13 The black knight

Sasaki's face went even redder as she realized who was facing her. She only knew one person named Omuge who also used that name in games. The one she talked to every day, and with whom she planned to play Alveola Online, was there in front of her. And he saw her in rather embarrassing conditions for the girl.

"Uh... I... My name is..." Her voice was shaking and she stammered, not knowing what to do. Should she tell him she was Sasaki ? She would have preferred to avoid that he sees her in such a ridiculous costume, doing such a grotesque activity... She had to find another name, quickly !

Unfortunately, the waitress who came behind her with a dark look did not give her time.

"Sasaki, how could you knock over the first dish you were supposed to bring in ? There are everywhere !" The head waitress said in a terrifying voice. Sasaki had only one desire, and it was to disappear and disconnect from the game as she was ashamed. She had the same feeling as when she had to present in class, in front of all her classmates.

"I'm sorry..." she answered only, putting her hands over her head. She glanced next to her as she saw the broken plate and the flan that had crashed to the floor. She really had not insured...

"You don't need to get upset, miss." Omuge got up with the same smile that made Sasaki's heart leap in her chest, turning to the head waitress. She was a muscular and tall woman, taller than him, with long red hair that went down to her hips. A horn came out of her hair, pearly white, a color that went well with her almost pale skin.

"I could pay you back this dish, if that's a problem. I understand it was only his first day, so it would be nice to be lenient with her." Omuge said, who spoke in a soft, soothing voice that could have calmed any killer.

The tall woman glanced down, still looking at Sasaki sternly. She was lucky that this client was defending her, otherwise she would probably have received a punishment for her bad service. The important thing was that she learn from her mistake and pay more attention next time.

"Get up, I'm going to clean up here. We apologize for the inconvenience, sir. We'll bring you the dish you ordered and compensation for the inconvenience." Explained the head waitress, bowing to Omuge. The client was king, and it was more than important that he left satisfied, to maximize the chances that he would come back.

When Sasaki got up, she looked at her friend who had sat down calmly while the woman was busy cleaning the floor. He had not recognized her despite her first name being pronounced ? At the same time, the god of creation had given her a strange nickname...

Sasaki huffed with relief and almost screamed in surprise when the heavy hand of the head waitress settled on her shoulder. The latter still had a cold air on her face, which did not announce anything good.

"Since you're not good at the service, we'll see how you take care of the customers. Do you see the man there ?" The head waitress pointed to a dark mass of metal that had just entered the bar. He was a man covered in armor from head to foot, metal plates that must have weighed several kilograms and did not show his body anywhere. He wore a helmet just as imposing as the rest, which made his face unknown.

"He's a very rich client, but also very picky and dangerous, always demanding strange things every time he comes. So no waitress wants to take care of him anymore. You're going to do it." A petty smile appeared on the face of the woman, who had bent down to speak to Sasaki's ear.

"B-but I don't think I have the ability to, and-"

"I don't want to know. You're here to work, not to break the dishes and annoy the customers." She finished coldly before gently pushing the girl forward, who was beginning to feel the stress rising in her. And what if she failed again ? This man looked more like a monster in his black metal armor... Was killing the waitresses allowed ?

Sasaki looked nervously right to left in the restaurant, slowly approaching the client. Where was Ofelya ? She could not see the girl in the room... Now that she was alone, she did not really feel sure of herself, and she only gave a half shy smile to the man she had to welcome.

"H-hello... Uh... Welcome to the Neko Bar... I'll take you to your... Your table..." She said in a trembling voice, trying to stay upright despite everything in her body wanted to run away. Approaching him, she had the impression that the surrounding temperature had dropped a few degrees, and several shivers had run through her limbs...

She turned and walked to one of the free tables. The man had not responded to her greeting and had just walked behind her in silence. Had she done wrong ? He was a regular at this bar, so sending a new waitress was definitely not a good decision...

Arriving at the table designated for him, number 34, Sasaki tried to smile again, turning around.

"I... Sit down please, I'll take you... I-I'll take your order..."

The man sat down heavily on the bench, and Sasaki thought it was a feat it resists such a weight. However, the latter was still silent and just patted the little piece of bench next to him.

"I... are you missing s-something?" She asked as timidly as ever. The menu was on the table, she was in front of him, ready to take his order, but he did not seem to decide to speak.

"Yes, you. Come and sit with me." A hoarse and dark voice came out of the customer's helmet, inviting the young waitress to sit next to him on the bench. She did not feel like it...

"Uh... I'm just a waitress, I don't offer extra services-"

While she was explaining the situation to the client, she felt herself pulled forward by a mysterious force that made her fall on the bench, forcing her to sit next to him. The customer passed his heavy and cold metal arm around her waist, without asking her opinion.

"I love shy girls like you. My name is Dylan, a black knight, level 40. I feel like we're going to have a good time together."