Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, things came up! It's odd. It takes less than fifteen minutes to upload these but I just couldn't find the energy at all. Nonetheless, I hope you guys like the chapter! This one was a lot of fun to write!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rising of the Shield Hero, that honour solely belongs to Aneko Yusagi

—

Melromarc Café

Class Upgrade

In the dead of night, three pairs of footsteps stealthily creeped in and out of alleys. The footsteps belonged to three young men, whose shadows danced on the walls as they encroached upon their target. They were led by a monk with curly golden locks and a toothy grin, clearly the oldest of the trio despite simultaneously being the shortest. Behind him, the two other adventurers walked beside each other. One, the tallest of their crew, was a slim, young firbolg with moony white skin and faded blue hair. The other was of draconian origin, cautiously gripping a thin wooden staff. Red scales with green highlights gleamed under torchlight.

"I think we're here." The monk hissed at the end of an alley, coming to a sudden stop. In turn, the firbolg nearly tripped on his oversized leather boots. Ahead of them, a large wooden mansion stood tall, plunging the surrounding buildings into darkness. Inside the mansion, somewhere, was their target, a stolen letter of inheritance their client had hired them to retrieve.

"Watch where you're going, will you Baxter?!" The firbolg disparaged, glancing behind them for spies.

"Get better boots then, August." Baxter retorted without missing a beat. "I don't see any guards-" As the blond spoke, a shadowy figure emerged from a backdoor. They swiftly locked the door shut and leaned against the mansion's exterior, dragging on a cigarette.

"Way to jinx it, oh fearless leader." The dragon born drawled.

"Knock that bastard out, Shiro!" August chanted, balling his long fingers into fists. The firbolg muffled a snicker at the monk's incensed face from being cut off.

"You know I prefer Yashiro. But, I will do my best, Master Augustus." Yashiro parried, lifting his staff higher. After muttering a short incantation, a ray of frost burst forth and sailed toward the figure. "Bullseye." The wizard smirked as the icy figure collapsed to the ground.

"For once." Baxter cheekily noted as they strolled toward the locked door. The blond kneeled before the downed figure. "Now we just-where are this guy's keys?" He muttered, pulling out a pack of cigarettes instead. The monk dug further, retrieving a handkerchief, a tuna sandwich - which August promptly snatched for himself - and a jar of pickles, playing cards, tarot cards, a dagger or two, and a rather explicit portrait of the lady of the house. "I can't find the keys." Baxter groaned, narrowing his eyes at Yashiro.

"Must've blown off or something," August suggested, glaring at the frozen body beneath them. He took a bite out of the sandwich. "That or Shiro here must've iced them." The firbolg rolled his eyes.

"My apologies, August." Yashiro closed his eyes. "Perhaps we can melt the keys free? Is there anything cold?" The dragon born piqued.

"I can't feel anything cold, or wet." Baxter shook his head. He moved to stand, but not before pocketing the portrait with a whistle. "I guess that means it's my time to shine! Stand back boys, let the master work!" The blond cockily rubbed his hands together before approaching the locked door. Meanwhile, August silently crept toward Yashiro's side.

"Ten. He gets his arm stuck in it." The firbolg bet with a knowing smile.

"I would bet five greater that he somehow manages to injure himself." Yashiro countered as they observed the monk psyche himself up. After spending what must've been half an hour doing different poses, Baxter launched his fist, lightning-fast at the door to penetrate the wood.

"Ha! I got it!" The monk victoriously shouted, twisting his arm to unlock the door. "And… ouch! Ow! Guys, help!" Baxter whined, stepping back as his arm was lodged in the door. "Damn it, I think some's in my arm! Oh, the pain, the pain! I freaking hate doors!" He ranted, frantically pulling at his immobilized appendage.

