Author: ||SaintNAIWA||
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Love Cafe - Table 4
Day 1
Crowd. A bunch of chaotic mess of sounds that could be unpleasant to the ears, as customers talk like there are no others nearby, unrestrained.
Laughter, Embarrassment, Joy, Anger, Sadness, it could be any of these feelings, you can picture out by listening to their words. I just unknowingly smile, feeling nostalgia(?) as I sip on a coffee I ordered. I forgot the name.
Right, Where was I? I only heard a rumor that this cafe's urban legend, a tale of romance that could make any lonely guy excited. Was I one? I wonder, maybe they are just mere rumors and that I randomly and coincidentally just chose this table because it allows me to hear...huh?
Anyway, the legend goes like this: "There's a cafe that can be called 'True Love Cafe', as long as there are two people dating over that table, they would inevitably fall in love within a week. Ridiculous right? That's why I think it's nonsense and lean more toward a reasonable logic.
That table and story are just to spread word for the cafe, inviting foolish couples to have a date there and increase their sales and customer retention, with a mysterious legend to up the mood, therefore they would frequent the cafe until they become regular customers.
You ask why I'm sitting on this table, then? It's because I hate it! You dare flaunt to me, a single man who also wants to have a lovely date over the period of a week! Bohoo, I admit that I just don't want to see more successful relationships, perhaps this is why I impulsively took this table, so I won't be heartbroken.
Although I occupied this table, for some reason, no one has really complained about it? I'm alone, yanno, perhaps you can ask me about it yanno? Then I might relinquish this to you, a prospective couple to bless your relationship? No~ way~, bite me if you dare.
Kekekekeke, I am insane eh? That's right! I laughed over this devious trick of mine evilly. What can be more evil than this? Ahh, this must be why many lived on with just their overwhelming spite! I understand your Dao now, consider me one of you!
Day 2
Huh? Suddenly, someone actually dared to sit opposite my table, the love inducing TABLE. Impossible, is this a trick to make me voluntarily move away? Hmph, do your best, unknown girl! I am totally not happy that there's a girl actually willing to...no way~ it must be because there's no seat available left right? Yes, it must be.
Now that I observe more of her, this is actually creepy instead of romantic. Her face is blurry, no sounds seem to come out of her mouth, but I see it moving. You know that painting of who again, titled "Fear"? It's what I also feel now.
I reached out for a coffee that, for some reason, is gone suddenly. Where is it? Now I have no excuse to feign nonchalance, and I'm at a loss whether I should talk or smile as a response, to let her know that I appreciate her presence at this lonely table, nay, lovely table!
I don't care if you are a ghost or a delusion of mine! I'm desperate! So happy! Will this be true love? I kind of feel giddy now. How true would that rumor be? You seem to be a friendly ghost, I'll reluctantly allow you to be with me, for science!
Day 3
Where am I? That's strange. I remember someone opposite to me. I kind of feel relieved and disappointed. Is it heartache? It might as well be, for I am at this lonely table.
I haven't ordered food/coffee even, it feels weird to be allowed a seat here without giving the cafe a benefit and even obstructing their promotional tricks. I'm sorry, I'm selfish, bite me! Do you dare!?
Sigh, I should just go home. Why even bother being here? There's a class activity and assignments I could be doing right now and completing, but instead I insist on doing stupid stuff! This table must be cursed. I keep gravitating towards it, resistance is futile, my heart just yearns for it.
Day 4
It's her again. That spooky, lovely thing, is this also love? forbidden love between a material living being and an immaterial living thing? Then the rumor would turn out to be so true that even ghosts would be attracted to it! Scary, this must be done by a witch, right?
I pay closer attention to her mouth and try lip-reading. So soft, lips smeared with a pink lipstick, alluring and– wait. This is just me being horny! Begone, evil thoughts! I'm innocent, yanno, right? yanno, I know you all will agree with me.
I still hear the crowd being noisy, they seem to be deafened by a bit whenever her mouth moves. What a tempting ghost, it made me turn astray for a moment. This is peak loneliness behavior, I tell ya, don't be like me! We must stay true to our cause, no true couples will be made at this table!
What if I indulge a bit? Am I bewitched by the magic of the witch? Call 911 and the state, this cafe is doing supernatural magic and is recklessly luring unknowing mortals astray! I write this in memory of a brave young man who sacrificed himself to let the truth come out, with the noble mission to contribute to society and the advancement of rationality.
Day 5
It rained. There are fewer customers than usual, and the ghost is gone. Such a pretty ghost with an enchanting lip, I could have had a chance. Now, I sit again in this cafe, turning the table back into the rumored "lonely table".
