Squeak—squeak—
Yanami vigorously wiped the table in front of her—she wiped it so hard it could be used as a mirror—yet she didn't stop. The way she gritted her teeth made it seem as if she had a deep-seated grudge against the table.
Kiyono, seeing her lively and interesting expression from the side, couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
"My important treasure was stolen by someone else!" Yanami stopped her actions, looking depressed.
Don't use such misleading words!
Kiyono was speechless. If it were any other girl, he might be a little worried, but if it was Yanami… it must be that someone stole her snacks, right?
The two chatted while working. Just then, the wind chime on the shop door jingled, and a voice full of enthusiastic vitality rang in their ears.
"Yanami! I've come to see you!"
Kiyono looked up and saw a man and a woman walking directly toward them at the entrance. One of them, a girl with healthy, tanned skin, greeted them first.
Kiyono glanced at her, feeling a sense of familiarity. Connecting that with what she had shouted… could this be the legendary second defeated Blue-haired girl, Yakishio Lemon?
She could also be called the dark-skinned athlete.
Of course, that's a teasing nickname. In fact, this girl was quite cute, with neat short hair and a yellow lemon-shaped hair accessory that highlighted a touch of girlishness. Coupled with her graceful physique, she could definitely be called a beautiful Blue-haired girl.
As for the person next to Yakishio Lemon, that must be her childhood friend. He wore glasses and had a refined appearance. Normally, the two would be the classic childhood friends who are destined to marry, but alas…
This is a defeated Blue-haired girl's story.
Kiyono mercilessly complained and prepared to leave—after all, these two were clearly here for Yanami, and he wasn't familiar with them, so it wasn't appropriate for him to stay—but as soon as he turned around, he felt his sleeve being pulled with great force.
He slowly turned his head and saw Yanami giving him an inexplicable, encouraging smile—what exactly do you want me to be encouraged about?!
And with that interruption from the Blue-haired girl, he missed the best time to leave.
The second defeated Blue-haired girl group arrived at their table. Yanami immediately held hands with Yakishio Lemon and hugged her, a silly, happy expression on her face. Are you two acting out a cute manga?
Fortunately, the store was relatively quiet at the moment, so they didn't need to work.
After a brief interaction, Yanami introduced them to each other. When it was Kiyono's turn, she thoughtfully pinched her smooth chin.
"Lemon, Kiyono-kun, this is my… my senior? Friend?"
"Why is it a question?" Kiyono sighed.
"Anyway, Kiyono-kun has helped me a lot; he's a good person." Yanami showed a big smile.
"Then we're friends too, Kiyono-kun!" Yakishio Lemon also smiled at him.
…Huh? How did it inexplicably develop to this point? I don't want to be involved in your sweet-and-sour romantic comedy!
Kiyono nodded gently at them, feeling a bit strange inside.
He really hadn't expected Yanami to actively introduce him into her circle… it should be considered a circle, but he wasn't sure. It was also possible that she was simply taking things as they came.
With that, the two sat down in chairs and began to look at the menu with interest, placing their orders. Yanami took this opportunity to pull Kiyono to a seat on the side and stealthily whispered to him, "Did you notice?"
Notice what?
Kiyono was stunned for a moment, glanced at the childhood friend pair, and then suddenly realized—she must be talking about their romance, right? It was probably her idea for them to eat together!
"It was my idea for them to come here to eat together. How about it, aren't I amazing?" Yanami winked at him proudly.
It really was you! Wouldn't it be better to worry more about your own romance if you have this much free time?
Kiyono was silent for a moment, unsure whether to admire or feel helpless.
"Hehe, Lemon and the others are also childhood friends. If they get together, I'll feel a bit more confident too…"
Yanami leaned closer to Kiyono again, asking for his opinion: "What do you think we should do now to create an opportunity for them?"
To be honest, he didn't want to get involved. These people's youth and romance had nothing to do with him, and he didn't know how far the current storyline had progressed, whether the victorious 8K and Empress Asahi had appeared… But his relationship with Yanami had improved over the past two days, and since the matter was right in front of him, giving a little push wouldn't hurt.
Kiyono thought for a moment and followed her train of thought. "You brought them here. Do you have any good ideas?"
"All I could think of was recommending a couple's set menu to them… but I know both of them, so if I do it, it might be too obvious." Yanami gently bit her thumb, entering deep-thought mode.
Too… too innocent. Kiyono found it a bit hard to comment. He pondered for a while and then suggested:
"That can be plan one. Afterwards, we can add a discount for couple photos and a blessing from the staff."