Seeking Advice from Seniors

The months of November and December were an incredibly busy period for every high school student, and Amane was no exception. From

parent-teacher meetings, to regular exam preparation, and even a mock exam held by an external private company. With both regular exams and

Mahiru's birthday approaching in the first half of December, Amane had no choice but to take quite a few days off from his job. As he didn't have much time to spare for work, he could only squeeze in shifts whenever he could.

"Oh, that time of year already? You youngun's sure have it rough."

As nighttime drew near, the shop was more or less empty, which gave them some time to chat and catch up on recent events. Miyamoto, who was currently working the same shift as Amane, nodded nostalgically while

carefully washing a siphon by hand as it couldn't be put in the dishwasher. "You're still plenty young yourself, Miyamoto-san."

"Well, I've already overcome the exam period, you see. I'm a seasoned veteran."

"—And next up is job hunting to overcome, right?" Oohashi butted in. "That makes two of us…" rebuffed Miyamoto.

Oohashi, who had just returned after seeing off what seemed to be the final customer of the day, had just earned a retort from Miyamoto. Her

expression changed to one of frustration, looking as though she wanted to talk back to him.

Oohashi was typically a kind-hearted and cheerful person, but she interacted with Miyamoto in a particularly rough manner. To Amane, it

seemed as if they were on quite close terms, but he knew that if he said that out loud, they would definitely deny it together. Thus, Amane kept his

thoughts to himself.

"How did you two do on your entrance exams, if I might ask?" he asked. "Stop! Don't remind me…" Oohashi lamented.

"Ah…"

"As for me, well, I just studied like normal, and then passed like normal.

Of course, I did have to study many times harder than I did when I first entered high school," Miyamoto explained.

"Fujimiya-chan, beware. This guy may look like a flashy playboy, but don't be fooled—he's actually really smart without even trying. Best not to trust everything he says, or else it'll come back to bite ya," warned Oohashi.

As Amane never found the opportunity, he had never asked his seniors about their grades. According to Oohashi, Miyamoto had excellent results, although she admitted the fact bitterly.

"Well, I did have better grades than you, yeah. I took my studies pretty seriously."

"You wretched fashion playboy!"

"Hah hah hah. Say what you will. Hard work will never betray you." "Whatevs."

Despite them being old friends, Oohashi's sharp retorts made Amane feel slightly on edge. However, since Miyamoto didn't seem to pay them any mind, he figured that this must be how they normally treat one another.

Itsuki and I talk to each other the same way too, Amane reflected, so I guess there's no need to worry. Even so, he couldn't shake his feeling of unease. Maybe Miyamoto-san actually likes getting the cold shoulder?

It wasn't his place to comment, but Amane had a vague idea about the feelings Miyamoto held toward Oohashi. Although he hoped that Miyamoto's feelings would be reciprocated, he knew better than to rudely stick his nose into other people's business. As such, all he could do was watch over the situation alongside Souji, who also understood the situation Miyamoto was in.

"Things get super busy around this time of year. There's exams, career counseling, and then Christmas to think about. Oh, and by the way, adjusting your shifts around your exams early on would help out the owner big time."

"Oh, I've already submitted which days I can do in advance," explained

Amane. "I plan to reduce my hours by quite a bit before my exams so I have more time to study."

With that, Amane had also factored in extra time required to prepare for Mahiru's birthday, but that didn't mean he could take every day off. He was determined to make great use of the time he did have in order to manage everything efficiently.

"All right, gotcha. If we know in advance, then we can prepare things ahead of time."

"And about your shift on Christmas… I'm sure you want to spend the day with your darling girlfriend, right? You don't want to neglect her, do you?"

"Well, that's…"

Amane had heard that workers without a partner often ended up working the Christmas shifts, but he never imagined that he would be the one forcing the rearrangements. In a way, it only stood to reason that if he made plans for Christmas, coworkers that had no such plans would have to cover his shifts. Now realizing that fact, Amane felt a wave of guilt wash over him, and he felt a keen urge to apologize for the trouble.

However, in spite of that, Miyamoto gave him a bright smile. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Go have fun with your girlfriend."

"But then only I will have the day off…" Amane lamented.

