Chapter 4: Nina's Quest for Employment
The next morning, Yuuto was woken up by an unusually loud rustling noise. Groaning, he opened his eyes to find Nina rummaging through his closet.
"What… are you doing?" he asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
"Preparing for my next conquest," Nina replied, holding up one of his T-shirts like it was an exotic artifact. "But first, I need to blend in with the locals. Your garments are… simplistic, yet intriguing."
"That's my closet," Yuuto said, sitting up. "And why do you even need to blend in?"
"Because, Yuuto," Nina said with exaggerated patience, "I've decided to contribute to the household. A queen must always ensure her domain thrives. I shall… what do you call it? Find a 'job.'"
Yuuto blinked at her. "You? Working?"
"Yes," Nina said, striking a heroic pose. "It is my duty to assist my loyal subject. I will secure a position of great importance and bring glory to this household!"
Yuuto rubbed his temples. "I don't know if I should be impressed or terrified."
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Step One: The Job Hunt
After an hour of convincing Nina that she couldn't wear a crown to a job interview ("It's a symbol of my authority, Yuuto!"), they finally headed out. Yuuto had no idea where to even begin with her job search, but he figured they'd start small.
Their first stop was a local café. As soon as they walked in, Nina's eyes lit up. "What is this place? It smells divine!"
"It's a café," Yuuto explained. "People come here for coffee and pastries. Maybe you can work here as a waitress."
Nina's face fell. "A waitress? Is that not a role for servants?"
"Technically, yes," Yuuto said. "But it's also a job. You said you wanted to help, remember?"
Nina crossed her arms, pouting. "Very well. I shall grace this establishment with my royal presence."
Yuuto facepalmed. "Just… try to act normal, okay?"
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The Interview
The manager, a kind-looking woman in her 40s, greeted them with a smile. "You're interested in the waitress position?"
"Indeed," Nina said, stepping forward. "I, Queen Nina, am here to—"
Yuuto elbowed her in the ribs. "Yes, she's interested," he said quickly. "She's… uh, new to the area."
The manager chuckled. "Well, let's see how you do with a quick trial. Can you carry these plates to that table over there?"
Nina looked at the stack of plates like they were a pile of explosives. "I… Of course! This task shall be completed with grace and precision."
She picked up the plates, wobbling slightly as she walked toward the table. Yuuto held his breath, praying she wouldn't drop them.
For a moment, it seemed like she might succeed. Then, just as she reached the table, she tripped over her own feet. The plates went flying, landing with a spectacular crash.
The entire café went silent.
"I-I meant to do that!" Nina stammered, standing up and brushing herself off. "It was a demonstration of… the fragility of modern dining ware!"
The manager gave her a sympathetic smile. "Maybe waitressing isn't for you."
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Step Two: Retail Woes
Their next stop was a clothing store. Yuuto figured it would be harder for Nina to mess up if she was just folding clothes or stocking shelves.
As soon as they entered, Nina was drawn to a mannequin dressed in a sparkly pink dress. "Look at this! It's fit for royalty!"
"It's just a display," Yuuto said. "You're here to work, not shop."
A sales clerk approached them, and Yuuto explained that Nina was looking for a job. The clerk handed her a pile of clothes and asked her to fold them.
Nina accepted the task with surprising enthusiasm. "Simple enough. Watch and learn, Yuuto!"
She started folding, but her technique was… unconventional. She tied one shirt into a bow, rolled another into a cylinder, and draped a pair of pants over her shoulders like a scarf.
The clerk's smile grew increasingly strained. "That's… not exactly how we do it."
"Nonsense!" Nina said, holding up her creations. "Behold my innovative designs! Your customers will be begging for these!"
Needless to say, she didn't get the job.
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Step Three: Fast Food Chaos
Desperate to find something Nina couldn't ruin, Yuuto took her to a fast food restaurant. "This is as basic as it gets," he said. "Just take orders and don't touch anything sharp."
Nina stared at the counter with determination. "Very well. I shall master this 'fast food' art."
Her trial started smoothly enough. She managed to greet customers without calling them peasants, which Yuuto considered a victory. But things quickly went downhill when she discovered the soda machine.
"What is this wondrous device?" Nina asked, pressing random buttons. "It produces endless streams of nectar!"
"It's a soda fountain," Yuuto said, trying to pull her away. "Stop messing with it!"
But Nina was too fascinated. She filled cup after cup with different drinks, mixing them together like a mad scientist. By the time the manager intervened, she had created a concoction so vile that even she refused to drink it.
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The Aftermath
By the end of the day, Nina had been rejected by three different employers and had caused minor chaos at each location. Yuuto was exhausted, but Nina seemed oddly cheerful.
"Well, that was enlightening!" she said as they walked home. "Your world's jobs are quite… challenging."
"That's one way to put it," Yuuto muttered. "Maybe we should just stick to you being a freeloader."
"Nonsense!" Nina said, puffing out her chest. "I will not give up! Tomorrow, we shall continue the search!"
Yuuto groaned. "Great. I can't wait."
As they reached the apartment, Nina turned to him with a mischievous smile. "By the way, Yuuto… I kept one of those sparkly dresses. Consider it my reward for today's efforts."
"What?!" Yuuto exclaimed. "You stole a dress?!"
"Borrowed," Nina corrected. "I'll return it… eventually."
Yuuto sighed, already dreading what the next day would bring.
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End of Chapter 4