Text

The day after Shizuku joined the Family

ShizukuExcuse me.

ShizukuHmm... So this is a livehouse.

Shizuku(I was told this was where concerts were held, but it is quite different from a concert hall.)

Shizuku(The size, the dim lighting, the interior... everything is different. Perhaps they will set out chairs for the audience later?)

YoriHuh... A customer~? We're not open yet...

ShizukuForgive me for entering without permission. I came here to undertake something called a "part-time job."

YoriWait... Who are you, anyway?

ShizukuMy name is Shizuku Shinomiya. I'm a second-year student at Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, Middle School.

YoriOh, you're the girl who just moved into the dorm... Wait, you're a middle school student?

ShizukuHm? Yes. Raika told me to come here, but...

ChieriOh! It's our newcomer, Shizuku! You're finally here!

RaikaAll right, Shizuku! Let's get started—

YoriRaika, I can't let this kid work here~ I'd get arrested.

RaikaWait, really!?

YoriYou have to be in high school to work here. If that's clear, hurry up and take her back to the dorm~

RaikaBut Shizuku is Family! We have to work at our "home" and put on live shows together!

YoriHere we go again... You and that old lady bring up "Family" every chance you get...

RaikaThere's so much I want to teach Shizuku— about our home, and about the Family.

RaikaSo please, Deputy Manager!

ShizukuI do not wish to cause trouble, but could you allow me to help within the bounds of the law?

YoriHmm... Fine. We'll call it work experience. You'll mostly just watch and only help with the really easy stuff. Got it?

ShizukuYes. I understand.

RaikaThanks, Deputy Manager~!

RaikaOkay, Shizuku! Go change into this in the room over there! It's the same staff T-shirt we're wearing!

ShizukuHmm...

RaikaI wonder if Shizuku's ready yet~ I can't wait to teach her all kinds of things~!

ChieriI mean, the newcomer is taking way too long to change! It's already been fifteen minutes!

ShizukuMy apologies for keeping you waiting.

ChieriYou sure did... Wait, Shizuku!? What's with that outfit!?

RaikaHahaha! Oh, Shizuku! Your T-shirt's on backward!

Shizuku"Front" and "back"... What do you mean?

ChieriDon't tell me you don't know how to put it on...!?

ShizukuNanny has always helped me get dressed. I have never dressed myself before, nor have I ever worn clothing like this.

RaikaO-Oh... I see~!

RaikaThen I'll teach you anything you've never done before! Come on, let's get you changed again!

ChieriAnd once you've wrung out the mop, you can start cleaning the floor! Well? Starting to respect me now?

ShizukuYes. This tool is remarkable, and so are you for being able to use it, Cherie. Cleaning is new to me as well, so I am learning a great deal.

ChieriThis is... your first time cleaning?

ShizukuUm... First, I dip the mop in the water, and then...

ChieriAaaah!! What are you doing, dumping the whole bucket of water everywhere~!?

ShizukuMy apologies. This tool is large and heavy, and rather difficult to handle.

ChieriDon't just stand there! Hurry up and wipe it up! Here, use this!

RaikaOkay, Shizuku, let's try washing some glasses together! Use this sponge!

ShizukuAre glasses cleaned one at a time... by hand?

RaikaHuh? Yeah. The dirt won't come off unless you wash them, right?

ShizukuI see... So you use something called a sponge to wash each glass one at a time.

RaikaOh, right... This is new to you too...! Okay, first, rinse it with water.

ShizukuUnderstood.

Shizuku、Raika...

RaikaShizuku? Why are you just standing there with the glass held out?

ShizukuHm? I am waiting for the water to come out.

RaikaWaiting for the water...? Oh! Our faucets aren't automatic.

RaikaYou turn the handle like this. See? Now the water's running~

ShizukuOh...

ChieriNnngh...!

ChieriJeeez, you can't do a single thing, can you!? You're one troublesome subordinate, Shizuku!

ShizukuI am surprised myself. I had no idea there were so many things I did not know.

ShizukuIt seems you were right, Cherie. There is not much I can do.

Chieri、Raika...

RaikaIt's okay! From here on out, you can keep finding new things you can do!

ChieriThat's right! If you're Chieri's subordinate, you can't talk like you've already given up!

RaikaAnd finding out just how much you don't know or can't do yet is a step forward, too!

RaikaI'll teach you absolutely everything I know, Shizuku! Before you know it, you'll find all kinds of things you can do!

Shizuku...

Shizuku(I still do not understand what Big Sis and Nanny mean by "the things I must know.")

Shizuku(And yet, right before me are so many things I know nothing about.)

Shizuku(For now, what I can do is learn about them one by one.)

ShizukuThank you, both of you.

RaikaYeah! Want to try wiping down the drink counter next? Use this cleaning wipe.

RaikaFold it like this... then wipe the counter, just like that! Now you try, Shizuku.

ShizukuFold this in half... like this?

ChieriOoh~! Yes, that's it! Keep it up!

RaikaNow flip the wipe over!

ShizukuThere is... just a little dirt on it?

ShizukuDoes this mean... I did it?

RaikaYeah, you did it! You really did!! Way to go, Shizuku~~!

RaikaThat's one more thing you can do now, Shizuku!

Shizuku...!

ShizukuYes. It would seem so.