Haruka's investigation had been a total dead end, and she was getting frustrated. Drowning her sorrows in some retail therapy, she wandered into a bookstore in a trendy part of town, planning to browse the latest fashion magazines. As she approached the counter with a stack of glossies, she prepared to pay, her mind a million miles away.
"That'll be 4,200 yen," a flat, slightly bored voice said.
Haruka looked up, and her world stopped.
Behind the counter, wearing a standard-issue bookstore apron, was him. The handsome handler. Ectiqa's knight. Here. Working a normal, boring job. Her heart did a frantic, excited flip. This was fate!
She immediately switched on the charm, leaning against the counter and giving him her most dazzling smile. "Oh my gosh," she said, her voice a breathy purr. "It's you! From the Grand Prix! I can't believe it. You work here?"
I looked up from the register and stared at her, trying to place her face. The over-the-top makeup and haughty expression were familiar. "You're Hime-Hime," I said, my tone completely flat. I remembered her from the forum drama. The user who was always making trouble. I was not impressed.
Haruka's smile didn't waver. "You remember me!" she chirped. "So, what time do you get off work? I was just thinking of getting some coffee, and I'd hate to drink it alone."
It was the most direct invitation she could manage. She waited, expecting him to be flattered and flustered.
Instead, I just pushed her receipt and her change across the counter. "Sorry," I said dismissively, already looking past her to the next person in line. "I'm busy after work."
The rejection was so swift, so casual, that it left her momentarily speechless. She just stood there, completely shut down, as I started serving the next customer. Humiliation warred with a strange sense of thrill. He wasn't just cool; he was ice cold. He was a challenge.
Her obsession intensified tenfold. She now knew where to find him.