Chapter 8: Top-tier Insight
"Um, this is a public place, so please be quiet, everyone... otherwise, it will affect the guests at other tables..."
Looking at the two who were at each other's throats, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but speak up to remind them. While he was doing so, his gaze was also quietly sizing up the Blonde Girl in the seat. He found it hard to imagine—was that Little one at home really his and this Blonde Girl's child?
"Kasumigaoka... Hmph!"
In the end, under Aragaki Takiya's reminder, the two girls chose to call a truce. After all, this was a public place, and they were quite well-known at school. It would be troublesome if someone with ulterior motives posted about it online.
"You two, stop arguing..."
On the side, Aki Tomoya, seeing the two girls not getting along, was also busy trying to mediate. After all, this concerned his grand game plan; it would be a huge loss to give up over such a small conflict.
"Uh, looks like there's no need for me to go over and strike up a conversation anymore..."
Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Aragaki Takiya immediately gave up on his plan to talk to them. However, just as he was about to continue observing, Kato Megumi's voice came from beside him.
"I heard there's a half-price refill promotion here. Aragaki-san, could you take me there?"
"Ah, okay. I'll take you there right now..."
The girl's voice interrupted Aragaki Takiya's plans, but he didn't feel any impatience. This short-haired girl beside him seemed to have a natural aura of friendliness; being with her seemed to make one relax unconsciously.
"Aragaki-san seems to be paying a lot of attention to Sawamura-san. Do you like her?"
By the counter, watching the boy seriously stirring his coffee cup, Kato Megumi asked as if casually.
"Hmm? I wouldn't go as far as to say I 'like' her. It's just my first time seeing a school celebrity act like that, so I was a bit curious..."
Hearing Kato Megumi's words, Aragaki Takiya's movements paused for a moment before returning to normal. He did intend to pursue Eriri, but in a way, that felt more like following the arrangements of fate. Although she was beautiful, he didn't know much about her personality yet, so naturally, he couldn't call it love.
"Oh, I saw you observing Sawamura-san the whole time, so I thought you liked her."
Taking the coffee Aragaki Takiya had prepared, the girl took a sip, an expression of enjoyment appearing on her face. She enjoyed the current atmosphere without the earlier noise—though a bit more silence would have been even better.
"By the way, Kato... uh, is it okay if I call you that?"
"No problem. We'll be sitting in front and behind each other from now on anyway."
The girl named Kato Megumi nodded with a smile. She seemed to approve of the name; at least in Aragaki Takiya's eyes, the smile on her face was a rare sight.
"Right, Kato, were you guys talking about something over there?"
Glancing at the three still bickering not far away, a hint of curiosity flashed in Aragaki Takiya's eyes. Aki Tomoya, Eriri, and that Kasumigaoka Utaha—they were all famous figures. Of course, the latter two were renowned for their beauty and talent, but as for Aki Tomoya... he found it hard to comment on that guy.
"Actually, it's nothing much. It's just that Aki-san wants to recruit me into a club, apparently to make a game."
The girl gently stirred her coffee cup, her face remaining calm. She was somewhat interested in the proposal—but only somewhat.
"I see..."
Looking at the calm expression on Kato Megumi's face, Aragaki Takiya didn't know what she was thinking, but he didn't mind. Right now, he was thinking about how to fulfill his mission.
"Forget it, it's not like I'm desperate for this one opportunity..."
Thinking about that so-called Game Club, Aragaki Takiya decided to give up on joining proactively. Aside from the risk of being rejected, he probably wouldn't have any spare time to participate in a club anyway. He hadn't forgotten there was a Little one at home; except for the time he absolutely had to be away, he wasn't willing to let her stay home alone... "Good work, Aragaki. Here is your pay for today. Oh, and this too—it's a new product from the shop. If you don't mind, please take it as an extra reward..."
"Mm, okay. Thank you, Manager..."
At six in the evening, Aragaki Takiya successfully finished his tasks for the day. Well, besides receiving his hard-earned wages, he also got a freshly made cake from the Manager, which could be considered an unexpected surprise.
"Mission accomplished, going home!"
...At 6:30 PM, a slightly tired Aragaki Takiya successfully returned to his front door. But just as he was about to take out his key to open it, the sound of slippers pitter-pattering on the floor came from the other side of the door.
"*Click~*"
With the sound of the doorknob turning, the Apartment door was quickly opened, and then a cute little head poked out.
"It's Moeha. Thank you for opening the door for me~"
Seeing the longing almost overflowing from the Little one's eyes, Aragaki Takiya naturally knew what she was thinking, so he quickly crouched down and picked her up.
"Hmm, you feel a bit heavy. Did you eat a lot of snacks, Moeha?"
"I did not! I've been waiting for Papa to come back. I only ate a few snacks..."
Hearing her father's words, Aragaki Moeha quickly retorted. As if to prove her words, she even pointedly patted her tummy.
"Mm~ Okay, I believe you, Moeha. Here, this is for you."
Listening to Aragaki Moeha's voice and feeling the weight in his arms, Aragaki Takiya felt a sense of comfort in his heart. In the past, he had lived alone; although it was free, he always felt something was missing. Now that there was a Little one in the house, although he had more things to do, he felt that this kind of life suited him better.
"What's this?"
Noticing the paper bag in Aragaki Takiya's hand, a hint of curiosity flashed in Aragaki Moeha's eyes. But when she smelled the sweet aroma coming from the bag, she had a vague guess.
"It's a new cake from the cafe. It's a reward for Moeha being a good girl."
As if to prove his words, Aragaki Takiya put down the Aragaki Moeha he was holding, then opened the bag and took out the carefully packaged cake.
"Try it and see how it is. This is the Manager's exclusive recipe."
Looking at Aragaki Moeha, who was staring blankly at the cake, Aragaki Takiya spoke up to remind her.
"Okay, thank you, Papa~"
Hearing her father's words, Aragaki Moeha quickly took out the plastic knife from the paper bag and divided the cake into three pieces.
"Eh? Why divide it into three pieces? There are only two of us..."
"I... I forgot Mama isn't here..."