The two of them entered the room.
It wasn’t particularly spacious by any means, but its decoration gave off a strong sense of coziness and warmth.
A television screen flickered back and forth amidst the dim light and one could see a row of stuffed dolls on a medium size cotton bed.
“Thump.” The lamp flickered several times before covering the entire room in light.
Thanks to the light, Bai Ji could now get a full view of the entire room. The lack of furniture didn’t overshadow its squeaky clean appearance; The walls were white and unblemished, while the wooden floors had visibly been cleaned and managed frequently… Even the bed itself was very well-made— That is, if one excluded the few pieces of cute white undergarments on top of it.
“It’s pretty messy since I didn’t have the chance to tidy up. Please bear with it and have a seat.” The yellowish-gray haired girl pouted and indicated for her to sit at the corner of the bed.
“Sorry for disturbing you. It’s fine, I’ll just sit on the floor instead.” Bai Ji raised the hems of her skirt. Reckoning that the clean-looking floor would not dirty her skirt, she sat down on her knees.
Needless to say, the uneasiness displayed by her mincing movements was just an act, nothing more than an image which she had deliberately put on in order to elicit sympathy.
“No need to stand on ceremony. I’ll never disdain a delicious small loli sitting on my bed.” Said the yellowish-gray haired girl in a half-jokingly manner as she stuck her upper body into a wooden cabinet and sifted through its contents.
“Sorry to trouble you, Miss Manager. My only wish is to find a job to fill my stomach~” Bai Ji lowered her head while sitting on her knees, causing her silver twintails to dangle downwards onto the floor.
“Mhm… You’ve certainly come to the right person. Had this been someone else, they might not necessarily accept you. What’s more, you’re strolling on the street in such an outfit. It’d be terrible if some evil old man with bad intentions happened to con you.
“S-Since you have put it this way~ Does this mean you’re willing to accept me? Thank you, Miss Manager!” Overjoyed with the developments, Bai Ji nodded vigorously to express her thanks.
“Don’t be in such a hurry to thank me, little girl. You need to understand that rules and regulations exist in every industry. My establishment is no exception. While I don’t mind raising a mascot, I’m sure you’re aware of the logic that those who don’t work shall not eat, right?”
“Mhm… Her appearance is a great selling point. It could attract some customers with rather unique tastes.” Muttered the yellowish-gray haired girl while stroking her chin and sizing up Bai Ji. She then sifted through her wardrobe once more.
“Ehhh?” Ji Bai tilted her head, somewhat clueless as to what she had been muttering about. However, she was pretty euphoric that a casual display of charm and vulnerability had successfully won her a job.
One might not necessarily win in life just because they were born with a cute appearance. Only with the ability of putting on a show of charm and vulnerability could one achieve true success.
“Mhm… This dress is more or less it.” The girl nodded and turned her head around.
“Hey, little girl. Since you want to become an employee here, you’d better prepare yourself. As for the wages and rewards, they’ll be given to you in accordance with the figure shown on the signboard down to the single penny.
“Oh. In that case, can I ask Miss Manager what my tasks will be? No matter if it’s sweeping the floor or wiping the plates, it’s no problem for me. I am good at it.”
Bai Ji had already thought it through; By using either the excuse of having no money for food or that her debts needed to be settled, she would claim her salary in advance and settle the immediate crisis before her. Even though she really despised it and was grossed out at the idea of doing miscellaneous and heavy menial work… she had confidence she would overcome them with a bit of endurance.
‘Isn’t it just being a waitress? Thinking back to how I was working part-time as a student after running away from home — I had to juggle three different jobs that were both tiring and rough after school, so I suppose I’m already a seasoned veteran when it comes to work.’
No matter what, as long as no one found out about this, she would have nothing to fear about. Ke’er was busily occupied with her work outside, so she would naturally not harbor any suspicions as long as the time tallied.
‘Besides, who would find out I’m working here? Even if they did, it is no big deal since I won’t be working here for long. Once I receive my wage and finish my tenure, it’s bye-bye to everyone~ I bet it won’t be long before they forget me completely. We’ll just be strangers the next time we meet in the future~ This way, everyone’s happy~.’
“Wiping the plates and sweeping the floor? No, there’s no need for such hassle. You won’t be in charge of those.” The yellowish-gray haired girl finally found what she had been rummaging for and tossed it at Bai Ji.
