Living with the Arrogant Queen from High School is Surprisingly Not Uncomfortable

“Welcome,” a languid voice echoes through the store. It’s been about a week since the summer vacation ended and the second semester classes began. Today, I was working part-time at the convenience store where I had once reunited with Hayashi. The time is dusk. On Tuesdays, when lectures end early, I always work this shift. Even though it’s a convenience store in a residential area, quite a few people gather at this time.

Therefore, there are three of us working this shift right now, including me.

One of them is me. Another is the store manager. And the last one is… a familiar girl who recently started working part-time at this convenience store.

“Hayashi-san, please serve customers with a brighter face. Right? Right?”

“…Okay.”

In response to the manager’s words, Hayashi replies with a bored look on her face.

The girl, an acquaintance who recently started working part-time at this convenience store, was Hayashi Megumi, my classmate from high school who is now living with me.

Hayashi started working part-time from the middle of last week. She had always felt indebted to me for living in my room. I can’t remember when she declared she would work to make up for it. Anyway, after all that, she went to various part-time job interviews and one of the places that hired her was this place.

At first, I was quite surprised when I was told that she would start working at the convenience store where I work.

From my perspective, I couldn’t help but think, why of all places is she working at the same place I do? Of course, I directly conveyed this question to her. But according to her, it was a stupid question. I still don’t understand what was so stupid about it.

Well, that’s why she’s been working here for a few days now. This was the first time our shifts overlapped, partly because I make a lot of money working the night shift on non-weekdays.

And seeing her being cautioned by the manager about her customer service, I felt somehow nostalgic.

That’s right. That’s how Hayashi is.

Lately, she’s been distressed due to some dark circumstances, but the normal Hayashi is unsociable. She’s always lethargic. Seeing her like that reminds me of high school days… Ah, how nostalgic (what a fool).

“Welcome.”

“Hayashi-san, it’s ‘welcome’, ‘welcome’, okay?”

“Okay.”

While arranging the merchandise, I realized that the manager was having a hard time instructing Hayashi. Well, certainly. Hayashi is pretty, so if she serves customers seriously, she would attract more customers, and the manager would be desperate.

However, Hayashi is a sensitive girl, so maybe she realized that the manager was using her and is responding with a languid attitude.

“Hayashi-san. Please.”

Hayashi remains indifferent.

“…I’m done with the display.”

I’ve finished displaying the merchandise and returned to the cash register. I didn’t want to return to the tense atmosphere between the manager and Hayashi, but I had to report, contact, and consult.

“Oh. …That’s right. You should tell her, too, Yamamoto-kun.”

“Eh?”

I let out a strange voice at the sudden attack.

“Hayashi-san has been serving customers with a sullen face. The customers will be intimidated at this rate.”

…From the manager’s perspective, although Hayashi is useful for attracting customers, on the other hand, her unapproachable aura is quite strong, so if she continues to be unsociable, it might drive customers away… maybe?

Well, what to do?

Well, it would be quite a problem if customers were driven away. If customers are driven away, that means sales decrease, and if sales decrease, my wages decrease.

…It can’t be helped.

Well, even if I say it when the manager has said it and it didn’t work, it’ll probably just be a placebo, but I’ll at least act as a scapegoat.

“Hayashi.”

I called out to Hayashi, who had her back turned to me.

She jerked her shoulders. She still wouldn’t look at me.

“…Ah. Maybe you should serve customers with a little more cheer?”

As I said it, I was a bit nervous.

The image of her high-handedness in high school flashed through my mind. If I had said something like advice or criticism to her in high school…

What? Or…

Huh? Or…

“I’ll kill you.” A dark smile. Or…

Anyway, I would definitely be scolded. When she scolds, it’s quite scary.

Come to think of it, I was scolded by Hayashi when we reunited at this convenience store. I was scared then, too. It really almost broke my spirit.

…Well, regardless, Hayashi still won’t face me.

“…I got it.”

“Huh?”

“I said I got it… If you say so, I got it.”

Hayashi spoke in a faint voice and without turning to face me, she ran off to the break room as if fleeing.

“…Hey, you should serve the customers.”

After she had gone to the back, I muttered, dumbfounded.

“…Hey, Yamamoto-kun?”

“Oh, yes. What is it, manager?”

“…Are you two dating?”

“No?”

“I see.”

The manager went back to work. Hayashi returned from the break room about five minutes later. For a while, she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“We…welcome…”

With a voice so thin it could disappear at any moment, Hayashi said, blushing.

It goes without saying that the male customer who had just entered the store was momentarily captivated by Hayashi.