Beastars: A Steep Fall From Light

Chapter 19: A Hybrid Walks into a Restaurant

"What's the order again?" Mika asked.

"Peas, soy, and mushroom ramen," Legoshi reminded. "With an added three eggs."

"Quite the combination," the lioness remarked. "And three eggs?"

"We aren't here to judge people's eating habits," the wolf said, packing a delivery box. "Just to make them their food."

"And then they can give us their money," said a stoat dressed in the delivery uniform. This caused the entire kitchen to laugh a little.

"Very funny Donson," Legoshi remarked. "Here's the list of addresses for these boxes."

"Really?" asked the stoat as he took the paper. "I had no idea. It's not like I've done this a million times."

"You can make fun of him now," Melon said from the counter. "But isn't he the one signing your paychecks?"

The kitchen became unusually silent as the staff recognized the hybrid, who looked around with his mischievous eyes.

"I remember you," Melon said, pointing out Mika. "You had a momentary fling with one of my lions a while back. If I remember correctly, you dumped him on account of his, um..."

Legoshi stepped between the animal and his staff member. The noise of the kitchen slowly built again.

"What do you want?" Legoshi asked, stepping to meet the hybrid at the counter.

"I thought that would've been obvious," the hybrid smirked. It was at this point the wolf realized Melon wasn't wearing his mask, and letting his teeth flash. Considering the rising normalcy of hybrids, Melon didn't need to hide his true identity anymore. Not that it would've done him any good. Everyone knew who Melon was anyway. Except Sagwan, and other creatures that came from the sea. Probably why the owner of the Hidden Condo roomed the two next to each other. Less likely a complaint would be filed or a fight break out.

Melon took a toothpick and popped it in his mouth, chewing on the end.

"Mika," Legoshi called. "You're in control of the kitchen for a bit."

"Got it boss," the lioness said, still weary of the hybrid's presence.

Legoshi moved from the kitchen and motioned for Melon to follow him, catching a glance from, well, everyone. He led the hybrid to his office, which was literally just a small closet with the word 'Manager' on it, and a sign that said "Employees Only" in bold red letters. Legoshi motioned for the hybrid to take a seat in front of the small desk, closing the door behind them. Melon moved the toothpick to one corner of his mouth, sticking his tongue out the other corner to lick his upper lip. A habit he had picked up after killing his mother. He did it whenever his heartbeat quickened to cause him a little anxiety.

"So you've considered the offer?" the wolf asked.

"No," the hybrid said. "I remembered your request when all my other job applications fell through. I'm going to hate every second of working here, but it's the only other place I know of to try."

"I'm assuming you understand the process by this point?" Legoshi asked.

Melon switched the toothpick to the other corner of his mouth and cocked his head to the side.

Legoshi pulled a paper from the small desk.

"Fill out the form, to the best of your ability," he said, pushing the paper towards him. "Leave it here on the desk when you leave, and I'll handle the rest."

"You trust me to be alone?" Melon asked.

"No," Legoshi said. "I don't."

He looked up into the corner of the room and Melon followed his gaze.

"Ah," he said, noticing the security camera pointed in their direction. "I see."

He waved his hand at the camera.

"And I live two floors above you," Legoshi reminded. "So if you do anything-"

"I get it," the hybrid smiled, his predatory eyes lazily staring at him.

The wolf handed him a pen and left the room.

"You're not planning on hiring him are you?" Mika asked as he took over again.

"That's not up to me," he said. "That's up to higher management."

"Table three," Thomas said, handing a paper to the counter.

"Thomas there are three people at that table," Legoshi said. "There's two orders."

"My apologies," the racoon said, clearly not sorry. "I'll fix it."

He took the paper back and returned to the table to fix the order as table five's order came up to the window. Finding it to satisfaction, Legoshi rang the bell and another waiter came up to take the order to the animals. Shortly after, the wolf saw Melon leave the office. He looked at him with a little nod before stuffing his hands in his pockets and heading out of the restaurant. Legoshi watched the hybrid leave before being stopped by a bear outside. He watched the two converse before the larger of the animals handed him a card. The hybrid nodded before slipping the paper into his pocket and continuing on his way, the other animal continuing in his own direction. It struck him as odd, but he lost his concentration on the subject when Thomas returned with the fixed order.

"On order two basic carnivore noodle bowls and one swordfish steak with a side of potatoes," Legoshi called back into the kitchen. The phone rang and Legoshi went to pick it up.

"Udon Bebebe Restaurant," he said. "How can I help you today?"

"He took another job," the voice said over the phone. "I'd shred Melon's application."

The line went dead and Legoshi stared at the phone, confused.

"Boss," Mika called, drawing back his attention. "This kitchen can't run itself."

"Right sorry," Legoshi shook it off, hanging the phone on the hook. He didn't need to worry about that right now, he had the restaurant to run.