Whatever it was, it felt... good.
Turning back, he found himself smiling softly at Miyano, a warmth spreading in his chest he couldn't quite explain.
"Here we are. Are you ready?" Miyano asked, pulling Kiyoto out of his thoughts.
"Oh, we've arrived?" Kiyoto blinked, sitting upright. "Yeah, let's go."
They stepped out of the car, handing the keys to the valet who greeted them.
"I'm... a little nervous," Kiyoto admitted, adjusting his jacket.
"Don't be nervous." Miyano gave him a reassuring smile. "Come on, let's head inside."
As they entered the restaurant, heads subtly turned toward them. Despite not being overdressed, their natural charm and striking presence were impossible to ignore.
They approached the manager, who greeted them with a warm smile. "Ah, you're here early!" he said cheerfully, gesturing for them to take a seat.
"Yes, I mentioned about the job earlier," Miyano said, settling into the chair.
"Of course, I remember." The manager glanced at Kiyoto. "And you must be Kiyato."
"Hello, sir," Kiyoto said politely.
"Hello! I'm Manager Takishaba," he replied with a friendly nod. "You both can start the work whenever you're ready."
"Thank you, sir," Kiyoto replied with a polite bow.
"He's so friendly, right?" Kiyoto asked as they walked away.
"Yeah," Miyano nodded with a small smile.
They headed to the changing room and switched into their work uniforms.
Miyano then led Kiyato to the bar section, gesturing to the counter. "This is where we'll be working. Do you know how to make drinks?"
"No," Kiyoto admitted, looking a little uncertain.
"It's okay," Miyano said reassuringly. "You can just serve them for now. I'll teach you how to make them later."
Miyano nodded, his expression calm as always.
As they glanced around, a group of customers entered the restaurant, instantly drawing attention. Their outfits were a perfect blend of elegance and opulence, each piece screaming high fashion. They walked with a confident air, their presence commanding the room effortlessly.
Kiyoto shifted uncomfortably, his gaze lingering on them for a moment too long. "They look like they walked straight out of a fashion magazine," he muttered under his breath.
Miyano chuckled, leaning slightly closer. "You'll see a lot of people like that here. This place is popular with the city's elite. Don't let it get to you—just stay professional."
Kiyoto nodded but couldn't help the nervous flutter in his chest. He glanced at his own reflection in the polished counter, suddenly feeling out of place. "Easier said than done," he mumbled, adjusting his uniform.
"You'll be fine," Miyano reassured him, patting his shoulder lightly. "Trust me, no one's going to notice us as long as we do our job well."
Kiyoto took a deep breath and straightened up. "Alright. Let's do this."
Miyano smiled, his confidence as steady as ever. Together, they prepared to step into their roles, ready to face whatever the evening would bring.
As Kiyoto balanced a tray of drinks, his hands trembling slightly, he felt the weight of several curious gazes on him. One wrong step, and he'd make a fool of himself. Just as he reached the table, a glass wobbled precariously. His heart stopped. Before he could react, Miyano appeared beside him, smoothly steadying the tray with one hand. "Relax," Miyano whispered with a reassuring smile. Kiyato exhaled, grateful and embarrassed. As they walked back to the bar, Miyano chuckled softly. "You're overthinking it. Just focus on one step at a time." Kiyoto nodded, silently admiring how effortlessly Miyano seemed to handle everything.
As Kiyoto carefully placed the glass on the table, he felt the weight of their glances on him. Their eyes lingered, curious and assessing, making his every movement feel amplified. He kept his composure, quickly finishing the task before turning on his heel. Avoiding their gaze, he walked back to Miyano.
"Good job," Miyano said with a small smile, his approval clear. "Just keep doing it the same way."
Kiyoto nodded, a sense of relief washing over him.
The rush of customers had died down, and the restaurant felt quieter. Still, it seemed like everyone couldn't help but notice them, their presence drawing subtle attention from those around.
Miyano walked over to him, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Let's go now," he said, flashing Kiyoto a grin.
Kiyoto blinked in surprise. "But it's only evening now."
Miyano shrugged lightly. "It's our first day, so we can leave early. It's fine."
Kiyoto thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, then. Let's go."
With that, they gathered their things and walked out.
As they changed into their regular clothes, the weight of the day seemed to lift off their shoulders. Kiyoto pulled on his jacket, looking at himself in the mirror one last time before following Miyano out of the changing room.
They walked together toward the exit, the soft hum of conversation from inside the restaurant fading behind them. The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped outside, and Kiyoto breathed in deeply, feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment.
Miyano glanced at him with a small smile. "How was it?"
Kiyoto returned the smile. "It wasn't as bad as I thought."
"Good," Miyano said, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. "We'll get better with time."
As they walked away from the restaurant, Kiyoto felt the beginnings of confidence stir within him. The night was still young, and though he was exhausted, he couldn't help but feel excited about what the next day would bring.
As they entered the car, Kiyoto buckled his seatbelt, then glanced at Miyano with a soft expression. "Thanks, Miyano," he said quietly, his voice sincere.
Miyano turned to him, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "No problem," he replied, starting the engine. "You did well today. I'm proud of you."
Kiyoto felt a warmth spread through him at the words. It was rare for him to hear praise, and something about Miyano's words made him feel like he truly belonged. He sat back in his seat, looking out the window as the car began to move, the city lights reflecting in his thoughts.
"So, Kiyoto, what will you give me in return?"
The sudden question caught Kiyoto off guard, and he blinked in surprise, unsure of what to say. Miyano glanced at him with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying the moment.
Kiyoto hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. "In return for... what?" he asked, still trying to process the unexpected question.
Miyano shrugged casually. "For all the help, of course. I taught you today, so now I'm curious what you'll do for me." His grin widened, teasing but not serious.
Kiyoto chuckled nervously, not used to being put on the spot like this. "I'll think of something," he replied with a grin, hoping he wasn't overthinking it. "Just... don't expect anything too fancy."
"Oki, then find me a girlfriend," Miyano said with a teasing grin, clearly amused by the situation.
Kiyoto froze for a moment, his mind going blank as he processed the words. He turned to Miyano, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Wait, seriously?" he asked, his voice filled with doubt. "You're asking me to find you a girlfriend?"
Miyano laughed, clearly enjoying Kiyoto's reaction. "Why not? You're the one who's good with people now."
Kiyoto's face flushed slightly, unsure whether Miyano was joking or not. "I— I don't know about that…" he muttered, feeling the sudden pressure of the task. He never expected his first day at work to end with a challenge like this.
Miyano shrugged, his smirk softening. "I'm just messing with you. But hey, if you do find someone, let me know."
The playful tone, the teasing smile—it all felt too lighthearted, yet something about it left him unsettled. He wasn't sure why, but as the car continued down the road, an unexpected heaviness settled in his chest.
He didn't understand why the words felt like a weight on him. It wasn't the joke itself—he knew Miyano was just having fun—but for some reason, Kiyoto couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. Maybe it was the way Miyano said it, or how Kiyoto suddenly wondered if he was somehow being compared to someone else.
He glanced over at Miyano, who seemed relaxed, but Kiyoto's mind was swirling. Why did it feel like something was off, even though he couldn't pinpoint what it was?
His fingers tightened around the seatbelt.
Miyano glanced over at Kiyoto, noticing the subtle tension in his posture and the way his eyes seemed distant. A knowing glint flickered in his gaze, and a small, mischievous smirk appeared on his face.