Intentional delay

Shin had little problem with getting the box back to LeBlanc. Actually getting it in the cafe was an entirely different matter.

The box was simply too wide to fit through the door. Shin and Shiho had to take it to the attic piece by piece, which didn't take that long, though it was certainly annoying.

"Would you like a cup of coffee? Or maybe some curry? Think of it as thank you for your help today." said Shin, as he moved behind the counter, tying his apron.

"Just coffee is fine." replied Shiho.

The girl watched as the boy skillfully handled her order. At the end, he poured her coffee into a cup and added 3 cubes of sugar.

Afterwards, he took a step back and leaned on the shelf with coffee jars to sip from his own cup of unsweetened black coffee.

"Hm? You didn't put sugar in your own coffee, you know?" pointed out Shiho.

"I don't need sugar. I have something really sweet right next to me." said Shin.

His comment earned him a cute blush from the black-haired girl. Shiho tried to take a big breath to calm herself down, but unfortunately, she was about to take a sip from the coffee before.

While she was wheezing and coughing, Shin was gently slapping her on the back.

"There, there. You should just relax for now." said the boy as he guided Shiho to one of the couches where the clients sit down usually.

As Shiho was laying down to recover, Shin went up to the attic to start working on the home gym.

While he was looking at the pile of metal, he could feel his frown deepening. He opened the building instructions pamphlet, which was really more like a short novel than anything, and begun his work.

-INTERMISSION-

It took him 3 hours! 3 full hours!

He'd even seen Shiho off, as she got her bearings back a few minutes after Shin begun his work. The girl still left as a blushing mess, but her breathing was fine.

Shin took a step back to admire his proficiency.

The home gym looked amazing. He was excited to use it.

Alibaba: Did you finally finish?

"Yep." replied Shin, going down the stairs while cracking his fingers.

He went to the fridge to drink some water to cool down after that strenuous activity.

Alibaba: Woah.

"Hm? What're you shocked about?" asked the black-haired boy.

He felt a gust of wind tickle his chest hairs and he realized he forgot to put his shirt back on. He'd taken it off because he was sweating really hard while he was working on the home gym and he didn't want to soak that shirt. It was one of his favourites.

Alibaba: You're buff!

"Well, yes. Why would I get such a complex machine for personal training if I wasn't really into this?"

Alibaba: IDK

Alibaba: I get why you wouldn't want to go to a public gym tho...

Alibaba: Not a big fan of going outside myself.

"Understandable. But for people like me, we kinda have to go out there and experience the World." said Shin, as he held the back of his head with his arms.

Alibaba: ...I feel like you just referenced something, but it's slipping past me...

"Ah, too bad it didn't 'stick' to you."

Alibaba: You're doing it again >:|

"It's like we're going in a 'loop'."

Alibaba: STOP THAT!

Alibaba: IT'S ANNOYING!

"Well, someone's 'moody'.

Alibaba: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

"Good grief. You don't have to get so bothered by a reference that you missed." said Shin, shaking his head.

At that moment, however, someone decided to knock on the door.

"Sorry, but we're closed now. Come again in the morning." said Shin, about to close the door.

"Wait a sec, I have some questions for you, mister bare-chested barman." said the red-haired man standing in the entrance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This chapter's additional info is on... the Hermit Arcana!

Portrayed as an old man in a dark place or cave, holding up a lantern, the Hermit is associated with wisdom, introspection, solitude, retreat and philosophical searches.

Gameplay-wise, the Personas of the Hermit Arcana are commonly Personas excelling in Mental-Ailment skills. Mythological figures associated with the Hermit Arcana are usually hermits themselves, or are otherwise figures or deities that exist and operate behind the scenes.

Similarly, Hermit Arcana characters share the commonality of placing themselves in situations that hide them from the public eye. Hermit individuals hide away from others or act in more supportive roles rather than putting themselves in the spotlight.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Confidants:

0. Igor (The Fool) - Rank 2

I. Morgana (The Magician) - Rank 3

1. Takuto Maruki (The Councillor) - Rank 1

II. Makoto Niijima (The Priestess) - Rank 2

V. Sojiro Sakura (The Hierophant) - Rank 3

VI. Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 7

VII. Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 6

IX. Futaba Sakura (The Hermit) - Rank 2

XIII. Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 4

XVIII. Saki Yoshiko (The Moon) - Rank 2

XX. Sae Niijima (The Judgement) - Rank 1

Shiho Suzui (The Hope) - Rank 8