Chapter 87

Claude finally revealed the secret here. "So, that's why I came in this outfit."

"I see, so I'm finally on the receiving end of a prank. And the six accomplices are all here as children."

Claude, who seemed to find it interesting, put his hand to his chin, and we seven were being scrutinized by him. I was led to the back of the store and relaxed with tea and cake until things calmed down.

"Still, Yun."

"I'm sorry. This time it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn't mean to cause trouble for the store."

"No, this time it's my own fault. Well, I'm reflecting that it would have been enough with just the animal ears and fangs, rather than such an elaborate costume."

Was this for Halloween? When Miu and the others heard this, they seemed interested, their eyes shining, and Claude, who noticed this, said:

"I have a prototype. Would you like to try it on?"

"Really!?"

"Yes, in exchange, I'd like to take screenshots of you. I'll post them on my blog with your faces hidden. I'll guarantee that."

Girls love new things, but in this form, they looked like nothing more than children before Halloween. It was dangerous; I should have advised against it, but their appearance made it seem endearing.

"Just be considerate not to cause too much trouble."

"It's no trouble at all. Rather, it's a reward."

Claude said this with a very good expression, and I gave him a cold look.

"You... I want to believe you wouldn't do something like that to a friend, but to a little girl... 'That's not happening'... then it's fine."

I felt a moment of relief at his strong denial, but with this guy, he often drops a bombshell right after. I braced myself and glared at Claude, but...

"What's wrong?"

"...No, usually, after that, you'd say something like 'My taste is ○○!' or '×× is so uncool.'"

"Alright, Yun. I understand how you see me. I'll make you into my ideal type."

Again, such a statement that could lead to misunderstandings. When Rui heard this, she let out a high-pitched scream, Kohaku clutched her face, and the others muttered, "What, what?" Miu, waving her hands, said, "Don't take my big sister!" with energy. The other three were drinking tea, ignoring the situation.

"Ultimately, it comes to this."

"Here, choose between these two outfits!"

The first outfit was a loose, kimono-style garment. The sleeves were separate and tied with strings to prevent slipping. The design featured autumn motifs like maple leaves in green, with a prominent white double circle. The other outfit was a simple, undyed white dress, sleeveless, with fluffy material at the hem, and the fabric looked soft. These outfits seemed to have some kind of gimmick. As I sighed, smoke began to pour from my body.

"Is this...!?"

I was the only one to let out a cry of joy. It had been about two hours. And finally—

"I'm back to normal!"

My body was fine. I touched my face, and it was as usual.

"Not yet, big sister. Your hair is still long!"

"Huh!? No way."

I realized a few seconds later that my hair was indeed still long. The effect that shrank my body had worn off, but the hair growth effect was still ongoing.

"...That's a shame. I thought it would suit you if you wore it."

"Oh, I forgot."

I had momentarily forgotten about Claude, who was still holding out the clothes.

"Well, that's how it is. Give up on it this time."

"Yes, I'll give up on these outfits this time. It's a shame. I had fox ears and a tail on the white one, and the white one had horns."

"I'm not doing it. Hey, don't look at me with those disappointed eyes."

You were planning a collaboration with little animals, weren't you? At this statement, Miu's eyes sparkled. Wearing the white outfit with horns and straddling Rui—

"Sorry. No way. Absolutely not."

I put my hand to my face, squeezing out the words at the ridiculous image.

"...Is that a no?"

"Yes, it's at the level where my sensibilities are screaming."

Around us, cute voices rose, saying, "But I want to see!" but I really wanted to be spared.

"Alright, Yun is fine, but you guys should try them on—'Claude! Help! Help me!'—What's going on this time?"

Suddenly, Carian rushed in from the back, and I widened my eyes, while Claude sighed.

"Some people who are clearly different from our usual customers are swarming in! They're saying things like, 'Hey, did they really go in?' 'Hehehe, yeah, they did,' 'I want to see the little girls up close!' And it's starting to affect Claude's customers too!"

"Ah, is it our fault?"

I stood up smoothly, trying to slip away, but my legs were held by Hino and Toufu, and Claude's hand landed on my right shoulder.

"I have something to do now. I'll leave quietly through the back door."

"Quite a coincidence. I'll keep you guys busy. I can overlook the prank, but I can't overlook this."

I thought, perhaps because we had drawn so many people to the store out of curiosity, and that had attracted even more people.

