Intermission – A Coffee After School

After school, Linaria came to return the empty box from her lunch before heading back to the academy without delay, apparently having something she needed to be there for.

There were no customers in the café and I had more freedom than I knew what to do with.

The bell rang as a girl entered. She was wearing the same uniform as Linaria, that of Aureola Academy. If you were to describe Linaria’s hair as being the colour of the setting sun, this girl’s would be described as the colour of a tranquil sea during midsummer.

The girl stepped inside, steadily surveying the interior. She was making such a production of it that I couldn’t quite call out to her.

When a person first enters an establishment, they can either act as if it is somewhere they visit regularly, or shrink in on themselves unconsciously; this girl was clearly the former, you could call it confidence, or perhaps just a familiarity with being under scrutiny.

Finally, her eyes settled on me and we matched gazes. It was the first time I had been on the receiving end of such a straightforward, almost piercing look. She slowly walked over, her gaze unmoving.

When she finally arrived in front of me, her eyes dropped to my waist before returning to my face. The word ‘appraisal’ came to mind.

I was bewildered by such a look being levelled at me from point-blank range and just as I began to think about what I should say, she opened her own mouth.

“Linaria’s lunch, was that you?” she asked.

“…Excuse me?”

Her voice wasn’t jarring in the slightest, it was clear, almost as if it were whispering right next to my ear. The voice itself surprised me, and her question was something I wasn’t expecting, so I couldn’t reply properly.

“What I’m asking is, were you the one that made Linaria’s lunch?” She asked again, still looking steadily at me.

“I was.”

“Would it be possible for you to make me the same thing?”

I tilted my head, it was the first time I had been asked something like that.

“Umm, I don’t have any ingredients right now, so it would be difficult today.”

“I see, then I shall ask again in the future.”

“In the future?”

“Yes, for the same thing,” she answered, nodding firmly.

What’s this about, I pondered, maybe she’s Linaria’s friend and wanted the same thing when she saw it?

I had fallen into thought but she faced me and, still with that cool voice, asked:

“Where does she usually seat herself?”

“What?” I asked, my standard customer service voice completely gone.

The girl sighed and placed her hands on her hips.

“I asked, where is her usual seat? She habitually takes the same seat in the lecture theatres and libraries when she can, she’s that type of person. If she visits this café, she must have a usual seat, no?”

My expression became strained and a cold sweat made its way down my back.

“Uhh, it’s… that one,” I said hesitantly, pointing to the seat at the counter where Linaria usually sat. The girl walked briskly to it and looked steadily at the seat, not sitting down.

“Um, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said simply before pulling out a chair, not Linaria’s favourite seat, but the seat next to it.

“She’s not sitting there…” I muttered to myself reflexively. She had asked after it, so I had thought that was where she wanted to sit. She gave me a hooded look.

“I couldn’t be so rude as to sit there, the neighbouring seat is fine.”

Then she sat quietly, holding the back of her skirt down. The graceful movements drew my eye and if it hadn’t have been for her earlier behaviour, I would have just thought her to be an ordinary closeted noble girl, but her declaration made it clear she was somewhat questionable.

As I prepared a glass of cold water and a moistened towel, I considered how to deal with her. I couldn’t just turn her away of course, not least because I wanted to avoid causing Linaria trouble.

“What does Linaria usually order when she is here?” She asked as I placed the water before her. I’d had an idea that she might ask, so my answer was ready.

“Of course, she always has a coffee.”

“A coffee?”

Well, a coffee with a glut of sugar and milk. I wasn’t lying. I was just… yes… approximating, abbreviating things to popularise coffee.

“It is a drink with what could fittingly be called an adult taste.”

“I see. Appropriate for Linaria… I shall have the same then, please.”

I surreptitiously pumped my fist under the counter. A series of small steps like this would be followed with the spread of coffee’s charms. The girl surveyed the rest of the café as I prepared to brew the coffee.

I remembered when Linaria first came, she was looking for a place she could study in peace because she was uncomfortable with the attention of nobles.

