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

Chapter 21: The Person Who Is Waiting for Me After Work Was My Childhood Friend (3)

Right now, I’m walking with Yukina, just the two of us, heading towards the apartment where we both live. I still don’t understand how this happened…

“No, that’s not it! I don’t even have a girlfriend!”

I desperately denied to Mr. Imada, who had mistaken Yukina for my girlfriend.

“You don’t have to be shy about it. I remember feeling both happy and embarrassed to have a girlfriend when I was in high school.”

It’s no use—this guy isn’t listening at all! He’s just nodding to himself, probably reminiscing about his youth.

“Anyway, that’s not true!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Just clock out and walk your girlfriend home. See, there aren’t many customers left anyway. Go on, go on.”

I was practically pushed by Mr. Imada into the changing room and forced to change back into my school uniform.

“Have a fun night!”

With those words and a push on my back, I had no choice but to head over to Yukina.

“Are you done?”

“…Thanks to someone.”

“I see. Then, let’s go home.”

Yukina quickly tidied up and left the shop. I followed her reluctantly, dragging my feet.

*Sigh…* Just when I thought the rumors at school were finally dying down, now the manager has misunderstood things… And Yukina, did she forget she apologized to me just the other day?

She apologized for saying unnecessary things, yet here she goes again… Is she an idiot?

While changing, I asked the manager what Yukina had said to him, and this is what he told me.

“She asked me, ‘I’m supposed to go home with him today, but what time does he finish work?’”

When he answered that I’d be done by ten o’clock, she said, “I’ll wait,” with a big smile.

“Why did you have to say something unnecessary?”

“What? Were you really going to let me walk home alone at this hour?”

“At this hour… You should’ve just eaten what you ordered and gone home. You even got a refill… Don’t blame me if you get fat.”

“When I go home is up to me, isn’t it? Besides, I don’t gain weight no matter how much I eat.”

Yukina boasted about something that would make other girls envious. I watched her and came to a realization.

…Oh, I see. That’s why she doesn’t gain weight.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

“It’s true. You should be grateful, you know. Isn’t it better to walk home with me, having fun, than to trudge home alone, exhausted?”

I didn’t respond because I didn’t agree at all.

Instead, since it was just the two of us, I decided to ask her why she came here today.

“…Why did you come here today?”

“Haru gave me a coupon.”

So it was Haru… He’s always causing trouble. I bet he gave it to Yukina on purpose… If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have given him that coupon in the first place.

“But why today?”

“Haru told me you’d be here today.”

…Huh? Why does that sound like she came because she wanted to see me? It’s giving me chills.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. I came today because you were here.”

Yukina looked me straight in the eyes, her expression sincere. Her cheeks were illuminated by the streetlights, slightly red, and I thought I saw tears glistening in her eyes.

I’ve seen this kind of scene before. It’s one of those classic “confession” moments.

But there’s no way Yukina would confess to me—

“Th-that means—”

No matter how much I disliked Yukina, my heart was honest. I couldn’t stop it from pounding…

“…Pfft, hahaha! Why are you blushing?”

“Wha…”

Suddenly, Yukina started laughing, clutching her stomach as if she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She completely shattered the mood… No, the mood was definitely ruined.

“What? Did you really think I was going to confess to you?”

…!

It was just my imagination, but hearing her say it out loud made me even more conscious of it.

“…You’re blushing again. You’re so full of yourself, it’s embarrassing.”

Yukina laughed, clearly enjoying teasing me.

Does she really find it that fun to mess with me?

“S-shut up! I’m not blushing!”

It was a lie to hide my embarrassment.

I knew I was blushing because I’d mistaken her intentions and felt hot all over.

“As if I’d ever confess to you, Yusuke.”

Of course, I know that better than anyone.

So why did I even imagine she would? I wanted to punch myself for being so delusional!

“Yeah, I know. I wouldn’t know what to do if you did.”

If Yukina really did confess to me—something that would never happen—and if we actually started dating—something that would never happen—it would completely turn my life upside down.

I’d suddenly be swarmed by classmates and family, and my peaceful life would turn noisy and chaotic… Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

I just want to live a quiet life, doing the things I enjoy!

