I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 36

Chapter 36: A Secret Café

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《Sora Mukei’s POV》

On Sunday evening, I celebrated finishing the tests by hanging out with Akira at the arcade. We wrapped up with ramen near the station. At the ticket gate, we lightly bumped fists and split up.

“See ya, Sora! Starting tomorrow, it’s back to our usual everyday life!”

“You’re in trouble for English, so study, okay.”

“Ugh…!”

After I was alone, I slipped onto a side street just off the shopping district.

“There was a café in a place like this?”

Finding a café somewhere I hadn’t noticed always made me happy. The exterior walls were a soft cream color, and a round sign displayed a small cup illustration. The lighting inside the shop was gentle. As I stood there looking at the shop, I spotted a familiar profile through the glass.

Miura-san…?

Her ponytail was tied high, and she wore a white apron over a pale gray one-piece dress. The uniform suited her shockingly well. Her makeup was slightly more toned down than her usual lively style, but her smile hadn’t changed. Her movements were light as she carried a tray, and the words of customer service flowed naturally from her.

Our eyes met through the glass. Noticing me, her shoulders gave a small jump. The next moment, she dashed outside.

“M-Mukei-kun…?”

“Good evening. Did I startle you?”

“B-big time…! Um… Welcome?”

Only the last line suddenly switched into her “store clerk voice,” and I couldn’t help but laugh. Half the seats inside were filled. A nighttime café had its own quiet, pleasant atmosphere. For a moment, I hesitated—should I leave or go in?—and decided to enter. If I’d found her, it was probably better to properly be a customer.

“I’ll have an iced tea, please.”

“Okay! One iced tea… Without sugar?”

“Yeah.”

I wasn’t hungry after eating ramen. She guided me to a two-seat table by the window, and I opened a light novel. In the back, I could see three college students studying with their reference books spread out. After a short while, Miura-san came over with a tray. A thin slice of lemon floated in the glass. Her movements as she set it down were careful, and the ice made a small sound.

“Here you go…”

“That uniform looks good on you.”

“Eh…? S-stop, that’s embarrassing, but… Thanks.”

A faint blush touched her cheeks. But she quickly returned to a serious expression, glancing around the area.

“Hey, wait just a second. I’ll be right back.”

She jogged back to the register and whispered something to a senior-looking coworker. After they exchanged nods, she disappeared through a small window behind the register. About two minutes later, the door leading outside opened. From a small emergency exit, Miura-san peeked out and motioned for me. Outside, the narrow space beside the shop was a loading walkway, where the soft hum of the air conditioning mixed with the scent of coffee.

“Sorry, I know it’s sudden calling you out like this.”

“No, it’s fine.”

She pinched the edge of her apron, her gaze dropping slightly. Beneath her usual lightness, there was a hesitant atmosphere.

“Um, so… I got proper permission from the school for this. I submitted the part-time job form, and the manager treats me really well. So it’s not anything bad, but…”

Choosing her words, she took a breath and continued.

“I haven’t told my friends yet. So… For now, I want you to keep it a secret.”

I nodded immediately.

“I won’t tell anyone. Even if they ask, I won’t say a thing.”

“Thank you…!”

I could tell some tension left her shoulders. Her relieved expression returned to its usual brightness.

“You know how I get judged a lot because of how I look, right? People say stuff like, ‘A gyaru working a part-time job???’ and I don’t really mind that, but… Being worried about, or teased for it…  I’m not great with it. There’s also stuff about home, and this is something I chose to do myself.”

She said home, in a way that suggested there were circumstances behind it. I only nodded so I wouldn’t pry.

“If you’re ever in trouble—”

“Eh?”

“If you’re in trouble, tell me. If it’s something I can help with, then I will help you.”

“…You know, that’s kinda unfair of you, Mukei-kun.”

The way she said unfair sounded a little happy. She pulled a small memo from her pocket and scribbled on it quickly.

“This is my recommendation. If you come next time, try it. I already had it myself with my staff meal and it’s seriously good.”

“Then I’ll get that next time.”

She suddenly peeked up at me.

“Is your iced tea diluted now? I kept you out here too long.”

“It’s fine. It still tastes good.”

Hearing that, Miura-san made a tiny fist-pump near her chest.

“I’ll head back. Really, thank you. And about keeping it secret… Please. …Also—”

She started to say something, then pressed her lips together.

“I’m a little happy you found me. I’ll do my best.”

With a short bow, she slipped back inside. I returned to my seat and traced a bead of condensation on the glass with my finger. The coldness transferred to my skin. Working, she looked like she was standing just a bit taller than before. Taking orders, smiling, moving quickly. When she met the eyes of someone who seemed to be the manager, she responded with a soft smile. It was her workplace face. A new side of her I had never seen before.

I finished my iced tea and went to the register. On the edge of the receipt, a tiny mint-colored sticker was attached. Very her. Just before I left the shop, she gave a small wave—just a fingertip—at an angle where the register wouldn’t see.

I lifted my hand a little in return, making sure it wasn’t noticeable. The wind toward the far end of the shopping district felt a bit cold. I walked while folding the receipt in my pocket.

The “secret” between me and Miura-san settled quietly inside me. You only step into someone’s circumstances when they want you to, and until then, I would just wait. At the stairs descending toward the ticket gate, I turned back once. The cream-colored sign was gently lit against the city light.

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