There was a loud commotion coming from inside the café. I had no idea what Mika was doing in there.
"Kyaah! I-I'm sorry!"
Then-
"WAAH! I didn't mean to!"
All her mistakes were starting to make me itch. What the hell was this idiot doing?
Rei, who had been sitting beside me the whole time, looked at me with an embarrassed expression.
"Kaito, are you really going to let Mika continue like that?" she asked.
"I don't know… maybe wait until she hits her climax?"
"You're cruel," she replied coldly.
"It's not like I can do anything."
"Well, at least cheer her up or something? What's the harm?"
True, there was nothing wrong with helping her. But with Fujimoto-san and Tanabe there, I figured she was in good hands.
Probably…
I got up from my seat, reluctantly abandoning the comfort.
"Alright, I'll go in. You stay here, Rei."
"Don't make that forced face, Kaito. You look like an angry seal," she said mockingly.
"I'm not a seal."
"I said you look like one, not that you are one."
"That's the same thing, just different wording."
I walked inside. It was completely chaotic. I let out a long sigh and approached Mika, gently taking her hands to stop her.
"That's enough, Mika. You've worked hard. I'll take your shift. Go rest."
She looked up at me. Her blue eyes were filled with tears, like a child who had just gotten scolded.
Strange… for some reason, I felt like I'd seen that expression somewhere before.
"I-I'm sorry Kaito, I didn't mean t-"
"Go... take a rest. That's enough for today. I'll take over."
She fell silent. After a long pause, she finally nodded. She removed her apron and handed it to me.
"Thank you… Kaito…" her voice was small. Seeing her like this was more than enough.
If I left her, she'd just keep embarrassing herself. And strangely… it felt like this had happened many times before.
From the cashier counter, Fujimoto-san called my name. Her eyes looked sad—maybe she didn't expect cheerful Mika to suddenly break down.
I told her I'd take her shift. I wouldn't take mine.
Understanding, she let me start working. It wasn't difficult; serving customers, taking orders, delivering them, it's pretty simple.
But seeing Mika earlier made me curious.
What happened to her?
(POV Rei)
Mika walked out through the door. Her expression was gloomy and defeated. She had been so cheerful earlier.
After a moment, I called a waiter and ordered a strawberry milkshake—her favorite.
Oh, and a black tea for myself.
"You look exhausted, Mika. Sit down. I already ordered your favorite drink."
She didn't say anything. Her eyes were dark and empty.
Worried, I moved closer and tapped her shoulder.
"Come sit with me. It looks like you're dealing with something serious."
She stayed silent… then suddenly, her tears burst out. She cried hard, and I hugged her, patting her back, trying to calm her down.
"I'm here, Mika. Tell me what's wrong. You can't carry everything alone. I might be able to help."
After a while, she finally spoke.
"I-It's about my dad…"
Her voice was so small it was barely audible. She trembled badly.
"He… he's in a really big trouble."
Right after saying that, she shook her head violently.
"I-I'm sorry… but I can't tell you more…
This problem is much more complicated than a normal one."
(POV Kaito)
The café was packed. I kept taking orders and delivering them nonstop.
"Haah… tonight's ridiculously crowded," Tanabe muttered beside me.
Still writing orders, I nodded. "Isn't that a good thing? More customers means more pay."
He sat down on an empty chair. "Yeah, but we can't rest at all like this!"
"You're just being lazy. Didn't you say you wanted to buy a motorbike?"
He froze, then made a fox-like expression.
"Fine, you win, Hayashi. Why are you always able to hit people's weak spots?"
"Because you tell me. That's why I know."
He rolled his eyes.
"Yeah yeah, whatever."
As we continued serving customers, I noticed him watching something.
Rei's table?
Wait, why is he staring at Rei and Mika?
"Oi Tanabe, what are you looking at?"
He glanced at me with a look that said, 'You should see it for yourself.' Then shrugged like he knew nothing.
I turned and saw an expression on Rei's face that I had never seen before.
What happened to them?
"Order number 038, name: Rei Asagiri."
Fujimoto-san placed the strawberry milkshake and black tea on the tray and asked me to deliver them.
