My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 47

“What… you scored nearly fifty on all subjects!?”

“Senpai… did you do it? Did you do it?”

The day after the exams were returned, the Maid Cafe members decided to compare their results. Thanks to Yukina, I managed to score above forty in every subject for the first time since entering high school. Although these scores might seem low to top students, I was satisfied with them.

I wanted to thank Yukina for her help. But we agreed not to talk at school, and because of yesterday’s promise, I hadn’t even greeted her today. As a result, my classmates started looking at me suspiciously, wondering why I suddenly stopped talking to her. This made me feel uneasy, and of course, I didn’t feel like talking to anyone.

Even Haru was surprised that I didn’t greet Yukina and asked, “What’s up?” I just replied, “I’m not in the mood.”

I wasn’t really feeling that way, but once I said it, it felt true.

“Senpai~ Senpai~”

“What is it? You’re being loud.”

Tadokoro grabbed my shoulder and started pulling me, her usual annoying attitude felt even more irritating today.

“Did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Cheat on the test!”

She didn’t even consider that I might have studied; instead, she immediately assumed the worst. How annoying.

“I just studied.”

“What!? No way! Scoring higher than Akiba-senpai in every subject? You should apologize to all the hard-working nerds out there. Akiba-senpai is standing there in shock!”

“… Hey.”

“What is it?”

“Can I hit you?”

I was serious. I was already angry about a lot of things, and this annoying junior was making it worse.

“What are you saying to a girl? Violence doesn’t suit you, Senpai!”

I couldn’t stay there any longer; the more I stayed, the more irritated I became—mainly because of Tadokoro.

I shoved my test papers into my bag and stood up. I then started to leave the classroom.

“Where are you going?”

“I have work, so I’m heading home.”

I left the classroom after saying that. Akiba softly said, “See you later.”

How long are you going to be surprised…?

I’m so tired…

That night, as I climbed the stairs to my apartment, I let out a big sigh. I couldn’t concentrate at work today, and I made a lot of mistakes. I felt bad for causing trouble…

As I reached the top of the stairs, I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe. Yukina was there. She was sitting in front of my apartment door, hugging her knees with her face buried in her arms.

When she heard my footsteps, Yukina raised her head and looked at me. There was a sad expression on her face, and for some reason, it made my chest ache.

“You’re late…”

“Well, yeah…”

It was hard to answer. Just recently, we could talk normally, but now I was reminded of the time when we were distant.

For now, I decided to ask why she was here.

It was the first thing that came to mind.

“So, Yukina, what were you doing?”

“Waiting.”

“For what?”

“For you.”

Yukina answered calmly. Was something troubling her?

“Why?”

“Why…? That’s what I want to know! Why didn’t you greet me today?”

Well… I pretty much expected this. If Yukina was going to say something, it would be about that.

“It was because of a promise…”

“A promise? With whom?”

“The guy sitting next to you… He said if I lost to him in a short-distance race, I should never bother you again, and I lost…”

It was truly pathetic. I lost a challenge Yukina didn’t even know about, and now I was telling her about it. I’m such an idiot.

Suddenly, Yukina stood up quickly.

“What’s that about? You’re choosing a promise with someone you just met over me?”

“How do you know we just met…?”

“I’ve never seen you talk to him before. So, what is it? Are you choosing him over me?”

Yukina moved closer, and I couldn’t look her in the eyes, so I turned away.

“It was a promise between guys…”

I felt foolish even as I said it. The whole thing was meaningless, especially since I was now telling Yukina about the challenge.

“A promise between guys? That’s stupid!”

“H-hey, if you’re too loud, you’ll disturb the neighbors…”

“I was looking forward to it…”

“What…?”

“I was looking forward to your greeting! But today, you didn’t greet me… I felt lonely!”

Yukina had forced me to greet her every day, holding something over me so I couldn’t refuse.

But despite everything, I had started to look forward to greeting Yukina too. We couldn’t talk at school, but at least with a greeting, we wouldn’t go back to having no contact at all. It felt good, in a way.

But then, I stubbornly accepted the challenge and lost, so I was told not to talk to her… If Yukina wanted me to break that promise, I could. But I couldn’t do it, knowing that it might cause her trouble.

“I’m sorry…”

All I could do was apologize.

“Enough. I’ve made up my mind.”

Yukina turned her back to me, sounding like she’d given up.

“Made up your mind about what?”

“I’m not telling you.”

She said that and started walking toward her apartment.

Did she decide to never speak to me again because I’m pathetic? It would be easier if we didn’t have to interact… but I don’t want that.

“Yusuke, be prepared for tomorrow.”

She said that in a strong tone, as if she was threatening to make me unable to come to school. Originally, Yukina had threatened to expose me for seeing her naked if I didn’t greet her, so I guess I’ll just have to accept it. I have no choice but to be prepared.

“Yukina.”

“What?”

Yukina responded without even turning around.

I had no idea what to say in this situation. But I felt like I should at least give her a warning.

“I’m saying this for the last time. Don’t wait in front of my apartment anymore. It’s late, and if some creep shows up, it’ll be dangerous.”

I was talking about what she did earlier. A cute girl like Yukina waiting outside late at night could definitely attract trouble. Even if the apartment was relatively safe, you never know where danger might be lurking. As her childhood friend, I didn’t want her to experience something like that.

“It’s okay. I’ll just say I’m waiting for my boyfriend.”

“…What?”

A really stupid-sounding voice came out of me. But it couldn’t be helped. Who wouldn’t be surprised if someone suddenly called you their boyfriend when you’re not?

“Well, goodnight.”

Yukina left me standing there in shock and went into her apartment.

I stood there for a while, unable to move.