Maid Cafe Angel

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[-Continuation-]

[-Same Day-]

[-After Some Time-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

{Plan-A : Operation Animal Therapy}

{Result : Failed(:even before commencing)}

{Reason : Kawasaki has a cat allergy}

Yeah, operation animal therapy had failed. No surprise there.

We had abandoned it midway after receiving a call from Taishi, who found out about our plan from Komichi.

"..." For now, not in the mood of revealing the solution I have that could put an end to this quest, I looked to Yukinoshita.

In response, she let out a soft sigh. "Now then, what are we gonna do? We gotta think of something."

"Er, uh…" Totsuka timidly raised his hand and looked at both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama with uncertainty.

It seemed like he wanted to contribute but wasn't sure how.

"Go ahead." Yukinoshita encouraged him reassuringly. "I don't mind if you speak your mind. It would help us all out."

"Okay then…" Totsuka smiled in reverence. "So, um, how about you tell Ms. Hiratsuka about it? I think she might be too close to her parents to tell them about her problems. But if she were talking to another adult, she might be able to confront her problems, maybe?"

And that's how Plan-B was formed.

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…

[-After Some Time-]

{Plan B : Counseling Session With An Adult}

{Result : Failed(:mersebly)}

{Reason : Ms. Hiratsuka's Single Status(:well mostly)}

"You gave it your all."

I watched Ms. Hiratsuka's solitary figure stumble into the distance with a mourning look because of being reminded of her plain life by her own student.

The afternoon sun's glow pierced my eyes, prompting imaginary tears.

Is this the end of the world?

In moments like this, I reflect on the choices of men in this world and question their taste.

I mean, sure, she might be a bit impulsive, but to leave her single…

Maybe I should try to set her up on a date.

Yeah, now that I think about it, there is indeed a person who comes to mind immediately - someone who I believe deserves to walk hand in hand with this beauty.

He must still be single, right?

What am I even doubting?

Such a disgrace of a friend I am…

Of course, he is still single. He definitely should, given his track record with women.

Even then, I do think it is going to be a pretty long shot. So I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself… though the idea does appeal to me.

Combining Ms. Hiratsuka's fiery temperament with his clumsy yet honest and upright nature is going to be one hell of a duo.

I deserve praise and acknowledgment for being a model student, a good friend, or perhaps a colleague... whatever.

...I think I will soon add [Title - Matchmaker] to my [Status Bar], who helped bring two amazing people together.

…

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Coming back to the progression of [Quest].

An hour after Ms. Hiratsuka disappeared into the evening sun and became a single glittering star in the night sky - We found ourselves at Chiba station.

I asked Komachi to take Kamakura home, as it was too soon for a middle school student like her to be wandering around Chiba's busy central business district.

The time was already close to [19:30]. It was around this time that the city became bustling with nightly activity.

"So, you are saying that Kawasaki got a call from the manager of a cafe called 'Angel' something?" Yukinoshita inquired.

"Yeah." I confirmed and gave the details. "When I searched around for stores inside Chiba's central business district that are open until the early hours of the morning with 'Angel' in their names, I only came across two."

"And this is one of those places?" Yukinoshita looked suspiciously at the neon lights shining on a sign with 'Maid Café Angel' written on it.

On the side, there were even illustrations of a beckoning girl with cat ears that read - 'Welcome back, woof ♪'

'What the hell is this?' Was written all over Yukinoshita's face.

"I am embarrassed to say this, but I don't know much about Maid Cafés. What are they like?" Totsuka scrutinized the lettering on the sign over and over again, but he couldn't make sense of it.

"There is nothing wrong with not knowing a place like this, Totsuka." Said Yukinoshita skeptically.

"On the contrary, we need to doubt the true nature of those who are actually aware of this place's existence." As she spoke the last phrase, she gave me a meaningful look, as if asking - what category do you fall into?

I smell jealousy somewhere again?

"Hey, I don't know much about them either." I said it in a whining way.

…and stop accusing me for every damn thing already.

"You don't? Then how do you plan on moving forward with the mission?" Yukinoshita said it with a disappointed tone.

