CH 19

Chapter 19: Birthday At The Maid Cafe

TL: Akabane

TL: I love this one ~

***

It's the day of her birthday.

When I first time-slipped, I used to try to get to school early so I wouldn't have to run into Yuzu, but that's no longer necessary.

Lately, I've been getting up later and later each day, and by the time I get to school, most of my classmates are already there.

Yuzu is also in her seat.

But they don't talk to each other. It's an unspoken agreement that when they are at school, they spend time together as classmates, not friends.

"(You're late.)"

"(You're just too early.)"

"(You're really going to be late at that rate, aren't you?)"

"(If it's really bad, Sana will wake me up, no problem)"

"(I can give you a wake-up call if you want.)"

"(You don't have to. I'm sure you're busy with housework every morning.")

So we exchanged glances as usual, and I took my seat.

I fiddled with my cell phone and sent a text message to Yuzu.

[Are you free after school today?]

[I'm extremely free today!]

[Let's go to a maid cafe!]

"Maid cafe!"

Yuzu suddenly stood up and shouted.

I was surprised.......

It seems I wasn't the only one surprised, and the classroom was quiet.

Yuzu's face almost catches fire from the attention of her classmates. She turns her red face down and sits down, looking embarrassed.

She turns to face the front of the room and waits. My cell phone vibrated.

[You made me look like a weirdo!]

[It wasn't my fault.]

[It's because you said you wanted to go to a maid cafe!]

I didn't expect to get angry. This is not the first time I've invited Yuzu to a maid cafe.

I was too shy to go to a maid café by myself, so when I was a university student, I invited Yuzu to go to a maid café and we both made our debut together.

Yuzu seemed to be having a good time at that time, so I chose it as the place for her birthday party.

I made sure to reserve a table for her and also told her that since it was my friend's birthday, I'd like to have a birthday cake made to her specifications.

I thought Yuzuhana would agree with my two words, but......

[You don't like maid cafes?"]

[I love them!　Maid cafes and maid uniforms!]

[Well, we went shopping for maid outfits together. I remember you being very selfish, saying you didn't want cheap cosplay costumes and that you wanted long skirts.]

[I wasn't being selfish!　I just didn't want to compromise!　You said you would go out with me until Yuzu was satisfied.]

[I didn't think we'd end up going to a maid uniform store outside of the prefecture.]

[I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you go out with me.]

[It's okay. It was fun, like a trip.]

[Really?　You're not mad?]

[I'm not mad. Let's go buy some more sometime!]

[You want to see me in a maid's uniform that badly?]

[It looked good on you. You liked it too, didn't you?　I was doing housework in a maid's outfit for a while.]

[I get a lot of housework done in that.]

[I remember you only wore the cat ears I gave you once.]

[It was indeed embarrassing. But I did let you take a picture of me, didn't I?"]

[Actually, I had them as a standby on my phone for a while.]

[How embarrassing. ......!　You didn't let anyone you know see it, did you?]

[No problem. I've curbed my desire to brag about it.]

[How did you want to brag?]

[I forgot]

[Really?]

[I forgot!　I mean, what about the maid cafe?]

[I'll go, but why today of all days......?]

......Oh, so that's how it is.

Today is Yuzu's birthday. I'm sure she's expecting me to celebrate her birthday, though she hasn't urged me to do anything.

But because I wanted to see the maid, I became grumpy.

[Today is Yuzu's birthday, right? That's why I wanted to celebrate it in a special place.]

The present is a surprise, but celebrating a birthday doesn't have to be a secret.

It would be more effective to keep it a secret until right before the event, but it's not like you have to make Yuzuhana anxious to do it.

[You should say it first!　I was worried that you forgot my birthday!]

[Sorry, sorry. I'll give you advance notice next year.]

[Will you celebrate next year, too?]

[Of course I will. We're friends.]

[Thanks!　But is there a maid cafe nearby?]

[There's one three stops away.]

[What kind of place?]

[From what I can tell, it has the same system as the maid café I went to on a date once.]

[You've never been there?]

[I was too embarrassed to go alone back then, and by the time Yuzu and I got to know each other, it was already closed.]

