Eiji was still staring at his coffee cup when the doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the silence of the restaurant.
The door opened, and Nino and Miku stepped in, carrying several bags of groceries from the Shopping District.
"Kamiki, we brought the groceries, so—" Nino stopped talking when her eyes fell on Eiji sitting at the table with a coffee cup in his hand.
"Eh?!" Miku was equally surprised, seeing the coffee cup in Eiji's hand.
"You... made coffee?"
Nino approached the table, her face showing confusion.
"Wait, weren't you suffering from amnesia? How could you make coffee yourself?"
Her gaze shifted to the coffee equipment Eiji had used.
"And this isn't instant coffee. You actually made it from coffee beans. That's very different!"
It should be noted that there is a significant difference between making instant coffee and coffee from coffee beans. It's not something that can be done without experience.
No wonder Nino and Miku showed surprised reactions. Even they needed training to be able to make coffee with coffee beans.
"..."
Eiji looked at them both calmly. He put down the coffee cup he had just sipped from, he himself wasn't quite sure how to explain.
"To be honest, I don't remember much. But when I saw these coffee beans, my body seemed to know what to do. My hands moved automatically, without thinking. It seems like... even though I lost my memory, the skills I learned are still there."
Miku and Nino looked at each other.
Miku approached the table, looking at the neatly arranged coffee equipment.
"So... You can make coffee without your memories, just because your body is used to it? Are you sure you don't remember anything?" She asked curiously.
Eiji nodded and replied: "I don't remember who taught me or when I started doing it. But when I hold these coffee beans and tools, something feels familiar."
"Anyway, this is good progress. Maybe your memory will come back soon." Nino said as she put down her shopping bags.
"You've prepared the restaurant well before opening, Kamiki-kun, you've done a good job." Miku praised, looking at the tables that were already arranged, the perfectly arranged equipment, and the aroma of coffee filling the room.
"This is normal. After all, I'm a part-time worker here, I can't be lazy or I'll be kicked out. If that happens, then I have no choice but to rely on my face to make a living."
"You're still thinking about that stupid idea?! I told you to forget about it!"
"It's just a joke, Nino-san. Don't take it too seriously."
"Your expressionless face and calm tone don't look like you're telling a joke at all."
Miku: "😐"
Seeing their interactive interaction, Miku was even more convinced that Nino liked Eiji. If not, Nino wouldn't have argued with their father to allow Eiji to work part-time at their restaurant.
'I'm glad Nino found a man she likes. Her heart is no longer entangled with Fuutarou.' She thought relieved, but a little envious at the same time.
'When will I be able to find a man who can replace Fuutarou in my heart...'
Touching her left chest, Miku looked dazed.
"What should I do?" Eiji asked Nino.
"Today you're just observing. You're not actually working yet. We still need to make sure you know the basics of work here before we let you start working." Nino said, crossing her arms.
"There are many other things you need to understand. How to serve customers, how to serve food, how to clean tables, and so on. We'll help you understand what to do, but since you're still recovering, you can focus on observing today." Miku added in a softer tone.
"I understand." Eiji obeyed their arrangement.
Next, Nino and Miku started getting busy preparing for work. The two women skillfully processed the groceries into semi-finished products so that the cooking time was only a short time when customers ordered.
Meanwhile, Eiji observed their work without making a sound. As time went on, he discovered another fact about himself, namely that his memory was very good. He remembered their cooking procedures in just one look.
"Kamiki-kun, please turn the sign on the door."
"Okay."
Following Miku's instructions, Eiji flipped the sign that read "Close" to "Open".
It was 7 am, the time people started their activities.
Soon after, a beautiful office woman entered.
"Welcome."
Eiji bowed slightly to greet the customer, as Nino had taught him earlier.
"Ah... Ahem..."
The office woman was stunned for a moment when she saw the handsome young man in front of her. Realizing her silly action, she coughed and walked to the table as if nothing had happened.
"Watch how I serve customers."
Nino patted Eiji's shoulder, then with a friendly smile, she gave the menu book and took notes from the other party.
"So that's how it is..."
Observing closely, Eiji nodded in understanding.
After that, Nino and Miku divided the tasks, and worked on their respective parts.
However, in just 10 minutes, the restaurant received three more customers. Therefore, Eiji imitated Nino's actions, and served them.
"Wow, he is learning fast. It's just that his expression is too flat, can't he smile?" Nino complained.
"Don't be too demanding, Nino. This is Kamiki-kun's first day of work. He needs time to get used to it." Miku defended Eiji.
"Nino-san, Miku-san, you two are very busy. Let me make the coffee."
Giving the order list, Eiji volunteered to help them.
If there were only a few customers in the restaurant, it wouldn't be a problem for him to just watch. However, contrary to the expectations of the two women, the restaurant was very busy even though it had just opened. As a result, they were both unprepared and struggling with the large number of orders.
"What do you think, Nino?" Miku turned and asked.
"Hmmm... Try making a Cappuccino for me. If it tastes good, you're allowed to make coffee."
Thinking for a moment, Nino wanted to taste Eiji's coffee before making a decision.
"Okay, I'll do it."
It didn't take long for Eiji to make a Cappuccino and give it to Nino.
"Slurppp... This is better than the coffee I make myself!"
"Really? Let me try it."
Thinking that Nino was exaggerating, Miku took the glass in her hand and took a sip.
A soft, smooth, balanced, and rich flavor. That was Miku's opinion of the Cappuccino.
"This... is good."
"If so, I'll leave the coffee making task to you, Kamiki."
There was no reason for Nino to refuse, and Miku nodded in agreement.
"Mm. I'll do my best."
Getting permission from both of them, Eiji didn't delay and immediately made the coffee order.
Nino and Miku were in charge of cooking, while Eiji was the waiter and barista.
With their teamwork, the customers left satisfied.