"Don't worry about it. There's someone who works the morning shifts who you haven't met yet, and they already told us that they'd cover for you. The owner increases our wages over Christmas up until the end of the year, so they want to earn some extra cash. I'm going to take more shifts as well." Miyamoto laughed, "During a busy season like this, all establishments in the restaurant industry inevitably become extremely busy. The owner, Fumika, compensates for this hectic period by raising the hourly wage and giving us additional bonuses on top of that. For those of us without any plans, it's the perfect chance to pad the wallet."

"After all, you don't have a partner, do you~?" "Shuddup. Not like you do either."

"How do you know we broke up?"

"You kept going on and on about it. You don't remember?"

"N-Now, now, please calm down." Whenever the two of them were left to talk to each other, they, for some strange reason, began to argue about one thing or the other. Stepping in, Amane turned back toward them and tried to break them apart. Then, he changed the subject. "Actually, there's something I would like to ask."

"Ah?"

"What is university life like? I have been to open campus events before, and while I can get a feel for the atmosphere there, I don't really know how it feels for the people who actually go there."

"Ahh, yeah, high school students always get caught up about that."

Amane's attempt to change the subject was a success. Both Miyamoto and Oohashi wore thoughtful expressions devoid of spite, their eyes drifting off randomly in no particular direction. Amane refrained from saying how similar they were out loud.

"It's hard to put it into words, but it's not like a continuation of high school…or anything like that. While this doesn't go for every department and course, classes aren't as regular as in high school. They're still on a schedule, but my classes weren't as tightly packed as they used to be. The exam period was far more crammed."

"Yeah, why'd they give us so many classes all at once anyway? Felt like the busiest time of my life."

"Maybe you just weren't on top of everything?" "Quiet, you."

Why do these two always start bickering whenever they talk? Amane wondered, but he simply chalked it up as their own unique way of communicating. According to Souji, who was long since used to it, "Those two always default to arguments," and Amane couldn't help but think that he was right on the money.

"I really enjoy the lectures for subjects that I'm interested in, but the lectures for the mandatory courses that don't interest me are, quite frankly, pretty boring. There's no way around it, though."

"Literally nobody likes those… They're important for getting credits, but still. I'd love to just drop them completely. I've even thought about skipping them."

"It's important to get the fundamentals down, like I keep say—" "Okay, so what!?"

"All right, all right." Amane tried to calm the two down.

"Well, unlike high school, it's more proactive. The main focus is on academic exploration, and you have to manage how you do all your work yourself, so there's a lot more self-accountability. Since to a certain extent, you get to pick what you want to study, it's important to choose wisely. Also, if you're not a morning person, be weary of the first period. It'll wreck you. The most dangerous time is when you get used to university and let your guard down."

"That's sincere advice. Daichi almost overslept a bunch of times himself." "That was my own foolishness."

"Yeah! Take that, ya big dum dum~!"

"Like you're one to talk. You overslept plenty of times yourself back in high school."

Their exchange was starting to feel like a married couple comedy act, which made Amane realize that he had grown quite used to his seniors.

"Again, it depends on the university, but living on campus is a great experience," Miyamoto continued. "It's not exactly a dreamy paradise, but it's way more relaxed than you might think. Whether or not you join any circles is up to you, but you can gain a lot of knowledge and connections you wouldn't normally… Well, having people you can talk to and share information with can be useful, but you do get people we call 'Circle Crushers' from time to time who like to ruin others' relationships and expose them to danger, which can get real scary real fast."

"Hey, don't spook us like that," said Amane.

"It really is scary, you know?" attested Miyamoto. "Uh, sure, I guess…y'know…"

"I don't want to hear more, so let's just end this here, okay?" The two of them had given Amane a glimpse of some abyss unknown to him—just hearing about it was enough to give him the chills. Miyamoto and Oohashi nodded solemnly, clearly having witnessed something truly awful.

"Getting tangled in love affairs can be terrifying," warned Miyamoto. "I will keep that in mind," Amane replied.

After all that, Amane etched into his mind that the biggest hurdle he might face was not lectures or assignments, but relationships with people. He resolved to protect himself so as to avoid getting caught up in any strange situations.

"In any case, I have no intention of approaching any girl besides my girlfriend. Even if I do join a circle, I'll remember to keep an appropriate distance. I don't want to be suspected of cheating."

"Fujimiya, you're smart enough to not involve yourself in anything weird. But even so, I can't shake the feeling that you might get yourself tangled up in something messy without realizing it."

