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

I left the school building and hurried back to my apartment at a brisk pace.

I quickly climbed the stairs to the third floor and reached my room. Unlocking the door and pulling it open, I noticed an unfamiliar pair of shoes at the entrance.

Could it be? I rushed to take off my shoes and stepped inside.

Sure enough, she was there. My mother was sitting on the sofa, watching TV.

“Welcome home. You’re back quite early,” she said, lazily waving her hand.

“Mom, don’t just come in like that,” I said.

“It’s fine. I have a spare key,” she replied.

“Still… there’s such a thing as privacy, you know.”

“Do you have anything here that I shouldn’t see?”

“Not really…”

“Then, it’s fine.”

Mom kept watching TV, laughing, without a care in the world. She was always so carefree. Watching her from behind, I went into my room to change.

After switching out of my uniform and into my usual tracksuit, I came back out. Mom was standing there, the TV turned off, and she was staring at me intently.

“What?” I asked.

“You don’t seem to have changed much. That’s good,” she said, touching my cheeks with both hands. It was embarrassing, especially since I’m in my third year of high school, but I could feel that she was worried about me.

Same as always, huh. The last time I saw her was during spring break when I went back to my parents’ house. Even then, she did the same thing.

“Okay, that’s enough,” I said.

“Alright, alright. You’re so cold,” she said, letting go of my cheeks and sitting down in a chair.

When I asked if she wanted something to drink, she shook her head, so I sat down as well.

“So, what brings you here today?” I asked.

“I told you, I came to see you,” she replied.

“Is that really the only reason?”

In over two years of living on my own, she had never said something like that. I had a feeling there was more to it.

“Yes. I came to see Yukina-chan. You were just an afterthought.”

“…Huh? Yukina?”

“That’s right.”

Mom answered matter-of-factly. Wait, didn’t she say something this morning about seeing her beloved son? But her real goal was Yukina, and I was just an afterthought? That kind of stings.

“Hold on, Mom and Yukina? I don’t get it.”

“It’s fine, right? I know Yukina-chan lives next door. Or do you have some reason you don’t want me to meet her?”

“It’s not like that, but…”

“Then, it’s fine. Yukina-chan is like a daughter to me.”

“No, that’s not right!” I said, worried that she was losing it at her age. Yukina is the daughter of the Himemiya family, after all.

“I mean, she’s like a daughter. You’re like a son to them too, you know.”

I sighed in disbelief at how casually Mom treated Yukina and me.

“So, are you already getting cozy with Yukina-chan every night?” she asked.

“Wh-What?! Of course not!” I stammered.

“Ugh, you’re such a coward,” she said, looking at me with a disappointed expression. But it’s not like I can help it. Whether or not I want to get closer to Yukina, she has someone she likes.

Lately, I’ve been trying to forget, but Yukina does have someone she’s in love with. I can’t get involved with a girl who has someone she likes. These things need to be handled properly, or it could be trouble later on.

“So, nothing’s happening with Yukina-chan?” Mom asked.

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘happening,’ but we’ve started talking more,” I admitted.

“That’s it?”

Mom gave me a knowing look, like she could see right through me, and I found myself answering honestly.

“Sometimes we eat lunch together,” I added.

“Well, that’s a passing grade, I suppose,” she said, giving me some kind of bizarre score.

“Is Yukina-chan home yet?” she asked.

I couldn’t imagine Yukina hanging out somewhere after school. If she walked at her usual pace, she should be home by now.

“Probably,” I said.

“What, you don’t walk home together with her?”

She gave me a look like I was missing out on an obvious opportunity.

I had walked home with Yukina a few times, but that was a rare occurrence. Usually, we didn’t. Walking home together was something special.

“No, I don’t,” I replied.

“Ugh, you’re so hopeless… Well, whatever. I’m going to see Yukina-chan,” she said, standing up and grabbing a large bag that she had brought with her.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“A present for Yukina-chan,” she said.

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of present she had for Yukina. And wait, didn’t she bring anything for me?

“What’s inside?” I asked.

“Mostly food. Yukina-chan’s mother asked me to bring some because she thought Yukina might not be eating well,” Mom replied.

They’ve always been close, haven’t they? Even back in the day, if one of them was busy, they’d ask the other to take care of their kids.

“And for me?” I asked.

“Nothing for you,” she said.

That was harsh. It kind of hurt.

“If you really want something, I’ll tell Akari to cook for you again.”

“That’s fine,” I said.

Akari was the only one who could truly comfort me. As long as she came by to cook for me, I’d be content.

After that, I accompanied Mom to the entrance to see her off. She mentioned that if Yukina wasn’t home, she’d come back, so I stepped outside with her just in case.

Mom rang the doorbell. After a short wait, the door opened with a click, and Yukina, still in her school uniform, appeared. Mom waved at her as if she were visiting a friend.

“Hey, Yukina-chan,” Mom greeted her.

“Mom!” Yukina responded excitedly.

Hey, that’s my mom, you know?!

I shot Yukina a sharp look as she called out to Mom like she was her own mother.

“You’re as beautiful as ever, Yukina-chan,” Mom complimented her.

“Hehe, thank you very much,” Yukina replied.

For some reason, Mom seemed happier talking to Yukina than she did talking to me.

“Sorry that Yusuke is always so clueless,” Mom said.

“No, I’m getting used to it,” Yukina answered.

“When did he turn into such a blockhead?” Mom sighed.

It felt like I was the one being scolded. Mom kept glaring at me.

Wait, did she just call me a blockhead? I’m her actual son!