The inside of the shop was in an uproar.

In a box seat at the back of the shop sat a pair of rough-looking men and even from this distance it was obvious they were saying something troublesome.

The pair looked about college age but there was no way to know if they were actually students.

"We just tried talking to her a little. And you’re making it into this huge deal. We were just trying to have a good time drinking."

"Yeah yeah. Customers are gods right? Isn’t this place lacking in basic service?"

The two spoke while resting their feet on the table.

They really were ill-mannered...

While the female staff watched, Takatsuka-san was the one facing them head on.

"The shop also has the right to choose its customers. Anyone who causes trouble for other customers will be asked to leave, that is our rule."

Takatsuka-san continued responding with a firm attitude.

This was someone who once threw a rough guy with a shoulder throw to save a girl being harassed at school.

It made sense that they wouldn’t be shaken by something like this.

"Oh Hayama~ we were about to head home so I sent you a message but you didn’t reply so we came over and it turned into something crazy..."

It was Kijita-kun and Suzuki-kun.

"A message? Ah sorry I didn’t have time to check my phone..."

"...It just feels wrong to leave like this like we’re running away."

Suzuki-kun calmly looks toward the rough men.

"I don’t think it’s really running away..."

Suzuki-kun probably has a strong sense of justice.

With his build he could step in if he wanted but...

"I said the same thing. If people not related to the shop get involved it might just cause more trouble right?"

Kijita-kun’s judgment wasn’t wrong.

If we interfere carelessly it might escalate into a separate conflict between customers later.

In that case it’s better to leave it to the shop staff.

But since this place only has female staff due to its concept I understand why like Suzuki-kun said it feels wrong to just leave everything to them and go home.

The rough men might be acting so boldly because they’re taking advantage of that situation.

"Come on, don't be so strict. Then you can take our place and entertain us."

"Yeah yeah. You’re dressed like a guy but you’re a woman working here right? Looking closely you’re seriously pretty~?"

The two rough men’s antics escalated and they finally closed in on Takatsuka-san.

Takatsuka-san was slightly taller but the men were broader.

If it turned into a physical struggle, Takatsuka-san might be at a disadvantage.

"Don’t worry. We’ll properly make you into a woman."

With a vulgar laugh one of the men grabbed Takatsuka-san’s shoulder.

When Takatsuka-san grabbed his wrist the man seemed to sense killing intent and showed a moment of hesitation.

This is bad. They’re going to throw him like before.

It’s probably unavoidable for self-defense but when the police arrive later will it be recognized as legitimate self-defense?

What if it’s judged as excessive force and Takatsuka-san ends up receiving some kind of penalty?

This place is important to Takatsuka-san.

If they’re forced into a situation where they have to quit...

Sure those guys are a nuisance but it’s also true they’ve helped me with my little sisters.

This is my chance to repay that favor...

"P-please wait!"

I jumped into the commotion and stepped in like a shield in front of Takatsuka-san.

With this small build there’s no way I can fight them.

But there are things only I can do!

"W what the hell!?"

The two rough men looked confused as someone unfamiliar suddenly cut in.

"If you two want to pick up girls that badly..."

Go me!

Throw away your shame!

Since I can’t solve this with strength or size this is my only option!

I hunch my shoulders, lower my gaze slightly and consciously act a little shy.

"Then please take me instead!"

I committed to acting like a girl.

To take Takatsuka-san’s place.

The moment they take me outside I’ll run to the police box and have the police handle the situation.

Even if it doesn’t go perfectly just getting them out of the shop would help.

This plan only works if they see me as a girl but I had just a bit of confidence.

After all, I'm the first boy ever to be ranked number one in the entire school in the Ranking of Who You’d Want as a Bride.

They should be able to sense something like a delicate girl from me!

How is it my beautiful girl performance!

Just this once I’ll fully make use of my short height and feminine face which I usually consider a complex!

"D-don’t screw with us!"

The rough men exploded in anger.

A-as expected it won’t work... right even if I have a feminine face it’s not enough to make them mistake me for a girl. I got ahead of myself...

"You trying to trick us!? There’s no way a girl would be wearing a boys’ uniform!"

"Eh..."

"H-hey wait!"

"What?"

"That kind of thing is popular lately. You’ve seen girls wearing the same uniforms as boys right?"

"Now that you mention it I’ve seen it sometimes..."

"Right? Look closely you won’t easily find a cute one like this by picking up girls."

"...Yeah. Fine, let's go with this one today."

The two grinned unpleasantly and pinned me from both sides as they started to drag me away and that’s when I realized my courage was nothing but reckless bravado.

These two are way more serious than I thought.

The aura of lust from the two men hits me hard and my legs freeze.

At this rate I’ll get stripped before I can even run to the police!

Just as regret started to creep in.

One of the men holding me suddenly floated into the air and slammed onto the floor on his back.

Soon the other man suffered the same fate.

"You two exceptionally bad customers."

Takatsuka-san grabbed both of their collars at the same time as they lay on their backs coughing.

They looked like they were smiling but the sharp aura piercing through them was terrifying enough to make a timid person cry on the spot.

"Would you mind not laying a hand on my important customer?"

When I saw Takatsuka-san glaring at them with no trace of playfulness something strange happened to me.

From deep in my chest I felt like I heard a faint pounding sensation.

N-no that must be wrong.

There’s no way I’d feel that way toward Takatsuka-san...

This is just me feeling grateful for being saved, not anything like being captivated.

"You two next time we meet, be prepared. Don’t think this will be the end of it."

"W-we’re sorry!"

"W-we won’t cause trouble again!"

Frightened by Takatsuka-san’s overwhelming strength after easily throwing two men heavier than themselves the pair hurriedly pulled out large bills from their pockets, threw them down and ran off competing with each other to escape.

The tense atmosphere in the shop began to ease.

For now I guess that means everything’s settled...

In the end I couldn’t do anything...

"Customer come with me for a moment. There’s something important we need to discuss."

Takatsuka-san wraps an arm around my shoulders.

Their temple was twitching and I could immediately tell they were angry.

I’m probably going to get scolded for sticking my nose in despite being weak.

But I’ll at least say that I was trying to help.

I have to properly tell them it was my way of thanking them for everything they’ve done for me.