Chapter 178: The Customer Who Confessed
It was the morning of February 11th. The sun had just barely crept over the skyline, and the smell of instant coffee still lingered in the kitchen.
I had been rolling around in bed for a good fifteen minutes, half-asleep, before deciding to just get up already. There was something I really wanted to tell Keiko, and I knew if I waited too long, she’d be gone for work.
She was sitting on the couch, sipping her morning coffee and scrolling through her phone when I shuffled over. “Keiko…” I said carefully.
“Uhmm?” She tilted her head, eyes still half on her screen.
“I want to tell you about this customer named Natsuki.”
Keiko blinked once, then set her phone down, curious. “Alright, what about him?”
I scratched my head awkwardly. “It’s a bit ridiculous and awkward at first,” I warned. “Promise me first you won’t laugh.”
Keiko frowned a little. “Eh, but why? That already sounds like something funny.”
“Just promise me…” I said again, dead serious.
“Okay, okay, I promise,” she said with a small smile, though the corners of her mouth were already twitching like she was ready to burst.
“So…” I began, trying to sound casual. “He said he was a regular at the bar, but I didn’t really notice him before.”
Keiko smirked. “Oh, you’re feeling bad because you didn’t remember him? You should do better as the manager now, you know.”
I rolled my eyes. “No, that’s not what I wanted to tell you! I mean—yeah, that part I do need to fix, but anyway…” I took a deep breath. “He confessed to me!”
Keiko froze. Then blinked. Then—burst out laughing so hard she nearly spilled her coffee. “W–wait, what? Seriously? It didn’t just you being too confident again?”
“I’m not!” I protested, pouting. “Really! He just suddenly said, ‘I love you!’ out of nowhere!”
Keiko was wheezing now, tears forming at the corner of her eyes. “Oh my god, you’re serious. What kind of taste does this guy have—he fell for you?”
I crossed my arms. “I should’ve accepted his love, huh?” I said teasingly, trying to get back at her.
Keiko stopped laughing immediately. She gave me that sharp gaze that could cut through steel. “Don’t. You. Dare.”
I gulped. “Whoa, are you jealous even with a guy?”
She huffed and crossed her arms. “Well, who knows, maybe you’re into them too now.”
“I’m not!” I defended quickly. “Don’t worry. If anyone here’s into the same gender, it’s you…”
Keiko’s face went red instantly. “W–well, that’s because of you!” she snapped, turning away.
I chuckled softly. “Really?”
She nodded shyly, mumbling, “Well… yeah.” Then she caught herself and changed the subject so fast it almost gave me whiplash. “Anyway, back to the topic! What did you say to him after he confessed?”
“I told him I like girls.” I blushed. Saying that out loud still sounded so ridiculous considering I currently looked like one.
Keiko burst into laughter again, almost choking this time. “Ryusei, you’re insane!”
“Hey, I just wanted to end it quickly so he wouldn’t get the wrong idea!” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
“He actually took it really well though. He seems like a nice guy—kind of chaotic, a little too energetic, but harmless. I even thought about asking him to help us with Riku… maybe by befriending him, getting him drunk or something. But I decided against it for now. Too risky.”
Keiko’s laughter faded. “We don’t even know this guy well, Ryusei. Why would you involve him?”
“I know, I know,” I sighed. “That’s why I didn’t go through with it. But… he gives off good vibes, you know? Reminds me of Junpei—loud, a bit of chaotic, but good-hearted.”
Keiko smirked. “Oh no. Don’t tell me you’re collecting another sidekick.”
“Too late,” I said with a grin. “Besides, I might play cupid for him and Miko.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait, what?! You’re already setting him up? You work fast, huh. Maybe you missed your calling—should’ve opened a matchmaking agency instead of running a bar.”
I burst out laughing. “Hey, think about it! Junpei and Ruka, now maybe Natsuki and Miko. I could be the ‘Love Consultant Ryuko.’ Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
Keiko snorted. “Yeah, right. You’d probably charge people a beer for every consultation.”
“That’s not a bad deal,” I said. “Everyone leaves happy and tipsy.”
We both laughed, the sound echoing softly through the small apartment. Moments like this—light, funny, stupid—made me forget about the heavy stuff for a bit.
Then Keiko’s tone softened. “You need to be careful, remember? Don’t act too careless. You always have this habit of jumping headfirst into things.”
“I know, I know,” I said. “I just… I want answers, Keiko. But maybe I do need to take it slower this time.”
She smiled gently. “If everything’s still fine for now, then yeah—let’s take it slowly. We’ll get there eventually.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Patience, huh? Not exactly my strongest point, but I’ll try.”
Keiko glanced at the clock and suddenly gasped. “Oh no! I’m gonna be late!”
I looked over and couldn’t help but laugh. “Again?”
“Don’t start!” she shouted, already halfway to the bathroom.
“Okay, okay,” I chuckled. “I’ll make breakfast while you shower.”
“Thanks!” she yelled from behind the door, the sound of running water starting up immediately after.
I shook my head, smiling to myself as I started cracking eggs into the pan. Between Keiko’s frantic mornings, my ridiculous encounters, and the mystery still hanging over us, life had somehow turned into a mix of comedy and chaos.
---
When Keiko came out, still drying her hair, I handed her a plate of toast and eggs. “Breakfast of champions.”
She grinned, taking a bite. “Not bad. Maybe you can handle a household after all.”
“Careful,” I said with a smirk. “Keep praising me like that and I might start expecting a salary.”
She rolled her eyes, laughing as she grabbed her bag. “Keep dreaming, Ryusei.”
I watched her head out the door, sunlight catching her hair just right. As the door clicked shut, I leaned back on the couch with a small smile.