"Could you not say something so ominous!?" Amane shuddered and pleaded for mercy, but Miyamoto simply laughed in response, "Ha ha ha, I'm just joking around." However, the joke didn't quite land as one to Amane, and the fear still struck him.

"Anyway, if anything happens, don't be afraid to consult us about it. I'd like to think that I'll have finished my job hunt by then."

"Yeah, it'd be best if nothing happens at all, Fujimiya-chan."

"…Hearing all this makes it quite hard to chase the dream of university life," Amane admitted.

"You were dreaming of it?"

"No, not at all. To me, it's more of a stepping stone to become a working adult, a necessary part of the process in getting a job… Is it really okay to think about it that way? Enrolling into university to secure a job instead of advancing in the pursuit of knowledge?"

For Amane, university wasn't something to be enjoyed—he saw it more as additional preparation required to score a job.

Of course, he had the mettle and enthusiasm to study the field he was interested in, but he wasn't necessarily doing it to make it into his career. For Amane, going to university was more about enriching his future options in life.

While he understood that universities were fundamentally institutions specifically for academic research, he couldn't commit himself entirely to the pursuit of knowledge. This made him wonder whether that was truly acceptable, but Miyamoto, who was currently a university student, replied

to Amane's question in an exasperated tone.

"Only a serious guy like you would worry about something like that. Isn't it perfectly fine? Actually, I don't think you'll find many high school students who are so determined that they'll say 'I really wanna get this job! So I'll go to this university and study this course!' Most people choose to study something that interests them or because they think they'll have a hard time getting a job without a degree. You also have people who go just because everyone else they know is going too, or because it gives them a longer break before having to find a job."

"Ugh, that hits close to home."

"Rino, you ought to be grateful to the lady who made you cry back in high school."

"I am grateful to my mom, believe it or not. And I have goals now, so there's no problems there."

"Oh, really?" "Get lost."

"…Well, everyone has their own reasons, and it'd be silly to judge them for it. Instead of focusing on why, think about what you want to achieve at university and how you want to use that in your life. At the end of the day, after graduation, we all have to walk on our own two feet, and our results will shape who we are and how we are seen. If you're satisfied with that, then that's that. Don't concern yourself with what others have to say."

With a gentle pat on his back from Miyamoto, the worries weighing Amane down lightened ever so slightly. These were not the words of a parent, nor those of someone with shared interests, nor even those of a very close friend. They were the words of a senior both at his part-time job and in life, and that was precisely why his words struck a chord in Amane's heart, making him feel as if a refreshing breeze had swept right through him.

If he had heard those words from Shihoko or Itsuki, Amane may have taken them in a different way, but hearing them from Miyamoto made all the difference. He felt grateful to have heard those words from him.

"Oh, are you guys discussing university, perhaps?"

As he quietly mulled over Miyamoto's words, Fumika appeared from the

back with leisurely movements. She must have been working in the area where the employees usually didn't go, as this was the first time he had seen her today. She wore her usual gentle and sweet smile, and a fragrant aroma of baked sweets, seemingly infused with her soothing presence, wafted through the air.

"Hey, Owner. Good work today." "That smell is delish."

Fumika chuckled, "I was working on a recipe for a potential limited-time cake in the back. I'm thinking of putting it on our menu over Christmas."

"Ah, no wonder we haven't seen you over here."

Fumika had been busy working in her private kitchen in the back, which explained the scrumptious aroma she carried. She was quite particular when it came to her confectionery, and only the cakes that were improved upon over time to meet her high standards were offered to customers.

Apparently, she created a different Christmas cake each year and spent considerable time perfecting her recipes behind the scenes.

"Please, have mercy on me," Oohashi cried. "I've had no snacks and now I'm low on energy… It's nearly dinnertime too… *Sniff sniff*, that smells so good."

"My, well that's perfect timing—I was just in need of a taste-tester. Just don't tell the other part-timers, okay? Keep it a secret when you try some."

"My…god…" Oohashi dramatically clasped her hands together as a sign of worship, causing Fumika to laugh out loud.

Noticing Amane looking over, Fumika smiled at him and beckoned him and Miyamoto over. "Both of you come on over too. I hope you don't mind sweets."

"Hooray! Your cakes are delish." "My, you flatter me."

