[center][color=hotpink][h1]~ Imamura, Seika ~[/h1][/color][/center]

Throughout the shift, Seika barely spoke any more than Hitomi did. Concealing irritation behind her professional poise, she gave the occasional mutter of advice. [color=hotpink]"Look, this is how you carry them,"[/color] she'd huff, demonstrating how to balance several trays, inwardly cringing as she wiped Hitomi's coffee mishaps off of tables. [color=hotpink]"And be welcoming. Hold your head high, put up a smile."[/color]

Said smile, for her, took more effort than it used to. How easy it had once been for both of them to relax, laugh, chat for hours as if nothing could get in the way of their friendship. Seika swallowed the lump in her throat so it wouldn't choke up her bright customer service tone. If only she'd done that with her comments back then, instead of letting them loose in anger.

[i][color=hotpink]"Is it really such a problem to see me happy?"[/color][/i]

She shuddered at her own words echoing through her head. Sure, Hitomi had been acting out of order, but why had they both kept adding fuel to the fire until it destroyed everything between them? With that in mind, as well as how tough her first few shifts had been, she held back excessive harshness. Not that doing so made things any less awkward. The tension was likely palpable through the entire room.

The hours dragged on, finally leaving just two customers left to serve. [color=hotpink]"Nearly done,"[/color] Seika sighed, handing a tray of glasses and a jug of lemonade to Hitomi, then picking up one with snacks. The comment may have sounded reassuring from another person, and maybe on some level Seika had meant it that way. Instead, it came out weary, with more than a hint of relief. [color=hotpink]"Even so, be careful this time. Just because the shift's almost over doesn't mean you need to rush."[/color]