Near DxD University, there are several vibrant student streets, bustling with life and filled with an array of shops and eateries.
From clothing boutiques to accessories, street snacks to late-night bites, hot pot restaurants like HaiDiLao, nail salons, and even cat cafés, the area offers everything a student could need or want.
The businesses are always thriving, their doors constantly revolving with patrons.
After turning onto one of these lively streets, Satoru made his way into a quaint coffee shop.
He rarely drank coffee himself, but there was one specific reason he came here...
"Olivia, I'm here," Satoru called out as he pushed open the door and entered the cozy café.
He directed his greeting towards a woman standing behind the counter.
The woman, who appeared to be in her thirties, had a youthful glow about her.
Her skin was smooth, seemingly untouched by the passage of time, reflecting her meticulous care.
This was Olivia, the owner of the café.
"Satoru, you're here! Go change into your uniform," Olivia responded warmly, her tone as welcoming as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that filled the air.
"Got it," Satoru replied with a nod before heading to the back of the shop, navigating through the familiar space with ease.
Yes, Satoru had taken up a part-time job here as a server. It was a position he'd landed somewhat unexpectedly; among many applicants, Olivia had chosen him at first sight.
He owed this in part to his DxD University uniform—Olivia, having run her café on the student street for years, understood well the prestige that came with that uniform.
The café owner was aware that perceptions aren't shaped by words alone but are often embedded in the quiet, unspoken judgments of the heart.
Satoru had been working at the café for some time now.
Over the weeks, Olivia had gotten to know him better and grown to trust him implicitly.
There were even times when she had urgent errands to run and would leave the shop under Satoru's supervision, confident in his reliability.
Satoru slipped off his jacket, carefully placing it into a locker before donning his work vest.
He straightened it out with a few deft motions, making sure he looked presentable before stepping back into the main area.
"Olivia, leave the work to me," Satoru offered, eager to take on his duties.
Learning how to brew coffee was a necessary skill for any server here.
When Satoru first started, Olivia had taken the time to teach him meticulously, and he had picked up the skills quickly, much to her delight.
"It's alright, the shop isn't too busy right now," Olivia replied, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
During this time of day, it was usually Olivia and her husband managing the café.
However, her husband was currently out picking up their child and would stop by home to prepare dinner. This was why they had decided to hire an extra hand.
"Alright then," Satoru agreed, his tone light. He glanced around the café, noting the calm atmosphere.
The soft hum of conversations and the occasional clinking of cups created a soothing background, far removed from the bustling street outside.
This moment of tranquility in the café, even during the quieter hours, was one of the things Satoru enjoyed most about working here.
However, Satoru didn't idle around or slack off.
Instead, he proactively sought tasks to keep himself busy—wiping tables, mopping the floor, and tidying up the space.
He couldn't justify earning a thousand yen without putting in the work.
After all, in a month, Satoru only worked at the café on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and only for a little over three hours each day.
Watching Satoru's diligence, Olivia felt quite satisfied.
This was exactly what she appreciated about him.
Sometimes, she even wished her own child could grow up to be as responsible and hardworking as Satoru.
At this time of day, the café wasn't particularly busy, allowing Olivia to manage things comfortably. Seeing this, Satoru focused even more intently on his cleaning duties.
Just as Satoru was sweeping near the entrance, the door swung open.
He immediately paused, stepping aside to make way for the customer.
But strangely, the customer lingered in the doorway, not immediately taking a seat.
Curious, Satoru looked up, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Rosa? What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and delight.
"Hey, Satoru. I was just passing by this café and caught a glimpse of someone who looked a lot like you. I thought it was just a coincidence, but it turns out it really is you," Rosa explained, her tone light and pleasant.
"Haha... I'm working part-time here," Satoru replied, still a bit surprised.
It was the first time he had run into someone he knew while on the job.
"Satoru, is everything okay?" Olivia asked, thinking there might have been some misunderstanding.
She quickly approached but relaxed when she saw the familiar DxD University uniform Rosa was wearing. "Oh, is this your classmate?"
"Yes, this is Rosa, our class representative," Satoru introduced, then turned to Rosa, "And this is Olivia, the owner of the café."
