Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew.

Chapter 4:

Kotoni looked around the front of the café and decided the inside was just as prissy as the outside. Everything was pink, except for the tables and chairs which were white and had hearts on them. Other than a few tables, the place looked pretty deserted.

I must have been out of it for a while, thought Kotoni.

"Hey guys, come over here!" called Ichigo.

Next thing Kotoni knew, she was surrounded by teenage girls in maid outfits.

Whoever thought up the concept of this place must have been pretty perverted, Kotoni thought to herself with a small smile.

"You already know Lettuce," started Ichigo, gesturing to the green-haired girl in a green maid outfit.

"Hi Lettuce," greeted Kotoni.

Lettuce smiled and Ichigo continued.

"This is Pudding," she said pointing to a blonde grade-schooler in an orange outfit.

"Hello, na-no-da!" Pudding cheered.

"And this is Mint..." she said pointing to a pretty girl with black hair in two tight buns. Her maid outfit was dark blue.

"Hey," said Kotoni.

"Welcome," greeted Mint stiffly.

"And last but not least, Zakuro!"

"… Fujiwara?" asked Kotoni.

"Yes," answered Zakuro.

"I've seen you on some billboards. You're really talented," said Kotoni said to the tall, purple-haired girl in the purple maid outfit.

"Thanks," said Zakuro, who then smiled warmly. Mint looked over at Zakuro and frowned.

Ichigo finished her introduction with, "Everyone, this is Maki Kotoni. She goes to school with Lettuce and I, and she just became the newest member of our team!"

"Ah…!" breathed all the girls, now understanding the intro.

"Hi, I'm glad to be here… I'm pretty sure. And I'll help you guys the best I can… I think," said Kotoni.

"Don't do a great job selling yourself, huh?" asked Zakuro.

"Doesn't matter," said Ryou while walking over, "She's the new Mew and the aliens are expected to land in one week. More importantly, there are still costumers here. Kotoni, go to the back and change. Girls, get back to work."

"Hai," answered Kotoni, grabbing her bag and walking to the back room.

When she walked out in her uniform, Kotoni felt incredibly awkward. She was wearing one of the short maid outfits, but hers was a very light gray.

Sort of like the school uniform, she thought to herself.

"Oooh! Kotoni, you look so cute!" said Ichigo, when Kotoni walked in.

"Thanks," she said with a blush.

"Go to the back to meet our chef, Keiichiro. He can get you started with a table or two, since the crowd is dying down."

"Okay," said Kotoni.

She walked back to the kitchen to see a very handsome man with a long brown ponytail, frosting cakes.

"H-hi, I'm Kotoni," said Kotoni with a goofy grin.

"Hello, I'm Keiichiro," the man greeted, looking up from his cakes, "Welcome to the team. Ryou told me you took a bit of a tumble at the park because of us. I apologize for the scare and I'm glad to see you're alright."

He's so polite, thought Kotoni, I'm sure it wasn't his perverted mind that came up with this café idea. Must have been Ryou. Yeah, that would make sense.

"Here," said Keiichiro, handing Kotoni a tray with two cakes and coffees, "Would you please take this to table four?"

"Sure, no problem," said Kotoni, grabbing the tray and preparing to serve.

"Hey, Kotoni?" called Ichigo, after Kotoni waved goodbye to the last costumers for the day.

"Yes?"

"We're all going to sleepover at Mint's tonight if you want to join us."

"That sounds great!" said Kotoni, elated at making new friends so fast.

"Okay, here's the address. See you tonight!"