Chapter 407

If he doesn't go now, Ichiji Hoshika will fire him.

Oh well, at worst we'll just open the restaurant a little later tonight.

He shook his head and followed.

"Ah~ Little Rikki, you've come!"

"Good morning."

Upon arriving at the cafe on the second floor, Shiina Rikki greeted Ririko had spotted her.

Ogura Asahi found a seat and called out to Shiina Rikki, who was heading towards the back lounge, "Before changing, could you please prepare a cup of Darjeeling Black tea for me, Ms. Rikki, waiter?"

"Ha?"

Shiina Rikki turned around and gave him a deep, meaningful look.

"What, what are you doing? Didn't you call me here? You won't even buy me a cup of Black tea?"

He shrugged, shook his head in resignation, and said, "Fine, fine, I know you're stingy, I'll just pay for it myself..."

Seeing his self-centered attitude, Shiina Rikki clenched her fists.

It's hardened! The fist has hardened!

This guy is just as annoying as that pink-haired girl!

Am I really going to team up with two such troublesome guys from now on?

For a moment, Shiina Rikki felt a pang of regret for her decision.

"Snort!"

After placing the prepared Black tea firmly on the table in front of him, she glided around smoothly and went to the back to change her clothes.

"What a terrible attitude!"

After expressing the same sentiment as the Pink Milk Dragon, he picked up his teacup and blew on it.

"Listen to me, listen to me~ Tomori-chan! My guitar skills have improved by leaps and bounds lately! Praise me, praise me!"

"Wow, Aine-chan is amazing~"

"Hehe~ Actually, it's all thanks to that senior! She's been giving me guidance lately!"

"What kind of senior?"

"Hmm~ Let me think... white hair, beautiful, tall, like Elf, plays many musical instruments—in short, she's a perfect third-year senior!"

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's just that I suddenly thought of someone..."

"..."

Along with their conversation, footsteps and sounds pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop.

"Rikki-chan ~ We're here~"

"Rikki-chan might not be here yet."

[Note: Chihaya Aine's nickname for Shiina Rikki is Riki, but the correct pronunciation and spelling is Taki.]

"Let's wait a bit longer. Are we going to the practice room later? I want to show you how much I've improved these past few days!"

"Hmm, if Aine-chan wants to..."

"Hehe... Huh?"

As she was talking, she suddenly noticed the conspicuous figure.

That's the downside of having overly beautiful and eye-catching hair; even if the other person doesn't see his face, they can't help but be drawn to that glimpse of bright white hair out of the corner of their eye, and take a second look.

"Ling D fin Pi = @er ((IV) VIII is N which one is... Chaoyang-senpai?"

"Huh?"

Takamatsu Akari was stunned. Following her gaze, she saw her already pitiful penguin face become even more stunned.

Chihaya Aine ran up to the table where Ogura Asahi was sitting and exclaimed in surprise, "Asahi- senpai! What are you doing here?! Thank you so much for everything these past few days... But senpai... why are you wearing Rikki-chan's school uniform?"

She stared at Ogura Asahi, who was still wearing the Hanasakigawa school uniform and hadn't changed, her face full of questions.

Aren't you from Haneoka? Why are you wearing brown clothes instead of gray?

"..."

Ogura Asahi, who was well-prepared, wasn't stumped by the question. She simply chuckled and said, "Hmm~ Have you heard of cosplay?"

"Cosplay? I've heard of it! It's wearing a character's costume and acting out the role, right?"

Chihaya Aine, who could chime in on most topics, quickly picked up the conversation and then asked with interest:

"So, you're cosplaying as Hanasakigawa's student now? Hmm~ But I can understand, since Hanasakigawa's school uniform is actually quite cute!"

"Just assume that for now, you'll see in a bit... But I'd like to ask you something first."

He glanced Kokoro at the staff area, then covered his mouth with his hand and whispered:

"Aine-chan, no matter what, I'll always be your senior, right?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask that? Isn't that obvious?"

Chihaya Aine tilted her head, her preconceived notions preventing her from noticing anything amiss.

"Ah!"

A thought suddenly struck her, "Could it be that you didn't bring any money today? Then I'll treat you!"

"No, someone else has already paid for today, thank you... With you saying that, I can rest assured, 'senior'."

Ogura Asahi raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully at the person behind her, then raised her hand in greeting:

"Yo~ Long time no Tomorou-chan ~"

"Okay, it's been a long time, Ogura- senpai."

