As we entered the quaint milk tea shop, Sweet Serenetia, its name was elegantly displayed on a wooden sign. We stood before the counter, where the barista was doing her things.
"What would you like to order, Miyuki-san?" Arisu Sakayanagi inquired.
Soft, ambient music played in the background, and the air was filled with the soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea and sweet confections.
The walls were decorated with vintage tea posters and shelves lined with jars of various tea leaves, adding to the shop's charm.
The seating arrangement consisted of small, round tables made of dark wood, each accompanied by cushioned chairs in pastel hues. In the corner, a plush sofa with a low table offered a more intimate setting, perfect for quiet conversations. The lighting was gentle, with hanging pendant lamps casting a warm glow over the shop, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
The counter itself was a display of delectable desserts, with an array of cakes, pastries, and cookies tempting every visitor. The menu board above listed an extensive variety of milk teas, from classic flavors like Earl Grey and Matcha to more exotic blends like Lavender Honey and Rose Milk.
"Lavender Honey Milk Tea," I responded.
"Well, if you order that, then I will also," Arisu remarked. She then conveyed her order to the barista before gracefully leading the way to a cozy seat by the window, where the gentle breeze flowed in, creating a refreshing ambiance around us.
"Did you notice how the barista bore an uncanny resemblance to our classmate, Sakayanagi-san?" I remarked.
Why did she remind me so much of Saki Kawasaki from Oregairu? In English, the name was My Youth Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected?
"She is indeed from our school," Arisu Sakayanagi confirmed.
"You have changed so much, Shirogane-san. Have you forgotten how you used to look down on me just because I was crippled?" she teased, her expression oddly playful despite recalling the humiliation the former owner of this body subjected her to.
I blinked, momentarily lost for words.
Here we go again, I was dumped by the scapegoat of the former owner of this body and all of his faults were transferred to me.
"Fufufu... No need to respond, Shirogane-san. I'm just curious, that's all," Arisu said, probably noticing my tense nerves. She diffused the situation with a joke, and I could only manage a stiff laugh in return.
"Hahaha... Yeah... That joke was a bit much, Sakayanagi-san. For a moment, I thought you were seeking revenge against me," I added.
If that were the case, it would be quite disheartening since I hadn't done anything wrong. Yet, people who hated the former owner of this body directed their animosity towards me. It felt hypocritical to accept the benefits from the previous owner while resenting the troubles he left behind. But, I'm just human after all, not a saint. I believe everyone feels the same way—when people hate and find fault in you without reason or justification, who wouldn't hate it?
"How could I possibly seek revenge against you, Shirogane-san? I'm just a cripple, after all. No one would side with me. I was unattractive while you have everyone on your side. If I did take revenge on you, everything about me would be over." Despite the gravity of the matter, she maintained her playful tone as she delivered this fact.
Okay...
I'm not sure how common sense works in this world.
Would a crippled boy of short stature but handsome features be considered unattractive in my previous world?
I don't know. I've never experienced it or had a friend who was crippled.
But I did have a friend who suffered from autism. He was also rich and handsome, yet he was ostracized and considered unattractive by women.
Did Arisu suffer this treatment in this world?
As much as it left a bitter taste in my mouth to apologize for a fault I didn't commit and solve a problem that wasn't mine, I still lowered my stance and apologized.
"Sorry, I don't know how much harm my words caused you, Arisu, but I truly apologize for my previous actions. If you need any help, you can ask me."
Her expression remained unchanged at my apology.
"I didn't ask for your apology, Shirogane-san. As I said from the beginning, I'm just curious about your change, that's all. I think the one who needs help is you, not me. Moreover, I don't need your pity. You apologized not because you realized your mistake, but because you pity me, Shirogane-san."
The meaning behind her words is clear; she discerned that my apology stemmed not from genuine remorse but from pity. She rejected my apology because, without a foundation of genuine guilt, an apology is meaningless.
Is this what she intended to convey?
I'm confused.
"So, why do you think I need help, Arisu?" I swiftly shifted the conversation, attempting to alleviate the tension with a different topic.
"You look more tense than usual, more nervous. Even though you appear calm, you're not at all. That's why I said you need help, Shirogane-san," Arisu smirked.
"Well, I think this conversation has been enough, Shirogane-san. Let's enjoy our cup of milk tea, shall we? Let's begin our new relationship and new chapter with my treat."
By then, our order was delivered to the table, and we sipped our Lavender Honey Milk Tea.