Was this girl perhaps one of them?

The ‘attention’ could certainly have felt like being looked down upon or being faulted, it could have even been in the sense of a stalker.

I swallowed heavily.

I presented the freshly brewed coffee. The girl carefully observed it before glancing back up at me, her eyes clearly expressing her doubt that it was really a drink.

The fact that she still held her hand out was doubtlessly due to saying that Linaria drank it.

She raised the cup to her lips, her eyes screwed shut and her forehead furrowed. It was almost like she was about to drink poison. The moment the coffee entered her mouth, her eyes flew open, filled with the purity of a girl that believed those jewel-like candies, konpeitou, were collections of stardust.

“It’s delicious,” she said.

I was in shock, it had been a long while since a customer had said that to me. She took another sip, and then another.

“It’s bitter, but not unpleasant. There are ingredients that release their aromas through heating, but to think that such a thing was possible with a drink. The aftertaste is refreshingly sour…”

The girl muttered to herself, taking periodic sips as if to confirm her thoughts. I was practically moved to tears. Indeed, that’s it exactly! That’s precisely the kind of blend that coffee is! To think there was someone that would understand that.

“Of course Linaria would understand such a profound flavour.”

She nodded deeply to herself, apparently affirming everything as something Linaria would do. Of course, I said nothing of the fact that she didn’t enjoy or understand coffee.

Was this girl really stalking Linaria? After all, my personal belief was that no one who understood coffee could be a bad person.

“What kind of relationship do you two have…?” I asked unconsciously.

“We are classmates, Linaria is someone I greatly respect,” she said, as if it should be obvious.

“Respect?”

“Indeed. Last year, she got outstanding grades, even better than my own. Despite exhausting all of my ability, I couldn’t measure up to her. It’s the first time I’ve experienced that.”

I nodded in understanding.

“You weren’t annoyed or unhappy?”

Normally it would breed resentment and envy. However, the girl looked at me in puzzlement.

“I gave it my utmost and it still wasn’t enough. Surely that says that she put even more effort in. That should be celebrated, there’s no need to resent it.”

I nodded deeply, that was indeed the case, but it was hard to simply dismiss this kind of thing like that.

“I know that Linaria stayed at the library until it was late every day, even on days off, right from the morning. It’s because I saw her doing so that I respect her. And she took the problems with being top of the class from me, it’s just the best.”

I had an inkling that her final words were her true feelings there. And on top of that, she had watched Linaria all day? I didn’t know whether she was a stalker, a good girl, friendly or bothersome, but I did know she was a girl of extremes.

“Incidentally, why do you speak about her so casually?” The girl asked, turning her smiling face towards me. There was no smile in her eyes though, and I shivered.

“Umm.”

I’d immediately thought of an excuse, but couldn’t verbalise it. I cursed my thoughtlessness and tried to think of a way to get through this, but I had a feeling it was hopeless.

She kept looking at me with the grin upon her lips, her back straight and her hands in her lap. Her eyes were fixed on me as she effortlessly maintained a posture that could be called beautiful. That beauty itself seemed to provide more than enough force.

“Recently, Linaria has always seemed to leave for somewhere after school, so I have been curious. Then today, she was timidly picking at that lunch box,” the girl said, “I thought it was strange so I ferreted out the tracks and arrived here. To find that she came here nearly every day was enough of a surprise, and now I find you referring to her so casually, just what kind of relationship do you have with Linaria?”

With that wide smile facing me, I searched for a solution before suddenly thinking of something.

Why do I have to give her any excuses?

We didn’t have a relationship to be ashamed of, so was there any need to act like a man who had been found having an affair? Wasn’t being interrogated like this the odd thing?

“I already know,” she continued, “you’re a simple employee, aren’t you? There isn’t a chance that you could have a conversation with her.”

I grinned widely at the girl as she nodded in confirmation to herself.

“It’s a relationship where we spend the same time here every day, a very good relationship.”

The girl chewed at her lip as if cutting off her own words, glaring at me.

