My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 10-11

Chapter 10: Meeting the Maid Who Invited Me to the Maid Cafe (1)

On Friday, I stopped in front of the door to “Popuran.”

Is Yukina here today too?

I thought about skipping this week, but before I knew it, my feet had naturally led me here.

What if Yukina is here again, like last week… Will I have to eat another omelet rice that only tastes like ketchup?

“Ouch.”

Just thinking about it made my stomach ache.

But standing in front of the door forever would be annoying, and being seen standing here is embarrassing, so I should just go in.

I grabbed the handle and opened the door.

“Welcome back, Master— Oh, Yusuke-kun!”

“Miyuki-san!”

I was enveloped in relief and happiness.

One reason was that Yukina wasn’t here to greet me like last week. The other reason was—

“I’m so glad you came back this week, Yusuke-kun!”

It was Miyuki, the cafe’s number one popular maid, who greeted me with a dazzling smile and her semi-long silver hair.

“Please, this way, Master.”

Guided to a seat by Miyuki, I looked around the cafe.

Ah… It looks like Yukina isn’t here today.

Feeling relieved, I was handed a glass of water by a familiar maid.

“Here you go, Master. Water… Oh, you’re the Master from last week…”

“Ha ha… Thank you.”

The maid was Aoi. Aoi seemed to remember me as if it had just come to her.

There are many customers who visit the maid cafe. It’s hard for the maids to remember each customer unless something extraordinary happens.

Even so, Aoi remembered me, so it shows that Yukina must have treated me poorly.

“Don’t worry, Master. Yukina-chan isn’t here this week.”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

“Hm? What’s wrong with Yukina-chan?”

“Well, actually—”

Aoi explained Yukina’s situation to Miyuki, who wasn’t aware of last week’s events.

“I see… That was quite a misfortune. Umm, I’m sorry, Yusuke-kun.”

“Eh… Why are you apologizing, Miyuki-san?”

“Well, actually, I had something to do last week and asked Yukina-chan to take over. She’s popular and said she was free.”

“Is that so?”

Indeed, I had been coming here every Friday and never saw Yukina. So, I had no idea she worked here.

Is Yukina popular? Her face is cute, but her personality is tough. Maybe there are people who get excited by being scolded?

“Oh, you don’t believe that, do you?”

“Well, yeah.”

“The older sister isn’t lying. Yukina-chan is cute, good at flattering others, and people really enjoy talking to her.”

That must be a lie… Yukina seems like she only knows how to insult or demean people.

“Well, it’s hard to believe, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“But what I’m saying is true. Yukina-chan is indeed popular. I was surprised last week too. She suddenly treated you that way.”

“…I think it’s my fault.”

Or rather… I’m definitely the cause.

“Why would it be your fault, Master?”

“Ah! Could it be, Yusuke-kun… Did you do something inappropriate to Yukina-chan?”

“N-no, I didn’t do anything like that!”

“Really? A maid cafe is meant for enjoyment, not for inappropriate actions.”

“I understand. Well… Yukina-san and I are in the same school and same class. Maybe seeing me there made her think of something.”

It’s better not to mention childhood friends or neighbors. I don’t know how Yukina is at work here… and I don’t want Miyuki to know too much.

“Come to think of it, both of you are in your third year. Do you talk or anything?”

“No. We don’t talk, just classmates who don’t even greet each other.”

“I see. But if a classmate saw you in a maid outfit, it would be embarrassing and might lead to a bad attitude. It’s good that Yukina-chan didn’t have bad intentions.”

“Yes. Yukina-chan is working as usual this week.”

Miyuki and Aoi nodded in agreement, trying to understand Yukina’s attitude.

“Well, Master. I’ll excuse myself now. Please enjoy your time.”

Aoi bowed and went to attend to the new customers.

“Now, shall we take your order? Is the ‘Delicious Omelet Rice’ okay?”

“Yes, please.”

“Heh, you really like it, don’t you? I’ll tell the kitchen, so please wait a moment. Let’s chat when I get back.”

Miyuki said this and went towards the kitchen.

—

Chapter 11: Meeting the Maid Who Invited Me to the Maid Cafe (2)

I started going to the maid café two years ago.

It was spring, a season of new beginnings, and I was walking alone, debating where to have dinner. Suddenly, someone spoke to me.

“Hey, hey, mister… Or should I say, ‘me’ instead?”

The person who spoke was Miyuki. She was in her maid outfit, trying to recruit customers.

At first, I thought it was a shady sales pitch because Miyuki’s ample chest was prominently displayed.

“…N-no, I’m fine! Besides, I don’t have any money!”

“Ahaha, it doesn’t cost that much. Oh, maybe you think it’s a dirty offer?”

“…!? N-no, I don’t think that!”

“That reaction… so naughty.”

I felt my face turn red.

However, Miyuki continued to laugh happily, ignoring my embarrassment.

“Well, it’s understandable with me dressed like this. Sorry for teasing you. I’m actually a maid.”

“A maid?”

“Yes. I work at a maid café. Right now, I’m trying to invite masters and mistresses to join us.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. So… Are you interested in maid cafés?”

“Interest…?”

Honestly, I had no interest at all.

I had a prejudice that only otaku visited maid cafés and didn’t want to be embarrassed like those otaku.

But when she looked at me like that, I couldn’t refuse.

“Um, does the maid café have good food? I’m looking for dinner…”

“Food? We have plenty! And it’s all super delicious. You might even drop your cheeks from how good it is!”

That got me interested. …Oh, not about the maid, but about the food.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

“Really!? Then let’s go together!”

Miyuki wrapped her arm around mine and hugged me.

“Uh, um…”

“This way. I’ll guide you.”

Miyuki didn’t seem to mind pressing her chest against my arm as she led me. I was nervous with this new sensation.

“Oh, by the way. I’m Miyuki. What’s your name?”

“Y-Yusuke.”

“Alright, Yusuke-kun. Wait here for a moment. Open the door after I’ve been inside for ten seconds.”

Miyuki said this and went inside. Looking up, I saw the sign read “Popuran.”

Has it been ten seconds yet?

I opened the door and went in. My eyes widened.

“Welcome back, Master!”

There was a cute, lovely maid who almost made me fall for her at first sight—

Since then, I’ve become captivated by Miyuki and the omelet rice…

“Sorry for the wait.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Miyuki sat in the seat across from me.

She placed her chin on her hands and gave me a gentle smile.

“It’s been a while since I talked with you, Yusuke-kun.”

“Yes, it has.”

Since the week after I first visited the maid café, I continued coming back. Miyuki often took care of me. Not every week, but she was the most frequent maid I interacted with. And since she was the one who invited me, Miyuki remembered me.

As we talked a few times, we shared a bit about ourselves. I know a little about Miyuki now. She’s a university student living alone and working here every day to cover her living expenses.

“What happened last week? I thought I’d get to talk to you, but… Oh, sorry if that’s awkward. And sorry if I’m being weird.”

“No, you’re not being weird. I enjoy talking with you too.”

Even though I knew it was part of her maid persona, it made me happy.

Ah, this is what a real maid is like…!

“Last week was a bit pathetic. I had a report due Monday, and I stayed home all day finishing it.”

“I see. Did you manage to finish it in time?”

“Yes. It was a close call, but I made it.”

Miyuki smiled happily.

Her smile was so comforting.

“Good job.”

“Thank you.”

We both bowed our heads for some reason and exchanged smiles.

Ah, this is fun…!