"Okay everyone, we need to choose what we'll do for the culture festival. Any ideas?" — Ayame-san asked.
Everyone started thinking and whispering to each other before voicing their suggestions.
By the way, Ayame-san is our class rep.
"Is it possible to do a butler café?" — one of my classmates asked.
"With only two people, that'd be tough." — Ayame-san replied.
"As I thought..."
I wonder what would happen if I suggested a maid café... Logically thinking, it wouldn't work that well here either.
"How about a haunted house?" — another classmate suggested.
"Yeah, we could try that. I'll write it on the blackboard."
A haunted house, huh? It kind of reminds me of when we watched that horror movie at Ayame-san's place.
"We could make a tea section — it'd be refreshing to do something traditional." — another classmate suggested.
"Rather than tea, I was thinking coffee... we could offer all kinds of coffee." — said another.
"Since we have two guys here, how about we sell their photos like idols?" — and another one said. Wait, what!?
As you can see, everyone started throwing out ideas. Some were normal — the kind you'd expect from any school event — while others were crazier and somehow involved Ryuichi and me.
I don't even need to mention that Ayame-san already vetoed those ideas.
"Okay, so basically we've narrowed it down to these options: haunted house, retro café, food stall, talent show, and art exhibition. We still need to choose one."
We were really stuck. We couldn't decide, and we had to choose today or we'd start falling behind.
"Edomae-san, you can choose for us. Whatever you feel like doing, we won't complain." — One of my classmates said.
"Everyone okay with that?"
"Nods." — All of us.
"Okay then, I'll go with the haunte—"
"Excuse me! I actually have another idea!" — Tachibana-san raised her hand.
"Sure, what is it?"
"How about doing a play — Romeo and Juliet? Two male students are already enough, and I bet everyone would be curious to see how we'd perform."
Everyone started chatting excitedly, and they seemed to agree with her suggestion.
"Then, Satou-san, Tomoki-kun... are you two fine with that?"
"Sure." — Ryuichi replied.
"Yeah, no problem." — I said.
"Then it's settled. We'll go with Romeo and Juliet. But if we do this, who'll be the main cast?"
Before I could even react, Ryuichi just pointed at me.
"I'm not good with audiences. I highly recommend someone who already has experience." — This guy.
Everyone was already agreeing with him and placing expectations on me, so I couldn't refuse.
Wait a minute — isn't he the one who debated against President Shirakawa in the auditorium in the first place?
"Then... who'll be Juliet?" — I could hear Ayame-san's voice trembling a little.
"I think you'd fit perfectly in that role. After all, you two are both in the student council." — Tachibana-san said with a wink.
"If... if everyone's okay with that..." — Ayame-san said.
"Yeah, I kinda want to see how you two will act!" — one classmate said.
"The male scholarship student and our class rep — this'll be interesting." — another commented.
Everyone gave their approval, and so Ayame-san became Juliet.
Now I need to take this seriously since I've got a crucial role. Not to mention, I'll be pairing with Ayame-san... I can't drag her down.
Since it was already getting late, we wrapped up for the day.
But before that, I had something important to tell my friends.
"Everyone, I think I found our target."
"!?" — Ayame-san, Ryuichi, and Tachibana-san were all surprised.
"Where is he, Tomoki-san?" — Tachibana-san asked.
"The thing is, my older sister went to a butler café, and the description she gave me matches our target's profile. She also said he really resembles me."
"Then it must be him. It's not every day we find someone like you, buddy." — Ryuichi said.
"Must be a coincidence. I mean, what are the actual chances—"
"Please! Where is he? And what's his name?" — Tachibana-san asked desperately.
I was actually reluctant to tell Tachibana-san about this guy. After all, I was rooting for my sister. But I'd never seen Tachibana-san this eager before either.
Not to mention, I was worried if it's a good idea to date senpai, the guy who already has two girlfriends and act like that way.
In the end, I decided to share this information.
"I'll send his location through our group chat. But I don't know his name."
"Thank you so much, Tomoki-san! Satou-san! Edomae-san!" — Tachibana-san bowed deeply.
"That was nothing." — I said.
"I hope you find him." — Ryuichi added.
"I'm rooting for you." — Ayame-san said softly.
Then Tachibana-san waved to us and left the school. We'd only find out on the weekend since that's the only time he'd be working.
Anyway, good luck, Tachibana-san! I wish you all the happiness in the world.
~sigh. Now I need to read that Shakespeare book... wait, is it the same Shakespeare I think it is?
♦♦♦
"Tomoki-kun, maybe it'll seem weird at first, but trust me — it's really awesome, and you're definitely going to enjoy it."
"Erina nee-san..."
"You might be startled by the prices, but don't worry, I'll pay for both of us. You'll understand it's totally worth it."
"Erina nee-san..."
"I wonder if they'll lend you a costume too. I have that photo of you at Edomae-san's house, but being here is completely different!"
