Chisato was running. In present-day Japan, youngsters didn’t have many reasons to run in the city—it was usually because they were late for something. Several factors contributed to Chisato leaving the house late that day.
Her bangs were being unruly that morning…
She had to search in panic for a matching set of bra and underwear…
A customer had gifted her delicious rice from Niigata, so instead of having a slice of toast for breakfast, she cooked that rice to have with grilled mackerel…
The night before, she finally got her hands on a Blu-ray of Dynamite Police 2, the sequel to a popular silly Hollywood action flick released fifteen years after the first movie. Of course, watching it was a top priority.
And of course, watching the sequel made her want to rewatch the first movie, so she did that too…
It was impossible to blame a single event for her tardiness. As bad luck would have it, they all combined, creating a situation in which lateness was inevitable, and Chisato was merely a victim of circumstance—or so she told herself.
She could now see Café LycoReco, built out of the way in a quiet residential area. It was her workplace, which she loved very much.
Chisato energetically opened the café door and strode in.
“The long-awaited Chisato has arrived. Yay!” she announced.
“‘Yay’ my butt. Thought you weren’t coming.”
While Chisato wasn’t expecting a standing ovation, cheers, bouquets, and confetti (which would’ve been nice), she thought she’d be greeted with something nicer than a snarky comment from Mizuki, who was scuttling between customers.
Surprised, Chisato looked around. The café was packed. Mizuki was going from one customer to another like a busy bee, helped by Takina and even Kurumi. Her hands full, Mizuki was very clearly annoyed at Chisato. Takina shot Chisato a cold stare while Kurumi looked at her, silently pleading for help.
“Ha-ha… Sorry I’m late!”
“Hurry up and get changed, Chisato,” Mika said without looking, busy making a coffee.
Usually, he’d tell her off for not using the rear door, but he was too busy.
“Sure!”
Chisato headed to the staff room at the back, greeting customers as she walked. The clientele was of all ages—from Kana, who was in a uniform identifying her as a middle schooler, to Mr. Gotou, who was nearing retirement. Chisato greeted them all in the same strong, cheerful voice. She saw them all as her wonderful customers, no matter their age.
Mr. Doi, who had started coming in not so long ago, was at his usual counter seat. Chisato said hi to him, too. He looked up to reply to her, as gloomy as always. After the brief exchange, he hung his head again, as if peering at his reflection in his coffee cup.
As soon as Chisato entered the staff room to change into her work clothes, she heard a loud crash and a clatter from the café floor, followed by cries and laughter. Chisato giggled, guessing Kurumi had dropped something. The chaos amused her.
✦ ✦ ✦
She’d begun taking off her red First Lycoris uniform when Takina walked in looking cross. Her kimono was drenched in coffee.
“No way. It was you who had an accident?”
“No. Kurumi tripped over her feet. I tried to help and became collateral damage.”
Takina briskly took the kimono off and began putting on a clean one.
“By the way, Chisato, did you see that Mr. Doi is back again?”
“Good, good! He’s turning into a regular.”
Takina shot a sideways glance at Chisato, who was tying her robe.
“He’s always sitting at the counter looking dejected, like he’s enduring something painful, drinking the same black coffee. He’s never ordered anything else. Any idea why he’s like that?”
“Didn’t Mizuki say something about that? He made boatloads of money and retired early.”
Mizuki had once tried to chat him up, attracted to money like a bee to honey, but the older man had completely ignored her.
“Maybe he’s brooding over what to do with all that money.”
“I don’t know… Somehow I don’t think that’s the case…,” Takina said quietly, her expression clouding as she dropped her gaze to the floor.
“No…?”
Adjusting her sash, Chisato looked quizzically at Takina.
“Chisato! Takina! How long can it take to change?! I need you here now!”
“Sorry, coming!” Chisato shouted back to Mizuki. “I’ll go help her,” she added to Takina.
She left the staff room with a vague feeling that something had been left unsaid.