I swear to god, where's my coffee! I'm cold and lonely! Let's just count the raindrops to pass the time. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, good job to everyone who bothered counting. You must be bored too. Hey, look outside.
She seems to be there, or is it my hallucination? Across the street from the cafe, I see her walking with fellow kindred ghosts. Even ghosts can have friends, why couldn't I? Will she not come here? Today seems a lot colder with the rain.
Day 6
She's back! I'll talk to her! definitely! But will she understand? She's a ghost, can I speak in mute? There's no sound after all, ghost language, where can I learn this esoteric knowledge? After I died and turned into a ghost, maybe.
Waiter, give me coffee, food? Forget it. I have a ghostly date here, can't bear to make me look like a scumbag who pays for his meal only and not treat his date one.
Taking a sip, I tried to act cool to awe her. "A day so fine, sunlight has graced upon me a beauty, I hope that this isn't just fantasy?" How's that? Aren't I handsome, with a side look, eyes distant and totally emitting chad aura vibe.
Although I still can't hear her, I know she's laughing. I cringed. I want to die. Let me die now. Even a ghost thinks I'm a clown. What more if it's actually a real girl, not a ghost? Surely I would be humiliated further, it will become a core memory for a lifetime.
It wasn't that bad, though. Strangely, it's magically uplifting? Am I a masochist? Kink list check, note it. I can cope with this way out of an embarrassment. I too, laughed with her after feeling embarrassed, or perhaps this is excitement?
Day 7
I love her. Damn you all, she may not exist in the material realm but I know she is real! What do I love about her, you say? Hmm, it must be because of her lips...bah! I don't want to be horny! I just want to be happy!
She's still with me. She seems to be reading something? Is that a book for bewitching? It must be. Otherwise, how do you explain this inexplicable feeling? I am a firm believer in science!
Life is so short and wonderful, I am satisfied. Even if it's a ghost, I know that the rumors are 100% verified. Love table, guaranteed to make you fall, for real, for real, trust.
Day 7
I am seated in the cafe again. ON THE SAME STUPID TABLE! Of course I would be, for I have seen her and will never be the one who I had been.
This is my true feelings, not just a surge of hormones rising because of horny. Trust, let me think. She's talking about something again, I want to hear, but I'm unable to. Wonder why.
I'm dying to hear what she talks to me. What's so interesting? What's making you haunt me for so long, lingering in this world? Shouldn't you be moving on to the afterlife? What a tenacious ghost.
Perhaps, this is why I'm attracted. She's mystical and magical while I'm physical and rational. It's totally not the lips that enamoured me, I'm better than that.
I saw her mouth moving, her face still blurry. Unknowingly, my eyes closed.
Day 7
What time is it? I looked at the clock on the counter of the cafe. It shows 77:77, the fuck? When did time in a day become that long, and an hour over 60 minutes? Why does it have to be 7? I stared at it, and it looked like it was a broken clock.
Stupid thing, the cafe should be sued for malfunctioning equipment! Review bomb this thing with 1 star and complain for no maintenance, the clock is whack, and I'm sad, experience totally ruined.
She's gone; maybe she moved on. She's just a ghost after all. It's kind of bittersweet to know that the legend is true, but it doesn't mean it would end on a happy route ending.
This is why you gotta be rational boys. Love is a sickness, there's no cure for it. We're that stupid. I'm also one, even falling for a ghostly thing.
Day 7
She's here. I just noticed but perhaps this isn't just one ghost? What if it's actually a different ghost? Am I that popular? Do I have a physique that attracts them to me like mosquitoes trying to draw human blood?
I'm anxious now, I am such a scumbag. Thinking of the days when I'm happily staring and feeling happy, loving a ghost, but I didn't even notice if it's the one I fell in love with? Great, I'm worse than I thought. A harem sounds nice, though, maybe I'm doing them a good favor, to help them clear their resentment with a date.
I pray — for these lost souls to ascend and reincarnate to a better life.
Day 7
How long am I going to stay here? Maybe it's because I'm feeling happy, knowing that I'm actually doing something good, helping ghosts to achieve nirvana.
I smiled at today's guest, of course, it would be a ghost with a blurry lip– what? It's the face that's blurry, and the lips so glossy I wanted a kiss. She's reading from a book again. You like books, huh? I want to listen, but I don't know how. I'm sorry.
Looking down at what she's holding, trying to read what those squiggly letters mean, ghostwritten language? Why can't you pick something with human origin? Maybe I could read with you yanno? Can you do it? Or are you messing with me purposely? sigh.
