Dragon's Laughter

The surroundings fell silent, and everyone, both Bartender Tony and Dragon Manager, stared at me, blinking.

Did I do something wrong? I did speak a bit impertinently, but was it enough to make the atmosphere sour like this? I rolled my eyes, thinking.

How many seconds passed in that state? Suddenly, laughter erupted from both sides. Dragon, in particular, was roaring with laughter. After laughing for a long time, he spoke.

Puhahaha! Look at that spirit! Yeah, I guess I don't have to worry. Maybe it's a stereotype, but I thought you were too polite and well-mannered, like an Asian, and wondered if you'd adapt well. But no problem! This is perfect. *Kono mamade* (Just like this), just like this.

Should I consider this a good thing? The atmosphere didn't seem too bad. Dragon Manager suddenly stopped laughing and said, just as I was awkwardly smiling, feeling like I should join in the laughter.

Time flew by. It's almost Opening Hours. Nakamura-kun, anything else you want to say? If not, we'll move straight to the job description.

“There is one thing.”

[What is it?]

This was the most important thing. I lowered my voice and spoke seriously.

“Please call me by my first name, not my surname.”

[Hmm?]

“As I said before, you don't have to call me Nakamura-kun or -san; you can just call me Aaron. I'm more comfortable with that.”

Even if I got used to everything else, I didn't think I'd ever get used to the surname Nakamura. Every time I heard it, I felt like I'd become some Petty Villain. It left a subtly strange and unpleasant taste. I didn't want to hear it.

[Hmm...]

But life is life precisely because it doesn't go as planned.

A mischievous grin appeared on Dragon's face. The moment I saw the helmet's mechanical mouth curve into a smile, an Ominous Premonition ran down my spine.

[*Iya* (No). I think calling you Nakamura-kun will be more fun. Ah, calling you that just made you make a face like you've bitten into something bitter. This reaction is *interesting*.]

“...”

Damn it, both the Chairman who gave me that surname and that Otaku Dragon.

I don't know why every Superior I meet loves calling me Nakamura so much. Is it because my expression changes comically every time they call me Nakamura? Should I practice controlling my expressions?

[*Jōdan da yo, jōdan* (Just kidding, just kidding). You're looking at me like you want to eat me alive. That's a good stance. It'd be perfect if you kept radiating that energy while you work.]

“...So, will you call me Aaron?”

[Hmm... *Sō de wa nai* (That's not it). As I boasted earlier, if you work well enough to make me desperate to hire you as a Full-time employee, I'll consider it then. Until then, I'll keep calling you Nakamura.]

“...”

[Ahaha, your expression changed again. Wasn't that a pretty good motivation? If you don't like that, then fine.]

Dragon waggled his index finger and said.

I told you, honorific speech makes *me* uncomfortable, so speak casually. It must be that unique Japanese politeness... I don't really like formalities. If you get close enough to me to comfortably call me just Boss—oh, or Sasha, like you did so boldly earlier—then I'll call you by your *Namae* (Name) instead of your surname.

This felt even harder. Was it because I had lived for so long in 21st-century Korea, where honorific speech culture was deeply ingrained? Or was it due to my personal nature?

I still found it very difficult to drop formalities. True to an open-minded city in the Americas, people here in Dusk City quickly drop formalities and become friends even with decades of age difference, and conversations between superiors and subordinates are almost equal in atmosphere, just like Tony and Dragon were joking around earlier.

On the other hand, even though five months had passed since I fell into Dusk City, I still hadn't properly dropped formalities. Even when I worked at the restaurant, I always used honorifics with my colleagues when no one was watching, and I naturally had to speak with dignity and politeness with customers...

Ah, there was one person I spoke to casually. He was Shimizu Dick, the Rooster Comb Yakuza next door. I didn't use honorifics when talking to him.

But even that wasn't really because we were close... Was it to avoid being underestimated by a Yakuza? It just happened that way because I tried not to be intimidated and spoke casually to the thugs who talked tough. It wasn't at all a natural dropping of formalities.

Japanese people say it's rude to call someone by their first name if you're not close, right? You and I haven't even dropped formalities yet, and we're not that close, so calling you by your first name would be a bit much. Let's just keep it this way until we get closer.

It sounded like he was being unreasonable, yet his logic was strangely hard to refute.

Before I could protest, Dragon Manager grabbed my arm and exclaimed.

[Then it's decided. We don't have time to argue about this anymore, Nakamura-kun. Now, come with me, and I'll explain the job. We're off, Tony! Keep an eye on the bar!] “I'm not some guard dog... Anyway, good luck, Boss, and Nakamura-san.”

Tony's narrow eyes were truly annoying, smiling slyly as he said that. He heard everything, yet he deliberately called me Nakamura-san.

However, I couldn't even answer and was dragged away by Dragon, my arm still held tight. His strength was so immense that I couldn't resist at all. It must be because he was wearing a Powered Suit.

His rough grip shoved me straight into the Boss Room, where I listened to the job manual and various minor explanations.

Before I knew it, the Opening Hours had arrived.

Time really flies.

* * *

# Just Before Opening - Interlude, Short Dialogue

Otaku Dragon:

Why don't you like it?

Tired Man:

Of course I do. It was getting a bit overwhelming with just - Interlude, Short Dialogue

Tired Man: So, Boss, are we really getting a new employee?

Otaku Dragon:

Why don't you like it?

Tired Man:

Of course I do. It was getting a bit overwhelming with just the two of us. We have so many unique customers, you know.