"I do believe that makes us tied," Yashiro commented to a nodding August, who'd joined in a round of cards while Baxter was posing. The firbolg in response pulled out a metallic flute. After playing a faint melody, an illuminated hand materialized out of thin air to pry their comrade from the offending door. The dragon-born then stalked over to the injured monk and lifted him by one arm, with August taking the other. "Come on, my friend. We have a job to do and an inheritance to steal." Yashiro chided.

Thus, with a groaning monk in tow, they entered the mansion's depths!

… They didn't make it two minutes on the creaking floorboards before August dropped a vase and the entire guard unit was upon them.

"You know, sometimes I feel like the world is out to get us," Baxter remarked as they moved into battle stances. They'd been ambushed in a large, circular library with a spiralling staircase.

"I feel like you're just egotistical." August shot back before backflipping onto the stairs. "I'll find the inheritance! You guys stall!" The bard decided, already playing his flute to fly away. Baxter sputtered in protest, but he hadn't the time to act on it as the guards charged.

Yashiro and Baxter blitzed through the guards like a pair of buffalos. The latter blasted enemies into bookshelves while the former pummelled the remainder on the ground. Pages were torn from their sleeves as scripts flew into the air, forming a wild blizzard of letters and parchment. Soon enough, the two intruders panted atop a mountain of their defeated foes.

"Whew!" Baxter went, nursing his bloodied knuckles while leaning against a desk.

"Be careful. We've done enough damage as it is." Yashiro gravely warned, leaning on his staff. However, the monk merely scoffed.

"What's the worse we could do? Burn the mansion to the-oops…" Baxter yelped as he accidentally knocked a burning candle to the floor while spreading his arms upwards. The two watched in horrified slow motion as the candle hit the floor and kindled remnants of a bookshelf. Flames proceeded to devour the entire room, soon spreading to the entire mansion.

"WHY IS THE MANSION ON FIRE?! WHAT DID YOU IDIOTS DO?!" August screamed while barrelling down the stair, inheritance in hand.

"I-um, will explain later! We need to move!" Baxter sheepishly admitted before pushing them toward the exit. Once they were in the frigid safety of the outside air, they watched the crackling flames envelop the building. Smoked billowed into the sky as crowds began to form. Both Yashiro and August glared expectantly at their resident monk. He nervously laughed. "Well…"

—

"That went well!" Motoyasu grinned, leaning back in his chair. Immediately, Itsuki and Ren levied similar glares at him. "We got the inheritance! And there aren't any witnesses! We're getting paid!" He cheerfully argued, stretching his arms outward.

"We were supposed to be discreet! That was anything but discreet." Ren shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "And did you really have to spend five actual minutes thinking of different Baxter poses? You could've just said he wasted everyone's time or something and be done with it." The black-haired boy continued. "Then the door-"

"Okay, well I'm never going to get a good roll on breaking and entering, dude! I swear I'm actually cursed or something…" The blond hastily defended.

"At least it didn't take us fifteen minutes to get inside the building this time." Itsuki sighed, tugging at a strand of his hair.

"You're welcome." Naofumi chuckled while Motoyasu stole fries off his plate.

"Yes, thank you, Naofumi for making every single building in this campaign freaking Guantanamo Bay! Can the door just ever be left open for once? Lazy and careless people exist, look at Motoyasu!" Itsuki heatedly argued, jabbing a finger at the blond simp.

"Says the guy who failed every single one of their stealth checks for the last month!" Motoyasu shot back with a warning grin.

"Okay, okay! Guys!" Naofumi alerted, pushing his palms in front of the two blonds' faces, cutting Itsuki off before he could retort. "I think the sight of a burning mansion is a decent place to end things. So, do you guys want to stop here or continue next week?" The brunette surveyed, raising a brow at his friends. There weren't many other patrons in the café by that point, the young men being one of the few groups remaining. Melty quietly worked on her homework at the counter while they discussed.

"That… sounds good to me." Ren decided, slowly nodding his head before rising.

