"Does the school actually allow students to work part-time? How did Dongfang manage it?"
Tamiya Emi asked in confusion.
Dongfang?
Kushida's eyes widened before she could stop herself. "Who was that?"
"Oh, it's only natural that you don't know, Kushida. He's Dongfang Yi, from our class."
"Dongfang Yi? A new student in First Year Class A...?"
Kushida Kikyo murmured to herself, standing there in a daze, momentarily lost.
These past two days.
The girl couldn't help thinking about the kind stranger from the bus.
His warm smile and the way he'd kindly come to her rescue;
his handsome face and straight posture;
a reliable senior, and a gentle guide.
He fulfilled every beautiful fantasy the girl had ever held, just like... just like the prince on a white horse in the stories she'd dreamed of as a child.
Even her fantasies couldn't begin to match his radiance.
After they parted, she'd spent every waking moment making and revising plans for what to do next. She'd even temporarily put aside Horikita Suzune, whose potential for hidden destruction of her school life was enormous!
She'd carefully perfected every heartwarming detail of their next encounter. She'd even repeatedly rehearsed and polished every line, imagined countless possibilities, and memorized every possible branch of their conversation.
She was ready, certain she'd become her senior's thoughtful little sweetheart.
All that remained was to find her senior and win him over in one fell swoop, laying the cornerstone of her grand plan.
It should have gone that way...
But why?! Why had it turned out like this?!
For the first time, she realized how enormous her oversight had been. Everything she'd planned now had to be thrown out and started over.
That detestable guy wasn't some kind senior at all! He was a new student!
A new student her own age!
Kushida Kikyo couldn't help recalling the moment they'd met that day,
[Hello, classmate. I haven't seen you around before. Are you a new student?]
I haven't seen you around before... Are you a new student...?
Only now did she belatedly realize—
That damn bastard had been hinting at it the whole time!
He'd never once clearly said anything about being a senior!
Not once!
No wonder he'd said they'd get to know each other within three days. Since they were both new students, there'd be plenty of chances to run into each other by coincidence!
It would've been strange if they hadn't!
No wonder he'd said he'd tell her the secret to leaving campus after they got to know each other!
There was no need to tell her, because there wasn't any secret in the first place. He was a new student who'd come from outside!
Kushida Kikyo felt like such an idiot. How could she have fallen for such a lousy lie?!
Matsushita Chiaki gently poked the dazed Little Angel, raising an eyebrow as she whispered, "Has Little Kikyo fallen for a handsome guy?"
Kushida Kikyo snapped back to her senses and forced herself to smile bashfully ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄. "Don't tease me like that, Matsushita."
"(ˉ▽￣~) Tsk~~, I just heard Little Kikyo mumbling his name." Matsushita Chiaki grinned, teasing her.
"Oh, stop it. I... I just thought his surname was a little unusual."
"Really?"
"Really."
Still busy teasing her, Matsushita Chiaki didn't notice that Kushida had clenched her little fists.
I'll make that bastard who tricked me pay for this!
Meanwhile, the two men's clash continued.
Dongfang Yi was busy shielding Sakura and didn't realize he'd been added to the hit list.
Satoshi Ritonaka leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Dongfang, I brought three beauties. Want to join us?"
Dongfang Yi frowned. "Get lost. I'm working right now, and I'm busy. Don't try to act familiar unless you have a reason."
"Hey, that's pretty rude of you." Ritonaka thought, There's not a single person in this shop. Who are you trying to fool?
"Do I look like someone who's studied proper etiquette to you?"
"Weren't you a waiter?"
"No, I'm a barista." Dongfang Yi raised an eyebrow proudly and reiterated, "This shop specially hired a top-grade barista."
"Oh? Then buy me a few coffees."
"Are you the leader of the Freeloader Nation, Freeloader himself? How can you have such a thick skin?"
"Look, I brought three beauties. You can't let a chance like this slip by." Ritonaka lowered his voice again. "Buy them a few coffees so they'll remember you. It's worth it."
Well, I'm sorry I don't have the bloodline of a simp.
Dongfang Yi's mouth twitched. He stared coldly at the ill-intentioned guy in front of him. "You have a point. I'm in."
"Now you're talking, bro." Ritonaka gave him a thumbs-up.
"Of course. Brothers in spirit, forever in the heart." Dongfang Yi patted his chest. "Go over there and pay first. I'll treat them."
"Sure." Ritonaka happily turned to leave, having gotten what he wanted.
But then he turned back. "What am I paying for?"
"The cost of four coffees." Dongfang Yi replied without batting an eye. "Don't worry. I'll take off the labor cost, so you won't lose out."
"Uh, but..." Ritonaka was stumped. He'd only brought them along on a whim, hoping to freeload a little. He hadn't planned on paying for anything himself.
"No buts. Be generous. Think about all the wonderful times you could have ahead of you, and don't sweat a little money. What if you lose your chance at a fateful encounter over this? Would you be okay with that?"
Dongfang Yi's lips curled as he patted Ritonaka on the shoulder. His voice was like a devil's whisper. "Go on. Don't let your youth be full of regrets. Don't let your future self spend the rest of his life regretting a little money."
Yeah, right. I don't believe a word you say.
Ritonaka clicked his tongue, realizing just how difficult Dongfang Yi was to deal with. He turned away and said no more about the coffee.
After discussing it for a while, they picked out their food, paid together, and took their receipts before heading inside to find a table.
Kushida didn't show any sign of recognition the entire time, as if she didn't know Dongfang Yi at all. Matsushita Chiaki, on the other hand, had a teasing look in her eyes.
Still, Dongfang Yi breathed a sigh of relief.
Sakura had really left him at a loss when she crouched down like that.
But at least his innocence was intact.
"They're gone. You can get up now, Sakura the Ostrich."
Dongfang Yi, who was also manning the register, watched the four of them enter the dining area. At last, he relaxed and called down to her, exasperated.
Sakura's little head cautiously popped up from behind the counter. Once she'd confirmed no one was around, she quickly stood up.
It hadn't seemed like a big deal at first, but once the customers arrived, she'd been too embarrassed to stand up.
She pouted and glared at Dongfang Yi, puffing up with anger.
H-how could he call her an ostrich?!
"Miss Ostrich, don't your legs hurt?" Dongfang Yi figured he had to tease her a little to make up for the stress she'd just put him through.
"Dongfang, giving people nicknames is a really bad thing to do!"
"Oh? Then how are you going to make up for the emotional distress you caused me just now, Sakura?" Dongfang Yi asked, trying to scare her.
"Ugh, I-I need to go to the restroom."
Dongfang Yi watched Sakura hurry away, the corners of his mouth curling up. But then an ill-intentioned voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Are you having fun now, D~ong~fang~se~nior~?"
Before you continue