Chapter 34: Couple Café
Under the dim, rain-drenched streetlight, a girl in a high school uniform stood all alone beneath a narrow awning. She clutched several shopping bags of varying sizes in both hands, the plastic rustling softly each time the wind shifted. Her lips were slightly parted, as though she wanted to sigh, and her violet eyes fixed helplessly on the deluge before her. The rain came down like curtains of smoke, blurring the reflections of neon lights on the slick pavement. She looked trapped, her hesitation painting a quiet, fragile scene in the night.
Cold wind whipped through the street, carrying the scent of wet asphalt and fresh rain.
Her long purple hair fluttered with each gust, the strands catching faint glimmers of light from the street lamps. The ends of her hair danced like ribbons in the storm, and every now and then a few strands mischievously fell across her eyes. She would frown slightly, tuck the stray hair behind her ear with elegant fingers, and let out a barely perceptible sigh. That small, human gesture—so ordinary, so gentle—made her seem all the more delicate.
It was Vigne—the demon girl who lived like a saint. Despite her infernal heritage, her manners and heart were purer than most angels'. Everyone in class admired her for her grace and helpfulness, though few understood how hard she worked to appear so calm all the time.
Her full name: Vignette April Tsukinose. But that was far too much for everyday conversation, so most just called her Vigne.
Kouya, meanwhile, was passing through the same street, umbrella tilted slightly against the wind. He had no plans of stopping. He'd heard about a new app making waves lately—a "Friends Nearby" feature that warned introverts when acquaintances were within a certain distance, allowing them to make a quick escape. A fascinating idea… but unnecessary for him.
He wasn't antisocial. Just not in the mood to talk, most of the time. And certainly not inclined to go out of his way to avoid a classmate.
If anything, people should be the ones avoiding him.
As his footsteps echoed closer, the rain muffling everything else, Vigne finally looked up. Her amethyst eyes widened a little in recognition. The corners of her lips twitched upward—just barely—but enough to show relief.
It wasn't the joy of seeing an old friend, but rather the comfort of familiarity amid a lonely downpour.
"Kouya-san, good evening…" she greeted softly, voice nearly lost to the rain.
"Mm." Kouya nodded as he approached, giving only a faint response.
Vigne hesitated. Her fingers tightened around the shopping bags, knuckles pale from gripping too hard. She seemed torn between pride and need, embarrassment and courage. Her lips moved once, twice, but no words came out. The faintest blush crept across her cheeks.
Kouya sighed inwardly. "If that's all, I'll get going."
"W-wait!" She bowed quickly, the tips of her hair falling forward as her voice trembled. "If it's not too much trouble, could you walk me home? My apartment is close—just five minutes away."
A classmate asking for help, huh? That probably qualified as 'social participation.'
Kouya paused, shrugged lightly, and said, "Alright."
…
The umbrella that had sheltered one now covered two figures. A blue dome moving through sheets of rain, faintly illuminated by the city's scattered glow.
"I did bring my umbrella this morning," Vigne explained quietly as they walked, her voice barely louder than the rainfall. "But when I got home, I thought the rain had stopped, so I left it in my bag. Then I saw the news about the supermarket sale… and, um…"
So you ran out for discounts and got ambushed by a storm. Classic Vigne.
"And you, Kouya-san?" she asked, glancing up. "Aren't you living with Gabi-chan at Aoyama Apartments? What brings you here?"
"My cousin lives nearby," he answered simply. "I just had dinner there."
"I see…" she murmured.
Their conversation trailed off. Only the rain filled the silence, splattering rhythmically against the umbrella. It wasn't large—barely wide enough for one person, much less two. The sides of their shoulders brushed occasionally, and the humid warmth under the umbrella contrasted sharply with the cold air outside.
The rain intensified, blurring the city lights until everything shimmered like watercolor. The street grew emptier by the minute. The sound of water pooling along the curb drowned out the distant hum of traffic.
Kouya exhaled. "We should find a place to wait this out. You'll catch a cold like this."
Vigne opened her mouth to protest—but before she could, a tiny sound betrayed her.
"Gu~uu…"
It was soft and almost cute, but loud enough for him to hear.
Her face went crimson in an instant. "A-ah…" She clutched her stomach and averted her gaze, pretending it hadn't happened. Her damp hair fell forward, and she tucked it away hurriedly, hoping the sound of rain had hidden her embarrassment.
Don't even try. I heard that crystal clear.
That was your stomach.
Even in this world, angels and demons still needed to eat—unless they were powerful enough to ignore mortal limits. And judging by her modest, rule-abiding life, skipping a meal probably threw her balance completely off.
Kouya smirked faintly. "There's a café up ahead. Let's go in."
"N-no! I'm fine!" Vigne stammered, shaking her head so hard that raindrops scattered from her hair. "I'm not hungry!"
"Sure you're not," he muttered dryly. "You just sound like a pigeon when you are."
Another gust of wind swept through, blowing a sheet of rain against their legs. Cold droplets splashed under the umbrella, soaking the edge of Vigne's skirt.
Kouya had enough. He took the shopping bags from her hands and started toward the café. "Come on. I'm hungry too."
Vigne's eyes widened. She tugged lightly on the bags but gave up almost immediately. "Didn't you just eat dinner?"
"Wasn't enough," he replied flatly.
She sighed, defeated, and followed him inside.
The bell over the door chimed. "Welcome!" a cheerful voice called out. A young waitress in a maid outfit greeted them, her frilly apron spotless despite the rush. "A table for two?" she asked sweetly.
"Yeah," Kouya replied without hesitation.
"Right this way!"
Warm air enveloped them instantly. The café buzzed with chatter and soft music. People huddled at tables, shaking off rain from their coats. About twenty or so tables filled the room, arranged neatly between flower pots and bookshelves. Gentle amber lights glowed overhead, casting cozy shadows. The corners were lined with curtained booths, each providing a private little haven.
The waitress led them toward one such booth. "Would you like to try our Lovers' Cappuccino?" she asked with a grin. "It's a big cup for two people—perfect for couples sharing something warm! Plus, twenty percent off tonight."
"E-eh!?"
Vigne froze, cheeks instantly pink. "W-we're not… it's not like that!"
"Oh?" The waitress blinked innocently, then looked down at their hands.
It was only then that Vigne realized they were still holding hands from when they'd run across the street.
Her body stiffened. She pulled back so fast it was almost a reflex. "It's not what you think!" she blurted out, her voice a pitch too high.
"It's okay," the waitress said knowingly, smiling with a wink. "I understand."
Understand your ass! You clearly don't!
Flustered, Vigne puffed her cheeks and glared at Kouya, silently demanding that he do something about this misunderstanding.
"Can we get another table?" she asked tightly.
The waitress glanced around apologetically. "Sorry, this is the last available booth. It's pouring outside, so we're full."
Kouya looked around. True enough—every seat was taken by soaked couples and friends, all waiting out the storm.
He sighed. "We're classmates, not a couple," he said simply. "Don't read too much into it."
"Of course, of course," the waitress said with a teasing smile, clearly unconvinced. She bowed politely but couldn't resist flashing him a sly look that said, 'sure, I believe you.'
Kouya rubbed his temple. Fantastic. Now they were officially that couple.
"So, what will you two have?" the waitress asked brightly, flipping open her notepad. "Are you sure you don't want the Lovers' Cappuccino? It's our bestseller!"
"No!" Vigne said quickly, her voice a mixture of panic and stubbornness.
The waitress blinked. "Alright then!"
What are you looking at me for!? It's not like I ordered it! It's the waitress who keeps pushing it, dammit!