"Same…" Itsuki parroted after packing up his belongings.

"Then it's settled. We'll see you guys next week." Naofumi stated in turn. However, Motoyasu leaned back into his seat after packing up instead of leaving. "Oi, Motoyasu, you coming?" The brunet asked upon noticing his inaction.

"I… Nah, think I'll stick around for another hour. I got to work on job hunting and if I head back to my place now I'm going to end up binging instead." The blond explained, surprisingly mature. The other three males gaped at the information.

"Since when are you getting a job?" Itsuki questioned, walking forward as Motoyasu retrieved his laptop for work.

"My rent's gone up this month, dude. There's only so much scholarships can help with." Motoyasu groaned, typing away. "Fortunately, yours truly is awesome at talking to people! So, I just need to find the right job to take!" The blond confidently stated, flexing his elbows. "I wouldn't have to though if someone agreed to room with me!" He snarked, pointedly narrowing his eyes at Naofumi.

"I've been to your pigsty of an apartment. No thanks." The brunet cooly brushed off to a disheartened pout.

"Where were you thinking of applying? Maybe we can help." Ren curiously piqued, glancing at his screen.

"Something basic, I don't know… And, thanks for the offer. But, what job experience do you three even have?" Motoyasu teasingly grinned. He swivelled, pointing at each of them as he spoke. "Naofumi's a freeloader. Itsuki… you sell crane game prizes. Ren… I have no idea." The blond sheepishly admitted to the youngest of their group.

"I humiliate my upperclassman in video game tournaments," Ren smirked, high-giving Itsuki after his comment.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny." Both Naofumi and Motoyasu deadpanned.

"Oh, what about this moving company? They just need someone to carry and unload boxes." Motoyasu suggested, pointing at one of the options on the screen.

—

"Kitamura! Come help us over here!" His employer ordered, standing near a stark-white van filled to the brim with cardboard boxes.

"Yes, sir!" Motoyasu eagerly nodded. The blond wore an equally stark-white uniform and ball cap with the moving company's logo. He practically bounced into the van and nestled a box under his arm. "Okay, here we go-oh !# *-" Motoyasu grunted as the box pressed against his hands. It seemed much lighter from the outside appearance. "What's in this thing? Freaking training weights?!" He gasped, stumbling onto the street.

"Kitamura, you good?" His employer inquired, tilting their head.

"I'm fantastic! I'm awesome! I'm the best! This is… is nothing, sir" Motoyasu wheezed while carrying the box toward the house. "Give it a few days! I'm sure by then I'll be mega buffed out by all of-WOAH!" The blond tripped on a crack and broke his back. More importantly, the contents in the box he'd dropped in the confusion had audibly cracked as well.

—

"No." All four young men simultaneously rejected.

"The only exercise he's ever done is walking to places, which would not help with lifting," Naofumi grumbled, grabbing one of the blond's noodle arms as evidence. "Well, there're video games. But, I doubt that'll help either." He added as an afterthought.

"Come on, man. I played tennis in high school! You watched me try out!" Motoyasu protested after freeing himself.

"I also know you only joined to impress a girl. And when she started dating some other douche you quit the team. Simp." The brunet yawned, grabbing his neck as Motoyasu sputtered beside him.

"Why don't you try something basic? Like, a waiter?" Ren offered, shoving the blond off his seat to search for separate openings. He ignored the simp's complaints on the floor. "Um, this place is hiring." The black-haired boy discovered. Itsuki winced at the job description.

"Ren, that is the shadiest establishment I have ever seen…" He hissed. "And I pay attention to politics."

—

"H-Hello… My name is Kitamura. H-How can I help you gentlemen today?" Motoyasu nervously greeted the two customers before him. They wore spiky, black capes and had an unnaturally pale complexion. Inky, black hair barely concealed glowing red eyes. In turn, Motoyasu's uniform consisted of a medieval-styled shirt and pants. A leather bag sat atop his head as some sort of hat. His fingers trembled while gripping the thin notebook.

