My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 5-6

Chapter 5: My Neighbor Turned Out to Be My Childhood Friend (3)

Why did it take me so long to realize that Yukina was living next door? How did I not notice until today? If I had just looked at the nameplate, I would’ve known instantly… If I had known, I would’ve begged my mom to let me move back home…

From now on, I’ll make sure to check the nameplates carefully…

“Well then, Himemiya-san, I’ll be leaving now…”

“Hey, wait a minute!”

As I turned away and started to leave, Yukina called out to stop me. When I turned back, I saw her glaring at me with the eyes of a predator eyeing its prey.

What is it now…? Wouldn’t it be better for both of us if we just left things alone?

“…You better not tell anyone.”

“…Tell anyone what?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’? Everything! Everything!”

“Everything?”

“Yes, everything! That I work at a maid cafe, that I dress like this normally, and that we live next door to each other!”

Ah, I see.

I understood what Yukina meant by “everything.”

“And if I do?”

“…I’ll…”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll kill you!”

That’s terrifying. I’d better make sure not to say anything.

“Okay, okay, I understand.”

I said this while taking a picture of Yukina with my phone.

“What are you doing, taking pictures all of a sudden?!”

“What do you mean… don’t you get it?”

I laughed at her.

This picture is my insurance. If I accidentally let something slip and Yukina tries to come after me, I’ll spread this photo around before I die. Then, even after I’m gone, Yukina will face social consequences… Well, at least within the school. But for a student, being publicly embarrassed like that would feel like social suicide. I’m not the kind of guy who goes down without a fight!

“N-No way…”

Yukina stepped back as if realizing something.

That’s right… If you don’t want trouble, stay away from me—

“You’re planning to blackmail me with that photo, aren’t you?! You’re going to say, ‘If you don’t want this to get out, become my personal maid,’ aren’t you?!”

That’s right… Wait, what!?

“And then you’re going to make me do all sorts of things, aren’t you?! Pervert! Hentai!”

“No! Who said anything like that?!”

“Then you’re going to use it secretly at night, aren’t you?! You’re the worst! Perverted Ero Demon!”

Yukina blushed and spoke while shielding herself with her arms as if trying to protect her body.

Seeing her like that—I let out a mocking sigh.

“…Hah.”

“What’s with that… Why are you mocking me?!”

Yukina didn’t realize it. Sure, she’s a beautiful girl. But that’s just her face. Her limbs might be slender, but her body is still pretty childish. In other words, she doesn’t have much value in that sense. I’m more of an ordinary guy anyway.

“Look, Himemiya-san… You don’t have to worry. I’m not interested in that sort of thing with you, not even a tiny bit. So, relax, okay?”

I said with a pitying smile, but Yukina didn’t seem to believe me and didn’t change her stance.

“I’m not planning to say anything that would cause you trouble, so that’s that.”

I waved and turned to leave quickly.

“W-Wait a minute…”

Persistent… Just let me go already.

I answered curtly, feeling a bit irritated.

“What?”

“Uh, well…”

Yukina fidgeted with her fingers, seeming to struggle with her words. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

If you’ve got something to say, just say it clearly…

“Himemiya-san, didn’t you have something to do?”

“Uh, y-yeah. I’m going to the convenience store to buy some food. And don’t tell anyone about that either!”

Okay, okay, I didn’t ask, and I don’t plan on telling anyone…

“Got it, got it. Well, I’m off then.”

“Hmph, just disappear already!”

With that, Yukina headed towards the left staircase.

I found her so annoying as I turned towards the right staircase.

Come to think of it, we ended up talking normally, didn’t we…? We hadn’t spoken in years, and I wasn’t sure how to talk to her…

Well, that doesn’t mean I want to get close like we used to. I don’t think I can change how I call her by her last name.

“Speaking of which, I forgot to ask why she was at the maid cafe yesterday when she usually isn’t… And why is she even working as a maid… Well, whatever. It’s not like I’m going to get involved with her again.”

At that time, I had no way of knowing why Yukina was working as a maid. Nor did I know that no matter how hard I tried, the connection between Yukina and me could never be severed.

