When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 57: After returning from the café, I was greeted by her in an apron.

After returning from the café, I was greeted by her in an apron.

I was surprised to find her here, but I couldn’t help but think that this café might actually be a good fit for her part-time job.

It’s close to home.

Despite its prefab exterior, the inside is a stylish café.

There aren’t many employees or customers, which is ideal for someone like her who doesn’t want to interact much with others.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief that this was the place.

Maybe, deep down, I thought there was no way it could be here.

This café is close to the apartment complex, and it’s a regular spot for her mother, who has been restless ever since her daughter went missing, constantly twirling a straw around the rim of her glass.

I don’t know if she knows this, but there’s always a chance they could run into each other here.

I thought she would pick a place farther away, somewhere her mother would never go. But thinking of where that might be, my poor brain couldn’t come up with anything… maybe a retro game shop? No, that’s just my own hobby.

Even if today’s near miss was a coincidence, I doubt she hadn’t considered the possibility.

Was she being defiant, thinking it didn’t matter if her mother came, or was she confident her mother wouldn’t?

I couldn’t understand her mindset.

My head ached.

I propped my elbows on the table, running my fingers through my hair.

It seemed like one troublesome situation after another.

Had I done something wrong? I looked straight ahead, watching her mother drink milk tea through a straw, her adorable actions belying her status as a mother.

I felt guilty, as if I was wronging her somehow.

Even though I didn’t mean to.

Sighing deeply, I stood up from my chair.

Her mother let go of the straw, her red lips leaving a mark on it. My eyes were momentarily drawn to the stained straw as I rummaged through my pocket and unfolded the neatly folded paper on the table.

“Notice of a Parent-Teacher Conference”

Her mother let out a small gasp.

She looked up at me, confused and on the verge of tears.

But it was too late to turn back now.

I spoke, throwing the words out mechanically.

“The meeting I mentioned earlier.”

Avoiding eye contact, I grabbed the bill from the table and turned away.

I waved the bill in the air with my fingers, using it as a silent farewell.

“Think about it and let me know your decision.”

With that, I left her mother behind and walked towards the register.

I settled the bill and stepped outside, hearing a soft “thank you” from behind.

Standing under the overlapping shadows of the street trees, I felt a bit relieved, thinking I had fulfilled my minimal obligations to both her mother and the teacher.

The autumn breeze was pleasantly soothing.

Yet, my shoulders felt heavier than before I entered the café. I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time today.

“…Sajou-san, you’re home, right?”

Even though I was heading home, my steps felt heavy.

The walk back, which should have taken less than ten minutes, dragged on for twice as long as I trudged back.

***

“…Welcome back.”

“I-I’m back.”

When I got home, I was greeted by Sajou-san, who was wearing an apron at the entrance.

For a moment, I felt a fleeting thrill at being welcomed home by someone in an apron, but I quickly suppressed the urge to let my voice tremble.

It felt a bit awkward. I shook off the dangerous thought that this felt like infidelity and turned away, crouching down to neatly arrange my shoes.

Then,

“Where did you go?”

My heart skipped a beat.

This was the second-to-last question I wanted to be asked right now.

For the record, the top question would be, “Who were you with?”

The tricky part about this question is that even though the asker already knows the answer, they’re forcing you to say it, making you feel guilty as if it’s a punishment in itself—or something like that.

No, no, no.

I can’t let this make me sound like a cheating man.

I wasn’t cheating. Really, I wasn’t! I just don’t want to say who I was with, that’s all!

“…Uh…”

Words wouldn’t come out. I stretched the sound to buy time.

What should I do? For a moment, I considered lying.

But then I realized that the café staff had seen me with her mother both times.

If Sajou-san got the job, the truth would likely come out through the staff, and I’d inevitably be asked, “Why did you lie?” Knowing it was her mother would double the punishment. I couldn’t escape this fate. Shivering with fear.

So, I decided to honestly say, “I went to a café.” I hoped for a world where honesty wouldn’t be punished.

I wouldn’t mention who I had tea with.

I wasn’t asked, after all. This felt like poorly hiding a plot twist in a story. I never thought I’d be the one thinking like this.

Ah, so this is how it feels to be on the receiving end of such a situation.

“…A café.”

She stared at me.

Her gaze felt piercing, as if I could almost hear the sound effect of her intense look.

Her dark eyes were narrowed suspiciously, clearly doubting my words.

Could it be… she knows?

Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, chilling my spine as a cold shiver ran through my body.

Thump-thump-thump.

I waited anxiously for Sajou-san’s reaction.

“…I see.”

That was all she said before turning back to the living room.

The door between the hallway and the living room slammed shut.

Though the space had closed off, the oppressive, accusing air seemed to escape as if through ventilation somewhere.

Along with it, my strength seemed to drain away, leaving me to slump down onto the chilly floorboards, feeling completely drained.

“Did I… get away with it?”

I wondered. I didn’t know, but if she wasn’t going to press further, maybe it was okay. I hoped so. Please let it be.

Seriously. Pressing down on my racing heart, I felt a pang of guilt.

“By the way…” She said,

“Huhaahhh!?”

Sajou-san’s voice came from behind the door as she peeked her face out. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. For a moment, I felt inflated like a balloon, as if my chest was being pushed from the inside.

Am I okay? Is it intact?

I checked with trembling hands to make sure there were no literal breaks.

“…What are you doing?”

“N-Nothing…?…Did you hear thunder or something?”