I Ended Up Pretending to Be the Boyfriend of a Beautiful but Tough Classmate for Just a Month, but It Seems That She Has Awakened Her Yandere Tendencies Because of That. - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Café Tokitou.

According to the internet, it’s an old café that’s been in business for over fifty years. Its exterior has the classic look of a retro coffee shop.

As we stepped inside, the dimly lit interior gave off a nostalgic atmosphere, as if it had been left behind by time. The scent of the Showa era lingered in the air.

Since we had come after the lunch rush, there were no other customers. Out of the twenty or so seats available, we were guided to the one closest to the entrance.

“Once again, welcome, President and Vice President.”

“Uh, thanks…”

“Now then, let me introduce today’s recommended menu. Our café’s specialties are the hamburger steak lunch and the omelet rice. I suggest you order both and share them between yourselves.”

As usual, her expression remained emotionless, yet I could feel a silent pressure urging us to go along with her suggestion.

Even when I tried to look at the other menu items, she calmly suggested, “Why not save the rest of the menu for your next visit?”

“…What do you think?”

“Well, if it’s the recommended dishes, why not? We’ll take those two, please.”

“Understood. I’ll prepare them now, so please wait a moment.”

With that, Tokito-san disappeared into the back.

“She really is… kind of strange, huh?”

“Yeah, seriously. But this place has such a mysterious vibe. It’s like I can’t even tell if it’s morning or night in here.”

The thick glass windows barely let in any light, and the quiet atmosphere, combined with the dim lighting, made it feel like this space was cut off from reality.

“It really does feel like we’ve time-traveled.”

“Right? Maybe Tokito-san’s old-fashioned mannerisms come from growing up in this café.”

“It’s an honor to be analyzed by you two.”

“Whoa! D-Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Apologies. I’ve brought your meals.”

Just as our conversation was getting lively, Tokito-san suddenly appeared, startling us. But she didn’t seem to care and quietly placed the food on our table.

“Wow, this looks delicious! Did you make this omelet rice, Tokito-san?”

“Yes. Usually, my father or mother prepares the meals, but today, I had the opportunity to help. Please enjoy.”

With precise movements like that of a machine, she efficiently set down the plates and pickles before disappearing into the back again.

“It smells amazing. Let’s eat already.”

“Yeah. Thanks for the meal… Mmm! This is so good!”

After taking a bite of the omelet rice, Takamiya let out an excited cry.

“Hey, this is seriously delicious! Try the hamburger steak already!”

“Is it really that good? Let me see… Mmm! Damn, this is amazing!”

Skeptical at first, I took a bite of the hamburger steak—and immediately had the same reaction as Takamiya.

The hamburger steak was packed with peppery flavor, and the moment I bit into it, juices burst into my mouth. The sauce, made from grated onions, had a taste unlike anything I’d ever had before.

It was just unbelievably good.

When something is truly delicious, my vocabulary just isn’t enough to describe it.

“Is yours really that good too? Hey, let me have a bite.”

“Oh, uh… sure. But let me have some of the omelet rice too.”

“Okay! Want me to feed you?”

“I-I’m fine, that’s embarrassing…”

“Nope. Tokito-san isn’t here right now, so it’s fine. Say ‘ahh.'”

“…Ahh—Mmm! Damn, that’s good.”

Swept up in the moment, we ended up feeding each other without thinking.

And just as Takamiya was about to feed me a second bite of omelet rice—

“Thank you for the meal. Sorry to intrude.”

Tokito-san reappeared, snapping us back to reality.

“Ah, no, Tokito-san, this isn’t what it looks like—”

“Please, continue as you were. Also, here’s a complimentary mixed juice.”

She placed a single glass of juice on the table.

For some reason, just one.

And it had two straws in it.

“Uh… what’s this?”

“A complimentary service. However, due to rising ingredient costs, I can only offer one. But given the situation, I believe this is appropriate.”

“T-There’s no way we can drink this!”

“You can. Also, I’d like to hear both of your opinions on the drink, so please make sure you both enjoy it together.”

With that, she bowed her head and vanished into the back once more.

“…What do we do?”

Takamiya, her face red, looked at me for an answer.

“Uh… well, you can drink it.”

“But she said we have to drink it together.”

“…What now?”

We left the mixed juice untouched for now and focused on finishing the rest of our meal.

But of course, once we were done, the drink was still there.

As we hesitated over what to do, Tokito-san returned.

“I’ll take the empty dishes. Also, if the ice melts, the flavor will weaken, so please drink the juice soon. It’s a special treat from my parents, so make sure you both enjoy it.”

With a firm reminder, she gathered the dishes and disappeared again.

“…Hey, should we drink it?”

“I-I mean, but this is…”

“Look, it’d be rude to waste someone’s kindness just because we’re embarrassed. Let’s just drink it together on the count of three.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“It’s not like we have a choice! Come on, ready? One, two—”

Before I could even make up my mind, Takamiya led the way, and we both placed our lips on the straws at the same time.

As our faces drew closer, Takamiya’s cheeks turned red while she sipped the juice.

I was probably just as flushed.

Even though the café was cool, my face felt like it was burning under the midsummer sun.

And after we finally finished the drink—

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing!”

Takamiya shouted and bolted toward the restroom.

As she disappeared, Tokito-san approached our table.

“Thank you for the meal. I’m full now.”

She said the words that we, the customers, should have been the ones to say.

Then, without a hint of expression, she took the empty glass and quietly disappeared into the back once more.