[Then I'll have to contribute to the sales! (≧▽≦]

Thank goodness. It looks like she's getting on board.

I was relieved to know that Yuzu was happy.

***

After school.

We came to the maid cafe.

"Welcome home, master, miss."

We were greeted by an Akiba-style maid and shown to our seats.

We were the only customers, probably because it was halfway through the day on a weekday.

It was as if we had the place to ourselves. We could celebrate Yuzu's birthday without any worries.

"When you have decided on your order, please ring the bell."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Yes, can I help you?"

"I'm Kurose, from ...... and I'm not sure if this is the right place, so can I come over there for a minute?"

I told her my business in a roundabout way so that Yuzu wouldn't get the hint, but she seemed to have understood. She smiled at me and took me to the kitchen.

"Excuse me, did you get my message about the cake?"

"Of course. I'm so glad you chose us for your big day."

Good. It seems that the birthday story is getting through.

Then I don't have to worry about the cake.

"Can you serve the cake after the meal?"

"Sure, sir. Also, if you don't mind, I can help you make your girlfriend happy."

"I'm not her--- ...... cooperation?"

"I'll help you win at rock-paper-scissors time, master."

If I win three in a row against the maid in rock-paper-scissors, I'll get my picture taken and a special drink served, right?

The photo is a great souvenir and the special drink is free.

But ......

"I want to win on merit, not on 800. I don't want to feel like I'm cheating my friends."

"I see. I'm sorry to suggest this, but I think it's better that way too. Well then, please enjoy your dinner with your girlfriend."

"Thank you. She's not my girlfriend, though."

I returned to my seat, and Yuzu greeted me with a sullen look on her face.

"Welcome back. What were you talking about?"

"Nothing."

"What are you talking about that you can't tell me?　You're not hitting on me, are you?"

I would never pick up a girl on Yuzu's birthday.

"If it wasn't my birthday, you'd be hitting on me?　Maybe you didn't come here today to preview that, did you?"

"No, I'm not. I came here to celebrate Yuzu's birthday. Do you think I'm capable of picking up girls?"

"I don't think you can, but ...... the maid you just met was cute, and it's worth it if you have the courage to pick her up."

Yuzu is persistent.

If it were me as usual, I'd say, "It doesn't matter who I go out with!" I would have retorted, but today I'm holding back.

Because it's Yuzu's birthday.

I have to put her in a good mood to make her birthday plan a success.

"I don't have that kind of courage!　The first time I talked to Yuzu, you were the one who talked to me, right?"

"That wasn't like picking up girls. I was about to be alone in college, so I noticed a former classmate sitting next to me at ...... so I spent the rest of the lecture worrying about it, and then I talked to you."

"At that time, Yuzu, you were speaking in a very thick accent, weren't you?"

"I was nervous. How many times have I told you that?　I'm so embarrassed, please forget about it."

"How could I forget? I can't forget about it, it's a precious memory of the first time I talked to Yuzu. I was really happy that you talked to me back then. I was worried that I was going to be a loner. Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy my college life. Thanks, Yuzu."

"No, it's fine, I don't want to thank you. I had a good time with you too. ...... I'm starving. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal on a good deal on a good deal."

Yuzu hid her face with the menu list in embarrassment.

Thank goodness she was in a better mood. It seems she is in a better mood now.

I patted my chest in relief and checked the menu.

"It's my treat today, so you can order whatever you like."

"Thanks. I'll do that. I think I'll have the ...... omelette."

"I think I'll have the same."

I ring the bell and tell the maid what I want to order. Then, as I ask her what she thinks of the love kano I recommended the other day, the omelette arrives. I pick up the ketchup and the maid asks, "Do you have any requests?" She asks.

I ask her to write "Kohei" and "Yuzu" on my omelette, and I immediately eat it.

"Yes. It's delicious."

Yuzu's cheeks relaxed, and I scrunched up my face.

I have a gift for Yuzu in my school bag. I'm confident she'll like it, but I think I may have put a little too much thought into it.......

If we were lovers, I wouldn't be so sure, but me and Yuzu are friends.

