The Struggle of a Young TS Yuki-Onna. Chapter 15-16

Chapter 15: More Visitors.

Author: citrullus

Character cheat sheet. This is mainly for me, and people who took a break from the novel.

Yukiya Kitahara(北原雪哉) now (雪耶): The protagonist. A junior high student, 14, and  now a Snow girl. Short black hair, beautiful pale skin.

Syuuji Kitahara(北原修司): Yukiya’s father, and owner of the Snow House.(雪乃亭) Which is located in Hyousei Village(氷清村)

Yukino(雪乃): Yukiya’s mother, and is a snow woman/ Yuki Onna.

Hazuki Natsumi(夏美) and Saeki Tomonori(智則): Yukiya’s friends and classmates.

“Thank you very much!”

I proudly said.

“Yes, It was a great meal.”

After that, I sent off the old couple with a smile and a bow.

“Alright. I feel great today.”

I muttered as I gave a small triumph pose.

Today’s attendance is unprecedented. 

Since we opened, the customers have not stopped coming.

I’ve been running all over the place to attend to all of these customers. My father has been constantly moving around in the kitchen.

At the height of lunchtime, our store is almost full- – -.

Then I heard a ring from the door opening. I looked over to see more people.

“What a dump. . .”

“Hey, as long as there is room for us.”

“Is there even enough seats to fit all of us?”

About five young adult men and one woman entered the store in a lively fashion.

They were all wearing ski wear with still some snow clinging to their pants and shoes. It easily began to melt once they entered our warm store.

Apparently they have been wandering around because every other store was crowded.

It is lunchtime during ski season, so of course most stores are overcrowded right now.

However this many people coming to the Snow House is still rare.

Although the other stores may be busier than we are.

“Welcome.”

I smiled and went to greet our new customers.

Like some burger joints. Our store provides a smile for free.

Of course, it’s the same sales smile I gave to all previous customers.

“Oh, what a cute child.”

“Are there enough seats available to fit us all?”

“Yes there are.”

I don’t know if my smile worked, but the university students looked at each other and then began to talk among themselves.

Coincidentally, there are just enough empty seats to fit five people.

Hurray! Five more customers!

“Eh-? Let’s just go to a better shop, instead of this dull one.”

The girl in the middle with golden hair, and well done eyelashes distastefully said.

“But the restaurants at the hotel were full, and the others were packed. So let’s just decide here.”

These university students seem to be staying at the new 20-story hotel in the village that is also known as the “Princess Hyosei Hotel”.

Despite it’s high quality, it’s not just for high-end customers, as they also have affordable accommodation plans available. So there are people staying there from various backgrounds. I also heard there was a Chinese buffet for families, or a high-class western restaurant with cuisine made by a top chef at one of the hotels. But those are probably expensive.

So a small store like ours usually has customers on the affordable end.

“Geeze, why didn’t we make a reservation at a hotel restaurant.”

She seems really disappointed with our shop. . .That hurts, but I need to suck it up and continue my poker faced smile.

“Sorry about her.”

One of the male college students with a serious expression pushed his glasses up and said. His seriousness was pretty apparent when compared to his colleagues- – -.

He was the only dignified one among the students.

It’s a bit weird for him to be in their club. Maybe this person is the leader or was the planner of the group.

“Whatever, let’s just eat and go to the slopes.”

The rude idiot woman said with her temples showing apparent frustration. . . I just stood there and smiled..

“Have you decided?”

“Oh, yes. Please.”

“For how many?”

“Oh, sorry. Five people.”

“Then please follow me. I’ll prepare your table.”

I guided them to the innermost seats that were vacant. These tables and chairs were meant for two, so I pushed the tables together and brought a chair. Quickly making it a table for five.

One of these tables was actually the seats used by the nice elderly couple. 

I wiped the table and presented it to them.

“Please have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

The college students took their seats and I then brought to them their menus and left to get them their water. When I got back I asked for their orders.

“So do you know what you want to order?”

After I placed the 5 waters for each person, I took out the order slip and ballpoint pen from the pockets of my apron and waited for their orders. All this while maintaining my mother’s special smile- – –

“Um-.”

The college students were looking at the menu for a little bit while I waited.

“Well, I’ll try the ramen.”

“Ah, I’ll have that as well.”

“I’ll have the minced cutlet.”

“Hmm. . .I’ll try the tempura soba.”

All that was left was the sulking Onee-san who has not yet decided.

“. . . .”

I couldn’t rush a customer, so I simply waited with a smile. Until she finally opened her mouth.

“I’ll get the. . .Curry and rice. Nothing else.”

Wow, she looked really displeased. And with a defeated atmosphere she let down her menu.

Okay, now I just need to repeat it.

“So two ramen, one minced cutlet, one tempura Soba, and a curry and rice. Is that correct?”

As I was saying that, the spectacled young man nodded to confirm each order as I repeated each one.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Thank you very much.”

I said, gave them a bow, and took their menus. 

Chapter 16: The Village legend.

After I put my order slip and pen back into my apron, I was about to leave, when suddenly they called out to me.

“Are you a junior high school student?”

“Are you working part-time?”

“Ah, no, This is my family’s shop.”

“Oh, you’re helping out. That’s admirable.”

I wonder how many times I’ve said the same thing today?

I have never told customers this until today. . .Is there really that big of a difference between boys and girls?

Despite my exhaustion for this type of conversation, I know it isn’t malicious.

So I simply returned the gesture.

“Where are you guys from?”

“We’re university students, and were here on a ski trip.”

He later elaborated that they got to the hotel earlier today. And are planning a three day and two night trip.

“So are you guys on your way to the slopes right now?”

“Ah, yeah. For today until the afternoon. However, we are going on a trek up the mountain tomorrow.”

