A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 6

Episode 6: Reward

“Itadakimasu…!”

Shizuku, receiving the coffee, timidly brought it to her lips.

Then, with a surprised expression, she alternately glanced at Utahara-san and me.

“It’s the same as the one I had yesterday…! It’s delicious!”

“I’m glad. Take your time and enjoy it at the table.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“Since Jun-kun doesn’t have anything to do right now, feel free to sit and chat with Shizuku. If needed, I can tell you more about the coffee.”

I nodded once and, taking advantage of her words, returned to the table with Shizuku.

“It’s definitely different from the drip coffee I brewed… It’s incredibly deep, the coffee.”

“You seem to have developed an interest.”

“Yeah, it was really fascinating.”

I was genuinely happy that she liked it. No matter how much I loved something, I didn’t want to force it onto others.

“Why did Juntaro get into coffee?”

“Well… it’s hard to explain because there are various reasons.”

“Tell me, even if it’s a bit long.”

“If that’s the case…”

I organized the order of my thoughts in my head and then began speaking.

“When I was little, my dad used to make instant coffee for me. At first, it was too bitter, so I used to put a lot of milk and sugar in it before drinking.”

At that time, my father was an unsuccessful painter, making a living as an art class instructor. My mother also worked part-time, and although we were a bit on the poor side, I thought we had a normal family.

Things began to change when I was in the second year of middle school.

“My dad’s paintings suddenly started selling. A wealthy person from overseas happened to like my dad’s paintings. We became affluent all of a sudden, but it made my dad’s passion for painting explode. He started saying, ‘I want to paint landscapes from all around the world!’ and began spending more time away from home.”

“Your dad sounds quite ambitious…”

“He’s a troublesome father… It’s not like I felt lonely without my parents or anything, I was at an age where I didn’t think about those things. But I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t drink that overly sweet instant coffee anymore.”

One day, I had the opportunity to come to Jimbocho to sell some books from my father’s room. The shop I happened to pass by was Café Mellow.

“The smell of coffee was nice, and I somehow remembered my dad’s coffee taste. Before I knew it, I had entered the shop. Then the master brewed a coffee that suited me, and… yeah, that’s right. I couldn’t help but laugh at that moment.”

“Why?”

“I realized that my dad’s coffee was incredibly bad.”

“Pfft―Ahahaha!”

Shizuku burst into laughter.

“I decided that I wanted to brew really good coffee this time, even though my dad’s coffee was supposed to be different because it was instant.”

“And that’s how you got into coffee. What a wonderful story.”

“It’s reassuring to hear you say that. I apologize if my storytelling is awkward. I’ve never been good at conversation.”

“Really? It was well-organized and easy to understand.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. I had always been self-conscious about my lack of communication skills. Talking like this, breaking things down step by step, was necessary for me; otherwise, the main point would get lost.

“…Shizuku, why did you decide to become a model?”

“Oh, are you testing my conversational skills now?”

“No… well, yeah, let’s go with that.”

“Alright, then I’ll answer you.”

With a triumphant look, Shizuku proudly stood up. I subtly shifted my gaze away when someone as beautiful as her stretched her body, it’s awkward to direct my eyes directly.

“I didn’t particularly want to become a model.”

“Huh…”

“I was scouted on the street and my parents encouraged me, so I started it kind of spontaneously. So I don’t really have goals or anything like that.”

“I see…”

“I think I almost gave up due to criticism because I don’t have a strong conviction. Although my pride has grown a bit after working for a year, I still feel like I’m hanging in the air.”

Shizuku had always mentioned the temperature difference with her surroundings. Perhaps because she lacked clear goals in the entertainment industry, her heart couldn’t catch up.

“But recently, I’ve set a goal for myself.”

“What’s that?”

“Coming to this shop.”

“…?”

I unintentionally tilted my head in confusion. How did coming to this shop connect with her job as a model?

“I decided to reward myself with something.”

Saying that, Shizuku took another sip of coffee and pointed to the cup.

“On days when I work hard, I’ll come here and have a cup of coffee before going home.”

“……”

“The cost of coffee can add up if I drink it every day, right? If I want to come to this shop, I have to earn money. So, I’ll earn money as a model and come here for coffee. My goal is to avoid situations where I can’t come because I don’t have money.”

“…I see, that’s indeed a commendable goal.”

“Right? And also… I thought this might be a bit presumptuous.”

“?”

While blushing a bit, Shizuku continued speaking.

“If Master permits, can we be conversation partners again, like today?”

“That’s―fine with me, but I’m not sure how it would be from the store’s point of view…”

Talking with Shizuku is enjoyable.

Even though I’m not good with words, Shizuku warmly accepts me.

Though we haven’t talked much yet, I already like spending time like this.

However, I don’t want to cause trouble for the shop.

“I don’t mind though? When Shizuku-chan is here, I can lend Jun-kun, okay?”

Suddenly, Utahara-san appeared and placed a steaming cup in front of me.

It seems she brewed coffee for me as well.

“It might be difficult if there are many customers, but on a day like today, it’s totally fine. It’s like serving a special customer.”

“That’s…”

“You’re happy, aren’t you? I’m glad you’re talking to your friends.”

“You never talk about school or anything, so I was a bit worried. Jun-kun seems shy, and I was wondering what if he were being bullied or something.”

“I haven’t been bullied, though.”

“Really? Well, that’s a relief then.”

The way she expressed her concern was quite pitiful.

Ignoring my complex expression, Utahara-san continued speaking.

“Jun-kun is like a little brother, so I can’t help but worry about him. So, Shizuku-chan, I’ll lend you Jun-kun, and in return, can I make one request?”

“I’ll do anything within my abilities.”

“Could you help Jun-kun practice overcoming his shyness in conversation? It’s not a request as the shop owner, but as an older sister who cares about Jun-kun.”

In response to Utahara-san’s request, Shizuku nodded.

『Afterword』

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