The surroundings became quiet, and everyone looked at me with their eyes closed without a word. The bartender Tony and the dragon manager.
What did I do wrong at the moment?
I was a bit cocky, but did that make the atmosphere so cheap? I rolled my eyes at the thought.
How many seconds had passed in that state? Suddenly, laughter erupted from both sides.
In particular, the dragon side was very playful. He smiles for a while and says
[Fuhahahahaha, show your enthusiasm. Yeah, you don’t have to worry. It may have been a bit stereotyped, but I was wondering if I would be able to adapt well because it seemed like I was being very polite and polite like an Asian. But no problem! Just good. Kono Mamede (just like this), just like this.]
Should this be considered lucky? The atmosphere didn’t seem that bad.
When I was smiling awkwardly because it felt like something I should laugh with, the Dragon president suddenly stopped laughing and said:
[Zikan (time) has passed so quickly. There is not much left until opening time. Nakamura Kun, do you have any last words? If not, go straight to the job description.]
“There is one.”
[What?]
This is the most important. I said seriously, lowering my voice.
“Call me by your first name, not your last name.”
[Well?]
“As I said before, you can call me Aaron instead of Nakamura Kun or Sang. I am more comfortable with that.”
Even if I get used to everything else, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the last name of Nakamura.
Every time I hear it, it really feels like I’ve become a Japanese prankster villain.
The feeling is so bizarre. I don’t want to hear it.
[Huh… .]
But life didn’t go as planned, so it was life.
A smile like a bad boy suddenly appeared on the dragon’s face. As soon as he sees the helmet’s electric lips draw an arc, an ominous feeling crosses his spine.
[Hey (I hate it). I think it would be more fun to call him Nakamura-kun. Ah, calling you like this made you look like shit. This reaction is interesting.]
“… … .”
Damn, the president who built that castle and that otaku dragon.
I don’t know why everyone I meet likes to call me Nakamura so much.
Is it because my expression changes so funny every time I call her the real Nakamura? Should I practice managing my facial expressions?
[It’s Jordan, Jordan (I’m kidding, I’m kidding). You look at me like I’m going to eat people. good posture It will be perfect if you keep exhaling that energy while working.]
“… So, are you calling me Aaron?”
[Well… Soode and age (but not so). As I swore before, if I do a job well enough to be eager to accept Nakamura Kun as a full-time employee, I’ll think about it then. Until then, keep calling me Nakamura.]
“… .”
[Ahaha, his expression became strange again. Wasn’t that some good motivation? If you don’t like it, yes.]
The dragon snapped his forefinger and said.
[I said it too, since I’m uncomfortable with all the respectful words I hear, so please feel free to call me. I’ve seen something like the politeness of Japanese people… I don’t like being formal.
If you get to know me well enough and feel comfortable just calling me Captain—Oh, or you can call me Sasha like I did when I spoke with enthusiasm—I’ll call you Namae (first name) instead of my last name.]
This feels more difficult.
Is it because I have lived in Korea for a long time in the 21st century, where the culture of respectful language is deeply ingrained? Or is it due to personal nature?
It was still very difficult for me to let go.
As an open-minded city in the Americas, here in Dusk City, even though they are several tens of years older, they quickly talk to each other and have a conversation with their superiors and subordinates in an almost equal atmosphere.
Just like Tony and the Dragon were joking around.
On the other hand, it’s been five months since I’ve been to Dusk and I still haven’t spoken properly.
Even when I went to a restaurant, if I didn’t see others, I always used respectful words to my colleagues, and of course I had to speak with dignity and politeness to customers… .
Oh well, there were people who spoke lightly.
The chicken yakuza next door, Shimizu Dick. Do not use honorifics when talking to that person.
But, honestly, rather than being friendly… Are you trying not to underestimate the Yakuza? I was trying to mix things up without being afraid with a squeamish talker, so that’s how it happened.
It wasn’t natural or anything like that.
[Is it rude if Japanese people call each other by their first name instead of their last name? We haven’t talked to Watashi Anatato (you and I) yet, and we’re less close, so it’s a bit awkward to call them by their first names. Let’s go like this for the time being until we get to know each other.]
It was a logic that seemed to be coercive, but strangely difficult to refute.
Before I could even protest, the Dragon boss grabbed my arm and shouted.
[Then it’s decided. There’s no more time to fuss over things like this, Nakamura Kun. Now, I’m going to go in and give you a job-related explanation, so come along. Then we go, Tony! The bar is well guarded.]
“I’m not some kind of guard dog… Anyway, please do your best, Captain and Nakamura-san.”
As he said that, Tony’s thin eyes, who smiled bitterly, were very mean. Look at the deliberately called Nakamura-san even after putting it all together.
However, he could not answer and was dragged away by the dragon by his arm.
It’s too strong to resist even the slightest bit. It’s probably because he’s wearing a powered suit.
I was thrown into the boss’s room by that wretched hand, and I listened to manuals and trivial explanations about the job.
As a result, it was almost time to open.
Time passes so quickly.
* * *
# Just before opening – interlude, short dialog
Tired Man: So, boss, are we really increasing our staff?
Otaku Dragon: Why, hate?
Tired Man: That’s good. Still, it was a bit overwhelming for the two of us. We have a lot of unique guests.
