#579 Customers: Entering Shop

Hi, my name is Diablo!

I’m 11 years old!

I come from an average, middle-class family, neither rich nor poor!

I can say that most things in a typical demon family happen in mine too!

For example, seeing your parents fight!

In fact, it’s happening right now!

“What’s more important, me or your work?!”

This is a line I hear often.

Lately, Dad has been going out for drinks with his colleagues or something, which tends to make Mom lose her temper!

Today was their wedding anniversary, but Dad totally forgot about it!

This was the last straw for Mom!

“It’s not my fault that valuing my relationship with the other party is part of my job!”

Dad gives the usual excuse, but Mom’s not letting it pass today!

Her rage exceeds even Godzilla’s!

“What’s so great about going to a bar every day? Are you saying it’s better than eating at home with us?!”

“Why don’t you go to a bar and see for yourself, then!”

Aah!

They’re just talking back to each other now!

When is this conversation going to end?

“Fine! I’ll go then! As a matter of fact, I’ve always been curious to see what it’s like!”

“Wait, we have a problem.”

“What?”

“We can’t take our boy to a bar; they serve alcohol there! We can’t leave him alone at home, either...!” 

“Oh my, that is a problem...”

Oh, Mom and Dad!

You still care about me even when you’re in the middle of arguing! 

After all, I am the fruit of their love! Their shooting star!

But don’t worry about that! You can leave this to me!

All we need is a family-friendly place to go to, right?

According to my antennae that keep up with the latest trends in the capital, the perfect place just opened up!

Why don’t the three of us go there?

* * *

And with the most spontaneous flow of events, we arrive at the newly-opened store!

Apparently, it’s called a café!

Not that I know what that means.

“It’s got a nice, relaxed atmosphere...!”

We’re checking out its exterior first!

A true reviewer looks at every detail!

“What a stylish building. I can’t wait to see what’s inside.”

“The atmosphere you get before entering the bar is part of the basics... Oh, wait, this isn’t a bar. It’s a café, right? I wonder what kind of establishment it is.”

Rumors say it’s a place that serves interesting non-alcoholic drinks.

They’re not intoxicating but still very stimulating!

...Is what my information gathering has told me!

“I see. All right, then, how about we go in and see what they offer?”

“Wait.”

I think Mom has noticed something!

There is a courtyard in front of the store, and there’s a statue of a majestic, armored man!

“But despite his gear, his expression is kind and gentle, as if he cares for all God’s creatures...!”

“It’s as if a gentle heart resides in this statue. It must be the work of a famous sculptor...!”

Mom, Dad! This must be a statue of Velesares, the god of war!

I learned this from my investigation!

You have to research in advance when coming to a place for the first time, after all!

“Oh, is that so?”

The owner is a follower of the war god Velesares, which is why they have a statue of him!

They even named the café after him—Lounge Ares!

“Huh. It’s not every day you hear an establishment named after a god.”

“That statue is so well-made, I must say. It almost feels like we’re looking at the real god. I could look at it forever.”

“Oh, Mom. You’ll bother the staff if you just stay here without ordering anything.”

“You’re so right, Dad. Hahaha!”

After a family-like chit-chat, we head inside!

We’ve done the intro, so to speak, and now it’s time to get into the groove of things!

Door, open!

“Welcome.”

Door, closed!

Why did I close the door immediately after opening it?

It’s because the person who greeted us was obviously in a bad mood!

He’s so not a good guy. I’m sure of it!

“...Does he work here?”

“Heck if I know! Stores like this aren’t Dad’s forte!” 

No, he does work here.

He was wearing a uniform.

But one thing I’d like to know, though...

Why does he look so scary?!

Just his aura was enough to give me the creeps!

I almost peed my pants like a little kid when our eyes met!

That man was scary!

He had the eyes of a killer!

“Maybe...We should go to a different store, okay?”

“Agreed. Worst case, we’ll just go home and I’ll cook for us.”

I’m with you on that one, Mom and Dad!

A brave retreat is also a prerequisite for a great general! Wise men steer clear from danger! We must change our course of action!

“Hi! We’re glad to have you with us today!”

Gyaaaaaaa!!!

The door opened from the inside!

It looks as if it’s swallowing us up, not letting us escape!

...Huh?

It’s not the man with a deadly look in his eyes from earlier.

It’s a woman.

“Welcome to the café! I’m Cherry, a waitress here!”

Woahhhh!!!

She’s wearing a maid uniform!!! 

It’s a maid waitress!

“Yeah! Long skirts really are the way to go!”

Dad and I are so excited to see this waitress in a maid’s uniform!

It’s official. This café gets five stars.

“Ohoho, it’s a restaurant, so it’s only natural that there should be waitresses, right?”

“Ack!”

Ouch!

Mom kicked me in my calf really hard!

And then she hit Dad next! A savage Double-kick!

“Now, how about we head in since the lady was so kind to welcome us, hm? We can’t keep standing here, can we?”

Ngh, right...

Despite all that fuss and confusion, we eventually entered the café. 

* * *

As soon as we took our seats, we felt calm again.

Looking around, the interior is pretty nice.

It’s elegant and has a sense of oneness. I like it!

The exterior is great, the waitress is dressed as a maid, and the whole atmosphere feels like a five-star establishment. 

...Except for that old man.

The whole atmosphere of the restaurant is calm, but the tension is maxed out from him alone.

What’s he doing here?

He’s just behind the counter, silently polishing a cup.  

The fact that he’s quiet makes him even scarier.

“Sorry for the wait, lovelies; here’s our menu.”

This waitress is a lifesaver!

Okay, the menu, menu...

Wonder what I should order?