Track 3

So this is the temporary location for Kotaro’s second shop! I didn’t know there was a place like this in the 18th Ward.

It’s super Kawaii, just like Netaro-san said!

Still ain’t as Kawaii as Toi though.

Isn’t this place, like, way too aesthetic? I literally can’t stop snapping pics~~~!

UWOOOOOAAAAH!! Secret Technique: Non-stop camera swiiiiing!!

I’m...looking forward...to seeing the inside, too...

As for the staff uniforms, you will have to wait until the grand opening to see them... but they are my masterpieces, so please, feel free to gaze upon them until you’ve burned holes through the fabric.

Well, should we head in then?

The invitation Netaro sent out included a seating chart, right?

It says Cars 2 through 5 will be served in order, and that we should wait in our assigned seats.

Hahya... It looks like my unworthy self will be joining the president and Renga-san's group in Car No. 5.

Alright then, Nayuki, Kuguri, let’s head to Car No. 4...

Oh, those two already went on ahead...

They must have been really looking forward to this.

Okay, Sonia, do your best helping out with the others today.

Yeshhir~!

Moorniiin.

Time to do a chant for the morning assembly~! I’ve never done one before, but I’ve always wanted to try at least once.

GOOD MORNING!

Good morning!

THE CUSTOMER IS GOD!

T-The customer is God!

BUT HERE, I AM THE KING!

But here... wait, what...?

But here, Yowa-sama is the king.

Azekawa-san, you don’t have to repeat the unnecessary parts.

Is that the company motto?

Yup! Just thought of it! I’m gonna scribble it on the scribble board and hang it on the wall.

Speaking of that board, you’ve really filled it up, haven’t you?

It seems the past contents of our strategy meetings have been permanently archived within it.

I see... I guess we should work hard so all that preparation doesn’t go to waste.

Well, don’t overdo it.

(I’ll just wing it and get this over with.)

This is, kitchen, yes?

It’s actually built exactly the way I wanted.

Lu~lala~♪

I’m counting on your help like last time, everyone.

I’m raring to guoo!

I’m gonna get the plating right this time.

We’ll show them the ultimate combo, yes!

(This situation kind of reminds me of PatiBattle’s kitchen car battle episode. I'm actually starting to get into it...)

I’ve got my usual spatula with me too, so I guess it’s time to get cracking.

Wow... The dining area’s interior is amazing too!

If I remember correctly, “Diner” originally referred to a “Dining Car,” didn’t it?

Indeed. Even if it doesn’t move, just being able to take in the atmosphere is enough to make any train enthusiast’s heart dance.

Wow, bein’ a railfan is pretty fancy for someone your age.

THE CUSTOMER IS GOD! BUT HERE, I AM THE KING! THE CUSTOMER IS GOD! BUT HERE, I AM THE KING! THE CUSTOMER IS GOD! BUT HERE, I AM THE KING!

I feel like something just pulled the Doppler effect on us.

Dear customers, please accept our deepest apologies. It appears the manager has headed towards Car No. 6 to begin preparing the food.

Thanks for coming in today! Here are your menus.

You have my thanks.

When it comes to diners, hamburgers and pancakes are the usual staples. I wonder what kind of menu Netaro came up with.

Hm...

What’s up, Muneuji?

This food menu...only has “Meat Bun Burger” written on it.

Meat Bun...Burger...?

Ah, it’s the manager’s specialty, so we’re betting it all on this one dish.

Such manly spirit... So it’s not just about being Kawaii? Though I’m grateful I don’t have to worry about being indecisive.

In exchange, there are a variety of toppings and flavors you can choose from.

Let’s see here... “The Sweet One,” “The Spicy One,” “The Heavy One,” “The Refreshing One”...

Those are some vague descriptions.

Per our manager’s policy, we follow a style that tailors every order to each customer’s preference.

He told us the recipe was a corporate secret, so we don’t really know the details either...

This shop puts more emphasis on the entertainment bit. Probably.

I-I see...?

Let’s try ordering for now. It looks like there’s more options for drinks and desserts...