“Y-you’re certainly skilled at deception. It… I… You… Linaria can’t possibly be speaking friendlily with a man-”

“You mentioned Linaria’s lunch,” I interrupted, “it isn’t something I sell here. I made it specially for her.”

“What was that!?” She cried, standing from the chair.

“I mean, if she asks, I can’t do anything else. You know, she loves my cooking.”

“What… was… that!?”

“We talk after school every day.”

“W-why…”

Each time I said something, her expression changed and she shook before slumping forward over the counter holding herself mostly upright.

“I’m not asking why it’s not me!” She insisted, looking up at me suddenly and making me recoil. “It’s not fair! Do you know how many setbacks I’ve had each time I’ve gathered the courage to try and speak to her!? Damn you!”

“Weren’t you just saying something about how resentment is unnecessary?”

“That’s ancient history, I want to hit you now.”

Her eyes were serious as she said that, her appearance as a high class lady had completely vanished and now she seemed more like a hissing cat. I guess I got carried away and teased her too much. That was when I noticed something, teasing her was fun.

“Uh, what’s your name?” I asked cheerfully, unwilling to keep calling her ‘girl’ or ‘she’.

“And why should I have to tell you?” She practically spat.

“I’ll just call you Noblegirl then.”

“In that case, I shall call you Commoner,” she returned like the echoing of a strike. If anything, it made me feel more at ease, but I hoped she’d stop with the ‘commoner’.

Noblegirl then collapsed onto the chair in exhaustion, leaning back into the chair and letting her head hang down.

“It’s not fair… I still haven’t had anything resembling a proper conversation yet, but now you’ve popped up and you’re comfortable enough to just speak so casually about her… it’s not fair. I’m jealous. You are far too impertinent, and you’re just Commoner.”

She was mumbling her complaints, but she seemed so glum that I didn’t think to talk back.

I felt like I could understand her feelings, those of having a person you had wanted to get close to suddenly being close to someone else. I tried to think of something to comfort her with, but everything I came up with just sounded trite to me and I somewhat regretted teasing her so much.

After grumbling repeatedly for a while her head snapped up to look at me as she corrected her posture.

“I won’t lose. I shall definitely become even closer to Linaria. First, I shall become her friend,” she declared strongly.

“Good luck.”

“I’ll crush that self-assurance!”

I was honestly supporting her though.

She drained the coffee cup in front of her and took coins from a purse and placed them on the counter before standing up.

“Thank you for the coffee, it’s the first time I’ve had the drink, but it was rather nice.”

“Ah, yeah, thanks,” I said, my reactions dulled by the wake of her actions as I instinctively gave a bow of my head to her. She put a hand in front of her mouth and laughed before returning the chair to its place and walking towards the door.

“Ah, wait,” I called after her.

“Keep the change, set it aside for next time,” she said without breaking stride. No, uh, that’s not it.

“It’s not enough.”

Her movements stopped instantly and she turned mechanically back to face me, her pale face flushed red.

“It… isn’t? I, ah, apologise.”

She returned to the counter without meeting my eyes and handed over the balance. I could easily infer her embarrassment, so I didn’t say anything. If I teased her, she might even slice through her stomach right here.

After having paid properly, she once more headed to the door, with quicker steps this time.

“Hey!” I called, making her stop with the door half-open, her shoulders suddenly stiff as if she was worried about there being more. “You can come again.”

She stood in silence for a moment.

“…I shall do so once I have become friends with Linaria. It would be a nuisance if I were to intrude upon a place she holds dear.

I felt my chest twinge at her humility and felt it would be uncivilised to say anything more on the matter.

“I see, then I’ll look forward to that day.”

“Indeed. Farewell then, Commoner,” she said, before continuing. “It’s Aina. Ainalayla.”

By the time I had realised that was her name, she had already left and the door had closed. I hadn’t been able to call her by name, nor tell her my own.

I hope I get to meet her again, I thought.

And on that day, I would introduce myself properly. She would become Linaria’s friend and the time would come that all three of us could smile in this café, I was sure it would be enjoyable. She was awkward, but I knew she wasn’t a bad person.

