Rival Part 1

"Hey! Hey! Hey!"

A pestering face showed up at Odd Jobs.

"Shoyo! What's up?"

"You know me, just being the strongest. Heard you beat your first vamp without biting the dust, congrats!"

"It was no sweat."

Chifuyu and Shoyo greet and dap each other up at the same time. It's been a few days since our mc's debut, so his teacher has come to congratulate him.

"Well, I actually wouldn't have been able to do it without Ariel."

"Hm... That so?"

The two trade cheeky gazes without a word. Turning his head for a second, Shoyo picks his nose and walks up to Ariel.

"Thanks for looking out as always."

"Goes without saying, now get your hand off me."

"Sorry."

Pretending to pat her head, he sticks a booger right on Ariel's noggin without her noticing since she's distracted by the donut currently being scarfed down. Shoyo's been visiting at least a couple of times each week, despite his busy schedule. He could just call for check-ins, but he prefers meeting up in person.

"Hey Shoyo!"

"Sup Kagura?"

Kagura who had been in the bathroom for a minute jumped toward Shoyo as soon as she saw him. They get along quite well.

"You guys open up in a few minutes right?"

"Yeah, wanna help out with a shift?"

"Haha, you know I can't do that. Maybe one day though."

A door creaking is followed up as soon as this last sentence was finished. Looking over at it, everyone sees Iris. She was still in the house quarters and was about to walk out to the lobby, but saw Shoyo. The creak of the door was her attempting to close it without them noticing so she could wait for Shoyo to leave.

"Hey Iris, you trying to avoid me?!"

"Eek!"

***

It was a busy afternoon, they have about 15 customers so their hands are full. Another one enters the cafe, and it's a face they're all familiar with. It's the man who Iris tries to serve as her first customer but failed miserably due to his intimidation. Ever since, she hasn't wanted to serve anybody and has just prepared orders.

He's been waiting for about 10 minutes now, nobody can help him at the moment. This is the first time they've had this many customers at once. Iris looks over at Kagura and sees that she is without a doubt in the flow. Her hands are moving with precision and not a single movement is wasted.

"Kagura, could you handle my portion for a minute?"

"You got it!"

Iris made the correct decision, Kagura is a beast right now, so she can handle a bit more work for a minute.

"So-sorry for the wait, what may I get you?"

'What?!' It took a second to process, but they all realize Iris took the initiative and is not just trying to greet anybody, but the very man who is oozing Jojo aura from every pore of his body. He smiles, knowing the same girl who buckled before his presence before is now stepping up for redemption.

"I'll have a small double espresso with a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant."

"Got it."

After preparing the drink and warming up the croissant, she brings the man his order herself.

"Order for Jodaro."

The man walks up to the pick-up counter with a swaying swagger.

"Here you go. Have a nice day," Iris says with a very awkward smile.

"Hmph."

Taking his order, he replies while departing.

"Same to you."

Chifuyu, Ariel, and Kagura all cry tears of proud siblings as if seeing the youngest walk off to college.

"Uh-a-ehu-ah-uh..."

Only for her to fold before a couple of high school girls. In any case, Iris had successfully served her first customer. It took a couple of months, but she finally did it.

***

Kagura had no idea how many young Hunters would be interested in Odd Jobs. The goal is to get at least 10, that's also why there's the same number of rooms in the living quarters. Thanks to Shoyo, she was able to have Chifuyu, Ariel, and Iris join immediately. They've done decent advertising for more people to join, but so far it's just been them four. Until now that is.

"It's been decided that my niece will join Odd Jobs."

Nailah is present informing them of the new member they will be getting tomorrow.

"This Boreas family sure seems big."

"A family member huh, did you ask her if she was interested?"

"No, she came to me asking to join. She's Chifuyu's and Iris's age, be kind to her if you don't mind."

"Of course!"

"Wait, she's our age? We became Hunters a year earlier than normal, so how...?"

"Like you, she's also become a special exception. You can have her tell you about it."

"I see..."

"Well, keep up the good work."

"Yes ma'am," they all say in unison except for Ariel.

"So this girl also became a Hunter early, this doesn't happen often right?"

"Nope, you 3 along with her are the first ever as far as I'm aware of."

"Hm. Can't wait to meet her."

The morning of the next day comes, they're off so they don't need to worry about work.

"I-It's you!" Chifuyu and Iris both yell.

"Oh, you know her."

"Yeah, and she also knows I'm a vampire."

"Whaaa?!"

"Good morning."

"So casual!"

Chifuyu and Iris both comedically fall on the floor at the girl's nonchalant greeting.

"Name's Kagura Mikase, I hear you're Nailah's niece."

"Yeah. I'm Shinatsu, nice to meet you."

They shake hands. The new member is Shinatsu Boreas, the girl who Shoyo had tutor Chifuyu and Iris for the last few months of their training. What's the reason of her joining Odd Jobs? She didn't get much screentime, did she come to claim her spot in the main cast?

"I'll show you around, let's gooo....!?

Kagura was trying to pull her along, but Shinatsu didn't budge. For some reason, she was staring daggers at Iris.

"Erm..."

"What's up Shinatsu, you're about to stare a hole through Iris."

"... You don't remember me?"

"Wh-what do you mean? Of course I do, you helped us during our studies."

"No, I'm talking about before that..."

"Um..."

"Tch.. You really forgot about me."

"I think she's gone crazy," spouts Ariel.

"I'm... You're... You're my... RIVAL!!"

"Come again?"