A Simple Cup of Coffee and Idle Chatter was More Enjoyable than he Thought

The sound of the bell spread out through the whole of Sobu High. It was an indicator that classes have ended unless you joined a club or something. I normally would've been forced to stay for the club, but the club is shut down for the day. It's all because Yukinoshita has some business to attend to. I'm not interested in the kinds of things a rich girl like her has to do, but I sure am glad that I can head home early. Even better, the next day is a day-off. I stood up and made my way out of the classroom. I quickly and discreetly walked the whole way to the school entrance. There's a possibility I might get dragged into something, so I have to avoid that as much as possible.

"Ah, Hikki!" I was already on my bike before I heard someone shout from the distance. No one would call me by that except one person. A part of me just wanted to pedal the hell out of here, but I already understand that it's futile. Yuigahama Yui then stood in front of me slightly panting.

"I was worried you were gonna ignore me and leave. You scared me for a second Hikki!" She said to me as she was regaining her posture. She was slightly sweating due to her running. She wasn't wearing her blazer today, so all she was wearing was her white undershirt. The accumulating amounts of sweat made her undergarments visible. I hard time finding the right place to look. She was confused why I was looking away until she finally realized. Her face instantly colored red due to the embarrassment.

"Stop looking Hikki!" She shouted at me. I just kept on looking to the side the entire time I was talking to her. This situation was awkward as it is, so I didn't want to make it worst.

"Don't you have an extra shirt or something?"

"I-I do, but I can't change here now can I?"

"Just go to a bathroom or something then."

"If I leave you right now, you might just head straight home."

"Of course I'm going straight home."

"But I want to bring you somewhere!"

"Now why would I go with you when I have to choice to go home?"

"Because I'll treat you! There's a new cafe by the station and I want to try it out."

"Do you really think that's enough to convince me?

"Well, yeah."

"Is that how low you think of me?"

"It's not that at all! I just wanted to take you there!"

"Even if I ended up going, I'll have to owe you or something."

"Jeez Hikki! Stop thinking so negatively and accept my invitation. Not like you have anything better to do."

"For you information, staying at home and just being by myself is very satisfying."

"Well too bad! I'm not going to budge until you accept!"

"I really don't want to deal with something this annoying."

"Then just suck it up and go!"

"I don't want to deal with you though."

"Agrhh! You're being really annoying Hikki!"

"Fine, I'll go. I'm tired of this useless banter anyway."

"Finally. Now just wait here while I go change. You better not go anywhere. I wish I brought Sable's leash though."

"Are you treating me like a dog?"

"You're more of a lazy cat though."

"Forget that. Just hurry up and change."

"Fine fine you grumpy kitty Hikki."

Yuigahama then dashed towards the closest bathroom. A part of me just wanted to ignore her invitation and head home. I may be a loner, but I am a gentleman after all. Besides, I'll be able to have free food. The station she's talking about isn't that far anyway. After a couple of minutes, she finally came back wearing the same white undershirt albeit dry.

"Wow. You actually stayed." She said in surprise. How rude. I wouldn't just ignore a commitment as easily as that. A part of me did want to do that though.

"You've been really rude today Yuigahama."

"It's fair you know. You always somehow insult everyday."

"It's because you make it so easy."

"You're not supposed to insult a lady like that Hikki!"

"What lady? Are you referring to yourself? I'm unsure whether or not you understand the definition of a lady."

"Guess I should've expected this..."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing. Can we just go already?"

I just nodded to her question. It would be a real bother if I rode my bike the way there, so I just walked along with Yuigahama. I was expecting her to engage in some useless conversation, but she surprisingly didn't. At the very least, I was able to enjoy the silence in this tiring situation. After around 20 minutes passed, the two of us finally arrived to the cafe she mentioned. It was some french name I didn't even want to bother pronouncing. I just left my bike in the bike stand after making sure it was secure. I may be lazy but when it comes to keeping my stuff safe from thieves, I'm deadly serious.

When I first entered the cafe, it gave a comfortable atmosphere. It would have been the perfect atmosphere to lazy around if it weren't for all the groups of riajuu people. There were literally no tables with less than four seats. I'm unsure whether this is a business ploy or a simple coincidence. I honestly think of cafes as a good place to relax. The only problem is that it's not socially accepted to go to a cafe alone. The only eligible excuse was to work on a project or something. I don't give a damn about social acceptance, but I really wasn't the type to go out in general anyway. I was dragged along by Yuigahma as she was trying to find a seat. Luckily, she was able to find an isolated corner with a single table and two seats. The other tables were far from that corner, so that makes it the perfect spot. Yuigahama looked triumphant once she found that spot though. When the two of us sat, I was about to take a look at the menu until Yuigahama snatched it from me.

"Oi, what are you doing? I need to look at the menu."

"Nope. I may be treating you but if I let you order, you'll get something really expensive. My wallet isn't that loaded you know. Besides, all I said was I was treating you. I never said that I would pay for whatever you wanted. It's your fault for assuming something like that Hikki."

"Wow I'm surprised. I didn't know you were capable of doing that."

"How rude! After all the time I spend with you and Yukinon, I get to learn some new stuff."

I was about to reply to her until the waiter finally came to take our orders. I didn't pay attention to what she ordered since I wasn't involved with it. I was actually tempted to bring out my phone and just play it. The consequences of that action though would be constant complaining from Yuigahama. Before I even realized, Yuigahama was just staring at my face.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing. Don't mind me."

"You're literally staring at me right now. How could I not mind you?"

"I just never got a good look at your face y'know? This is my first chance to be alone with you after all."

"By the way, why didn't you just go here with your clique? This cafe has more than enough room for all of you."

