Chapter Text
Early May; Shinsei Ward, Mikazuki Villa
It was a sunny Sunday morning, and Iroha Tamaki was eating cereal while reading a cookbook that was on a stand in front of her.
“Hm, what should I make for dinner tonight?” She murmured thoughtfully.
As she brought another spoonful of whole wheat oats to her lips, her phone buzzed on the table. She set down her spoon and picked up her phone to look at the new message from her first friend and senpai at school, Tsuruno Yui.
[Iroha-san, good morning! I’m sorry to drop this on you so suddenly, but could you work with me at Banbanzai today? I’ll pay you for your time!]
“He wants me to work with him?” Iroha said aloud in surprise.
After deliberating on it for a moment, she nodded and typed out her response.
[I’ll be right there, after I finish breakfast.]
He responded a few seconds after.
[Thank you so much! See ya soon!]
After finishing her cereal and washing the dishes, she went upstairs to get her purse. When she came back down, she looked to her caretaker Yachiyo Nanami, who was reading a book while lounging on the couch. Laying on her stomach was Kyubey, the floppy-eared rabbit who was Iroha’s guardian.
“Senpai asked me to work at Banbanzai today.” The pinkette told them. “Kyubey, are you coming?”
The bunny yawned and nuzzled Yachiyo’s belly. “Mmm…no, I just wanna laze around at home…”
The model chuckled and stroked her ears. “I’m off today, so I’ll look after her. Stay safe out there, Iroha. Call me if you need anything.”
Iroha nodded, then skipped to the door and began the walk to the station.
Sankyo Ward, Banbanzai
When Iroha arrived at the restaurant, she was greeted by the jovial smile of its star worker, who was standing behind the counter.
“Iroha-san, glad you’re here!” Tsuruno said with a wave.
“Good morning, Senpai.” She said with a curious expression. “Um, forgive me for prying, but…is your mom sick again?”
“Nah, she’s just meeting some friends from her book club. She’ll be gone for a while, so I decided to ask you for help until she gets back.”
She smiled with relief. “Oh, has she been much better lately?”
He chuckled and winked. “Yep yep! It’s been a while since I’ve seen her this full of energy! She hasn’t had any nasty coughing fits all week!”
The spiky-haired boy gestured to a work uniform on the counter.
“Anyway, just change into this and we’ll be ready to open up for the day!”
Iroha frowned with uncertainty. “Um, what exactly am I doing?”
“You’re going to take orders and cook with me! Can you handle it?”
“Y-yes, no problem!”
Several minutes later, a kindly old man went up to the counter and greeted the duo.
“Good morning, Tsuru-san! I see you have a part-timer today. Is your mother sick again?”
Tsuruno shook his head. “Nope, she’s just hanging out with some friends today.”
The old man nodded, then looked at Iroha. “And what’s your name, young lady?”
She bowed her head. “Iroha Tamaki, sir.”
“Well then, Tamaki-san, make sure Tsuru-san doesn’t push himself too hard. He can be awfully stubborn about hard work sometimes.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’m well aware. Even though we haven’t been friends long, I can see how much effort he puts into everything, including helping people like me. So I have to return the favor!”
Tsuruno looked aside with a blush. “I-Iroha-san, that’s a bit much.”
Iroha glanced down awkwardly, her cheeks now the same shade of pink as her hair. While she murmured an apology, Tsuruno spoke to the customer again.
“Anyway, what can I get you, Yoshi-san?”
The old man chuckled. “Just a bowl of fried rice, please.”
Tsuruno nodded and swiftly walked to the kitchen, while Yoshi-san went to take a seat. Soon after, a younger man walked through the front door and stepped up to face Iroha.
“A bowl of lo mein, with tatsutaage on the side.” He requested.
“It’ll be out soon!” Iroha said with a bow.
She then went to join Tsuruno in the kitchen, and for the rest of the morning they worked together to serve a decent number of customers.
Afterwards, Iroha leaned on the counter with a restrained yawn.
“This is surprisingly tiresome…” She said wearily.
Tsuruno chuckled and patted her head. “You’re doing great! You really know your way around people and the kitchen!”
With a satisfied smile on his face, he looked at the customers as they ate their meals.
“You can see why I want to protect this place, right?”
Iroha straightened up and looked around. She saw various people, from teenagers, to adults and the elderly, eating with relaxed postures and friendly chatter. It made her smile too, and she nodded at Tsuruno.
“Yes, they all seem so happy here.” She remarked.
He crossed his arms. “We may not get as many people as more popular restaurants. Our food may not even be as high quality. But the regulars we have, they stood by us through thick and thin, and even brought their own families to support us.”
His expression turned solemn, and he looked at a family of four who were seated by the window.
“Banbanzai…is home. Not just for my mom and I, but also for the people who choose to keep coming here. So with all my power, I will make sure it never falls.”
“And you don’t have to do it alone.” Iroha said in a soft tone. “I, Yachiyo-san, and Kyubey, will help however we can.”
Tsuruno chuckled. “Thanks, Iroha-san. And in return, I’ll do all I can to support you! I’m the mightiest Persona-user, after all!”
As they shared smiles full of warmth and kindness, Iroha felt a growing warmth in her heart. Her bond with her senior seemed to be strengthed…though for some reason she felt a bit nervous, and her cheeks were heating up as well.
Before that feeling could overwhelm her, Yoshi-san came up to draw their attention.
“Thank you so much for the meal, Tsuru-san.” He said with a jovial look.
Tsuruno grinned and winked. “No problem! Glad it was to your liking, as always!”
His expression turned perplexed as the younger man came up, looking a bit unsatisfied.
“Excuse me, but who made my meal?” He inquired.
“That would be me, sir.” Iroha said with concern. “Um, what’s the matter?”
“How should I put this…it’s not like how it usually is. It wasn’t bad, I still ate it after all. More like…the flavor wasn’t as strong. Even the tatsutaage was kinda bland.”
Tsuruno blinked as he processed that, then gave Iroha a curious look. Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she looked down in embarrassment as she responded.
“S-sorry…I normally make foods lacking in salt and fats, so…yours came out like that.”
Her senpai chuckled sheepishly. “I even eat your bentos at school, and I didn’t think you would cook like that here. Well sir, shall I make you another bowl on the house?”
The young man shrugged. “Sure, if you insist.”
Tsuruno nodded, then patted Iroha’s head. “It was an honest mistake, don’t let it get you down.”
While he hurried to make a second bowl of lo mein, she sighed and shook her head.
“...But his wasn’t the only one I made.” She murmured worriedly.
Sure enough, a half dozen other customers started approaching, all with expressions that indicated their lack of satisfaction with Iroha’s saltless cooking. With a nervous sweat, she looked back and called out to Tsuruno.
“S-Senpai, we may need more second helpings!”