Two days later, at high noon, Erdao Coffee Shop chimed as the door opened.
Ding-ling-ling.
Reze, bent over her desk practicing problems, looked up and smiled. "Boss, we've got a customer~"
Since Cael had visited several times, Nanahara Taketo already remembered him and knew he was Reze's friend.
Cael scanned the shop and settled at a random seat by the window. "I'm here for lunch. Got any recommendations?"
Reze propped her chin on her hand, teasing, "If you want a proper meal, go somewhere real. Coffee shop food isn't that good."
"That's not true; it's clearly delicious," Nanahara Taketo replied, deadpan.
"Then let's have a bitter-melon flavored cake. Our customer can't handle sweets~" Reze decided for Cael, who was indecisive.
"How could there even be such a thing…" Nanahara Taketo muttered, starting on a matcha cake anyway.
Reze packed her textbooks into her bag and slid into the seat next to Cael. "I invited you to dinner the night before last. Why wait until today to come?"
Cael let out a soft sigh. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The past two days, he'd been 'hard-controlled' by Asa and couldn't get away. A wry smile tugged at his lips. "It's a long story…"
He briefly recounted to Reze how he unexpectedly ran into Asa that night and reconciled with her, leaving out the truth about their devil identities. Reze blinked her emerald eyes, genuinely surprised. "So the fireworks I accidentally triggered were actually perfect timing?"
"Exactly."
"Oh," she said, genuinely happy for him. "Then, according to what you said, shouldn't you treat me?"
"Order whatever you want."
Slap! Reze smacked her hand onto the table. "Boss! Give me the best, most expensive food!"
Nanahara Taketo rolled his eyes. "Prices are very affordable."
Soon, two portions of matcha cake arrived, along with a large fruit platter. Nanahara Taketo said flatly, "I heard from Reze that you're in business too. The platter's on the house. Since we're both in business, consider us friends."
"Huh?" Cael blinked.
"Pfft," Reze burst out laughing. "Boss, Cael is in the business of the dead."
"…That's still a business," Nanahara Taketo muttered as he left, forcing a smile.
"Stingy boss really got scared~" Reze's laughter almost brought tears to her eyes.
Cael spread his hands. "Aren't you worried about getting docked for teasing him?"
"Hehe~" Reze smiled slyly. "Does it matter? He already docks my pay plenty."
Cael stayed quiet while eating, letting the atmosphere settle. Reze devoured her cake quickly, taking huge bites.
"Cael, I'm leaving~" she said suddenly after finishing.
"Hmm?" Cael paused mid-bite.
Stretching lazily, she continued, "I'm leaving Tokyo for Ussuriysk."
"Going home?"
Reze nodded. "Yeah, something came up. I have to go back."
"Enough for travel expenses?" Cael asked, knowing she wasn't particularly wealthy.
"It's fine~" She pulled out a plane ticket and waved it. "Transit station in Khabarovsk, tomorrow afternoon."
"I see. Have a smooth journey."
Reze sighed. "My heart is still in the countryside. I can't live as a city mouse. After I settle family matters, I probably won't return to Tokyo. Too bad, especially since I met someone as interesting as you, Cael…"
Hearing this, Cael felt a pang of sadness. This cheerful girl, always laughing, would leave this place behind.
"If you need help, just ask. I'll see what I can do," he offered sincerely.
Reze's gaze turned mischievous. "Hmm? Really?"
"You're my friend, after all."
Then she leaned closer, sliding next to him, exhaling a soft matcha-scented breath into his ear. "Want to elope with me?"
"Huh?" Cael frowned.
"Just joking~" she laughed. "Of course it's a joke."
After a while, she grew serious. "Boss Nanahara said there's a festival nearby tonight. Lots of food, fun games… but it's boring alone. I don't have other friends besides you. Can you spend my last night in Tokyo with me?"
Cael exhaled in relief. Thankfully, it was just a festival. If she'd insisted on eloping, a high-beauty girl like Reze could have tempted him into saying yes on impulse. But there were others he cared about, including Asa.
Her request was simple: enjoy a festival together, make the last night in Tokyo memorable.
"Sure. I rarely go to festivals anyway," Cael agreed.
Night fell. Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo.
Every third weekend of November, the Tokyo Great Kanda Festival lit up the streets. Snack stalls, games, traditional performances, and the mikoshi parade drew crowds.
Cael and Reze wandered through the festival, eating and playing. Laughter flowed freely.
Hours later, they reached a sparsely populated mountain trail and climbed to the summit. Leaning against a wooden fence by an oak tree, they rested.
"Thank you, Cael. I haven't been this happy in ages." Reze gazed down at the lights of the city below.
Cael nodded. Reze tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"The fireworks show is about to start," she continued. "Boss Nanahara said this spot gives the best view, and few know about it. A perfect secret base."
"That's nice." Cael propped his chin on his hand.
A moment of quiet passed.
"Hey, Cael…" she hesitated.
"What is it?"
"I've thought about it for a long time. Japan… it's a terrible place." She spoke bluntly.
"I'm not sure about that…" Cael admitted, unfamiliar with politics.
Reze moved closer, grabbed his hand, her eyes sincere.
"What I said at noon… I was serious. Please, Cael, elope with me. Let's leave Japan and live happily together in the countryside of Ussuriysk, okay?"
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