Chapter 234

One reason for this was that the two of them hadn't changed their clothes and were still wearing the JK uniforms from Soubu High School.

JK skipped school in the afternoon to go out and play; she was mistaken for Delinquent Girl, but there's nothing she can do about it.

"Then lead the way." Yukino Shita Yukino also disliked this scene and decided to leave first.

"Follow me, we need to take the subway to get there." He turned and strode toward the subway station next door.

After walking for a while, he suddenly said, "Speaking of which, if you really like the destination—what would you do?"

"Hmph~ You're already asking for a reward before we've even arrived? Sakurakoji- kun, you're even more shallow and arrogant than I thought." Yukino Shita Yukino's eyes were full of amusement.

"But give up. You don't know me very well, and I'm not bragging, but I've been to almost every kind of shop. The chances of me finding someone I really like are too small."

"What if?"

"What if something really happens—what would you want?" She stopped, arms crossed, wary again. "Those illegal things you're fantasizing about right now are impossible!"

"So they've already decided my idea is illegal?" Sakurakoji Talent glanced helplessly at Yuihama Yui, signaling her to control her friend, only to receive a helpless "haha" in return.

"Don't worry, I'm a law-abiding citizen. At most, I'll just ask you to cover my shifts a few more times."

"So that's what you were after all?" Yukino Shita Yukino looked at him expectantly, feeling a headache coming on from his dejected state. "I really can't understand why you didn't just resign if you couldn't manage the time?"

"Regardless of the circumstances, the chances of you skipping work are too high. Are you that short of money?"

"That's not the reason... There's just too much to do during the day and evening, there's simply not enough time." He looked up at the sky, utterly helpless.

Things were fine a few days ago, but recently, with the number of high school students around him increasing dramatically, he has very little time after school in the evenings.

This is something even Master of Time Management like him can't do anything about.

In any case, it's impossible for him to appear in three or four different areas within those two hours.

"Since you're confident you won't lose, why don't you play around a bit?" He set a trap first.

"If you really like that place, how about you cover for me one extra shift every time you go there?"

"Do you think I would agree to something that benefits me?"

"If you think it's just so-so, then I'll owe you a favor, how about that?"

"No need, what good are your favors anyway?" Yukino Shita Yukino shrugged. "I'm used to doing everything myself."

Hey~ so you're afraid of losing, huh?

"Hmm!" She glared at him, her gaze sharp as a knife. Ten seconds later, she sighed, "Don't think this trick always works on me, Sakurakoji. Do you think I'm some kind of simpleton?"

He used the same trick last time to get her to agree to cover for him and learn cooking skills, and now he's trying to do it again.

"What does it matter? It's a perfect way to get back at them for what happened last time, isn't it?"

What you said does make some sense.

She wasn't completely unaware of his previous schemes, but she just hadn't been able to find a suitable opportunity.

After thinking for a moment, feeling that she had at least a 90% chance of success, she agreed, "Okay, let's do as you say."

It's safe!

Sakurakoji Talent breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling incredibly relaxed, as if the lights in the underground hall were dazzling and captivating.

Chapter 288 Do you need me to braid your hair?

The previously tight schedule now has more room to spare.

For that reason alone, this afternoon's date was a huge success.

Although I don't know how many times she'll go, I should be able to guarantee her a chance to go once a week.

This is the weekend; if we include after-school hours on weekdays... maybe we could add one or two more?

He wasn't worried that Yukino Shita Yukino would deliberately hide it; she wasn't like Yamada Ryo. He had a lot of faith in her character and integrity.

With this arrangement, combined with the alternating schedules of Ichiji Nijika, he had more than half the week to himself!

Best of all!

At this moment, he really wanted to cheer loudly and pop champagne at halftime.

They took the subway directly from Tokyo Station to the basement of Ten no Yashiro, where they entered an underground shopping arcade.

"Wow, there's an underground shopping arcade beneath Aoyama!" Yukino Shita Yukino looked around, her cool and delicate features filled with curiosity.