"Hello, Olivia," Rosa greeted politely.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Olivia... Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?" Olivia offered with a friendly smile.
"Thank you," Rosa said, unable to refuse such a warm invitation. She found a seat near the window and sat down.
"Satoru, the cleaning looks about done. Why don't you make a coffee for your classmate? And make one for yourself too," Olivia suggested, noticing that Rosa was alone and thinking it might be nice for Satoru to keep her company.
"Oh, sure," Satoru nodded. With Olivia's encouragement, he didn't hesitate to follow her suggestion.
He quickly prepared two cups of coffee, skillfully crafting a beautiful latte art on one of them. With a steady hand, he brought the cups over to Rosa's table.
"Thank you," Rosa said as Satoru placed the coffee in front of her.
Satoru took a seat across from Rosa, feeling at ease in the presence of someone he knew.
"Thanks to you," he said with a light chuckle, taking a sip of his coffee.
Rosa smiled softly, lifting her cup with an elegant grace and taking a small sip. "The latte art is beautiful, Satoru. You have quite the hidden talent."
"You're too kind. It's really something you could pick up with a bit of practice," Satoru replied modestly, his own drinking style much more relaxed and casual compared to Rosa's refined manner.
Rosa chuckled and continued, "The semester just started, so why are you working part-time here? Are you in need of money?"
"I've been working here for a while now," Satoru explained, then shared with her the pay rate and some details about his part-time job.
After listening, Rosa nodded thoughtfully and teased, "Sounds like a pretty sweet deal. I'm almost tempted to apply myself."
"Hey, you can't come and take my job!" Satoru joked back, knowing well that Rosa was just kidding.
Even though he didn't know much about her family background, her demeanor and conduct spoke volumes.
"Haha, you're funny, Satoru," Rosa laughed, her smile bright and captivating.
As the café's closing hour approached, Satoru found himself caught off guard by the extended conversation with Rosa.
What he had anticipated to be a brief, casual chat over coffee turned into an engaging dialogue, with Rosa posing a series of questions.
Satoru provided responses, but his thoughts wandered as he noticed how deeply Rosa seemed to probe.
"How is your relationship with Janne?" Rosa inquired, taking a delicate sip from her coffee cup.
Her gaze lingered on Satoru, as if searching for clues in his expression.
Satoru considered her question for a moment, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his own coffee cup.
"Well, she's… alright. A pretty decent person." He replied, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Rosa's brow furrowed slightly. "I've noticed Janne often keeps to herself. I'm a bit concerned about her well-being," she added, her concern evident in her soft voice.
"You don't need to worry too much about her," Satoru assured, offering a reassuring smile. "She's quite mentally strong. You're very considerate to care so much." He couldn't help but appreciate Rosa's attentiveness to her classmates.
Rosa nodded, appearing satisfied with Satoru's answer.
As she finished her coffee, the café's atmosphere seemed to calm, the low hum of conversation fading away as the last few patrons left.
"The coffee's finished, so I'll be heading home now. I don't want to keep you from your work," Rosa said, rising gracefully from her seat.
"Alright, take care on your way home," Satoru responded, his tone tinged with genuine concern as he stood to see her off.
Rosa turned towards the counter. "Let me cover the cost of this coffee. After all, you helped me this morning." Her offer was accompanied by a warm smile, making it difficult for Satoru to decline.
"Well then… I'll make sure to return the favor next time we meet," Satoru agreed, acknowledging the gesture with a nod. He was still getting to know Rosa and felt that a return favor was only proper.
Rosa thanked him once more, paid for the coffee, and exited the café with a final wave.
Her departure left the café feeling a touch quieter, the soft clink of her footsteps fading as she disappeared down the street.
Olivia, observing the empty café, decided it was time for Satoru to call it a day. "Satoru, it's about time to finish up. You can head out early today."
Satoru's eyes brightened at the news. "Thanks, Olivia. I'll grab a bowl of noodles somewhere before heading home." He smiled at Olivia, appreciating her flexibility.
He collected his belongings, exchanged a few more words of thanks, and then stepped out of the café, ready to enjoy a simple, satisfying meal before returning to his apartment.