Step Back, Begin Anew

Chapter 2

Part Time

"We need funds! Funds!"

"This is the third time you say that today, Banri..."

Ren stifled a chuckle watching the exchange between his friends. Right now they're having another meeting to plan for the next live. As for now, they had done enough practice that Ren felt confident enough to perform their new song. The main problem they had to conquer next was none other than... money.

Truly the enemy of humanity, money that is, Ren took a sip of his coffee. The beverages here at Submarines wasn't on par with Leblanc's, but it's good enough. He could think some ways to improve the quality... Or perhaps creating his own curry recipes to match with Submarines' coffee.

Aah, thinking about Leblanc made him feel a little bit homesick. Perhaps this summer he could go visit Tokyo for couple daysーif there was no practice or live performance. Hm, I should ask others first... and find the right date to hang out. Better to make plan beforehand.

"...en? Ren! Earth to Ren!"

Ren jolted back, snapped from his train of thoughts. Banri sighed exasperatedly. "Geez, Ren. You're zoning out again."

"Ah, ahaha..." Ren chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry. I was thinking about something."

The drummer eyed him for a bit before nodded, acknowledging his apology. He then turned back to others, spreading the fliers on the table.

"And I was saying... to meet our budget, each of us have to do part-time!"

Ah, yes, part-time, Ren stifled a smile, reminiscing the past. He used to do various part-times, from working on several chain stores to a night bar. Now that he had more than enough money to live by himselfーcourtesy of travelling around Mementos and Jail exorting the shadow's moneyー, he had opted to take easier jobs.

(He could pay for their funds; he wasn't joking when he said he had enough money of lifetime. He had used some of them to buy a place to live after his grandparents died, and the remaining money was safely stored in banks. He hadn't really touched them ever since, opted to use the money from current job.)

Banri began to point several fliers, pushing each of the papers to respective person. "Wataru, I know a nice place searching for janitor. Rio, you can work here as temporary turor. Yuuto, you're perfect to work here as waiter! As for Ren..."

Banri paused, before looking at the vocalist. "Initially I want to recommend you to work at house moving gig, but do you want to see the other job?"

"I'm fine with anything," Ren shrugged. "I used to do various part-times back in Tokyo. Nowadays I only pick one or two when needed."

"Eh?" Yuto perked up when Ren began to mention 'Tokyo'. Even others stared at him in surprise. "You're from Tokyo, Ren?"

"No, not really. I used to go to highschool in Tokyo for one year."

"Really?" This time, it was Wataru who voiced his thought. "What school did you went to, Ren?"

"It's Shujin."

"Shujin!" Wataru gasped. "Isn't that a prestige school?!"

"Wait, really?"

Ren schooled a smile, content with watching his friends began another discuss. Meanwhile, Rio fell into silence, pondering.

Shujin... why do I feel like I've ever heard it?

Curry

"This is perfect," Kenzo stared at the warm cup of coffee on his grasp, eyes twinkled in amazement. "Nanahoshi-kun, I didn't expect you to have talent in the art of coffee."

Ren chuckled. It's always pleasant whenever someone praised coffee he made."I used to work at cafe back in Tokyo, Kenzo-san. My previous boss was very strict when it comes to coffee and curry. It took me weeks to get his acknowledgment."

"Coffee and curry, you say," the owner of Submarines quirked his eyebrow. "That sounds like a combination Rio-kun would love."

Ren laughed at his remarks, completely agreed with the sentiment. "It's good, I promise. One day I'll cook it for everyone."

"Well, when you say it like that, I can't wait for it then. Now,"

Kenzo offered a hand, inviting for a handshake. "You pass the test. Welcome to Submarines, Nanahoshi-kun."

Ren grasped his hand and shook his hand, smile bloomed on his face. "Pleasure to work with you, master."