15. The secret of the Princess

After finishing my shift (I managed to convince the manager to let me work at least until tomorrow), I saw that Shibata was waiting for me in front of the restaurant.

Convincing her to eat without me, I was suddenly swamped with work by an unexpected group of 13 people babbling something about the coming of the Messiah or "One of you, tonight will betray me."

This forced me to work overtime, but I had no reason to refuse.

After all...I couldn't leave Shibata alone.

Unfortunately, the attempt to be thoughtful ended in misery, as Shibata finished her dinner and I was still in the middle of serving the food.

"Sorry I'm late! I tried to get free as soon as possible!"

"No worries."

Without being angry, Shibata's tone was asking me to catch my breath.

Detaching herself from the street wall, she began walking towards the direction of the apartment building we lived in, and I followed her.

Shibata slowed down until we were walking side by side.

The distance between us was less than a meter.

It was not the distance between lovers, nor was the distance between mere friends.

"It's not every day I get to see you this close. The difference in appearance and aura between school and work is so striking that I wouldn't be surprised if there were students from our school who came here to eat and didn't even recognize you"

"..."

Shibata's words were dead on.

Since the restaurant was in the entertainment area of the city, there were not a few times that I saw students from my own school come in and have dinner.

But, at the moment, I thought only Asakura knew about my working profile.

With a smarter appearance and a more approachable aura, no one would have guessed that these two people were actually the same.

... At least, that's what Asakura told me.

He hadn't recognized me the first time either, and if I hadn't talked to him, I don't even think we'd have the relationship we have now.

Not that I was trying to hide it since my aunt knows very well where I work and I got approval from the school itself, but I won't deny that not being harassed by curious people asking me why there was this difference relieved me.

"Even today, I can see that many people relied on you."

"That's not true."

Trying to deny her words, I told her the truth.

"Because of my resignation, I'm trying to train as quickly as possible the new staff that will have to take my place"

"But the manager didn't seem so desperate to me"

"Do you really think that a manager would complain about her employees in front of her customers?"

Unexpectedly, Shibata was laughing.

"But it seemed to me that she has a soft spot for you. She even considered firing you on the spot to give you time off."

"It's only because she likes to gossip."

"Hahaha. So there's someone who you are weak against."

Shibata's genuine laugh stunned me for a second before I was able to resume the conversation.

"... What do you take me for? I'm an ordinary student, nothing more, nothing less."

"You're more than just an ordinary student."

"Huh?"

Quickening her pace, Shibata was in front of me.

Not turning her gaze to me, Shibata continued with her speech.

"A normal student doesn't live alone, works in two different places, and is also at the top of the entire school's grades. At least, I wouldn't be able to."

Before I could correct her, Shibata wanted to complete her statement, turning to me with the most charming expression I had ever seen.

"So, I'm happy that you're the one who saved me."

"..."

For the first time, Shibata had touched on the subject I really wanted to ask.

"... We've met before, that's what you told me that night"

Thinking back to our "first" meeting, I was sure that Shibata had known me since before I started high school.

"... Un"

Nodding slightly, I gave voice to my desire.

"... When did we meet...?"

But faced with that question, Shibata made a pained expression.

"... I'm sorry, I can't tell you that yet."

"Wh...!?"

Before I could urge her, Shibata said a single sentence.

"Not when you're still chained by the past."

"...!"

Suddenly, a strong sense of nausea got the better of me and I began to falter.

Shibata ran towards me and grabbed me, preventing me from falling.

"How...?"

"So, I'll be waiting."

Holding me tightly, Shibata's warmth seemed to restore my consciousness.

"Waiting for the day that you'll accept me because you'll be in love with me, not because you need to fill the void inside you."

Faced with Shibata's forced smile, I didn't know what to say.

Back at the apartment building, I said goodbye to Shibata and threw myself on the bed, not having the strength to shower or continue my evening studies.

All that flashed through my mind were Shibata's words.

"Chained by my past... huh?"

Surely, Shibata knew something about my past, but she was waiting for me to reveal it myself.

Was I really worthy of her trust...?

Tormented by these thoughts, I didn't even know when the sun had risen.