83 [83] Probationary Boyfriend

"I'm quite confident in our blended coffee," the mustached café manager said with a confident smile.

"To balance taste and aroma, I use five different coffee beans."

"To flexibly combine their individual flavors, this café has put a lot of effort into the blend."

Listening to his introduction, Hachiman became interested.

"Since it's your specialty, I'll have a cup of blended coffee."

"Of course, no problem. Please wait."

With Hachiman ordering a cup of blended coffee, the mustached manager left, looking satisfied.

In no time, the manager returned with a cup emitting a rich aroma of coffee.

"Blended coffee, please enjoy."

The manager wore a confident smile, and his slightly narrowed eyes held a hint of anticipation.

Hachiman lifted the cup of blended coffee. The black coffee rippled gently in the cup. He brought it to his nose, and the aroma was incredibly rich.

Taking a sip without adding milk or sugar, the coffee tasted a bit bitter but incredibly rich. Upon careful tasting, various coffee beans intertwined on his tongue, creating a unique flavor.

"The taste is quite good. It's undoubtedly your specialty," Hachiman praised with a smile, setting down the coffee cup.

The mustached café manager wore a faint smile. He pursued the satisfied smiles his customers displayed after tasting his coffee.

"For someone your age, I recommend adding some sugar and milk. It'll enhance the flavor."

"Thanks for the suggestion."

For Hachiman, a sweet tooth, bitterness wasn't his preference. He added a few sugar cubes and a small cup of milk to the coffee, stirring it lightly with a spoon.

Lifting the cup, he took another sip, and indeed, the flavor was much improved.

Time passed by minute by minute, but Hachiman wasn't in a hurry. He sipped the coffee slowly.

Shortly after 9 AM, the café door swung open again. A young girl in a sky-blue dress walked in. Her long, black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, framed by a white headband. Her beautiful thighs, encased in black stockings, seemed flawless to even the most discerning eyes.

It wasn't anyone other than Utaha Kasumigaoka.

The girl with wine-red eyes scanned the café and quickly spotted Hachiman sitting by the window. She gracefully approached his table, her enticing black stocking-clad legs carrying her over.

"My apologies, Hikigaya-kun, for keeping you waiting."

"Not at all, Kasumigaoka-senpai. You were punctual; I arrived early. Please, take a seat," Hachiman smiled, shaking his head, signaling for her to sit.

Utaha nodded and adjusted her dress before taking a seat across from him.

"What can I get you, miss?" At this moment, the mustached café manager arrived at their table once again, holding the menu.

After perusing the menu, Utaha contemplated her order.

"The manager's blended coffee is excellent. Kasumigaoka-senpai, you should give it a try," Hachiman recommended, putting down his coffee cup.

"Well, if Hikigaya-kun recommends it so strongly, I'll have one too. A cup of blended coffee, please."

Handing the menu back to the manager, Utaha smiled and placed her order.

"Of course, please wait a moment." After taking the menu, the mustached manager left contentedly.

Not long after, he returned with their freshly brewed coffee.

"The taste is indeed excellent."

Sipping her coffee gently, Utaha Kasumigaoka praised.

"Thank you for the compliment. I'm quite confident in my blended coffee."

The mustached café manager beamed with a smile and delivered his classic line.

He then returned to the counter and started wiping glass cups.

Hachiman, getting straight to the point, asked, "I wonder what kind of material you'd like me to help you with today?"

Utaha smiled and said, "Well, Hikigaya-kun, you're quite impatient. In that case, I'll be straightforward. I want you to be my boyfriend."

Hearing her words, Hachiman nearly choked.

What's this? Is it a free offer?

But this black-stockinged senpai didn't seem like someone who would give it away for free.

Although in the original story, she desperately wanted to give her love to Aki, that was because Aki had done her a big favor, and she didn't want to admit defeat.

He had only met her a few times, and she shouldn't be the type to give it away for free. Just to be sure, Hachiman decided to confirm.

"Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you joking?"

"I'm not joking, and you didn't mishear me. I want you to be my boyfriend," Utaha Kasumigaoka said with a flirtatious smile, then changed the subject.

"But it's just for today."

"I need to write a dating scene, so I'd like Hikigaya-kun to be my boyfriend for a day and let me experience what it's like to date."

Exactly, it's for research, but it's also a unique chance to spend time with such a beautiful senpai.

"This kind of job is no problem. It's just a bit of a shame that it's only for one day," Hachiman expressed, tinged with a hint of regret.

Hearing his response, Utaha Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow.

"It seems Hikigaya-kun has some thoughts about me."

"Naturally, anyone would want a beautiful senpai like you to be their girlfriend, and I'm no exception," Hachiman shrugged, not hiding his thoughts.

Girls usually liked hearing compliments, and when he praised her beauty, Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but smile.

"Well, it will depend on your performance today."

"If I perform well, I'll consider making you my real boyfriend, Hachiman-kun."

The girl leaned forward slightly, her tone filled with allure.

"Then you can watch my performance, Kasumigaoka-senpai," Hachiman chuckled.

"Now that we're boyfriend and girlfriend, you should call me Utaha, Hachiman..."

Is it starting now?

Does this make me a probationary boyfriend?

"Today, let me be your knight, Utaha."

"Then I'll trust you with myself today, My knight."

Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled, blinked at him, and extended her hand.

"Rest assured, you can trust me, My princess."

Holding the girl's delicate hand, Hachiman's tone was filled with confidence.