Chapter 9

For the time being, we’ll leave it at that.

Brought to you by Noir

I ended up coming here after all.

Looking up at the ‘Moon Night Terrace’ signboard, Miya catches her breath.

I’m a regular customer at this cafe, I often come here two or three times a week. 

However, today it’s different.

An elderly couple was sitting on the sunny terrace pleasantly enjoying their coffee. I want you to share that pleasant state of mind with me too.

“Excuse me, please.”

The doorbell echoes in the store.

“Coming, Ah~ Miya-chan.”

Sayaka Arizuki, who was cleaning up the table in front of her, greeted her with a smile.

 Her long black hair was tied in a bun with a red bandana around it. Even though she is supposed to be fifty years old, referring to her as someone in her thirties by just judging by her appearance will also work.

“Hello Auntie.”

When I sat on a seat at the counter, Yuu’s father, the master of the cafe, Arizuki Shun said something in a sombre voice.

“Welcome.”

He has a well-groomed moustache and his back hair mixed with some white ones. He is a quiet and ‘dandy’ uncle.

“Hello Uncle. One iced coffee please.”

“Sure, bringing it right up.”

I look around the store but there is no sign of Yuu-nii.

(Yuu-nii doesn’t seem to be at…)

A mixed feeling of relief and disappointment spur inside me.

“Yuu is not at home right now.”

Sayaka says while sitting on the chair next to me.

“Eh?”

“He’s looking for a job at ‘Hello Work’. You delivered Yuu’s wallet to him yesterday, didn’t you, Miya-chan?”

They knew.

“Yeah, well. Really by accident, at the station …”

“A mysterious beautiful girl delivered his wallet, and he’s has not stopped talking about it since yesterday.”

“Beau…Beautiful girl?!”

“I–I am not really…”

While saying that I withhold the smirk from appearing on my face.

“Ehehehe.”

“Here, your iced coffee.” The master says.

My face tightens from the bitterness of the coffee.

“I asked him what the girl looked like and he said that the girl had brown hair. She looked neat, pure and her voice seemed soothing. Oh, I thought this could only be you, Miya, and see, my guess was right.”

“Auntie, have you said anything about me to Yuu-nii yet?”

It may be that Sayaka has already spilled the beans.

If that is the case then my current worries will result in despair.

“No, I haven’t told him as yet.”

“I see.”

“Because this seems quite interesting.”

Damn… this person….

Sayaka giggles like a mischievous child, thinking:

I can’t wait to see his reaction when he realises that she (Miya) has grown up into such a beautiful girl.

But— 

“If possible, I would like Yuu-nii to recognize me by himself, rather than me introducing myself to him. I want Yuu-nii to notice that I have changed so much.”

“Hmm~ Hmm~ you’ve certainly changed.”

Sayaka says with a distant look in her eyes.

“Back then you used to follow him around saying Yuu-nii, Yuu-nii.”

“A–auntie, you don’t need to remember what happened in those days.”

“Well, he did say something like, ‘if she doesn’t get anyone’s hand in marriage, then I will take her hand instead’ right~.”

“Bu~h~ng… *cough *cough.”

I wipe the spattered coffee with a napkin.

“How nostalgic.”

“Wait, wait, wait a minute. What was it? What did I say back then?”

“You don’t remember?”

“I don’t remember.”

“It was such a passionate approach.”

Do–Doesn’t that mean— I even did something like a roundabout confession.

Just how much Dark history do you want to create before feeling satisfied. (My idiotic, stupid childhood self)

The air conditioning is working efficiently but I can’t help but sweat profusely.

(If Yuu-nii remembers this as well…)

“Awa wa wa wa.”

The hand holding the coffee shakes, and the irregular sound of ice clinking against the cup resounds.

“You see, at that time when Yuu picked up a stray kitten and I rejected it because we couldn’t keep it at home, Miya-chan, you said you would take the kitten at your place.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, that did happen.

“I remember very well, in the end, even you had ended up giving it to someone else wasn’t it?. Nn~? Why are you blushing like that?”

“Auntie, you must be teasing me.”

“Ah~a~ ha~ha~ha~.”

“Mou!”

Sayaka’s laughter echoed throughout the cafe as pop music played in the background.

————————————————————————————END OF CHAPTER————————————————————————————

*chapter 10 is a bit long, so kept it single. rather, chapters getting longer now… ugh… such pain.