"Nah. I just felt like going with you is all."

"That's not like you. You're usually stick around your clique as much as possible."

"I treasure them. It's just I treasure you and Yukinon more."

I couldn't help but blush at what she said. She's basically saying that she enjoys being with me compared to her clique. No! I must not forget. Yuigahama Yui is a nice girl. I don't hate her as a person, but I must never forget that she is essentially a nice girl. A nice girl would do this kind of thing to anyone. A nice girl is capable of making someone's heart fluster completely by accident.

"Your face is red Hikki. That's pretty cute."

Before I could respond, the waiter came back with our orders. I swear this waiter has convenient timing and I'm thankful for that. Apparently, Yuigahama ordered two cups of coffee and one serving of french toast I think.

"Which one is mine Yuigahama?" I ask her since I couldn't even order my own drink.

"Oh, it's this one. I hope you enjoy it!" She said as she handed me the cup. Be careful dammit. Cafes tend to fill their cups to the brim meaning it's easier to spill them.

"I doubt you know my tastes." I said right before I took a sip. To my surprise, it actually tasted pretty good. I might even say that it's only slightly lower than my beloved MAXX Coffee.

"I can see it in your face Hikki. You're enjoying it."

"I'm pretty sure my face is expressionless right now."

"Nope. I can perfectly see it. You didn't expect it to be tasty did you?"

"Are you actually being perceptive? I really should wake up from this dream."

"Geez Hikki! Stop treating me like I'm stupid!"

"Anyway, this coffee is actually good."

"Of course it is! This cafe is known for their extremely sweet coffee. That's why I got it for you!"

"How would you know that I like sweet coffee?"

"It doesn't take a genius to see how much of that MAXX Coffee you like y'know."

"Is that the whole reason why you brought me here? Just for me to taste this coffee?"

"Pretty much."

"I thought it was more important or something. I could've been home right now drinking MAXX Coffee if it wasn't for you."

"Just shut up and enjoy what you got right now Hikki!"

"Fine, fine."

The next few minutes, I was just drinking coffee while playing reading my book. I didn't even bother making eye contact with Yuigahama. I wanted to pretend that I was alone so I could fully enjoy this situation. After a while though, Yuigahama finally figured out that I was ignoring her.

"Hey Hikki, when you're alone with someone, you're supposed to talk to them and stuff."

"I don't recall any rule such as that though."

"It's not a rule, it's courtesy."

"Wow, you know what that means."

"That's it!"

She suddenly stood up and carried her chair. She then placed her chair right beside me. This meant that the distance between us was close to non-existent. Haven't you heard of personal space woman!?

"With this, you can't ignore me or insult me anymore!"

"I can't ignore you anymore, but I can still insult you."

"What does it take for you to ever be nice. Maybe I should ask Komachi-chan."

"I'm nice to her because she's my beloved little sister."

"I'm older than you though so can't treat me like a little sister."

"How are you so sure that you're older. You certainly don't act like it."

"Your birthday is like in August or something. Mine's in June so that means I'm older!"

"It's only by a couple of months anyway. It doesn't matter."

"So I can't get you to be nice to me?"

"Not a chance."

"Fine then grumpy Hikki." She said with a pout before continuing her meal. I just tried my best to ignore her although it was difficult since she was so close. I was getting pretty tired, so I ended up yawning.

"Ah, an opening!" She suddenly said as she shoved a piece of her french toast in my mouth. I didn't want to choke on it, so I had to chew on it first. This is actually pretty good. Wait a minute, that was really dangerous!

"A little warning next time Yuigahama."

"Nope, you don't deserve warnings Hikki. So, how was it?"

"If you're talking about how I almost choked, it wasn't pleasant. The french toast tasted decent though."

"That's good!"

"Decent is not a compliment you know."

"I know. You really didn't mean it though. Don't underestimate me Hikki! I can always tell when you're happy or something like that."

"You're just assuming though."

"I'm not assuming anything. I understand you Hikki."

"That's very conceited of you. I'm sure you're just imagining that."

"Not really. After all time I've spent with you, I learned a lot more about you. I'm pretty sure I'm near the mark."

"It's not like I wanted to be understood especially by you."

"Well, too bad! I now know how you tick so you better prepare yourself Hikki!"

"Prepare myself for what?"

"For this!" She eagerly said as she started playing with my hair. It was really weird since I've never experienced something like this before. It wasn't as unpleasant as I thought though.

"Stop it Yuigahama."

"Nope. This is way too fun!"

"My sole purpose isn't to entertain you though."

"I know. It's just that I can't help myself when I'm with you. I always feel so happy and eager to do something for you."

That almost made my heart skip a beat. I don't want to relive my past experiences though. I will not fall down that easily.

"You're being really difficult y'know Hikki. I have a feeling that you don't wanna accept what I'm doing."

"How the hell do you know what I'm thinking."

"Hehehe. Don't underestimate me Hikki. Now go tell onee-chan what's troubling you!"

I didn't want to get into some complicated situation. I'm not ready for something like that. The only thing I could do in this situation was to retreat. It's not cowardly to retreat. Retreating at the right time is the best way handle a difficult situation. I took my cup and drank everything in it before standing up.

"Well I'm going home now. Thanks for the free food Yuigahama."

"Ah wait Hikki!"

"Someday."

"Hmm?

"I'll tell you someday." Those were my final words before I left. I took a quick peek behind me to see her a slight smile on her face. It was the first time I saw her smile like that.

I quickly prepared my bike and started my trip home. I don't understand what just happened in that situation. I just felt off when I was with her. It was unlike me to be that proactive in conversation. I even said something personal near the end. Just what am I doing!?

Well, despite shortening the time of my day-off, I actually enjoyed myself.