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“It’s been a while since we’ve been properly at school, huh..? It’s good to be back.” Airi tightened her frilly apron, and proceeded to twist her hair into a puffy bun towards the back of her head.
“Yeah! Upon this work we’ve had, it seemed to drop a little which is perfect for your final culture festival! We gotta make this one count!” Minori clasped her hands together, staring into Airi and Shizuku’s eyes at once, focusing on each, reaching the awkward eye contact stage slightly.
“It is your last one, huh.. time flies by fast. I still feel like a first year.” Haruka nodded towards Minori, chucking to herself, her tightened apron flowing with her movements.
“Airi! Can you make sure my bun is okay, please..? My side bangs may not go well with food either, could you help me?” Shizuku popped her head out, revealing a slightly loose bun which awkwardly bobbled side to side.
“Shizuku! You can’t go out with that hair..! We should still have time.. Minori, Haruka, could you prepare for us really quick?!” Airi rushed over towards Shizuku, gesturing for the two girls to unfold the tables and chairs.
…
“I’m pretty good with hair most days, I think the nerves may be getting to me. Thank you, Airi. You help me so much.” Shizuku blushed, seated on a plastic chair towards the bathroom mirrors revealing a frantically looking Airi.
“Eh? No worries, no worries! Could I use a bobby pin to connect your bangs to the rest of your bun? It’s not like your typical hairdo, but we can’t exactly risk hair getting into the food..” Airi bent to pick up one of her bobby pins stored in a plastic bag, not waiting for an answer.
“..Are you going to miss these festivals, Airi..?” Shizuku flushed a slightly more redder pink as Airi’s warm fingertips rubbed against her forehead, contrasting her naturally cooler skin.
“I- of course I will..! I love spending time here! I love spending time with you here! We need to make this count, okay? Like Minori said.” Airi paused, staring into Shizuku’s eyes through the mirror sternly.
“..There! All done, do you like how you look?” Airi placed her arms towards her hips, smiling proudly at her exquisite hair work.
“I love everything that you do for me Airi, and this is no different.” Shizuku sat up, directly staring at Airi, dusting her apron. “Let’s do this together..!”
…
“Okay..! MORE MORE CAFE officially commences! Let the customers run through!” Minori dramatically switched their door sign from closed to open.
“Just to recap, for the time being, Minori and I will take our starting break for 30 minutes, while you start up shop, then we’ll take over and swap. Let us know if things get busy.” Haruka patted Minori on the back, giving the two girls a thumbs up. “Do your best!”
“You got this!” Minori cheered, flushing pink towards Harukas physical touch. As the two exited the classroom, it left Shizuku and Airi awkwardly awaiting their first customer.
“I hope the flyers worked. We are stationed pretty far back, but that may be a good thing, considering our fans..” Shizuku peeked her head out of the door, looking left and right for anyone walking towards their classroom.
“Don’t worry about customers right now! I’ll ice more cupcakes, and you can help do drinks until someone comes, okay?” Airi tugged her back in, clasping her hands into Shizuku’s.
“Okay..!”
…
Their small bell rung as a signal of their first customer. “Welcome in to the MORE MORE CAFE, where we- wait, Asahina..! Hello!” Shizuku began their pre rehearsed greeting, before being slightly startled by Mafuyu.
“Ehehe, this classroom smells like sweets. You guys have done an amazing job. Hm.. while I’m here, could I get a glass of lemonade, please?” Mafuyu smiled, pulling out a chair and folding her hands into her lap.
“You got it!” Airi returned a favourable smile, placing a glass on the table, which was decorated with a vibrant green with an embroidered clover towards the top. “It’ll only be around 200 yen, but try it first! We added honey, so it may not taste good for some..”
“It tastes amazing, don’t worry.” Mafuyu took a long sip, before pulling out her wallet to find the money. “Hmm, while I’m at it, I may try one of your cupcakes. Do you perhaps have vanilla?”
“We sure do, Asahina. Though, that’ll be an extra 300 yen. Whenever you’re ready.” Shizuku manoeuvred towards their makeshift counter which were yet again, more foldable tables, where Airi slid her the desired cupcake, which had been frosted with a delicate little cat in a fitting dusty purple.