"Is the shop Mr. Talent mentioned inside?"

"Yes, it's a newly opened shop, and I think it will be quite popular with girls."

"Wow~ What kind of shop is it? I'm a little curious, aren't I, Little Yukino!"

"Any place that can be located here probably isn't a large venue. It's either a snack bar or a clothing and toy store—I don't think there's anything that would appeal to me." After analyzing the situation, she felt that her chances of winning had increased.

"You'll find out soon enough."

With convenient and familiar transportation routes, they arrived at the cat cafe in no time.

Upon seeing the "Sakura Garden Cat Cafe" sign on its surface, along with the cat designs on the coffee cups, Yukino Shita Yukino felt a mix of unease and excitement.

"Come in." Sakurakoji Talent took the lead and pushed open the shop door.

"..." Although she had a premonition that she might lose, she couldn't control her body and involuntarily took a step and followed.

"Oh, it's a cat café! What's it like inside?" Yuihama Yui, carrying a small orange backpack, followed along.

The first person to enter the shop crossed his index finger and shook his head, making an "X" gesture to the maids not far away. He then gestured to the two people behind him, and the maids understood.

"..."

"Kawaii! What's this? So many different breeds of kittens!" Upon entering the store and seeing dozens of adorable kittens of all kinds around her, Yuihama Yui couldn't help but exclaim.

"Guests, please refrain from making noise inside." A waiter, seemingly ignoring Sakurakoji Talent, stepped forward to remind them.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said in a low voice, bowing slightly in apology.

"Please come this way and be seated." The waiter gestured for them to a booth.

After they were seated, Sakurakoji Talent handed them the menu. "The coffee and desserts here are also very good. It's on me today, so please order whatever you like."

"Also, if you'd like to interact with the cats, feel free to buy cat treats, freeze-dried food, or rent cat toys. Enjoy your afternoon here."

"If you want to buy any merchandise when you leave, just add it to my account. I have a membership card here."

It's worth mentioning that cat cafes strictly prohibit ordinary customers from grabbing a cat and petting it freely, just like he did last time.

Here, you are only allowed to use props to slowly lure and tease the animals, and then gently stroke them. This is to prevent some guests from being too rough and causing the animals to become stressed and hurt people.

"Eh? Is that alright?" Yuihama Yui softly, a little embarrassed. "But, you see, I came here by myself, and I haven't really helped Mr. Talent much usually, so I'll feel bad about it. Let's split the bill!"

"..." Yukino Shita Yukino's gaze remained fixed on the various cats in the shop, her eyes unblinking, seemingly oblivious to what the two were saying.

Her reaction elicited a look of surprise from Sakurakoji Talent, a hint of smugness playing on his lips.

Hmph~ No matter how aloof and perfect you are, Yukino Shita, won't you still be repeatedly schemed against and defeated by me?

"It's alright, I do have a job, so I can afford this expense. Don't worry about it."

"Then I'll... thank you." Yuihama Yui head gently in thanks.

How awesome! This mature and composed demeanor of a working professional is also amazing!

"Hurry up, Little Yukino is here too... It's so expensive!" Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the prices on the menu.

"W-are the prices on this list wrong? Even in Tokyo, this is way too..." Her voice trembled with tears, "It's several times more expensive than what I usually eat in Chiba ~~~"

"Well, this location is quite expensive, and this place focuses on unique selling points, but don't worry about it, just order whatever you like."

"Mr. Talent, how much money have you actually earned from your part-time job?" Yuihama Yui was full of admiration for his nonchalant attitude.

She knew he was working many jobs at the same time, but she didn't know exactly how much he could earn. It seemed that just from one place, Starry, he already made quite a bit.

"I haven't calculated it, but it's quite a lot; I'm rather wealthy."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Yuihama Yui exclaimed.

We're both high school students, so why are you so outstanding?

"Alright, if you're not ordering, I'm going to order." He called over a maid and smoothly placed his order, "A Guatemala coffee, a signature Coffee Jelly, and a Soufflé."