Day 7
I'm hungry. When was I last to eat something? Maybe it's nothing, I just have to drink. Drink what, actually? Forget that, maybe it's the ghost draining my lifeforce, I'm such a sinful man luring these ghostly maidens towards my lovely table.
Yet another ghost is with me, this time it seems to be shy and silent. With her face down, I can't see if she would still have the same lips that made me hor– happy! Simple thoughts, happy thoughts.
"Why do you look down? Be happy!" I insensitively and said impulsively, thinking it might help her cheer up. I saw her trembling, were my words that moving, that you left hurriedly and left me? If so, I'm glad. I'm just someone you will forget, a temporary stop before moving on to your next life.
Day 7
The sun seems to be covered by clouds, the customers in this cafe a lot less than usual. Maybe because the weather seems fine, a good time to have fun and roam around.
It looks like I'll be alone again. Is there a mastermind behind the scenes, controlling the frequency of ghost meetings? They are so kind and considerate to me, huh, even though I'm openly disrupting their business strategy.
Looking at the people outside, are they actually people? They aren't blurry like the ghosts I've ever met. They are featureless, faceless, and simplified, like a bloated stick figure. Do I look the same? There doesn't seem to be a mirror in this cafe.
Looking around the cafe, I can't hear their voices now, I realized this. What were those emotions I heard then? Are they actually just hallucinations I had then? Guess I was insane from the start. No big deal, I'm used to it by now.
Just, I kind of miss meeting a ghost. Why can't you send them always, every day? Then I'll always be happy, not feeling this deep melancholy. So lonely.
Day 7
Today, I feel a lot worse than usual. Why? Because what's in front of me is one of those stick figures I just found out about yesterday. I wonder why? I don't understand.
I feel like I could understand and at the same time, not. Is it my turn to be the ghost haunting this person? Hehe, this is new and fun, it should be. Why do I feel uneasy then? Will talking with this person cleanse me of my resentment, and I'll be walking out again? Outside of this table, where I won't meet her anymore?
I am hesitant. Why? I have been here for so long, shouldn't I also move along? to where I should belong. I feel my heart beating, that anxious and palpitating sensation you feel after running for so long. I want to breathe, yet I could not, I wanted to speak, but I feel I would break. As I get more confused, I passed out while catching a glimpse of the ghost, seeming to pull that stick figure, who I didn't notice was actually directly in front of me.
Day 7
Who am I? Where am I? Who are you? I don't know. There's a blurry face in front of me, seeming to hold me captive. I lay down in the chair, on this thing's lap, I think? it seems to be speaking? weird.
I feel like this situation should make me feel afraid, but instead, I feel safe and at peace. It feels nice, thank you, strange thing, for being with me. I don't know how to repay you. Would my life be enough?
I grasped what I thought was the hand of it. I feel like I can't speak anymore. My throat just seems to be painful, and I can't move. Still, I wanted to somehow convey that I am grateful. I felt doing so.
It seemed to be shaking, is it uncomfortable with the gesture? I tried letting go, but it instead gripped harder and unwillingly, bringing my hands to its face, I could feel she got what I wanted to say, so I'm satisfied. I slept for a long time today.
Day 7
I'm sitting. Probably. Besides me, there seems to be a ghost with a blurry face. Across, stick figures, doing something like a sign language. I feel like I'm being embraced, I could hear faint sounds from it and instinctively knew she's(?) speaking for me.
I'm tired. I want to fall asleep again. Yet she(?) kept my warmth by being close with me, like a campfire staving off the cold from a midnight desert, to not slumber so deeply or I won't be able to move.
My breathing seems slow and long, yet I still persist. I wanted to know more of this thing, I just feel like being close seems to be a way to know.
I should stay awake...for...her(?).....
Day 7
I vaguely remember. Is she someone haunting me always? Every day in this cafe, at this table, numbered 4, with a rumor.
Shouldn't it just have been a week? I feel like I've been here for much longer. What a terrifying cafe, with mystical secrets to explore.
How long had she been keeping up with me? even visiting this place, sitting with me, at the same table at a lousy "love" cafe.
Is she a part of this place, making the rumor a self-fulfilling prophecy? I'm actually happy to be able to be the subject of her attention. It doesn't matter anymore if it's fake or real, I just can feel that she has been sincere, each day, in my memories, I currently don't recall.
I love you. I wanted to say so, very much, and desperately longed to. How long will you be able to stay with me? Or is it me who will leave first, and move on without you?
