"Tomoki, Natsumi. Were you able to check in?" — Dad asked me.
"Before that, let me introduce you. She's Edomae Ayame, if not for her I wouldn't be able to pass the test."
"Thank you for choosing our humble inn, and it's my pleasure to meet all of you." — Ayame-san said while bowing to them.
"And Ayame-san, they're my family. As you already know, my mother Haruka. He is my father, Masaru. My aunts Mizuno, Sayori, Serina and Yuna. They are my sisters Erina nee-san, Miyuna-chan, Natsumi-chan, and there's another who's right now in the bathroom, Hiyori-chan."
"If it's about her, I already met her earlier."
"Well, I know there are a lot of names to remember, but you can always ask me if you need."
"Let me see... Haruka-san, Masaru-san, Mizuno-san, Sayori-san, Serina-san, Yuna-san, Erina-san, Miyuna-san, Natsumi-san, and Hiyori-san who's currently in the bathroom... Did I get it right?"
Holy sh—, did she just memorize all their names? I kind of need to note them down and practice to not get confused about their names at first.
"My son always talks about how incredible you are. I can see why." — Dad said.
"Fufu~ I'm flattered. Thank you. Besides, who's more incredible is Tomoki-kun."
"Come on Ayame-san, now you're making me blush."
"I want to see you blushing Tomoki-kun, you must be cute."
"Talking about cute. The Yukata on you really fits well. The moment I saw you I couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful you are."
"Really?"
"Yeah! And not only that, the way you greeted us was amazing. Not only cute but professional too. Just like Sasaki-san."
"Tomoki-kun~"
"But hey, are you okay? A while ago you were pale and I noticed your voice trembling. I know you want to work properly but if you need something you can tell me."
"Tomoki-kun, it's alright. It's just... I was surprised, that's all."
"If that's so... but who would have thought we'd be meeting here. It seems we'll be seeing each other for the next few weeks."
"You're right and I'm looking forward to that! Then Tomoki-kun, if you need something just ask me."
"Thanks Ayame-san. It seems I'll be in your care... or rather, we'll be in your care."
"Fufu~ Leave it to me!"
While I was talking with Ayame-san, the grandpa called my father.
"Here's your key. My granddaughter will show your room so you just need to follow her."
"Thank you, sir."
"By the way, do you know what's the relationship between them?"
"They study in the same classroom. They are friends."
"Just friends... I see... I noticed that she became brighter and he must be the reason. I hope everything ends well."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Oh, nothing young man. It's just an old man blabbing around. Anyways..."
Then the grandpa calls Ayame-san.
"Aya-chan, show our dear customers to their room."
"Please, this way." — Ayame-san said.
As we started going to our room, Hiyori-chan appeared just in time.
"Did I miss something?"
"A lot of things. I'll tell you later." — Natsumi-chan replied.
As we were heading to our room, we could see the interior of the inn. The entrance of the onsen, a place where there are massage chairs, a table tennis, and a well-made traditional yard.
So we finally reached our destination.
"This is your room. If you need something, don't hesitate to ask me. If you excuse me."
"Thanks Ayame-san. See you later."
"Fufu~ see you later."
I kind of wanted to talk more with Ayame-san. But right now I need to enjoy this trip with my family. Besides, she must be busy now.
Anyways, let's explore this room—
"Tell us more about her!" — everyone except Dad and Mom demanded of me.
"Whoa! No need to rush. She's my friend and we study in the same classroom. And as you already know, she's the daughter of Edomae's company."
My aunts and sisters looked to each other. Then they sighed.
"I feel sorry for Edomae-chan..." — said aunt Sayori.
"Friends... I wonder how she would feel hearing this." — said aunt Mizuno.
"You really take after your father... completely clueless." — said aunt Serina.
"...yawn... that girl is definitely... snore" — aunt Yuna started sleeping again.
I guess women like to gossip about love... well, better stay quiet instead of trying to explain that Ayame-san would rather see me as a friend rather than the object of affection—
"You must be thinking that she only sees you as a friend, right?" — Miyuna-chan suddenly told me.
"And what else would she see me as? A future employee?"
"Do you remember when she got pale? That's definitely because she thought we were a couple." — Natsumi-chan added.
"Or maybe because she was tired, who knows." — I replied.
"Tomoki, there's no woman who wouldn't take interest in a man." — Hiyori-chan claimed.
"But that doesn't mean she wants to choose me. There could be another man she took interest in... like my friend Ryuichi." — Saying this kind of made me depressed.
"Tomoki-kun, you're handsome, a hard worker, cool, and most of all the most kind and reliable boy I've ever seen." — Erina nee-san praised me.
"Thanks Erina nee-san. But coming from a relative doesn't count."
"Oh my god! You're such a blockhead! All of us were able to see that she loves you, how can you be so dense?"
