My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 87

It was the same day that our study session ended when I received a message from Tadokoro.

“Senpai, there’s something I want to talk about. Is it okay if I come by again tomorrow?”

At first glance, it was just an ordinary message with nothing unusual. However, there was something different—her usual casual tone, with phrases like “y’know” and “right?”, was missing. I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, so I replied with a simple “Okay.” She responded that she’d come over in the afternoon.

The next day, right as planned, the doorbell rang in the early afternoon. When I opened the door, Tadokoro stood there, empty-handed, wearing a slightly apologetic smile.

“Uh… hello,” she greeted.

“What’s up?”

Tadokoro looked uncomfortable, as if there was something difficult to say. Standing outside for too long was awkward, especially with the neighbors around, so I opened the door wider to let her in. She walked in quietly.

Now, without much conversation, she’s wandering around my room, looking through my things.

“Wow, Senpai, your bookshelf is all about maids! What’s this? ‘Welcome to the Maid Cafe’? What’s it about?”

“That’s a story about a protagonist who, after losing their family in an accident, is approached by a maid while wandering aimlessly. They end up working at a maid cafe.”

“Interesting…”

“Yeah, and after working there for a few years, the protagonist meets a battered young boy. Feeling a connection, they extend a helping hand, just like the maid did for them, and say, ‘Welcome to the maid cafe.'”

“Ah, I see.”

“And then, it turns into a romantic comedy between the protagonist and the boy.”

“Sounds kind of interesting from what you’re telling me.”

“Right? In the latest volume, the Maid Cafe War begins.”

“Maid Cafe War? What’s that?”

“It’s a competition to see who can attract the most customers within a set of rules. It was pretty entertaining but also had a bit of a dark side…”

“Uh, yeah, maybe I shouldn’t ask too much about that…”

“If you’re interested, want to read it?”

“Hmm… what should I do…”

“Why don’t you read it and learn about the greatness of maid cafes?”

“And then what? Work part-time at a maid cafe?”

“No way!”

“That’s a pretty strong refusal.”

Tadokoro vigorously shook her head and waved her hands to reject the idea. It was the first time I’d seen her so adamant, and it was kind of funny.

“It’s just… maid outfits, y’know… the neckline is a bit too open. I feel like people like you, Senpai, would stare at me…”

“You usually make jokes like that all the time.”

“Only because it’s you, Senpai. I wouldn’t say stuff like this to anyone else.”

Does she trust me that much? I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

“Well, if you want to read it, maid cafe or not, I’ll lend it to you.”

“Senpai… thank you.”

It felt like she was finally back to her usual self. Now, it was time to bring up the real issue.

“So, what happened?”

Tadokoro’s smile disappeared as she looked down. It seemed like she needed some time to gather her thoughts, so I decided to wait quietly. Standing for too long was getting tiring.

“Why don’t you sit down? Standing around is exhausting, right?”

“I’ll do that, thanks…”

Tadokoro sat on the bed. I guess she really didn’t feel any need to be cautious around me. Not that I’d ever consider doing anything to her.

I sat on my chair and waited for a few minutes. Finally, Tadokoro lifted her head and opened her mouth to speak.

“Um—”

At that moment, the doorbell rang again, this time in rapid succession.

“Huh? What’s going on? What’s happening?”

Tadokoro seemed startled, but I knew exactly what was coming.

“Oh, it’s just a visitor.”

With that, I headed toward the entrance. As I walked, the doorbell stopped ringing and was replaced by loud knocking on the door. Yeah, yeah, I got it.

“What’s up?” I asked as I opened the door.

Sure enough, Yukina was standing there, looking flustered.

“Y-Yuu-kun!”

“What?”

“I… I…”

She seemed about to say something but then closed her mouth and looked down. Just as I was wondering what was going on, she lifted her head and said, “I’m coming in,” and stepped inside.

Without hesitation, she walked straight into my room.

“Y-Yukina-senpai?! What’s going on?”

“My instincts as a childhood friend are telling me something’s wrong.”

“Uh… but also, what’s with that outfit?”

Yukina was in her usual track jacket, her hair in a messy state. It looked like her so-called instincts as a childhood friend had kicked in, and she didn’t even have time to tidy herself up.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing! More importantly, why were you trying to be alone with Yuu-kun?”

“Please calm down. I just had something to consult with Senpai about.”

“A consultation…?”

“Yes.”

“Yuu-kun… is that true?”

She asked with slightly teary eyes, which made my chest ache a little. Yeah, seeing someone you care about alone with someone else would hurt…

“It’s true. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Oh… I see, that’s good… Well, it’s not really good, but still, it’s good…”

Yukina collapsed onto the floor, seemingly relieved. Well, at least I wasn’t being doubted anymore. Not that I’d done anything to be suspected of in the first place.

“Um, Yukina-senpai seems like this, so should I leave?”

“…No, if you go now, it’ll probably take forever to get back to this. Yukina, are you okay with staying?”

“Yes.”

Yukina sat down beside Tadokoro.

“So, what were you trying to say?”

Tadokoro looked uncomfortable as both Yukina and I stared at her. I started to wonder if bringing this up now was a mistake, but then Tadokoro began to speak.

“…Um, please don’t laugh at me, but…”

Yukina and I exchanged confused looks.

“The truth is… I’m being stalked!”