…
It had been around 15 minutes and Mafuyu’s entrance had started an effect towards their peers, rushing to do the same.
“…Coming right up..! It’ll be a minute, okay?!” Airi sighed, icing a cupcake frantically, restarting each time her hand quivered. “God, I can’t get this right! Sorry..!”
“Eh? I’ll help you, Airi! Could you guys care to find your own seats or wait for me? Thank you~” Shizuku glanced over at Airi, her eyebrows furrowing before apologising with a small bow to their customers.
“Ah, thank you, Shizuku!” Airi shuffled over to her left gratefully, making just enough room for Shizuku to enter.
“I’m sure you have steadier hands than I do, so here, I’ll show you how to grip the bag.. let’s see..” Airi squeezed Shizuku’s vacant hand assuringly from underneath the counter, giving her a relaxed smile.
“I see! Thank you, Airi. I can do these for a while. Order 9, coming right up~” Shizuku let go of Airi’s hand, raising the platter which held a chocolate cupcake and a glass of water elegantly as she served it to their customers.
Airi’s heart stuttered slightly at Shizuku’s poised movements, before regaining her composure and leading yet another customer in. “W-welcome to the MORE MORE CAFE!! What can I get for you?”
…
Minori and Haruka chattered their heads as they walked back into their dedicated classroom. “Busy, huh..? Don’t worry, we can handle this, right Minori?” Haruka observed the lively classroom, filled with around 12 customers crammed into a small dining area.
“Eh? We can! But there’s a really good food stall- and there was a stall that sold tofu skin, Shizuku! You gotta try that..! Oh, but first make sure to enjoy your break of course! Ehehe..” Minori excitedly rushed over towards Shizuku, pointing outside.
“Thanks, guys. I tried to keep the kitchen as clean as possible, but I’m sure icing was smeared where icing shouldn’t be going.. See you in 30..!” Airi tugged Shizuku’s sleeve as the two exited their classroom into the cool and quieter outdoor setting.
…
“This looks so delicious, you have to remind me to thank Minori for telling us about this stall~ She always cares about us, I hope she had things she enjoyed..” Shizuku had a gleeful smile on her face as she slowly nibbled at her tofu skin.
“I even got to see Shii~! She looked so cute today in her class shirt..! Her and Kohane’s stall looked so pretty, they worked so hard!” Shizuku added on, her cheeks puffing with a slight pink.
“Always about Shiho, huh..? But anyway, did you wanna go for a walk?” Airi tugged her mask to reach the tip of her nose, and then proceeded to tilt her sunglasses slightly lower onto her eyes, fitting her nose. Their fans, especially Shizuku and Airi’s could be and were quite feral, and Airi was sure being at their academy would simply mean no different.
“Oh, sure, but is there anywhere you would like to go, Airi..? We’ve mainly been going to the stalls I asked to go to.” Shizuku similarly matched Airi’s movements, her darkened sunglasses fading her nervous expression towards Airi.
“I mean, I’m happy with whatever you’re happy with. Maybe the rooftop, for old times sake..? I don’t think anyone will be there.” Airi pondered, taking a moment to look at her watch. It was 6:39pm. signalling twenty-on more minutes until they had to get back. “The time goes really fast, huh..?”
“Let’s go there then! I think the rooftop will be fun~” Shizuku agreed with no hesitation, making sure Airi was happy too. Nothing quite caught Airi’s eye at the stalls, which tugged a string at her heart. If nothing made Airi happy, she may have to step up to make her happy herself.
…
“The sunsets so beautiful today. It sucks how we can’t see it very well, i’d rather not go blind.” Airi flattened her skirt as she rested onto the rooftops cold concrete, reminiscing of the times they practiced high and low.
“It really is. You acted beautifully amazing too, Airi.” You took hard and determined leadership at the MORE MORE CAFE. I didn’t know how to help, but you took the lead and guided me through.. thank you, Airi..!” Shizuku smiled, sitting next to Airi, shuffling closer by the second.
“Hey, hey.. no need to flirt with me, after all it was no big deal. I enjoyed it too, and you helped me when my hands were giving out. The customer flow was improving a lot thanks to that and people were happy. So, thank you Shizuku.” Airi’s pink cheeks involuntarily deepened into a shade of red, before quickly bringing her mask up to her mouth yet again.
