The Vintage Coffee was one of the largest cafés in Synverta and had been Nozomi's favorite coffee shop to go to. With those minimalist-style interior designs and antique paintings hanging on the walls, anyone would feel like they were sent back to the old-world era. There was even a billboard beside the entrance with those large fonts that said "It All Starts with a Note".

Staring at the billboard, Nozomi grabbed her cup of tea and took a sip. She had been curious about the concept of this new bistro feature where everyone could write something and plaster it on the board. There were already notes on it.

"Hmm." The purple-haired looked over the counter where she could see a woman in her white, polo shirt topped with a black formal vest; she also wore black slacks and shoes. The woman had orange hair that reached her shoulders and was styled into three small braids on her left side and had a three-leaf clover hair pin on the right side. Her pink irises focused on the cup that she was cleaning with a cloth.

"Chika-chan." Nozomi called out to her and the barista lifted her face to look at her.

"Hm? What is it, Nozomi-chan?"

"That billboard over there… is it for the upcoming Valentine's?"

"Ah! Yep! Although, Jesi-chan wanted it as a permanent feature of the shop so it'll stay there even after Valentine's! She said that putting something down on a note could give someone else an opportunity to answer it! Isn't that wonderful, to be able to communicate with people through written efforts?"

"Couldn't agree more." Nozomi giggled; ah, so it was Jesi's idea. How she wished someone would talk to her like that, too. She could try writing something but she could never really expect anyone answering it.

After all, she was an oddball. She tended to weird people out and it was a major turn off according to some ladies back in the past.

"I know! Why don't you try it? Someone's bound to respond!" Chika suggested and Nozomi laughed.

"You really think a woman like me would have someone who'd show interest in them?"

"For sure! I mean, you're pretty and you're matured! I'm sure someone will find you interesting!"

"I doubt. I'm a weird photographer, you know. People find me creepy even."

"That's not true at all! You're pretty, I swear! You have a unique personality!" Chika retorted.

Nozomi smiled; Chika was one of the few people who knew her well and had accepted her for who she was, along with Jesi.

Then, the café's door rang and the two snapped their heads at the newcomer.

"Ah, welcome to Vintage Coffee!" Chika greeted.

It was a woman with long, red hair and blue eyes and she bowed politely to both Chika and Nozomi before sitting across the purple-haired. Nozomi then leaned in and settled her elbows on the table.

"How have you been, Elizabeth-chan?"

"I'm happier! I followed what you said and confessed to her and now we're together! We just started but it feels like we have known each other for a long time! It feels amazing to have feelings being taken back to the same extent." Elizabeth grinned as she gave Nozomi a love and peace sign.

Nozomi nodded in delight, "That's good to hear! I'm glad you followed your heart. Now, remember to communicate with your partner. That's one of the most essential things in a relationship."

Elizabeth nodded, "I will!"

"Ah, you're Elizabeth-chan from last week right? I'm happy that you and Arzena-chan got together! You surely gave her a hard time for three years huh?" Chika asked.

Elizabeth chuckled nervously as she rubbed the back of her head, "Come on now, I didn't know what to do that time since they were romantic feelings for a girl."

"I'm glad that things worked out for you two!"

"Alright, that settles it then! If you want, I can take a picture of you and Arzena-chan, is she with you?" Nozomi asked as she stood up.

"For sure! She's just outside, waiting for me." Elizabeth said as she followed up.

Nozomi readied her instant camera, "Let's take a photo in front of the billboard just for the promotional event this coming Valentine's Day."

Chika giggled, "That's a great idea! I'm sure Jesi-chan will be happy about this!"

And a few moments later, the couple had gathered in front of the billboard with Nozomi maintaining a good distance from them. She aimed her camera and pressed a button, causing it to slightly flash and print the photo out of its slot. Nozomi grabbed it and flailed it as it gradually formed the picture.

"One for the coffee shop." Nozomi said as she handed the photo to Chika before she went to take a photo of the couple again.

"And one for you!" The purple-haired added as she took out the photo and gave it to Elizabeth, who took it happily.

"Thank you, Nozomi!" Elizabeth looked up at Arzena who gave her a small smile.

"You two look really great together! Stay strong!" Chika told them and the couple looked at them.

"Thank you! We will be on our way now!" Elizabeth replied as she and Arzena walked out of the café and Chika and Nozomi waved at them.

"Love sure is amazing, don't you think? It moves the world around!" Chika said and Nozomi nodded.

