Chapter 3- Sugar

Chapter 3- Sugar

"Do you mind if I keep sitting over here" Rika's voice broke through the silence, disrupting my thoughts? Inwardly, I hesitated, the desire to be alone conflicting with the uncertainty of this unexpected situation. However, I knew that refusing her request outright would be impolite. I took a moment to gather my composure before responding. "No, not at all," I replied in my mind. Rika flashed a bright smile and gracefully took a seat beside me. “STARE….STARE” Rika, slowly uttered as she stared at me with a heavy glance.

"Don't you dare stare at me!" I exclaimed, my frustration getting the better of me. Rika's audacity was beginning to test my patience. However, she seemed unfazed by my outburst, responding with a hearty laugh. Her laughter echoed through the café, drawing the attention of nearby patrons.

"Well, then answer me," Rika challenged a mischievous glint in her eyes. It was clear she wasn't going to back down easily. “Do, you mind if I keep sitting over here.” I sighed, realizing that my attempts to resist her presence were futile. "Fine!!," I muttered, my voice laced with resignation. "If you insist on staying, then stay."

"You are a stubborn one," Rika remarked, a sharp smile gracing her lips. Her words held a hint of admiration as if she appreciated my resistance and persistence in maintaining my boundaries. Despite our initial clash, there was a growing sense of understanding between us. I couldn't help but reciprocate her smile, albeit with a touch of amusement.

A second later, Asahi arrived at the table, setting down a steaming cup of extra strong coffee before me. "Your extra strong coffee, Yuuki," he announced with a friendly smile, his presence a welcome interruption to our conversation.

I nodded in appreciation, my attention momentarily diverting from Rika as I reached for the cup. The aroma of the rich coffee filled my senses, its warmth comforting me in the midst of the whirlwind of emotions and newfound connections.

"Thanks, Asahi," I muttered, my voice a blend of gratitude and distraction. Asahi's presence reminded me of the familiar, grounding me in the reality of our friendship amidst the unpredictability of this encounter.

"That's way too black for a coffee," Rika remarked with a hint of amusement in her voice. I couldn't help but chuckle at her observation, realizing that my preference for strong, black coffee was not shared by everyone. As if on cue, Asahi appeared once again, this time with a fresh glass of clear milk coffee. He placed it gently next to Rika, accompanied by a small bowl of sugar. The contrast between my dark, bold coffee and Rika's milky concoction brought a smile to my face. "Here you go, Miss Rika. A milk coffee to balance out the strength," Asahi said, his voice filled with warmth and hospitality.

Jeez, I never received such a treatment, I thought to myself, slightly envious of Rika's special treatment. However, what happened next nearly caused my eyes to pop out of their sockets. Rika took the bowl of sugar and proceeded to pour about six spoons of sugar into her coffee. This annoyed me.
"You might as well just drink milk with sugar," I couldn't help but remark, my astonishment evident in my voice. As a true coffee lover, witnessing such a concoction was nothing short of bewildering.

Rika, undeterred by my comment, simply grinned mischievously in response. It was clear that she had her own unique way of enjoying coffee, one that defied traditional expectations and pushed the boundaries of taste.
"So, now you're going to teach me how to live," Rika quipped with a playful smirk playing on my lips. Her unique take on coffee certainly challenged my preconception.

I let out a small chuckle, her amber eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not exactly, Yuuki," I replied. "But perhaps you could learn something from me after all.” I sipped my own robust coffee, relishing its deep flavour and invigorating effect, I couldn't help but appreciate the vast world of coffee and the myriad ways in which people found joy in its consumption.

"You love to annoy people, Mister," Rika called out with a playful tone. "But there are two things you must know about me: First, unlike you, I go strictly by the rules, and second, I have a name."

Saying so, I quickly stood up from the table, my decision firm in my mind. "Asahi, I'm leaving," I declared, my voice laced with determination. Pausing for a moment, I turned to Rika, a smirk playing on my lips. "And, as for this girl, take her pay from my deposit." Asahi looked at me with surprise, his eyebrows raised inquisitively. "Wait, you're leaving already? What happened?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. I chuckled lightly, a mix of excitement and uncertainty filling my being. "Nothing happened, Asahi," I replied. "I just feel like it's time for me to go to practice.”

Rika, still seated at the table, watched our interaction with curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "So, you're finally ready to leave, huh?" she remarked, a playful glimmer in her voice. "I can respect that." She added.
A moment later, I made my way out of the café, stepping onto the bustling streets filled with the rhythm of life. The air felt crisp, and a sense of liberation washed over me as I walked under the open sky. The weight of expectations and obligations seemed to lift off my shoulders, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for what lay ahead. As I walked, the sounds of the city enveloped me—the chatter of people, the honking of cars, and the distant melodies that floated from street performers.

Well, that brings me back to the thing happening now.