"Hey, don't escape reality. The six of you, with your short stature, can't work the counter. Take care of the floor with your small bodies. Yun and I will handle the counter and the cash register."

"Hey, do I have to go out with this hair!?"

"Give up. And this is the store's uniform. I'll go out first and start serving the customers. —Damn, I should have hired an extra NPC as a backup."

I heard Claude's final, heartfelt words as he left with Carian, and I looked down at the uniform I had received. It was a waitress outfit similar to Carian's, with an apron and headband, and the lack of flashy colors was the only saving grace.

By the way, item lending is different from trading or purchasing. In this case, it's 'lending.' Conditions can be set on the item, and as long as those conditions are met, others can use it. The item doesn't go into the inventory but is equipped or used from the individual item status. If the conditions are no longer met, the item is forcibly returned to the owner—in this case, Claude. This system is apparently designed to resolve item exchange issues, but it's being used like this.

I took a deep breath and steeled my resolve, but everyone had already finished changing. I switched to the outfit's status and equipped it. The outfit changed instantly, and the ribbon on my head, overlapping with the headband, slipped off smoothly. I lifted my heavy hair, found a good position for a ponytail, and tied it up again, adjusting it.

"Alright, let's do this."

I let out a light voice to muster my courage, but there was no response to the echoing sound. Everyone was frozen in place, looking stunned—

"Alright! Let's go! Right now!"

"Hey, Miu, don't just grab my hand!"

"Don't run away here!"

"That's right! Don't get cold feet here!"

Miu grabbed one of my hands, while Rui grabbed the other. Reli and Kohaku pushed me from behind, near my waist. Hino followed with a wry smile, and Toufu looked embarrassed, averting her gaze. Everyone, dressed in the same uniform, appeared on the floor of the store.

"Be careful!"

Miu and the others, looking excited, and my voice trying to dissuade them, echoed in the spacious floor, but all other sounds stopped. The sounds that had been there a moment ago seemed to have moved far away, and now only the quiet sounds of coffee being poured and boiling water could be heard. I felt like running away as I realized everyone's eyes were on us, but I was pushed forward by Reli and Kohaku.

(Just greet them. Greet them. Here—)

"Welcome!"

"——Welcome!"

We bowed deeply, and Miu and the others followed with a synchronized greeting. Immediately after, the floor erupted in thunderous applause, and I was overwhelmed by the noise, almost falling over. But I managed to hold my ground and moved to Claude's side at the counter.

"It's okay to be confused, but first, it's work. You brought in these customers, so please take care of them."

"But—"

"The customers at the armor shop are enjoying the atmosphere for now, but if you're hesitant, it will spread to the surroundings. Be firm, create a character, and serve the customers. Of course, you can ignore problematic customers."

"Got it."

"Good, then I'll leave the floor management to you, Floor Manager."

Wait, what's this about being a floor manager! I was about to protest, but before I could, I was caught by Latem.

"There's a lot to remember. And with a good smile." The others were busy preparing orders at the counter, and there was no one to give instructions to the six on the floor. So, I was the floor manager?

"Understood. If I can give simple instructions while doing the work, I'll try my best."

"Alright, I don't have time, so just watch and learn."

From then on, it was really hectic.

"Hino, Table 3. Miu, Tables 2 and 5."

"Got it. I'll go."

"Roger. I'll go."

"Excuse me! Can I take your order?"

"Floor, who's free?"

"Can't do it."

"I'm busy too."

"Almost done."

"Hehe, a long-haired waitress. Haf..."

"Reli, you work!"

Reli, who was looking at me, was the only one. With everyone scattered on the floor, the attention on me was dispersed, reducing the burden of the stares.

"I'll be right back. Please take care of things for a bit."

"Sure."

I left a message with Latem and went to take an order at Table 8.

"Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?"

"Your smile."

"Excuse me?"

Ah, the classic smile. I thought it had gone extinct, but it still exists. But this isn't the time to escape reality.

"Well, we always provide a smile here... Please place your order again."

I'm sure my face is twitching. I must look unnatural, but the man in front of me continues as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Then, I'll take you to-go."

At this point, I felt an indescribable chill and an urge to scream and run through the streets. But my sense of duty and pride as a man held me back. The atmosphere around me seemed to worsen slightly.

