[This book contains a lot of unspeakable things... enter with very high caution and at your own risk]
Kitty Chicha Saito was just a worker in a small, cozy café tucked between two busy streets. It wasn't her café, yet she did dream of owning one. She wanted to create the perfect cup of coffee. And she did. Every day, with precision and care, she crafted drinks that became the escape people desperately sought.
Her expertise was unparalleled. The regulars would line up, not just for the coffee, but for the experience only Kitty could provide. She knew how to pull the perfect shot of espresso, create delicate latte art that looked almost too beautiful to drink, and blend flavors in a way that felt both familiar and new. It was a skill honed over years of practice, perfected by a deep love for the craft.
People came for the coffee, of course, but also for her. There was something magnetic about Kitty's quiet presence behind the counter. She had a way of listening without speaking, observing without intruding. It made her a confidante for many—a person who, without asking, would somehow make you feel like the most important person in the room.
Some would come in with heavy hearts, seeking comfort in the warmth of a cup. Others would talk with her about everything from their dreams to their frustrations, and she'd listen patiently, offering no judgment, only her calming presence. For a lot of people, Kitty was more than just a barista; she was a silent companion, a small part of their daily routine they looked forward to.
Despite the attention and praise, Kitty kept her distance from the café's ownership drama and the hustle of the business side of things. She didn't want to be in charge, nor did she need the recognition. She simply wanted to do what she loved—make coffee for people who needed it, and do it with a kind of quiet grace that made her more than just another employee. To her, being a part of something greater than herself, even in such a simple role, was enough.
Yet, there were days when the café felt like it was her sanctuary as much as it was for the customers. The clinking of coffee cups, the hiss of steam, and the rhythmic tap of the tamper became her own form of meditation. She was a worker, yes, but in her small corner behind the counter, Kitty Chicha Saito was quietly shaping moments that allowed others to breathe, to escape, and to connect with something that felt real.
And that was more than enough for her.
Kitty was a strikingly beautiful girl, her features delicate and almost otherworldly. Her pink eyes, rare and hypnotic, gave her an ethereal presence that made people pause in awe. She moved with a quiet grace behind the café counter, her beauty subtle yet undeniable. There was something magical about her, as if she carried a piece of another universe, and in her presence, the world seemed to slow, offering a moment of calm and wonder to anyone lucky enough to meet her gaze.
Kitty Chicha Saito had long grown accustomed to the steady gaze of the regular customer who always sat by the window. But he was different hid eyes were sharp and intense that seemed to linger on her longer than necessary. There was something quite unsettling and deep about it, as if he could see through her, piercing deep into her soul.
One day, as she moved toward him with a gentle smile, she met his gaze and asked, "Sir, what are your orders?"
"A simple, strong black coffee," he replied, his voice smooth, yet with an underlying weight that made her pause.
He was tall, slender, and exuded a quiet authority that commanded the room. His movements were graceful but deliberate, each step purposeful and refined. Dressed in a dark, formal suit with a long coat that draped like a shadow, he carried an almost regal presence. His figure, calm yet unsettling, seemed to belong to another world altogether.
Kitty quickly prepared the drink, her fingers working with practiced precision. "Sir, here you go... easy and strong," she said, placing the cup in front of him with a soft clink.
His eyes softened as he looked at her, and he smiled—a rare, warm smile that broke the intensity of his usual demeanor. It was gentle, almost imperceptible, but in that moment, Kitty couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the surface of this enigmatic customer.
"What's your name?," he asked to me.
"Sir, mine?" She replied, "I prefer not to say."
He smiled at me eerily as he lift up the cup and took a sip, "Such a beauty working in a café is a waste. You could be topping the actress chart just with your other worldly beauty."
"Thanks for your suggestion, sir. I prefer a normal life."
The customer gapped a little in almost a shock and uttered, "As your wish. By the way, I am Mori Ougai"
Kitty bowed down in utmost respect and said, "Great day ahead, Mr. Mori Ogai"