Epilogue: Start Player (Day 1)

Moments before the grand opening of the board game café “Kurumaza,” my shoulders tense as I survey the neatly arranged board game shelves. A sudden pat on my back jolts me, and I spin around to face an impossibly stylish Gyaru radiating pure extrovert energy—a stark contrast to my introverted self. Her vibrant smile dazzles as she calls out with disarming familiarity.

“Yo, good work! Hehe, nice to meet ya, Tokiwa Kotarou-kun!”

“N-nini-nice to meet you too, uh, u-um… T-Takanashi-san?” I stammer, caught off guard.

“Nah, nah, don’t go peeking at my name tag! We’re coworkers now!” Takanashi-san laughs, slapping my back with relentless enthusiasm. Her casual physicality hits like a tidal wave, overwhelming me with the raw charisma of an extrovert—utterly unlike Hagiri-sensei, Natsumi-san, Takeshi, or Hankui. I’m at a complete loss for how to handle her.

Taking quick, deep breaths to steady myself, I manage, “Mo-More importantly, Ta-Ta, Takanashi-san…”

“Y-You remembered my name, even though we only briefly met at the staff introduction… That’s impressive.”

“Huh? Oh, uh… yeah, right? Pretty cool of me, huh?”

“Y-Yes, I respect that.”

For some reason, she seems momentarily flustered by my comment, but quickly flashes a mischievous grin. Then, she averts her gaze and mutters something under her breath.

“…Well, when you hear about someone nonstop from your deadbeat brother and your step-sister…”

“?”

“Whoa, what’s up, Tokiwa-kun? Staring at my face like that?” she teases, catching me off guard.

“Eh, n-no, s-sorry! Sorry!” I blurt, bowing repeatedly, panic rising. Accused of harassment by a new coworker on day one? With my dropout history tied to that incident, this is the last thing I need!

“……”

Seeing me shrink back into silence, Takanashi-san’s expression shifts to an exasperated Ugh, messed up, what a hassle. Desperate to salvage the moment, I scramble for a safe topic. “S-So, Takanashi-san, how’d you hear about this job?”

“Hm? Why?”

“Well, it’s kinda niche. I just stumbled across a flyer, but…”

“Oh, that.” She pauses, then points at me with a nod. “Pretty much a me-too situation.”

“Huh? So you saw the flyer too? But what’s with the ‘pretty much’?”

“Hmm…” Takanashi-san’s tone turns slightly embarrassed as she adds, “In my case, it wasn’t so much the flyer… more like I saw someone looking at it?”

Her intense gaze locks onto mine, leaving me inexplicably flustered. What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t get her logic at all. Averting my eyes, I press on. “S-So, like, a friend recommended it or something?”

“Hmm… yeah, close enough. Not quite on the mark, but not totally off either.”

Her vague, extrovert logic is too much for me to parse. There’s got to be something we can connect on—something in my wheelhouse. Glancing around, inspiration strikes. People who apply for a job like this… I know the perfect topic.

Leaning forward, I blurt out, unable to contain my excitement, “O-o-oh, right! Takanashi-san, what’s your favorite board game!?”

My eyes gleam with board game otaku passion, but her response is a cold shock. “Huh? No clue.”

I nearly collapse into despair, forcing a strained smile to keep the conversation alive. “O-Oh, sorry. I’m not familiar with that ‘Shiranshi’ game you mentioned—”

“No, I mean I’ve never seriously played a board game, like, ever.”

“—Huh?”

In that moment, something inside me snaps. All my tension toward her evaporates, replaced by fiery indignation as I storm toward the board game-ignorant gyaru. “What’s that supposed to mean!?”

“Wh-What do you mean…?” Takanashi-san falters, awkwardly averting her gaze. But then, a strangely seductive smile curls her lips as she reaches toward me. “Aha, I’m, like, super embarrassed, but I’m basically a board game virgin. So, like, I’d love for you to gently teach me, step by step—”

“Shachou! It’s a scam! This person’s a scam hire—!” I shout, incredulous.

