Chapter 32 First Encounter at a ConCafe

First Encounter at a ConCafe

My boss took me to a certain shop on the third floor of a building near the station.

The shop was a bit dim and narrow, but clean, with a very nice atmosphere and music that I seemed to have heard somewhere before.

But I couldn’t be happy about it.

My boss noticed my expression and asked me with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong, Uchida?”

“Well, boss… I mean, this place….”

Sitting at the counter in front of us were cutely dressed girls with smiles on their faces.

“”“Welcome to devilzdoll~~”””

Beautiful girls dressed in black and red gothic lolita outfits with devilish horns and wings greeted us all at once.

That’s right, the place I was taken to was a concept cafe—commonly called “ConCafe”.

I thought it was a pub or a bar.

Feeling cheated, I looked at my boss, but he was smiling at the girls lined up and didn’t even look at me.

“Boss, you came again.”

“Yes, I brought my subordinate.”

As soon as my boss said that, the girls shifted their eyes to me.

I’m so nervous. It’s my first time in such a place; my face feels like it’s going to cramp up, and I have the urge to get out of this place as soon as possible.

But since my boss brought me here, if I leave now, I’ll ruin his face.

Since he’s trying to take care of me, I have no choice but to put up with it.

“Ehh~ really! Your subordinate, he’s quite handsome too~”

When one of the girls said that, my face felt hot.

I don’t think it’s true, but it feels both happy and embarrassing to be told that by a cute girl.

“Then let me introduce myself to the new guy first! Starting with me….”

The girls introduced themselves one by one, but to be honest, I was so nervous that it didn’t sink in.

It might be rude, but I don’t have time for this right now.

And it was the last girl’s turn to introduce herself, but that’s when my boss tilted his head and said.

“Oh…? Are you a newcomer?”

“Yes… I started yesterday. My name is Yumeno. Nice to meet you….”

The new girl greets us awkwardly.

She had a cute hairstyle with twin tails in a princess cut, and she looked about the same age as Hana-chan.

Yumeno (ゆめの) introduced herself and looked at me nervously.

…? Is there something on my face?

I thought it would be a bit embarrassing to ask, so when I remained silent, my boss introduced me instead.

“This is Uchida Makoto. He’s kind and easygoing, so everyone, please be friendly with him.”

“”“Of course! Uchida-san, nice to meet you too.”””

“Ah, yes…”

The conversation went on quickly, and I could only give a stupid answer.

“Makoto…san….”

Among them, Yumeno-san stared at me blankly.

…Yeah, it’s definitely not my imagination, right? She’s definitely looking at me, right? Did I do something?

“Should I talk to the boss then? Who will talk to Uchida-san?”

The girl who seemed to be the leader made this suggestion and asked the other girls.

I see, the customer service is similar to girls bars.

Although I’ve heard that concept cafes are different from both cabarets and girls bars.

As I felt a sense of freshness being alone for the first time, Yumeno-san shyly raised her hand.

“Um… May I?”

“Oh, Yumeno-chan? Are you okay?”

“Yes… I want to talk to Makoto-san….”

“Eh….”

I was a bit surprised by her statement.

But since she wants to talk to me, it would be rude to refuse or leave.

It’s okay; I guess we’ll just drink together and talk. Yes, even I, who am afraid of women, can do that.

“Okay, I get it. I’ll support you, so make Uchida-san have fun, okay?”

“…I, I’ll try….”

She seemed just as nervous, looking at me and then looking down.

Hmm… I wonder if it’s going to be okay.

While I was worrying, my boss and I were led to different seats.

When we were led to a table, my boss said to me, “Then, have fun.” and went with the girl who seemed to be the leader.

I thought he was going to drink with me, but I remember he didn’t say that.

He also didn’t say that he would do the mental care himself, now that I think about it….

I see, so it’s all left to the girls. I’ve been tricked….

I want to hit myself for vowing yesterday to follow my boss forever.

“Over here, please….”

“Ah, yes….”

Yumeno-san led me to a seat at the counter as I gave her an annoyed look.

I sighed as I sat down, and Yumeno-san handed me a menu.

“…Please select your drink here….”

“Ah, yes….”

Well, since it’s come to this, there’s nothing I can do….

Let’s drink and change my mood.

Thinking that, I looked at the menu.

As expected, there were lots of alcoholic drinks, and there were also non-alcoholic drinks, but there seemed to be no snacks at all.

I can’t help it; I’ll order something safe.

“Then I’ll have a highball.”

“…Yes.”

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Uh… is that okay?”

It’s not that it’s okay or not okay; I heard that in concept cafes you’re supposed to offer drinks to the girls too… Wait, did I do something wrong?

I panicked inside, but she looked at the menu.

Phew, that’s a relief... It seems I didn’t make a mistake.

“…Then I’ll have this.”

She pointed to a pink lemonade.

Hmm, she orders something as cute as she looks.

When I felt a little more relaxed, Yumeno-san apologized and said, “…Please wait a moment.”

I nodded and tried to smile when I understood that she was going to bring the drink.

“Nnn… It’s not fair, that smile… I’m about to get wet….”

“Huh…? Did you say something?”

“N-no… nothing….”

I asked her what she was mumbling about, but she turned bright red and hurriedly retreated to the kitchen.

What was that about? She kept looking at me and then turned bright red.

Maybe she likes me? No.

A guy like me couldn’t possibly be popular, so I laughed at myself.