~sigh, it kind of reminds me when I had this kind of talk in my previous world.
"Okay everybody. Then let me ask all of you a simple question. Why would you think a girl, who can literally choose the man of her dreams, would fall in love with me right now?"
Everyone went silent.
"See? Doesn't that make sense?"
"When he puts it like this, it does make sense..." — Serina aunt said.
"But then why did she keep staring at us that time?" — Natsumi-chan asked.
"Aren't you overthinking? Besides it's not strange she looked at us since she's working now."
"Uhmm... well, maybe you're right... But my intuition says otherwise."
"No need to stress over it. So, what's the plan now?" — I purposely changed the subject.
Then everyone sat down and aunt Serina started the conversation.
"Tomorrow onward I'll be busy with my work. But all of you can sightsee since you're all here."
"Mom..." — Erina nee-san was kind of sad about this.
"Erina, we already planned this so don't worry about me. Instead, buy some souvenirs for me."
"Okay, I'll do that."
"Then we could go somewhere today to visit." — Mizuno aunt proposed.
"Well, I would agree but..."
"Yawn... don't worry about me... I just need to sleep a... bit..." — aunt Yuna is really tired.
"Besides Mizuno, the whole time you were driving. So better take a rest today."
"I guess today we'll just take it easy." — Mom said.
"Then it's settled." — Dad said.
I guess today we'll be around here. To be fair, I'm kind of curious how Ayame-san works so it's all good for me.
"Excuse me, I'm here to serve your dishes." — Ayame-san suddenly announced.
With professional demeanor, Ayame-san served our dishes.
I'm really impressed. After all, since she's wealthy and always relies on her maid Sasaki-san, I wouldn't have thought that she would be able to work giving service.
She really is out of my league.
"Thank you Ayame-san. Gotta say, it really looks delicious."
"Then I hope the taste doesn't betray your expectations."
So we took one bite.
"This is incredible!" — I said.
Not only me of course, my sisters, my aunts, Mom and Dad. All of them were enjoying the food and commenting how delicious it is.
And more than that...
"Edomae-san could easily take my place where I do part-time job. Your services are impeccable." — Erina nee-san commented.
"Thank you very much. Though I still have a lot to learn."
"With all these skills you'd definitely be a good wife." — aunt Sayori claimed.
"I hope to be one."
"What do you say Tomoki?" — aunt Sayori looked to me.
"S A Y O R I?" — Mom got aunt Sayori attention.
Regardless, now everyone was waiting for my response.
As for Ayame-san, she was smiling politely. She really took this job seriously.
"Yeah! She'd definitely be a good wife."
"Fufu~ I'm flattered."
"So I hope at least your husband appreciates you since he'd be the luckiest man to have such a wonderful wife."
Then I continued to eat my dish.
...
Huh? Why did everyone go silent and stop eating? And more than that Ayame-san is kind of frozen. Is she okay?
"Tomoki-kun... do you really think someone would be happy to have me as a wife?"
"I do. I'm one hundred percent sure about this. And if by any chance he became unhappy, then he needs a therapist to be treated."
"Then Tomoki-nii, would you be happy to marry Edomae-san?" — I could see that Miyuna-chan was grinning and testing me.
"Miyuna! Sorry, sometimes she gets too excited. Miyuna asking this is kind of rude." — aunt Yuna caught her attention.
"Mom!"
"She's right Miyuna-chan, don't ask the obvious."
So I proceeded to continue to eat.
...
Uhmm... is it me or is everyone staring at me?
"What?" — I asked them.
"The answer, what's the obvious answer?" — Hiyori-chan was the one who asked me.
"Huh? Of course it's a—"
"Aya-chan, you can't stay in a customer's room for too long, even if they're your friend. Sorry if we made you uncomfortable." — The grandpa suddenly appeared.
"..." — she remained in silence looking at me.
Oh! Maybe she still wants to talk with us.
"Ayame-san, how about having lunch with us?"
"No, boy. That would be inappropriate for you and your family. So Aya-chan, we still have more customers to attend."
"He's right Tomoki-kun... so..."
"Aya-chan."
"We can talk later Ayame-san when you're free. This wouldn't be a problem, right?" — I said that to Ayame-san and the grandpa.
"Yeah, if you insist." — the grandpa answered.
"Then, good work Ayame-san. See you later!"
"Yeah, see you later."
It's kind of unfortunate but I kind of wanted her to know better about my current family since she's my friend and somewhat my benefactor.
Well, let's continue to enjoy the food. There are still a lot of plates that I want to taste.
...
"Okay everyone, what now?"
"The answer Tomoki!" — Now it's Natsumi-chan.
After this, we had lunch and then enjoyed the view through the veranda.
Despite everything, what a peaceful day.