“W-W-Wait, hold up!”

“Mmph!”

In a flash, Takanashi-san darts behind me, clapping her right hand over my mouth like we’re in a crime movie. Her other arm wraps around my torso, restraining me, and something soft presses firmly against my back. Seriously, what is with this extrovert’s sense of personal space!?

Squirming to break free, I freeze as she whispers softly in my ear, “Hey, Tokiwa-kun. I, like, really wanted to work here with you.”

“F-Fine, I get it! I get it, just let go of me already!” I mumble against her hand, face burning.

“Aw, done already? Kinda disappointing,” she teases, releasing me with a lighthearted tone. Turning to face her, I can’t help but protest. “Th-That kind of thing isn’t okay!”

“Hm? What kind of thing?”

“Y’know, like… that seductive, flirty stuff or whatever!”

“Seductive? Pfft, what, you fell for me in those few seconds, huh?”

“That’s not it! But, like… ugh, never mind!”

“Haha, relax, dude. I don’t pull that stuff with just anyone, y’know.”

“Huh?” Her words leave my cheeks burning hotter, confusion swirling. Then Takanashi-san flashes a wicked grin. “Yup, Tokiwa-kun, you’re totally smitten! Thanks for that!”

“Tch! Y-you…!” I sputter, her laughter ringing out as she clearly mocks me. Ugh, what is this? I already can’t stand her! With my dropout history and that incident with the female manager, I’m already wary of people like her. And now, her complete ignorance of board games—the one thing I thought we could bond over? I’m utterly lost.

Scratching my head in frustration, I barely register her next words. “Hey, so. Banjo, you’re, like, good at board games, right?”

“Banjo?” I echo, baffled.

“Yeah, you. Tokiwa-kun or Kotarou-kun just doesn’t vibe, y’know.”

“Getting my full name rejected is a new one,” I mutter, sighing. Yup, she’s my enemy—straight-up enemy. That mindset keeps my nerves at bay. Pushing up my glasses with my index finger, I retort, “Well, compared to you, I’d say I’m pretty good, yeah.”

“Oh? Then roll a die, let’s see.”

“Huh?” Without hesitation, Takanashi-san tosses me one of the café’s generic dice. Catching it clumsily, I shoot her a dumbfounded look. “No, no, being good at board games isn’t about—”

“Pfft, what’s that, a lame excuse?”

“Fine, watch this.” Spurred by her taunt, I roll the die onto the table. It clatters and lands on—

“…‘3’.”

“Pfft, total Banjo energy,” Takanashi-san snickers.

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” I snap back, though deep down, I get it. Classic me—never rolling a 1 or 6 when it counts, just a predictable 3. Painfully, unmistakably me.

But how does this Gyaru, who I’ve only just met, seem to know me so well? If this is some kind of dice duel, the outcome’s still anyone’s guess. I toss the die back to her, issuing a challenge. “Alright, your turn, Takanashi-san. Let’s see—”

“Boom, ‘6’,” she declares, barely glancing at the die as it lands.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” I concede, deflated. A board game otaku, crushed by a complete newbie Gyaru. Takanashi-san doubles over, laughing so hard she nearly chokes.

“Lol, board games are actually kinda fun.”

“We literally just rolled a die!”

“Yup. Just rolled a die. With you.” Her smile shifts, soft and oddly meaningful, catching me off guard.

“?”

…Okay, seriously, I don’t get her. That look is almost creepy.

What’s with this girl?

……

B-But, well…

“…If your first board game experience was fun, that’s good,” I mumble, scratching my head awkwardly.

Takanashi-san’s smile widens, warm and genuine. “Yup.”

“……”

Her unexpectedly gentle expression makes me avert my gaze, flustered. She’s unfair, wielding that gap-moe charm like a weapon. I’m not falling for it. …W-Well, okay, fine. Rolling a die being this fun? That’s a first for me too.

