— Today… is the day.
Yuuto Hoshino said it quietly, standing at the door of the classroom that had been transformed — though still incompletely — into the future themed café.
— The day for what? — Haru asked beside him.
— The beginning of chaos.
— Ah… so it's a normal day.
— Exactly.
---
— EVERYONE, ATTENTION!! — Sakura Aoyama's voice echoed through the room. — Today we're doing a REAL TEST!
— That means trouble — Yuuto muttered.
— That means progress! — she corrected.
Misaki, already holding her clipboard, nodded.
— We'll simulate service with "test customers." We need to see what works… and what doesn't.
Ren raised his hand.
— I want to be a difficult customer.
— You already are — said Yuuto.
— Thank you.
— That wasn't a compliment.
— I know.
Haru clapped his hands.
— This is going to be amazing!
— This is going to be a controlled disaster — said Misaki.
— Controlled to a certain extent — added Ren.
---
— Alright! — Sakura pointed at Yuuto. — First shift!
— It's already starting badly — he replied.
— Let's go! — she grabbed his sleeve. — Service position!
— I can walk on my own.
— But I make sure you do.
— Unnecessary.
— Efficient!
Yuuto sighed.
— Consistent.
— I know!
---
The room was arranged in an improvised way: a few tables, mismatched chairs, a handwritten "menu," and an energy… dangerously lively.
— Welcome to the café! — Sakura said, overly enthusiastic.
— This is a test — Yuuto reminded.
— A test with dedication!
— …
Ren walked in, sitting down with a dramatic expression.
— Good afternoon.
— Good afternoon! — Sakura replied.
— I want something special.
— We have many options!
— I want something… exclusive.
Sakura froze for half a second.
— Hm…
Yuuto intervened.
— We recommend the standard menu.
— Boring — said Ren.
— Efficient — Yuuto replied.
— I want something only you would do.
Silence.
Sakura looked at Yuuto.
Yuuto looked at Sakura.
— …this is your fault — he said.
— OUR fault!
— I disagree.
— You agree!
Ren tapped the table.
— I'm waiting!
Sakura took a deep breath.
— Alright! Something exclusive!
She lightly pulled Yuuto.
— Improvise with me!
— I don't improvise.
— Today you do!
— This won't work.
— It will!
— It won't.
— IT WILL!
— …
— …
— …fine.
Sakura blinked.
— You agreed?!
— Just to get this over with.
— I KNEW IT!
---
— Sir — Sakura said, trying to sound professional — today we have a special experience.
— Go on — said Ren, clearly enjoying himself.
— A… personalized service!
— Define that.
Sakura paused.
Thought.
And then—
— You'll have a conversation with our most mysterious attendant!
She pointed at Yuuto.
— That wasn't agreed on — he said.
— Now it is!
Ren smiled.
— Perfect.
Yuuto sighed.
— This is unnecessary.
— Just start already — Sakura said, lightly pushing him.
Silence.
Yuuto looked at Ren.
Then—
— What are you looking for?
Ren rested his chin on his hand.
— Something interesting.
— Then you're in the right place.
Sakura froze.
— …
Haru's eyes widened.
— …
Misaki looked up from her clipboard.
— …
Ren smiled slowly.
— Continue.
Yuuto noticed the effect.
But didn't stop.
— Not everything needs to be loud to get attention.
Silence.
Sakura was completely still.
— Sometimes… — he continued — …what's simple… stays.
Ren leaned back in his chair.
— That was good.
— It was — said Misaki.
— IT REALLY WAS — Haru whispered.
Sakura…
still hadn't reacted.
---
— Sakura — Yuuto called.
— Hm?! — she snapped out of it.
— Your turn.
— Ah! Yes! Of course!
She turned quickly.
— S-So… your order?
— I accept this experience — said Ren.
— Order confirmed! — she replied too quickly.
— You're acting strange — Yuuto said.
— I AM NOT!
— You are.
— I AM NOT!
— You are — said Ren.
— SHUT UP!
---
After the "customer" left…
Sakura pulled Yuuto to the side.
— What was that?!
— Service.
— THAT WASN'T NORMAL!
— It was efficient.
— IT WAS… IT WAS…
She stopped.
— It was what? — he asked.
She looked away.
— …nothing.
— You're avoiding it.
— I AM NOT!
— You are.
— STOP ANALYZING!
— I can't.
— WHY?!
— Because you're… interesting.
Silence.
Again.
Sakura covered her face.
— You can't say that so casually!
— Why not?
— Because… because…!
She couldn't finish.
Yuuto tilted his head.
— You're having difficulty.
— I KNOW!
— That's new.
— STOP!
— I'm observing.
— STOP OBSERVING!
— No.
— AAAARGH!
---
Haru suddenly appeared.
— Next test!
— NO! — Sakura replied immediately.
— Why? — Ren asked.
— Because… because… break!
— Suspicious — said Ren.
— Coincidence — Yuuto replied.
He almost smiled.
Again.
---
Later…
when everything finally ended…
the room was quiet.
A rare silence.
Tired.
But good.
Yuuto was sitting.
Notebook open.
"Today… something changed.
She was left speechless.
And… it affected me more than it should have."
He paused.
"…that's dangerous."
— Yuuto…
He looked to the side.
Sakura.
Calmer than usual.
— Did you do that on purpose?
— Do what?
— …the way you spoke to the 'customer.'
— No.
— It seemed like it.
— It was natural.
She stayed silent.
— That's even worse.
— Why?
— Because… — she looked at him — …if you do that during the actual festival…
— Yes?
— …it'll be a problem.
— For who?
She hesitated.
— …for me.
Silence.
Yuuto thought.
— I understand.
— Do you really?
— A little.
— Only a little?!
— I'm still analyzing.
She sighed.
But smiled.
— Idiot.
— Probably.
— And… — she turned her face away — …thank you.
— For what?
— For… not being just silence.
He stayed quiet for a few seconds.
And then—
— I never was.
She smiled.
Small.
Sincere.
— I know.
And this time…
the silence between them…
hid nothing.
It simply… waited.