Hiring

Serie was overall satisfied with today's visit, the fact that she learned a new type of thaumaturgy called magecraft and definitely wanted to try it. She could learn it herself, and the books were just a plus.

Before leaving she said, "I will come back later, if possible bring me some books about magecraft I'd definitely pay a significant sum for it."

And immediately left.

After Serie left, the atmosphere turned awkward for the two of us who were left behind.

Then Caster stared at my face with a very complicated look, even though the hood was blocking the majority of her face. I could tell what she was feeling.

And after a long minute of silence, she said. "Just who are you?"

I wasn't what she wanted to hear from me, however what I will say is no doubt the truth. "Just an ordinary person that got caught up in a strange situation."

Obviously she didn't believe me at all, and also looked at me with conflict, unsure how to treat me after what she witnessed a while ago.

"Don't take me for a fool, you're not ordinary." Caster continued to look in my direction and said, "The fact that you have a friendly relationship with a fae of all things and cooking a top grade phantasm species.."

"Well, she's a customer, obviously I'd have a friendly relationship with her and what do you mean by phantasm species?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Are you playing ignorant?" Caster bit her lips out of frustration.

"No, I'm just trying to understand what you mean." It waa a very honest question, however it wasn't the case with Caster, she thought I was playing her for a fool.

"I-i want some time for myself master..may I leave?" Caster couldn't bear to be here any longer as she would surely burst out due to frustration.

Sensing this, I immediately told her. "Feel free to leave, but if you still want me to guide you to the spare room to make it a magical workshop-"

"No, not now, master. I need some time alone to think, please?" Despite the clear irritation in her voice, there was still a hint of politeness and fear that wasn't there before.

It was a contrast to how she treated me before and after meeting with Serie.

Indifference was her first impression of me, now she became wary of me because there was more to me than what she initially thought.

I didn't say anything and just nodded and after that left using her so-called spirit form.

Looking at the mess in the table where Serie ate. "Well then, time to clean this up."

And as I did, I thought of hiring someone upon realizing that it's simply inconvenient for me to do the dishes as a cook.

Sure, there's no problem for me to clean it by myself if I weren't so busy, but what if there's a considerable amount of customers?

It would simply be hard to maintain two jobs at the same time. I'm considered lucky that most people that go here are considerate and friends. That's why I could take time between cooking and washing the dishes.

This won't do at all, I should start hiring a waiter or waitress starting tomorrow.

—

The very next day, I put a sign outside the building saying that I'm hiring.

I didn't put much requirements, only that they should be 16 years old or above and have a clean background.

Imagine putting ridiculous requirements like needing a college degree, how ridiculous that is.

(A/N: Philippines store clerks cough* cough*)

What would I use that for? It's not like they would require what they learn in this establishment.

It's literally just serving people and cleaning, you don't need any kind of special skills to learn that.

Anyway, the pay will be discussed. I could be flexible with my budget especially when I have lots of money to spend.

Might take a few days for someone to be interested in taking the job.

Or at least that's what I thought it would take for me to hire someone.

But fate has another plan.

Suddenly someone entered my restaurant, it was someone I'm very familiar with.

"Hey, I just saw the hiring sign outside, if you don't mind can you hire me-?! Woah!"

Subaru was shocked at what he witnessed, he couldn't stop the growing astonishment on his face.

"What the hell?! Is this really the right building?! How come the inside is bigger than the outside?!"

I wasn't blaming him for his reaction, in fact my reaction toward this change was pretty similar to his.

"It's surprising for me too, however don't dwell too much about it, anyway you want the job?" I said as I looked at him.

My words managed to make him snap out of it and replied. "Y-yeah, I do but seriously though how did you accomplish this?"

I shrugged and replied. "It wasn't me, it was the backer of this restaurant who did this."

"Ah..that makes sense." Subaru suddenly made an understanding look.

If you wonder who this mysterious backer I got, it's the system. Originally I wasn't going to hide the fact that I got it.

However, the system warned me not to tell anyone about its existence or else I would lose the right to be its host and I couldn't afford to lose it.

Especially the enormous benefits that I could get from it, not to mention I don't want to lose my only connection toward the friends I made.

So yeah, I settled with this mysterious and all-powerful backer as the explanation as to why this restaurant is capable of connecting different dimensions.

Although it's a poor excuse, not to mention an obvious one, they still believed in me or they just didn't want to press the issue. That's why they didn't pry for more information.

And I'm very grateful for that, maybe the bonds we made were more important than the information regarding this strange phenomenon of connecting other worlds.

"Anyway, if you're interested in taking the job. We should discuss the terms and conditions, like what time you would work weekdays or weekends, break time and wage." I said with casualness.

Subaru looked a bit surprised by my words and said. "That's it? No other requirements? It seems too lax."

To be honest, I agree with his statement that my hiring requirements are way too lax, however since I already know so much about Subaru there's no point asking for any additional background check.

If it was anyone else, rather than him then I wouldn't be this lax.

"I know, but since it's you. I don't really need to check your background since I pretty much know you." I told him with a smile.

Subaru was surprised for a bit before smiling. "Thanks."

"Nah, no need to thank me. In fact I should thank you since I really do need some help here."

Thus after that we discussed the terms and conditions for a while.

—

The process of hiring him was smooth, mostly to the fact that we really didn't have any disagreement or to complain about.

Anyway, after the discussion Subaru would work here full-time knowing that he literally doesn't have much to do, since he doesn't go to school.

He's pretty much a shut-in, now that he has a job at the very least he's doing something productive rather than staying in his room all day long or wasting time in this establishment with friends.

His hourly wage is 2,000 yen, which is almost 50% more than an average waiter.

(A/N: That's like 13$ hourly.)

He would work 6 hours a day from monday to saturday, there's also free lunch everyday day, not to mention occasional breaks.

It's a win-win situation for both of us, unlike other establishments I'm not really that strict.

Anyway, starting today he's my subordinate, and will start working.

But before all that I should buy him a uniform, that tracksuit is no good after all.

—

Buying him a uniform that fits him was easy with the help of the system, however what comes next is the reaction of our friends.

And honestly it was quite predictable.

Kirito laughed at him and teased him for it, however it wasn't anything malicious since that's just how friendship with guys works.

Mikami congratulates him for getting a job, but also shocked at the changes of the restaurant like I did before him.

Suzuki also reacted the same way as Mikami.

Saitama was a bit surprised by the changes, but overall didn't reach much, honestly day by day I began to notice that his emotions are getting duller by the day.

Hopefully he won't reach the point where he can't feel any emotions because that wouldn't be called living.

Rin was also surprised but more open than the rest, sans Saitama.

Considering how her life is, I wasn't surprised she's living in a world of simulation and was akin to a god there, seeing this kind of change doesn't surprise her too much.

She also expressed her desire to be a waitress at my restaurant, which was a complete surprise.

But I don't need more staff at the moment and was about to decline, however she convinced me that she doesn't really need a wage since just wanted to work for the experience.

So in the end I agreed.

Throughout the day, both my new waiter and waitress made a few minor mistakes but overall it wasn't too bad, considering that they have no prior experience it's good.

With them helping me with the cleaning process, I could finally relax and focus on cooking for my customers.

—

A/N- Originally it was just going to be Rin that he was going to hire but, I realized that it would be cliché to hire a girl, so I decided to add Subaru.

Support me on P@.treon, even if it's just for a month I'd be really grateful.

P@.treon/charlottes143

There's currently 1 advanced chapter for now.

At this pace I'll probably be able to update 3-5 chapters a week in public since I'm going to update 2 fics at the same time ugh. But I'm going to manage it somehow.