You can't just take your friend to a maid cafe, prepare a birthday cake, and give her a gift that costs 5,000 yen.

If it were the other way around, I'd be mistaken for having a crush on her.

On the other hand, "I don't like you!　Don't get me wrong!" I don't think it's the same thing to say.

Or rather, if you say that to Yuzu, an otaku, she might misunderstand you as a tsundere.

"......Yuzu, what do you think about tsundere?"

"What is it all of a sudden?"

"No, I was just wondering."

"Yeah, well ....... I think it's cute. The main character who takes it at face value is irritating, by the way. I'm not really sure I'd take it at face value if I were you. ......But I'd usually take it at face value."

No!　The "don't get me wrong" strategy doesn't work!

I guess I'll just have to go along with the plan and not be so uptight about it.......

"It's challenge time!"

After finishing my meal and having my empty plate collected, the maid came over with a sense of urgency.

She explained the challenge time and I came forward to be the challenger.

The result was three wins in a row!　A complete victory without a single cheat!

"Isn't that great!"

I have a talent for rock-paper-scissors-scissors!

I'll just leave it at that for today!

The three of us took a commemorative photo with the maid in between us. Yuzuka is in a very good mood after having "Happy Birthday, Yuzu-chan" written on her photo.

"I have a special drink for you, how would you like it at......?"

The maid looks over at me. She asked if she could bring the cake with us.

I nod, and she retreats to the kitchen.

"Happy birthday, Miss Yuzu!"

"What, a cake?　I didn't order it, but......"

I asked for it when I made the reservation.

"Did you do that on purpose?"

"Of course not. It's the birthday of the most important person in my life. Happy birthday!"

Yuzu was applauded by me and the maids, and she was left with a blank stare.

I blow out the fire for the time being, but she doesn't show her joy on her face, as if she can't swallow the situation well.

I took out a thick book from my bag.

"Ta-da!　It's a present!"

"This is Kimiuta's art book......."

"That's right. See, you used to want it."

Yuzu would not be hooked on Kimiuta until several years later. At the time, the art book was so rare that I couldn't get it.

I would have given it to her if I had it, but unfortunately, I didn't have it either. I didn't have the money to buy it at the time.

I like anime, and I had just watched Kimiuta the other day. Yuzu would be overjoyed with this one!

That's what I thought.......

Yuzu did not smile. Her eyebrows were lowered, her eyes were moistened, and she had a complicated expression on her face, as if she was troubled, worried, or even happy ...... not knowing what she was thinking.

"......Didn't you like it?"

"No, no. It's not like that. It's just that I didn't expect you to celebrate so much ...... and I couldn't get my mind in order ...... and I didn't know what to do."

"You should be happy!"

"Of course I'm happy!　Of course I'm happy, but I'm not ...... happy."

I'm happy, but what the hell? Don't stop where you're concerned. You're making me nervous.

As I waited for her to continue, Yuzu looked up.

I'm not sure if she's sorted out her feelings or not, but compared to earlier, her face is filled with joy.

Her eyes narrowed and she smiled happily.

"Thanks. I'm really happy."

"--"

The quiet words she said made my heart skip a beat.

My heart slowly heated up in my chest, and it was rising up to my face.

I turned my head to hide my burning face, but my heartbeat only accelerated.

"......What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm going to the bathroom!"

I get up from my seat and run to the bathroom.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw that ...... I was blushing so much.

I don't know if I'm smiling or embarrassed, but it's a mystery. I can't tell if I grinning or in trouble, I have mysterious look on my face.

I slap my cheek, take a deep breath, calm down, and return to my seat.

We talked about anime, ate cake, drank drinks, and by the time we left the restaurant, our hearts were no longer pounding in our chests.......

"Hey, what's wrong?　You've been looking at me funny for a while now."

"No, I didn't. Yuzu is the one who made a strange face earlier."

I'm sorry, that's rude. I didn't make a funny face.

The way she turned her head away from me was also cute.

Her voice, her tone of voice, her body language, her hand gestures, and everything about her made me love her.

Even after I left Yuzu in front of the park, I could not get rid of the feelings that had reawakened in me.

Of course, I cannot admit to these feelings.