Chapter 57

In the Oeno Pavilion, besides Aoba and Yamawaki Natsuki, there was only the bathhouse owner, Oi Saburo, whom Aoba would always see whenever she came here, and a girl with glasses whom Aoba didn't know.

So, Oi Saburo also joined in the conversation.

"Little girl, don't you think they look like a couple? Although in terms of appearance, Mr. Uesugi doesn't match Miss Yamawaki, but the way they talk, they really do match!" Oi Saburo said, looking at the unfamiliar girl.

"Right, that's what I think too! The way they talk to each other is so casual, it really gives off a very, very intimate feeling," the girl with glasses replied.

"Hey, hey, don't say that, we're not like that," Yamawaki Natsuki continued to refute, then glared at Aoba and asked, "What do you think?"

"That's right, our relationship is very pure, don't spread rumors! If you keep saying this, I'm going to be eaten by her eyes," Aoba immediately clarified.

"Right, I understand, but to be honest, you two really do match and are very interesting! Why don't you try dating?" The girl with glasses suggested, her eyes shining as she stared at the two.

"Us dating? Impossible," Aoba and Yamawaki Natsuki said in unison.

"See, see, I told you you two match!" The girl with glasses said with a smile.

"You said you're a doujinshi artist?" Yamawaki Natsuki suddenly asked.

"Yes!" The girl with glasses replied.

"Sure enough, you have a rich imagination, no wonder you draw comics," Yamawaki Natsuki sighed.

"Thank you for the compliment," the girl with glasses said proudly.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore! I've been here for so long and haven't even ordered yet. Haven't you noticed that the boss is already giving me the eye?" Aoba changed the subject.

"Really? I didn't know my eyes could speak," Oeno Storekeeper said, feigning surprise.

"Boss, you really don't know? Your eyes are so cute!" Yamawaki Natsuki said seriously, looking at Oeno Storekeeper.

"Huh? Really?" This time, Oeno Storekeeper was genuinely surprised.

"Ha ha ha!" Everyone laughed together.

"Boss, your eyes are indeed very cute now!" The girl with glasses said with a smile.

"Alright, alright, you guys, you're making fun of me," Oeno Storekeeper said, realizing he had been tricked by Yamawaki Natsuki, and waved his hand in annoyance.

"Boss, I'm serious, I really think your eyes are very cute," Yamawaki Natsuki said with a smile, looking at Oeno Storekeeper.

"Still saying it!" Oeno Storekeeper glared at Yamawaki Natsuki.

"See, see, how cute!" Yamawaki Natsuki said immediately.

"Alright, alright, stop it! It's only because the boss has a good temper, otherwise someone else would have been angry long ago," Aoba glared at Yamawaki Natsuki.

"Ah, sorry boss, I got a bit carried away! I'm sorry," Yamawaki Natsuki also realized and immediately apologized to Oeno Storekeeper.

"It's fine, it's fine, I don't mind. I can tell that Miss Yamawaki must really like it here! Otherwise, you wouldn't be so relaxed," Oeno Storekeeper said with a smile.

"Right, that's true! A place that can make me feel so relaxed is really rare!" Yamawaki Natsuki said with a sigh.

"Boss, can you make sushi?" Aoba asked.

"Sure, but only the most basic sushi," the boss said.

"Alright, then let's have sushi. I suddenly feel like eating sushi. And then, I'll have tofu with miso and plum wine," Aoba ordered.

"Sushi, tofu with miso, and plum wine, please wait a moment," Oeno Storekeeper said and went to prepare.

Just then, the sliding door opened again, and with Oeno Storekeeper's "Welcome," two figures walked in one after the other.

Aoba turned to look and saw that the one who came in first was Kobayashi Masahiro, and the one who followed closely behind was the short-haired girl who had given him a birthday gift here on his birthday, whose name, if she remembered correctly, was Rika.

"Boss, give me plum wine and fried chicken," Kobayashi Masahiro said as he sat down at the counter, then asked the short-haired girl who sat down next to him, "Rika, what do you want to eat?"

"Right, I'll have the same as Masahiro-kun," the short-haired girl said with a smile.

"Got it, fried chicken and plum wine," Oeno Storekeeper said, looking at the two.

Although Oeno Storekeeper didn't ask, Aoba did.

"What's going on with you two?" Aoba asked, looking at them.

"Right, we started dating," Kobayashi Masahiro said excitedly.

"Not bad, Kobayashi-san," Aoba said with a smile, looking at Kobayashi Masahiro.

"I have to thank you for your help. If you hadn't suggested I take her home that time, we wouldn't be where we are now," Kobayashi Masahiro said with a smile.

"Don't mention it, it was nothing," Aoba waved his hand.

"You two really do match! Being young is great!" Oi Saburo said, looking at them.

"Uncle Oi, you don't look that old either!" Kobayashi Masahiro said with a smile.

"Old, old," Oi Saburo waved his hand.

"Speaking of which, is she the girl you asked me about a few days ago, the one who could tell if she liked you?" Yamawaki Natsuki asked, looking at the two.

"Yes, it's her! I have to thank you too, Miss Yamawaki. If it weren't for you that day, I wouldn't have had the courage to confess to her," Kobayashi Masahiro said with a bright smile.

"Congratulations!" Yamawaki Natsuki said with a smile.

"Thank you," Kobayashi Masahiro and the short-haired girl said together, then looked at each other and smiled.

"Ah, I can't take it! This scene is too sweet, I can't look!" The girl with glasses immediately covered her eyes.

"Kurokawa-san, if you're so envious, why don't you find a boyfriend quickly?" Kobayashi Masahiro said with a smile to the girl with glasses.

Clearly, Kobayashi Masahiro and the girl with glasses were familiar, and it seemed that this girl with glasses was also a regular at the shop, though Aoba hadn't seen her before. After all, Aoba didn't come here every day, and it was clear that she had already met Kobayashi Masahiro before.

"Present company excluded!" The girl called Kurokawa immediately crossed her arms in front of her chest in a defensive posture.

"Congratulations, this is for you," Oeno Storekeeper brought a plate of salad and placed it in front of the two.

"Thank you," Kobayashi Masahiro and the short-haired girl said together, then looked at each other and smiled.

Just then, the sliding door opened again, and a figure walked in. Aoba turned to look and saw that it was the long-haired girl named Kazumi, who had come with the short-haired girl before.

******

It's New Year's Day, and I've been drinking. This chapter was barely written while drunk, hoping it didn't fall apart! Also, I'd like to ask for some recommendations, thank you all!