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

December 25th—it’s Christmas.

Originally, it was a celebration of Christ’s birth, but at some point, it became known as a day for couples to get all lovey-dovey. No one really remembers Christ anymore.

That said, Christmas isn’t always spent with a partner. Some spend it with friends or family, while others prefer to spend it alone.

Last year, I was one of the latter. I worked on Christmas, watching couples come into the store, thinking, “Go explode.” When I walked around town, I saw people holding hands, sharing scarves, and thought, “Go explode,” again. It was a miserable day.

But this year is different.

I’m spending it with my adorable first girlfriend—Yukina. Spending time with Yukina makes me feel like I’m winning at life just thinking about it.

—

“It’s Christmas, so we should at least have cake, right?”

“Yeah, it’s so delicious…”

Yukina stuffs her cheeks with the strawberry on top of her shortcake, her face glowing with happiness.

“Next, I’ll try this one.”

“You really eat a lot.”

“Hehehe, sweets go to a different stomach, you know.”

In front of Yukina, besides her shortcake, there’s also chocolate cake and cheesecake. I told her, “If you want to eat that much, just buy a whole cake,” but she got mad, saying, “I want to enjoy different flavors alternately!”

“You know, you’ll gain weight.”

“Gain wei—”

Yukina’s hand freezes midair with the fork.

“I won’t gain weight. I won’t. I won’t!”

“No, they say ‘winter weight gain,’ right?”

“No, they don’t! I don’t know that phrase!”

“But—”

“La la la, I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you!”

She plugs her ears and shakes her head from side to side. Her earnestness made my heart skip a beat.

“Hey, Yuu-kun.”

“What’s up?”

“If I gained weight, would you hate me?”

Yukina looks up at me with teary eyes, her voice trembling with anxiety.

“Huh? Of course not. I mean, I don’t think I could ever hate you, Yukina.”

“Oh, I see…Thanks.”

“You’re welcome?”

For some reason, Yukina suddenly starts shoveling cake into her mouth, her face flushed red as she eats with quick little bites.

“Yuu-kun…”

“What?”

“Stop staring…It’s embarrassing.”

“No, I just thought you looked really happy.”

“Don’t just think that, you should eat too.”

“Okay, I will.”

I stick my fork into my cake. But—

“Hey, Yukina. It’s kinda hard to eat sitting side by side in this small kotatsu. Can we move?”

“No. Yuu-kun, you have to stay next to me.”

“Eh…but I’m always next to you.”

“Yes, but it’s Christmas, and I want to snuggle!”

“I feel like that’s the same as usual, though…”

“If it’s hard to eat, I’ll feed you. Here, give me your plate.”

“Hey, wait!”

Yukina grabs my plate. She cuts the cake into bite-sized pieces and offers it to me.

“Here, say ‘ahh.’”

“A-ahh…”

I take a bite of cake from Yukina’s fork. Somehow, it tastes even sweeter than before.

“Yuu-kun, hold still.”

The next moment, I feel a soft sensation on my lips. Yukina kissed me.

When I open my eyes wide in surprise, Yukina pulls back.

“Y-you had cream on your lips.”

“Uh, I see…well, that can’t be helped then.”

“Y-yeah.”

Both of us, red-faced and embarrassed, look down at the table. Without paying attention, Yukina reaches for the last piece of cake that I had been saving, my precious strawberry, and pops it into her mouth.

“Y-Yukina!”

I tried to stop her, but I heard the sound of her swallowing it down.

“S-sorry…”

Since I was a kid, I’ve always liked to save the strawberry for last. I just like strawberries more than cake, that’s all.

So, when I eat cake, I look forward to the strawberry the most.

But now, that little joy was taken away from me so easily. I was a bit annoyed.

“Yuu-kun, are you mad?”

“Haha, no way I’d get mad over a strawberry.”

“But…you seem kind of scary…”

“Well, that’s probably because you feel guilty about what you did.”

“I-I’m sorry, Yuu-kun! I’ll do anything to make it up to you. Oh, I know! I’ll go buy another cake right now! Please forgive me!”

“It’s fine. I don’t want you going out alone and getting bothered by someone.”

“Th-then, what do I have to do to make you forgive me?”

“Hmm…Close your eyes for a second.”

“O-okay…”

At that moment, I secretly took all the strawberries from her cake and ate them, leaving only one piece behind.

“Yukina, I think wars can start over a single strawberry.”

“Y-yeah, I guess.”

“Do you regret it?”

Yukina nods quietly.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

When she opens her eyes and looks at her cake, her expression turns to shock.

“Huh? Huh?”

“I took all of your strawberries. We’re even now.”

“Why?! You’re the one who said wars could start over strawberries! You know I love strawberries too, Yuu-kun! That’s mean!”

Ignoring Yukina’s protests, I pop the last strawberry into my mouth. She starts lightly hitting me, saying, “That’s mean, that’s mean!” over and over. It was getting a bit annoying.

So, I pulled Yukina close and kissed her. A more mature kiss than usual…with the strawberry passed between us.

Yukina once gave me a candy she had been licking before, so it should be fine if I share the strawberry I had eaten.

“We’re even…remember?”

Yukina turns bright red.

My face is probably as red as hers.

“Y-Yuu-kun…That was so mature of you…but I’m happy…”

“R-really…? Sorry for acting like I was mad.”

“N-no, it’s my fault for eating your strawberry…but it turned out okay in the end, right?”

Nodding, Yukina smiles softly, her face melting in contentment. Watching her like that, I felt my desires growing stronger, so I quickly headed to the fridge.

I pulled out a plate piled high with strawberries and brought it over.

“What’s this?”

“I bought them. You used to always take my strawberries when we were kids, and I had a feeling it would happen again today.”

“I’m really sorry…”

“It’s fine. There’s still plenty left.”

“Thank you. Yuu-kun, I’m happy you remember those times when we were little. Merry Christmas.”

“Of course I remember. They’re memories with you. Merry Christmas.”

It’s been years since I spent Christmas with Yukina.

And it turned out to be such a wonderful, happy day.