Monday—the beginning of a new week.
That morning, on a simple whim, I went to school a little earlier than usual.
About half of the class was already there. Minase hadn’t shown up yet, but Yukari was already chatting happily with two other girls.
When she noticed me walking into the classroom, she waved with a bright smile. I kept a straight face and raised a hand lightly in response.
Reaching my seat, I tossed my school bag onto the desk and sank into my chair.
“Ignoring me? That’s kind of cold, isn’t it?”
Yukari spoke up from beside me.
“I did respond, didn’t I?”
“You didn’t even talk to me.”
She sounded slightly accusatory.
“It just feels like I’d be acting all high and mighty if I did.”
Last week, I’d had no choice but to talk to Yukari about something. As a result, everyone found out we were childhood friends. Since then, I hadn’t spoken to her again. It just felt awkward—like I was showing off some special connection. Even now, when I glanced sideways at the class, a few students were clearly curious about what we were talking about.
“Do you even realize what kind of position you’re in right now?”
Position, or rather reputation—how people saw us, maybe?
“You talk to Minase-san just fine, though.”
“That’s different. She’s friendly with everyone.”
Minase wasn’t just popular for her looks—her easygoing personality made her approachable too. She could talk with anyone, boy or girl. Sure, living nearby gave me some advantage, but it’s not like she treated me any differently.
Yukari, on the other hand, was more of the “untouchable beauty” type. Only a handful of guys ever managed to talk to her. For her to be the one talking to me right now? That was a privilege few could even dream of.
“It’s not like I wanted things to be this way, you know.”
Yukari said with a slightly sulky tone.
Her beautiful, refined features naturally gave off a cool, distant aura. It wasn’t her fault, but it did make her seem unapproachable.
“Still, it’d make me happy if you treated me normally—like you do with Sakura.”
“I’ll try.”
Then an idea popped into my head.
“Why not start riding BMX again, like you used to? People might find you more relatable.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
But her smile lacked energy. She was just humoring me, I could tell. Then I remembered something.
“Oh right, your mom told you to stop, didn’t she?”
“Exactly.”
Yukari gave a small, bitter smile.
“What about flatland? That’s just doing tricks on flat ground, right?”
“True, it’s not about jumping or flying around. But my mom just hates seeing me on a bike, period. I haven’t even ridden a regular one in years.”
“That bad, huh…”
I was left speechless by her mother’s overprotectiveness—but honestly, if I had been there back then, I might’ve agreed with her. I wouldn’t want Yukari riding BMX again either.
“I’d probably hurt myself anyway. It’s been way too long.”
“Yeah, best to let it go.”
Yukari probably understood her mom’s feelings and chose not to ride. Even though most girls her age would’ve gone out cycling with friends, she stayed off bikes entirely. Suggesting she get back into it so casually was thoughtless of me.
“Morning!”
A cheerful voice suddenly rang out.
Minase had arrived. Both Yukari and I instinctively turned toward her. When she spotted us, she smiled brightly.
“Good morning! What are you two talking about?”
She placed her bag on her desk and came straight over.
“Nothing important.”
“Oh, okay.”
When I brushed her off, Minase accepted it easily. She looked at Yukari just in case, but Yukari only smiled. It wasn’t like we were discussing a secret, but it wasn’t something worth explaining either.
“Hey, Sakura—”
“Stop right there, Minase.”
I cut her off before she could continue.
“If you’re about to suggest something weird again, save it.”
“Don’t call it weird!”
“Sorry, but I’ve got work today. Can’t hang out.”
Her protest came halfway through, but I finished my sentence anyway.
“Aww, too bad.”
She gave up surprisingly easily. Probably because I’d promised her before that I’d hang out whenever I could. She must’ve figured there’d be another chance—and there would. I’d make it up to her next time.
“Alright, that settles it. Now back to your seats.”
“I just got here, though.”
“Rude much.”
I waved them off dismissively, earning a chorus of complaints.
Come on—keeping the two girls every guy in class adored standing at my desk wasn’t doing me any favors.
They exchanged glances, then thankfully returned to their seats.
My school life had gotten unexpectedly lively these days.
§§§
I always stop by *Miss Me Blind* after going home first.
Today was no different. I went home, changed clothes, and got ready for work. We could wear casual clothes under the store apron, but flashy outfits were discouraged—not that I owned any.
“Good evening.”
I entered *Miss Me Blind* through the main entrance. There was a staff entrance in the back, but during business hours, I always went through the front.
