn't been expecting to find a full three piece suit.
The pristine white dress shirt has a slim cut to fit my small build and I'll admit it looked fantastic even just tucked into the sharp black slacks I was given, the bow-tie, as much as I hate it, does add a lot to the look and the glossy black dress shoes are more comfortable than I expected. The outfit was finished off by a matte black vest, a pair of white gloves and a slim fit black swallow tail jacket.
All in all, I think I look pretty good, I even combed back my hair a bit! Although I do feel like a butler…
I'm surprised that Mama Mia was able to get this made in just one day, and perhaps I'm slightly scared at how she managed to get my measurements perfect. Just what happened while I was unconscious?
Pushing those thoughts from my mind, I took in a breath to calm my nerves. I know that I'm scared… If I mess up tonight, it's not impossible that Mama Mia will kick me out and I'll be back to where I started after all.
I guess I've made Ms. Ryuu wait long enough now… opening the door, she's standing just across the hall, just like she'd said.
"I hope I didn't take too long Ms. Ryuu." I said with a bow, her face flushing slightly in response. What did I do?
She turned her head slightly, "Just Ryuu. We're coworkers now." She said, her eyes darting over to me a few times before she was able to school her features again.
Oh gods, she's too cute… Nope, none of that! Focus, I need to do a good job tonight.
"Okay Ry-Ryuu. What do I need to know?" damn my stutter!
She raised her hand, index finger extended "Normally you would be starting with dishes and cleaning, however due to you lack of presentable clothing, you will instead begin with waiting tables and taking orders." She explained before handing me a pen and notepad "As such you'll need these."
I graciously accepted them. I'll need them to stay organized after all. Nodding, Ryuu continued her explanation "Orders collected should be given to the kitchen staff one table at a time so their food all comes out together and when addressing customers you are to call them sir or ma'am. Mama says it 'enhances the experience' for the guests." I snickered, having a beautiful woman in the maid outfit that seems standard here it really would be an experience "Aside from that, there isn't much to know. When it comes to cutting customers off from alcohol, for now ask either Mama Mia or myself if you should, in time you'll learn the tells for yourself. The rest comes from experience." She concluded.
I nodded to express my understanding. That's actually a lot less than I was expecting. I thought it would be more complicated than that.
"Now then," she began, turning her head slightly "before you go down to speak with the customers, please show me how you would speak to a customer."
Taking a moment to collect myself from how cute that was, I let a natural smile form on my face "Good evening ma'am," I began meeting her eyes "What can I get for you today? A drink? Or are you perhaps ready to order?"
Ryuu coughed into her hand and broke eye contact "Oh, sorry, did I say something wrong?" I asked.
The adorable elf waved me off "No, you just took me by surprise is all." She said before looking at me curiously "Have you done this before?"
I could shake my head awkwardly "Nope, my Grandpa used to preach to me that 'Service starts with a smile and manners!' and 'There's not a woman alive who doesn't want to be waited on hand and foot!'" I said, doing the best impression I could of his booming voice that never failed to bring joy to those around him.
Ryuu giggled "Your grandfather sounds like a terrible influence."
"Oh he definitely was!" I laughed "but he also taught me what it means to be an adventurer, a hero."
"You must care deeply about him."
I nodded "I do. Or did rather. He passed away just before I came to Orario."
I don't know why, but it feels natural talking to Ryuu. I don't exactly like talking about the past to people but I didn't feel the same reluctance as I normally do this time.
"Ah I see. I'm sorry for your loss." I can tell she genuinely means it, the way her eyes turned downcast, I know that sadness… she's lost people too. I won't pry though. That would be wrong of me.
"It's alright, he wouldn't want me moping about. He always supported me when I said that I would become a hero, and so I will. I'll become the hero he always thought I could be. I'll make him proud." I said, feeling the passion I have for my dream in every word I spoke. "Anyways, I guess I should probably go see Mama Mia and get assigned to my tables."
Ryuu's eyes cleared up and she coughed lightly, "Indeed. You will most likely not be given too many tonight so it should be easy enough." She explained before making her way down the stairs "Follow me Bell."
Quickly following after her, I silently thank the gods I was able to brighten her mood again after I brought up bad memories for her.
