Golden Festival Day 13
The bell above the door jingled as Kagura stepped back inside, grinning with a stack of envelopes in her arms.
Kagura: "Mail's here~!" she sang, kicking the door shut behind her. "And no suspicious bills this time!"
Nicholas: "That's already a good day," he said from behind the counter, polishing glasses like an actual responsible worker.
Chifuyu sat at one of the tables setting out sugar jars, half-awake because he stayed up late reading Jump. Iris arranged menus with nervous precision. Ariel sat sideways in a chair, legs dangling, lazily flipping through a donut catalogue she'd somehow acquired. Caesar leaned against the back wall, arms crossed, watching the morning setup.
Kagura dropped the mail onto the counter and started sorting: "Water bill, ad, ad, weird cult flyer, Hunter Agency newsletter…" She paused, holding up a small cream-colored envelope with tidy handwriting. "Oh?"
Chifuyu: "What's that one?"
Kagura squinted: "This one's for… Ariel?"
Chifuyu blinked: "For Ariel?"
Iris tilted her head: "Eh…? Mail… for Ariel?"
Ariel looked up: "For me? From who? Donut manufacturers?"
Kagura wiggled the envelope: "No return address. Just says 'To Ariel' in cute handwriting. No stamp either. Someone must've dropped it in the mailbox directly."
Chifuyu rubbed his chin: "Hand-delivered, huh…"
Nicholas leaned closer, eyes glinting with curiosity: "Ooooh. Maybe it's a request for Odd Jobs?"
Iris's anxiety brain activated: "O-Or maybe it's from the tax office… maybe they found out Ariel-san hasn't been paying taxes…"
Chifuyu stared at her: "We don't pay taxes."
Iris's soul left her body for a moment: "We don't…?"
Shinatsu: "We're under the Hunter Agency system. Our income is routed through them. There's no separate business tax. Ina took care of all of that."
Iris exhaled all at once, wobbling: "Oh thank goodness… I thought we were all criminals…"
Ariel: "Technically, I'm a criminal."
Chifuyu: "Used to be you mean."
Kagura bounced over to Ariel and dropped the envelope in her lap: "Well~? Open it, open it!"
Ariel eyed it with suspicion before sliding her finger under the flap and tearing it open. A folded letter slipped out, written neatly in a round, bubbly style.
She unfolded it.
The others waited.
Her eyes moved slowly across the page… then widened.
Chifuyu: "Well?" He pressed, leaning in. "What's it say?"
Ariel cleared her throat and read aloud: "To Ariel. I'm sorry for suddenly writing a letter like this, but I've liked you for a long time. I stop by the cafe all the time, and you're always so cool and pretty and strong. I really admire you. I'm too shy to say it in person, but someday I want to be someone as cool as you."
Kagura: "OOOOOH!" She practically exploded. "SECRET ADMIRER?! ARIEL HAS A FAN?!"
Chifuyu: "You're kidding me."
Nicholas: "Wow… that's… actually really pure."
Iris clasped her hands: "Th-that's so cute…!"
Caesar raised an eyebrow: "…Interesting."
Ariel stared at the letter for another three seconds… and then her lips curled into the smuggest smirk anyone had seen on her yet: "Well," she said simply, flicking her hair. "Of course I would have a secret admirer."
Chifuyu: "Don't 'of course' this like you knew this was going to happen."
Ariel: "I mean, is it really a surprise," she replied without missing a beat. "I'm beautiful, powerful, mysterious, and I like donuts. It was only a matter of time."
Chifuyu: "Someone deflate the ego from this girl's head."
Kagura clasped her hands to her chest: "Ariel, you're so lucky! Someone wrote you a whole letter, like in those shoujo manga I started reading."
Iris tugged Chifuyu's sleeve anxiously: "W-What should we do? Shouldn't we… respond? But there's no address…"
Chifuyu's brain instantly shifted gears.
Secret admirer.
Stops by the cafe all the time.