"Nee-san, did I even need to come here?"
"Of course! If I can prove to you he's not deceiving me, then nobody will doubt me. Let's go inside!"
I was planning to read Romeo and Juliet, but instead, I ended up coming here because of my sister.
Sure I'm worried about the guy she fell for — and who might also be the same guy who helped Tachibana-san.
But I kind feel sad knowing that my first "concept café" experience is a butler café instead of a maid café... I hope they at least act like normal waiters.
Besides, there's another reason I'm reluctant to come here.
"Tomoki-san!?"
"Hello, Tachibana-san. What a coincidence."
"Tomoki-kun? You know her?"
"Yeah, she's my classmate, Tachibana Himari." — Then I looked at Tachibana-san. — "...and she's my older sister, Morikawa Erina."
Both of them greeted each other politely. I never told my sister about Tachibana-san — after all, I wasn't planning to come here.
Well, let's just get this over with and see if he's really our target.
"Welcome, my dear mistress and master." — one of the butlers greeted us.
"Excuse me, does Seba—"
"Erina-sama, if it's him, he hasn't arrived yet. Please choose your table — I'm sure he'll be here any moment."
"Thanks!"
"Then, what about you two? Table for two?" — he asked, looking at Tachibana-san and me.
"Actually, he's my little brother. He's with me. Tachibana-san, would you like to sit with us?"
"Is that okay? Then excuse me..."
"So, a table for three. Please, follow me."
When we arrived at the table, he even pulled out our chairs — just like I did for Ayame-san at her house that one time.
While we waited, my sister scrolled through her phone while Tachibana-san scanned every butler around.
"So, did you find him?" — I whispered.
"No, I guess we'll have to wait." — she whispered back.
"Something wrong?" — Erina nee-san asked.
"No, nothing. I just wonder what kind of butler you mentioned." — I said, trying to sound natural.
"He's really incredible~. Just wait and you'll see!"
My sister really is head over heels for this guy.
"Tomoki-san, does your sister perhaps..." — Tachibana whispered.
"Calm down, Tachibana-san. We still need to confirm if it's him."
Then one of the butlers returned.
"Excuse me, dear mistress and master. I regret to inform you that he won't be able to attend to you today."
"I see... well, I guess I'll come back next week." — Erina nee-san said.
"No, my lady, I regret to inform you that he will not be working as a butler again."
"Eh? Wait... can you tell me what happened?" — my sister's voice trembled.
"I'm sorry, but I can't share personal information. As an apology, please — each of you may choose one of our services for free." — he said, handing us a menu.
I gotta say, it's disappointing we won't meet him, but I'm impressed by their service. I mean, offering a huge discount just because one employee left? That's impressive.
Let's see the menu—
Wait, what the—!?
"Excuse me, but I think I'm reading this wrong... Is one plate actually enough to feed a family?"
"Haha! What an amusing master." — he laughed, thinking I was joking to cheer up my sister.
No wonder Erina nee-san keeps working so hard despite not going out with her "rent-boyfriend" anymore.
Well, let's just order the big portion of curry rice and a glass of— holy— this water costs as much as bottled wine!?
After ordering, we waited in silence. Both of them were clearly disappointed — especially my sister.
"My dear mistress and master, here's your order. Now, let me cast a spell on your lunch... Moe, moe, kyun kyun!" — he even made a heart sign with his hands.
COUGH COUGH! — I nearly spat my water.
"Tomoki-kun!?""Tomoki-san!?"
"Are you okay, master?"
If I asked him to never do that again in his life, would he be mad?
"No, it's nothing. I'm fine."
"Then, please enjoy your meal."
Does my sister actually enjoy this? I wonder what kind of butler she fell for...
"Sigh~ it's really different..." — Erina nee-san sighed.
"You mean, he didn't put enough energy into that?" — I´m glad he didn't then.
"No, it's because he never did those chants. He said they were too embarrassing. Instead, he'd kneel, take my hand, and bless it with a kiss."
Thank god my sister prefers that way.
"Seriously? He did that? That's so romantic!" — Tachibana-san said.
"Right? But I guess dreams should stay in the dreams..."
After eating, the same butler returned.
"Would you like to take a photo with one of our butlers?"
"No thanks, we'll be leaving," — Erina nee-san said.
"Excuse me, may I ask the name of the person Erina-san requested?" — Tachibana-san asked.
"That's a bit—"
"His name is Sebastian." — my sister answered.
"I see. An unusual name, but I suppose it's a blessing in disguise."
There's no way that's his real name.
"That's not his real name, right?" — I asked the butler.
"For privacy reasons, we can't share any personal information. I hope you understand."
"No, I mean. There's no way this is his real name right?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you."
"Tomoki-san, it's okay, thank you."
I guess it's back to square one.
We didn't take any photos and just left. Tachibana-san was clearly feeling down, but I was more worried about my sister.
Still... I can't help but wonder — how much do these guys earn?