Ryuu led the way until we reached the kitchen, where she politely bowed and went about her duties having muttered a quick "See you out there".
The kitchen is a standard fare. A large stove, a charcoal oven, a sink and other such appliances as you'd expect. The pantry seems to be a separate room attached to the back of the kitchen and there seems to be another room attached to that. A cold storage perhaps?
Turning to the only other person in the room, Mama Mia is cooking up a frenzy. I can barely keep track as she moves about the kitchen with practiced ease, setting plate after plate of food on the serving window without missing a beat.
It was while I watched that I noticed something I hadn't ever given proper attention to before. I can't hear Mama Mia's footsteps. Something that should be impossible considering her build. She's unbelievably light on her feet.
I've figured it was the case since I met her but now I'm sure that she used to be an adventurer. A skilled one at that. Actually, I don't think I've ever heard Ryuu's footsteps either, and the perverted cat girl didn't make a sound as she dragged me over either…
"Are all the employees here adventurers?" I found myself asking it out loud alerting Mama to my presence even if I suspect she already knows.
Not missing a beat, Mama Mia replied with a shrug "Who knows?" I guess it isn't her story to tell then… "Anyways, it's good to see you up kid!"
A smile stretches across my face "It's good to be up, and thank you for the outfit it looks fantastic! How'd you get my measurements anyways?"
"It really does look great! You can pay me back for it by taking table seven. The tables are numbered starting at the back left of the restaurant from the kitchen entrance. Can you se the one I'm talking about?" Oi, don't think I didn't notice that you ignored my question!
Setting my rising fear of her methods aside, I look out the door and count seven tables from the back left. "Yeah I see it." There's a group of three woman sitting there, all wearing armor with a weapon set aside somewhere near the table. Adventurers fresh out of the dungeon I suppose?
Mama Mia must have finished the currently pending orders because she finally stopped cooking and got a bit closer to me "Good. They're a group of newer adventurers. They've been here a few times. I'm assigning you to them because while you're serving them, they might start talking about their experiences."
"Wait what?"
"People tend to talk when their enjoying a good meal, and you need as much information as you can get about the dungeon considering you circumstance." She whispered the last part to make sure nobody overheard "They'll be your only table for tonight so take your time and try and get them to invite you to sit in at their table. I'll be asking you what you learn from them later tonight. You have a slightly special position here after all."
Mia Grand… she really is amazing… "You planned this from the moment you offered that quest to me didn't you?"
She laughed "I guess you do have a brain in that box of yours haha! You're absolutely right. Gathering information is an important skill for any adventurer, and doubly so for a hero. So make this your motto while you're working here: To serve is to learn. People love to talk, especially if it makes them look good. If they seem proud of something, ask about it. They'll talk, trust me."
I can't speak. Not just because of how far Mama Mia is going to make sure I become a proper adventurer, but because of how she keeps one upping herself every time I think my respect for her can't climb higher. "Why? Why are you going so far for me?"
Her normally boisterous smile turned solemn "You remind me of someone who abandoned your same dream long ago…" I see… this is the part of Mia Grand that makes the whole. This sincerity. I'm not stupid, I know she's talking about herself. Nobody would make that sincere, solemn face unless it was their own dream that had been abandoned.
As I stare at her face, I engrave the almost pleading look into my heart, fueling my fire once again "I'll do it. I will become the hero you think I can be. I'll prove our dream a reality."
I left with those words. Shedding my serious expression, I smiled. It's time to get to work.
Mia Grande was silent, watching as the kid made his way to his assigned table, taking their orders with a bright smile and service that left the three girls a blushing mess. Even after she started cooking the meals they'd requested, she was speechless.
"I'll prove OUR dream a reality" Indeed, a mere six words had thrown the thoughts of Mama Mia into chaos, reigniting a long dead passion. "I'm too old to do it myself now but… I can teach him everything he'll need to know to become the hero he dreams of being."
Having solidified her resolve, she returned to her work with a long forgotten fervor. A fervor that a certain brown haired, brown eyed cat girl noticed when she started doing the dishes after one of her tables had left.
