My Overly Anxious and Devoted Girlfriend Never Gives Up on Me - Chapter 2.8

“A café au lait with bitter notes, and a medium-roast coffee.”

The waiter in his elegant and charming uniform brought over our drinks and placed them on our table.

In front of me was the café au lait, and across from me was the coffee.

“Thank you.”

“Please take your time.”

The shop was filled with bossa nova music, soft lighting, and the aroma of coffee.

Yeah, it’s as comfortable as ever.

“As expected of a café you recommended, Aoto-kun. I think I can relax here.”

She gently swayed the cup in her hand as she looked around the shop again.

Today, I was supposed to meet her here—Yuzuri Mikura from the same class.

A few days ago, she sent me a message saying she wanted me to take her to my usual spot.

Sitting across from me, Mikura-san was, of course, wearing casual clothes instead of her school uniform.

Navy blue wide-leg pants and a pale blue sweater created a contrast with her uniformed self, and it looked very fitting on her.

Even though I’m not particularly interested in fashion, I could somehow tell she had good taste.

“Yeah, the coffee’s delicious too. Even though it’s black, it’s not bitter.”

“That’s right. It seems like this shop intentionally does that. Well, I always get café au lait, though.”

Not just the atmosphere, but of course, this shop’s taste is good too.

It was my secret spot, but I thought it might be okay to share it with Mikura-san.

“I might start coming here too. Aoto-kun, do you usually come on specific days, or anything like that?”

“Huh? …Hmm, not really. I just drop by when I feel like it or when I find an interesting book.”

“I-I see…”

For some reason, Mikura-san made a slightly troubled face.

Was there something odd about my reply?

Well, whatever, I’ll just let it go.

“Ah, that’s right. I have to give you the book too.”

Saying that, I took out the book I was planning to lend Mikura-san from my bag.

She had said, “It’d be a waste to just have you introduce me to the shop, so I’d like you to lend me a book you recommend too.”

“Here.”

“Thank you, Aoto-kun. I’ll read it right away and return it.”

“Take your time. Just read it at your own pace.”

“N-No, I want to read it quickly…!”

“I see. Well, that makes me happier.”

Mikura-san hugged my book as if it were incredibly precious and slowly put it in her bag.

I appreciate her treating it carefully, but it’s just a paperback, so she doesn’t need to be that concerned about it.

“But novels can be hit or miss. If you read a few, I think I’ll be able to figure out your preferences.”

“T-Then! …Would it be okay if I borrowed books from you a few more times from now on?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m happy to be able to talk about books too.”

After answering, I took a sip of my café au lait.

The deep milk aroma spreading through my nostrils is irresistible.

By the way, Mikura-san on the other side of the cup had a face that seemed both terribly stiff and completely relaxed.

Her cheeks looked slightly flushed too.

Did she really find the coffee that delicious?

From my perspective, since I’m not great with black coffee, it’s a mystery, but if she liked it, that’s good.

“…Lately, I’ve been having you help with work more often again. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. Half of it is because I enjoy doing it.”

In fact, since she thanks me like this, I don’t feel like any of it is unpleasant.

It’s not that I want her to be grateful, but being thanked still makes me happy.

“Besides, as a friend, it doesn’t feel right to have only you unfairly burdened.”

“…You’re really kind.”

“You’re exaggerating. My motivation is just that I care about it.”

“No! To me, it’s not an exaggeration. Your consideration… I really…”

Mikura-san let out a breath with an oddly flustered demeanor.

Somehow, the atmosphere feels strange.

“B-By the way, Aoto-kun.”

“Yeah, what?”

“…Lately, you’ve been talking a lot with Kasumi Shirato-san. I don’t remember you two being close before…”

An unexpected name came up in an unexpected place.

Though a little taken aback, I answered calmly.

“Well, yeah. We just get along in various ways.”

“I-I see…”

But thinking about it, it might be natural.

I don’t have many friends, and even when I do, I don’t talk much.

For someone like me to suddenly become close with the similarly quiet Shirato-san is probably an unusual occurrence.

Well, regardless of the reason, we’re genuinely friends now, so I don’t feel guilty about it.

More than that, I’m actually more curious about why Mikura-san is interested in this relationship.

Why, I wonder.

“…Then, do you get along with Shizuno Yunagi-san too?”

Instantly, I felt myself grow noticeably tense.

Thinking about it now, maybe this was the natural progression all along.