Caro’s Farewell Party

“I’m sorry, Kent-kun. I was just so happy that I wore the bra to school, and then it turned into such a scene.”

“It must have been rough. I’ve seen friends get surrounded like that before, so don’t worry about it.”

I answered Patty gently as she apologized.

When lunch break came, I went to my usual spot behind the school building. Josette, Caro, and Rachel were already there.

“I’m sorry, even though you all came out here, I didn’t prepare lunch today.”

“Is that so? What a shame.”

I apologized to Josette. She looked genuinely disappointed. Caro and Rachel already knew lunch wasn’t ready because they were aware of the morning’s commotion.

“Big brother, we’re going to the cafeteria today, right?”

“I guess so.”

Rachel suggested the cafeteria, and since I had no other choice, I agreed.

“Very well. It cannot be helped.”

“I’m happy as long as I’m with you, Kent-san.”

Both Josette and Caro were on board. The four of us immediately headed to the building housing the school cafeteria.

“Wow, it’s really bustling.”

“Indeed. I haven’t been here in a while, but it’s quite prosperous.”

“I’ve been eating behind the school building so much lately that it’s been a long time since I’ve used the cafeteria.”

“Big brother, do you want self-service or full service?”

I had an image of a deserted cafeteria from my previous visit, but it was very crowded. The cafeteria at this school is under a single management but split into two areas: a self-service area and a full-service area where servers bring your food. Self-service is mainly for commoners, while full-service is utilized by nobles or wealthy commoners.

“Since Josette-san is here, should we go for full service?” I asked.

“Big brother, this is where you choose self-service. You just don’t get it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Despite her asking, Rachel was clearly intent on going to the self-service side.

“Josette-san, Caro-san, what do you want to do?”

“I shall leave it to you.”

“I don’t mind either way as long as I’m with Kent-san.”

Josette and Caro seemed fine with either.

“Since there are no objections, self-service it is,” Rachel decided on her own.

In self-service, you buy a ticket at a vending machine, present it at the counter, and receive your order on a tray. You then take it to an empty table, eat, and return your dishes to the return counter when finished.

We stood in line at the ticket machine, bought our respective tickets, and handed them over at the counter. After a short wait, our orders were ready.

“Let’s see, any empty seats…?”

“Big brother, there’s a spot over there!”

“You’re right. Josette-san, Caro-san, over here.”

We found a table for four that had just opened up, so the four of us sat down.

“Wait, aren’t those two a Duke’s daughter and a Baron’s daughter?”

“Why are noble ladies in a place like this?”

I felt like we were being stared at. I could feel the gazes from all around us.

“Big brother, do you see? We’re the center of attention. When noble ladies are in a place used by commoners, people notice.”

“And how is that relevant?”

“It’s… ‘Gap Moe,’ I guess? Do you get it???”

Rachel said, looking satisfied.

“Gap… Moe?”

Josette asked.

“Right, Gap Moe. A noble person eating in a place that only commoners use. Doesn’t it make your heart skip a beat?”

“I certainly feel nervous using a place like this, but I do not understand the meaning of what you are saying.”

Josette seemed unable to grasp the concept.

“I’ve been living the same life as the commoner class for quite a few days now, so I don’t really feel this ‘Gap’ thing anymore. I’ve gone out to eat with Kent-san several times, so I’m fine with any kind of shop now.”

Caro seemed perfectly fine, having already grown accustomed to it.

“Ah, that reminds me. Caro-san, I heard the preparations at the estate are complete, and Baron Frederick’s messenger will come to pick you up tomorrow. Would it be alright if the carriage is sent to Kent-san’s house?”

“Eh? Already? …Yes. That would be a great help.”

Josette spoke to Caro, who seemed a bit shaken by the sudden news.

“I see, you’re going back. Well, we can still see each other at school like this, so even if it’s a bit lonely, it’ll be okay.”

“Caro’s going back… I’m going to miss you.”

Rachel and I also felt the loss.

“Well, since we’re done eating, we should clear the dishes.”

“Does self-service mean we must even clean up our own dishes?”

“By not having staff do it, they save on labor costs, which is reflected in the price, making it affordable for commoners.”

“I see. The world of business is quite profound.”

When I explained, Josette nodded in understanding. The four of us cleared our dishes and returned to our respective classrooms as the afternoon session approached.

Afternoon classes began, and I focused on my studies. Next to me, Patty was dozing off. Usually, I’d get a bit of “eye candy” from the gap in her clothes, but since she was wearing the bra today, I couldn’t see anything. Everyone in class knew I was the one who gave her that underwear. I could feel gazes from the male students that bordered on murderous intent, now that one of their joys had been taken away.

