Shortly after, someone new came to the café. It was Kaya Irimi, the leader of the Black Dobers.
“No way will we ever work together, Irimi.”
“Shut up, monkey boy.”
Like the Apes, the infamous Black Dobers had also caught the attention of the CCG, and their leader had decided to come to Anteiku too. What on earth is happening?
Although their exchange was playful, Koma was her superior now. He imagined Irimi would start off doing the cleaning too. A strange emotion came over him when he imagined the leader of the Black Dobers, famous for her insistence on total obedience, slinging a mop around.
“Well, then, Kaya, first let’s learn how to make a cup of coffee.”
But Yoshimura’s words shocked Koma. Why was Yoshimura teaching her how to make coffee when she’d just gotten here? And on top of that, he served it to someone straight away.
“Irimi’s coffee is the best.”
“Somehow a woman’s touch is just better.”
All the male customers adored her. Even Tsubasa loved her. When she’d heard recently that Irimi had a boyfriend, she and Irimi started joking around. “If we have a boy, I’ll name him Shota.”
And with Irimi there, Koma no longer had a place behind the counter, and cleaning duty fell back to him again.
“You’ve been working at Anteiku for so long, and the leader of the Black Dobers just waltzes right into the kitchen, my brother!”
As long as Ghouls were coming into the café, rumors were quick to get around. His comrades from the Apes who heard about what was going on at Anteiku were once again incensed on his behalf. Especially because it involved the Black Dobers.
Also, since they’d all been inspired to find their own jobs, they often tried to turn the conversation into a passionate discussion about concrete problems they were facing, like issues with their contracts. But Koma would just smile and say, “You don’t understand. This isn’t a work issue, it’s a matter of the heart.”
“Irimi is not like me, she’s very immature. Which makes it hard for me to understand the intention behind Mr. Yoshimura’s actions. But perhaps he hopes that being in the kitchen straightaway will make her grow up a little and step up to the plate.”
As Koma spoke he saw that it was true—that Irimi had been put into the kitchen because she was being evaluated.
“Of course!”
“My brother, you’re amazing!” The Apes cheered.
Whatever position Yoshimura puts me in, I will not complain. I will do my best. That’s what makes me a man.
And besides, there are people watching.
“Mr. Koma, you’re so amazing. Whatever you do you give it your all,” Tsubasa whispered to him one day as he was in front of the café, engaged in his age-old battle with the fallen leaves.
“Really? Looks pointless to me,” said Irimi.
“Well, that too!” agreed Tsubasa, before giving her order to Irimi. “But he used to be so bad at cleaning, and now he’s a pro. And the coffee he makes is great. Just watching him work is more fun than anything. It just makes me happy every morning.”
Tsubasa smiled and put her finger to her lips, as if to tell Irimi to be careful not to tell Koma. When she saw that smile, Irimi listened. Koma darted here and there as he pursued the fallen leaves, until the path was perfectly clear. Devil Ape, the Ghoul once feared by all investigators, now focused all his attention on cleaning, something Irimi said was worthless.
But Irimi did not make fun of him.
He is practicing coexistence with humans. And winning their trust. I can’t let him beat me.
He set a good example for her. Because Yoshimura trusted him to do what needed to be done.
“Are you ready for the Devil Ape rolling hurricane?!”
Anteiku would be gleaming today, too.
And it would be until the end.
“Mr. Yoshimura, I gave it the old Devil Ape Special Cleaning Service! Nice and shiny.”
We’re all friends at Anteiku, and we help each other.
Now to prove it.