The boy's eyes lit up at the sight of the café ahead. He hesitated for a moment, but he did not refuse.
When they entered the café, there were only a few people inside. It was exceptionally quiet. A piano stood in the middle of the room, but no one was playing it...
Only a soft piano melody drifted elegantly through the café. The baristas behind the counter seemed to be dozing off.
"Welcome!"
Once Rita and the boy entered the café, the half-asleep waiters finally woke up and hurriedly bowed.
The boy looked around curiously, his eyes filled with novelty and delight.
Rita glanced around, then chose a table in the corner, where no one else would overhear their conversation.
After they sat down, Rita picked up the menu and looked it over. Then she raised her head and said to the waiter, "One latte, with less milk."
"What would you like?"
Rita looked at the boy sitting across from her.
"I'll have a latte too."
After a brief pause, the boy ordered the same thing as Rita.
"Mm, two lattes... and some desserts and fruit. That'll be all for now." After ordering, Rita politely handed the menu back to the waiter.
"Is this your first time here?"
After the waiter left, Rita rested both hands on the table and looked at the boy across from her with wine-red eyes. She asked softly.
"N-No, it isn't. It's different from the place I went to last time..."
"What exactly did you want to see me for?"
The boy hurriedly shook his head. Looking at Rita, who seemed to be a foreigner, he was somewhat puzzled, not knowing why she had sought him out.
"You... are a girl, aren't you..."
Rita picked up the ice water beside the table