Oh my gosh — after yesterday’s chaotic mess, I still hadn’t regained my energy. My brain felt like it was running on 2% battery life, and even that was reserved for blinking and basic survival functions. But life waits for no one. Especially when you’re stuck working a restaurant shift.
I dragged myself through the front door of work, barely able to lift my feet. It was like someone had replaced my legs with soggy wet noodles.
Aki was, of course, already there, waiting to jump me with her infinite energy.
“Heyyaa! Why you look like a zombie again? You didn’t even work yesterday, didn’t you get a day off?” she asked, grinning wide as always.
Ugh.
“Not your business, Aki-chan,” I groaned, waving a hand at her like a shooing gesture. I didn’t have it in me to come up with a clever excuse.
“Aww, not fun,” Aki pouted dramatically before skipping off to grab a tray.
Meanwhile, I leaned against the counter, sighing so hard my soul probably escaped through my mouth.
But the real kicker? Rin. Yep — we weren’t done with her yet.
She promised me and Keiko she’d officially introduce her boyfriend today. Gosh, just thinking about it made my stomach twist into a tiny, anxious pretzel. I wanted to be that cool, charismatic dad who could protect his precious daughter and intimidate any punk boy with a single glare.
But let’s be real — in this body? Not happening. I wasn’t exactly packing dad energy these days.
I sighed again, staring at the ceiling. Rin's boyfriend... Please be a good guy…
---
Work dragged on like a slow, boring movie you couldn’t leave halfway through because someone else picked it. The restaurant wasn’t even that busy today, and I kept yawning every ten minutes like it was an Olympic sport.
I caught a glance at Ruka at one point. She looked… normal. Just quietly working like nothing had happened. Of course. Why would she act any different? She was always good at keeping it together.
But man… I really wanted to ask about Junpei. Like, really. The curiosity was eating me alive. But I didn’t have the guts, and honestly, I didn’t want to pressure her either.
Guess I better ask Ju—
Speak of the devil.
There he was. Freakin’ Junpei.
Walking into the restaurant like it was just another Tuesday.
I quickly grabbed a menu, getting ready to intercept him at his table before something crazy happened — but of course, Aki got there first.
“Hi sir!” she said, her voice chirpy as always. “Here’s your menu. What do you want to order? Same as yesterday? Or,” she smirked, leaning closer, “you want Ruka to serve you?”
Yikes.
Junpei instantly turned beet red like a cooked shrimp. “N-No! I-I’ll just… uh… coffee. Black. Please.”
Aki grinned like a shark smelling blood in the water.
This was bad. Aki already smelled something fishy, and once she locked onto something juicy, she didn’t let go.
I tried to step in. “Aki, let me handle this guy.”
“Eh? Why?” she asked, hands on her hips. “Don’t steal my customer!”
…What is wrong with this girl?
I sighed in defeat. “Fine. You take this one.”
But as I retreated, I shot Junpei a desperate look that screamed Dude, be careful!
He did not pick up on it.
Of course he didn’t.
---
After a good half hour of Aki being suspiciously clingy to Junpei’s table — offering him free refills, chatting way too much, and even suggesting desserts we didn’t have on the menu — she finally excused herself to go to the bathroom.
God bless that bathroom break.
I immediately slid into the empty seat across from him like a secret agent on a covert mission.
“Bro,” I whispered. “What are you doing here? Are you insane?”
Junpei sighed heavily. “I… I had to come. Ruka won’t reply to my messages or calls. I had no other choice.”
I facepalmed so hard I nearly knocked myself out.
“You realize if you keep showing up like this, the others are gonna get suspicious, right? Be more careful!”
“I know, I know!” he hissed back. “But… what am I supposed to do? I just… I wanna fix this.”
Honestly, I didn’t know what to tell him either.
“Maybe… talk to her. Directly. In person.”
Junpei groaned. “Yeah… maybe I should.”
Just then, the bathroom door creaked open.
“Shoot, she’s back,” I muttered, standing up. “Be careful around Aki. She’s already sniffing something.”
“I’ll try,” he gulped, visibly sweating bullets.
I gave him a pat on the shoulder before slipping away to the register.
---
Finally, closing time.
As we cleaned up, Keiko and I huddled together, whispering about the plan. We told Junpei to wait outside the usual spot where we meet up after shifts. Keiko had already tipped Ruka off earlier, telling her Junpei wanted to talk, and that if she felt serious about this, she should at least hear him out.
It felt a little like setting up an awkward high school drama confession.
Normally she goes home with Miko, but we asked her to stop by for a bit before leaving.
When Ruka finally stepped out the restaurant door and arrived at the meeting spot, she saw Junpei waiting, the look on her face was priceless. Total deer-in-headlights moment.
“H-Hi,” Junpei greeted awkwardly.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Even I felt second-hand embarrassment radiating off them.
Thank god Keiko was with me to make this less unbearable.
Ruka smiled faintly and gave a little nod.
Junpei cleared his throat, gathering every ounce of courage he had. “Miss Ruka… I need to talk to you.”
She didn’t even hesitate. “Okay.”
Me and Keiko exchanged a glance.
Welp. Guess it was time for us to bail and give them some privacy.
“Alright,” I clapped my hands together. “We’ll head off first, then.”
As I passed by Junpei, I gave him a quick, quiet whisper. “Good luck, bro.”
He nodded, pale as a sheet.
---
As we walked off, I sighed dramatically again. “Man, this week feels like an entire soap opera.”
Keiko chuckled. “Yeah, and it’s only Tuesday.”
I groaned. “We still have Rin’s case to deal with when we get home too.”
“Oh right!” Keiko grinned. “Tonight’s the big reveal.”
“Gosh, my stomach’s in knots already,” I muttered.
“Bet it’s another delinquent type,” Keiko teased.
“Don’t say that!” I hissed. “I need to at least pretend to be a protective parent tonight.”
Keiko laughed, shaking her head. “You’re a mess.”
“I know.”
We both laughed as we headed home, bracing ourselves for whatever chaos awaited us next.