“Ehh, trekking?”

Hyosei Village is a famous tourist spot thanks to it’s well maintained safe ski slopes, however it isn’t just known for that. We are also known for our tracks that go around and up the snowy landscape, beautiful nature, and wonderful mountains.

Today is a good day to get a beautiful view from trekking. However, of course it is a little more difficult.

“Isn’t trekking difficult this time of year?”

“It’s okay, we won’t overdo it. We aren’t going to the summit. Besides, we have the proper equipment for it.”

“Ahh.”

Indeed they are wearing expensive looking ski wear, and expensive looking equipment.

But climbing the mountain in the winter is said to be the most difficult time of years, even when compared to more perilous mountains. It is only for the most advanced mountain climbers.

I heard that my father was once a pretty skilled mountaineer, however he is now a shadow of his former self.

“I see, but. . .be careful on the mountain. Especially because Hyosei mountain’s weather can change very quickly.”

If you are properly well prepared of course, there shouldn’t be much danger.

“Thank you.”

Every year, the mountains around us, including Mt Hyosei, are popular and crowded. However there is often news of mountaineers going missing. Which can cause panic.

The mountain range is very beautiful from afar, but it’s dangerous on top of it. It’s often the discussion in mountaineer blogs and newspapers.

With all that said, that is why the Hyosei Village tourism and commerce association wants tourists and mountain climbers to enter to be well informed and prepared.

“On a sunny day, Hyosei mountain is a beautiful breathtaking sight. In the middle you could see the most beautiful snowscape, but in spring it is full of greens and has a different type of beauty to it.”

“You seem quite familiar with it.”

“Yes. I am a local. So I’ve been there several times.”

I in fact already had a lot of experience from going on school field trips, or simple neighborhood mountaineering trips.

“Well then, I wonder if you could guide us then?”

He said with a sarcastic tone.

“I don’t know about that, but if you have any questions then please ask me. Oh, but don’t stay up too late tonight drinking. You can party after trekking.”

They laughed after I said that.

We were having a lively conversation- – –

However, then I heard a sigh from behind.

“It’s better. . .If you cancel your trip tomorrow.”

A clear voice suddenly came from behind me.

“A. . .beautiful person.”

“She is incredibly beautiful. . .”

Everybody was stunned on the spot. I could sense an adult woman. Just from the smell I could tell.

It was my mother.

“Mom! Why are you here!?”

I exclaimed as I turned around.

My mother was supposed to be helping my father in the back.

She doesn’t have much experience interacting with people outside of us, so customer service is something foreign to her. 

So why is she out here?

“That’s your mother?”

“Mother and daughter are so beautiful- – -”

The whole group of college students leaked their surprise.

However my mother who always had her smile, simply gave a serious face.

“Because you are strangers to this land, I will advise you to be cautious, for tomorrow is the mountain god’s day. . .”

Strangers. . .they’re just ski tourists.

“The people of this village in the past never entered the mountain on this day, for they know they would be misled and lost. As it has happened to their kin. Therefore it’s best if you’d refrain from your excursion up the mountain- – -”

“H-eh. . ?”

At first they were bewitched by my mother’s beauty but now they were bewildered by her sharp and serious warning.

“W-What should we do?”

“Do you want to change our schedule?”

The male college students discussed between themselves in a hushed tone.

However the blonde Onee-san was fuming with frustration. Perhaps she was angry with my presence.

“Don’t be stupid, do you really believe that? Are you getting cold feet? Well I’m going as planned!”

“O-Ok. . .”

“Is that so. . .”

In the end, that Onee-san did not listen to my mother’s advice.

“I see. . .”

My mother was still restrained.

“Then you all must be vigilant. If it suddenly begins to darken, the cold wind from the mountain intensifies, and snow begins to heavily fall. Do not go further and immediately head back.”

The college students all immediately solidified when they heard my mother’s warning.

“If you do not go back then, you will never be able to return. . .”

With that said, my mother silently returned to the kitchen. Leaving the young men frozen in fear.

“H-Huhh. . .”

“What the hell was that. . ?”

The young man looked at each other, completely confused with what just happened.

“I’m sorry, that we kept you for so long.”

The spectacled young man quickly broke the silence, and suddenly said to me. 

I snapped out of my daze, as I was simply standing there shocked.

“Ah, yes. Excuse me.”

Whoops. I’ve completely neglected the other customers. 

“Good grief, are you for real? Are you boys wimping out? and you call yourself men.”

As I turned around to return to my work, I heard that said behind me.

I couldn’t worry about it now, as I had plenty of work to be done.

The store is bustling.

After a while longer of taking orders and treating customers, the store began to settle down. In fact for the first time today, I had some time to myself. I could finally take a breather.

The college students are still here, so I decided I might as well talk to them.

It won’t be a wasteful conversation, as I’ll try to sell our goods to them.

So just be friendly and alert.

I thought they may still be disturbed by my mother’s words, however as expected of lively college students. They were back to normal.

“If you’d like, we do sell souvenirs over there. Why don’t you guys take a look?”

I pointed at the souvenir corner located beside the cashier counter. 

“Alright, we’ll take a look.”

As expected I got a positive response. Thanks to the friendly conversation I had before with them.

But then the blonde Onee-san got involved.

“The hotel has a much better selection.”

I could feel my temple pulsed, yet maintained my smile.

“Which one would you recommend?”

“Ah, How about the rusk?”

I was able to regain my composure thanks to one of the male college students.

Chapter bunch finished and we got some more restaurant slices of life. I wonder if these students will come back or just used for world building?  And what will this mountain day mean for our character? They are related. 

Next chapter is a bit long, so see ya, in 3-4 days. 

Chapter end