I arrived at Manna’s Kitchen breathless from all the running, not making it on time, I was a minute late. My chest heaved as I pushed open the door, rushing inside. The other staff members were already in position, ready to start the day. Meanwhile, I was busy bowing and apologizing to everyone as I darted toward the staff room to change.
“Sorry, sorry! I overslept!” I blurted out while fumbling with my uniform.
As I was in the room, I pulled my shirt over my head, I heard the door click behind me. A chill ran down my spine.
I turned around to see Keiko standing there, her hand on the door… and then I heard the unmistakable click of the lock.
Wait a second… I was late? Locked room? Me changing? Keiko standing right there?
Is this… déjà vu?
My mind raced as Keiko took slow, deliberate steps toward me. My thoughts jumbled together in a mess of confusion and anticipation. This was exactly like the dream I had this morning! I was late, skipped breakfast, and now Keiko was in the staff room with me.
I gulped.
“Ryuko… you’ve been late five times this month,” Keiko said, crossing her arms.
I quickly apologized, but inside, my brain was screaming: This is it! This is where the dream comes true!
I smirked to myself. This was it—she was going to kiss and pin me against the locker, right? My heart pounded in excitement.
I closed my eyes, ready for the good part to happen.
One second…
Two seconds…
Five seconds…
Nothing.
I peeked slightly through one eye. Keiko was still just standing there, arms crossed, looking unimpressed.
Okay, maybe I had to be more obvious.
I puckered my lips slightly, tilting my chin up like I was waiting for the kiss.
Keiko’s eyebrows furrowed. “Ryuko… what the heck are you doing?”
I froze mid-pout. Oh no.
I quickly coughed and straightened up. “N-nothing! Just… uh… stretching my face muscles!”
“Right…” Keiko’s expression remained skeptical.
And then—bam! A stack of papers was shoved into my hands.
I blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
“This is your attendance record and salary deduction calculations,” Keiko stated bluntly. “I have to report this to the boss.”
My heart nearly stopped. “W-wait, report? Salary deduction?!”
Keiko sighed. “I hope you don’t get cut from the job.”
Cut?! I CAN’T LOSE THIS JOB!
I need the money. I need to stay by Keiko’s side.
I dramatically dropped to my knees, clutching her hand. “Please! I can’t afford to lose this job! Forgive me, Keiko!”
Keiko pulled her hand back, rubbing her temples. “Look, I have to be fair to everyone, Ryuko. The only thing you can do is prove yourself by working more professionally.”
She was right. I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I’m really sorry for causing you trouble. I swear I won’t be late again. I'll cover more shifts to make it right and prove that I’m serious about improving."
Keiko stared at me for a moment before sighing. “Fine. I hope you really learn from it this time. Now let’s get to work.”
She turned and reached for the door handle.
That’s when it happened.
SNAP!
Keiko froze.
I saw it in her hand—the broken door handle.
A cold silence filled the room.
“Uh… Keiko?” I called hesitantly.
She turned her head slowly, looking at me with wide, horrified eyes. “We’re locked in.”
I gasped. “No way…”
She twisted the remains of the handle. It wouldn’t budge. She pulled. Nothing.
We both turned our heads toward each other, realization dawning at the same time.
“…Are you kidding me?” I groaned.
Keiko tried knocking on the door. “Hey! Can someone hear us? The door is jammed!”
No response.
I pulled out my phone. No signal.
Keiko sighed, rubbing her forehead. “This… is unbelievable.”
“Welp,” I shrugged. “Looks like we’re stuck here together.”
Keiko gave me a tired look. “Great. Just what I needed.”
I dramatically leaned against the locker. “Ahh, how tragic! Two coworkers trapped in a tiny room with nothing but our growing tension! How will we survive?!”
Keiko rolled her eyes. “Ryuko, stop being weird.”
“But Keiko,” I smirked. “What if I get hungry? What if we’re trapped in here for hours? What if—”
She flicked my forehead.
“Ow!” I held my forehead, pouting. “That was uncalled for.”
“You’re acting ridiculous.”
I huffed. “At least I’m trying to make light of the situation.”
Keiko crossed her arms. “We need to focus on getting out of here.”
I pointed at the handle. “It’s broken. What do you suggest? Teleportation?”
Keiko ignored me and tried knocking again. Still no response.
I sighed. “Maybe we should just accept our fate.”
Keiko sat down on a nearby bench, rubbing her temples. “This morning is officially the worst.”
Keiko tried knocking on the door again and pushing it, her frustration mounting.
"Someone might hear us," she said, her voice laced with worry. But there was no response from the other side of the door.
I shrugged, trying to ease the situation, "Aki will be searching for us. She’ll have a hard time serving by herself, at least until break time."
Keiko nodded, her expression softening a little as she took in my words. "Well, you're right," she replied, her tone a bit calmer now, but the tension in the room still lingered.
We both stood there, waiting for a solution that didn’t seem to come any time soon.
Then, out of nowhere, my stomach growled.
Keiko turned to me.
I turned away.
“…Did you skip breakfast again?” she asked flatly.
I nodded, embarrassed.
Keiko let out a tired laugh. “You never change, do you?”
I pouted. “Well, someone had me running to work in a panic.”
She smirked. “Not my fault you overslept.”
I groaned. “Can’t you just let me blame you for my suffering?”
Keiko chuckled, then leaned back against the locker. “You’re impossible.”
Then we waited in silence, hoping someone would open the door for us from the outside.