The day had gotten dark. They were too immersed in studying not realizing it was almost 9 pm on the clock. Kazuya looked around and saw Nomoto-senpai was sweeping the floor at the front door. There were no sight of customers left except the two girls.
"Hey, we're closing. Let's call it a day shall we?" He suggested.
"Alright!" Hikari responded.
"I'm going to get changed. Pack up your belongings and clean up the table."
"Okay!" Both of them obediently did what was told.
"Oh no, I forgot!" Miyu looked at her phone and realized that her father had messaged her for many times since this evening. To sum up 3 missed calls and 5 messages left unread. She forgot to tell him that she was studying with Hikari and put the phone in do not disturb mode.
[Where are you?]
[It's pretty late now where are you?]
[Why aren't you answering my call?]
[Miyu?]
[Your mom's worried.]
Knowing Miyu's father was pretty strict, she worried that she would upset him for coming home late. What if he assumed of her doing unpleasent things, there will be no opportunity for her to hang out again.
She immediately grabbed her phone and messaged him saying that she's doing good and even took a picture of Hikari as a proof of their well being. Takahashi household had known Hikari for a long time therefore they believed Miyu's going to be fine with her.
[Sorry, I'm busy studying I forgot to check the phone. Hikari-chan is with me. We're going home now.]
[picture]
[Thank god you're okay.] Miyu's father replied in an instant.
"Fuahh..." Miyu let out a sigh of relief.
The moment they lifted up their bag, a man suddenly appeared before them. A middle aged man in a uniform greeted them with a smile. It was Minato-san.
'He's the manager here i guess.' Hikari thought.
"Thank you for taking care of Kazuya." He bowed.
"Eh- ah- no. W-we should be the one thanking him instead for teaching us." Hikari stuttered as she speak.
"We're sorry for taking his time. Despite his worktime he decided to accompany us." Miyu politely bowed down and apologized.
"Don't worry. In contrast I'm delighted to see he has good friends. You see he's responsible but pretty bad at interacting with people. He started working 2 years ago and during that time he's emotionless, didn't even greet his colleagues but after some times he'd gotten used to it and started to interact more as I asked him to do so."
'2 years ago... the time his parents passed away...'
"Hehe, at first i thought he's unapproachable but after some times we knew that he's a kind guy, right? Hi~ka~ri~chan." Miyu elbowed her friend lightly.
"Eh-uh- yeahh.." Hikari flustered as why she suddenly refered to her.
"Oh!" Minato-san understood the assignment. He knew a pleasing development might have occured between the two.
"What are you three talking about?" Without any sound and presence Kazuya appeared behind him.
"Nothing. Well then I'll be closing, and please send these girls home. It's dangerous to let them wander at night." Minato-san turned and patted Kazuya's shoulder then headed to the kitchen. His presence had yet to be in sight.
****
A sombre night was flooding with dazzling lights from vehicles and buildings illuminating the surrounding completely turned the atmosphere lively. Wandering at night was indeed quite a view. A mid amount of people were spotted taking a walk at this hour spending times with their friends and loved one. Sometimes there would be an event or festivals held nearby.
Cool breeze sweeping through the skin making the three of them shivered in coldness. Kazuya had used to it as this was the usual time he got home therefore he had prepared a jacket beforehand to undergo the night walk and Hikari was always in thick hoodie of hers meanwhile Miyu who was in her short sleeves school uniform felt the coldness to the fullest. She didn't express it on her face but deep down only herself knew how uncomfortable she was. This was merely because she hated to make people worry especially Hikari, her best friend.
Three of them walked down the roadside together. They decided to take a short route to Miyu's house as it'd be best to send her home first in consideration of her father's concern.
As the night went, the air became chiller and Miyu reflexively havened her arms.
"Ughn..." She's freezing.
"Eh, Miyu-chan?" Hikari noticed her condition and took of her hoodie right away then sheathed it onto Miyu's body.
"There, put it on." She smiled.
"Eh, what about you?" Miyu reluctantly accepted her offer. She was thankful but at the same time a feeling of guilt was crawling on her back.
"Heh don't worry about me I'm strong you know." Hikari rolled up her sleeve to show her vaguely seen biceps.
Not only Miyu who was thankful but this was also the case for Kazuya as he got to see a pair of badonkers that had been covered with thick clothes all this time more clearly.
"I'm blessed."
"Did you say something, Kazuya?" Hikari inquired.
"Just your imagination." There he went with his usual poker face.
"Achoo!"
"Hikari-chan..." Miyu felt even more guilty seeing her friend warped in breeze.
*tap
"Eh?"
Hikari was perplexed when Kazuya suddenly put on his jacket onto her. A warm feeling wrapped her body comfortably.
"There. Would be bad if you catch a cold."
"Eh uh..." She flustered her face turned slight red but due to the chill her face looked even redder. She gripped the jacket tightly.
"Thanks." At the moment a weird feeling rose in her heart. The comfortable feeling of being protected and taken care of was different from Miyu's. However she couldn't comprehend what was this feeling was it still an admiration or was it something else..
'AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! WHAT'S WITH THIS CUTE CREATURE?!!!' Miyu's internal thought was wildin.
'WHAT'S THIS?! THE GAP IS SO BIG! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN HER BLUSHING. AAAAAAHHHH!!!'
'Calm down, Miyu. Get ahold of yourself. Don't let your emotion run through your face.' Somehow she managed to maintain her composure.
****
"Wow." Kazuya was stunned knowing that in front of him was a huge villa belonging to a princess in manga and anime. He had always thought of Miyu as a princess based on how she act but had no idea she was actually one.
"You see she hates it when people see her as an ojou-sama so please treat her the same as you always did." Hikari whispered to Kazuya's ear. He had to lower his head a little in order to be the same height as her to hear what she said.
"Minamoto-kun, Hikari-chan, thanks for today. You both have been a great help." Miyu returned the hoodie to its owner and bid farewell to both of them. She seemed happier than ever.
"Well then we'll take our leave." Kazuya put on his jacket that he had lent Hikari. Now they had an alone time together.