Suddenly, she fixes me with a scolding look. “Oh, right. Banjo, you got all bummed out when you rolled a ‘3,’ didn’t you? That’s not great.”

“Not great?”

“Yeah. Like, if you keep rolling the same number, instead of ‘Ugh, again?’ you should be like, ‘Yo, nailed it again!’ Way more fun that way, right?”

“F-Fair point,” I admit, stunned. That’s a perspective I’d never considered, but it makes so much sense. Is this the mindset of a true extrovert? I’m actually learning something here.

Eager to try her advice, I propose, “Alright, from now on, whenever I roll a 3…”

“Yup?”

“I’ll shout, ‘Mamma Miaaaa!’”

“Nope, stop. Only Nint○ndo’s poster boy gets to yell that. Customers will freak.”

“Then what should I do…?”

“Hmm…” Takanashi-san glances at the basket of free candies on the table, her eyes lighting up with an idea. “Hey, Banjo, what’s your favorite flavor in there? I’m all about lemon!”

“Huh? Well… cola, I guess,” I say, picking up a cola-flavored candy.

She points at it with a grin. “Then let’s go with that.”

“Huh? For what?”

“Your reward for rolling a ‘3’.” Before I can react, she snatches the candy, unwraps it, and holds it out. “Here, Banjo, say ‘ahh.’”

“Wha—? A-ahh…” Caught off guard, I open my mouth, and she pops the candy in.

…Sweet. Delicious. Wait, I just went along with this, but getting fed a candy like this feels… bold!

“Good?”

“Huh? Y-Yeah, yeah,” I nod vigorously, still reeling.

Clearly enjoying herself, she suggests, “Alright, Banjo. From now on, you only get to eat your favorite cola candy right after rolling a ‘3’.”

“Huh? …Oh, I get it.” Yeah, a small reward like this could keep me from sulking over a 3 and maybe even lift my mood. Man, I’d never have thought of that. Rolling the cola candy in my mouth, I smile and nod. “That’s a great idea. Alright, from now on in this café, I’ll only eat cola-flavored candy when I roll a ‘3’!”

“Sounds good! …Though I’ll just eat lemon ones whenever I want.”

“Hey!” I protest, but her infectious laughter pulls me in, and we both burst out laughing. …Yeah, I think I could enjoy working with her.

Just then, the Shachou’s voice booms from outside as he finishes opening preparations. “Alright, we’re about to open. You guys ready?”

Takanashi-san and I exchange a glance, replying in unison, ““All good!””

Before I knew it, my nerves had melted away. I hate to admit it, but it’s definitely thanks to Takanashi-san… my new coworker. As the Shachou wraps up, she plops into a chair, sprawling across the table like she’s savoring her last break. …She could use a bit more urgency, honestly.

Watching her from above, I suddenly ask, “Oh, by the way, Takanashi-san…”

“Hm?” Still sprawled out, she tilts her head to look at me, absentmindedly fiddling with the die she’d rolled a ‘6’ with earlier.

“Why’d you take this job? The pay’s not even that great.”

“Hmm…” Surprisingly, she doesn’t answer right away, toying with the die as if lost in thought. After a moment, she speaks carefully. “Y’know, honestly, I was kinda shocked myself.”

“Yeah?” I prompt, intrigued.

“Like, hearing about it from my family or sneaking peeks from afar… before I knew it, I was, ugh, totally hooked.”

“……”

Her gentle, almost affectionate expression leaves me speechless, captivated despite myself.

“I knew it was kinda shameless, but I couldn’t help myself—I had to get involved,” she continues, her voice soft but deliberate.

“Get involved… with what, exactly?” I manage to ask, her beauty stealing my breath.

She stops fiddling with the die and stands slowly. Holding it between her fingers, she shows off a carefully adjusted roll, flashing a mischievous smile. “The relationship of play.”