I found myself sitting and chatting amiably with the three women I'm waiting on this evening as they eat their meals. Apparently they had just returned from their first foray onto the seventh floor.
"So then Amity here cut the ant's head off with her axe! You should have seen it Bell! A single swoosh and the bastard was dead!" the mage of the party, Emilia, excitedly recounted their encounter with a killer ant, the famous rookie killer.
Their berserker, Amity, blushed at her friend's praise "It wasn't anything special… and it caused us far more trouble than it was worth even if we did get the mandible from it."
Her words prompted an awkward giggle from Emilia "Wow! You're amazing! What do you mean more trouble than its worth though?" I asked.
The archer of the party, Poppy, grimaced "You see, killer ants release a peculiar pheromone from their heads when they get severed. Not only does it call others to assist them, but somehow it also makes more of them spawn from the dungeon itself." She explained before Amity took over.
"The real reason they're called rookie killers is that if you aren't careful with how you kill the ants, they just keep coming out of the walls in waves and eventually overwhelm you. We got lucky and were careful after the first one so we only had to deal with a dozen or so ants, but the reported highest number that were called in a single encounter numbered almost a hundred."
On-One hundred?! A dozen is lucky?! Even with my seemingly magic blades, I doubt I'd be able to handle more than three before I get overwhelmed. "Wow! I take it back you girls are incredible! I doubt I could handle even two of them! But you took out a dozen? How'd you get them to stop spawning?"
Emilia puffed out her small chest "There are two ways, you can kill them by destroying the magic crystal in their thorax like Poppy and Amity did or you can be like my badass self and completely wipe them from existence with fire magic!" she made a grand show as she pulled out her staff and held it up triumphantly.
"Magic really is amazing! I wish I could use it myself" I said, my eyes sparkling. I've always been enthralled by magic so to hear tales of its power is unbelievably exciting for me.
"Well Bell, the trick to learning magic is to read a lot about it! Then, if you're lucky, it'll manifest on your falna if you're an adventurer!" she replied and I made a mental note to head to the library when I get the chance.
I was going to ask more about her magic but then I heard Mama Mia's voice.
"Alright, time to close up, Bell, would you mind finishing up?" she said with amusement, ah I see Mama's back to normal.
I stood up and straightened my coat tails, I'm really starting to like this suit. "Well ladies, it's been a pleasure, I do hope to see you again in the near future. You've made my first night a genuine pleasure." I said with a smile "I'll go get your bills."
When I returned with the bills, they paid off the tab and gave me a rather hefty tip amounting to 3000 Valis before leaving with a promise to be back again soon.
I feel kind of bad to have used them the way I did to learn about the dungeon, but considering my strategy so far has been to slit a monster's throat or sever it's head, I easily could have died if I didn't learn about that little detail.
Not to mention having a place to start with regarding a method to use magic. I doubt it will work considering my lack of falna, but it might give me a new lead.
"Oi Bell!" Mama Mia's voice carried through the building "Come to the kitchen! It's time to meet the rest of your coworkers!"
I can feel my nerves from earlier return. I'm meeting them now?! Walking over I almost wish I had passed out again so I wouldn't have to do this but there's no avoiding it.
When I entered the kitchen, I was met with the full cast of the hostess for the first time.
I don't know what to say, there's four people in the room that I don't know as well as Mama and Ryuu… and all four of them are beautiful in their own right.
Mama Mia smirked at my overwhelmed expression "Well kid, gonna introduce yourself?"
Snapping my arms to my side I bowed as I introduced myself in a fluster "Hello, my name is Bell Cranel, age 15. I'm an adventurer and I look forward to work with all of you, please take care of me!"
Why did I say all of that?! My age is irrelevant and why is the black haired cat girl blushing! Mama! Could you stop laughing and help?
Apparently receiving my telepathic message, Mia clapped her hands "Okay girls, your turn!"
The first to step up is an energetic brown haired cat girl with brown eyes. She has a bright smile and almost jumped out of the line the girls had been arranged in "Nyallo! I'm Anya! I can't wait to dump- I mean teach you about my job!"
Wait what? Before I could respond to that, the next girl stepped forward.
