Chiaki blinked, taken aback. "Aren't you going to discuss salary first? This is a small shop—we can't match five-star hotel wages."
But Rina waved her hand casually, unconcerned.
"That's fine. I'm not picky about the pay. What I really want is to start working as soon as possible." She gave a firm pat to her suitcase and added, "Oh, and if there's any chance of lodging, that'd be amazing. I just came in from Osaka and haven't found a place to stay yet."
"What?!" Chiaki stared at her in disbelief.
"You came all the way from Osaka to Nara… to work at this little place?"
Rina nodded, her eyes steady, her voice calm—but with a quiet conviction that made it hard to argue.
"Exactly. The food scene in Osaka is too cutthroat. Everyone's chasing fame or profit, and I've grown tired of that race. I want a fresh start somewhere quieter, where I can slowly build up my experience again."She paused, then smiled gently. "And I've always liked local places like this. They feel warmer—more human—than the polished coldness of big hotels."
Yamada rubbed his chin. "If pay isn't an issue, start tomorrow. But housing's on you—we've no dorms."
Rina's brow furrowed briefly before smoothing. "All right. I'll check out some nearby inns or guesthouses."
Chiaki's voice turned more serious, though still warm.
"Wait a second, Rina. Just to be clear—our hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 to 10 p.m., closed on Mondays. Monthly salary is 300,000 yen. It's not what you'd get at a five-star hotel in Osaka, but I hope it's acceptable."
Rina smiled, nodding quickly. "Absolutely. The schedule and pay are both fine by me."
Chiaki hesitated a moment longer, then added, "If it's really hard to find a place, you can stay at my house. Temporarily."
Rina blinked in surprise. "Really? Are you sure that wouldn't be a bother?"
"It's not a bother," Chiaki said plainly, her tone sincere. "As long as you're okay with it, so am I."
For a second, Rina just stared—then broke into a playful smile, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Of course I'm okay with it. But are you? Not worried I'll eat you up in your sleep or something?"
Chiaki froze for half a second, clearly not expecting that. A faint pink crept into her ears. She coughed once and pretended to fix her sleeve.
"Eat me up? You'll have to be pretty good to pull that off."
She lowered her lashes to avoid Rina's gaze, but her lips twitched slightly, betraying the smile she was trying to hide.
Rina let out a soft laugh, voice lilting with amusement.
"So you are a little nervous, huh… Okami (Boss lady)?"
Chiaki lifted her head, affecting nonchalance as she straightened her jacket.
"Don't read too much into it. You came all this way from Osaka—it'd be inhumane to let you sleep on the street."
She paused, then added with a light but resolute tone,
"But just so you know, since you'll be staying at my place, you're getting up with me tomorrow. I have to be at the shop by 10:30 sharp."
Rina gave a small smile, her eyes carrying an indescribable warmth. "Don't worry, I'll be up on time." Her tone was relaxed and confident, as if nothing could throw off her rhythm. "Well then, I'll be in your care."
Chiaki glanced at the wall clock as its hands settled on nine. Outside, the rain pattered steadily against the pavement, leaving the streets nearly empty.
She turned back to Rina. "It's raining, and no one's coming out in this weather. Let's close up early. We'll head home together after we finish."
Rina nodded with a relaxed smile. "No problem. I'll follow your lead."
Chiaki studied her for a second before asking, "Did you eat yet?"
Rina shook her head, her gaze drifting to the plate of egg fried rice on the table. "Not yet. I'll just have this." She picked it up and settled into a chair, spoon already in hand.
Chef Yamada, who'd been wiping down the counter, frowned a little before muttering, "Just fried rice? That's not enough. Hold on."
Moments later, he returned with a steaming bowl of miso soup, the scent rich and inviting. Silken tofu and chopped green onions floated on the surface. He set it down in front of her along with a small dish of pickled cucumbers and a perfectly grilled mackerel, skin crisp and golden.
"Try these too," he said simply. "Don't go hungry."
Rina blinked in surprise at the extra dishes, then offered a soft, grateful smile. "Thank you, Chef. This is... really thoughtful."
Yamada waved her off, his tone gruff but not unkind. "Don't overthink it. It's just side dishes we always have in the kitchen."
Rina picked up a piece of mackerel. The skin crackled between her teeth, giving way to tender, perfectly salted flesh. She chewed slowly, then murmured, "It's delicious."
Yamada caught the sincerity in her tone and gave a small, quiet smile. "Take your time. I'll clean up the kitchen—just leave the dishes when you're done."
After dinner, Rina got up to clear her own dishes, her movements neat and practiced. At the counter, Chiaki wiped the surface, occasionally glancing her way, the corners of her mouth lifting almost imperceptibly.
Yamada switched off the last stove burner, hung his apron on the wall hook, and told them, "I'm heading out. Lock up and don't forget the lights."
"Got it,Yamada-san," Chiaki replied, waiting until the door clicked shut behind him before turning to Rina. "Alright, let's wrap this up."
They worked efficiently—Rina tidied the tables while Chiaki swept the floor. In no time, the shop was spotless.
Chiaki pulled down the shutter, locked up, and opened a deep blue umbrella. "Come on. My place isn't far—just a few minutes."
Rina pulled her suitcase close, stepping beneath the umbrella. Watching the drizzle fall outside, she said softly, "I need to stay close, or I'll get soaked."
Chiaki tilted the umbrella toward her, voice low. "Lean in if you need to. Just don't let yourself get wet."
Rina moved in closer, then wrapped an arm lightly around Chiaki's waist with a teasing smile. "Okami, your waist is tiny."
The contact caught Chiaki off guard. Something stirred in her, but she kept her expression neutral. Her voice, however, was just a touch stiff. "Just call me Chiaki. Enough with the 'okami' already."
Rina looked at her and smiled but didn't say anything more. They walked side by side into the quiet rain, the umbrella a small, shared world above them.