My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 116

“It’s so hot…”

I changed into the inn’s yukata, fanning myself to cool off my heated body in more ways than one. The gentle breeze felt refreshing, helping to clear my head.

“Y-Yuu-kun…”

A small voice called out from behind me. Of course, it was Yukina. There was no one else it could be.

“Yukina. I have something I want to ask—”

I turned around but was suddenly left speechless.

“H-How do I look?”

Like me, Yukina had changed into a yukata. If that was all, it wouldn’t have stunned me into silence… or so I thought. Her hairstyle was different from usual. She always had straight hair, but now it was tied back in a bun. On top of that, her cheeks were slightly flushed, maybe from the hot spring.

“You… You look great. Beautiful, actually.”

It was hard to find the right words to describe her. “Cute” didn’t seem fitting; “beautiful” felt more appropriate. I realized once again that Yukina wasn’t just cute but also incredibly stunning. She was more beautiful than any of the kimono-wearing women I had seen earlier in the day.

“Th-Thank you…”

Yukina smiled shyly, fidgeting with her fingers. Her bashful expression made it hard for me to keep looking, so I quickly averted my gaze.

At that moment, Akari came running over.

“Big brother! How do I look?”

She spun around to show off her yukata.

“You look great. Really cute.”

“Hehe, thanks!”

Yukina suited the word “beautiful” more than “cute.” But Akari, with her lively energy, looked more fittingly “cute.” It was strange how the same yukata could look so different on the two of them.

“Mom and the others said they’ll join us after resting for a bit.”

“I see. What should we do until then?”

There was still some time before dinner.

“Big brother, I’m thirsty.”

“So, you want me to treat you, huh?”

“Yep! Yukina-chan, how about you?”

“I-I guess I’m a little thirsty too.”

With that, we headed to the vending machine. I bought two bottles of milk and one cola, typical of hot spring resorts. I couldn’t help but smile wryly at how Yukina was still the same as always, even in a place like this.

Akari said she wanted to play table tennis with Yukina, so we moved to the area where the tables were set up. I walked behind them, with Akari leading and Yukina in the middle. But for me, it was pure torture.

Because of Yukina’s tied-up hair, her nape was exposed, and I couldn’t stop looking at it. Her smooth, pale neck was so beautiful. It was just a nape—just a neck, really. It shouldn’t be exciting. It shouldn’t… yet my heart was racing.

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

Noticing my gaze, Yukina turned around and gave me a bright, innocent smile.

“N-Nothing at all.”

“Okay?”

If I admitted I was staring at her neck, she might freak out. And saying it in front of Akari? That would make me seem like a complete creep.

Yukina and Akari happily exchanged volleys at the table tennis game. Yukina, despite being clumsy, was surprisingly good at sports. Akari, on the other hand… well, she kept missing the ball.

I wondered if Akari knew about Yukina and me. She probably did… most likely. But Yukina’s beauty had completely distracted me, and I had forgotten to ask about her knowing we were dating.

I bet Uncle, who teased me about her being my girlfriend, probably told her right away. Then, while Yukina and I were out yesterday, Mom was informed, and that led to this impromptu trip.

“Aww, I lost! Yukina-chan, you’re so strong!”

“Hehe, I won! I beat Akari-chan, but I won here… hehe.”

While I was lost in thought, the match ended. Judging by how fast it was, Yukina had probably beaten Akari without holding back. Seriously, Yukina, show some mercy. You’re supposed to let the younger one win… Oh, but I guess Yukina’s not quite an adult herself yet.

“Ugh, I’m so frustrated! Next, I’m challenging you, big brother!”

“Sure, sure.”

Akari, I’ll make sure to go easy on you. That’s what being a good big brother is about.

“Yukina, can I borrow the paddle?”

“Hehe…”

“Yukina?”

Something was off about Yukina. She had been muttering to herself and laughing under her breath ever since.

“Yukina-chan, are you okay?”

“I have no idea.”

Maybe she was lost in her own little world again.

“Yukina? Yukina?”

I leaned in to peek at her face, and our eyes met.

“Y-You’re too close!”

Her cheeks flushed as she quickly turned away. It seemed like she had finally returned to reality.

“Wh-What’s going on?”

“Uh, I’m playing against Akari, so can I have the paddle?”

“Oh, right. Here you go.”

“Thanks. By the way, are you feeling okay? You seemed a bit out of it.”

Concerned, I placed my hand on Yukina’s forehead to check her temperature. Her skin felt unusually warm.

“I-I’m fine!”

Ah, so she was just embarrassed. I watched her hurry off, still unsure what she had been mumbling about.

“Ouch! Akari, what was that for?”

“Oh, nothing~ It’s nothing at all.”

“Then stop throwing the ball at me.”

I didn’t raise you to be such a troublemaker, Akari.

“Come on, let’s start the match already!”

Urged on, I began the match with Akari.

You only truly understand a person when you face them directly. And I realized something about Akari’s table tennis skills—they were hopelessly bad. I couldn’t tell just by watching, but facing her made it painfully clear.

In the end, even though I wanted to lose on purpose, it was impossible.

“We’re already like grandmothers now—time sure flies, huh?”

“Yeah, little Yukina has grown up so fast… Yukinaaa!”

“Now, now, don’t cry.”

Yukina and I were left speechless. Mom and Auntie were so drunk that they completely forgot about making things awkward for the kids.

“Let’s get along from now on, okay?”

“Of course!”

Dad and Uncle were also drunk, their spirits soaring.

“Sigh… This is why I didn’t want them drinking.”

The adults loved their alcohol. They could hold their liquor, but once they started drinking, their mood skyrocketed, and they became even more annoying.

Right now, the room was full of awkward conversations about marriage and grandchildren, making Yukina freeze in place, her face beet red.

“Hey, big brother! How do babies get made?”

Despite being smart, Akari was still innocent enough to ask questions like that. I knew she wanted to learn, but as her big brother, I wanted her to stay pure. That was my heartfelt wish. She could learn all that when she got older.

“Well, you see, the stork brings them.”

“Yusuke! Why are you lying to her? Akari, babies are made when a man and a woman—”

“W-Wait! Why are you covering my ears? I can’t hear anything!”

You don’t need to hear this. If you do, you’ll imagine things and turn bright red like Yukina, and then it’ll just get awkward.

“Mom, Akari can learn this stuff when she’s older… Wait, she’s asleep.”

Before I realized it, the adults had all fallen asleep, snoring loudly with their faces buried in the table. They were the perfect example of irresponsible, free-spirited adults.

Yukina was still frozen in place, Akari was clueless, and I was stuck dealing with the aftermath.

Man, I wish they’d consider how it feels to be the one left behind.