Iruma has been acting quite strange lately and that behavior hasn't gone undetected by his top two friends.
"It has been almost a month since we've walked home with Master Iruma. Every time we bring it up to him he runs away with an excuse of some sort of plan. And he looks more tired than usual! Does he perhaps have a private engagement with other people that he deems more important???" Asmodeus gestures worriedly to Clare.
"Makka-chan's no fair getting to keep him all for herself! Irumachi's keeping secrets from us and as #1 friend I'll find out." Clara in a cloud of dust rushes in the direction Iruma was headed but not too as Asmodeus reaches his arm out to stop her in her tracks.
"Absolutely not! We shouldn't follow him, who knows what secret meeting/plans someone with his power is up to. Besides, we should trust his judgment. Clara are you listeni...?" Azz turns his head to look at where Clara once was and is only left with an empty spot and a dust trail.
"CLARA!" Azz shouts as he races after her.
...
Meanwhile, Iruma is walking into the local town, being careful to hide his appearance as much as possible with a hat and sunglasses as he enters a local cafe/bakery.
He heads to the back and changes out his usual Babirus uniform and changes into a black crew neck t-shirt with black slacks and a brown apron. He ties his hair and looks ready to work. As you may have guessed, Iruma has fallen to one of his old habits and has been working in a local coffee shop. How did this come to be?
Well, let's rewind a few weeks to see While out to town on a casual stop to said shop, Iruma notices there is a longer line than usual at the front door. Now while the cafe isn't a ghost town, they usually have a medium level of customers where the two can handle.
Upon closer inspection, Iruma sees an exasperated Ren is seen trying to take on all the orders himself with an ever-growing impatient crowd. Feeling compelled to help, Iruma rushes to aid, where he quickly explains he has experience working in a coffee shop, Ren who exhaustedly accepts.
As the rush of customers quickly calms down with Iruma's help, the two finally get a chance to talk.
"Thanks, Iruma, you were a lifesaver today. I don't know what I would have done with all those orders." Ren exclaims his thanks.
"It was no problem, I noticed that Ms. Anastasia isn't here today. Is she alright?" Iruma worriedly asks.
"She is doing okay now but yesterday she slipped on some soap in the tub and severely twisted her ankle. The doctor says it may take up to a month or so before she can be up and working again. I don't know how I will make it without her, I may have to clos--" Ren starts but Iruma interjects before he can finish his sentence.
"I can help! You all are so kind every time I visit, I don't mind helping out!" Iruma beams but Ren doesn't look too sure.
"You go to Babirus, right? Shouldn't you focus on school and not worry about our problems?" Ren protests but Iruma insists "I can come in after school and free time I have on the weekends and besides it is only temporary".
Ren is defeated by Iruma's look of determination "Fine it is only temporary and you have to promise to give in if it becomes too much for you to handle. Also, I can only pay you a little in salary so hopefully taking home the leftover sweets will be able to suffice." Eyes lighting up to the idea of sweet, Iruma happily agreed to the conditions and from that day started his barista.
That brings us back to the present and we're at the start of Iruma's shift. The door chimes as customers enter
"Hello, welcome to Cafe Mochi what can I ge- ARGH." Iruma freezes as Asmodeus and Clara enter the shop.
"Idiot I told you to stay back now we have lost his tracks!" Azz reprimands Clara but she instead looks confusingly at Iruma.
"Irumachi coffee machine?" Clara tilts her head at her comment.
Having lost Iruma's initial trail the pair decided to take a break at the local cafe before heading home but as luck would have it this was what they were looking for.
Iruma not knowing what to do shifts into selling mode offering drinks and sweets which in turn the two placed their orders and waited as Iruma made their drinks. As he delivered the drinks he sat and talked with them as it was a slow time for customers.
He explained everything and apologized profusely for not telling them sooner and making them worried. The pink and green duo had of course forgave him with giving him only a little scolding and they promised to keep the job a secret from the rest of the class.
"So tell us what is so fun about working in a cafe?" Clara questions.
"So far meeting new people and seeing familiar customers who are often here daily is very cool to try, some will come every day for the same drink, take a seat, and work on devices or paperwork. Also, the free treats are a huge plus of course!" Iruma exclaims with a light in his eye.
After chatting with his friends for a little while, some customers enter and Iruma greets them and heads back to the front counter taking their orders. After serving them their lattes, Iruma wishes Asmodeus and Clara safe travels home.
As the night approaches Iruma and Ren start closing up for the day when someone enters.
"Sorry, we're closed," Ren says over his shoulder not paying attention.
"Even for me? How disappointing." says a familiar voice feigning sadness.
"Ana! You're walking, is that okay? You should still be taking it easy!" Ren frets over her as she approaches the counter.
"Oh relax Ren I am fine! I had a check-up with the doctor today and she said it's as good as new and should even be able to start working tomorrow!" Anastasia exclaims excitedly.
"And Iruma I heard how helpful you were to go out of your way to help us during our time of need so you are always welcomed to some freebies when you come by." She hugs Iruma to show her thanks and Ren chimes in "Like I said before we couldn't have done without you thank you" as he goes in for as well making a group hug.
As Iruma walks home for the night he reflects on his time at the little shop. He definitely will miss it as he enjoyed the time he worked there. He then realizes this is the first job he took on himself, he wasn't forced to do it and he could have left if it was too much. It was good to have control of his own decision for once.
In the shadows, a certain grandpa was taking too many pictures to mark this day in memory.