The soft, eye-soothing illumination now pervaded the space, which had grown familiar.
Was it perhaps still too early in the day?
Devoid of customers, the shop was steeped in a silence that, while slightly eerie, also evoked a profound sense of comfort.
‘It’s so peaceful here.’
‘But this isn’t right…’
Confronted with a situation vastly different from what I had envisioned, I instinctively scratched my head.
“What are you doing standing there?”
“Oh, boss.”
The deep silence that had enveloped the bar was shattered the moment the boss arrived.
‘The bar hasn’t even opened yet, so why did they come?’
“What brings you here, boss? There’s still some time before we open.”
“…Indeed? Why did I come here? I just had a feeling I needed to be here…”
“…”
“Huh? Come to think of it, did I… hire a part-timer…?”
‘Oh, no.’
It seemed the boss had started to notice something amiss, likely because I hadn’t used my ability recently.
Although using my ability inherently felt like manipulating others’ minds, making me somewhat reluctant to employ it…
I rationalized that this would ultimately benefit the boss as well.
As I rationalized my actions, I addressed the boss in a soft, gentle tone.
“Yes, boss, you recently hired a bartender…”
“I… a bartender…?”
“That’s right. You, feeling pity for someone who was wandering the back alleys with no home, allowed them to stay here in exchange for room and board…”
“Room… and board… provided…”
I leaned in and whispered into the boss’s ear, who was now staring blankly into the void.
The soft lights illuminating the bar seemed to shimmer and waver erratically.
“Boss? Can you hear me?”
“…”
‘Phew… it took hold perfectly.’
A sense of unease lingered, knowing I had coerced the boss’s cooperation through hypnosis, yet I had no alternative.
After all, according to the lore I was familiar with, this very establishment was the regular haunt of the Academy Headmaster.
For someone like me, without even a resident registration card, my only path into the Academy was to wait here for its Headmaster, who could appear at any moment.
*Clap!*
To rouse the boss from their hypnotic trance, I clapped my hands together with a sharp, resounding sound.
Only then, as the hypnotic state lifted, did the boss’s expression shift to one of utter confusion.
With fragmented memories, it was understandable that they struggled to comprehend the situation.
To assist the boss in regaining their bearings, I decided to offer a bit of guidance.
“Honestly, boss. No matter how comfortable you find this place, you can’t just fall asleep.”
“Uh… I… I fell asleep? Me?”
“Yes, you were sound asleep. Have you been feeling tired lately?”
“Was I…? Hmm… I, I suppose I might have been…? Thank you for waking me.”
“It was nothing.”
The boss, who had offered me a strained smile, hastily rose to make their escape.
It appeared they were thoroughly embarrassed to have fallen asleep so soon after arriving at the bar.
“Th-then…! I’ll leave the bar to you! I trust you, after all. So, I’m counting on you!”
“Don’t worry.”
Watching the boss retreat the way they had come, I let out a sigh.
‘When on earth would the Academy Headmaster finally arrive?’
‘The main story feels like it’s about to kick off.’
‘I just hope I’m not too late.’
Just as I was lost in these thoughts, letting out another sigh…
Once more, the bar’s door swung open.
“Boss? Did you forget something…?”
“Oh, um. Are you not open for business yet?”
“No.”
I offered them my kindest smile.
A smile came easily to my lips.
Indeed, I merely had to refrain from suppressing the smile that bloomed the moment I saw her face.
“We’ve just opened, actually. Would you care for a drink?”
Upon seeing the customer who had arrived, I felt an undeniable certainty.
This was, without a doubt, the world of the game I had so thoroughly enjoyed.
A soft laugh escaped me at the realization that I would finally be able to help those poor children.
