**Part 1**
**21. I Wonder If You'll Go Out With Me?**
A late afternoon on a holiday.
I was working my part-time shift at the coffee shop.
"I'm bored, Akkun."
"Yeah, it's pretty calm today."
For a while after the initial buzz, customers had flocked here in droves.
But the excitement eventually died down, and now it was back to being the quiet, local favorite it had always been.
"The actress Takarazuka Suzu will be taking the lead role in the famous director Kako Ikue's new play, 'The Magic of Snow, the Dark Side of the Moon'! Takarazuka is a female performer who specializes in male roles and is incredibly popular among women..."
The television filled the quiet shop with its sound.
"They're here again today."
Atchan muttered while glancing toward the table in the back.
There sat Himeji Tsukiyo and Ashiya Asuka.
"Right. It seems they've really taken a liking to this place since then."
"Hmm, I don't know about that... I've seen the black-haired one here from time to time. The blonde is the idol Ashiya Asuka, isn't she? I've never seen her on days when you're not working... Anyway, can you please tell me already—what's the relationship between those two beautiful girls and you?!"
"Huh? I didn't tell you? We're friends from the same high school."
I had been too busy on my first day to properly introduce them, and the opportunity never came up afterward.
"Oh, so they're friends... Right now they're the only customers, so introduce me! Come on, Akkun!"
"Wa—hold on!"
Atchan grabbed my arm and dragged me toward their table.
She's as forceful as ever.
"Himeji-san, Asuka-san, can I have a moment?"
"Five, the waiter? What's up?"
Asuka replied while sipping her coffee.
"Well... Atchan wanted me to introduce you two... is that okay?"
"...That's fine. I've been curious too, seeing you two talk so closely."
"Sakasegawa-kun, please introduce us!"
Asuka looked at Atchan thoughtfully.
Himeji-san stared straight at me.
This was the first time I'd ever introduced friends to each other, and the atmosphere felt strangely tense...
Don't be nervous...
"Well, this is Himeji Tsukiyo, my classmate from high school. She's the first friend I made here. And this is Ashiya Asuka from Asterisk—as you probably know. Asuka transferred to our school recently too. She's been a huge help, introducing me to jobs and everything."
"Yes, I'm Sakasegawa-kun's friend, Himeji Tsukiyo."
"Once again, I'm Ashiya Asuka. Nice to meet you."
Himeji gave a small bow.
Asuka waved lightly.
"And this is Atchan. She's the granddaughter of the owner here. We used to hang out a lot when we were kids, and we just happened to reunite at this shop."
"Hello! I'm Nishimiya Akane—Akkun's childhood friend, Atchan! Nice to meet you!"
Atchan emphasized the "childhood friend" part strongly.
"Childhood friend, huh..."
"Akkun, huh..."
The air suddenly felt cold. Is the air conditioning on?
I checked, but it wasn't.
"Yes! Childhood friend! I've known him for ages, so feel free to ask me anything!"
"Oh? You used to hang out, but only reunited recently, right? Then you probably don't know much about the current Go."
"Guh..."
Atchan flinched slightly.
"I know everything that's happened between Sakasegawa-kun and me from a while ago up to now...!"
"Ugh..."
What exactly am I being forced to witness here?
Isn't this just them talking about themselves?
Surely this is normal...?
"Well, I'd love to hear stories about the old Go... I'll tell you about the recent Go, so why don't we share?"
"Oh! Is that okay?! There are so many stories about Akkun from back then... Which one should I start with? How about the time he got mistaken for a girl and had to wear a dress for his Shichi-Go-San ceremony? I think there are photos from that day too..."
"...I'm very curious!"
Himeji's eyes sparkled.
"No, no! You can't just expose me like that in front of them!!"
The conversation was spiraling in a dangerous direction, so I quickly interrupted.
(If I don't stop this now, I'll be humiliated... What do I do?)
*Ding-dong*
The door opened, and the bell rang.
"Hmm. I came because I heard rumors, but is it not open yet?"
(Thank goodness a customer came... but who is this person?!)
Standing there was a beautiful woman with short silver hair, light blue eyes, cool features that suited a sidelong glance, a tall and slender frame with perfect posture, and a stylish look in skinny pants.
If not for her voluptuous bust, some might mistake her for an androgynous handsome man—so striking was her cool beauty.
"No, we're open! Wait—are you... Takarazuka Suzu?!?!"
Atchan reacted in shock.
"Indeed. I am Takarazuka Suzu."
Though a female performer, Takarazuka Suzu specialized in male roles and was immensely popular among women. She had even ranked highly in lists of "coolest celebrities"—among men.
"Oh! She's the person I saw on TV earlier... Such long legs. So cool and beautiful... No, wait—that's not important! I'll show you to your seat right away! Akkun!!"
"Eh, me?! Ouch!"
Caught off guard by the unexpected celebrity, Atchan shoved the task onto me instead.
I stumbled forward from the sudden push, nearly falling.
(At this rate, I'll crash into Takarazuka!)
Just as I thought that—
Takarazuka smoothly shifted half her body to the side, avoiding me. With one hand she caught mine, and with the other she took my waist, spinning me gently to kill my momentum.
In the end, it looked exactly like a ballroom dance pose.
"Are you alright, miss?"
Even as a man, I thought the way she asked was incredibly cool—a beauty that transcended gender.
But there was one thing I needed to correct.
"Oh, thank you, but... I'm a man, not a miss!"
"Oh my! So you're the cute boy who makes the delicious coffee I've heard so much about. With your glossy black hair and bright eyes, you're just as adorable as the rumors say."
Takarazuka gently placed her hand on my cheek and whispered softly.
Then she stared straight into my eyes.
"Eh... I'm cute? N-no, that's not true..."
Embarrassed by the direct eye contact, I turned my face away, insisting it must be a mistake.
"There's no need to deny it. I have a request for the adorable you today."
Takarazuka released her hold, then knelt on one knee, still holding my hand, and looked up at me.
She spoke clearly.
"How about it? Would you go out with me?"