Otaku Dragon: Two? why am i omitting Don’t I have to be Sannin (three people) too?
Tired Man: Doesn’t it mean you don’t have a conscience? You should usually help out a little and say that… *sound of hitting*… Oh, okay, okay. stop hitting me! People are too violent
Otaku Dragon: Take good care of yourself. And will the staff really increase? Watashimo Shiranai (I don’t know). As I said, first of all, it feels like a job experience. Wouldn’t it depend on what he does? how did you look Do you think you will do well?
Tired Man: Well. I don’t know. People don’t seem bad. How it feels when we work together is another matter. I’m a little worried. Because our bar is a place where strange things happen. I also wondered if I would be able to respond properly when things happen.
Otaku Dragon: (shakes head)
Tired Man: He looks as if he has never suffered at all, and since he is an Asian chef, I feel that way even more. I don’t think it would be underestimated by the guests.
Otaku Dragon: I thought so too at Saisho (at first), but from what I said earlier, it seems like I don’t have to worry about that, right? You heard it too. ‘Sasha, you better prepare.’ hey… . Did the energy suddenly change from those gentle Asian eyes? I was thrilled for a moment.
Tired Man: Oh, that. I got chills listening to it. It certainly seems to have a bit of a knack.
Otaku Dragon: All you need is some kang. That’s enough to do a good job. It could be that he just got drunk and just spit it out. You’ll have to see more to find out more.
hey, it’s still awkward. I said it was okay to call me Sasha, but I would call her Honto (really) by her first name. how much is this What other people call me by my first name? I think it’s been almost ten years since I’ve heard it.
Tired Man: You had something to believe in, buddy? Do you believe in your own Is it a person who is protected by the head office president, or something like that?
Otaku Dragon: I don’t know. It’s definitely a character with quite a personality. At first, I was skeptical, but after having a drink together, I can understand for sure. If we work together, I think it will be interesting (fun) without knowing anything else.
Tired Man: I agree with that to some extent. Oh, how’s that friend’s body? It turns out that a strong person with hidden power is not something like that, right?
Otaku Dragon: Body? Nanno (something) body.
Tired Man: Aye, physical condition. pretend you don’t know Earlier, when I grabbed my arm and dragged it, I saw everything that went into the test right away while sneaking into my bare skin.
Otaku Dragon: You notice quickly. But why are you asking me that? It’s rather your specialty.
Tired Man: It’s because I messed around with finding out other people’s information. Now, I just don’t look for it on purpose except for what I can see.
Otaku Dragon: Then it’s itemite (tell me). what is plainly visible. what did you see
Tired Man: Well. First of all, the superficial muscles are intact and have not undergone any metabolic enhancement system modifications? But you can tell just by looking at drinking alcohol and breaking down alcohol.
Otaku Dragon: And again?
Tired Man: Looking at his eyes, nose, mouth, and hands, he doesn’t smoke or take medicine. Oh, it looks like you didn’t get any respiratory modifications. Not only the respiratory tract, but the entire face was clean. That was the peculiar thing.
Also, I heard that a cyber watch on my wrist caught my eye. It’s definitely a model I’ve seen before, but it feels like it’s very different from the original version because of a lot of tuning? that much. It’s over. No more.
Otaku Dragon: I don’t think I’ve said enough already to say ‘that much’. But what, you’re not looking for anything other than what you can see?
Tired Man: What if it’s just visible? It’s not my fault that I have better eyes than others, right? So, am I doing anything wrong?
Otaku Dragon: No. everything you said is right So it’s thicker. As you said, my friend, it’s clean. must be pure
Tired Man: Pure? Oh, and it turned out that he was really pure Asian. I’m sure he didn’t have surgery.
Otaku Dragon: No, other than that pure pure. To be precise, it should be natural. No body modifications were made. Not only the face, but also the Zenshin (whole body) is clean. Respiratory system, metabolism, joints, heart.
Tired Man: … Does that make sense?
Otaku Dragon: Well. According to the data, it was said that they migrated from New Tokyo, but it seems that it was a trend in New Tokyo. It doesn’t seem like it though.
Tired Man: Isn’t it a naturalistic cult or something? Oh, come to think of it, that’s not even that, but those idiots were all searched for during the pandemic a long time ago. Wow, this is confusing. How can poor people do that in an age when they wear three or four cheap mods? It’s almost like a natural monument.
Otaku Dragon: It’s definitely at the level of Tennenkinen Boots (Natural Monument).
Tired Man: Then we won’t be able to fight at all. Because I didn’t get any modifications. Also, I was so proud of myself, so I wondered if I had a talent that was hidden from the outside in that way.
Otaku Dragon: Yes. Just because you haven’t been remodeled doesn’t mean you can’t fight, although there are very few exceptions. It didn’t seem like I belonged to a very small part of it. It’s probably a water body that can’t fight more than you.
Tired Man: Huh? That’s surprisingly not bad. Will the day come when I will finally be out of the bottom of the ranks?
Otaku Dragon: That’s all nonsense. And most importantly, the nanoparticles… not. Talk to Kore (this) later. First of all, something else. that friend There was nothing suspicious at all. Everything else is clean, only one.
Tired Man: Why? What do you have?
Otaku Dragon: Something on his head. I’m not sure, but I feel like it’s flashing… I had something in my head. Kinzoku (metal).
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