Day 7
It's a little less blurry now, I can feel and hear you a little more clearly, your lips that are always in my memory.
It must have been tough to stay beside me, I feel like I am awake, but my mind's cloudy. I can think, but not realize what's true or fake.
I know I called you a ghost, someone lingering around in this cafe. It should be me who's been moved by your sincerity, still desperate and clinging until I regain clarity.
The days you have spent, I will return and engrave this as a debt that has no repayment.
Day 7
Is it time? I can see you much more, but it's only a hint of familiarity. Maybe this is just a moment, like a lantern revolving, illuminating my vision briefly before it is extinguished for eternity.
I want to hold a little longer, to persist in this life. Days and nights changed, a week passing by like a breeze, will your warmth be able to revive my breath?
Just a little longer, just a bit more. A few days, just a few more days. I will persist, and hope that you can hold on and that, I insist, even if it's just a selfish wish.
Day 92
Althea was exhausted from taking care of Ethan. There was little hope for recovery, as he was declared brain-dead, specifically "Locked-In Syndrome," where a patient is a vegetable, and eyes that can move, except for regular movements. They would react to certain stimuli and trigger reflexes, but it doesn't mean they are doing it consciously.
They met at the rumored love cafe, where a table can specifically make the customers fall in love. She still remembered his silly line, trying to act cool, and everything flowed smoothly, and their relationship was confirmed and enhanced with the mood.
Most of their dates happened here, and they made many memories. She takes him here, with the hope that someday, she can awaken his consciousness and be with him again.
A hundred days of time, something she dreaded every single day that went by. It was the time limit given by the cafe and pressured by her family and peers, even a suitor who wants to take advantage to break this relationship and replace him.
Althea cannot, for the life of her, think so. He's irreplaceable for her, to just give up like discarding it as a toy, isn't that mocking her? If she were as calculating as others, would there be a place where her heart could have joy?
There was only him in her eyes right now. Even if this is just her being stubborn, against the stacked odds, saying the chance of recovery is nearly just 1%, that with the doctor being considerate of her feelings. She will want to wish for a miracle.
A hundred days to die, for a roll that will be favoured by the goddess of fortune.
Day 93
After an incident involving her "pursuer", harming Nathan in the process, she got closer to Nathan, even if it felt embarrassing. Like a mother hen still trying to hatch a dead egg, even if its ultimate fortune was all for naught.
His arms, which used to be so firm, felt soft. His body, which was muscular had thinned, clearly from lack of exercise and nutrition. His face, so valiant with vibrant golden hair, like a prince, now looked like a pale ghost and emancipated.
Modern healthcare could have preserved his condition in a healthier state, but her family didn't care. She wanted to do it herself, but overwhelmed by grief and exhaustion, she would often just read books, stories they read and often share.
Resting her head on his shoulders with his arms embracing her, to which he placed them herself, she can only prepare for their last date, just like how their love blossomed within a week in the cafe.
Day 94
7th day until the hundredth day, she reminisces about their first meeting. He was wearing an evil grin and laughing like a chuunibyou with his hands on his face like it was "all part of the plan".
Intrigued by his behavior, she sat down and started to converse with him. She too had been lured by the cafe's rumor and with other tables mostly occupied, she just sat opposite him. A woman also wants romance, if not romance, what else other than that?
The moment he saw me, his face turned serious and like a routine ingrained with his muscle reaction, he reached out for something on the table only to pause awkwardly, turning red out of embarrassment, I think?
I chuckled softly, It seemed fun? Then I joked with him that I was actually part of the cafe, wanting to know why he seemed alone at this table.
"That? Of course it was because for this moment," hearing him say that made my heart skip a beat. Was I actually the one who fell for this cafe's trick? I feel embarrassed now and tried to play it off casually, then we talked about our interests.
So he was also interested in stories! Maybe both of us were intrigued by the idea of the rumor that customers will fall in love within a week and so, we visited this cafe to take a peek? Live naive young birds meeting in the sky, together we ventured into unknown lands and soared freely.
Day 95
6th day until the hundredth day. The long passage of time felt like a long journey, finally seeing the destination we sought, there was no glory, only emptiness and a feeling lonely.
My eyes are also getting blurry now. Thinking back on my resolve to be unlike the others, to be rational and move on, I felt dumb. I know he is a part of me that will leave me hollow if gone, yet I left him in the cold in days I cannot bear looking at his face and the deep frustration and reason whispering to me, to leave.
Just like that day when I suddenly thought of saying my farewell. I felt a hundred days for a chance is too long and arduous, my will eroded slowly, and I hung my head low, feeling shame and guilt.