“Here, catch. Put this outfit on.”
“Eh? Are these work clothes?” Bai Ji furrowed her brows, as she had a feeling that things weren’t as simple as they seemed. However, she was reassured when she thought back and realized that it was a normal requirement for waiters/waitresses to put on uniforms at work.
She took a cursory look at the outfit and felt that its design was somewhat familiar, with every single component meticulously accounted for. There were even a pair of white gloves that stretched to her elbows, as well as… a pair of stockings? Why would those be there? Were her eyes deceiving her?
“Miss Manager, if I may be so bold as to make a request?” Bai Ji asked with embarrassment as she furtively cast her eyes left and right.
“Yes?” The girl with yellowish-gray hair tilted her head expressionlessly.
“I’ll be changing my clothes now, so could I ask Miss Manager to excuse me for a moment?” Bai Ji pointed her fingers at the clothes that were emitting a faint pristine fragrance.
“Oh, that’s no issue, you can just change here. No big deal.”
“Ehhh?” In shock, Bai Ji saw the girl in front of her lean against the wardrobe, with no intention of leaving.
“B-B-B…But Miss Manager, it is improper for a man and woman to have visual and physical contact with their bodies…”
“What are you saying? Where do you see a male creature around here? I have all the stuff you have on your body, just in a different size and stage. I’ve already seen all that is out there, so what’s there to be shy about?” The yellow-gray haired girl’s tone carried a trace of confusion as she spoke.
“Uhm…I-I’m not exactly sure what you mean?…” The entirety of Bai Ji’s face turned bright red from embarrassment as her eyes became a pair of mosquito coils.
“Anyway, just change here. We’re both girls, so there’s nothing you should be scared of. It’s not like I’ll eat you anyway.”
“But this is troubling me a lot…”
”Relax and let yourself go.”
‘Aaaah… I’ve already laid it out clearly and she still doesn’t have the slightest intention of leaving.’
Even though she was in essence a veteran soldier with a long experience on the battlefield, Bai Ji was a white piece of paper in ‘that’ aspect; Someone with a shallow experience who had never opened up in that manner before. The seemingly burning gaze coming out of the other girl’s eyes gave her a sense of discomfort while making her dizzy and light-headed at the same time.
“I-In that case, I’ll change now…” Bai Ji cautiously swallowed a mouthful of saliva, as a nagging feeling of entering a dangerous place arose in her mind.
“Mhm.”
*Stare—*
‘Why is she staring at my body…’
Bai Ji could only hold back her tears as she loosened the waistband of her skirt which exposed large swaths of her soft white skin…
“I’m done changing…” Bai Ji awkwardly looked at the dress she had put on.
‘No wonder it looked so familiar, it’s actually a maid outfit…’
“Miss Manager… Isn’t it a bit strange to wear such clothing… Can I not wear them?”
“Strange, you say? How are you planning to work in this maid cafe without wearing that outfit then? Those men are only frequenting this restaurant to see beautiful and energetic girls like you put on this outfit, you know.” The yellowish-gray haired girl raised her eyebrows.
“Well, since you know what sort of establishment this is, put these silk stockings on.
“What, a m-maid cafe?!” Bai Ji was shocked.
No wonder that she had a strong feeling that something was amiss when she entered.
“B-B-But why is this skirt so short…” Bai Ji’s complexion turned bright red as the breezy feeling underneath the skirt’s hem made her very uneasy.
She was certain that any bystander would be able to see her panties just by lowering their body.
“Are there any other options?” The girl shot a look of contempt at Bai Ji’s chest, which was devoid of any incline under the maid outfit.
“It’s so flat it’s comparable to a washing board. Since you can’t compete on chest size, I want you to put in more effort into other aspects to increase your value, understand?”
Bai Ji: “…”
‘I’ll endure it…’
‘Forget it. So what if it’s slightly more embarrassing? It’s not like any acquaintance will recognize me…’
“Click.”
“Miss Manager, I… Eh?? Aren’t you that silver-haired girl from before?” A familiar voice arrived from behind.
Bai Ji’s pupils constricted.
‘There’s no way such a coincidence exists, right…’
A streak of pink flashed through her vision as she turned around.
Bai Ji: OvO
“Oh?? It’s Benefactor-chan!” Blue stretched out her head and instantly threw herself at Bai Ji.
Bai Ji: OvO?