"We will take… the blood orange cake…" One of the customers drawled in a thick, Romanian accent.

"N-Noted. A-Anthing to drink with that… like, w-water?" Motoyasu asked as per protocol.

"Red wine…" The other customer answered with narrowed eyes. Motoyasu fought down a yelp as he hurriedly jotted down their orders.

"I'll get on that then!" He frantically nodded, practically sprinting to serve another table. Fortunately, it seemed luck was on his side for once! As the next table hosted a gaggle of young ladies, their faces hidden by feathered fans. One could practically see the stars in the blond simp's eyes. "Good afternoon, fair maidens! My name is Kitamura, and it is my honour to serve you!" Motoyasu pompously introduced, getting down onto one knee and taking one of the ladies' hands in his own. "Whatever do you-"

"CUT!" The young woman demanded, startling him. Odd, the young lady didn't… sound like a young lady.

"A cut of lamb?" Motoyasu blinked. "Actually, that sounded a lot like-" He pondered as the woman snapped her fan down, revealing Naofumi's irritated face instead. Promptly, Motoyasu screamed his head off.

—

"Yeah, he can't be a waiter, would be way too creepy." Ren shook his head as Motoyasu recovered on the floor.

"Dude, not cool!" The blond coughed.

"What else? What else?" Itsuki debated aloud, grabbing his chin in the process. "What about taxi driver? Or pizza delivery-" He tried to suggest.

"You think I can afford a car right now?" Motoyasu retorted, pushing Ren out of his seat. However, the black-haired boy was relentless and lunged, taking them both to the floor. Itsuki found the squabble far more amusing than the vast array of job openings and so turned to spectate. Thus, while Itsuki egged their two other friends on, Naofumi took a look at the screen.

"Oh. I think this one would work for you, Motoyasu." Naofumi directed. But, upon glancing behind him, found Elhart banging the two males' heads together. The brunet grimaced. "That's our cue to leave then."

—

Motoyasu took a deep breath and fixed his collar before entering Beloukas' Pet Store. The exterior of the small building was made of bricks, and was clearly well-maintained. A metallic sign depicting a group of children playing with kittens and puppies hung overhead the door. The store's windows displayed various kinds of aesthetic pet accessories from spiralling bird cages to complex hamster houses.

"I can talk to people. I can do this." The blond reassured himself as he causally strolled toward the front counter. There were customers mingling about near him, mostly hyperactive children and their parents. Although, there was an odd group of teenagers near the fish tanks. Notably, a short girl in the group was gripping a fishing rod with an odd gleam in her eyes.

Motoyasu ignored them. He had an interview to take.

"Hello there!" The blond cheerfully greeted the employee at the front. In turn, the female employee gave him a lethargic stare before sighing.

"Welcome to Beloukas' Pet Store. What can I do for you…?" She drawled, dragging a hand through her short, orange hair. The young woman had a name tag with 'Elena' clipped to her uniform.

"I'm Kitamura, I'm here for the interview!" Motoyasu pleasantly explained, shining the - hopefully future coworker - redhead a dashing grin. Elena remained impassive to the gesture and simply checked something on the counter. A few seconds passed as she fiddled with a piece of paper. "Is there somewhere I should go or?" The blond asked, equally unfazed by the rejection, looking around the store.

"Huh? Oh, right. Sorry, I dazed off…" Elena shook her head before grabbing a nearby phone. "Oi, Beloukas? We got a blondie here for the interview. Mhm, yeah, I'll do that. Whatever, old man, you wish you could find someone better." The redhead's face scrunched up near the end of the call. "Backdoor, take a left. Beloukas' office will be the first thing you see." She guided, pointing a thumb at said door.

"Will do, thanks!" Motoyasu smiled, holding his hand out. "I hope we'll be able to spend more time together, as coworkers." He joked with a wink.

