"Sakurako, so here you are! We were just looking for you," Shizuko said, not recognizing Masashi at first.
Yuuri Sakurako glanced at Masashi awkwardly.
"And this is… Oh, it's you! What are you doing here?" Shizuko exclaimed, surprised when she realized it was Masashi.
The two boys with her also recognized him, their expressions a mix of surprise and anger.
"Would you mind introducing me?" At that moment, a magnetic male voice spoke up beside them.
Sakurako looked at him with gratitude. "Let me introduce you. This is a friend from middle school, Gennai Masashi, and his sister, Gennai Kazumi. Masashi, this is our new chemistry teacher, Maruo Choujirou. He's really nice."
"Hello. I'm Maruo Choujirou. Pleased to meet you." The young teacher extended his hand with a friendly smile.
"Hello," Masashi replied, shaking his hand.
Masashi suddenly had an odd feeling, like he had seen this person somewhere before, but no specific memories surfaced.
"Sakurako, were you just with him?" the boy Masashi had once made fun of walked closer to Sakurako, questioning her.
"Murata, you don't need to worry about my business."
"But I'm your boyfriend."
"I've never agreed to that."
"You… because of him?" the boy said, pointing at Masashi.
"I said it already; don't interfere. Masashi, shall we go?"
Masashi could only go along with her.
"Brother, you're popular now—girls are fighting over you," Kazumi whispered teasingly as she leaned in.
Seeing the mischievous look on her face, Masashi glared at her.
Getting involved in this was just ridiculous.
As they neared Rumi's classroom, they saw the sign for the class replaced with a coffee cup-shaped sign. The entrance was adorned with colorful, sparkling beads, and the windows decorated with streamers and balloons, creating a bright and flashy display.
"It's colorful, but it doesn't really look like a café. Whose idea was this decor? It's truly tacky," Masashi commented to Kazumi.
"Be careful not to let Rumi hear you; she worked hard on this," Kazumi rolled her eyes at him.
"You'd make an excellent babysitter. You should be nominated for the Top Ten Outstanding Nannies Award."
"Just hush and go inside."
Yuuri Sakurako chuckled as she watched the two siblings banter.
Inside, they saw the room filled with tables and chairs, clearly borrowed from somewhere. Girls in the same waitress uniform as Rumi and boys in waiter outfits bustled about, serving quite a few customers.
"Senpai, Kazumi, you're finally here! I've been waiting ages for you," Rumi hurried over as soon as she spotted them.
"Masashi, who is this…? Ah, this is Rumi, right?" Sakurako asked, noticing the girl's striking beauty.
"The classmate I mentioned—her name is Nagakawa Rumi. Rumi, this is Yuuri Sakurako, a friend from middle school and a student at Yagi Private School. We just happened to meet her."
"Miss Yuuri, it's nice to meet you," Rumi said with a polite smile.
"Hello, Rumi." Sakurako nodded back, though her expression was somewhat peculiar.
After they sat down, Rumi brought over three cups of coffee and some snacks on a tray.
"Please enjoy, dear customers," she said with a playful smile, holding the tray.
Masashi and Kazumi instinctively brought the coffee to their noses to smell it before glancing at Sakurako in silence.
"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" Sakurako asked, feeling awkward under their intense gaze, and she instinctively wiped her face.
"Nothing, just enjoy your coffee before it gets cold," Masashi said with a warm smile.
"All right." Sakurako finally took a sip.
"How is it? Does it taste normal?" Masashi asked as she took her first sip.
Kazumi promptly stomped on his foot under the table.
"I mean… is it good?" Masashi corrected himself, trying not to yelp in pain.
"Yes, it's quite good," Sakurako replied, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
The two of them sighed in relief before taking their first sips.
"Try some snacks too; they look delicious," Kazumi said to Sakurako with a smile.
"Oh, thank you." Sakurako seemed touched. She had thought Kazumi disliked her, but apparently, she had been overthinking.
"How is it?" Kazumi asked after Sakurako had taken a bite.
"It's really nice! It has a delicious creamy flavor," Sakurako said, sipping her coffee again.
"Is that so…"
Noticing Kazumi's slightly disappointed look, Masashi felt a chill down his spine, finally understanding the saying, "the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart."
"Rumi, it seems your skills have improved," Kazumi praised, tasting a cookie happily.
"These weren't made by me; my classmates made everything. For some reason, they kept asking me to do other tasks whenever I wanted to help. I was hoping to make some snacks for you all myself."
Realizing this, the siblings inwardly sighed with relief.
"No worries. You can always make some for my brother at home. He was just telling me how he missed your cooking since it's been over a month now," Kazumi said with a grin.
"Really? Then I'll make some when I get home. Senpai, do you prefer cookies or chocolate?" Rumi asked, her eyes shining.
"Anything is fine. Whatever you like," Masashi replied, forcing a smile.
"Chocolate it is, then! Since you're having cookies now. I'll prepare it right away, Senpai. Miss Yuuri, please sit tight. I'll return shortly," she said, bouncing off to greet some new customers.
"Kazumi, even if I turn into a ghost, I won't forgive you," Masashi whispered menacingly in her ear.
"Brother, rest in peace. That's just the interest for you leaving without a word for over a month," Kazumi said with a smirk, tilting his chin playfully.
"I'm going to strangle you," Masashi growled, pretending to bite her.
Kazumi laughed, dodging out of his reach.
Reluctant to cause a scene and attract attention, Masashi grumbled and sat back.
"You'll pay for this later," he muttered to Kazumi.
Sakurako sat quietly nearby, deep in thought.
Just then, Shizuko and her friends arrived, including the young chemistry teacher, Maruo Choujirou.
"What are you doing here?" Sakurako asked, frowning at Murata's presence.
"Why, are we not welcome?" Shizuko asked with a smile.
"Of course not, what are you thinking?"
"Murata, you made Sakurako mad. You should apologize right away," Shizuko nudged Murata.
Murata got the hint and said, "I'm sorry for earlier. I was being impulsive. Are you still upset?"
"I'm not angry," Sakurako replied, softening a little.
"Want to go for a walk?" Murata asked, picking up on Shizuko's cue.
"I don't feel like it. I'd rather sit here," Sakurako replied, glancing at Masashi.
"Then let's all rest here for a bit; I'm feeling a bit tired too. No objections, Mr. Maruo?" Shizuko smiled.
"Of course not. It's nice to be in such charming company," Mr. Maruo replied with a smile.
Since the two of them had no objections, everyone naturally stayed, settling in at the table closest to Masashi and his friends.