A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 1

Episode 1:Encounter on a Rainy Day

In a noisy classroom.

I, Juntaro Mikage, lay on my desk pretending to be asleep.

I struggle with social interactions and still isolate myself in my own world even as a second-year high school student.

No one takes an interest in me.

That’s fine, and I prefer it that way.

“Shizuku! I bought your photo book yesterday!”

“Thank you. I’m glad.”

I hear the voices of such girls.

Classmates gather around, and at the center of it all is the currently booming cool beauty model, ‘SHIZUKU,’ also known as ‘Shizuku Kamisaka.’

With black bobbed hair and a choker, she wears a button-down shirt with several buttons open, revealing a slight glimpse of her ample cleavage.

Despite her boyish appearance, there’s a feminine touch to her figure. It seems that’s what appeals to the younger audience.

She has recently appeared in commercials, and there are even talks about a drama.

People who can gather the interest of others are undoubtedly those like her.

“M-Me! I brought your photo book…can I have your autograph—”

“Hehe, sure.”

“Thank you…!”

As the boy hands over the photo book, Kamisaka begins signing it.

She doesn’t miss an opportunity for fan service even at school.

Watching her, the clear contrast between my dull self and her becomes more apparent.

To the point where I no longer feel anything about it, I perceive my own existence as something small.

◇◆◇

After homeroom, I quickly leave the school.

My destination is Jimbocho.

There is a station directly accessible from school, and my part-time job is there.

Turning down the alley a short ten-minute walk from the station, there’s a sign that reads ‘Cafe Mellow.’

The door has the word ‘OPEN’ on it.

“Welcome back.”

“Ah, Jun-kun! Welcome back from school!”

Welcoming me is the master of the shop, Yumi Utahara.

With a calm atmosphere and slightly droopy eyes, her enveloping presence is immensely popular among regular customers.

She is my benefactor, who hired me even though I was shy and hesitant.

“Today, there aren’t many customers, so take your time preparing.”

“I understand.”

I put on an apron and tie my hair, which I let hang loosely, into a ponytail. Together with Utahara-san, I stood behind the counter.

Three pairs of customers are already in the shop.

A regular, elderly couple.

A dispirited-looking salaryman.

A group of mom friends.

This clientele is quite common in this cafe.

“I’ve got the sandwiches ready—”

“For Mr. and Mrs. Sato, right?”

“Yeah, please.”

I take Utahara-san’s sandwiches to the elderly couple.

“Oh, Jun-kun. Did you come straight from school again? That’s impressive.”

“Thank you.”

When spoken to in this gentle tone, my heart strangely warmed up.

Being called Jun-kun is a bit embarrassing, but feeling recognized in this space, I didn’t mind.

“Granny… it seems like it’s going to rain today.”

“They said it on TV, Grandpa. It’s going to rain in the evening.”

Listening to their conversation, I look outside. People on the street are rushing, seemingly caught in the rain. It appears they forgot their umbrellas. I feel so sorry for them.

—Even I, lost in my thoughts, didn’t bring an umbrella today.

The shift lasts until closing time at 9 p.m. It would be great if it stops by then…

“Oops…”

The sound of a bell chiming rings out.

Seems like a new customer just arrived.

“Welcome, how many… people are…there?”

Looking at the customer, my sales smile freezes.

“Ka… Kamisaka?”

“Mi… Mikage-kun?”

Wearing a hat and sunglasses, I couldn’t recognize her at first, but I soon noticed her distinctive beauty mark.

Shizuku Kamisaka is unexpectedly standing right in front of me.

(Never thought I’d meet a classmate in this shop…)

This place, “Cafe Mellow,” is an old-fashioned coffee shop nestled in an alley. To put it bluntly, it’s a worn-out looking place that young people aren’t eager to enter. As I expected, hardly anyone of our age has been here. That’s why, as an introverted person, I really liked this place.

(This is bad… calm down, me. Just provide normal service.)

Telling myself that, I face Kamisaka again.

Then, I notice that something is off with her.

“Are you…crying?”

“Ah…”

When I point it out, she turns on her heels, her face turning red.

“Wait!”

“!?”

I inadvertently grab Kamisaka’s hand. She likely got caught in the rain while walking nearby and impulsively ran into this shop.

“If you go outside now, you’ll get soaked. It’s better to stay in the shop until the rain weakens.”

“…But.”

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s probably better not to let your body get too cold, right? You don’t need to worry about the bill.”

“……”

After thinking for a while, Kamisaka looks at me and nods.

Guiding her to a seat, I return to the counter.

“Jun-kun, do you know that girl?”

“Yes, she’s a classmate. I’m sorry, can I order a coffee with my part-time pay?”

“Don’t worry about the money. She seems troubled, and I’ll treat her here.”

“…Thank you.”

Seeing Utahara-san giving me a thumbs up, I almost burst into laughter.

“Sorry for the wait. This one is a treat from the master.”

“T… Thank you.”

I place the prepared coffee on Kamisaka’s table. She touches the cup and tears start to fall.

“Could it be that you don’t like coffee? If so, I can get something else—”

“No, I like it. It’s fine.”

“…I see.”

“Sorry… I just feel a bit relieved.”

Seeing Kamisaka laugh, she scratches her cheek.

What should I do?

There’s obviously something going on, but we’re not particularly close, and I can’t bring myself to ask. But leaving her alone is difficult too.

“…Wait here for a moment.”

“?”

I return to the counter and talk to Utahara-san.

“Sorry, but can I take a short break for a while?”

“If you hadn’t said so, I would have made you take a break. Be with that girl for a bit. Sometimes having someone nearby makes things a bit easier when it’s tough.”

“…Thank you.”

Bowing to Utahara-san, I head back to Kamisaka.

I’ve always envied Kamisaka’s radiant days. I thought she had no worries and spent every day happily. Apparently, that was a big misconception.

“Hey, Kamisaka.”

“…!”

“Can I stay here for a bit?”

“…Yeah.”

With a relieved expression, Kamisaka deeply nods.

『Afterword』

It’s a new work!

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