(Third-person story told from the perspectives of Tsukiyo and Asuka)
One day, Go went to an interview for a part-time job and ended up working there.
Two girls had the exact same goal.
(Isn't it weird if I suddenly show up on his first day? But it's a coffee shop I visit all the time, so coming again today isn't strange at all, right?)
Due to her striking beauty, Tsukiyo Himeji is known at school as the Ice Queen. She also secretly works as the popular VTuber Hoshizuki Kaguya.
As Tsukiyo walked, people on the street stopped and turned to stare.
(What's with Five? I invited him to hang out today since it's his day off, but he said he's working part-time at a coffee shop? He turned me down, so I'm going to see for myself.)
Ashiya Asuka is the center of the ultra-popular idol group Asterisk. The teaser video for their upcoming music video has been the talk of the town.
Even in disguise, her beauty couldn't be fully hidden, and she quickly became the center of attention.
Their purposes were as follows:
(Sakasegawa-kun's)
(Five)
(I want to see him working at the coffee shop!!)
Both girls walked toward the same destination, paying little attention to their surroundings.
(It's almost time to arrive.)
(I double-checked. This is definitely the place.)
""Ah.""
And right in front of the coffee shop, the two of them met.
"Himeji-san? Why are you here?"
"This is my favorite shop. What about you, Ashiya-san?"
"I-I'm off today. I was just walking around and happened to find a nice-looking coffee shop, so I thought I'd stop in?"
Though their stated reasons were vague, each understood the other's true purpose.
An indescribable tension hung in the air.
"Hey, do you want to go in together?"
"I agree!"
On the surface, it seemed like a friendly exchange.
In reality, it was something very different.
((I won't let you get ahead!!))
Asuka proposed going in together to keep each other in check and watch closely.
Tsukiyo went along with it.
They opened the door and stepped inside.
○ ●
"Welcome?"
Go greeted them with a bright, refreshing smile.
Tsukiyo and Asuka froze the moment they saw him.
(Huh? With his bangs up, Sakasegawa-kun's big eyes are fully visible, and that smile is so dazzling!)
(The cafe waiter uniform really suits honest Go!)
((How precious!!))
"Oh, you two came at the perfect time. I'm so happy. You must be close friends to come together. By the way, why are you praying with your hands clasped?"
Go spoke to them, completely unaware that the two girls were staring at him in silent worship.
"I-I wonder why... I just felt like I had to..."
"My body started praying on its own..."
"Fufu, that's a funny thing to say. Well then, I'll show you to your seats. Please take this table by the window."
Go carefully guided the dazed pair to their table.
"Once you've decided on your order, just call me. I'll be right back."
With that, Go walked away.
After making sure he was out of earshot, Asuka spoke to Tsukiyo.
"Himeji-san, people have been saying you're strange."
"That's you, Ashiya-san, right?"
"What?"
"You too."
The two locked eyes and glared at each other.
A strange tension enveloped their table.
"Haa, enough. I came here on my day off to see your face and feel refreshed."
"Oh? Wasn't it because you just happened to find a nice-looking coffee shop? Hmm?"
Tsukiyo realized the contradiction in Asuka's earlier excuse and—uncharacteristically—decided to provoke her.
Asuka looked like she had been waiting for this.
"I'll confess. Go told me he works here, so I came to see him! You said it's your favorite place, but you really came to see him too, right?"
"It's true that it's my favorite shop, but... I can't deny I came to see Sakasegawa-kun..."
Asuka confessed honestly.
Tsukiyo felt bad about being the only one hiding the truth, so she admitted it too.
"Well then, since our goals are the same, let's enjoy ourselves without fighting."
"Right. I want to burn the image of Sakasegawa-kun in his uniform into my memory for as long as possible."
"Now that we've decided, let's order first. I'd rather ask Go for recommendations than look at the menu... Go, could you take our order?"
Asuka raised her hand and called out to him.
"Yes, sorry to keep you waiting. Are you ready to order?"
"Can you tell us what you recommend?"
"Well... how about coffee? I can make some for you."
(They said I could try making coffee next time a customer came in, so this is perfect timing since they know me.)
"Wh-what?! I'd love that!"
(Go making coffee for me... it's practically homemade!)
As soon as she heard Go would prepare it himself, Asuka decided immediately.
"I-I'd like a coffee too, please!"
"Eh, Himeji too? It's bitter, though... is that okay?"
"It's fine!!"
(I'm not good with bitter coffee, but if Sakasegawa-kun makes it, then I can drink it!)
Tsukiyo placed her order too, refusing to be outdone.
"So, two coffees. Please wait just a moment."
○ ●
"But Go's uniform is so unfair. When I opened the door and saw him, I was shocked."
"Yes, that overwhelming destructive power. Cute yet serious at the same time. It's too much."
"Exactly! Watching him move so earnestly with that adorable face makes my heart ache. The other day on set..."
"I know. And it's nice that he's strong despite how he looks. When he saved me the other day..."
While waiting for their coffee, the two chatted enthusiastically about Go.
As they praised him, each tried to subtly gain the upper hand by sharing their own memories with him.
"You're pretty good at this. That's an amazing story."
"You're the one who's good at it. I'm glad I got to learn about a side of Sakasegawa-kun I didn't know."
Perhaps they had found common ground.
Tsukiyo and Asuka firmly shook hands.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. But... what's wrong? You two are shaking hands and seem really close. Did you find something you both like?"
"Whoa! Five, did you hear what we just said?!"
"Waaaah! Sakasegawa-kun, you didn't hear anything, right?!"
"Hmm? Nothing?"
((Thank goodness... it would be so embarrassing if he asked!!))
"Well then, here's your coffee. Himeji-san, feel free to add as much sugar and milk as you like. Please enjoy."
Go placed the cups down and walked away.
"I wonder how good Go's coffee is?"
"If Sakasegawa-kun made it, I'll try it straight first... just the pure taste..."
The two lifted their cups and took a sip.
"Oh."
"Oh."
"""It's so gooddddddddd!!!!"""
Their loud voices echoed through the coffee shop.
People around them turned in surprise.
"What is this?! I've had coffee made by famous baristas on TV before, but this is way better!"
"The taste is so soft and smooth, with a clean aftertaste. Even though I don't like bitter things, this is easy to drink! I never knew coffee could be this delicious..."
They gulped it down in one go and set the empty cups down.
"""Refill, please!"""
"Eh? You already finished? I'm glad you liked it! I'll make another right away!"
(Three-ka-nee is a total gourmet and never allowed instant coffee, so I've been forced to make it at home and on set for years. I was a little confident about coffee... I'm glad they enjoyed it.)
The second cups arrived and were also quickly emptied.
The two kept ordering refills again and again.
Watching them, the other customers started ordering coffee too, and the shop grew lively.
"Akkun, what is going on?! I was in the back checking inventory, and suddenly it's super busy!!"
"Atchan, the two at the window seat kept ordering refills, and it influenced the other customers..."
"Eh, that's why? Wait—there's a line outside now?!"
"Ah! Since it's the window seat, maybe Asuka-san's fans or people who saw Himeji-san followed them here?!"
"Ehhh?! What do we do?!"
"W-we just have to do our best!!"
From that point on, Go and Akane worked together to manage the chaos and serve the flood of customers.
That day, the shop broke its previous record for highest daily sales.
Later, it became a viral topic as "the favorite cafe of Asterisk's Ashiya Asuka" and "the place where a beautiful black-haired girl with an elegant aura goes."
There were also rumors spreading about a small, cute boy who makes incredibly delicious coffee.
And so, Go's first day of part-time work came to a close amid all the excitement.