A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 43
Episode 43: Night of the Adults
At the counter of a bustling izakaya, a woman sat alone. With her beautiful appearance, Yumi Utahara took a sip from her beer, which was already halfway gone.
“Hey, that woman over there…”
“Whoa! She’s stunning! I wanna go talk to her!”
With her captivating appearance and the way, she drank her alcohol, it was no wonder that the men in the shop couldn’t help but stare.
“Sorry for the wait.”
A woman dressed in a very punky outfit sits down next to Utahara. She was wearing damaged pants and a short leather jacket. She was wearing a thick choker around her neck, and her face, especially around her eyes, was applied with sharp-looking makeup.
“Hey there. How have you been?”
“Dealing with those energetic kids every day is exhausting. Seriously, I wish they’d give me a break.”
“Come on now. Akira always seems to be having fun though, aren’t you?”
“Well, I guess.”
Calling a waiter, Mamiya ordered draft beer. Utahara, who had already finished her first beer, ordered another.
“Hey, you’re drinking pretty fast, aren’t you?”
“It’s fine. I hardly ever get drunk.”
“I see…”
“Well, Akira can’t handle alcohol well, so it’s understandable that you’d think I’m drinking fast, right?”
“Shut up.”
They toasted with the beers that arrived simultaneously.
After taking a hearty gulp, Mamiya wiped the foam from her lips with the back of her hand and looked at Utahara.
“So, what’s the sudden invitation about?”
“Well… I just started feeling nostalgic about our youth.”
“Huh?”
With a somewhat lonely expression, Utahara traced the rim of her glass with her finger.
“You drank coffee that Jun-kun made at school, right? How was it?”
“Hmm? Oh yeah, it was good. It reminded me a lot of the coffee you used to make.”
“Really…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, I have mixed feelings about it. Jun-kun is really amazing. With just a bit of advice, his drip technique improves rapidly. He really loves coffee, so he practices alone every day and it’s surprising how much he’s improving.”
“He’s really something like you used to be.”
With a hint of exasperation, Mamiya remarked, and Utahara scratched her cheek bashfully.
“Maybe it’s because he’s like me. I really want to support Jun-kun. But if he surpasses me, wouldn’t that be frustrating? So lately, I’ve been feeling really conflicted.”
“Again, with that. You’ve got that ‘I’m so happy about his growth’ look on your face, you know.”
“Oh, you noticed?”
With a proud expression, Utahara chuckled. Mamiya, though often blunt, was deeply caring towards her students, a fact Utahara knew well. Despite her sharp tongue, it was evident to Utahara, too, that Mamiya was dearly loved by her students. Utahara was genuinely happy that her best friend was such an excellent teacher.
“Someday… I think Jun-kun will open a shop that’s loved by many people. The more he interacts with people, the more he’ll understand what it means to care for others.”
“That’s just like you to say.”
“After all, I’m his employer.”
Utahara said proudly. Mamiya didn’t quite understand what Utahara meant by ‘feelings’, but she understood that this affection she showed to her students was something akin to it.
“Still, it’s nice for them, isn’t it? They’re definitely into each other. Meanwhile, here I am, still single at this age.”
“Maybe it’s because of your rough style. Guys probably don’t approach you because of that.”
“Whatever. This is what I like… But hey, why don’t men approach you? You dress decently enough.”
“I just haven’t tried! Besides, I already have my coffee husband.”
“Don’t make excuses. We’re in the same boat just because we don’t have lovers.”
“No way! I’m definitely more popular than you!”
“Whether you’re popular or not isn’t the point!”
The two bickered back and forth.
Their relationship hadn’t changed since high school.
“What are we going to do? We’re going to be beaten by high schoolers at this rate.”
“We’re already being beaten… They’re probably confessing to each other right about now.”
“What… Seriously?”
“Jun-kun may not realize his own feelings, but Shizuku-chan seemed really eager. It’s like… youth, you know?”
The two sighed together. While they sighed, the shop was getting busier with more customers.
“…Wanna go to an izakaya where you share tables?”
“Nah, let’s just drink the night away together.”
“Alright then. I’ll keep you company to the end.”
“Hey, Akira?”
“What?”
“Since we’re both lonely hearts, wanna live together?”
“No way. You’re too lazy besides coffee.”
“What?! Why’d you know that?!”
“It’s written all over your face.”
With a teasing expression, Mamiya provoked Utahara, who stubbornly protested. The night of the adults was far from over.