Coffee Mix

As I walked through the corridors, I kept thinking back to what I said to Natsume. Every time those words replayed themselves in my head, I physically cringed.

There was also that... weird situation. I know that people don't like being touched, maybe to an extreme degree. That's perfectly normal, but reaction was strange. She wasn't just uncomfortable—she was terrified.

"Ugh..." I groaned while pinching my eyes.

"Hm? You okay, Yozora?" 

"W-wha—?!"

I stumbled back when I saw a pair of huge, blue eyes staring at me. She tilted her head to the side, as if what she did wasn't an issue at all.

"Suguha..." I sighed. "Ever heard of personal space?"

"Eh? I didn't think I'd ever hear that coming from someone else. It's normally fans who try to get way too close than they're supposed, then I have to be the one to say that."

"Same logic applies, even if you're famous. Anyway, what are you doing here so early? You guys aren't supposed to be here for another thirty minutes."

"I woke up early, so I decided to come in and make some coffee."

"Can't you just buy it?"

"Yeah, I could, but it's not the same as doing it myself."

That's a surprise. Even though she's probably got all the money in the world, she still chooses to do something as simple as making coffee by herself. I respect that.

"Well, have fun," I said as I attempted to walk past her.

Suddenly, she popped up in front of me again with a wide smile.

"Say! You wanna tag along?" she asked.

"Huh? Why would I do that?"

"I dunno. Hang out with me until the others show up. I'm thirty minutes early, after all."

"Natsume's also here. You can hang out with her."

Clearly dissatisfied with my answer, Suguha threw on an unamused pout. "I still have to make coffee, though. And... And! What if someone ambushes me in the break room?! Then, you, as Sunayomi's assistant, will have to take responsibility for being able to accompany me but didn't."

"...Seriously...?"

"Aw, come on. I won't take that long. Promise!"

It's hard to believe that an idol is standing in front of me right now, begging for me to join her for coffee. And here I was about to find a nice, quiet spot to take a nap. Something always gets in the way, and that something happens to be Sunayomi themselves.

"Fine," I sighed.

"Yay! I mean—Ahem... Glad you could join me, Sir Yozora," she spoke in an unexpectedly deep voice.

"Whatever. Let's go."

I followed Suguha to the break room, and she quickly brewed up her own cup of coffee. Though, it wasn't coffee... It was just two shots of espresso.

"And, done!" she grinned. "Cheers!"

She took the tiniest sip, but the moment it touched her mouth, she let out a cry of disgust with her tongue sticking out.

"Do you normally drink it like that?" I asked. "Why not try mixing in some stuff to make it taste better?"

"Ah, well... You see... I've tried," she mumbled with a defeated tone. "And every time, it always ends up tasting even weirder, so I gave up."

"Hah... Give it here."

She handed me the cup as I opened a nearby refrigerator. Luckily, there was a carton of milk, as there always is since Manager Na likes using milk for his coffees. I poured it into the cup and topped it off with vanilla syrup.

"There you go," I said, handing the cup back to her.

"Whoa... This looks like something straight out of a coffee shop."

"Have a taste."

She lifted the cup and carefully took a sip. Immediately, her eyes widened and sparkled.

"The heck?! It's so good!" she exclaimed. "On your first try too!"

"Well, it's not difficult to make."

I turned around to brew my own cup, but the tray didn't have anymore espresso pods.

"Hm? No more?" Suguha asked.

"I don't think so."

"Want some of mine?"

"Eh? N-no, I'm okay. I'll try looking around first."

"Suit yourself."

She pushed herself onto the countertop with a 'hup!'

While I opened the cabinets to find more pods, Suguha swung her legs back forth, seemingly daydreaming.

Wasn't she the one who asked me to come and hang out? Yet, here she is, sitting in complete silence.

Oh, well. It's not I would prefer it any other way. I just wanna get this over with quickly so I can take a nap somewhere quiet. At least, before Manager Na and the others get here. He's probably gonna ask me to do something else.

"Hey, Yozora," Suguha called out.

"What's up?" I replied as I continued rummaging through the cabinets.

"What's it like out there?"

"Hm? Out where?"

"The real world."

My hands stopped moving. "...The real world?"

"Yeah," she said. "Like... The normal side of life, outside of all the fame and glory."

"I'm not sure if I'm the right person to be asking that. I wouldn't necessarily call myself normal."

"Hehe... More normal than me that's for me."

Suguha took a deep breath and let it out. Her legs stopped swinging, and she was looking up at the ceiling, lost in her own imagination.

"It seems so nice," she sighed. "The normal world, I mean. I wonder what it's like to walk around without a disguise—to go about my day with Nabi, Mira, and Yoko without being mobbed. I wonder what it's like to go down a street market, eating all kinds of food without having to worry about my weight. I wonder what it's like to have so much free time that I won't even know what to do with it. I wonder... Can I be like that one day?"

I couldn't say anything, not because I didn't want to. I just... didn't know what to say.

I never imagined hearing those words from someone who seemingly has it all—a stable career, unimaginable wealth, and a clear path laid out for her future. Who wouldn’t envy that?

For the longest time, I believed that financial stability would fix all my problems. But seeing Suguha now, genuinely sad despite her usual cheerful demeanor, makes me question everything.

"I'm sorry," Suguha smiled gently. "I brought down the mood, didn't I? I just... can't help it, I guess. Thinking about the life I could've had I chose not to become an idol. Maybe... It was never meant to—"

"Do you want to?" I interrupted her.

She tilted her head to look at me, eyes wide and full of curiosity.

"W-what?"

"I asked if you wanted to," I said. "I don't know a lot of places, but my little sister does. I can ask her for a list."

"Really? You'd do that?"

"Yeah. I don't see why not."

Suguha turned back to look at her coffee cup. A smile grew on her face, but instead of a subtle one like before, it seemed much more joyous.

"Then!" she exclaimed. "You have to come with me too!"

"Eh? W-wait, what?" I muttered.

"Yeah! Don't you think it'll be fun? I've always wanted to sneak out on my own, but the girls and Manager Na would never allow it. But! If it's you, then maybe I have a chance!"

"H-hold up. This wasn't what I was suggesting..."

She quickly took my hand and held it tight. "No take backsies!"

While she grinned at me, teeth bare and everything, I stared back with my head void of anything comprehensible.

How did I get looped into this? I was just trying to be nice, and it completely backfired. Now, I'm stuck with this effervescent maniac.

"Alright!" Suguha cheered as she rushed to the door. "I'll let you know the time and date. Until then, look forward to it, Yozora!"

Just like that, she was gone, and I finally had time to process what had just happened. Although, there was nothing to think about. My brain feels like it just got fried.