The Serial Master Incident [Weekly Short-Short Note]

I would be happy if you could read this story by Shibako Akita first and then consecutively read this one.

※[It begins]

It was Shoto Tahara's fault.
Shoya Harada, a twenty-one-year-old working at 'Super Taraha,' bit his lip.

Even though he knew 'Tahara is special,' he couldn't help but feel that the level of performance expected of other staff members was also rising.

Harada, at register 4, slowed down his register speed and looked at Tahara at register 5.
(Fast. Too fast.)

A loaf of bread slipped from Harada's hand and fell to the floor.
"I am so sorry!!"
"Hey, can you exchange this item? Ugh, I should have lined up at register 5."
The nervous-looking female customer sighed.

Excellent talent causes human disasters.
It's Tahara's fault.

Harada remembered this while quickly opening a cardboard box with a utility knife.
Both customers and staff look at Tahara and then at Harada.
Tahara, Harada, Tahara, Harada.
There is no doubt. I felt that gaze yesterday and today.

If only our names weren't so similar. Thinking that, Harada continued to display the snacks.

Then Tahara came over.

"Hey, I don't know if I should say this, but..."

Harada braced himself. Was this finally a work complaint from Tahara? He replied without looking up.
"What?"

"Harada-san, your stocking is too fast. And neat. You're such a master that everyone is having trouble."

[End]

※※

Inspired by Akishiba-san's story, I wrote this for the first time in a while.