My Romance Simulation with Them

"They didn't make a move!"

Rio Futaba took a deep breath.

In just a few minutes of talking with Chizuka Nishiki, she felt her blood pressure rise.

"I'm having some relationship problems, so I'm talking to Nanxiang about it! Nanxiang and I don't have the kind of relationship you're thinking of at all."

"Huh...? Is that so? Ah, Takina! You've come at the perfect time! I'm talking to Rio, who just joined our harem. Come and listen in."

Chizuka Nishiki responded first, then, as if she had discovered something, waved to Rio Futaba behind her.

Her action made Rio Futaba instinctively turn around and look.

Then she saw it.

An elegant young woman with neat black hair, resembling an orchid in a secluded valley, stood behind him.

Also at the Ocha Festival, the girl that Rio Futaba had seen with her when she was in Nango.

At this moment, the other person was staring at him with those cold eyes, not saying a word, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

This is a completely different kind of intimidating feeling compared to Chizuka Nishiki.

This left Rio Futaba feeling a little breathless for a moment.

But soon.

After scrutinizing her, he relaxed and nodded simply to her: "Hello, I'm Inoue Takina."

"...Hello. I'm Rio Futaba."

A brief self-introduction.

Inoue Takina seemed to have lost interest in her and turned her gaze to Nishiki Chizuka: "Chizuka."

"Ok?"

"How long have you been heating that pot of coffee that you left on the counter?"

"Huh...? Huh!!!"

Chizuki Nishiki turned her head instinctively.

Only then did she realize that the remaining coffee she had heated earlier was now emitting white smoke and starting to evaporate.

"My coffee!!!"

To make such a sound.

Chizuka Nishiki abandoned Rio Futaba and hurriedly returned to behind the counter.

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Chizuka."

After sending her away, Chizuka Nishiki spoke very politely to Rio Futaba.

"Ah... um... it's nothing."

After Nishiki Chizuka's unbridled questioning just now.

Rio Futaba was somewhat taken aback by Inoue Takina's sudden display of courtesy.

He could only nod slightly at Inoue Takina.

She felt somewhat fortunate.

It seems there are more than just weirdos here.

There are also girls like Inoue Takina who know proper etiquette and manners.

But the next second—

"Chizuka can be quite willful at times... but actually, I have the same question I want to ask Futaba-san."

His voice slowed, and his tone became indifferent.

Inoue Takina, with her wisteria-like eyes narrowed, slowly spoke:

"You really don't like Shi-kun? Not even the slightest bit?"

At this moment, Rio Futaba felt a completely different feeling from Chizuka Nishiki before, a feeling as cold as an iceberg rushing towards her.

And unlike Chizuka Nishiki, the other person's words carried a serious weight.

This time, Rio Futaba fell silent.

I liked Nango...? Even just a tiny bit...?

The answer to this question...

She was also a little confused.

Chapter 205. Is Nango Toki an Alien? (4000 words!)

"You really don't like Shi-kun? Not even the slightest bit?"

Inoue Takina's question slightly surprised Futaba Rio.

Because she herself didn't actually know the answer to this question.

but--

Whether it's Inoue Takina or Nishiki Chizuka.

Rio Futaba thought that the two of them must really like Toki Nanago.

Since that's the case...

“I think I have feelings for him,” Rio Futaba said, “but I don’t like him.”

"is it?"

Unlike Chizuka Nishiki, they were not aggressive or unscrupulous.

Inoue Takina simply responded, then turned to look at Nango, who was talking to the shop manager Mika, and spoke meaningfully:

"I hope you won't fall for Toki-kun, just like you said."

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Just then, Nanxiang Shi finished talking with the middle-aged store manager and walked over to them.

Rio Futaba then revealed an expression of relief, as if she had been granted a pardon.

She was about to speak.

Takina Inoue, who was standing beside him, bent her supple waist and bowed to Toki Nango in front of her: "Toki-kun."

"Uh..."

Rio Futaba couldn't help but take another look at Takina Inoue.

Mingming was about the same age as the other person when they were in Nanxiang, and they were also work partners.

Even if Inoue Takina likes Nango Toki, she doesn't need to be so respectful to Nango Toki, does she?

She was somewhat puzzled, then changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, Nanxiang, you mentioned before that you only work part-time at this coffee shop... What are your main job duties? General tasks or reception?"

A typical high school student works part-time at a coffee shop.

The only jobs available were odd jobs and reception duties.

This is what Rio Futaba thought, and this is what she asked.

but--

"Shi Jun is our temporary head chef at 'RicoLico'."

He didn't answer before Nanxiang arrived.

The middle-aged store manager who had just spoken with him came over and answered Rio Futaba's question with a smile.

"Hey?!"

Rio Futaba stared wide-eyed in disbelief upon receiving this answer.

Head chef?

Is it in the southern part of the country?

Is this the coffee shop?

Rio Futaba finally couldn't help but speak up: "Um... Manager-san, are you joking?"

It's not surprising that she reacted that way.

It's important to understand that the head chef is the lifeline of a restaurant, determining its upper and lower limits.

In Japan, the term "head chef" has been used since ancient times.

This also shows how much the Japanese value the position of 'head chef'.

And for a restaurant, the importance of the head chef goes without saying.

That would truly mean being second only to the store manager, above everyone else.

Why would such an important position be given to a male high school student who is still studying and only works part-time occasionally?

No matter how you look at it, this is absurd.

Therefore, Rio Futaba could only conclude, 'Is this a joke?'

but--

“Manager Mika wasn’t joking; Shi Jun really is our temporary head chef at ‘RicoRico’.”

Takina Inoue turned her head and noticed Rio Futaba's thoughts, so she added, "Actually, Manager Mika even considered hiring Toki-kun as the head chef of 'Rikorikoo' with 40% of the daily revenue as his salary, but he still refused."

40% of revenue?

Why does a restaurant hire students like Nanxiang Shi as head chefs, accounting for 40% of its revenue?

Rio Futaba subconsciously touched her ear.

She's even starting to doubt if she's heard correctly.

40% of revenue.