"Word of advice. Don't flirt with the customers." Elena deadpanned.

"Eh, we'll see." The blond shrugged, already jaunting toward Beloukas' office.

"-someone might finally get along with that old man-" He heard the employee mutter under her breath, piquing his interest. "Wonder if I'm the only one interested in the interview or something?" Motoyasu pondered as he reached the metallic door, contrasting with the building's dominantly wooden flooring. He could do this! It wasn't any different from his old scholarship interviews in the past. He just had to talk-

"Come in! Come in!" A sleazy voice piped up from behind the frame. Motoyasu paused, before slowly opening the door to reveal quite the lavish office. The room juxtaposed the plain hallway with its plush furnishings and mahogany desk. Behind the desk was the voice's owner, a relatively short man with spectacles and a curly moustache.

"Hello, I'm-" The blond tried to introduce.

"Kitamura, Motoyasu, yes?!" The short man, who he determined was Beloukas energetically questioned. Motoyasu mutely nodded. "Good, good! Come here, come here, my boy!" Beloukas gestured with his hand, to which the blond unsurely did so. "Hmmmmmmm, I like what I see! I do, yes, I do! Hmmm!" Beloukas excitedly hummed, circling an increasingly dumbfounded Motoyasu with an… eager gleam in his eyes.

"It's nice to meet you-" Motoyasu attempted to say.

"NO! No. It's nice to meet you, my boy!" Beloukas clapped his hands together. "Now tell me, do you have a criminal record of any kind? Do you derive any kind of fiendish pleasure from harming those with lesser power?!" The shorter man passionately interviewed, straightening himself as to get closer to his face.

"I-what? NO AND NO!" Motoyasu sputtered, losing his composure. He took a large step back. "I assure you, good sir, that I-" The blond was cut off, AGAIN.

"Good, good, good! Well then, all's in order! Since I do trust that you know what you're applying for, when can you start, my boy?!" Beloukas asked, clapping him on the shoulder.

"I-That's it? I'm hired?" Motoyasu blanched, staring at the pet shop owner in shock.

"Yes, you're hired!" Beloukas boisterously laughed. "Have you seen dear Elena, my boy? She barely does enough to justify me paying her! Let alone attracting customers back! It's a shame It's just I've never been able to find some other young'un to take the job? Why, I run a perfectly legal establishment that does not involve slavery and/or abuse in any way, whatsoever! So, it is beyond my perfectly clear mind onto why all my hires leave within the week." Beloukas chuckled, pacing the office as he did so.

"Um… sure. I can come in next week?" Motoyasu slowly replied in a daze.

"Marvellous! Just marvellous, my boy! Allow me to show you around!" Beloukas grabbed his arm and dragged him back into the hallway. "ELENA! Come meet your new coworker!" The shorter man yelled.

"Mhm. I'm good, old man." Elena could be heard yawning at the front

"HMMMMMMMM!" Beloukas wildly grinned in turn, practically vibrating on the spot. Motoyasu suppressed a shiver at the energy the older man emitted, staring from Elena to him with wide eyes.

"What have I got myself into?" The blond vaguely thought.

A couple of hours later, Motoyasu walked left the strangest interview and training session he'd ever had in HIS LIFE! At least he got paid though. Though, part of him wondered if it was merely Beloukas attempting to bribe him to stay on.

"Hey… Naofumi… Boy, do I have a story to tell you! So, I got the job…" Motoyasu sheepishly called his friend.

—

Author's Notes: So, originally I was going to have Elena interview Motoyasu in the most sluggish way possible. And Kizuna would've been his original coworker because of the whole "why do you work here if you want to eat all of the fish?!" irony. But, then I realized Beloukas made more sense as a counterpart.

Anyways, hope you guys liked the chapter! Next one might be a bit while longer since I just had this idea for a new one-shot!

Please let me know your thoughts below and have a great day! Until next time!