A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 2

Episode 2: A Moment of Peace

For a while, the inside of the shop was filled with subtle background music and the sound of pouring rain.

Kamisaka casually takes the cup, bringing it to her lips.

“Delicious… It somehow feels soothing.”

“I’m glad. This coffee in this shop is my favorite.”

Ever since I entered this shop by chance, I’ve been captivated by the coffee Utahara-san brews. I even jumped into this part-time job opportunity with unexpected energy for an introvert.

“But still, how did you remember me? We’ve only been in the same class for a short time.”

“Well, you know me too.”

“That’s… because you’re famous.”

She debuted as a model in her first year of high school and quickly became popular. Now, she’s well-received in various media. While not widely known across all age groups yet, if she continues appearing on TV and in magazines, she will likely become universally recognized.

“Well… yeah. I am famous.”

With a somewhat resigned tone, Kamisaka sips her coffee.

“―Did something happen at work?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Despite being famous, you don’t seem happy about it.”

“Hehe… Was I too obvious?”

With a mischievous smile, Kamisaka momentarily looks away and then gazes back at me.

“Work is going well. I get to wear different clothes every day, people from magazines and TV, even friends around me, everyone praises me. I get paid too. But…”

“But…?”

“As everyone started treating me more like a celebrity, I began to receive hurtful words. My daily life changed suddenly, and I’m still struggling to keep up with it.”

Kamisaka smiles, but due to the complex emotions intertwined, her face twitches.

“I had a simple photoshoot earlier, but suddenly, a man I didn’t know shouted at me, ‘Don’t act all high and mighty!’ I could compose myself in front of the staff, but… somehow, when I was walking alone, everything fell apart.”

“What is that… Kamisaka, you did nothing wrong.”

“Thank you. Just having someone say that makes it a bit better.”

Stories of celebrities and influencers facing online harassment have become commonplace. One thing is for sure: cyberbullying is never justified. Kamisaka doesn’t deserve to suffer like this.

“But I’m glad. If I hadn’t met Mikage-kun today, I might have quit being a model.”

“……”

“Ah, just kidding, okay? …Maybe.”

It didn’t sound like a joke at all.

Kamisaka was probably really on the edge until a while ago.

“Did you manage to hold on for now?”

“Yeah, after calming down, I thought maybe I don’t need to quit. If I quit here, it would feel like I’m running away, and that would be frustrating.”

“You’re strong, Kamisaka.”

“Eh?”

“Being able to hold your ground there is truly strong.”

If it were me, I would probably run away. If I could escape from something painful, it’s better to run. Standing up to it despite going through a hard time, I think it’s impossible without a strong will.

“…This might be the first time someone told me that.”

Seeing Kamisaka laugh, my heart skips a beat. Unlike when she’s working as a model, her straightforward expression without any decoration. The gap from her usual cool impression makes her current self extremely charming.

“Kamisaka… you look more attractive when you’re smiling like that.”

“Huh?”

Kamisaka’s face turns flushed.

“I-I was surprised…”

“Eh, what?”

“I thought you were more reserved when we were in the classroom…I guess you try to hit on girls.”

“H-Hit on!? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that…”

Seeing me flustered, Kamisaka bursts into laughter. Her expressions are changing rapidly, and there’s no trace of the usual coolness.

“Hahaha! It’s okay, I’m actually happy you said that. It’s nice to be told something like that.”

After laughing for a while, Kamisaka holds her stomach, catching her breath.

“That’s good… I didn’t mean it like that, though.”

“Hehe, I know. More importantly, I’d like you to tell me about yourself.”

“About me?”

“Yeah. Well… let me see. Is this shop where you work part-time? How long have you been working here?”

“Since May of my first year in high school… so it’s been about a year.”

“Wow… sounds nice. Working at a cafe part-time. Do you have any reasons for choosing this place? Because the coffee is delicious or something?”

“That’s right. I wanted to learn how to brew the coffee here myself, so I thought of it as both an apprenticeship and a part-time job.”

I still have a lot to learn, but…

Saying that, I glance at Utahara-san, and she gives me a smile.

“By the way, can I come here again?”

“Of course. Oh, but next time, no more treating you, okay?”

“Haha, got it. Next time, I want to come here properly as a customer.”

Before I realized it, the rain had already stopped.

While it’s something to be happy about, Kamisaka seems somewhat disappointed.

“You said I’d wait until the rain weakened, right?”

“…Come to think of it, that’s right.”

The condition I mentioned to keep her here, Kamisaka, is earnestly trying to follow it.

“It’s okay to stay longer, you know? Probably, the master will allow it too.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I haven’t paid, and it would be awkward to stay any longer. Besides… I feel a lot calmer now.”

While saying that, she winks cutely, the same way she does when in public. It seems she genuinely feels refreshed.

“By the way, what’s your shift like, Mikage-kun?”

“Almost every day. I came here right after school.”

“I see. So, no matter when I come, I can meet you, right?”

Smiling, Kamisaka stands up, holding her bag.

“Thanks for the treat. …I’ll definitely come again.”

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting.”

After thanking Utahara-san as well, Kamisaka leaves Cafe Mellow.

『Afterword』

Today, this work has reached the 3rd place in the Romantic Comedy Daily Ranking!

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