Summertime Rendezvous: Café Mischief

Early morning.

"..."

Two former schoolmates.

Walking, side by side.

A relationship, that could have been something more.

But now.

"..."

Colleagues.

Colleagues who shared the same workplace.

"..."

You could not write a better script than this.

"..."

We continued our walk, without a single drop of a word.

There were no feelings of confinement between the two of us, rather, an atmosphere, surging with mellow butterflies. It felt as though, it was an elusive longing, that had finally made its way to reality. 

"..."

Could this be, the feeling of...?

"..."

Love...?

"..."

I wasn't sure.

"..."

I felt afraid.

Afraid of rushing to conclusions.

Afraid of, what could follow next.

"..."

Afterall.

I knew.

I knew the type of person I was.

A non-human, who always strived, strived for perfection, in this material world.

"..."

And these feelings and emotions, that I was bearing now.

Just for how long?

How long, until it disappears...?

"..."

I failed to reciprocate once.

Will I fail as well, the second time around?

"..."

I guess the only thing I can do for now is.

Observe.

Observe, my feelings and emotions.

Until the day, I can comfortably verify, if this really is... 

The feeling of love.

"..."

Amid our stroll, we came across a cafe, Azure Bottle Coffee, where Sato-san came to a halt. Her gaze, was fixated upon a poster, exhibited near the entrance.

It read as followed.

~~~

Azure Bottle Coffee: Summer Discounts

Couples get 25% off!

Valid From: 21st July 2023

Valid Until: 25th July 2023

~~~

That's quite a discount I have to say.

Why can't there be discounts like these for singles like me?

Curse you lovey-dovey couples!

I will never forgive you!

"..."

SIGH.

"?"

Sato-san sighed heavily. 

"You okay Sato-san?"

"Oh. 

"Uhm." 

"I'm sorry Kobayashi-kun!" 

"Yes, I am fine..."

"Uhm."

"No need to worry!"

"Sorry I made you stop, ehehe..."

"Shall we continue our walk?"

There was a hint of uneasiness in Sato-san's speech, as she ended it with a faint smile,

It seems she really wanted that discount. 

Too bad it was only for couples.

"..."

Couples.

Wait a minute...

"!"

Can't we just pretend to be a couple?

I don't how Sato-san will react, but it's a worth shot.

It's better to try it now than regret it later.

Sato-san had taken a few steps already, unknowingly, I grabbed her hand, thwarting her from taking another step. 

"Ah!"

"Kobayashi-kun?"

Sato-san was startled.

"Uh..."

"Sato-san!"

"Yes!"

"Kobayashi-kun."

"Uh."

"If you don't mind, we can pra-pra-pra-pretend to be a couple."

I averted my eyes, discomposed by the words that had escaped out of my mouth. 

That was very daring of me.

Did I really just say that?

And now, how will Sato-san respond?

"..."

I shifted my sight towards her direction.

"..."

Her gaze was, alternating, between the depths of my eyes and the floor below.

Her slender fingers danced restlessly, weaving an uncertainty.

"!"

Did I just make her feel...? 

Uncomfortable.

Looks like I might have gone too far there.

I should apologise.

"Sato-san!"

"I'm sor-..."

"Yes please!"

"Eh."

"If you don't mind then..."

"Please be my ba-ba-boyfriend!"

"Kobayashi-kun!"

My words were left unfinished, interrupted by Sato-san, whilst her rosy cheeks, flushed, by the idea I had proposed. 

"..." 

Did she just...

Confess to me?

"!"

The rhythm of my heart quickened its pace.

"..."

"Boyfriend!?!"

The words spilled out of my mouth.

"Oh, no no!"

"I didn't mean it like that!"

"Kobayashi-kun!"

Sato-san waved both of her hands in denial.

"I meant, pretend boyfriend!"

"Yes, pretend."

"Ahaha..."

Ah.

Pretend boyfriend.

I don't know why I had my hopes up there for a second.

"Sure!"

"Shall we go inside then?"

"Yes!"

"Let's go, Kobayashi-kun!"

"..."

We stepped into the cafe, with the hopes of claiming the coveted couple's discount. Patiently, we lingered in a queue, anticipating our turn.

"Next please."

The barista called. 

In harmony, we advanced towards the counter.

"Good morning, how can I help you guys?"

The barista asked.

"Uhm!"

"Hello, good morning."

"Ca-ca-couple discount please!"

Sato-san faltered her words, despite her desperate attempt to disguise our fake relationship.

"Hmm..."

"Are you sure you guys are a couple...?"

The barista contemplated with a glance of suspicion. 

"Ye-ye-yes!"

"We recently just started going out!"

I grabbed Sato-san by her shoulder, and pulled her closer to me. 

"Hmm. I guess that makes sense."

"So, what can I get you young couple then?"

"I'll have an Americano."

"What would you like, Sa- I mean ha-honey...?"

"..."

Sato-san stood in silence for a second.

"Uhhh. I wu-would like an iced coffee, my da-darling!"

"Alright then, that will be 700¥ after the couple's discount."

"I'll pay for it my ha-honey!"

"You sure, uhm da-darling!"

"Yes!"

We definitely deserve an Oscar after this performance.

"Alright. Just tap your card in there and it will be ready in 5 minutes."

"Yes, thank you!"

PING.

"Please wait on the side."

"Next please!"

"..."

TUG.

TUG.

Sato-san tugged my shirt.

"Uh..." 

"Sato-san?"

I looked at her perplexed. 

On her tiptoes, she leaned in, towards my ears, whilst covering her mouth with her cupped hands.

"Uhm."

"Kobayashi-kun..."

"I think, it's fine to let go of my shoulder now."

Sato-san whispered.

"Ah! 

"I am very sorry, Sato-san!"

I had completely forgotten, I still had my arms wrapped around Sato-san's shoulder. Quickly, in panic, I let go.

"It's fine, it's fine."

"Don't worry about it."

Sato-san's continued to whisper, whilst her face flushed like a ripe tomato. 

"!"

The barista glanced at us with narrow eyes.

Did he find us out?"

"You two!"

GULP.

"Your drinks are ready."

"Please come and collect."

PHEW.

"Yes!"

"Will do!"

Fetching our drinks from the counter, we departed from the cafe doors. 

Operation: COFFEE COUPLE. 

Was now... 

Complete!

A little further away from the cafe, we ceased our movements, and locked our gazes towards each other, whilst holding onto our drinks. 

"Hahaha."

"Hehehe."

A burst of laughter, overflowed from within us, almost like children celebrating the fruits of some mischievous escapade. 

"Thank you Kobayashi-kun."

"I appreciate your help today."

Sato-san smiled.

"No worries, I don't mind."

"I mean if you want, we can do this for the rest of the week."

"Really!"

Sato-san hurried towards me, her eyes sparkled with optimism.

COUGH.

COUGH.

"I mean, yes, I will be counting on you then, Kobayashi-kun."

"Oh."

"My bad."

"I will be counting on you, dar~ling."

Sato-san gave a mischievous, yet playful grin.