The fries and burger I had for lunch only made me a little over half full. It would be nice to leisurely enjoy an afternoon tea (coffee) here until it's time to go back to work.

"I understand. Would you like to order anything else?" the maid asked softly.

"It's your turn," he urged.

"Eh? Okay! Um, I'd like a special Black tea with sugar and milk, and a cream puff!" Yuihama Yui Kokoro, considering the prices.

"OK."

"..." After admiring the pets in the shop for a while Yukino Shita Yukino finally looked away, her relaxed expression returning to normal. She quickly glanced at the menu and made a decision in an instant:

"A cup of Earl Grey Tea, a Basque Cheesecake, and a Vanilla Parfait, please."

Without the slightest hesitation or worry, she directly selected the few dishes she wanted to eat.

"We've received your orders, please wait a moment." After a standard bow, the receptionist turned and left.

Watching her departing figure, Yuihama Yui wondered, "Her movements seemed so perfect, just like in a movie. Could she really be a maid?"

"Who knows? But anyone who associates maids with cat cafes must be a little out of their mind," Yukino Shita Yukino thought differently.

"..." Someone fell silent.

"Huh? It's certainly rare, but since there are maid cafes, it's not so strange that there are Maid Cat Cafe, right?"

Soso, Sakurakoji Talent nodded in agreement.

"That's not how it works, Classmate Yuihama," Yukino Shita Yukino retorted. "The main purpose of a cat café is for guests to appreciate animals. If there are too many elements, it will distract the guests and have a negative effect."

"Is that so?"

"That's right." She nodded firmly.

Although she didn't understand, the way she said it did seem somewhat convincing.

Before long, the maid pushed a cart and delivered the numerous orders to the guests one by one.

"So this place and the neighbor's are from the same family? That's amazing." Yuihama Yui blinked softly as she watched the other person's movements.

"Good judgment. If the kitchen is placed together with this place, hygiene problems are inevitable." Yukino Shita Yukino touched her chin and nodded in affirmation.

The rate at which cats and dogs shed is beyond the imagination of non-pet owners; it's hard to understand how they can have so much fur to shed—even the bald neighbor next door would be green with envy.

"The decor is sophisticated, and the glass is one-way; you can tell the owner put a lot of effort into it."

She picked up her Black tea, took a sip, her gaze surprised, then tasted a pastry, her expression indifferent, and glanced at Sakurakoji Talent.

She finally understood why the other person had so strongly recommended this place.

Although it was expensive, it was definitely worth the price—at least for her.

Because there were other people around, she tried to be mindful of her surroundings, but her gaze would occasionally drift uncontrollably to the various animals in the store, her eyes filled with fascination.

"The sweets are delicious too!" Yuihama Yui, her voice trembling as she swayed her limbs, her expression blissful. "Right, Little Yukino?"

Meow~

"Huh?" The two looked on in surprise at the person who had unconsciously responded in cat language.

Noticing her embarrassing moment, Yukino Shita Yukino's heart skipped a beat. She quickly regained her composure, calmly taking a sip of her Black tea: "What did you just say, Classmate Yuihama?"

"Um, well, the sweets here are really delicious... right?" Yuihama Yui hesitated, but being good at reading people's expressions, she didn't directly expose him.

"Hmm, it's alright. The environment is quite comfortable; it's definitely a nice place to relax."

"Right, right! It's just a bit too expensive!" She quickly put that aside and continued chatting happily with her.

Yukino Shita Yukino breathed a slight sigh of relief, but when she looked up and saw Sakurakoji Talent resting his chin on his hand with a playful look in his eyes—she froze, feeling a bit like she wanted to die.

"Ah~ Little Yukino, look, look! There's a description of each cat on the back of the menu!"

"... Where?" Forcing herself not to pay attention to him, her cheeks burning, she looked in the direction Yuihama Yui was pointing.

"Are they all like that? And each one is different, many of them I've never even heard of, let alone seen before! How many kinds of kittens are there here?!"