A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 42
Chapter 42: Thought
Shizuku’s eyes widened. Then, she gazes intently at the cup in front of her.
“…This coffee tastes just like the one Master brews.”
Those words were more than I could have hoped for.
Joy rushes through my entire body. However, at the same time, I’m reminded once again of Master’s greatness.
“Same huh… That’s enough improvement.”
“How did you manage that? Weren’t you saying you couldn’t brew coffee to suit someone’s taste?”
“I’ve been thinking about you all along.”
“Huh?”
Shizuku’s presence has been in my mind day and night. Whether I was sleeping, waking, before going to school, during classes, or even when I was lost in thought… and especially when I was brewing coffee.
“And today, I felt like I understood what Shizuku were looking for.”
I shift my gaze to the cup Shizuku holds.
The brewing process was not flawed. The important thing was a small, truly tiny consideration.
“It wasn’t about the grind size or the degree of roasting, the usual differences in preferences… It was about changing the fixed concept of ‘it has to be like this’.”
I’ve been fixated on brewing according to the manual, unable to see the answer I’ve finally arrived at.
“I changed the brewing method a bit today. I lowered the water temperature, just a little.”
Shizuku probably has a sensitive palate. She doesn’t like things too hot and can’t drink them until they cool down. But because of her personality, she can’t just leave something someone else has given her until it cools down. So, it’s better to give it to her at a drinkable temperature from the start.
Coffee oxidizes and develops an unpleasant acidity when left sitting. That’s why I poured the coffee into a cup I had pre-chilled.
It’s a step I would never normally take. However, if it makes Shizuku happy, I don’t mind deviating from the manual.
“To be honest, I thought it was impossible for me to discern the right coffee for someone. Well, of course. I thought that kind of discernment was a special ability.”
The most important thing is to think about others.
Master puts his whole heart into making coffee. It’s a feeling of gratitude and love for the people who come to Café Mellow.
I couldn’t see it. I only saw customers as customers.
It may sound sentimental. But that was the right answer for me. That’s all there is to it.
“I was able to realize it because I kept thinking about you, Shizuku. Thank you so much.”
“…Shizuku?”
Shizuku starts to cry softly. She looks embarrassed and quickly wipes away her tears.
“S-Sorry… I’m just really happy that you said that Juntaro.”
She takes another sip from her cup and smiles.
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
I’m moved, and I feel like I might cry too. I try to hold back the tears. I’m sure my face must look terribly awkward right now.
There’s still something I have to tell Shizuku.
Even if it’s awkward, I have to tell her properly.
“Shizuku.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I… I like you.”
As I say this, Shizuku freezes like a statue.
I’m sorry, but I can’t stop here. If I stop now, I feel like I’ll never be able to say it again.
“I like your hardworking side, your serious side, your mischievous side, your skill at teasing, and the way you patiently listen to me… And of course, I like your appearance too.”
I want Shizuku to be special. I want to convey all these feelings to her right here.
That’s what I want. That’s what I have to do.
“W-Wait, wait a second!”
Shizuku, who has recovered from her shock, covers her face with her hands.
Then, there’s a moment of silence. Eventually, she removes her hands from her face, peeks at me through her fingers, and then places both hands on her knees.
“…I was going to confess first!”
“Huh?”
“I was going to confess to you! I like you too, Juntaro!”
Shizuku’s declaration echoes in the cafe. Her attitude is like that of a child throwing a tantrum. She might get angry if I say this, but even that childish side of her looks adorable to me.
“I was ready for today’s date, you know? But I got too excited at the aquarium and missed my chance, and then you beat me to it…”
“S-Sorry about that…”
“If you feel bad, then be my boyfriend!”
“Huh?”
“Be my boyfriend, Juntaro.”
As she says this, Shizuku reaches out her hand.
Our eyes meet, her eyes glistening. Well, in the end, she stole the show.
“…Yeah, gladly.”
And with that, I take Shizuku’s hand.
The usual cafe, the usual seat, the usual coffee.
The only thing different was the relationship between the two of us.