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

Yukina’s absence…The teacher didn’t explain it. In fact, it seemed like even the teacher didn’t know about her absence. She probably skipped without notifying anyone.

And it’s mostly my fault.

I said something you should never say to a girl…”disgusting.” I said that to her.

Now, a day later, I’m a bit calmer and regret it even more than yesterday. Why did I say that? But deep down, I know the reason. My emotions were all over the place, and I didn’t know what to do. So, the words just slipped out.

Yukina liked me. How would she feel hearing that from someone she liked?

She must have been deeply hurt.

I should’ve realized that with just a little thought…I’m an idiot.

I can’t even remember what kind of expression she had at that moment. I’m such a fool.

“What’s up with Yukina? I’m worried,” Haru mumbled, but I didn’t respond. I just kept my head down in silence.

After school, I dragged my heavy feet home. I climbed the stairs, went to the front of my room, and glanced at Yukina’s door.

I wanted to talk to her properly. But now probably isn’t the right time. Just as I was about to take out my key, Yukina’s door opened.

Yukina!

I turned, hoping to see her.

But it wasn’t her who came out.

“Yusuke-kun.”

“Ma’am…”

It was Yukina’s mother. Even though I hadn’t seen her in years, she had the same beauty that Yukina would have as an adult. I couldn’t mistake her for anyone else.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Uh…good.”

It felt awkward. Did Yukina tell her what happened? Is she here to scold me? Thoughts like that swirled in my head.

“So…why are you here?”

“The school called, asking why Yukina hasn’t shown up. I got worried, so I came.”

“I see…”

As I suspected, Yukina skipped school without permission. For a girl who’d never done something like that before, her sudden rebellious behavior would naturally worry her parents.

And I’m the cause of it. I need to apologize.

“I’m…I’m sorry!”

I bowed my head, expecting her to be angry with me for turning her daughter into a delinquent.

But instead, she gently told me to raise my head.

“You don’t need to apologize, Yusuke-kun.”

“But…”

“Yukina told me everything. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. It was my fault for talking to your mother about Yukina back then.”

“If that’s the case, then my mom is the one at fault. She’s the one who suggested it, right?”

“Yes, but your mother only meant well for Yukina. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”

“No, it’s my fault for letting it happen. I didn’t notice Yukina’s feelings.”

“No, it’s my fault.”

“It’s mine.”

We went back and forth, arguing about who was to blame. “It’s my fault.” “No, it’s mine.” I couldn’t count how many times we repeated that. Eventually, Yukina’s mother spoke up with a sudden realization.

“In the end, everyone involved in this situation is both at fault and not at fault. If we keep trying to find who’s to blame, we’ll never stop.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

She was right. There were too many things we’d have to look back on to figure out who was truly at fault.

“This might be unfair for a mother to say, but Yukina’s feelings are genuine. Back then, she cried every day because of you, Yusuke-kun. That’s how much you meant to her.”

I couldn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say. No matter how much I tried to think, I couldn’t find the right words.

As I stayed silent, Yukina’s mother continued.

“You can’t answer, right? I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry…”

“Maybe she’s a bit misguided, but what she’s doing is her way of showing love for you, Yusuke-kun. Her feelings for you haven’t changed at all. Please understand that, okay?”

She spoke with a hint of sadness and regret in her voice. I already understood everything she was saying. Yukina being distant, then sweet, then clinging to me…It was all her way of expressing love for me. I realized that yesterday.

“I understand that. It’s just…I haven’t been able to sort out my own feelings yet. I’m sorry.”

“I see. Then let’s end this conversation here.”

Yukina’s mother had always been kind. She was thoughtful and considerate, and that hadn’t changed over the years.

“Can I ask you a few questions?”

“Sure.”

I was a bit confused, unsure of where this was going.

“On a rainy day, if you see an abandoned kitten, what would you do? Would you take it in or just walk by?”

Rain? A kitten? What’s this question about? Is this a psychological test?

Even though I didn’t fully understand, I answered.

“I’d take it in.”

“I see. Next question. Now that you’re living with that kitten, it gets a bit rowdy and makes a mess of the room. What would you do?”

“I’d scold it…then clean up the mess. But I wouldn’t throw it out.”