"That's why you have to start it all with a note, Nozomi-chan! Write something!" Chika added as she turned her attention to her with anticipation.

Nozomi chuckled, "You're not planning to give that up huh?"

"I mean, you had been doing these kinds of stuff for as long as I can remember. You'd always give people advice and how to tell their loved ones what they feel. I think it's time for you to step back a bit and do something for yourself."

"Well, looks like I can't really stop you. I will think of something." Nozomi smiled at her.

"Great!" That was more than enough to satisfy the orange-haired.

IIIII

With the café fully packed, Nozomi switched places and went to the corner, taking photos here and there. Chika and Jesi were conversing in another corner while some of their staff were taking and delivering orders from and to customers.

"The model should arrive any minute now." Jesi or Jesidril — A woman with long, ash-brown hair tied into a high ponytail with her canine teeth-styled fringes swept to the left — said. She had a sharp jawline with a pointed nose and slightly thick eyebrows, along with a slightly tanned complexion. Aside from her height and above average athletic build, the most prominent feature she had was her sharp, tiger-colored eyes.

It perfectly matched her dirty-white, V-neck topped with a light brown chore jacket which sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. And complementing her jacket was her darker brown loose-fitted pants and even darker brown soldier boots.

"Ahaha… it wasn't you?" Chika seemed to imagine Jesidril being the model instead.

"Do I look like I'm fit to be one?"

"You really need to look at yourself in the mirror, Jesi-chan. You're gorgeous!"

"Flattery won't get you a raise." Jesidril said.

"It's true, though! I'm sure everyone else will agree with me!"

"No need to worry! I signed her up as another temporary model for Vintage Coffee's magazine!" A woman with curly, light grayish-brown hair that reached her shoulders and light blue eyes said with a salute. She wore the same clothes as Chika.

Jesidril flinched back in surprise, "The fuck you did that for?!"

"Come on, it's a waste if you won't show how beautiful you are to the world!"

"Nice, You-chan!" Chika gave her best friend a thumbs up and You returned the gesture.

"You two…" Jesidril glared.

"I'm telling you! You will look great!" You said.

"Aside from being a model, Jesi-san's the owner of the place so her presence will make a great impact with the café." A woman with smooth, long, black hair and bright green eyes approached them with a tray that contained two coffee cups. She gave each to Chika and Jesi.

"That's a good one, Dia-san!" Chika agreed.

Jesidril sighed, "You girls…"

Then, someone walked into the coffee shop and a woman with red hair tied into twintails with the same green eyes as Dia, said something aloud to catch Jesidril's attention:

"Jesi-chan, our model's here!"

"Thanks, Ruby!" Jesidril replied and took a sip from her coffee while Dia walked off to tend to other customers.

The model finally approached them and Chika's jaw dropped upon seeing them.

A woman. Tall and blonde. Her athletic physique matched her light green polo shirt with the first button undone, blue jeans and red and white rubber shoes.

She was as attractive as Jesidril. A complete head-turner.

"You're a bit late, Eli." Jesidril said.

Eli chuckled nervously as she ruffled the back of her head, "Sorry, was caught in a traffic jam."

"Traffic of fangirls I'd bet." Jesidril told Chika who nodded.

"Well, I'm here now, why don't we get this started? I have to get back to Yuri by two." Eli said.

"Hold on there, give yourself some fresh air. You'll only get out of here when I tell you that you're allowed to get out of here. Don't listen to that blockhead." Jesidril replied.

Chika chuckled, "What she said and we both know that even Yuri-san herself couldn't do anything about Jesi-chan."

Eli pulled an empty chair and sat there, "If that's what Jesi said."

"Do you want anything, Eli-chan?" You asked from the counter.

"Iced latte." The blonde answered.

"Coming right up!" You then went to work.

While Eli waited, she caught something from the corner of her eye, causing her to turn her head towards Nozomi who was busy reloading her instant camera with photo papers.

Her smile immediately dropped and from there, she realized that Nozomi's beauty enchanted her. Those soft, green eyes and fair tone of skin… Eli didn't know how long she had been staring but she knew that it was long enough for Jesidril and Chika to exchange glances in wonder about what Eli caught her full attention that she began ignoring them.

"Who's that?" Eli never took her eyes away from Nozomi and Chika peeked over.

"Ah, that's Nozomi Tojo! She's our photographer!" Chika answered.

Nozomi… huh.

The blonde went silent afterwards to focus all of herself towards Nozomi.

And no one knew.

Not even Eli, herself, knew.

About why she suddenly smiled.