Exams

Hiroto and Minami were staring at each other, the first one annoyed, the other one confused.

Satoko shifted her gaze from one to another, disorientated. How did I end up in this terrible situation?

Hiroto was the first one to look away. “I warn you that I’m a severe teacher.”

Minami nodded. “I’m fine with it, thank you for your help.”

Satoko lowered her head, nervous. I can’t look up, Minami-kun is too close. And what if he understands that I’m Satoshi?

The blonde guy fainly bent towards her, cautious.

“Itou-san, can you lend me a pen and a sheet of paper?”

Satoko stiffened. “Y-Yes.” She took a pen from her suitcase and tore off a sheet of paper from her notebook.

Minami’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you.” He shot a glance at Hiroto. “That guy is a bit intimidating.”

Satoko turned to her colleague, who was staring at his textbook with a frown.

Well, he surely doesn’t look like the friendliest person alive.

“He looks cold, but he’s actually a good guy. He’s just very serious… And fussy.”

Minami’s expression was thoughtful. “You seem to know each other very well.”

I hope he doesn’t connect the dots. She squinted her eyes, panicking, then a thought flashed through her mind. He sounded a bit jealous… Her cheeks tingled, but Hiroto brought her back to reality starting his lesson.

I should stop making up things and misunderstand everything. She glanced at Minami. In the end, Satoshi is the one who he’s interested in, not me.

Suddenly, a notebook hit her head.

“Are you listening?” Hiroto asked, stern.

Satoko shivered. “Y-Yes!”

It’s better if I don’t get distracted when general Hiroto is around.

An hour later, they took a break.

“Wow, Shigeru-san, your English is perfect! What school do you attend?” Minami asked, genuinely admired.

“Nichi High School” Hiroto replied nonchalantly.

Minami’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? That school is famous for having a high academic level!”

Hiroto crossed his arms, smugly. “Modestly, I’m one of the top students.”

Minami bowed his head non-stop. “Thank you for your precious help, Shigeru-san!”

Satoko slightly smiled. Minami-kun is so humble and cute, I love him!

“You’re welcome. At least you appreciate my efforts, unlike someone else.” Hiroto glowered at Akito, who avoided his gaze, acting like he didn’t hear anything.

Minami chuckled. “You guys are actually a good company, at first I thought you were ill-intentioned towards Itou-san.”

“What?!” Kenji and Hiroto exclaimed, shocked.

The blonde guy scratched the back of his head. “Well, it’s not common to see a girl alone with three boys. I was a little worried, but luckily you’re good people.”

Satoko’s heart started beating faster. He was worried about me. She pursed her lips, mortified. And I wanted to send him away. I’m terrible, as always… I would deserve a public pillory.

“I-I appreciate it” she mumbled.

Minami’s pink lips sent her a warm smile. “If you ever need something, you can always count on me!”

Satoko’s face reddened and the beating of her heart echoed in her ears. I was about to die, he should curb his killer smile!

“Not for English lessons, though” Hiroto retorted in a slightly irritated tone.

At that moment, the cafe’s door opened.

“Oh, there are Kobayashi and Watanabe!” Minami exclaimed.

What?! Satoko immediately glanced at the entrance and saw the two girls. Why are they here, too?

Mei instantly noticed her and showed a surprised expression. Satoko shook her head no and her friend seemed to understand, because she looked away, as if nothing happened.

Satoko heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Mei always gets me.

At the same time, however, Watanabe saw her.

“Oh, Satoko-chan!”

Satoko’s head fell on the table with a loud thud. I’ve had enough, I wanna go home.

The two girls reached their table.

“I didn’t expect to see you here— Oh.” Watanabe observed the four boys sitting with her and snickered. “I didn’t imagine you could be so bold, Satoko-chan.”

No, it’s not like you think, Watanabe! She cried inwardly.

The short girl’s eyes stopped on Hiroto and stared at him intensely.

“Mind you introducing us to your friends?” She took a chair from another table and sat down, placing her elbows on the table and giving the eyes to Hiroto.

Mei sighed and took place on the bench next to Kenji, in front of Minami.

“First tell me why are you two here” Satoko said.