Then, the next morning, when I opened the door to prepare to open the café, a girl was standing there.

“You’re late, Commoner. I’ve been waiting for some time. Incidentally, I want the same lunch as Linaria, could I request that? Right now.”

“…Uh… you know…”

“Hey, what are you sighing for, that’s rude.”

“…Right after yesterday… you’re…”

“I can’t help it, I wanted the same lunch as Linaria.”

“…How should I put it… you’re…”

Back way too early?

Intermission A Coffee AfterSchoolAfter school, Linaria came to return the empty box from her lunch before heading back to the academy without delay, apparently having something she needed to be there for.There were no customers in the caf and I had more freedom than I knew what to do with.The bell rang as a girl entered. She was wearing the same uniform as Linaria, that of Aureola Academy. If you were to describe Linaria's hair as being the colour of the setting sun, this girl's would be described as the colour of a tranquil sea during midsummer.The girl stepped inside, steadily surveying the interior. She was making such a production of it that I couldn't quite call out to her.When a person first enters an establishment, they can either act as if it is somewhere they visit regularly, or shrink in on themselves unconsciously; this girl was clearly the former, you could call it confidence, or perhaps just a familiarity with being under scrutiny.Finally, her eyes settled on me and we matched gazes. It was the first time I had been on the receiving end of such a straightforward, almost piercing look. She slowly walked over, her gaze unmoving.When she finally arrived in front of me, her eyes dropped to my waist before returning to my face. The word appraisal' came to mind.I was bewildered by such a look being levelled at me from point-blank range and just as I began to think about what I should say, she opened her own mouth.Linaria's lunch, was that you? she asked.Excuse me?Her voice wasn't jarring in the slightest, it was clear, almost as if it were whispering right next to my ear. The voice itself surprised me, and her question was something I wasn't expecting, so I couldn't reply properly.What I'm asking is, were you the one that made Linaria's lunch? She asked again, still looking steadily at me.I was.Would it be possible for you to make me the same thing?I tilted my head, it was the first time I had been asked something like that.Umm, I don't have any ingredients right now, so it would be difficult today.I see, then I shall ask again in the future.In the future?Yes, for the same thing, she answered, nodding firmly.What's this about,I pondered,maybe she's Linaria's friend and wanted the same thing when she saw it?I had fallen into thought but she faced me and, still with that cool voice, asked:Where does she usually seat herself?What? I asked, my standard customer service voice completely gone.The girl sighed and placed her hands on her hips.I asked, where is her usual seat? She habitually takes the same seat in the lecture theatres and libraries when she can, she's that type of person. If she visits this caf, she must have a usual seat, no?My expression became strained and a cold sweat made its way down my back.Uhh, it's that one, I said hesitantly, pointing to the seat at the counter where Linaria usually sat. The girl walked briskly to it and looked steadily at the seat, not sitting down.Um, what's wrong? I asked.Nothing, she said simply before pulling out a chair, not Linaria's favourite seat, but the seat next to it.She's not sitting there I muttered to myself reflexively. She had asked after it, so I had thought that was where she wanted to sit. She gave me a hooded look.I couldn't be so rude as to sit there, the neighbouring seat is fine.Then she sat quietly, holding the back of her skirt down. The graceful movements drew my eye and if it hadn't have been for her earlier behaviour, I would have just thought her to be an ordinary closeted noble girl, but her declaration made it clear she was somewhat questionable.As I prepared a glass of cold water and a moistened towel, I considered how to deal with her. I couldn't just turn her away of course, not least because I wanted to avoid causing Linaria trouble.What does Linaria usually order when she is here? She asked as I placed the water before her. I'd had an idea that she might ask, so my answer was ready.Of course, she always has a coffee.A coffee?Well, a coffee with a glut of sugar and milk. I wasn't lying. I was just yes approximating, abbreviating things to popularise coffee.It is a drink with what could fittingly be called an adult taste.I see. Appropriate for Linaria I shall have the same then, please.I surreptitiously pumped my fist under the counter. A series of small steps like this would be followed with the spread of coffee's charms. The girl surveyed the rest of the caf