“Everything I said was true, Airi. I love being around you, I love you.” Shizuku similarly blushed, but instead of reacting and pulling up her mask similarly, she continued to lower it, gesturing for Airi to do the same.
“I love you too, Shizuku. You also know that.” Airi matched the gesture, pulling Shizuku closer as fireworks displayed with blue, pink, green and orange were set off.
…
“Aaaaargh! It’s been ages! It’s.. let’s see, 7:05! They’re super late, Haruka..!” Minori sobbed silently, before placing her practiced facade back onto their fellow customers. “Ah, welcome to MORE MORE CAFE..! What can I get for you..?!”
“I’m sure they’ll come soon..” Haruka glanced at their clock, nervously awaiting the next minute of Shizuku and Airi’s lack of entry. “If you’re tired, I could probably take over the kitchen for a while.”
“Ah, thank you, Haruka..” Minori tiredly waved towards their newest customer, guiding them to their only empty seats. “What could I get for you today? We’re nearly out on food, so you’ll just have to get a drink, sorry..!”
“I don’t exactly need anything, sorry Minori. Just wondering, have you seen Shizuku anywhere?” Shiho lifted her head up, which had officially revealed what Minori may call ‘Shihos secret identity!!!’ But Minori was truly just tired and Shiho looked too blurry ‘to be Shiho.’
“Ehhh?! Shiho! I didn’t see you there! But, to answer your question.. she’s late! Airi and Shizuku are laaaaaate..!” Minori cried into Shihos shoulder, staring at her pleadingly. “Could you pretty please find them.. I’ll get you something on the house! Promise!”
“Finding them would be a great help. They were meant to be back, now around 10 minutes ago..? What shenanigans could they possibly be up to..” Haruka sighed, checking the clock compulsively.
“Any ideas then? I’m on break myself, you know. I can’t be too long or Kohane will think I’ve also abandoned her.” Shiho got back up, and dusted herself before hesitating near their door for an answer.
“The rooftop, maybe?!” Haruka and Minori chimed in union, before Haruka added alongside, “They’ve been saying they wanted to relax there for a while to reminisce. Good luck, Hinomori.”
“I’ll be back soon.” Shiho called out, before muttering to herself, “My god, I came here looking for her and now I’m doing this heavy lifting..”
…
Shiho only ever used the rooftop from her middle school days, which, from her own words ‘Weren’t exactly very fun’, so her brain had primarily blocked out the memorisation of the path there. It was pretty awkward, and felt like a waste of time. After all, she only really needed Shizuku because she left pretty abruptly and Shiho was worried she got a little too lost.
“Ah, the staircase. Finally.” Shiho yawned to herself, taking all the time in the world traversing up the stairs. “I swear, if they’re that late for even Kiritani to be this worried, it’s gotta be something important..”
creeeeeak…
Airi’s hands were pressed against Shizuku’s cheeks, meanwhile Shizuku had her arms draped around Airi’s shoulders, resting right over Airi’s tailbone, with her fingers scrunching Airi’s shirt. The two girls swayed from side to side, going to topple over one another at any given second.
Every couple of seconds, they stopped for air and released their pressed lips, before continuing for an even longer stretch, before repeating their entire process. Shiho swore she could hear them say each other’s names muffled, but she had already attempted to block this entire memory.
“A-ahem..” Shihos cheeks flushed a vibrant pink as she attempted to make her presence known.
“Hello Shii~!” Shizuku cheered, clinging to Airi even tighter, which wasn’t fitting for Airi’s desperate movements.
“..?! Shiho?! It’s not what it looks like, I swear! We were just- I was just!” Airi scrambled off of Shizuku’s tight grip, trying to contain her composure. “You’re just seeing things, these fireworks, can do things to mess up people’s vision, you know..! It probably did for you-“
“Nevermind.” Shiho cut Airi off, before closing the rooftop door with much more force than what was needed.
…
“So, did you find them, Hinomori? Were they at the rooftop?” Haruka took a slight bow at Shihos return to the MORE MORE CAFE.
“They had to be there, right? You didn’t take very long!” Minori’s head peeped up from the counter behind Haruka, seemingly relieved to see Shiho again.
“..Yeah, they’ll be back in a second.”