—

Chapter 6: The One Who’s a Loner Is Actually My Childhood Friend (1)

Monday—.

After spending an unpleasant weekend, I was able to relax a lot by staying in yesterday. Thanks to that, I feel ready to start a new week today. …If only I could rest forever.

I put on my uniform and left the house.

I glanced at the house next door for a moment. Of course, Yukina wouldn’t be waiting there. Even if she were, it would just be a problem.

Besides, Yukina is diligent, so she always arrives at school early, unlike me who is always late.

The distance from the apartment to the high school is short. It takes about ten minutes to walk. So even if I leave at the last minute, I still arrive on time.

…By the way, the distance from my home to the apartment isn’t that great either. So, until high school started, I spent peaceful days at home with my family. I had already moved all the necessary items and settled in.

When I arrived at school, I changed my shoes in the shoe locker and headed to my classroom. The senior classrooms are on the second floor of the four-story main building. The layout is such that first-year classrooms are on the top floor, second-year classrooms are below them, and third-year classrooms are on the bottom floor.

There are six classes per grade. Classrooms one to three are on the left side of the school building, and classrooms four to six are on the right side, separated by a corridor.

I went up the stairs and entered Class 3, which is my class.

On the way to my seat, I noticed Yukina sitting at the front on the right side of the classroom.

Just as I thought, she’s already here.

Yukina sat alone, looking dignified.

“Good morning, Yusuke.”

“Good morning, Haru.”

When I took my seat, Haru Ooki, who was sitting in front of me, greeted me.

Haru and I have known each other since elementary school and were quite close. However, once we entered middle school and became busy, we didn’t keep in touch much. So, I didn’t expect us to be in the same high school. It was a pleasant surprise when we ran into each other after starting school.

“…You look tired. Are you okay?”

“Why?”

“Well, you seem a bit worn out.”

“Well, it’s been a bit of a rough time.”

I was surprised. I thought I had relaxed enough, but maybe the fatigue was showing on my face. I didn’t notice anything when I looked in the mirror this morning…

“Hmm… Is it because of Yukina-chan?”

“Eh, why do you think so!?”

“Because I was watching you.”

Haru, who has known me since elementary school, knows that Yukina and I are childhood friends. Haru is one of the few people who understands our current relationship. In lower grades, Yukina and I were always together, and even though we stopped talking for some reason, Haru noticed the change.

“Did something happen?”

How should I answer?

I trust that Haru wouldn’t spread anything I say, but I can’t be sure who might overhear.

“Nothing much. It’s the same old, same old with our relationship.”

“I see. Well, if you need to talk about anything, let me know.”

“Thanks.”

Haru is a good person. I’d actually like to talk about what happened and vent, but it seems that’s not allowed.

“However, Yusuke, it must be tough to have a cute childhood friend like Yukina-chan.”

“Yeah, I really do think so.”

“But it’s a bit late to mention this, but Yukina-chan… she’s been a loner for a long time. She doesn’t seem to care about being alone, but… doesn’t she actually want you to pay attention to her?”

I looked over at Yukina again.

Yukina was quietly staring at the blackboard by herself.

As Haru said, Yukina did have friends back in the day. The one she was closest to was probably me, even though it feels awkward to say.

But after she stopped talking to me, Yukina stopped being with others. She seemed to fit the loner role well… When it came to group activities, she was often left out and had to join other groups.

And that continued even after she entered high school. She would respond if someone talked to her, but she never tried to be with others herself.

…Usually, in such cases, it seems like I would be the loner.

Huh? Me? I’m part of a club with Haru and I’m definitely not a loner at school.

“No way, that’s impossible.”

What Haru is saying can’t be true. Yukina wants my attention… If that ever happened, I’d probably be erased from existence the next day.

“Ha-ha, yeah, you’re right. Sorry, just joking.”

“Please stop with those kinds of jokes. You never know who might overhear.”

Haru and I continued to chat happily.

Then, I felt a gaze on me. When I looked in that direction, Yukina was the one staring at me. She looked a bit envious. But when she noticed I had seen her, she glared and quickly turned back to the blackboard.

There’s really no way that a girl like Yukina would want my attention.