as I prepared to brew the coffee.I remembered when Linaria first came, she was looking for a place she could study in peace because she was uncomfortable with the attention of nobles.Was this girl perhaps one of them?The attention' could certainly have felt like being looked down upon or being faulted, it could have even been in the sense of a stalker.I swallowed heavily.I presented the freshly brewed coffee. The girl carefully observed it before glancing back up at me, her eyes clearly expressing her doubt that it was really a drink.The fact that she still held her hand out was doubtlessly due to saying that Linaria drank it.She raised the cup to her lips, her eyes screwed shut and her forehead furrowed. It was almost like she was about to drink poison. The moment the coffee entered her mouth, her eyes flew open, filled with the purity of a girl that believed those jewel-like candies, konpeitou, were collections of stardust.It's delicious, she said.I was in shock, it had been a long while since a customer had said that to me. She took another sip, and then another.It's bitter, but not unpleasant. There are ingredients that release their aromas through heating, but to think that such a thing was possible with a drink. The aftertaste is refreshingly sourThe girl muttered to herself, taking periodic sips as if to confirm her thoughts. I was practically moved to tears.Indeed, that's it exactly! That's precisely the kind of blend that coffee is! To think there was someone that would understand that.Of course Linaria would understand such a profound flavour.She nodded deeply to herself, apparently affirming everything as something Linaria would do. Of course, I said nothing of the fact that she didn't enjoy or understand coffee.Was this girl really stalking Linaria? After all, my personal belief was that no one who understood coffee could be a bad person.What kind of relationship do you two have? I asked unconsciously.We are classmates, Linaria is someone I greatly respect, she said, as if it should be obvious.Respect?Indeed. Last year, she got outstanding grades, even better than my own. Despite exhausting all of my ability, I couldn't measure up to her. It's the first time I've experienced that.I nodded in understanding.You weren't annoyed or unhappy?Normally it would breed resentment and envy. However, the girl looked at me in puzzlement.I gave it my utmost and it still wasn't enough. Surely that says that she put even more effort in. That should be celebrated, there's no need to resent it.I nodded deeply, that was indeed the case, but it was hard to simply dismiss this kind of thing like that.I know that Linaria stayed at the library until it was late every day, even on days off, right from the morning. It's because I saw her doing so that I respect her. And she took the problems with being top of the class from me, it's just the best.I had an inkling that her final words were her true feelings there. And on top of that, she had watched Linaria all day? I didn't know whether she was a stalker, a good girl, friendly or bothersome, but I did know she was a girl of extremes.Incidentally, why do you speak about her so casually? The girl asked, turning her smiling face towards me. There was no smile in her eyes though, and I shivered.Umm.I'd immediately thought of an excuse, but couldn't verbalise it. I cursed my thoughtlessness and tried to think of a way to get through this, but I had a feeling it was hopeless.She kept looking at me with the grin upon her lips, her back straight and her hands in her lap. Her eyes were fixed on me as she effortlessly maintained a posture that could be called beautiful. That beauty itself seemed to provide more than enough force.Recently, Linaria has always seemed to leave for somewhere after school, so I have been curious. Then today, she was timidly picking at that lunch box, the girl said, I thought it was strange so I ferreted out the tracks and arrived here. To find that she came here nearly every day was enough of a surprise, and now I find you referring to her so casually, just what kind of relationship do you have with Linaria?With that wide smile facing me, I searched for a solution before suddenly thinking of something.Why do I have to give her any excuses?We didn't have a relationship to be ashamed of, so was there any need to act like a man who had been found having an affair? Wasn't being interrogated like this the odd thing?I already know, she continued, you're a simple employee, aren't you? There isn't a chance that you could have a conversation with her.I grinned widely at the girl as she nodded in confirmation to herself.It's a relationship where we spend the same time here every day, a very good relationship.The girl chewed at her lip as if cutting off her own words, glaring at me.Y-you're certainly skilled at deception. It I You Linaria