Takamatsu Akari nodded shyly in greeting.

"Hey? Do you two know each other?"

Chihaya Aine's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them.

"We only met once; I saw Little Tomori when I visited the Astronomy Club."

He gave a hasty explanation, then, anticipating little time, quickly stepped forward and grasped Takamatsu Akari's small hands with both of Hands, gazing earnestly into her eyes as he said:

"Tomorou-chan! You'll always be my junior, right!"

"Eh, eh?! This, this..."

When his Hands were suddenly grasped by someone he didn't know very well, steam began to rise from Takamatsu Akari's face, and his thoughts became fragmented.

"Right!"

"Um, that... well, hi..."

After speaking in a weak voice, as if about to "bang," Takamatsu Akari's face flushed red, and the system temporarily shut down.

"That's great! But you two can't back out now..."

Ogura Asahi's eyes narrowed with a mixture of cunning and triumph, and he prepared to let go.

"Hey! What are you doing with the light?!"

Oh no, it's too late.

He clicked his tongue inwardly, and the next second, Shiina Rikki, who had rushed over, cut between him and Takamatsu Akari, staring at him warily as if he were about to do something bad to Takamatsu Akari.

Honestly, I only teased you a few times, and you're making me act like some kind of bad guy.

Besides, if I really want to do something, you can only stop me by offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal...

"Tachiki -Rikki-chan! Don't do that, she's our senior!"

Takamatsu Akari hurriedly grabbed Shiina Rikki's wrist and stepped forward to explain, fearing that Shiina might do something impolite.

"Senior? Her?"

Shiina Rikki was completely bewildered, his gaze sweeping over the three of them with surprise, especially focusing on Ogura Asahi.

She crossed her arms, looking down at him with a disgruntled expression. "Hmph~ 'Senior,' huh? Are you talking about yourself?"

Ogura Asahi whistled and gave her a stunning profile shot, seemingly unconcerned that it was none of his business.

"Hey! I can tolerate you treating me like this, but can you please not treat Senior Asahi like that?"

Chihaya Aine couldn't help but interrupt, frowning as she stood protectively in front of Ogura Asahi.

"No matter what, she's my and Tomorou-chan's senior at school. Watch your tone, okay?"

"..."

Shiina Rikki smirked, her expression strained, "Hey, before you acknowledge someone as a senior, at least take a good look at what she's wearing! She's a student of Hanasakigawa..."

"This is cosplay, cosplay~ Someone as serious and earnest as you would never understand~"

Chihaya Aine spread her little hands, her face conveying the meaning of "I can't explain it to you."

"Cosplay?"

Shiina Rikki stared at him in disbelief, her beautiful eyes wide.

Is this how you deceive them?

Seriously, how long have they known each other? Why are both Deng and that guy so protective of her?

"Yes, cosplay."

Takamatsu Akari nodded in agreement. Although she wasn't quite sure what it was either, since both of them had said so before, it must be correct.

Ogura Asahi straightened his head and gave Shiina Rikki a provocative smile.

What should I do~ Rikki-chan ~ You cherish your beloved Tomorou-chan, it seems like you're speaking up for me~

Shiina Rikki, who vaguely understood what he meant, clenched his fists, wanting to smash his face like a drum!

"I don't know what she said to you! But this guy is in my class! He can't possibly be your senior!"

Shiina Rikki slumped her shoulders in dejection, offering them a feeble explanation.

"How could that be? She's clearly a third-year student at our school! Your trick is so lame, Rikki-chan!"

"Yes, that's right."

"..."

Seeing that the two still didn't believe him, Shiina Rikki glared at him fiercely. "Hey! Aren't you going to explain?"

"What's there to explain? Aine-chan and Tomorou-chan just said they'll be my juniors for life, okay?"

He straightened his chest, raised his head, and said proudly.

"Seriously! You really are infuriating!"

"That hurts my feelings. You, Kairin, and Shizuka were all my best friends in my first year at Hanasakigawa."

"There are too many limiting words and flaws! Can you really have that many best friends?!"

"Don't worry about it, don't worry about it..."

Seeing that he still had no intention of explaining, she pulled Chihaya Aine and the other girl aside. "You two, come with me for a moment."

"What are you doing... are you going to hit me?"

"Rikki-chan wouldn't do that."

"..."

Ogura Asahi didn't stop him, but simply sat back down, quietly tasted the now-cooled Black tea, clicked his tongue, and then added a piece of white sugar.