Chapter 179: A Matchmaking Disaster in Progress
That night, I decided to finally set up the meeting between Natsuki and Miko. Both of them had agreed—well, technically I had arranged it and they just went along with it—but either way, the “date” was on.
Natsuki showed up first, exactly on time. He looked more polished than usual, though the dark circles under his eyes made him look like he’d just survived three all-nighters in a row. Still, he’d made an effort. Clean shirt, slicked-back hair, even a faint smell of cologne.
“Come sit here, Natsuki,” I said as I waved him over behind the counter.
He nodded stiffly and sat down, clasping his hands together on the counter like a nervous interviewee. I could practically see him practicing lines in his head.
“Sorry, I’ll be with you in a second,” I said, juggling a skewer of yakitori over the grill. “Still gotta get these orders done first.”
“No problem,” he said quickly, then leaned closer. “But uh… could you at least give me a hint about her? What’s she like?”
I chuckled, flipping the skewers. “Impatient much? Just wait a bit, man.”
He slumped back with a dramatic sigh. “I just wanna make a good impression, you know? You can’t expect me to face an unknown goddess without preparation.”
“Unknown goddess? Seriously?” I muttered.
Before I could give him an answer, someone shouted from the tables, “Ryuko! Can I get more soy sauce here?”
“Right away!” I called, running over with a bottle.
When I got back behind the counter, Natsuki was watching me with an amused grin. “Maybe it’s time for you to get a staff,” he said.
I snorted. “Nah. The old man used to do it alone too. I can handle it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You say that now, but at this rate, you’ll pass out face-first in the fryer one day.”
“Thanks for the concern,” I said dryly.
He chuckled and leaned forward again. “So come on, give me something. What does she like?”
I paused, trying to recall something—anything—about Miko’s preferences. “Hmm… she likes... cats? And karaoke? And complaining about people who eat too loudly?”
“That’s oddly specific,” Natsuki said, smirking.
Before I could respond, the doorbell jingled.
“Heyaaa! Ryuko! We’re coming again!”
I froze. I knew that voice.
Sure enough, Aki was standing there at the door, waving like she owned the place. Miko stood beside her, looking slightly embarrassed. And behind them… another familiar figure appeared.
“Keiko…” I muttered under my breath.
She smiled innocently, pretending she wasn’t just ambushing me at work.
Natsuki leaned toward me and whispered, “Eh… is that the girl you like? Your expression just changed completely.”
“Stop it,” I hissed.
I forced a smile and waved. “Hey guys, welcome! Take a seat over here.”
They came over, sliding into the seats next to Natsuki. He straightened up so fast you’d think someone hit a “posture” button.
“Ehmm… so girls,” I said, gesturing between them, “this is Natsuki. And Natsuki, these are Aki, Miko, and Keiko.”
He nodded politely, flashing his best attempt at a confident smile. “Hi, nice to meet you all. I’m Natsuki.”
Aki immediately leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Hey, Natsuki! You’re pretty handsome!”
Natsuki froze, then scratched his head awkwardly. “Ahaha, thanks…?”
I groaned inwardly. This was already going off-script.
I turned to Miko. “Why did you bring her?” I pointed at Aki, trying not to sound too annoyed.
Miko sighed. “Aki insisted on coming with me—”
“No! You said you were nervous and asked me to come with you!” Aki snapped back.
And just like that, they started bickering.
I massaged my temple. “Alright, alright, can you not start that here? You’re going to scare the poor guy.”
“C–cute…” Natsuki mumbled to himself, cheeks red as he watched them argue.
“Don’t call that cute,” I muttered.
I quickly shoved the menu into their hands. “Here. Please, order something before this turns into a talk show.”
After a few more customers left, the place started to quiet down. I told them to move to a bigger table to chat more comfortably, and Keiko stayed at the counter with me.
I could hear bits of their conversation floating over—Aki talking loudly, Miko trying to calm her, and Natsuki nervously laughing at everything. At least it didn’t sound like a total disaster. Yet.
Keiko leaned against the counter beside me. “You sure this is a good idea?” she whispered.
“Eh, it’s going fine,” I said, flipping a towel over my shoulder. “They’re talking, no one’s crying or flipping tables, so that’s a win.”
“Mm-hmm,” she hummed skeptically. “You realize Aki’s probably scaring him, right?”
“Oi, Aki, don’t bother them too much,” I shouted across the room.
Aki turned around immediately. “What? Why are you so petty with me, Ryuko? What if I like him too?”
I blinked. “Didn’t you like girls?”
Natsuki’s eyes widened. “Eh?! Aki too?!”
Aki turned to him, eyes narrowing. “What do you mean too?”
Oh, here we go.
Keiko nearly spat her drink, covering her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
I groaned, “Guys, please don’t start this in my bar—”
“Wait, so you’re really into girls too?” Aki pointed at me dramatically.
Miko's jaw dropped. “Wait… wait… Ryuko, you’re?!”
Keiko looked like she was enjoying this chaos a little too much.
“I should’ve known better,” I said, dragging a hand down my face.
Natsuki laughed nervously, scratching his cheek. “This is… kind of fun though?”
“Fun?!” I said, glaring at him.
“Yeah, it’s like a sitcom!” he said brightly.
Keiko snorted from behind the counter. “He’s not wrong.”
I shot her a look. “Don’t encourage him.”
Aki leaned on the table, chin resting on her palm. “So, Ryuko, are you sure you’re not jealous?”
“Of what?”
“That Keiko might end up liking him instead of you.”
The entire table went silent.
I turned crimson. “W–what?! Aki!”
Natsuki almost choked on his drink. “Wait, what?! That’s not—”
Keiko burst out laughing so hard she had to grip the counter to steady herself.
I slammed my hand lightly on the bar. “Okay! Everyone quiet! Miko, Aki, Natsuki—let’s all take a deep breath before this turns into another episode of Love & Yakitori!”
They all froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Aki snorted, Natsuki was giggling uncontrollably, and even Miko was smiling behind her hand. The tension melted into chaos, but the good kind.
As the laughter died down, Keiko leaned closer to me, whispering with a grin, “You know… as much as this is a disaster, it’s kind of adorable.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t help smiling too. “Yeah, maybe. But next time, I’m setting strict entry rules: no love triangles, no shouting, and definitely no Aki.”
“Good luck enforcing that,” Keiko said, smirking.
As I wiped down the counter, I looked at the lively group at the table—Aki teasing, Miko flustered, Natsuki laughing awkwardly.