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"Konnichiwa, Azusa-san.” Ran’s jolly voice greeted the brown-haired waitress whose hands were occupied by several dirty dishes.
“Ran-san, Sonoko-san, konnichiwa”, replied her, beaming.
“It’s been raining hard all day. Huft…” Sonoko grunted, then took a seat near the café window.
“Mou, Sonoko, stop complaining”, Ran scolded her best friend while folding her fully-soaked umbrella.
“Huft!” The bandana girl buried her face on the table.
The waitress giggled as she saw Sonoko’s childish behavior. “Shikatanai ne. There are not many customers today because of the heavy rain”, said her, sighing.
“Anyways, where is Amuro-san? He’s not around.” Ran looked around the small café but couldn’t find the familiar waiter.
“Ah, Amuro-san doesn’t have a shift today”, replied the waitress, scratching her cheek with her dainty index finger.
“It must be boring, right, Azusa-san?” The moody girl suddenly lifted her head, propping her chin with both hands.
“Yea- Yes-, I guess?” The waitress stumbled between her words, a pinkish blush was apparent on her cheeks.
“Sonoko!” Ran fidgetly warned her best friend.
“Jōdan! You ain’t fun, Ran.” Ran only pouted at her.
Azusa chuckled nervously then asked, “So, what are you going to have, Ran-san, Sonoko-san?”
“A cup of hot chocolate and a chocolate muffin”, replied Ran almost immediately.
“Umm… Then I order the same hehehe.” A grin on her face.
“Noted. Please wait for your orders.” Azusa then excused herself to the kitchen counter.
While waiting, Sonoko quietly observed the waitress who was preparing their orders.
“Uh? Strange.” She made a vague comment.
Ran frowned, asking the bandana girl what was strange.
“You see the baggy sweater that Azusa-san is wearing?” Asked her while whispering to Ran.
“Yes. What’s with that?” Ran tilted her head, curious.
“Isn’t it too big, too oversized? And in my opinion, the color is masculine.” Sonoko kept her voice low.
“I wonder-”, Ran was puzzled. “But isn’t it a trend; people put on baggy clothes?” She muttered back to her friend.
“Tsk, I know it’s common nowadays, but… it’s too big for Azusa-san no matter how you look at it. And the color; it’s navy. Azusa-san usually wears something with a more feminine color.” Sonoko didn’t give up her opinion.
“Now that you mention it, I agree, but-”, she paused then continued, “-probably she changed her color preference?” Ran shrugged her shoulders.
Sonoko facepalmed then said, “I bet the sweater isn’t hers. It highly likely belongs to a man.” She snapped her fingers, looking confident.
“If so, who do you think is the real owner of the sweater?” Ran eyed her friend.
“Hmmm...it's probably… Amuro-san’s?!” Sonoko shouted the last word, making the waitress throw a baffled look at them.
“Ssstt! Sonoko, you’re too loud”, Ran warned her overenthusiastic friend.
“Oops, sorry”, she responded, lowering her head. “I’m sure it belongs to Amuro-san.” Sonoko whispered to Ran.
“I’m not sure. It’s probably Azusa-san’s big brother’s sweater.” Ran shrugged her shoulders.
A brief moment later, Azusa brought the orders to their table. “Please enjoy, Ran-san, Sonoko-san.”
“Thank you, Azusa-san”, replied Ran.
“Thank you, Azusa-san”, replied Sonoko, too.
clang clang . The metal doorbell rang, signaling them about someone else's presence.
“Amuro-san?! Why do you come?” The waitress couldn’t restrain herself from sounding surprised.
“Azusa-san.” He smiled cheerily. “I think of having a cup of hot coffee here before going home”, answered him. He then noticed Ran and Sonoko were also there. “Ran-san, Sonoko-san, doumo.” Ran and Sonoko only smiled and nodded their heads.
“I’ll make you coffee. Please wait.” Azusa went back to the kitchen counter. “Anyways, Amuro-san-”, she turned to the waiter then continued, “-thank you for lending me this sweater. I’d probably catch a cold by now if you hadn't offered me to borrow it.” She smiled genuinely at Amuro, expressing her pure gratitude.
“Don’t mention it, Azusa-san.” He shook his head then smiled warmly at the waitress. “I’m happy if it’s helpful.”
At that revelation, both Ran’s and Sonoko’s eyeballs almost jumped out of their eye sockets.
Ran gulped, her face was crimson red. She wasn’t sure why she got embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Sonoko was smirking, sending her friend a “ I told you ” look. Ran only stared at her unblinkingly.
END