(I feel a bit sorry for the other guys, but I can’t have her working at the shop dressed like that…)

After school, Patty approached me.

“Kent-kun, good work today. Are you heading to your part-time job now?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Then we’re going the same way, want to go together?”

Before I could answer, Caro and Rachel arrived at the classroom.

“Kent-san, let’s go home.”

“Big bro… I mean, Kent-san, let’s head out!”

Rachel started to call me her usual way but hurriedly changed it when she noticed Patty.

“Kent-san, shall we go? I have no plans today, so I shall come to help.”

Josette seemed intent on helping out today as well.

“Alright, let’s head back for now.”

「「「Yes!」」」

“Eh? Ehhh???”

While Caro, Josette, and Rachel answered me, Patty was left confused, unable to swallow the situation.

“Caro-san is Kent-kun’s girlfriend, and Rachel-san works at the same shop so they’re going the same way, but Josette-san too???”

Patty seemed to be organizing her thoughts, but she was thinking out loud. In the end, since we were going the same way, she had no choice but to follow along, even if she wasn’t quite part of the inner circle yet.

Once we reached the shop, Patty went upstairs to take a shower like last time. I handed some extra underwear and T-shirts I had summoned to Emily to take up to her. Caro, Josette, and Rachel had already taken their positions and started working. When Patty came down after changing, she was shocked by the scene inside the shop.

“Josette-san, a Duke’s daughter, is working part-time in a bakery? And she moves far better than I do! And Caro-san, the Baron’s daughter who’s Kent-kun’s girlfriend, her movements are unbelievable!”

Caro’s work ethic in the shop was abnormal. She moved with lightning speed, stepping into exactly where she was needed and completing tasks perfectly. From one perspective, it felt like she was doing the work of five people simultaneously. Caro was amazing, but Emily’s work was on another level entirely. Patty could only stand there in awe of the high level of the employees in this shop.

“Excuse me! Can I order?”

“Yes! I’ll be right there!”

An order came in from a customer, and Patty no longer had time to think about extra things; she worked hard until closing time.

After closing, while Marie was doing the usual sales calculations, the remaining members (minus Caro) began preparing for a simple farewell party. We joined two tables in the dining area and placed a cake in the center. Various foods (serving as dinner) were lined up on the table. On the shop’s whiteboard, Rachel had handwritten: “Thank you for your hard work, Caro-san.”

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. The calculations are finally done. Now then, first of all, Patty-san, Josette-san, thank you. This is your pay for today.”

“Thank you very much!”

“I really do not require it…”

Marie handed envelopes of pay to Patty and Josette.

“Alright, everyone take one of these.”

Rachel handed out party poppers to everyone.

“What is this?” Josette asked.

“This is something you use at parties. When I say ‘Heave-ho,’ pull the string at the end of the triangle. Also, don’t point this side at people.”

Rachel explained how to use them to everyone.

“Alright, here we go! Heave-ho!”

「「「「「「「「POP!」」」」」」」」

Everyone pulled the strings at once, and a loud sound echoed through the shop.

“Kya!”

“That scared me!”

Everyone except Rachel and me was startled by the unfamiliar sound.

「「Caro-san. It was a short time, but thank you for your hard work.」」

Rachel and I spoke in unison.

“Ah, thank you very much.”

Caro looked a bit surprised but answered happily.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t prepare anything elaborate since it was so sudden. This shop was a huge help thanks to you, Caro-san. Thank you for everything.”

“Truly, Caro-chan worked very hard. Losing such a valuable asset is a loss for the shop, but we must all celebrate your new beginning.”

Marie and I gave our thanks to Caro.

“I’m sad I won’t be able to work with Caro anymore, but we’ll see each other at school.”

“You have gained quite a good experience, Caro-san.”

“Caro-san, please leave the rest to me.”

“Big sister Caro, good job. Thank you for everything.”

Rachel, Josette, Emily, and Catherine each had their say.

“I don’t quite understand the situation, but is it correct that Caro-san is quitting today?” Patty asked.

“I’m sorry, we were moving the conversation along on our own so it must have been confusing. Due to family circumstances, Caro-san’s work here ends today,” I explained.

“I see.”

Patty asked me quietly, and I provided the answer.

“Ahem. We only worked together for one day, but I’ll work hard enough to make up for your absence. Good job, Caro-san.”

Patty also spoke to Caro.

“Thank you, everyone. I’ll come visit once in a while, so please continue to be my friends.”

And so, we held a modest farewell party to honor Caro’s hard work.