Maria was still reeling from her first interaction with a customer. Her heart pounded as she returned to Mika behind the counter.
— Not bad for a first try, Mika teased, playfully nudging her shoulder. You’ll get used to it soon enough.
Maria nodded with a shy smile. The atmosphere of the Sweet Blossom Café was enchanting—soft laughter, beautifully decorated dishes, and gentle background music that made the place feel warm and magical.
Just then, Madam Yuki, the café manager, appeared. She was an elegant woman, always dressed in a modern kimono, exuding both grace and authority.
— Maria, come with me. We need to go over a few important points.
Maria followed Madam Yuki into a small room reserved for the maids, away from the customers’ view. On a polished wooden table, several training manuals and notebooks were neatly stacked.
— Here, we have very strict rules, Madam Yuki began in a calm yet firm tone. This is not just a restaurant; it’s an immersive experience for our customers.
She opened one of the notebooks and pointed to a list of guidelines:
- Always smile and stay cheerful.
- Address every customer as “Master” or “Princess.”
- Perform rituals on dishes before serving them.
- Politely decline any inappropriate requests.
- Never share personal information.
- Act sweet and attentive, but never submissive.
Maria read through the list carefully. Some rules seemed obvious, but others made her curious.
— “Never share personal information?” she asked.
Madam Yuki closed the notebook and crossed her arms.
— This café has a diverse clientele, and some may misinterpret our kindness. Maids must remain mysterious and unattainable.
Maria shivered slightly. This world was more complex than it seemed.
— I have a question… What did Sayuri mean by “special services”?
A subtle smile played on Madam Yuki’s lips.
— There are VIP options for certain regular customers. But don’t worry about that yet—you’re still a beginner.
Before Maria could ask more, Mika burst into the room.
— Maria, a customer just requested you!
— Me? But I just started…
— It happens. Some customers like fresh faces. Come on!
Maria felt a new wave of nervousness wash over her. She took a deep breath and followed Mika back into the café.
A well-dressed man sitting in a corner gave her a knowing smile as she approached.
— Okaerinasaimase, goshujin-sama! she greeted, putting on her best smile, hoping he wouldn’t see how nervous she was.
To be continued …
