Chapter 29 – Past ③

Even if they stayed out late, there were still limits on how long middle and high school students could be outside.

Still, after pushing their luck as much as possible, they managed to stay together until just before 11 p.m.

At first, they were anxious that someone might say something about students being in a shop that late.

However, perhaps because others did the same, no one said a word to them — and that made a big difference.

“Hey, are you sure this is okay?”

“Hm? What is?”

“Being out this late… I can’t help but think your family must be worried.”

“Don’t worry about it. I told them I’d be staying out a little longer to push through some last-minute studying.”

In truth, of course, it wasn’t like there weren’t any issues.

For a third-year middle schooler — a critical time in their academic life — coming home at 11 p.m. was downright outrageous.

Naturally, his family knew cram school ended at 10, which made the “blank hour” afterward all the more suspicious. They kept pressing him: “What are you doing during that time?”

There was no way Satoru could ever say, “I’m with a girl from my class.”

If he said something like that, intervention was inevitable. He could see it coming from a mile away.

So instead, he kept quiet — and ended up arguing almost every night before going to bed.

Even so, his desire to be by Reika’s side mattered more than anything else. He had no intention of stopping.

Reika would regularly ask if things were okay, but she never tried to end what they were doing either.

They felt guilty toward the shop, but still each ordered one drink and sipped slowly, stretching their time together as much as they could.

“You still go for cold drinks, even though it’s getting chilly.”

“Huh? Well, I don’t really like hot drinks. At most, I might have coffee or soup.”

“Then why not just have that?”

“Hmm… maybe it’s ’cause I’m bundled up, but cold drinks still hit better.”

“I suppose that’s fine, but they can make you more prone to catching colds, so be careful.”

“Oh? You’re worried about me?”

“W-what? No, I just—”

“Just saying?”

Normally, if he did get sick, she’d say something like “You’re such an idiot.” So this unexpected show of concern felt… a little strange.

Maybe she thought so too, because she made a complicated expression after Satoru pointed it out.

“Well, yeah. If I get sick, I won’t be able to hang out with you like this. Guess I better be more careful.”

“…Exactly. Stay healthy, okay?”

“…”

No matter how close they got or how comfortably they talked, she would always say something like “It’s not like I mind being alone” at times like this.

Given how things were now, Satoru could tell she had her own complicated reasons. But her reaction made him all the more sure that something deeper was going on.

He couldn’t ask. It didn’t feel right. And so, just like Reika said, the best thing he could do was stay healthy and by her side.

“Hot drinks, huh. So what kind do they have here?”

“Let’s see… There’s cocoa, and of course coffee and soup like you mentioned earlier.”

“Hmm… Maybe I should start trying those instead of cola. What’re you drinking?”

“I change it up depending on the day, but today I’m having a hot café mocha.”

“Whoa, that sounds fancy.”

“It’s not. You can get it anywhere now. Actually… do you even know what café mocha is?”

“Uh… y-yeah, of course I do!”

“…You totally don’t. It’s coffee with milk and chocolate syrup.”

“What is that? Some kind of maximum-cacao drink?”

“No, the only cacao is in the chocolate. Coffee and cacao come from different plants, you know?”

“…Of course I know that.”

“Well, I guess it’s just trivia. Not like it matters for studying. But still, it’s kinda funny to see this side of you.”

“I’m really hopeless when it comes to stuff I’m not interested in.”

“So you’re saying you’re *interested* in studying?”

“Nope. But I don’t have a choice.”

“You’re all over the place.”

Reika raised her café mocha cup and took a sip.

As Satoru stared at her, she suddenly handed the cup to him.

“W-what?”

“Why don’t you try it? Might help wean you off your soda addiction.”

“…”

That wasn’t the issue.

The cup had a lid, with only one opening to drink from.

In other words, if he drank from it, it’d be an indirect kiss — but Reika either didn’t realize that or just didn’t care.

“How do I take off the lid?”

“You don’t. Just drink from the opening.”

It seemed she wasn’t expecting him to find another spot to sip from.

Should he say something? Maybe point it out?

(…No, she’ll probably just say, “You actually care about that?” or something.)

Thinking that she probably was aware of it — and would just tease him if he brought it up — he gave up and drank as instructed.

Even though his mind was spinning, fully preoccupied with the indirect kiss.

“…Wow, that’s sweet.”

“Really? I thought it was a little more bitter than cocoa.”

“It’s sweeter than cola…”

His tongue was overwhelmed by the intense sweetness.

That was Satoru’s first-ever café mocha — and his first indirect kiss.

“I’ll just stick with coffee from now on…”

“Well, whatever you drink, just don’t overdo the cold stuff and get sick.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

As she said that, she brought the cup — from the same spot Satoru had just drunk — back to her lips and took another sip.

※※※

For two students who spent long hours studying at cram school, that one hour together always flew by.

Once they stepped outside, a cold wind greeted them, and the buildings had all gone dark. Only the streetlights remained to illuminate the night.

“That’s it for today.”

“…Yeah.”

Reika’s expression dimmed at their parting.

“Tomorrow, maybe I’ll go with coffee. Or cocoa if I’m tired!”

“Weren’t you the one saying café mocha was too sweet just now?”

“Ugh… That’s fine! Whatever! See you tomorrow!”

All Satoru could do was say “See you tomorrow” — to let her know he’d be right there with her again the next day.

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

With that, they each turned and slowly walked toward their respective homes.

Satoru felt the dread of the inevitable argument awaiting him at home.

And Reika—

“Welcome home, Reika-san. You’re late again today. Thank you for your hard work.”

“……”

The moment she opened the door to her house, the warmth she’d felt earlier — that comforting kindness — vanished in an instant.

Waiting for her was the person she hated more than anyone — a man who had become a living nightmare in her life.

That man, wearing the false mask of a “kind stepfather,” stood there.

Without a word, Reika passed him by.