can't possibly be speaking friendlily with a man-You mentioned Linaria's lunch, I interrupted, it isn't something I sell here. I made itspeciallyfor her.What was that!? She cried, standing from the chair.I mean, if she asks, I can't do anything else. You know, she loves my cooking.What was that!?We talk after school every day.W-whyEach time I said something, her expression changed and she shook before slumping forward over the counter holding herself mostly upright.I'm not asking why it's not me! She insisted, looking up at me suddenly and making me recoil. It's not fair! Do you know how many setbacks I've had each time I've gathered the courage to try and speak to her!? Damn you!Weren't you just saying something about how resentment is unnecessary?That's ancient history, I want to hit you now.Her eyes were serious as she said that, her appearance as a high class lady had completely vanished and now she seemed more like a hissing cat. I guess I got carried away and teased her too much. That was when I noticed something, teasing her was fun.Uh, what's your name? I asked cheerfully, unwilling to keep calling her girl' or she'.And why should I have to tell you? She practically spat.I'll just call you Noblegirl then.In that case, I shall call you Commoner, she returned like the echoing of a strike. If anything, it made me feel more at ease, but I hoped she'd stop with the commoner'.Noblegirl then collapsed onto the chair in exhaustion, leaning back into the chair and letting her head hang down.It's not fair I still haven't had anything resembling a proper conversation yet, but now you've popped up and you're comfortable enough to just speak so casually about her it's not fair. I'm jealous. You are far too impertinent, and you're just Commoner.She was mumbling her complaints, but she seemed so glum that I didn't think to talk back.I felt like I could understand her feelings, those of having a person you had wanted to get close to suddenly being close to someone else. I tried to think of something to comfort her with, but everything I came up with just sounded trite to me and I somewhat regretted teasing her so much.After grumbling repeatedly for a while her head snapped up to look at me as she corrected her posture.I won't lose. I shall definitely become even closer to Linaria. First, I shall become her friend, she declared strongly.Good luck.I'll crush that self-assurance!I was honestly supporting her though.She drained the coffee cup in front of her and took coins from a purse and placed them on the counter before standing up.Thank you for the coffee, it's the first time I've had the drink, but it was rather nice.Ah, yeah, thanks, I said, my reactions dulled by the wake of her actions as I instinctively gave a bow of my head to her. She put a hand in front of her mouth and laughed before returning the chair to its place and walking towards the door.Ah, wait, I called after her.Keep the change, set it aside for next time, she said without breaking stride.No, uh, that's not it.It's not enough.Her movements stopped instantly and she turned mechanically back to face me, her pale face flushed red.It isn't? I, ah, apologise.She returned to the counter without meeting my eyes and handed over the balance. I could easily infer her embarrassment, so I didn't say anything. If I teased her, she might even slice through her stomach right here.After having paid properly, she once more headed to the door, with quicker steps this time.Hey! I called, making her stop with the door half-open, her shoulders suddenly stiff as if she was worried about there being more. You can come again.She stood in silence for a moment.I shall do so once I have become friends with Linaria. It would be a nuisance if I were to intrude upon a place she holds dear.I felt my chest twinge at her humility and felt it would be uncivilised to say anything more on the matter.I see, then I'll look forward to that day.Indeed. Farewell then, Commoner, she said, before continuing. It's Aina. Ainalayla.By the time I had realised that was her name, she had already left and the door had closed. I hadn't been able to call her by name, nor tell her my own.I hope I get to meet her again,I thought.And on that day, I would introduce myself properly. She would become Linaria's friend and the time would come that all three of us could smile in this caf, I was sure it would be enjoyable. She was awkward, but I knew she wasn't a bad person.Then, the next morning, when I opened the door to prepare to open the caf, a girl was standing there.You're late, Commoner. I've been waiting for some time. Incidentally, I want the same lunch as Linaria, could I request that? Right now.Uh you knowHey, what are you sighing for, that's rude.Right after yesterday you'reI can't help it, I wanted the same lunch as Linaria.How should I put it you'reBack way too early?