“We were at the fansign of the group we like. We told you yesterday, don’t you remember?” Mei replied.

Oh, right! The place was near this area, I should have paid more attention and this mess wouldn’t have happened!

“Wait, is it already over?” Minami asked.

Mei replied. “Yes, why?”

“I accompanied my sister to that same fansign and I should also take her back home, I didn’t realise it was this late.”

Satoko’s heart melted. He cares so much about his sister, I can’t resist this cuteness aggression.

“Sorry, guys, but I have to go.” Minami stood up and took his things. He exchanged a high-five with Kenji and turned to Satoko with a smile. “See you at school, Itou-san!”

Satoko nodded. “S-See you!”

When the door shut behind Minami’s back, Hiroto relaxed on his seat.

“He finally left.”

“I didn’t think it was possible to find someone with a single digit IQ like Kenji” Akito commented.

Kenji grided his head with a finger. “What do you mean?”

Hiroto sighed. “Let it go, Kenji.”

Suddenly, Mei cleared her throat exigently. She glanced at Satoko with a demanding expression.

“I think you owe us some explanations.”

Watanabe crossed her arms and nodded.

Satoko looked away. “I guess so…”

She ended up telling everything to them, even if she was extremely embarrassed.

“You work at a butler cafe with such handsome colleagues and didn’t tell us anything? I feel betrayed!” Watanabe exclaimed.

“That’s not important now. The most absurd thing is that Minami-kun likes Satoko’s male version” Mei said.

Satoko nodded, depressed. “I know, I feel so bad about it. It feels like I’m blatantly lying to him and it’s so frustrating…”

“Maybe if you stopped flirting with him every time, it would be better” Hiroto scolded her.

It’s not easy, the costume does everything all alone! Satoko whined in her head.

“Flirting? What do you mean?” Watanabe smiled mischievously. “What’s the name of the cafe?”

“The Nightingale” Kenji replied. “If you like thug butlers, you have one in front of your eyes!”

Watanabe’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, wow! And what type of butler Hiroto is?”

Akito rolled his eyes. “It’s always Hiroto here, Hiroto there. No one cares about me, the cutest butler on the face of the Earth!”

Hiroto sighed, distressed. “How many times do I have to tell you that there are no such things? We’re not a host club!”

Satoko chuckled. After all, this job is fun, especially thanks to them.

Watanabe noted the cafe’s name on her phone and laughed devilishly. “Satoko-chan, tomorrow I’ll pass by, I want to see you dressed as a butler.”

No, please! Satoko shook her head as strongly as if she was at a metal concert.

“I want to see you too” Mei added.

Tears started falling from Satoko’s eyes. Not you too, Mei!

“But we’ll wait after the exams. We can’t get distracted, right, Watanabe?”

Watanabe chugged. “You’re too serious, Mei.”

***

During the last weeks, Satoko swot for the exams, also with Mei and Hiroto’s help, and now she was waiting for the professor to give the results.

She clasped her hands in prayer. Please, let it be enough to pass, otherwise the boss will kill me!

“Itou Satoko” the professor called her name.

She got up and walked towards the desk with her gaze fixed on her shoes. She took the sheets of paper with trembling hands and got back to her place.

She stared at the back of her tests, extremely nervous.

I can’t watch, I’m too scared!

She took a deep breath and turned them around quickly. At that moment, Mei turned to check on her and saw her crying.

“Satoko, what’s wrong? You failed?”

Satoko wiped her tears with her hand. “N-No, I passed them.”

“Why are you crying, then?”

“Because I’m too happy!” She burst into tears.

I’ve never got such high grades, I can’t believe it! Hiroto’s lessons truly made the difference.

Mei brought a hand to her forehead and shook her head, but, at the same time, she was smiling.

“Congratulations, Satoko.”

“Thank you!”

***

When the last bell rang, everyone got up to leave the class. The joy and airiness was tangible among the students. When Satoko was about to cross the door, someone grabbed her wrist and held her back. She immediately stiffened and slowly turned around to see who it was.

Her eyes widened. “M-Minami-kun?”

“Do you have some time, Itou-san?”

Her gaze fell on his hand wrapped around her arm and her head started spinning.

This is unfair, Minami-kun!