I Was Supposed to Be Giving Love Advice on the School Radio, but Before I Knew It, the Beautiful Girls at School Were Hitting on Me
“Okay, then let’s start the first Kage-Shira Love Agreement meeting !”
After finishing my meeting with the president, I was about to go home as usual when Shirahama caught up with me. She was waiting for me as she had said she would, and took me to a café, but…
“But why here?”
“Don’t you know, Kageyama? This place is famous for its delicious cakes.”
“Yeah, I know it well…”
Before I knew it, Shirahama, who was proudly introducing the shop, had brought me to…yes, the cafe Bianca.
“Why do I have to come to my part-time job during normal after-school hours…”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“Nothing.”
It would be even more troublesome if she found out that I was working here. When we entered the shop, I signaled to the manager with my eyes to keep quiet about it.
I don’t know what this Kage-Shira is, but I’ll just end the conversation and go home…
“Sorry, I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.”
As soon as the order was placed, Shirahama stood up. As I was taking a breath of relief, a shadow approached me.
“Hey, Kageyama kun !”
“Ah, is something wrong, Miharu san?”
“It’s not ‘is something wrong’? Who is that girly girl? I hope she’s not your girlfriend !”
Miharu san was unusually angry, and I couldn’t help but sigh at her misunderstanding.
“…No, she’s just a classmate.”
“Then why did you come here with just a classmate?”
“Well, there are various reasons…”
I decided to gloss over the president’s story, as it would only complicate matters. However, Miharu san seemed very anxious.
“It’s okay now because Makino chan is taking a break, but…what would she say if she saw this situation…”
“What does Makino have to do with this?”
When I asked my honest question, Miharu san opened her eyes wide and looked as if she had seen something unbelievable.
“…Are you serious?”
“I’m completely serious.”
Looking at me intently, Miharu san let out a big sigh.
No, I’m the one who wants to sigh…
“…Well, never mind. Anyway, if you’re not dating, just eat and drink quickly and leave.”
“This is a café, right?”
“We use a rotation system here.”
It was a Jiro-style café. While I was still in shock, Shirahama returned, and Miharu san left swiftly.
After a short break, Shirahama sat down across from me.
“Were you talking to the staff? Was there a problem?”
“No, just confirming allergies and such.”
“Huh, as expected of a popular place, they’re thorough about that.”
Shirahama looked around. Her eyes were sparkling.
“I really like antique-style cafes like this. I’ve always wanted to come here at least once.”
“You should have come here with your gal friends from class.”
“You mean Mika and the others? She’s not interested in places like this, so she usually just goes to Starbucks or something.”
“True, this place seems to be mostly frequented by college students…”
She said it casually, but then realized she hadn’t gotten a response from Shirahama and realized she had said something she shouldn’t have. Shirahama looked dumbfounded.
“…Kageyama, you come to places like this too?”
“Um, well…”
“Americano? Wasn’t that the fancy order you made?”
“Well, I do like coffee…”
I work at this place, after all.
“Actually, I didn’t know that coffee beans are grown in America.”
“Americano doesn’t refer to American beans, but to coffee made with lightly roasted beans.”
It felt a little pretentious, but Shirahama smiled innocently.
“Wow, that’s amazing ! Coffee guys are so cool !”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, I don’t know much about this stuff, so I just admire it…”
It was a pure compliment that made him feel embarrassed, but Shirahama happily opened the menu.
“Hmm, if Kageyama knows so much about coffee, maybe I should have ordered something other than a blend.”
“No, the blend is definitely the right choice.”
I gently took the menu from Shirahama, who was running her finger along it, and closed it on the table.
“Hey, Shirahama, do you know what a blend means?”
“Well, it’s a mix of different beans, right? Of course I know that much.”
“Right, but it’s not just that. A blend is just a mix of beans, and there are no rules about what goes into it, so how it’s blended is up to the shop.”
“…So what does that mean?”
“Drinking a blend will help you figure out which shop suits you best. If you want to find a shop you like, I recommend starting with a blend.”
“…Huh.”
Shirahama opened his mouth slightly and let out a small sigh. Seeing that, I snapped back to reality.
“So, Shirahama’s choice isn’t wrong. Especially if you like coffee shops.”
“Huh, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“…What are you smirking about?”
Shirahama’s expression changed from surprise to a mischievous grin.
“Nothing? Well, I thought Kageyama was kind of aloof, so it’s refreshing to see him talking passionately about something.”
“Shut up. I like coffee, so it’s fine.”
“No, no, I don’t think it’s bad. I think it’s a nice trait. The president would probably like that type of person.”
“…Well, thanks.”
“I’m complimenting you, so just accept it.”
I didn’t want to look at Shirahama’s smirking face, so I looked away. Then, coffee was placed in front of us.
“Sorry for the wait, here’s the blend and the strong coffee.”
“Ah, here it is~”
With careful movements, the blend was placed in front of Shirahama, and the strong coffee was placed in front of me. By the way, the strong coffee is this shop’s original blend, with the richest body and depth…in other words, it’s the strongest coffee in terms of bitterness.
“Wait, I ordered an Americano…”
Actually, that voice sounds really familiar… I cautiously looked up and saw my junior with a smile plastered all over her face.
“H-hey, Makino…”
“What a coincidence, Shougo senpai?”
Dressed in Bianca’s uniform, she looked down at me from above, unlike usual, and for some reason called me by my first name.
Maitoshi