It’s only a few days before the New Year.
For the past few days, I worked at Canal’s Bar from morning until night. The bar had special business hours during the holidays, to accommodate the rush of customers until dawn. Because everyone is holding their year-end and farewell parties at this time, there’s a continuous stream of groups coming to the pub in the span of twenty-four hours. The seats never stay unoccupied for long.
Canal’s Bar is popular for the cheap liquor and food. Because of that, work has been so hectic that I’d even welcome help from a cat.
At dawn, we closed the pub to rest and recharge. Once the clock tower strikes ten, we’ll be back to business again.
This is becoming a test of endurance, but it can’t be helped. For restaurants and bars, now is the best time to make a big profit. After all, there are always more drinking parties being held during the holidays.
Also, if we close the store at the usual time, the customers might throw a fuss. Might spout unreasonable things like “Why are you closing the pub this early? Do you not want to do business?!”
Fueled by anger, they might even spread some bad rumors about us. Not to mention, if we lose our regular customers, our profits would take a huge hit. We have no choice but to extend the pub’s business hours. The pub owner’s wife can only sigh and grumble about it.
A hired employee like me doesn’t have the privilege of taking a break in between working hours while my employer and colleagues run about, seething.
Just getting the cold shoulder wouldn’t be too bad. But worst case scenario, they could fire me. Yeah, they definitely would. The owner’s wife was staring at everyone with bloodshot eyes. Paired with that smile on her face, it’s quite disturbing.
On the other hand, Lian seems to be enjoying the holidays.
He frequently visited the church and played a lot with the kids. He also read books, took naps, and had tea with Marie. The kids told me about how much fun they had with him, joy evident on their faces.
And a few days ago, they had a picnic at the hill behind the church.
“Marie-sama and Lian-sama made lots of different sandwiches!” the kids had also said. “There were all sorts of flavors, and they were all very delicious!”
It seemed like Lian had done some more activities with them. Walked together hand in hand, hugged them, and even lent them his thigh to act as their pillow.
I’m so jealo─ no. It’s great that they had fun.
I’m not sulking or anything.
I don’t mind that they didn’t invite me to the picnic, since my part-time job at the pub is swamped during the end of the year. Nor do I mind not being able to rest my head on Lian’s thigh even once.
Ah, who am I kidding?
The day after that, I meet Lian by the entrance just as I’m setting off in the morning at my usual time.
Commenting that my timing is great, Lian pulls something wrapped from his bag and hands it to me.
I sneak a slight peek inside. Sandwiches. They’re spread with a nut paste with some bits of bean.
“I made too much so I’m sharing it with you,” mutters Lian, cheeks tinged pink. “Eat it when you’re hungry!”
In my delight, I subconsciously pull him in for a tight hug.
Sure enough, Lian’s face flushes like a tomato. He flies into a rage and whacks my head.
***
Time flies by. Before long, the last Saturday of the year has arrived.
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