So, this is my fault too, huh?

She is getting sly these days, isn't she? No worries, I will get my revenge one day… Just wait and see, Yukino.

"That's why I decided to invite someone who does…" I admitted.

And just as if on cue, waiting for the perfect hero entry…

"Wah-ham!" Zaimokuza Yoshiteru burst onto the scene with a dramatic pose and imaginary spotlights behind him.

Maintaining the stance he declared boldly. "It appears that my time has finally come!"

"Ew, seriously…" Yuigahama grimaced slightly(:disgustingly).

"It was you who invited me! Why are you making that face?" Zaimokuza demanded.

I couldn't help but express my true thoughts. "I was just thinking it would be a pain to deal with you."

Zaimokuza didn't seem to take offense, instead offering a solution. "Then just follow me quietly to where we can just sit back and have maids pamper us."

With a swift tug on his coat, he waved his arms mystically, causing the fabric to ripple in the wind.

–fuuushh~

Wind...? Hm-uh, I could clearly see his coat curling up.

Wait! It was not some imaginary wind. There was a real breeze blowing around us.

Does that mean he is speaking the truth?

As if something had taken over me, my heart throbbed in anticipation of what those maids would do for me.

"They will Pamper us….." I instinctively took a step forward.

It was one small step for mankind, one giant leap for me.

–pull.

Um? But before I could take another step, someone yanked on my blazer from behind.

Confused, I turned around to see Yuigahama gazing up at me with a sullen expression on her face.

"..." She said nothing for a moment.

"What is it?" I demanded.

"I don't like this place." She kneaded my blazer incessantly with her fingertip, a mysteriously sullen expression on her face.

…damn! That expression, again…?

She continued questioning. "Besides, isn't this place where only guys go? What are we supposed to do?"

"It seems they welcome girls here too." Yukinoshita, who had been a few steps away from us this whole time, pointed towards a sign that read 'Maid Café Angel'.

Taking this as my chance to escape Yuigahama's hold, I quickly walked over to where she was pointing and examined the letters she was pointing at.

I saw it was indeed written there - Girls are welcome too! Dress up as a maid!

However, there is no need for them to enter.

I mean, I am pretty tempted to look at Yukinoshita in maid cosplay, but I prefer if it were exclusive to me.

And also, why waste time when this so-called [Plan-B] was also destined to fail to begin with…

So hardening my heart, I said. "Actually, there is no need for you to come in. I will just go by myself with Zaimokuza and check it out."

I finished. "If she is inside, I will ask her to talk after her shift ends. Not like we could have any proper conversation inside."

"Then why did you bring us along if you are going to go alone?" Yukinoshita asked as if looking at the most annoying thing.

"For company during the trip." I replied defensively. "There's no way I would take on this whole task alone."

…

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[-After Fifteen Minutes-]

{Plan C : Infiltrating Kawasaki's Working Place}

{Result : Failed(:it was doomed to begin with)}

{Reason : False information}

"Did you find anything?" Yukinoshita asked me as I walked alongside Zaimokuza into a small, 'normal' cafe.

We had just completed our detective work inside the Maid Café Angel and were now meeting up with Yuigahama, who had been waiting for us.

"Nothing. She does not appear to be in this shop." I explained, shaking my head.

"She might be just taking a day off?" Yuigahama asked.

"No." I said firmly. "Her name wasn't on the shift schedule. Considering how she received a call at her own home, we can rule out the possibility that she was using a false name."

Since it was a Maid cafe, it was pretty easy to get my hands on shift schedules, as a few customers here often visit only when particular individuals are in service.

Frankly, I would be disappointed if I found Kawasaki Saki working here. As far as I know, she is not the type to work anywhere for some petty cash.

"Well, you really did good work, Hikigaya."

"I sure did." I boastingly nodded my head.

"Hikki, this is where you should disagree and be humble." Yuigahama added.

"Don't bother Yuigahama." Yukinoshita said, wrapping up our meeting. "Let's call it off for today and meet up tomorrow in the club room after school."

"Yeah." I agreed.

It was getting considerably late, so it's better to continue tomorrow.

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[To be continued….]

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