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"You know," Toby's mom had said while he was eating breakfast, just before running off to school, "You should think about getting a job this summer! You're old enough now, so it's about time to make money outside of chores and allowance."

"Let me think about it," Toby replied, and stuffed a wad of cereal in his mouth. He did think about it. Job meant less time for senshi-ness. He swallowed. "I'd really rather not," he concluded.

His mom looked extremely nonplussed expression before she said, "Okay, let me rephrase. You're gonna get a job, or I'm not paying for all that cosplay stuff on your list."

That settled it, he agreed to look. There was still time, she wasn't demanding he do it right this second. But still...



After school, he did what he tended to do...drift his way back to Izzy, and follow him on back to the Cafe. He didn't always stay there, sometimes he would wander off and let him actually do a job for once instead of constantly pestering... But along the way, he got an idea.

He waited all the way until getting there, and inside, to abruptly say, "Say, Izzy! My mom says I need a job...what do you think about me maybe working here?" He grinned at his suggestion...and the fact that saying it right there meant he was very likely overheard.

Toby couldn't help but laugh at the reaction. "Well, wouldn't that be a point in my favor, then?" He swayed from side to side playfully, then put an arm around Izzy. "If everybody's lookin', they'd wanna stay longer and buy more drinks, right?"

He leaned in more, grinning. "So sounds like you do think it's a good idea. And it'd be fun! You know me, I'm real diligent, after all."

It was mostly true...He only sometimes slept in class, and usually did all his work.

With an exaggerated little, "eee~" Toby grinned at the head pat, then let go and straightened up.

"Nahh, that's not true! I can definitely keep my hands to myself when I need to. And it'd be a great idea! I can take orders, or play music, uh...maybe not so great at most of the crafts, but I can learn, too!"

And sure, he might watch Izzy a bit, but who could blame him for that?

Toby couldn't help but laugh at Izzy's doubt.

"Hi, Mrs. Deluna!" he said with a little wave. "I was just telling Izzy that my mom wants me to get a job this summer, and I thought working here would be a good idea." He lightly nudged Izzy with his elbow and grinned. "And look at that face of agreement he's making!"

Toby grinned at the agreement, quite happy to have her approval...although his look quickly shifted to one of surprise. He raised a finger and opened his mouth, but she was already gone.

"I...didn't mean today," he said softly.

But then one of those maid outfits of Izzy's was in his hands, and he shrugged. "Trial by fire I guess, huh?" he grinned, and briefly looked a little nervous. He had kind of wanted to wear this, right...?

Operation: Maid Boy Toby was clearly well underway!

"I guess I did," he agreed, getting started on swapping his clothes out. Something about the whole outfit made him giggle. Maybe it was the striped socks? Whatever the case, he didn't seem to quite get what was upsetting Izzy, so he just waved and replied, "Okay! See you soon~"

Once he was dressed and cleaned up, he felt only slightly self-conscious about it. After all, Izzy wore this stuff all the time. And when he was Nix...well. This was nothing. All the same, he adjusted the apron, and his tie, and his socks, incessantly as he made his way to Izzy's mom...his new boss, apparently.

He put on his best grin for her and said, "I'm all set!"

Toby had spared a little wave to Izzy, not worried about moods yet... Instead, he was pretty well focused on trying to do a good job with this. Or, you know, learn how to. He wouldn't want to disappoint his boyfriend, after all.

"Yeah, I can write down orders," he said, nodding enthusiastically. "No problem! And I can fill cups and deliver stuff. I mean, I've never actually carried one of those," he mimed holding a serving tray, "waiter tray things, but it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

Toby looked at her with a wide-eyed expression, which he pointed toward the people coming in, then back at her. He nodded quickly. Definitely tossed right in... "Right! Yeah! I've got it!" he declared, and grasped the pen & paper before spinning around to go greet the people who just came in.

He put on his best smile which was only slightly nervous, and managed to not fall over himself as he found a nice spot for them and gave them menus. It was pretty straightforward, it seemed.


Before too long, he had a carefully written down order in hand, looking quite triumphant.