Chifuyu: "I know what today's main mission is!"
The others stared.
Nicholas: "Main mission?"
Chifuyu: "Operation: Identify Ariel's Secret Admirer. We will unveil their identity before the day ends."
Shinatsu: "Do we have to?"
Chifuyu: "Yes."
Kagura grinned: "Oooh, a deduction game! I love it!"
Iris twiddled her fingers: "I wonder who it is."
Caesar: "Probably a younger girl."
Ariel folded the letter carefully: "Whoever they are, they clearly have excellent taste."
Nicholas smiled: "Alright then. While we work the cafe… we investigate."
The cafe opened like normal. Customers flowed in, the warm smell of coffee and pastries filling the air. Music played softly, blending with the chatter of regulars. Behind the counter, Ariel and Shinatsu took drink orders with their usual lazy charm. Chifuyu and Nicholas handled espresso and tea. Iris prepared the food while trying not to die of nervousness. Caesar was providing a hand wherever needed. But beneath the normal workflow, the Operation was underway.
Chifuyu narrated it in his head like an anime inner monologue: 'The stand user could be anyon. The letter stated they stop by all the time. This suggests a local. The handwriting appears young, perhaps a teenager or younger. Female? Possible. Male? Also possible. We must keep our wits about us.
At table four was a pair of high school girls. At the high seats, a young office worker who stumbled over his words ordering coffee and blushed while looking at Ariel. By the window, an artsy-looking college student sipping tea. At another table were 3 males looking to be in their early 20s. As time passed, they had no idea who the secret admirer could be."
Iris: "I have no idea if anybody who came was the secret admirer."
Chifuyu: "Everyone was looking more suspicious today."
Shinatsu: "You're just overanalyzing."
Kagura had came to check on them during lunchtime and immediately started whispering theories into Iris's ear: "What if it's someone dangerous? What if they're… a stalker…?"
Iris started fretting.
Shinatsu: "Don't listen to her, Iris."
Caesar: "I'm positive it's a middle school girl who's in class right now. So if she comes today, it'll probably be in a few more hours."
Chifuyu: "I agree. But there's still a chance of it being anyone. Keep a lookout."
Ariel leaned against the counter, sipping a mocha: "I can't wait until they show up."
By 2 pm, they had a mental board of suspects:
Sketchbook College Guy
Pros: Constantly looks at Ariel as if he's sketching her. Cons: Has a girlfriend Verdict: 60% suspicious.
Blushing Office Man
Pros: Blushes around Ariel. Obviously nervous.
Cons: None really, but seems unlikely. Verdict: 70% suspicious.
High School Girls
Pros: Whisper to each other and giggle whenever Ariel walks near. Cons: Giggles are also aimed at Chifuyu occasionally, which he pretends not to notice. Verdict: 50% suspicious, 50% fangirling.
Mysterious Customer Who Ordered Seven Donuts And Left Without Eating Them
Pros: Mysterious. Cons: Suspicious. Verdict: 100% suspicious.
Nicholas: "Why did that guy order those donuts and not take them?"
Chifuyu: "Maybe he saw Ariel drooling while looking at them and decided to leave them for her."
By late afternoon, nothing concrete had emerged.
Ariel seemed mildly amused by the entire investigation: "This is flattering," she said, reading the letter again on her break. "I might frame it."
Chifuyu: "If Caesar's right, the secret admirer should be getting here soon."
Nicholas: "Assuming she's coming today."
Shinatsu: "I feel like we should at least have an idea who it is."
Kagura: "Maybe we're conveniently forgetting for the sake of tension."
They all nod their heads in agreement."
As the sky began to turn orange-red outside, the cafe gradually emptied. The after-work coffee rush had passed. Now, only a few last-minute customers remained.
Nicholas: "Thirty minutes until closing," he announced, checking the time.
Chifuyu crossed his arms. "They're definitely showing up now."
Ariel: "Heroes are always fashionably late."
