Crisis!

Dongfang Yi pressed his fingers to his brow and looked at the earnest girl before him, feeling a little helpless. "Sakura, it's a good thing there aren't many people in the café right now. Otherwise, just from what you said, my reputation would've turned me into some sleazy host who manipulates girls."

"..."

Sakura Airi had worked up the courage to say what was on her mind, but only now realized she'd nearly gotten him into trouble.

Her smooth, jade-white cheeks turned visibly red with embarrassment, like ripe peaches. She looked so innocently adorable that it made you want to take a bite.

"S-sorry," she mumbled. Maybe she'd bitten her tongue in her excitement.

"Honestly, it's not a big deal." Dongfang Yi didn't care much about his reputation these days. He was already carrying a bombshell as big as being a spy chief; a few more things wouldn't make much difference.

"But why did you think I was short on money?" He still couldn't make sense of the girl's reasoning.

"Because... you work at the café, and you've also found another part-time job..." Sakura Airi lowered her head without realizing it, carefully choosing her words. She glanced at Dongfang Yi now and then, afraid he might take offense. "So I thought you might..."

"Didn't I tell you? That job doesn't take much time. There's no reason to turn down free money." Dongfang Yi ruffled her hair, exasperated. "Head up, shoulders back. If you're always looking down, you'll end up with a bad posture, and your neck will have problems too. By then, it'll be hard to fix."

"But I..." Sakura Airi was afraid someone would target her.

"Don't worry. I'm right here. No one can hurt you." Dongfang Yi smiled reassuringly. He walked behind her, braced her back with a hand, and helped her straighten her posture.

He continued explaining, "Actually, I just thought 'part-time job' would be easier to understand. But it's not really a part-time job."

"Eh?"

"It's a long-term private commission."

"Eh!!"

Sakura Airi's eyes widened. She turned around and, for the first time, looked straight at Dongfang Yi with her watery eyes. There was something hard to read in them.

"Why are you looking at me like that..." Dongfang Yi suddenly understood. "Wait, don't tell me you think I'm being kept by someone?"

"Ugh..." The girl was embarrassed that he'd seen right through her.

She tried to explain herself. "N-no, it's not like that. I didn't, didn't think that. I just thought those people might... Ugh..."

You can't even lie, and you want to be an idol?

Dongfang Yi rolled his eyes. "Quit trying to explain yourself, Sakura. If you want to lie, I suggest practicing for a couple of years first. Come back when you've got some experience."

"O-okay."

"...Then, Dongfang, have you and those upperclassmen..." Sakura Airi pressed her two index fingers together and asked tentatively.

"Absolutely not. Sakura, you've got a vivid imagination, but those upperclassmen aren't as rich as you think. They won't even order the most expensive coffee." Dongfang Yi sighed and explained helplessly. "Besides, I don't sell myself, and I'm not here to provide emotional support."

"I-I believe you, Dongfang." Sakura Airi's eyes drifted to the side.

You clearly don't trust me at all.

Dongfang Yi had no choice but to explain in more detail. "There are three reasons I wouldn't do that."

Sakura Airi stared intently at him.

"First, I have plenty of points. I've got enough to live in luxury for two months, so I have no need for more points. I'm not in a desperate, life-or-death situation. Second, my employer isn't an upperclassman, and they have no designs on me. I can guarantee that. And lastly..."

"Lastly?" Sakura Airi's eyes shimmered with hope.

Dongfang Yi gave her a merciless flick on the forehead. "Lastly, I'm either in class or working every day. When would I have time for that sort of thing?"

"Ugh..." Sakura Airi crouched down, clutching her head.

Dongfang Yi had barely put any force into it. The flick was only a token punishment, and hurt about as much as a mosquito bite.

So why had Sakura Airi crouched down?

Probably to hide her cheeks, which had turned bright red with embarrassment all over again.

Heh, what a silly girl.

Dongfang Yi wanted to ruffle her hair, but he was a food preparer now. At the very least, he couldn't do something so unappetizing in plain sight.

Though, considering how perverted people in Japan could be, quite a few would probably be delighted to see this and happily pay for it.

Angel's Hair Flake Dark Roast? Or Idol's Hair Oil Dark Roast?

But with this pose and this scene, it felt like something he'd seen in one of those movies with an age restriction. Should he pull Sakura back to her feet?

Before he could think it through, a customer's voice interrupted his strange train of thought.

"Dongfang?"

The newcomer stared at him in surprise.

"Welcome to Palette Cafe. What would you like to order?"

Dongfang Yi slipped straight into work mode.

"Dongfang, it really is you!" The newcomer sounded emotional, but there was a hint of happiness too, as if he'd finally found a human shield. "Why are you here?"

He kept calling me Dongfang. Were we that close? Don't talk like you've been searching for me forever.

Dongfang Yi grumbled inwardly, then looked closely at the young man in front of him and the three girls behind him.

From left to right, they were Satoshi Ritonaka, Tamiya Emi, Kushida Kikyo, and Matsushita Chiaki.

Ah, so it's handsome Satoshi...

Wait, this group... How did you all end up together?

Looking at this bizarre group, Dongfang Yi suddenly felt like running away.

He glanced discreetly at Sakura Airi, who was crouching beside him.

Class A and Class D were both here. One wrong move, and his reputation was finished.

Dongfang Yi sighed inwardly. Naturally, he didn't give Ritonaka a warm welcome. "I'm working, so please behave yourself, sir. Don't try to act like we're close. It won't get you a discount."

"Is it really a good idea for this café to hire you as a waiter?"

"I'm no great talent, but I've already become this café's special guest barista, and my daily sales have broken the shop's record. Please don't judge someone destined for greatness by your mediocre, conventional standards."

"Ah, hello, barista destined for greatness. Could I get your autograph?"

Though Dongfang Yi had given him a hard time, Satoshi Ritonaka wasn't offended. A human shield could have a bit of an attitude; it was fine.

Tch, what a nuisance. He stuck to him like glue!

If this weren't someone else's café, Dongfang Yi would've kicked him out long ago.

"Tch, cut the crap. Are you ordering or not? If you don't hurry up, I'll change the names on the love letters in my drawer and stuff them all into your desk tomorrow."

Dongfang Yi lowered his voice and threatened him.

"Can't you act like a normal person?!"

Satoshi Ritonaka was stunned by the shamelessness of the person in front of him.

"Dongfang...?"

Kushida Kikyo murmured as they traded jabs.