She's a human girl with light brown hair and chocolate eyes. Compared to Anya, she seemed demure. But that's not exactly a high bar to jump "Hello, my name is Lunoire Faust, I occasionally act as a sue chef when we're especially busy. If Mama decides you will be permitted to cook, I'll be your instructor." She said, her voice calm and caring, if a bit blunt.
Next was the black haired cat girl from yesterday. Unlike her peaceful, calm expression from yesterday however this time she's breathing a bit heavy with a blush on her face… I'm scared… She walks right up to me, far too close I might add, and introduces herself "Hello~ I'm Chloe Rollo but you can call me big sis~ Just say the word and I'll take good care of you~"
Ah, I'm in danger.
She reached out to grab me but Mama Mia intercepts her by driving a fist into her head, knocking her out cold "Go to sleep perverted cat…" she muttered. I really hope this doesn't become a trend. I definitely will be locking my door at night though, even if I think her behavior is more amusing than dangerous.
After that disturbing scene, Ryuu stepped forward "You already know me, but I'm Ryuu Lion. I look forward to working with you Bell." Her smile almost made me lose my composure and start blushing again but I was able to control myself.
Finally, the last girl stepped forward and she seems somewhat familiar… Right, it's the girl I ran into on my way out of the Hostess.
She's undoubtedly a beautiful girl with short cut gray hair and eyes. She wears a kind smile without a care in the world but something feels off about her… My instincts are telling me she's dangerous… honestly I'm inclined to believe them.
I can see it in her eyes, just like last time, she's looking at me like I'm disgusting or a disappointment in some way.
"Hi! I'm Syr, Syr Flova! It's a pleasure to meet you!" her voice is chipper and cheery, completely at odds with what her eyes are showing.
With introductions out of the way, Mama Mia took control again "Alright everyone, off to bed. Bell, tomorrow we're going shopping."
A chorus of "Yes Mama!" rang out and I found myself joining in. It feels like a family here. Even if I don't trust Syr.
As everyone left I noticed, thankfully, that aside from Mama and Ryuu, all the other girls left. It seems that of the employees, only us three live here. I honestly don't think I would ever sleep properly with Syr here…
After the girls had long since vanished from the doorway, and Ryuu had gone up to her room, I approached Mama Mia, it seems she was expecting me to as well.
"So Bell, before I ask what you learned tonight, I need to know why you shifted away from Syr. It looked like you were afraid of her." As expected, Mama had already picked up on my discomfort with the gray haired girl.
"I don't really know Mama…" I began "There's something about her that makes me uncomfortable and she always has this look of disgust when she looks at me…" I pause trying to figure out exactly how to explain my thoughts "I can't explain it…" I relented.
Mama Mia gave me an odd look for a moment "well, if you feel that strongly about it, you'll be glad to know she doesn't work weekends. She was only here tonight because I didn't know if you were going to wake up in time. You won't ever have to work with her again."
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. The feeling of a weight being lifted from my shoulders caused me no small amount of relief.
"I don't know what your problem with her is, but try to at least be cordial if you see her in passing." I nodded. I can do that at least. "Now, what did you learn from those adventurers tonight?"
Straightening up, I relayed everything I learned from the dangers of beheading killer ants to the small lead I have on a way to learn magic, even if it is a long shot. When I finished, Mama Mia was wearing a proud smile.
"Good job kid. Head to the library after we get you some armor and those blades of yours attached to a handle tomorrow."
"Huh? I thought I would be working tomorrow?" I said in confusion. That was our deal after all.
"And you will be. When we open at night for adventurers. We don't need your help during the lunch shift, so you'll be working hard to improve your skills and learn as much as you can. Then at night you'll be learning from other adventurers, even if they don't know it themselves."
Ah I see, it's a way to optimize my time. I nod in understanding.
"Good" Mama said "Now get to bed. We've got an early morning."
Running up the stairs I turn back "Thank you Mama Mia!" I yelled back before shutting my door, stripping off my uniform and laying back in bed. Satisfied with my day's work.
3.7k this chapter. It's slow going but I am getting the word count up there. Honestly, I have no idea how I wrote this chapter up so fast but I guess that everyone hoping for more double uploads is going to be happy. See you next week I guess?
