Sentence 1

春休みの終わりごろ、みかは駅前の小さいカフェでアルバイトを始める予定でした。

Toward the end of spring break, Mika was going to start a part-time job at a small cafe in front of the station.

Sentence 2

新しいカメラを買うために、週に三回ぐらい働きたいと思ったからです。

That is because she wanted to work about three times a week in order to buy a new camera.

Sentence 3

面接が終わったばかりのころは、本当にできるかなと少し不安でした。

Right after the interview ended, she felt a little uneasy and wondered whether she could really do it.

Sentence 4

でも、店長は「最初から上手にできなくても大丈夫ですよ」とやさしく言ってくれました。

But the manager kindly said, 'It's okay even if you can't do it well from the beginning.'

Sentence 5

初日の朝、みかは家を出る前に、黒いエプロンにするかベージュのエプロンにするか少し迷います。

On the morning of her first day, before leaving home, Mika hesitates a little over whether to wear the black apron or the beige one.

Sentence 6

けれど、店の雰囲気に合いそうなので、黒いほうにしました。

However, because it seemed as if it would suit the atmosphere of the shop, she chose the black one.

Sentence 7

店に着いたとき、店はまだ開くところで、店長は入口の看板を出しているところでした。

When she got to the shop, it was just about to open, and the manager was just putting out the sign at the entrance.

Sentence 8

そのあと、みかはメニューの名前を声に出して読み始め、空いた時間に何度も練習し続けました。

After that, Mika began reading the names on the menu out loud, and in her spare time she kept practicing them over and over.

Sentence 9

昼になると、お客さんが急に多くなって、店の中は思ったより忙しくなりました。

When it became noon, the number of customers suddenly increased, and the inside of the shop became busier than she had expected.

Sentence 10

みかは飲みものを運びすぎて手がつかれましたが、休けいのあとで少しずつ動き方が分かるようになりました。

Mika's hands got tired from carrying too many drinks, but after her break she gradually became able to understand how to move around.

Sentence 11

注文を聞くときは、あわてないように、相手の顔を見るようにすると先輩に教わりました。

A senior taught her that, when taking orders, so that she would not panic, she should try to look at the other person's face.

Sentence 12

レジの前には、今日のおすすめが大きい字で書いてあって、お客さんも選びやすそうでした。

In front of the register, today's recommendation was written in large letters, and the customers too seemed able to choose easily.

Sentence 13

仕事が終わるころには、朝より声も大きくなり、「いらっしゃいませ」が自然に言えるようになっていました。

By the time work ended, her voice had become louder than in the morning, and she had become able to say 'Welcome' naturally.

Sentence 14

帰り道であやにメッセージを送ると、「初日なのに、もうそんなにできるなんてすごいね」と返事が来ました。

When she sent Aya a message on the way home, Aya replied, 'Even though it's your first day, it's amazing that you can already do that much.'

Sentence 15

みかは「まだ失敗も多いけど、寝る前にメニューをもう一度見るようにする」と答えました。

Mika answered, 'I still make a lot of mistakes, but before going to sleep I'll make a point of looking at the menu one more time.'

Sentence 16

そして次の出勤日も楽しみになる一方で、もっと落ち着いて動けるようになりたいとも思いました。

And while she was also starting to look forward to her next day of work, she thought that she wanted to become able to move more calmly.