“Hello there, Aoi-kun,”
The manager greeted me warmly from behind the counter, his voice gentle as always. Sitting nearby was my senior, Misumi-senpai, who just lifted a hand in lazy acknowledgment—still as cold as ever.
The shop was quiet, with only a few older regulars scattered around. After the recent chaos in my school life, this calm felt soothing.
“Something wrong?”
“Nah, nothing.”
Maybe my relief showed on my face. I dodged Misumi-senpai’s curious look with a vague answer and headed into the back room.
I dropped my shoulder bag on the sofa in the break room, stuffed my wallet inside, tied on my apron, and got to work.
Just then, the doorbell chimed. Customers.
“Welcome!”
I stepped forward to greet them—two girls. Unusual for this place.
“Ah, it’s Sakura.”
“Oh, you’re right. It *is* Sakura.”
Minase and Yukari.
Of course. Figures.
“Don’t pretend you just happened to find me here. You followed me, didn’t you?”
“Busted?”
Got it in one. Minase had been dying to know where I worked, so she must’ve tailed me from home.
She stuck her tongue out playfully. Cute—but not enough to get her off the hook.
I turned to Yukari next.
“And you? Why’d you come along?”
“I was curious about your job too,” she said with a straight face.
I’d been fooled by her calm, elegant demeanor lately, but I’d forgotten—this was the same tomboy who used to tear around on a BMX. She probably jumped at the chance when Minase invited her.
“Friends of yours, Aoi-kun?”
The manager’s voice came from behind me.
“Sorry, I’ll get rid of them right away.”
“No need! They came all this way—let them stay for a bit. My treat.”
Too kind, seriously.
“Really? Thank you!”
The girls beamed.
Well, that was that. Once the manager said so, I couldn’t exactly kick them out.
“Sit wherever you want,” I said flatly, turning away.
“Not even a ‘welcome’? Harsh.”
“Quiet, you.”
“Just don’t cause any trouble, alright? If anything happens, I’m quitting this job.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“This place means a lot to me.”
I’d found this job right after quitting soccer, when I had nothing going on. I’d probably been a pain to deal with back then, but the manager still kept me on. If I caused any problems for the store, I’d leave without hesitation.
Minase and Yukari exchanged glances, looking guilty.
“Sorry. We won’t do it again.”
“We promise.”
“And don’t try to pay. The manager offered.”
I went back to the counter to make two cups of coffee. The manager always brewed the house blend when treating guests.
Misumi-senpai was waiting there, smirking.
“The cost’s coming out of your paycheck.”
“Seriously?”
“Don’t worry, Aoi-kun,” the manager called. “I’d never do that.”
I shot Misumi-senpai a glare; she pretended to whistle innocently. What a personality.
“Those two girls—Minase and Koreda, right?”
“You know them? Even though you barely go to school?”
“Hey, I go enough!”
She pouted. Though “enough” probably just meant “barely enough not to repeat a year.”
“Anyway, I remember the fuss when they enrolled last year. The guys wouldn’t shut up about how cute they were.”
She rolled her eyes, clearly remembering the chaos.
“So that’s why you’ve been looking happier lately?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh, so you admit it?”
“I mean, yeah. I kinda realized it myself.”
I didn’t bother denying it this time. Hanging out late, grabbing ramen, pulling all-nighters watching dramas—life had gotten more fun. I couldn’t pretend otherwise.
“Huh.”
Misumi-senpai’s response was noncommittal as always.
By then, the coffee was ready.
“All done,” I said, taking the tray. “Thanks, manager. I’ll bring it over.”
“Go ahead, take your time. I’ll call you if we get busy.”
“Got it.”
I brought the coffee and a small milk pitcher to their table.
“Here.”
“Thanks. …Hey, Sakura, isn’t that Misumi-san over there?”
Yukari motioned subtly with her chin.
“Yeah. Her grandfather owns this place.”
“Really? You two seem pretty close. Don’t tell me you knew before working here?”
“Nope. Total coincidence.”
If I’d known, I might’ve passed on this job. Back then, I thought she was terrifying.
Minase, meanwhile, was staring toward the counter.
“What’s up?”
No reply.
Then suddenly, she stood up and walked toward the manager.
“Excuse me—are you perhaps married to Misumi Ruka, the super senior model?”
“Oh, you know her?”
The manager’s tone softened, and his smile deepened slightly.
Yukari and I looked at each other in confusion. Yukari quickly pulled out her phone and started searching.
“I do! I’m in theater, and Ruka-san’s style has always inspired me.”
Her voice trembled with excitement. I could feel her passion for acting just from that.
