Chapter 158: Graduation Party Chaos
From the moment I clocked in that morning, I knew I was in trouble.
Aki, Suzuka, and Miko had been eyeing me like hawks since dawn. Not normal hawks, but the kind that were starving and saw me as prey.
“You don’t look like you prepared anything for this party,” Aki said, arms crossed.
Suzuka narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Yeah, no bags, no boxes, no nothing.”
Miko leaned forward like a detective interrogating a criminal. “Tell the truth… you forgot, didn’t you?”
I stuck my tongue out at them. “Bleh.”
Their collective gasp made it sound like I’d just committed high treason.
---
Finally, closing time came. We scrubbed, wiped, and cleaned the restaurant spotless, but instead of rushing home, everyone sat down with expectant, sparkling eyes fixed on me. I swear, I could feel the pressure burning a hole in my back.
I turned, smirking. “Please wait here and just have a seat.”
“Oi! Don’t run away!” Aki yelled instantly.
“Yeah, don’t you dare!” Miko shouted, her chair scraping loudly.
“Suspicious! Very suspicious!” Suzuka added.
I ignored their protests and slipped out the front door dramatically, like a man walking to his doom.
---
When I returned a few minutes later, my arms full of food delivery bags, the room erupted.
“WAAAAHHH!” Aki and Miko cheered so loud I thought my eardrums would pop.
“You really ordered food?!” Suzuka gasped.
“Of course.” I smirked. “I’m not heartless.”
Everyone jumped in to help unpack, and before long, the tables were filled with steaming trays of karaage, sushi rolls, takoyaki, and other glorious snacks. The smell alone could’ve resurrected the dead.
Then the door opened again, and in walked our boss, Manna-san, holding two huge boxes.
“Drinks,” she announced simply.
The cheer that followed could’ve shaken the heavens.
“Boss! You’re the best!” Aki shouted.
“We love you, Manna-san!” Miko joined in.
“Long live Manna!” Suzuka raised her cola like a soldier.
I smiled too… until I saw what was inside the boxes.
Oh no.
Rows and rows of fancy bottles glinted under the lights. Expensive sake, champagne, whiskey—basically a liquor store’s premium shelf.
I froze. I could already see where this night was going. Spoiler: it wasn’t going to end peacefully.
Aki and Miko’s eyes sparkled dangerously. “Waaaahhh! These look amazing! I’ve never tried any of these before!”
Oh, god. Children discovering dynamite.
Then I realized—“Wait… Suzuka can’t drink!”
Keiko, who had been helping pour, gasped. “You’re right! She’s still underage.”
Suzuka glanced sideways with a cheeky grin. “Just a little bit, eh…” she winked.
“Nope.” Keiko shoved her gently back into her seat. “Wait until you’re twenty. I don’t want to end up at a police station.”
Suzuka pouted so hard her face could’ve powered an anime meme. “Meanie.”
Aki rolled her eyes. “Keiko, you’re no fun.”
But Keiko was unmoved. She poured cola into a glass and handed it to Suzuka. “Here. Drink this.”
Suzuka sighed like the world had ended but took the glass anyway.
Meanwhile, I leaned close to Keiko and whispered, “Sorry… that I’ll leave you alone here soon.”
She looked up at me, her face unexpectedly sad, and for once, she didn’t hide it. My chest squeezed tight. She was… cute like this. Too cute.
I found myself leaning closer without realizing it, but then Keiko gently pressed her hand against my cheek to stop me, her eyes saying more than words could.
Yeah. That was enough. My heart was already too full.
---
The party started slow but warm. Everyone was chatting, laughing, and even Manna-san—usually so strict—was relaxed tonight. She sat with us, sipping quietly, occasionally smiling at our antics.
When she stood, she even handed me a small wrapped box. “A farewell gift, Ryuko.”
I blinked, touched. “Thank you so much, Manna-san.”
She nodded. “Thank you for your service here. You worked hard.”
Her words felt heavy but kind, and I bowed deeply.
Of course, the peaceful atmosphere couldn’t last. Not with Aki around.
Suddenly, she stood in the middle of the room, raising her glass high like she was on stage. “HELLO EVERYONE!”
The others chorused back, “HELLOOO!”
I already had a bad feeling.
“So! Today is a special day! Our dear friend Ryuko’s last day!”
Everyone clapped and cheered, even Suzuka who was bouncing in her seat.
“So!” Aki grinned. “It’s time for… a speech!”
My eyes widened. “What?! No way—”
But it was too late. Miko and Suzuka jumped up, grabbing my arms, dragging me like criminals dragging their hostage to execution.
“Go on! Say something!” Suzuka laughed.
“Don’t be shy!” Miko added.
Before I knew it, I was shoved into the center of the room. Aki dramatically shoved a mic into my hand.
I swallowed hard. Everyone’s eyes were on me.
“Uh… well…” I started, my voice cracking. Great, now I sounded like I was going through puberty again.
“So… thank you, everyone, for supporting me since my first day here.” I paused, glancing around at their expectant faces. “I’m really thankful to have such wonderful and supportive coworkers. I learned a lot from all of you… so yeah… really, thank you. From my heart.”
It wasn’t poetic. It wasn’t grand. But it was true.
I quickly shoved the mic back at Aki before my knees gave out.
“Uwaaahhhh!” Aki immediately started fake-crying, clutching her chest like she was in a tragic drama. “So beautiful!”
Then, before I could blink, she lunged forward and wrapped me in a dramatic hug.
I gasped, stumbling backward, and—oh no—
Thud!
We both toppled over, Aki landing right on top of me in the most awkward position imaginable.
The entire room went dead silent.
“….”
“….”
Aki’s face was an inch from mine, eyes wide.
My brain screamed. This is bad. VERY bad.
Then—
“BUGHHHH… NGIINNNGG!”
The mic fell on Aki’s head, letting out the loudest, most distorted feedback sound, echoing through the room like the final scream of a dying robot.
We both flinched.
Everyone else burst out laughing.
I wanted to laugh too, but Aki clutched her head, groaning in pain. “Owww…”
I sighed, helping her sit up. “Seriously, you’re hopeless.”
Keiko rushed over with a first-aid kit, Ruka hovered worriedly, and Miko and Suzuka were too busy wheezing with laughter to be useful.
The party had officially descended into chaos.