Iris: "What if they get too nervous to ever come again?"
Shinatsu: "The only person that would do that is you."
Kagura: "Or maybe they're watching from afar, waiting for the perfect moment."
Iris: "Th-that makes it sound scary again…"
Caesar gave Ariel a sideways look: "Nervous?"
Ariel smiled lazily: "Not at all. I'm ready to accept any worship that comes my way."
Nicholas chuckled.
The bell above the door jingled.
Everyone turned.
A girl walked in, everyone assumed she was probably middle school age. Black hair with blunt bangs framing her face. Her eyes were sparkling with nerves and excitement. As for her hairstyle—
It was almost identical to Ariel's.
Chifuyu and Nicholas exchanged a look: "That's her," they said at the same time.
The girl hesitated at the entrance, clutching her bag.
Nicholas whispered: "I definitely recognize her."
Shinatsu: "I can't believe we didn't remember her."
Kagura: "I think she just changed her hairstyle though."
Ariel didn't wait. She marched straight up to the girl, stopped in front of her, and said bluntly: "Are you my secret admirer?"
The girl turned bright red in 0.2 seconds: "E-Eh—?!" she squeaked. "I—I—um—uh—"
Ariel waited patiently.
The girl finally wilted, shoulders slumping as she nodded: "M-My name is… M-Miku," she stammered. "I… I'm sorry for the letter…!"
Chifuyu thought to himself: 'It's a mini Ariel.'
Miku took a breath and bowed slightly: "I've… looked up to you for a while now," she confessed in a rush. "You just look so cool standing behind the counter and talking to everyone like it's nothing, and you're so pretty, and everyone seems to listen to you, and I thought… 'She's like the main character in a manga,' and I… I wanted to tell you that."
Ariel slowly absorbed every word.
Cool. Pretty. Main character.
Her ego inflated like a balloon on a festival pump.
Ariel: "I see," she said, nodding sagely. "You have excellent judgment."
Nicholas smiled warmly: "Welcome, Miku. We're glad you came in."
Iris: "I-It was a really sweet letter…"
Miku's eyes lit up: "R-Really…?"
Kagura spun around dramatically: "We have a little admirer! This is adorable!"
Miku continued, hands clasped nervously: "I live in this neighborhood, so I walk by every day. I'm glad I get to be so close to Odd Jobs!"
Chifuyu whispered to Nicholas: "It's like I'm looking at the yin and yang of Ariel."
Nicholas: "Haha. You're right."
Ariel: "So you really admire me, huh?"
Miku nodded earnestly: "You just seem… really strong. And free. And like you decide everything yourself. I want to be like that too…"
For once, Ariel's expression softened not out of smugness, but out of something almost like pride: "Well," she said, "that's not a bad goal."
Miku beamed.
Caesar stepped away from the back wall and approached, studying Miku with his usual analytical gaze: "Are you in middle school?"
Miku: "Y-Yes. First year."
Caesar: "Do you like games?"
Miku: "Yes! My favorite game is Dance Dance Battle!"
Caesar: "Is that so. We have it. Wanna come in and play?"
Miku's face lit up: "Can I?!"
Ariel smirked: "It's only fair we show you a good time."
Kagura: "Come into our lovely abode! You are very much welcome!"
Miku bowed slightly: "Thank you!"
Closing time arrived.
They flipped the sign, cleaned up the cafe, and turned off the front lights. The warm glow in the living quarters came to life instead—softer, cozier, with the faint hum of the Dance Dance Battle. The living room was big enough for all of them. Two dance pads glowed with multicolored arrows on the floor.
Kagura powered it on with dramatic flair: "Welcome, everyone, to our special exhibition match!"
Miku stood near the pads, eyes wide and sparkling: "It's the newest version…"
Nichols: "Diego is the best at it, you should challenge him."
Miku: "Ehh? I'm sure he's a lot better than me."
Chifuyu: "Where is Diego? Has he been gone all day?"