"No, they really are."

As Fumika laughed softly, Miyamoto and Oohashi walked ahead.

Noticing that Amane hadn't moved, Fumika directed her gaze towards him.

After a brief pause, Amane looked directly into her eyes. "Um, Owner, do you have a moment?"

"Sorry?" Fumika looked utterly puzzled, having no idea what Amane

wanted to say.

Amane closed his eyes for a moment, contemplating whether or not he should speak.

Despite his sudden introduction, Fumika had hired him almost on the spot. She had been flexible with his shifts, provided her own coffee beans to Mahiru, and had generally taken good care of him. He owed her a lot.

Without her, the comfortable working environment he was currently enjoying wouldn't have been possible.

Because of all this, Amane wasn't sure if it was okay to rely on her even more—but he was certain that she was the right person to ask.

Feeling a bit guilty as Fumika curiously looked at him, Amane hesitated but then began to speak, determined to secure a crucial piece for the upcoming X-Day and ensure its success.

"…Do you happen to know of any cake recipes that even an amateur could follow?"

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Having finished his part-time job and returned home as quickly as possible, Amane watched Mahiru's graceful yet lively steps as she hurried over to him. Seeing this, a sense of relief washed over him.

He had messaged Mahiru aboard the train to let her know he might be home late, but since he was later than usual, he thought she might have been worried nonetheless. As it turned out, his concerns had been right on the money, though fortunately, she didn't appear to be too anxious about it.

"Oh, welcome home, Amane-kun. You're a little late tonight, aren't you?" "I'm home. Sorry, I had to stay behind to help with a few things. It wasn't

a big deal. Did anything happen while I was gone, Mahiru?"

"Hmm, nothing of note, no. If I had to say, then I suppose the stew I was preparing for dinner turned out perfectly, if I do say so myself."

"Really? I can't wait to try it."

Amane was pleased to hear that the simmered dish Mahiru had prepared while waiting for him had turned out so well, so as he changed

into his slippers, he couldn't help but relax into a smile.

Mahiru wore a smile brimming with confidence. "Please look forward to

it."

Even with the snack Fumika had allowed him to try, there was no way it

could fully satisfy a high school boy's appetite. As he was eager to eat Mahiru's dinner, Amane had hurried home as fast as he could.

"I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight," Amane said with a smile as he took off his coat. Mahiru naturally took the coat from him—or rather, she half-modestly snatched it. It looked like she wanted to put it away for him.

"Ah, thanks for taking care of my coat." Although there was no need for her to go to such lengths, as she seemed eager to do it, Amane had no reason to refuse and simply let her take the coat.

Mahiru looked at his coat with a smile. Then, all of a sudden, she shifted her gaze to Amane's hand. "…Is that a red spot on your finger, Amane-kun?"

Mahiru—truly, an exceptionally observant and attentive girl.

Earlier today, Amane had indeed tinged his finger ever so slightly. That said, it was only for a brief moment, and the burn had cooled down quickly without even leaving a blister. As that part of his skin had only turned a slight shade of red, Amane hadn't expected her to notice anything.

"Ahh… I may have burned it on the kitchen griddle slightly. It was only for a moment, so it's just a minor burn, really. I treated it properly too. It's just a little red."

"…Does it hurt?"

"Now? Not that much. It was my careless mistake, so I'll just deal with

it."

Mahiru adorably made her displeasure known with a pout, despite it not

being something she needed to worry about. In an attempt to soothe her, Amane gently slid his hand along the silky strands of her glossy, flaxen hair. While he used that hand that had burned, there was now no longer any pain even when he touched something.

"Don't worry, it's totally fine. My seniors said that minor burns happen all the time when you work in a shop that handles food."

"…Please, just be careful not to injure yourself seriously, okay?" "I'll play it safe so I don't make you worried, Mahiru."

"Excellent."

Amane also wanted to avoid causing unnecessary worry for Mahiru, so he swore to himself to be more careful and to ensure he doesn't repeat the same mistake.

In response to Amane's earnest promise, Mahiru shot him a concerned look. "Amane-kun, your well-being comes first," she then said, before going to put Amane's coat away in his room. As he watched her go, Amane headed for the washroom to wash his hands after coming home.

He felt a twinge of guilt for not mentioning the exact cause of the burn.