When I arrived at their table, their expressions were dark. Like they were facing some huge problem.
"Here are your drinks. Hey, why do you two look like that? Did something happen?"
Mika quickly wiped her face and looked at me.
"O-Oh… okay… thank you… Kaito."
Her voice was hoarse and trembling. I could clearly see dried tears on her cheeks.
"What happened to you? Is it because of earlier?"
Rei quickly stood up, cutting the conversation.
"N-No, nothing happened, Kaito…"
Her voice trembled, not from embarrassment, but... from sadness?
I paused, but since they were honest people, I believed her and returned inside.
Tanabe was waiting inside. The customers were fewer now.
"Well?" he asked with an annoying smirk.
"Well what?"
"Never mind. Guess you won't get it." He turned around dramatically.
Annoying. If we weren't working, I would've hit him.
Time passed, and the café was about to close. I wiped the tables, removed my apron, and placed it in the staff area.
"Thank you for your hard work, Hayashi-kun," Fujimoto-san said behind me.
"No problem. I was just covering Mika's shift."
"Oh, right. This is your pay for the shift."
She handed me an envelope. Well, there are two actually.
I immediately refused.
"I don't want the payment. It's Mika's shift. You should give it to her."
"Huh? But you were the one who worked today."
"That's true, but Mika needs the money more than me. Just give it to her."
She paused, then nodded and went to Mika, who was getting ready to leave.
Why do I prioritize Mika over myself? I'm struggling with money too.
I fell silent, confused by my own choices.
But I had my own reasons.
Maybe because I took someone else's responsibility.
Besides, I still have my own shifts. I'll earn money anyway.
And the Kawaguchiko trip money is still untouched.
But I don't want to use it. It's their money, not mine.
Even though I still have 179,000 yen left, which is a lot.
After i walked out from the cafe. A cold breeze brushed against my skin.
"Brr… it's freezing tonight."
I walked along the beach, watching the moon reflect on the ocean's surface. I was grateful to still be alive in this moment.
Waves, silence, night air…
Then, i heard a footsteps approaching.
Someone's calling me.
When I turned around, Mika was running toward me.
I sighed.
I knew this was coming sooner or later.
"Kaito!"
"What is it? Looks like you want to tell me something." i said it calmly.
She stopped and held out the two envelopes Fujimoto-san tried to give me earlier.
"Here… why did you give these to me?" she asked, panting.
"Huh? No reason. Just giving them to the person who deserves them."
Even though… I needed the money too.
She scratched her head in confusion. "Deserves them? You're the one who worked. Why am I getting paid?"
I crossed my arms, grinning casually.
"This was supposed to be your shift. I just covered it. Besides… didn't you need to buy something for someone?"
"Huh?" she gasped.
She stared at the envelopes for a long time, clearly still conflicted.
"But-"
I covered her mouth.
"Relax. If someone gives you money, just accept it. Money doesn't come easy."
She gently pushed my hand away.
Her expression changed.
Not angry… but like she couldn't accept it.
"But… Kaito… I… I can't just take your money!"
Her voice trembled beneath the cold wind.
I sighed. "You need it more than I do. That's all."
"No!"
She shook her head hard, her hair swaying.
"I can't accept this, Kaito… I… I…"
She gripped the envelopes tightly, like they might tear.
"…I don't want to take what should be yours…"
Her breathing was uneven.
"That's it?" I asked calmly. "Don't worry. I'm not bothered at all."
She looked down.
"…But… is it really okay?"
"It is. How many times do I have to say it? It's fine.
If you need the money, then just take it."
Mika paused… then gave a small laugh.
A fragile laugh, like she finally caught a breath.
"…You really are stupid, Kaito."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Silence returned.
I let out a breath. "Mika," I said softly, "if you need help… just say so.
Not every problem can be solved alone."
She looked up at me, and after a long moment, nodded.
"Alright… Thank you. For everything… Kaito. This is more than enough for me."
After a brief silence, she opened her mouth again.
"Just for today…" she whispered like she wanted to bury something deep inside.
"Did you say something?"
She shook her head quickly. "No, I didn't say anything."