As if summoned by the mention of his name, the door from the hallway swung open. Diego stepped in, still in his Hunter uniform for show, carrying a convenience store bag: "I heard someone booted up Dance Dance Battle without me. Who dares?"
Kagura: "This young lady does!"
Diego's eyes landed on Miku: "Oh. A challenger."
Miku: "He-hello."
Kagura: "Perfect! We can have a Diego vs. Miku showdown!"
Chifuyu: "Diego's been undefeated in this house. Take the thrown, Miku."
Ariel, arms folded, observed like an emperor watching gladiators: "Do me proud, little one."
Miku's cheeks pinked: "Y-Yes!"
Diego: "Warm-up round," he said, stepping onto the left pad. "Let's see what you've got."
Miku hopped onto the right pad: "Okay."
They started with a mid-level song. The first few beats were basic, enough to test footwork and rhythm. Miku's expression shifted from nervous to focused. Her feet moved quickly, hitting every arrow in time with surprising accuracy.
Diego's eyebrows rose: "Oh?"
Within 30 seconds, she was blazing through combo chains.
Nicholas whistled: "She's good."
Chifuyu: "She might be on Diego's level."
The warm-up ended with both of them landing S-ranks.
Kagura gasped: "It's a tie!"
Diego stepped off, impressed: "Alright. I see how it is."
Miku's chest rose and fell, flushed with excitement: "I play a lot at the arcade…"
Diego: "Glad to hear it. Hope you're ready to kick it up a notch."
Miku nodded, eyes blazing: "Bring it on."
Everyone watched eagerly. The next track began. It was Fast. Unrelenting. An advanced song with a brutal BPM. Arrows flooded the screens. Diego's feet flew. He'd played this track dozens of times, his body moved on instinct, a storm of steps and jumps. He cut across the pad, his timing nearly perfect. But Miku matched him. She stumbled once early on, then adjusted and slid into his pace, keeping up with growing intensity. Her hair bounced, her expression a mix of panic and determination, but her feet didn't stop. The room fell silent except for the thudding steps and relentless music.
Chifuyu: "Holy crap."
Iris: "She's incredible.
Kagura gripped a pillow and swung it like it was a sports event: "GO GO GO GO—!!"
Nicholas laughed: "This is amazing!"
Caesar: "This is Shiotogram worthy," he said while filming.
The final stretch hit, a blazing stream of arrows in a punishing climax. Diego and Miku both attacked it. Their stride diverged for just a moment. Miku missed one. Diego didn't. The song ended with twin heavy breaths, sweaty foreheads, and scores on the screen.
Diego: SS rank, 100%. Full Combo
Miku: S rank, 97%.
Kagura threw both hands up: "WHAT A MATCH!"
Chifuyu: "That was insane."
Nicholas clapped: "You're both monsters."
Iris clapped as well: "Great job!"
Ariel watched Miku with quiet pride, like a general observing a promising new recruit.
Miku bent over, hands on her knees, panting: "I… was so close…"
Diego stepped off the pad and walked over, extending a fist: "You were incredible. Seriously. You're one of the best dancers I've ever gone up against."
Miku blinked, then smiled shyly and tapped her fist against his: "Thank you…"
He grinned: "Come by anytime. We'll rematch."
Her eyes lit up: "Really?!"
Ariel: "Of course," she said from the couch, crossing her legs. "Any admirer of mine is welcome."
Chifuyu: "Miku, go against Ariel and show her who the true boss is."
Ariel: "Wha—"
Miku turned to Ariel, cheeks still flushed: "Um… Ariel."
Ariel: "Yes?"
Miku: "I'll definitely come back." Next time, I want to show you I've gotten even stronger."
Ariel's smile softened: "I'll be looking forward to it."
As the evening wound down, the machine powered off and everyone saw Miku off. Ariel and Chifuyu walked her home. Little did they know, she would soon become a crucial part of their life.