Back in the shop, Yuigahama Yui immediately hurried over.
"Yumiko, you're back!"
"Mm. Just got some fresh air."
Thinking Yumiko was just getting used to her first shift, Yui smiled, took her along to straighten the shelves, and chattered away.
But Yumiko's mind was elsewhere. She glanced around and didn't see Hayashi Maki.
"Where'd that guy go?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"Who?"
"Hayashi Maki. Didn't he come in just now?"
"Oh, Hayashi Maki went to the break room. If you're not feeling well, you can rest a bit too—Youko-san is super nice…"
Yumiko muttered under her breath. Hopefully that guy wasn't going to make a move on Youko as well…
After being "bullied" once by Hayashi Maki, Yumiko had pegged him as a first-class scoundrel.
"Yumiko, your face is really red—and why are your lips a little swollen?"
"Ah… I, uh, ate some spicy snacks just now. They puffed up."
Blushing, Yumiko grabbed the excuse on the fly. Yui, however, felt a strange déjà vu. Didn't Shiina Mahiru use that excuse last time? Or was it Nibutani Shinka? Yui couldn't remember—just that it sounded very familiar.
"Oh, got it. Want some water? And also…"
She shot her best friend a curious look; she wanted to ask why Yumiko suddenly cared where Hayashi Maki went—she'd just asked where he was.
"And also… what?" Yumiko blinked at her.
"Nothing. Let's keep straightening these shelves. You know, some customers love to leave things a mess—such a pain for us," Yui said.
"That's why part-timers exist, right? Otherwise who'd hire clerks?" Yumiko replied absentmindedly, still muddled inside.
She recalled what Hayashi Maki had said: Hayama Hayato already likes someone—and never really had her in his heart, using her as a shield to fend off confessions from other girls. Was that true?
She wanted to refute it, but thinking carefully… it kind of was. Hayama never agreed to her one-on-one invites; it was always "if everyone's going." Still… that wasn't a reason for that jerk to push her against a wall and kiss her. If anything, it was more believable he did it because he liked her.
Except—he had Mahiru. And did Mahiru really know about his two-timing?
Yumiko was thoroughly confused.
Working while she mulled it over, she drifted back to something she'd seen over the weekend. She and Ebina Hina had gone out for a new pudding launch—girls and sweets are inseparable—and, worn out from shopping, she'd seen Hayama in a café with a fair-skinned beauty. Yumiko had yanked Ebina into hiding, watching nervously. The woman opposite Hayama was gorgeous—face and figure perfect, with a smile you couldn't forget. Hayama himself was blushing. How could she not misunderstand?
The woman, of course, was Yukinoshita Haruno. With her sister Yukino doing better, Haruno had perked up too—and decided to invite Hayama out. Not to flirt with her childhood "kid brother," but to end his hopes.
She'd even brought along two underclassmen who admired Hayama and introduced them; the girls, faces aflame, peppered him with questions and showed open interest. Hayama's reputation was solid—girls from other schools knew the sunny prince and adored him.
Hayama thought Haruno was finally giving him a chance—only to realize she was matchmaking him with others: a clear rejection with a "please date them" attached. His mood crashed; he dropped the mask and snapped at the two girls in a low, impatient voice: "Could you please back off? You're really loud. I'm not interested in being friends."
"Eh—Hayama-kun?" The two enthusiastic girls froze, smiles cracking, eyes filling. Haruno jumped in to smooth things over. "Now, now, Hayato-kun, don't be so harsh. Sorry, Hanako, Risa—he's in a bad mood. Chat another time." Thanks to her, they didn't burst out crying—until they left, when they did break down sobbing.
Back at the table, Haruno gave Hayama a look. "What, did you take the wrong meds? Those two were adorable. Why bite their heads off?"
Hayama stared at her, stony. "You know I won't date anyone—unless it's…"
"Stop. I don't want to hear it," Haruno said, smile gone. "I already have a boyfriend, and he treats me well. I hope you find your own happiness. You and little Yukino have trailed after me long enough—it's time to grow up."
Hayama looked down, fists clenching—rejected again. "That's enough," Haruno sighed. "If you won't consider girls I introduce, find someone yourself. I'm off to see my boyfriend."
"Liar! You don't have a boyfriend! Why is it so hard to give me a chance? What's so wrong with me?"
"Feelings can't be forced," Haruno said, shaking her head. "To me you're still that clumsy little brother. Don't waste time on me. Treasure those around you—Miura-san seems like a good girl."
"No. I won't date Yumiko. And I won't give up on you!"
"Then be ready to attend my wedding after graduation. I told you, I do have a boyfriend." With that, she waved and left. "Think it over, Hayato."
He sat there, head down, face dark. Yumiko had almost stepped out to ask if he was okay when he slammed a fist on the table, jolting the whole café. "Damn it! Who is he? Why does he get to steal the person I like?"
That feral look shattered Yumiko's image of him. Like the other girls dazzled by his surface warmth, she'd been idolizing a sunny boy who spread apologies and smiles to everyone—like a fan adoring a celebrity. Becoming his friend, she mistook that feeling for love. The real Hayama? Maybe she didn't like him after all. Seeing that other side hit her hard; she couldn't help wondering if he was as wonderful as she'd imagined.
Ebina, who understood plenty, just pulled her away in silence—for friendship's sake, she didn't say what she'd seen.
Memory over, Yumiko bit her lip. Even if Hayama wasn't perfect, Hayashi Maki was the worst! How could he treat a girl like that?
She clenched her fists and told Yui she needed the restroom—then headed for the break room instead. There he was, lying on the cot. Rage surged. She stomped over and swung a small fist down at him.
Charging a tiger's den, lamb? Not much difference.