Chapter 157
Seeing Kosaka Honoka and Sonoda Umi staring intently at her, Minami Kotori realized she truly didn't have it in her to utter a word of rejection.
The Ayayi Morning restaurant... wasn't that the very place where she worked her part-time job?
Mineo-oniichan, of all the countless restaurants in Akihabara, why did you have to pick this specific one!
The moment the thought flashed through her mind—the fact that her secret life working at a Maid Cafe in a frilly uniform might be exposed today—an indescribable wave of embarrassment and tension washed over her.
Biting her thin lower lip softly, Kotori extended a fair, slender index finger in one direction and spoke in a tiny, hushed voice.
"The Ayayi Morning restaurant is over that way. I'll... I'll guide you there."
"Alright! Let's head over right now!"
After walking for about seven or eight minutes, Honoka and the others arrived in front of the Ayayi Morning storefront.
The moment they laid eyes on the place, Honoka and Umi's minds were instantly flooded with sheer shock.
The meeting spot Mineo-oniichan chose was actually a Maid Cafe? Does Mineo-oniichan actually like this kind of atmosphere?
Watching the cute maids in their adorable uniforms bustling about inside the shop, their skirts fluttering with every step, Umi's voice began to tremble slightly.
"Could there be some kind of mistake?"
"There's no way Mineo-oniichan would choose a place like this."
"Honoka, do you want to double-check the message?"
Honoka pulled up her phone screen again.
"There's no mistake, the location is definitely here."
"Unless there's a second restaurant in Akihabara named Ayayi Morning, this has to be the place."
"Let's go inside together and make sure. If it's a mistake, I'll just call and ask."
With a burst of her trademark energy, Honoka led the way and stepped into the Maid Cafe. Umi and Kotori followed close behind, their expressions tight with nerves.
"Welcome!"
Seeing customers enter, a beautiful maid quickly approached them.
"A party of three... eh..."
The maid's words trailed off the moment she spotted Kotori standing behind Honoka, her head tucked down low like a bashful ostrich.
"Kotori... why are you here today—"
Before the girl could finish her sentence, Kotori shot her a lightning-fast look, her eyes pleading. The clever maid instantly caught the hint and bit back the rest of her words.
However, Umi, whose hearing was exceptionally sharp, had caught the slip. She turned to Kotori with a questioning gaze.
"Kotori, do you know this onee-san?"
"I..."
Kotori felt her heart racing, but the maid stepped in with a smooth smile.
"I do know Minami-san, but this isn't really the place for a long chat. Are you three here to dine with us today?"
"Maid-oneesan, we're actually looking for someone. Table number 6—was it reserved by someone named Takamine Mineo?"
"Table 6? Takamine Mineo?"
"Wait, are you three here to see our Owner?"
"THE OWNER!!??"
Hearing the maid's words, Honoka, Umi, and Kotori all cried out in unison, their voices echoing in shock.
"That can't be right, can it? Maid-oneesan, are you sure you didn't get it wrong!?"
"Mineo-oniichan is the owner of this shop?"
Realizing she might have said too much, the maid quickly pivoted the conversation.
"Our owner is currently waiting at table number 6. It must be you three!"
"I'll show you to your seats. Once you meet him, you can ask him anything you like directly."
Under the maid's guidance, Honoka and the others walked toward table number 6.
There, they saw a handsome young man dressed in casual clothes, leaning back against a plush sofa while seriously reading a newspaper.
In front of him sat a cup of tea, steam still curling lazily into the air.
Even though Honoka had been in such a rush earlier, now that the moment to officially meet Mineo had arrived, her heart began to hammer against her ribs.
If even the outgoing Honoka felt this way, Umi and Kotori were even worse off.
Umi in particular found herself gripping her skirt so hard her knuckles turned white.
Kotori clenched her small fists, her face flushed with a mix of bashfulness and nerves as her bright, beautiful eyes stole shy glances at Mineo.
Mineo had already sensed their presence. At that moment, he set down the newspaper and stood up from his seat.
"Honoka, Kotori, and Umi as well!"
"It's a real pleasure to meet you all."
"In my head, I'd imagined you three to be incredibly cute and beautiful girls, but meeting you officially today, I've realized your cuteness exceeds my imagination several times over!"
"Mineo-oniichan, hello... hello!"
"I... I'm Honoka."
"I... I am Umi."
"I... I'm Kotori."
The three girls greeted him with shy, fluttering hearts. Mineo flashed them a warm smile and motioned for them to sit.
"Don't be so nervous, we're all old friends."
"Even though this is our first time meeting in real life, I feel like we should be able to get along just as naturally as we do online."
Mineo slid the menus on the table toward them.
"Here are the menus. Please, order whatever drinks or food you'd like."
"If I don't treat you properly and make sure you're happy, I'll feel quite guilty."
Truth be told, the girls were already very close to Mineo. Once the initial shock of the face-to-face meeting passed, the tension began to melt away.
After chatting for a bit, everyone soon returned to that effortless rapport they shared during their online chats.
After ordering a glass of juice for herself, Honoka looked at Mineo with sparkling curiosity.
"Mineo-oniichan! I heard the maid-oneesan say that you're the owner of this restaurant?"
"But didn't you just arrive from abroad, Onii-chan?"
"How did you become the owner..."
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