Wood grain dominates most of the shop.
In the cafe, where bits of greenery are placed here and there, time flows very gently.
If it weren’t for the mud dauber in front of me, the atmosphere would have been even better.
Sakasegawa-san, who had packed the borrowed books into her eco-bag, placed it next to her chair and sipped her steaming black coffee.
「What do you usually do?」
「Reading. And watching movies.」
「Hee. Actually, I also enjoy reading.」
I’m aware.
I thought of saying that, but then realized I had never actually heard her say she was a “book lover” herself.
「You read pretty thick books.」
「Ah, I’m apparently a speed reader.」
I finish normal novels too quickly, she said.
Sakasegawa-san looked down, seemingly embarrassed.
I think there’s no need to be ashamed, rather she should be proud.
Well, everyone has their own thoughts. In her case, she’s not even human.
「This place has a nice atmosphere, doesn’t it?」
「Right? It’s my favorite, I come here a few times a month.」
「Yeah. Really.」
I’d like to come here with a lover if I ever get one.
Though there’s no bright prospect at the moment.
Someday for sure.
If I keep hoping.
「…Also, amazing, isn’t it?」
「What is?」
「That.」
I’ve been consciously avoiding mentioning it, but my curiosity or perhaps my morbid fascination, can’t help but be drawn to it.
Next to the cup of black coffee.
A pure white plate, obviously disproportionate in size at first glance.
On it, a pancake boasting overwhelming mass. Or perhaps a hotcake.
Putting aside the fact that I still don’t know the difference between the two, it’s covered with butter, honey, and ice cream, seemingly exceeding a day’s calorie intake.
A token sprig of chervil sways on top.
Sweat trickles down my cheek.
Sakasegawa-san’s compound eyes shone brightly.
「It looks delicious, doesn’t it?」
「…It looks delicious, I guess.」
Probably.
I don’t feel like I could eat it though.
Just looking at it makes me feel nauseous, and if I actually tried to eat it, I’d probably have to fight off vomiting.
Despite her appearance, she’s clearly a proper girl on the inside.
Sakasegawa-san easily maneuvers her fork, popping the pancake (or hotcake) into her mouth.
「Mmm~!」
As I watch her place one hand on her cheek, I feel the gender difference more strongly than the species difference.
Even if I were a mud dauber, I don’t think I could finish it.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
I predicted it would take about an hour for the pancake (or hotcake) to disappear, but the so-called “second stomach” that girls talk about must be connected to a black hole, as it was gone in about fifteen minutes.
Honestly, if I had gone to the bathroom, it might have disappeared even faster.
Scary.
After paying together, we step out into the warm weather, despite it still being spring.
I only borrowed a few thin books, but Sakasegawa-san borrowed ten blunt weapon-like books that could be used as murder weapons in a detective drama──that library allows you to borrow up to ten books──so her steps are quite unsteady.
「Want me to carry that?」
「I’m fine. I borrowed them, so I’ll take responsibility.」
The gentlemanly move I honed during my outing with Yuna.
However, it was easily defeated by a single “I’d feel bad.” from her.
My hands, now without a destination, awkwardly grasp at the air.
Well, if I think about it calmly, it’s not like we’re that close, so it’s natural for her to refuse my help.
Putting aside the question of whether she’d go for tea with a guy she’s not that close to, it wouldn’t be fun if I accidentally stimulated her interest.
From her perspective, it’s only right to refuse.
Looking at the sky, the once restless sunset had settled in.
It stayed at a moderate height, scattering red sunlight all around.
As a result, the shadows stretched quite long, and a strange melancholy was born in my chest.
「Are you really okay?」
「I’m really okay.」
She glances back at me occasionally.
The mud dauber totters along.
I forgot to mention, but of course she wasn’t in her uniform, but in a dress adorned with frills here and there.
It’s snug around the waist, making it seem difficult to move.
At least if I wore it, I’d not only be labeled a pervert, but I’d probably trip because it’s so hard to move in.
Well, if she says she’s okay, she must be.
She’s a mud dauber, so her waist is abnormally thin.
She probably has the smallest waist size in the world.
She could probably compete with a piece of wire.
「It’s a pedestrian bridge, are you okay?」
「It’s a pedestrian bridge, but I’m okay.」
「If you say so.」
In front of her on our coincidentally shared route home, a pedestrian bridge with about thirty steps loomed.
It looks tough even without carrying anything, and Sakasegawa-san is carrying blunt weapons. I’m worried, regardless of her being a monster.
But since she said she’s okay, she must be confident, and although it took time, she indeed conquered the stairs steadily.
Finally, we reached the top of the pedestrian bridge, overlooking cars bathed in the setting sun.
「See, I was okay, right?」
「…Yeah.」
I nod slightly and move my feet forward.
──I had a bad feeling.
About the flags that had been piling up.
About her unstable footing since we left the library.
Maybe that’s why.
Sakasegawa-san slipped on the descending stairs.
And as soon as my eyes caught that, my body naturally moved to catch her.
Oh actual yandere this time? Also man is truly a tank, tftc