Otaku Dragon:

Two?

Why are you leaving me out? Shouldn't it be *sannin* (three people) with me included?

Tired Man:

Isn't that a bit too shameless? You should help out with work sometimes before saying something like that...

*Sound of being hit*

...Ah, alright, alright. Stop hitting me! You're too violent.

Otaku Dragon:

Watch your step. And whether we'll really get a new employee... *shiranai yo* (I don't know). I told you, it's like a job trial for now. Doesn't it depend on how he does? What did you think of him? Do you think he'll do well?

Tired Man:

I don't know. I'm not sure. He seems like a decent person, but how he'll be to work with is another matter. I'm a bit worried. Our bar is strangely prone to incidents and accidents. I wonder if he'll be able to handle things properly when they happen.

Otaku Dragon:

(Nods his head)

Tired Man: He looks so delicate, like he's never experienced hardship, and being Asian and a Chef makes him seem even more so. I wonder if customers will look down on him.

Otaku Dragon:

I thought so too at first, but after hearing him talk earlier, I don't think we need to worry about that. You heard him too. ‘Sasha, you're the one who should prepare.’ *Kyah*... That seemingly gentle East Asian's eyes suddenly changed their aura, didn't they? My heart skipped a beat for a moment.

Tired Man:

Ah, that. I was startled when I heard it. He definitely seems to have some guts.

Otaku Dragon: Guts are all you need. That's enough to do well at work. Though it might have just been the alcohol talking. We'll have to see more to know for sure. Hiyah, it's still awkward. I told him he could call me Sasha casually, but to actually call me by my *hontō* (real) name. How long has it been? Since someone else called me by my name? It feels like over a decade.

Tired Man:

Did that guy have Something to Rely On? Was he relying on his connections? Like a Talented Person protected by the Chairman of Headquarters, or something like that?

Otaku Dragon:

I don't know either. What's certain is that he's a pretty unique character. At first, I wasn't sure, but after having a drink with him, I definitely know. If we work together, it'll be *omoshiroi* (Interesting), if nothing else.

Tired Man: I agree to some extent. Oh, by the way, how's his body? He's not secretly a Powerhouse, is he, what with hidden strength?

Otaku Dragon:

Body? *Nanno* (What) body.

Tired Man: Come on, I mean his physical condition. Don't pretend you don't know. I saw you subtly touch his bare skin and immediately scan him when you grabbed his arm and dragged him away earlier.

Otaku Dragon:

You're quick-witted. But why are you asking me? That's your specialty.

Tired Man:

I told you I've stopped digging for other people's information. Now, I don't deliberately look for anything beyond what's plainly visible.

Otaku Dragon:

Then *ittemite* (Tell me) even that. What was plainly visible? What did you see?

Tired Man:

Well, first, his surface muscles are Natural, and he hasn't received any Metabolism-enhancing modifications. But you could tell that just by watching him drink and break down alcohol.

Otaku Dragon:

And what else?

Tired Man:

Looking at his eyes, nose, mouth, and hands, he doesn't smoke or do drugs. Ah, he doesn't seem to have had any respiratory modification. Not just his respiratory system, but his entire face was clean. That was unusual.

Also, the Cyberwatch on his wrist caught my eye. It was definitely a model I'd seen before, but it felt heavily tuned, very different from the original. That's about it. Nothing more.

Otaku Dragon:

‘That's about it’ you say, but you've already said quite a lot, haven't you? And then you say you don't deliberately look for anything beyond what's plainly visible?

Tired Man:

What can I do if it's just plainly visible? It's not my fault my eyes are better than others, is it? So, was anything I said wrong?

Otaku Dragon:

No. Everything you said is correct. That's why it's even more annoying. Just as you said, that guy is clean. He's pure.

Tired Man:

Pure? Oh, now that you mention it, he really is a pure Asian. He definitely hasn't had any surgery.

Otaku Dragon:

No, not that kind of pure. It's another kind of pure. More accurately, he's a Natural. He hasn't had any Body Modification. Not just his face, but his *zenshin* (entire body) is clean. His respiratory system, metabolism, joints, and heart are clean.

Tired Man:

...Is that even possible?

Otaku Dragon:

Well. His data says he migrated from Neo Tokyo, so maybe that's a trend there. Though I doubt it.

Tired Man: He's not part of some Naturalist cult, is he? Ah, come to think of it, no, those Lunatics all died off during the pandemic ages ago. Wow, this is confusing. How can he be like that in an era where even the Poor have two or three cheap modifications? He's practically a living natural monument.

Otaku Dragon:

Indeed, he's practically a living natural monument.

Tired Man:

Then he probably can't fight at all, since he hasn't had any modifications. I thought, since he was so confident, maybe he had some hidden skill that wasn't visible on the surface.

Otaku Dragon: Yeah. Not having modifications doesn't necessarily mean you can't fight, and there are a very few exceptions. But he didn't seem to be one of those rare exceptions. He's probably a soft target who can't fight as well as you.

Tired Man:

Oh? That's surprisingly not bad. Is the day finally coming when I'll escape last place in the hierarchy?

Otaku Dragon: Enough with the nonsense. And the most important nanom... No. We'll talk about *Kore wa* (This) later. First, something else. That guy, he wasn't entirely without suspicious points. Everything else was clean, but there was just one thing.

Tired Man: Why? Is there something?

Otaku Dragon:

There was something in his head. I'm not certain, but I had a fleeting feeling... there was something in his head. *Kinzoku* (Metal).