When we did, I observed the girl before me.
From the beginning to the end, she had always been playful, calm, and graceful. I couldn't read her expression or mood at all. I was lost, totally lost. I didn't know what she wanted and what she thought of me. Her expression suggested nothing, except the playful mood that she consistently set up.
I sipped my milk tea and pondered.
Will Arisu be my friend or my enemy in this world?
Everything so far in this conversation suggested nothing.
Sigh...
...
When Arisu Sakayanagi excused herself to leave, Ishigami Yuu, who was coincidentally sipping milk tea in the corner, spotted me and approached cautiously.
"You spoke to her, Miyuki?" he inquired.
"I don't think that's the issue," I asserted firmly.
"No, it's going to be a big problem. Don't you remember how you treated her in the past? You mocked her as a cripple and a shortie, damaging her self-esteem," Ishigami Yuu said, slapping his forehead in exasperation and staring at me with a sigh.
"Anyway, stay away from her, Miyuki. I don't think she approached you out of goodwill. She's Principal Sakayanagi's daughter, after all. We don't know what she might do to you out of spite or revenge."
"I think we had a great conversation. You seem to distrust her too much, Ishigami Yuu," I shook my head at his exaggerated description of Arisu.
"She's a snake, of course she would appear to be friendly," Ishigami Yuu snorted.
"Rather than talk about this, I want to know more about my past with her," I asked, wanting to understand what had transpired between me and Arisu.
This question could have raised some suspicion if not handled well, but fortunately, Ishigami Yuu was too absorbed by the fact that I had gotten close to Arisu to mind sharing this information to make me more cautious of her.
"According to your statement, she confessed to you, and you rejected her with harsh words. To be precise, you and she seemed close in the past, but things changed shortly after her confession," Ishigami Yuu said, scratching his head in some confusion.
It seemed that my friend was unaware of all the intricacies involved.
Given Arisu Sakayanagi's character, I believe she did not confess to the previous owner of this body. Instead, the narcissistic tendencies of the former owner misinterpreted her friendliness as deliberate advances, leading him to remain cautious and ultimately insult her to keep her at a distance.
Possibly...
Gradually, vague memories from the former owner of this body began to surface, instilling in me the confidence that I would eventually inherit all of his memories. For now, I could only deduce based on these fragmented recollections.
"So, what do you think of my actions, Yuu?" I asked, eager to understand how the world perceives this incident.
Though a friend's perspective is often biased in favor of their best friend, I had no one else to consult.
"You did nothing wrong, Miyuki. She aimed too high and received what she deserved," Ishigami Yuu remarked, as if it were a simple fact.
"That's a very harsh statement," I lamented.
Ishigami Yuu stared at me with a peculiar expression.
"What's going on with you, Miyuki? You've been acting strange lately."
"Nothing," I responded. "Maybe you heard it wrong."
"Yeah, perhaps it was me who was acting weird and misheard," Ishigami Yuu nodded. "Anyway, let's drink. It's a pity that our karaoke plans got canceled."
"It's unfortunate, indeed," I nodded absentmindedly, sipping my milk tea alongside Ishigami Yuu.
When I saw Saki Kawasaki standing at the counter, a memory suddenly surfaced, prompting me to ask Ishigami Yuu a question.
"Do we have a Service Club here?"
"It seems we do, but I strongly advise you never to go there, Miyuki-san. The name itself is quite suspicious," Ishigami Yuu replied.
"And what about the club's leader? What's your take on them?" I inquired further.
"Are you interested in going there because of Yukino-senpai?" Ishigami Yuu blinked in surprise. "I never knew you had a thing for ice queens."
"I don't. I'm just asking," I replied, rolling my eyes in annoyance.
"If you say so, then let me tell you about her. Stay away from her. She's very much like your sister in terms of personality. Even you're a man, she would never treat you with any special consideration. Her manner of speaking is quite unpleasant," Ishigami Yuu sighed.
"That's why I say your taste in women is very poor, Miyuki."
I didn't bother to correct his misunderstanding about my supposed crush on Yukino that didn't exist. Instead, I stood up from my seat and bid Yuu farewell.
"Well, thanks for the information. Now I know what I need to do."
"Good luck, then," Ishigami Yuu offered his blessing.
Yes, it's time to visit the Service Club.
If they operate the same as in the original series, they could be a huge help in investigating what Arisu is up to.
I wanted to know if she meant any harm to me or if she would stay true to her words and not seek revenge against me.
The die is cast; there is no turning back.