Chapter 172: Weekend Plans
"We-welcome!"
As the door to the café swung open, a slightly nervous yet pleasant voice rang out, carrying both formality and a hint of sweetness that made a few customers glance up.
Although the manager had told her not to be nervous and just act naturally, it was Vigne's very first day at work, and she was determined to give it her all. She had spent an hour that morning rehearsing greetings in front of the mirror, practicing how to smile and bow just right. At that moment, she stood straight, posture perfect, bowing earnestly and keeping her voice steady.
Then…
A familiar silly laugh suddenly burst out, shattering her calm composure.
"Ahahaha, Vigne, we're here!"
"Eh?" Vigne looked up in surprise, her expression freezing mid-greeting. "W-why are you here?"
Satania crossed her arms proudly, her red hair swaying as she spoke. "Of course we came to see you in a maid outfit… wait, what, it's not a maid outfit?! No wonder business here looks so bad!"
Not far away, the manager stiffened, a bead of cold sweat running down his temple.
'Thank you so much for pointing out our shop's shortcomings so bluntly.'
Vigne's uniform was a neatly tailored black-and-white outfit that looked quite formal, complete with an apron tied neatly around her waist. While not as cute or frilly as a maid costume, it gave her a calm, professional beauty that fit her personality perfectly. Her long hair was tied back, a few strands brushing her cheeks whenever she moved.
"That uniform really suits you," Raphiel said with a teasing smile, giving her a thumbs-up. Then, with a sparkle in her eye, she somehow produced her phone and began snapping photos like a paparazzi. Click, click, click.
"Um, photos aren't allowed inside the café…" the sweating manager quickly interjected, voice trembling.
"Oh, I forgot!" Raphiel tilted her head with an innocent smile, lightly tapping her fist against her head in mock apology. She then clasped her hands together, eyes shimmering as she looked up. "You won't be mad at me, right?"
The manager sighed deeply. "No, just be careful next time."
"Sorry! It won't happen again."
'At least delete the photos if you're apologizing!'
"Vigne, why did you suddenly decide to work part-time?" Satania asked curiously, leaning over the table.
Vigne straightened her back and replied seriously, "I'm working right now, so please don't talk to me. You came for coffee, right? This way, please."
"But we came to see you~" Satania said in a sing-song tone.
Vigne's face twitched.
'What do you think this is, a zoo?!'
'I'm not something to be watched!'
…
The café wasn't busy. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the faint, soothing melody of Scottish bagpipes playing from hidden speakers. Sunlight poured in through the window, scattering golden light across the tables.
The group picked a quiet corner and sat down.
Vigne picked up the menu and asked in her best professional tone, "What would you like to drink today?"
From the counter, the manager watched her with satisfaction—she was polite, focused, and earnest. A model employee.
The next moment, his proud smile froze solid.
The silver-haired girl raised a finger. "I'll have a wasabi-flavored coffee."
Vigne blinked. "I'm sorry, we don't serve that."
"Then a matcha coffee?"
"Sorry, we don't have that either."
Satania immediately chimed in. "Vigne! I want a pineapple bun! A pineapple bun!"
Vigne's eyebrow twitched. "This is a café. We don't sell bread."
"But I really want one!" Satania puffed her cheeks like a child.
Takanashi Rikka lifted her hand with a sparkle in her eye. "Vigne, I want cola~"
Smack!
Vigne slapped the menu onto the table, her smile darkening. "If you're not going to order coffee, then don't order anything."
The three immediately straightened their backs, shivering.
"Eep! Vigne's scary!"
…
They stayed for about an hour, chatting, laughing, and occasionally earning suspicious glances from the few other customers. When they finally left, the café was peaceful again—except for the exhausted sigh of its newest part-timer.
By the time they returned to the apartment complex, the sky was dimming, soft streaks of orange and pink brushing the clouds.
Kouya looked up, sensing something, and spotted Menma leaning over the balcony railing, waving enthusiastically with both hands. Her pale hair caught the evening glow, almost shimmering.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside. Immediately, a bright, jelly-soft voice greeted him: "Welcome home, Kouya-sama!"