Think I’ll just order a drink and see how it goes. I’ll take this Craft Be...—

...”Craft Meat Bun Beer”...?

Understood.

I’ll have the “Rum & Coke & Meat Bun,” please.

Then I’ll go with a Meat Bun Burger, “Refreshing” style!

Ummm... I’ll have the same... Oh wait, actually, make mine a “Heavy” one.

I shall order the “Sweet” Meat Bun Burger, along with the “Chewy Meat Bun Parfait” for dessert.

The phrase meat bun is starting to lose all meaning to me...

Sending the orders through the tablet now...

Very well, we will bring the drinks out first. Please wait a moment for the food and dessert—

One Refreshing, one Heavy, and one Sweet Meat Bun Burger, pipin’ hot and ready!

!?

Wait, that was way too fast! Didn’t we just send the order!?

Netaro-kun, did you just make these and bring them out yourself!?

The total time elapsed between making the order and serving it was a mere 1.8 seconds. It is a speed that would shock even that one famous Taiwanese ramen shop¹.

Oho? Did I flub something?

Typically, I believe it is standard practice for the kitchen staff to focus on preparing the food while the waiting staff serves it.

If the manager’s gonna do the serving himself then there’s no point in us being here, yeah?

Well he’s been doing it all on his own.

Ya. It’s always been like this.

When Laika takes an order, I make it, and I bring it. Nothing weird there.

I see. Since you’ve been running your shop by yourself until now, you aren’t used to dividing up responsibilities among a team yet.

I get that feeling. Sometimes I ask for help too, but no matter how many times I do it, I still feel like I’m being presumptuous when I give orders to other people.

So you’re saying we don’t even need a waiting staff? It’s true that it’s faster if I just do everything myself anyway!

(Oh? Does this mean we get to go home early?)

No, but if you open a second or third shop in the future, you won’t be able to man them all at once. Unless you can split yourself or something...

(Man, so earnest.)

It’s not like I can’t split myself.

Huh?

*HAHAHGHAGHAGHDH*

Ah, there it is, Netaro-kun's alien joke.

Right, he did have that kinda backstory.

(An alien... Well, to be precise, he is a Yorozu.)

But cloning would be annoying if they start developing their own free will, and using substitute dolls needs too much maintenance...

It might be best to start dividing up the workload amongst the other members little by little.

Let’s do that! Work-share!

Pardon the interruption. I have brought your “Craft Meat Bun Beer,” “Rum & Coke & Meat Bun,” and “Chewy Meat Bun Parfait.”

Ah, we got too caught up in the conversation and left all the work to you...sorry.

Well, listening to what our customers have to say is part of the job too.

Alright then, now that all our food is here...

Let’s eat!

*Chomp!*

*Gulp gulp...*

Mmm...! Despite the bizarre color and appearance, it actually tastes like a juicy and delicious burger...!

*Nom nom*... The ingredients were double-checked by me and the chief, and then triple-checked by Liguang-san, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Whoa...I can kinda taste a bit of bun in the beer...maybe? I think...?

It’s the first time I’ve ever tasted this, but strangely enough, it doesn’t clash with the base flavor.

The “Chewy Meat Bun Parfait” also has the right amount of sweetness and saltiness for a dessert. As expected of Uu-chan.

Customer reception is positive.

But compared to this crazy lookin’ burger, the desserts and drinks feel like they’re lacking impact.

Perhaps it would be better to go bolder with the design of the glasses and dishes.

Hummm~. It’s true that the research into menu item synergy was lacking!

Thanks for your valuable feedback~.

I have recorded everything and will compile a report later.

But I think this is enough to get a passing grade from Liguang-san and Nayuki-kun!

Keep it up for the other cars. Be good, okay?

Yowa-san, we’ll take over serving the food from here on out, so you can focus on watching over us as our manager.

Fiiine, I’ll just sit back and relax in the manager’s office.

Uh, you still gotta make the food.

THE CUSTOMER IS GOD! BUT HERE, I AM THE KING!

Is he going to do that every time he switches cars...?

Let us move on to Car No. 3.