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Loid flipped a burger on the grill. It sizzled. The aroma of fresh meat wafted into the air. Steam stung his eyes. Loid could hear the bustle of customers beyond the kitchen. A poster above the grill welcomed members of the public to cook and serve customers with all proceeds going to a local orphanage. Upon hearing of the event, Loid signed himself, Anya, and Yor up. Even though Anya has struggled in the past, community service is still one the best ways for her to earn a Stella. I’ve cooked on the job before—I saved an ambassador from assassination by injecting laxatives into his food—so I trust in my abilities. But Anya… Loid looked over his shoulder. “Anya, how is stacking the burgers coming?”
Anya stood on a stool by the counter. She had wrapped a large lettuce leaf around a burger and tore two eye holes for a makeshift bandana. “It’s the end of the line for you, Bondman!” Roaring, Anya peeled back the top bun as if opening its jaws, with ketchup saliva dripping down.
“Stop playing with the food!” Exhaling, Loid held his forehead. “Go to the front door and help the seating hostess greet customers.”
Head bowed, Anya balled her uniform. “‘K-kay…” After snatching a fry, Anya hopped off the stool and, pouting, she sucked on the fry as she left the kitchen.
The restaurant had light wooden boards for walls with tile flooring. Naked bulbs hung above square tables with square chairs. Chatter and the smell of burgers filled the air. Yor stood near a table, studying a menu.
Anya tugged on Yor’s skirt. “Mama, I’m gonna go help the sitting bosstess.”
Yor chuckled. “Best of luck, Miss Anya!”
Nodding, Anya headed off towards the door. Inhaling deeply, Yor put aside the menu and smoothed out her waitress uniform. It’s okay, I can do this. Head held high, Yor approached a table with a gentleman dressed in a black three-piece suit. “Hello! Thank you for coming—P-P-Professor Henderson! I didn’t realize you would be here.”
Professor Henderson adjusted his monocle. “The menu at this restaurant is less than elegant. However, all monetary transactions go towards a good cause, so I will make an exception. Let’s see here… I’d like a medium-well cheeseburger with keto buns, lettuce, ketchup, onions, hold the mayonnaise, three cucumber wedges at the north, southeastern, and southwestern corners in a perfect equilateral triangle, and fries.”
Yor flinched. Sweating, Yor furiously wrote the order on a notepad, her pencil smoking. Ah! Wait, what’s the menu again? No, no, no, Yor. Stay calm. Just write what he said. That's a hamburger—no, cheeseburger with lettuce, mustard, pickles, and fries. Hm? Fries? What does he mean by fries? Fries, fried... Fried by electricity!
Eyes wide, Yor pressed her notepad to her chest. Prof. Henderson wants to be fried with electricity? Never thought there’d be a day when a target requests what kind of death they’d want. Yor vigorously shook her head. No, Yor! You can’t assassinate Miss Anya’s teacher. But Loid said to get the customers whatever they ordered… Yor eyed the electrical kitchen appliances. She single-handedly cracked her knuckles. That would work… Oh, wait! There are french fries! Maybe I could cook it for him. That would be a shock. Yes, that must be what he means. Smiling, Yor clapped her hands. “I’ll go make that for you right away!” She hurried off to the kitchen.
“Hm? But aren’t you a…?” Professor Henderson sighed. He looked over towards the front of the house where Anya was apologizing to the seating hostess for a mistake she made. He shook his head. “Like mother, like daughter, I suppose.”
A woman in her twenties with a blond bob stood behind a podium. Eyebrow twitching, the seating hostess said, “All right, once more. When you open the front door, say, ‘Welcome to The Roast,’ okay? Oh, look there’s another customer. Greet them just like that, okay?”
Heaving a sigh, Anya reached up and opened the door. “Belcome to The Toast.” She gasped. “Wait, it’s—!”
Damian stood in the doorway. Beside him were his friends: the tall, twig-like Ewen, and Emile with his bowl-cut hair. Smirking, Damian ran a hand through his hair. “W-we are only visiting this commoner restaurant because we, uh, wanted to laugh at its poor taste. Not at all because you mentioned you’d be volunteering here or…” He glanced up. Anya’s handkerchief around her neck was slightly askew. A hair curled upwards in a cowlick. Damian’s face heated up. Or because you said you’d be wearing a uniform.
“Y-yeah!” cried Ewen, pointing his finger at Anya. “We can eat and enjoy the entertainment you’ll make, chibi!”
Emile blinked. “I just wanted the onion rings.” Ewen jabbed an elbow into Emile’s side. “Ow!”
Anya narrowed her eyes. This is a chance to carry out Papa’s mission! Anya could learn more about the second son. Eyes closed, Anya lowered her head, her hands balled. “Anya…” After a big breath, Anya lifted her head, her eyes shining. “Anya will do her best for you!”
“Urk!” Hand over his face, Damian looked away. “D-do whatever you want; I don’t care!”
“Follow me.” Anya led them to a table, her arms and legs moving as stiff as a toy soldier. As they sat, Anya handed out menus.
Damian watched Anya return to the entrance where the seating hostess chatted with a couple. The hostess pointed to a free table near the front. Anya nodded. She guided them to the table in the back next to Damian.
“That’s the wrong table, chibi!” scowled Damian. His friends snickered.
Anya froze. Her wide eyes met Damian’s eyes. Biting her lip, Anya hung her head.
Damian blinked. Why is she so upset? Wait, did she do that on purpose? Is she… trying to stay close to me? Cheeks warm, Damian hid his face behind the menu.
Emile asked, “Why are you smiling, boss?”
“Sh-shut up! I am not!”
“Anya!” the seating hostess called. “Come on back. We have a very important guest!”
“Huh?” Anya looked up.
From the kitchen, Loid raised his spatula. “Anya, they need you.”
Yor balanced two plates on her hands. “Go on, Miss Anya, give them your biggest smile! That should brighten their day.”
Anya ran back to the entrance, her little feet pounding. The hostess held up a finger. “Listen close, Anya. Make sure they feel appreciated for taking the time out of their day to come and enjoy all this.”
“Yush!”
Anya opened the door. Light from outside spilled into the restaurant, temporarily blinding Anya. Seeing the visitor, Anya beamed.
“Belcome! Thank you for coming. Anya hopes you enjoy your stay!”