"Mm." Kouya nodded, changing his shoes and stepping into the room.
"Kouya-sama, was school okay today? Did anything fun happen?"
"Mm."
"Those two girls from earlier, are they your friends? They looked so cute!" Menma leaned closer, curious.
"Mm."
"Oh, oh! This morning, a sparrow landed on the balcony! I wanted to play with it, but as soon as I got close, it flew away! So frustrating!"
Even though Kouya only replied with short, uninterested grunts, Menma continued chattering happily, her excitement never fading.
She told him about the sparrow that had stopped by the balcony, the cats lounging on the grass below, the children playing tag near the gate, and even a gecko that had climbed across the window.
Her voice was gentle and warm, filling the room like sunlight.
"Kouya-sama…" Menma hesitated, raising her face. Her hands clasped together at her chest, and her wide blue eyes shimmered with a soft glow. "Tomorrow's the weekend—will you be staying home?"
"Why?" Kouya asked calmly.
"No reason… just wondering…" she said softly, her tone almost fragile.
'Even ghosts can feel lonely, huh?'
"I'll probably be home."
Menma's face instantly lit up, her joy blooming like a flower. "Yay~ Thank you, Kouya-sama!"
Kouya glanced at her but didn't reply, simply taking out the bento he had bought on the way home. He opened the lid and began eating quietly.
Menma rested her chin on her hands, elbows on the table, watching him intently with childlike wonder.
The half cookie she once ate had been made from spiritual fruit, filled with aura, allowing her to taste it. Normal food, though, passed through her like mist.
Kouya sighed faintly and turned on the TV. "Go watch something."
Menma's eyes lit up instantly. "Okay, okay! I wanted to earlier, but I couldn't turn it on!" She floated over, trying to hold the remote—but her hand passed right through it. After a few attempts, she pouted and sat cross-legged in front of the TV, pretending to press buttons. "Let's watch anime! Anime!"
…
Around eight in the evening, Kouya was sitting on the couch, playing a game. The room was dim, the TV flickering light across his face, when his phone suddenly rang.
He looked down. The caller was Vigne.
Kouya picked up. "That folded-ear cat ran away again?"
"No! Big Meow's been good!" Vigne protested, her voice slightly sulky. "I just finished my shift and I'm walking home… by the way, do you have plans on Sunday?"
"Not really. Why?"
"If not, come with me somewhere."
"Where to?" Kouya asked curiously, leaning back.
"Well… the supermarket nearby is having a big sale on vegetables and pork…"
'So your true nature really is that of a frugal housewife, huh? Did you call just to remind me to go bargain-hunting?'
"I—I said that wrong!" Vigne's flustered voice echoed through the speaker. "Forget what I just said!"
Even through the phone, he could picture her biting her lip, face red, eyes darting away in embarrassment.
"Actually, I need your help carrying some things. The school sports festival is next week, and Machiko-chan asked me to help buy supplies. You're part of the class too, so it's not too much to ask, right?"
Kouya could almost hear her trying to sound casual.
"Sunday morning, we'll meet at the new mall. Don't forget!"
The call ended with a quick click before he could respond.
…
Saturday came quickly.
Kouya had barely gotten out of bed when his phone began to ring again.
"Kouya-kun, when will you be here?" The shrine maiden's calm, soothing voice was like the rustle of leaves under a summer breeze.
Only then did Kouya remember—on Wednesday, while baking cookies together, he had promised to visit her shrine today.
"Mm…" he murmured lazily, rubbing his eyes.
He turned his head toward Menma, who floated near the window, tracing little patterns on the glass.
Her smile faltered slightly but returned almost immediately. She tilted her head and said softly, "It's okay, Kouya-sama. Go visit her. I'll look after the house."
'Who asked you to look after the house? You can't even pick up a pen—if a thief came in, you couldn't do anything!'
Kouya paused for a few seconds, then said, "Come with me."