Chapter 302

Chapter Thirty-Three Will Ash Want to Apologize?

“Manager.”

“Hmm, what is it, Lily?”

Upon hearing the call from her darling employee, Ash closed his “Kamen Rider 913” manga, turning his gaze toward Lily, who had just finished cleaning the cafe.

Putting down her broom, Lily pointed at the area around her nose.

“Manager, here…”

“Oh.”

As he touched his nose, a sharp pain surged through, the tissue stuffed in his nostril showing the color of fresh blood.

Not only was his nose affected, but his jaw was also creaking and grating. His teeth nearly came loose too.

“Manager, I only rested for a week, how did you end up like this? Don’t tell me it’s because of another fall in the toilet.”

“I’m happy that you care about me.” Preparing himself a cup of coffee, Ash stirred the suspiciously black liquid with a silver spoon, which was still fizzing.

You’ve stated the excuse I was going to use; what else can I say?

“It’s because of a woman.”

The softness of that touch shouldn’t be faked, so it must have been a woman… I didn’t even recognize her at first, what a shame.

“Woman…”

At Lily’s response, she fell silent for a moment. As a woman, her keen intuition began to speculate wildly.

Does the manager mean he was hit by a woman? Could it be… because of some kind of revenge for playing with someone’s feelings? Is the manager actually the type to flirt with many women?

As she remembered the domestic soap operas she watched while accompanying her mother during her break, a sense of discomfort grew in Lily.

So this is the result of the manager hurting someone?

“Is this what happens when the manager harms someone?”

“Hey hey, why does it default to being my fault?!” Ash was getting a bit flustered now. What’s going on? Why do you feel more and more sinister, Lily? Return to the composed beauty I knew when you first arrived!

“But what you said, I can’t refute. She did look quite hurt.”

That girl yesterday really laid into him with that heartfelt punch, almost not allowing him to get up; but it couldn’t be that bad, right? He has touched others in similar situations before, but they didn’t react so strongly.

“So, the manager also has hidden sides.” Hearing Ash’s reply, Lily pushed her newly bought glasses a little, sending a hint of light in his direction. “Then, did you apologize properly?”

“Don’t mock me, Lily, and apologies are also somewhat uncomfortable…”

To be honest, making me apologize to someone… It’s frustrating! Even if I’m wrong, it’s still frustrating! Although I promise not to throw tantrums like before, I’m still frustrated no matter how much I think about it!

“Even if I apologize, it’s pointless if they don’t forgive me.”

Just like last time, that purple one didn’t forgive me either. Since that’s the case, why bother apologizing?

“If there’s no sincerity, the person will definitely not accept it, right?”

Lily enlightened Ash, who drained his nearly cold, extremely bitter coffee, starting to ponder earnestly about the possibility of things working out. After all, the other party was the new person he had discovered, and building a good relationship with them is indeed necessary.

“Good morning, Manager! My friend Erika and I want to take today off to visit our classmates…”

“What?!”

Just then, the wind chime at the door tinkled again, and the visitors were none other than Erika and Rei. Talk about hitting the nail on the head; they walked in and immediately seemed to sense hostile eyes fixed on them.

“Rei, Erika, you’re just in time!”

“You girls know better. Generally speaking, what would girls usually like?”

—Cut Scene for Mitsumiya Ryu Dojo—

What Ash didn’t know was that the friends’ homes where Erika and Rei were going were none other than Mitsumiya Goki, whom they had met recently. In a way, their goals coincided.

“Take your time talking.”

After serving the two young guests snacks, seeing her daughter, who had been gloomy and distracted since earlier, finally smiling, her mother could rest assured and gave space for the girls.

“Mitsumiya’s mom is really kind.”

“Yes, don’t be shy, please enjoy your meal.”

During this leisurely day off, the girls held a small tea gathering, enjoying snacks and tea, chatting about school and beyond, laughing heartily. Uplifted by her friends, Mitsumiya temporarily forgot the “lecherous hand” incident that occurred that day.

“Wow, Erika and Rei are even working part-time at the cafe?” Mitsumiya blinked upon hearing them explain. “You’re really hardworking.”

“Well, we do call it ‘working’, but the manager doesn’t pay us a salary, so we’re just helping out…” With a resentful tone, Erika slumped on the table, chewing messily with a spoon in her mouth.

Sure, having unlimited access to delicious desserts is great, and the manager, despite being a guy, cooks better than Mom’s dishes.

Erika halted her chewing, vaguely sensing something unsettling.

Why am I subconsciously comparing them? Could it be that the manager has spoiled my taste buds?!

“If you’re just helping out, you’re doing an amazing job. I should introduce you next time.”

“The manager would be thrilled if Mitsumiya comes over, but saying that—”

After some internal deliberation, Rei decided to warn Mitsumiya about it. “But, Mitsumiya, you should absolutely avoid ordering coffee over there! You’ll regret it!”

Huh?

Mitsumiya froze, puzzled. Doesn’t going to a cafe mean having coffee?

“Mm… Come to think of it, this is your room, Mitsumiya?”

Lying face down on the table, Erika surveyed the room, observing the sparse and boring arrangement. With a fashion sense, Erika couldn’t help but comment.

“This room gives a rustic feel, well-maintained indeed… but is there nothing cuter?”

Apart from a futon and a bed, only a desk with study materials and a small bookshelf were present, lacking a warm atmosphere unbecoming of a girl’s room.

This is your room after all, Mitsumiya! It’s too plain, devoid of a feminine charm!

“…cute,”

From a drawer, Mitsumiya pulled out a doll, her eyes filled with sadness.

“Though I don’t want to give up, these do indeed hinder my training.”

‘Do you truly like the martial arts you practice?’

For some reason, feeling genuine regret, Mitsumiya was reminded of those words that man said to her. Shaking her head vigorously to refocus.

No, that person is bad! I cannot trust him easily!

Yet…

Gazing down at the toy in her hands, despite denying it, she secretly felt her resolve shaken by Ash’s words.

What do I truly love…?