"Why do you look down? Be happy," these words shook me, trembling with tears for a moment of joy, only for reality to crush it with despair. He isn't awake. Maybe he's also telling me to move on, too? I'm reluctant, yet I can't reassure him even if he can't hear me or isn't able to listen.
Then, I ran. I wanted to get away, far from this place.
Day 96
5th day until the hundredth day. The cafe owners sat down opposite our table. They told me that I shouldn't be holding on anymore; it's admirable already to last this long.
They talked pleasantly with a smile and politely. It's just a facade, as I know that this was disrupting their business strategy. Now that it's near the set deadline, they perhaps wanted to persuade me to give up earlier, as it's already hopeless at this point.
I agreed with them out of courtesy, but still managed to convince them to give me just 5 more days. It's just to let me have my final moments with him.
Nathan, I'm sorry. Perhaps, it's just my selfish wish to prolong this play, our date. Maybe, you're suffering inside there, if you are still here…
Day 97
4th day until the hundredth day. No signs of awakening. At the very least, his throat is still healing. It was very dangerous at that time. If I were to arrive later, I might have lost him.
I was trying to find a helper to take care of him, and there was this guy who kept following me. I thought he might temporarily do for now, as I look for a professional, since he seemed nice, so I asked for a favor.
It was a huge mistake. I can't trust anyone anymore after that. I just decided I'll be leaving my studies for a while, just for closure.
Say, Nathan. Do you hear me in there? Don't take so long to wake up, it's nearly a hundred days you know, let me die…
Day 98
3rd day until the hundredth day. I wanted to stretch time longer, but I know they can't tolerate me anymore. Father and Mother must be disappointed to see me right now.
I chose to spend time with him, even ignoring their calls about a birthday celebration for my mother. I'll be there, mother, just a few more days.
I kept reusing the same reason, but it didn't matter anymore after all. I decided to spend these last remaining days in a blissful time.
So, I told him his favorite stories and their latest updates. Wanting to arouse him awake by giving spoilers, don't you hate it, Nathan? Then scold me for blatantly spoiling you, I'll be happy if you could, you know? I'm desperate. Wake up, please…
Day 99
2nd day until the hundredth day. I'm tired. I want to drown and sink further, to wallow in sorrow, to forget and hope there will be no tomorrow.
I don't want to think. I don't want to live. I don't want to break. I don't want to die.
Without you, will these hundred days be a lie?
Day 100
Final day. It's time to say goodbye.
Hey, if you can hear me, Nathan, I'll be happy just like you said. Won't you bless me for enduring?
Are you listening, or were you looking at my lips again, how many times you've said to want a kiss but never really reached out to my lips?
I'll leave a coffee here for you, won't you let me hear your voice? Just like that time you feigned your act of nonchalance, just to say a silly sweet nonsense?
I am happy, I am embarrassed, I felt blissful ignorance, I am hateful for this destiny, I don't want this sadness you imposed on me.
A hundred days today.
A hundred days to die~
Eh? I don't remember this last line.
End - Days ???
"What? What bullshit is this!" A young man shouted loudly at the cafe at table 4.
"Are you stupid? Obviously, they can't continue the story because it's cringy." A young lady mocked the ridiculousness of this propaganda in the cafe.
"No! I wanted that bastard Nathan to comfort Althea! The fucking bastard had a god given name "to give" when he's just receiving it! Where's my happy afterstory!" the young man let out his frustration.
"Why not take a look at those couple of pictures there? It seems to be their story? Who knows if it really happened?" The young lady, exasperated by her friend's unbecoming behavior, attempts to give him a resolution based on her observation.
The young man looked at pictures of those who supposedly fell in love within a week at the cafe's post board. There were a lot of pictures clipped there, with the top having a heart shape in red with names inside, "Nathan x Althea".
"Huh? Have you noticed they seem to be similar to that snickering blonde old man over there and a white long haired old lady?" The young man questioned his friend.
"Really? They do alright. He must be laughing at you for shouting so loudly in the cafe, how embarrassing." The young lady snorted and turned away as if saying she didn't know her friend at all.
"Hmph, they must be the ones who gave advice to this cafe with a lousy tale," the young man sulked at the table.
"Didn't you invite me to give it a try?" the young lady replied in a low voice, her cheek slowly reddening, and shy.
"Eh? Right, ahaha…" the boy awkwardly laughed with embarrassment, entranced as he looked at her.
A story of a young man and a lady, meeting at table number 4, of N/A Love Cafe.