“That’s right… But it’s true that I came today because you were here.”

—

Chapter 22: The Person Who Is Waiting for Me After Work Was My Childhood Friend (4)

Again, she’s saying something suggestive… I’m not going to be fooled or misunderstood anymore!

“Oh really?”

“Don’t you believe me?”

“Of course not.”

She’s just teasing me again, anyway.

“You should believe me, at least a little!”

Yukina puffed out her cheeks.

So, she was teasing me after all. Good. Now I don’t have to be conscious of it anymore.

“Hey, wait up!”

When I started walking ahead, Yukina hurried to catch up with me.

“Don’t you want to know why?”

“It’s just another one of your jokes. I don’t care.”

“I’m telling you for real this time, so listen!”

Ugh, she’s noisy… It’s a pain to have her whining behind me.

“Fine, I’m listening. Go ahead.”

I decided to listen while walking. It’s probably a silly reason anyway.

Then, Yukina came up next to me and began to speak.

“The reason I went there was to see you, Yusuke.”

“There’s nothing interesting about watching me. Are you that bored?”

“I’m not bored at all!”

Then why did you bother coming just to see me…?

“I didn’t like that you saw me working all by myself.”

“That’s not fair!”

“Shut up! It’s not fair that only I had to show my embarrassing side!”

Then why did you even become a maid…?

“That’s why I thought I’d just show up out of nowhere and see you all flustered. I wanted to enjoy watching you squirm!”

“Too bad for you. Unlike you, I was working properly.”

Yes, Yukina treated me terribly, but I treated her like a proper customer. So, that means I’m much more mature than Yukina. In terms of mental age, at least.

“Yeah, why didn’t you get more flustered?”

“Because I’m more of an adult than you. Unlike some childish person.”

I was actually really surprised and panicking inside, but I’ll keep that to myself.

“Who are you calling childish?!”

“Who knows?”

…Why is it that even though I don’t want to be with Yukina or talk to her, part of me is having fun?

“Fine, I’ll make you regret calling me childish one day.”

Yukina pouted, but she looked like she was having fun, too.

Seeing her like that made me smile a little.

“Hey, when did you start working there?”

“Uh, right after I started high school. They were hiring, so I went for an interview and got the job.”

“I see. I had no idea.”

“Well, it’s not something I talk about. Only Haru and my family know.”

“I see. So now I’m in that group too.”

“Well… yeah, I guess.”

“What? Do you hate that?”

“Not really.”

I don’t really care if Yukina knows, but if she keeps coming to the shop, the manager might misunderstand things again. That would be annoying.

“How many days do you work?”

If I lie here and Haru tells her the truth later, she’ll ask why I lied. I should just be honest.

“Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.”

“Three days, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s enough for some spending money and to pay for my trips to ‘Poplar.’ Plus, working more than that would be exhausting and might make it hard to go to school.”

As it is, I already sleep through most of my classes, so if I start skipping, I might not graduate.

“Skipping is a no-go.”

“Exactly. I have to keep my attendance up.”

“Yeah, but more importantly…”

What’s this? Is Yukina blushing a little?

“What’s up? You’re blushing.”

“N-no, I’m not!”

Well, she’s getting even redder as she denies it… The heart of a woman—or rather, the heart of a childhood friend—is mysterious.

“Hey, are you still going to ‘Poplar’ after what happened?”

“Yeah, I’m still going.”

Of course, I went last week. I healed my heart, wounded by the incident with Yukina, by eating omurice. Miyuki-san was busy with other customers, so we couldn’t talk much… But she waved to me as I was leaving, and that alone made me happy.

So, I plan to go again this week.

“When do you go? I haven’t seen you there since.”

Why does she want to know that?

Oh, I get it. She’s probably too distracted to concentrate on work if she thinks I might show up. I should tell her I go on Fridays so she can relax.

“I go on Fridays.”

“Why Friday?”

“As a reward to myself for getting through the week.”

“That’s silly.”

Yukina chuckled softly.

“So, Fridays, huh…”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Hmph!”