Chapter 48

There were much more part time jobs that Danuja though there would be. 

There was the 'always open' spot at the nearby coffee and the older store owners that wanted young hire for night shifts. The unusual open spot at a clothes store that apparently wanted young models to act as live mannequins or some shit like that. The eager vendors that always needed more hands.

And the shady job at a construction site that was open for a few years already and still didn't finish work. 

Now the question was. Should she ask for work as a girl? Or should her charade that she put herself through go even farther?

----

Dad bark made her stop walking, looking at the giant dog staring at a group of teenage girls that laughing. They looked on their way to karaoke if their off key singing was saying anything.

Danuja clicked her tongue, continuing her way. She didn't have time for that. Sure the dollars she made over the bet with Mr. Touma were seating nicely at home, hidden carefully in her pillow but it did not take long for her to think that those money should stay there for other days.

Darker or brighter, who knows.

So the next day, her face still a mess and her side twinging with pain, Danuja begin searching for a summer job. She hummed looking at a glass shop before snorting, turning her head to Dad.

'' That's not a pleasant face.'' she joked, snickering when she remembered the coffee owner face when she showed up. Apparently, her face would make the patrons uncomfortable.

It wasn't her fault that her bruises weren't healing that fast. 

Those factors were cutting the modeling job as well, leaving open just the eager vendors and the shady business.

'' I can just work in the back.'' she muttered opening the door with 'Help Needed', of an older looking restaurant that smelled just a little too strong of fried chicken. 

'' Welcome!'' a cherry voice said from somewhere behind the curtain where a kitchen was, if the smell was saying anything '' Take a seat wherever you want, I'm coming right up at you!'' the voice said before the place quieted down, leaving Danuja to look outside at Dad clueless face 

Right she thought rolling her shoulders, taking a seat on the small, red chairs Job hunting 

After a few moments, the curtain opened and reveled a slightly plump, red faced woman that smiled at her brightly before her face twisted in worry. It was such a strange mix of reactions that Danuja needed a moment to process what happen.

'' My goddess, dear! What happened with your face?'' she said loudly coming closer to Danuja, looking like she wanted to take her face in her hands before retreating '' Oh I know just the thing!'' she said before turning hurried around back in the presuppose kitchen.

Danuja blinked startled at the same curtain before turning her head to outside, locking eyes with Dad's who just huffed before laying down. 

'' Here you go dear!'' the woman returned before putting a bowl of steaming ramen in front of her '' A perfect bowl of ramen coming right up for a perfect girl like yourself.'' she said grinning brightly making a flash of amethyst go through Danuja eyes 

'' I don't have any money.'' she said instead making the woman laugh heartily, taking a pair of chopsticks, handing them to Danuja

'' That's alright dear.'' she said kindly '' It's on the house today.'' the woman continued, leaning her hip on the counter

There were a couple of questions in Danuja mind. Like, how did her business stay up if she was giving free ramen to strangers? Or why was the place smelling of fried chicken if she was serving ramen of all things?

'' Thank you.'' Danuja said instead, not capable of refusing free food before taking her first bite. It was heavenly, warm and rich with just the slightest hint of spice. 

And even though the woman warm gaze was making her skin itch slightly, Danuja was becoming used to it from Mr. Touma strange moods.

'' Actually-'' Danuja begin when her bowl was half eaten ''- I come here for the sign outside.'' she said making the woman let out a surprised sound

'' That sign.'' the woman said a little sadly '' After my son left for work and my husband died I remained the only one here with the shop. And my back can't hold that much weight like the bags of rice and package of flour I get.'' she said sighing mournfully making Danuja perk up

'' I'm good at lifting things.'' she said, taking a bite of ramen when the woman laughed at her

'' I can see that you are strong dear but it's not good for a girl to lift weight like this.'' the woman said biting her lip in worry, making Danuja snort involuntary

The fucking hypocrisy she thought if you even know what I do in my free time 

'' That's not a problem ma'am. '' Danuja said '' I'm used to it.'' she said already seeing the woman cave '' And I really need the job ma'am. '' she admitted quietly in the empty restaurant, her lip quirking up when the woman sighed, hands fluttering around her

'' Alright, alright. But-'' the woman said somehow sternly ''- you will not come everyday. I can't just risk your health like that dear.'' she said humming, one of her hand on her cheek '' How about you come in the morning Monday and Friday and the other days you come in the afternoon? It's always busier at that time.'' 

'' That's great.'' Danuja said smiling at the change of situation 

'' Then you are hired.'' the woman declared grinning warmly at her

'' Just like that?'' Danuja asked 

'' Just like that.'' the woman repeated teasingly, laughing at Danuja red ears '' My name it's Hitomi Atsushi.'' Hitomi-san said bowing slightly

'' Danuja Sora.'' she said getting up and bowing back at the woman. A few minutes later, where Hitomi-san showed her where things were in the back and a fast course of how everything worked, Danuja was going towards the exit door.

'' Right.'' she said stopping, turning around '' How did you know I was a girl?'' Danuja asked curious

'' Your eyes Danuja-chan.'' Hitomi-san said waving a hand around before giggling '' And it's not like a boy would show up in a wall restaurant like this for work. They always scatter around construction sites or factory's.''