Yukari handed me her phone. On the screen was a picture of an elegant older woman with streaks of purple hair, wearing an extravagant outfit. The caption read: *Super Senior Model – Misumi Ruka.*
“So that’s her.”
“Seems like it.”
I’d never heard of “senior models” before, but she looked amazing—standing proud and confident, not trying to act her age. She had an undeniable presence that would look stunning on stage.
“I saw a TV feature about her once. The manager appeared in it too, right?”
“Yes, they interviewed me briefly as her partner. I was so embarrassed,” he said, smiling shyly.
He really was a refined man—together, they must’ve been a striking couple. I suddenly wanted to look up that segment myself.
“Ruka-san… she’s passed away, hasn’t she?”
“Yes. It’s been three years.”
Minase’s expression turned somber.
“She’d be happy to know someone your age still remembers her.”
The manager’s gentle smile was tinged with pride.
After chatting a little more, Minase returned to our table.
“Come to think of it,” I said, “Yakushiji was staring at the manager too. Guess she knew about his wife.”
“Ah, Asahi just likes older men.”
“…Right. Forget I asked.”
I really hoped she meant in the “admiring handsome actors” sense.
Minase quickly added, “Of course she knows Ruka-san too.”
§§§
Work ended, and I headed home.
It was past 9:30 p.m. *Miss Me Blind* closed at nine, and they always let me leave on time. The manager and Misumi-senpai handled everything afterward. I only stayed late once—when a regular lost his glasses and we tore the place apart looking for them. Turns out they were at his house.
“Welcome back!”
As I walked up the street to my apartment building, a voice called down from above. Minase.
I looked up to see her leaning over the railing between the second and third floors.
“Keep it down. Do you know what time it is?”
She stuck out her tongue, realizing her mistake.
When I reached the second floor, she was waiting there.
“Welcome back.”
“Yeah, I’m home.”
Even a simple exchange like that felt awkward with a classmate—especially a girl.
“What’s up?”
“I was waiting for you.”
Not to drag me somewhere, thankfully. After her stunt earlier, I doubted she’d pull something again so soon.
She was dressed casually in a loose hoodie and shorts—not exactly outdoor wear.
“Even if it’s just outside the apartment, don’t go around like that. It’s not safe.”
“Oh? My bare legs distracting you?”
She teased, striking a playful pose that made it impossible to deny she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“So? What did you want?”
“Ah, trying to dodge that, huh.”
She grinned, but soon her expression softened.
“Um… I just wanted to apologize for today.”
“You already did. I wasn’t mad anyway. If you feel like coming again, go ahead.”
Honestly, I’d wanted to keep *Miss Me Blind* separate from our little “Quitters’ Club,” but now that they knew, there was no helping it. Besides, they wouldn’t cause any trouble.
And having friends who cared enough to follow me to work—well, that wasn’t so bad.
“Then… you’ll treat us next time?”
“Dream on.”
That said, depending on how often it happens, I wouldn’t really mind either. Minase would probably be more than welcome at the café too—especially since the manager already knew about his wife.
“Wait, did you actually wait for me just to say that?”
“Ah, no, not just that… Hey, Sakura, you used to live in this town when you were little, right?”
“Yeah, I did.”
I left this town once when I was in fifth grade and came back to play soccer at Kazamigaoka. But why was she bringing that up now?
“Then, um… will you take me somewhere during Golden Week?”
“Somewhere? Like where?”
“I’ll leave that to you. You see, until recently, I was always busy with club activities, so I actually don’t know many fun places around here.”
Now that she mentioned it, Minase’s situation was kind of similar to mine. She came here to join the drama club at Kazamigaoka—and only quit about a month ago. If she spent most of that time focusing on club activities, then even after a year of living here, it made sense that she didn’t really know the area well.
In that case, maybe it was my job as the local to show her around.
“So, basically… like a date?”
“Ah, sorry. I’d rather not call it that.”
I let my expression go completely blank and turned my back to her. …Alright, time to head home.
“Wait, wait, wait, hold on!”
Minase hurriedly grabbed my hand.
“Hey, why do you have to say something that just kills my motivation like that?”
“Well, come on, it’s weird not to react when a cute girl asks you out on a date, you know?”
As always, she said “cute” so naturally. She probably used that word for almost every girl in existence.
Standing here arguing about it was pointless. A waste of energy—and hair follicles.
“Alright, alright. Fine, we’ll go.”
“Really!? Thanks!”
Minase smiled brightly, genuinely happy. She was always so honest with her emotions.
“Then, see you later! Good night!”
With a light bounce in her step, she went up the stairs to her place.
I should probably start thinking of a plan worthy of that smile.
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