Squeak—squeak—
Yanami vigorously wiped the table in front of her. She'd polished it enough to use as a mirror but still didn't stop, her gritting teeth making it seem like she had a deep grudge against the table.
Seeing her vivid and interesting expression, Kiyono couldn't help asking: "What happened?"
"My important treasure was stolen by someone else!" Yanami stopped her actions, looking dejected.
Don't use such misleading phrasing!
Kiyono was speechless. If it were another girl, he might worry a bit, but if it's Yanami... it's definitely snacks or something eaten by someone else, right?
The two chatted while working. Just then, the wind chimes hanging at the shop entrance rang ding-a-ling, followed by an enthusiastic, energetic voice reaching their ears.
"Yanami! I came to see you!"
Kiyono looked up to see a man and woman walking straight toward them from the entrance, with a girl with healthy wheat-colored skin taking the lead in greeting.
Kiyono glanced at her, feeling somewhat familiar. Considering what she'd called out... could this be the legendary second losing dog, Yakishio Lemon?
Also known as the dark-skinned athletic girl.
Of course, that was a teasing nickname. In fact, this girl was quite cute—crisp, neat short hair with a yellow lemon-shaped hair accessory that highlighted a touch of girlish charm. Combined with her beautiful body lines, she could definitely be called a beautiful girl.
As for the person beside Yakishio Lemon, that should be her childhood friend, right? Wearing glasses, gentle-looking. Normally, these two should be the standard template of childhood friends who would definitely marry in the future. Unfortunately...
This is a losing dog production site.
Kiyono mercilessly complained internally and prepared to leave—after all, these two clearly came to find Yanami, and he wasn't familiar with them, so it wasn't appropriate for him to stay. But just as he turned around, he felt his sleeve grabbed by a strong force.
He slowly turned back to see Yanami showing him a smile of unclear meaning, like cheering him on—what do you want me to cheer for!
With the girl's interruption, he also missed the best opportunity to leave.
Losing dog duo number two came to the dining table where they were. Yanami directly held hands with Yakishio Lemon and hugged, showing a foolishly happy expression. Are you two performing a moe manga?
Fortunately, the shop was quite quiet right now, so work wasn't needed temporarily.
After brief interaction, Yanami helped introduce them to each other. When it was Kiyono's turn, she troubled over it, pinching her smooth chin.
"Lemon, Ayano-kun, this is my... my senpai? Friend?"
"Why is it a question?" Kiyono sighed.
"Anyway, Kiyono-kun has helped me a lot and is a good person." Yanami showed a big smile.
"Then we're friends from now on too, Kiyono-kun!" Yakishio Lemon also smiled at him.
...Eh? How did things suddenly develop to this point? I don't want to participate in your sweet and sour romantic comedy!
Kiyono nodded gently at them, feeling somewhat subtle internally.
He really hadn't expected Yanami to actively introduce him to her circle... it should count as a circle, but he wasn't sure—it might just be her thinking randomly.
The two sat down in chairs and began looking at the menu with interest to order. Yanami took this opportunity to pull Kiyono to a seat on the side and whispered mysteriously: "Did you notice?"
Notice what?
Kiyono was stunned for a moment, glanced at the childhood friend duo over there, then suddenly realized—she was talking about their romance, right? She probably arranged for these two to eat here!
"It was my idea for them to come eat here together. How's that, aren't I amazing?" Yanami proudly winked at him.
It really was you! Instead of having time to meddle like this, wouldn't it be better to worry about your own romance?
Kiyono fell silent for a moment, not knowing whether to admire or feel helpless.
"Hehe, Lemon and them are also childhood friends. If they succeed, I'll be a bit more confident too..."
Yanami leaned closer to Kiyono again, asking his opinion: "What do you think we should do to create opportunities for them?"
Honestly, he didn't want to get involved originally. These people's youth and romance had nothing to do with him. Besides, he didn't know where the current plot line had progressed—whether the winner group's heaven-sent 8K and Asagumo Emperor had appeared... But he'd gotten somewhat closer to Yanami these past two days. Since the matter was right in front of him, giving an assist wouldn't hurt.
Kiyono thought for a moment and picked up her conversation: "You brought them here, so what good ideas do you have?"
"What I thought of was recommending the couple's set meal to them... but since I know both of them, if I did this, it would be too obvious." Yanami lightly bit her thumb, entering contemplation mode.
Too... too pure, right? Kiyono felt it was hard to complain. He pondered for a while and suggested:
"This can work as Plan A, and we could add that couples taking photos together get a partial discount, plus the staff's blessings."
Hearing this, Yanami's gaze toward him suddenly changed to a very complex look—both shocked and fearful with a sense of 'so you're this kind of romance expert...' But she had to admit...
"That suggestion is great!"
She tried imagining herself in that situation and found this combo would raise intimacy by at least ten points!
The excited blue-haired girl moved closer to him again. Looking at the boy's face so close she could almost touch it, she suddenly realized that somehow she and Kiyono had gotten so close together that she could even see his long eyelashes and his seriously thinking expression...
She was surprised to discover that she didn't resist being this close to a man other than her childhood friend... Maybe it was because of this guy's usually dismissive attitude toward her? And from this angle... he looked a bit like the male protagonists in the girls' manga she liked.
Kiyono, who was looking down in thought, inexplicably sensed an elegant orchid-like fragrance. He lifted his face and met Yanami's eyes directly.
The girl had bright eyes like a clear mirror lake, crystal clear and transparent, with rippling lights reflected in the lake. This girl really was quite beautiful when she was quiet... Kiyono stuttered for a moment, quickly coughed lightly, straightened up, and pulled back the distance.
He was guilty—for a moment, he'd actually had those kinds of thoughts about Miss Sea Otter!