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"Give me a chance."
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"I'm gonna clock out," I say, removing the notepad and pen from my apron just before untying it and placing everything on the counter.
"Lucky," my co-worker sighs, and I give her a smile of pity.
"You'll be fine," I respond, looking out at the empty restaurant.
The only noise in the air is our conversation and the drone of ambient music coming from one of the still-working speakers. My gaze moves to the visible kitchen, where the chefs seem lost on what to do. It's not that the food is awful; it does get busy most afternoons and nights. It's just slow today.
Yet, the emptiness convinces me that the manager was telling the truth when he said he really couldn't offer me full-time.
"Going anywhere after this?" My co-worker asks.
"Well, I'm just meeting up with a friend," I respond, and Koutarou comes to mind as I say it.
"Ooh! Your volleyball friend?" She adds, and I nod.
"Yeah..." I say, checking the time on my phone. I should probably get going.
"Well, have fun then," she says, and I smile at her as I retreat to the back room where my things lie.
I hang the apron on the communal hook before I approach the shelf, and I make sure that everything is in order in my bag as I put on my coat.
When I push the front door open and the bell chimes, I wave one last time to the co-worker and chefs that I leave behind.
"See you all next time!" I call out, and they all turn to wave in response.
I'm met by the cold breeze as the door shuts behind me with a clang, and I shove my hands in my pockets as a combative strategy. Bracing myself for a moment, I eventually get around to walking to the bus stop.
Koutarou said that he wanted to meet me after work, I think to myself.
It's been a few days since we last saw each other. Yet, we still communicate through our group chat with Akaashi and by messaging each other individually.