"And with me—*choke*"

The idiot flew from the table to the exit, headfirst. More accurately, a knee kick from Miu, who used her small stature to full advantage, hit his face. After the knee kick, she flew through the air, stood in front of me protectively, and grabbed my apron, but he was already gone. He was calculated to be blown away by the knee kick and hit by Hino, who was also small and had a hammer, using centrifugal force to bat him out onto the street.

"Home run! No bothering our floor manager!"

"That's right! Don't hit on the big sister!"

"You guys... don't do such flashy performances in the store..."

Hino posed with her weapon, and Miu, grabbing the end of my apron, glared in the direction the man had run. I was relieved to have escaped the predicament, but I wondered if we had caused too much trouble for the store or if we had made the customers uncomfortable. But immediately, a thumbs-up sign came from the store, and the customers praised us, and I took more orders.

Occasionally, Miu and the others were also approached—

Miu: "I won't cheat because the big sister is here." What's cheating?

Rui: "If you don't choose carefully, I'll twist you." What will you twist? I'm too scared to ask.

Hino: ...She just flew at them without a word. Well, there's no damage in the town, but...

Kohaku: "I'm not really interested in that kind of thing." Probably the most adult response.

Toufu: ...A glare with absolute zero eyes, and the person would back off without realizing it. Reli: "Hehe, how uncool. I'm satisfied just looking at the floor manager." You should work.

The situation progressed like this. The customers changed frequently, and I was approached many times as before, but each time, the same customer from earlier would push away the pick-up artists. Before they could kidnap anyone, he would say, "Would you like to do something nice with these guys in a secluded place?" in a wonderfully deep voice. They were all tall, well-built men who looked friendly. I politely bowed and saw off the tearful customers being led away.

May they find happiness.

Well, with that, the peak finally passed. The customers left, and we prepared to close the store.

"Big sister, I'm tired. I thought I was going to die."

"Good job. Here, have a drink."

I served tea to Miu and the others with Latem's permission. I learned the correct way to make tea in this short time, but I was unsure if I had done it right. But the six of them slowly sipped the tea placed in front of them.

"How is it?"

"Why are you so nervous?"

Lukart laughed softly, and I realized my unease had shown.

"Well... even in virtual reality, making tea is realistic, right? I usually use tea bags, but making it from leaves is—"

"...Didn't you serve it to customers just now?"

"I was too busy to think about it then, but now that I'm calm, it feels different. And it's my family, so—"

"This tea is good. I can't really tell about the aroma and such, but—"

"Really!? That's great."

Hearing Kohaku say that, I felt a bit relieved. It was good enough to serve to others.

"Hehe, why do you make such a cute face? You look so dignified like a man, then timid like a small animal, and then smile like a child. It's too beautiful, I might—"

"You're the same, Reli."

Hino smiled wryly at Reli's words, and I, too tired to think, stood calmly at the counter.

Then, it was time for Miu and the others to return to their original forms. Their hair, like mine, remained long. They used this to try out hairstyles that weren't possible with short hair.

"Good job. Thanks to you, we had the best sales since the cafe opened."

"Really? It was mostly quiet before. Mainly because of Claude. I'm happy as a staff member, Carian."

Carian wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and Latem lightly tapped her head with a silver tray to stop her melodrama.

"Still, you did a great job. If you're okay with it, Yun, would you like to work at the cafe with us?"

"Ahaha, I appreciate the offer. It was fun today, but just as a cafe. I want to be a customer and enjoy Latem's coffee."

"Even if it's flattery, I'm glad to hear it. I'll give up, but if you change your mind, come anytime."

It was a genuine statement, but Latem looked pleased.

After that, we chatted idly with Claude and Miu until everyone's hair returned to normal. In the end, we were paid, which meant we could keep the store uniforms. It was both a relief and a bit of a problem. That's how my hair growth incident came to an end.

And a certain thread began with little girls and ended with the arrival of a goddess.

"Confirmed, all the little girls have moved inside the store." "This is Snake. I'm infiltrating the store as a customer." "Hey, don't rush it." "Ah, I'm going too." "Then I'll go." "Me too." "…Then I'll go too." "Go ahead." "Too cliché. Hey!" "This is Snake. The number of customers is increasing rapidly. Don't neglect the back door." "This is the standby team. No one is leaving the back door." "Oh, they're finally here!" "The light of our goddess has arrived." "Beautiful." "Surrounded by my angels, she has arrived." "By the way, where did the black-haired little girl go?" "She kind of looks like the floor manager…" "Damn, the