Think wasn't jealous. Able to feel Sū ěr emotions at any time, she knew that in front of those women waiting for a smile, Sū ěr only emotion was "absolute scalp-prickling discomfort."
So, rather than being jealous over such trivial things, Think was busy roaring with laughter at Sū ěr awkwardness as he maintained his smile through those cringeworthy requests. She never got tired of watching it.
"Take a break, Sū ěr," Maou said, handing him a cup of water. "Thanks to you, our sales have improved significantly."
"If our revenue dropped, the Manager's rage would be—terrifying!!"
The energetic black-haired youth even leaned in to whisper into Sū ěr ear, shielding his mouth with one hand. To emphasize his words, he drew out a certain vowel, his other hand waving like a noodle.
Without a doubt, Maou suspicious behavior was meant to avoid the Manager he feared so much. Even though there were only the two of them at the counter, he couldn't relax. It was as if the Manager might pop her head out of the sink at any moment.
Or would hair start flowing out when you turned on the tap?
Pretty spooky.
But Sū ěr could understand Maou current fear.
"Don't panic. Sales are up, so why are you so nervous?" Sū ěr took a sip of water after pressing on Maou shoulders to make the youth stand up straight. "Technically, we're the heroes of this MgRonald's right now."
"But most of the customers are here because of you. I can't really take credit," Maou said with a wry smile.
"Didn't you introduce me? I've thanked you before, but I have to say it again... if you hadn't pulled me in, I'd probably still be getting mocked by a certain woman," Sū ěr sighed.
Yes, Sū ěr current job had been introduced by Maou. On the afternoon they met, after being "pumped up" by Sū ěr chicken soup, Maou had set out again on his job hunt. Neither of them expected him to actually be hired by the MgRonald's chain.
Following that, the honest and sincere Maou actually fulfilled his promise. He called Sū ěr, shouting excitedly over the phone, and told him to come in for an interview.
To be honest, Sū ěr original plan was to be a standard salaryman in a suit and tie, carrying a briefcase. A job at MgRonald's hadn't even been on his radar, but... he couldn't stand Think teasing any longer.
Especially since Maou—a man who had failed dozens of times—had found a job, Think had a perfect case study to mock him with. This eventually led him to grit his teeth and attend the interview.
Sū ěr: Learning the pain of a man supporting a family.
The interview was seamless. The situation was such that the moment Sū ěr left foot crossed the threshold, before his right foot could even hit the ground, the Manager of this MgRonald's slammed her hand on the table and announced he was hired—as if he might run away if she hesitated.
In front of that woman, he wasn't a hunter, but prey.
Just a joke, of course. In reality, there was no workplace harassment or "under-the-table" deals. Sū ěr passed the morning interview and was issued a uniform that afternoon, becoming a proud MgRonald's cashier.
It was from that moment on that Sū ěr truly realized one fact: the impact a high-visual-tier front-desk employee can have on business growth in the service industry.
As Hanekawa had once noted, the scar running from his right forehead through his eye didn't disfigure him. Instead, it added a layer of mysterious charm, as if a thousand secrets were hidden behind that smiling face, waiting to be uncovered.
As long as Sū ěr smiled while upselling MgRonald's new products, customers basically just nodded and agreed. Rejection was non-existent, and sales skyrocketed.
"No, no, stop comforting me. You really know how to find an angle to make people feel better, don't you?" Maou said weakly, waving his hand.
After living in the city for a few months, the once-sincere country boy seemed to have developed some immunity to "chicken soup."
"I'm not comforting you, it's the truth," Sū ěr shrugged innocently. "All the male customers who are annoyed just by looking at me end up in your line, don't they? Aren't you happy about that?"
"...Why would I be happy?"
"You're not?"
"Of course not! Why would I be happy about a line full of men?!"
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
Sū ěr and Maou stared at each other.
Sū ěr understood—This is loyalty, isn't it?
Loyal people are always admirable.
"I see. That was my mistake. I shouldn't have joked about that," Sū ěr said with a serious face and a sincere self-reflection. Joking about such things was indeed poor form.
He had to repent immediately.
"...No, what did you understand? Why don't I understand anything?"
It felt like he'd been playing riddles with a Gotham villain for half a month. Maou couldn't help but clutch his hair. He truly didn't understand a word Sū ěr was saying. His confusion looked almost painful.
But Sū ěr understood perfectly... So he's the type who doesn't want to be exposed in public?
Ok, ok. I'll help him cover it up.
"Hey! You two! No chatting on the clock!"
"Ah! Yes! Yes, ma'am!"
While Sū ěr and Maou were talking, the Manager's office door at the end of the hall cracked open. A woman wearing a small round hat peeked out and shouted. In Maou panic—he looked like a mouse terrified of a cat—the woman closed the door with a satisfied look... then suddenly threw it open again.
"Sū ěr! Come here for a second. Maou, handle things out there."
"Ah? Okay, I'll be right there."
This time, there was really nothing else. Sū ěr agreed, watching the Manager pull her head back in and shut the door tight.
He turned his head to see Maou shivering as if he were standing in a snowbank in nothing but his underwear. The broken words coming from his trembling lips made Sū ěr speechless when he deciphered them—the man thought he and Sū ěr had been caught slacking and were being called in for punishment.