“You’re here again. Drowning yourself in coffee isn’t healthy you know?” a middle-aged man wearing an apron approached me as I sipped coffee from a mug. He was the cafe’s manager and owner, Saitou Mitsuo.

“I can always change cafe’s if you don’t like me around,” I said raising my head from being preoccupied with lessons on my laptop screen for the past 2 hours. I barely get any sleep because of the upcoming exams and I’m currently cramming because apparently, 24 hours in a day isn’t enough for everything. In short, I’m exhausted and caffeine is getting me through the day.

“That’s pretty cold, Kyouma-san. You’re free to come here anytime, you attract a lot of customers too. So, I’m not complaining.” Mitsuo said as he gave me a thumbs up and pointed towards the tables mostly occupied by women. He smiled and walked away.

I’ve known Mitsuo ever since my first year in university and he also lives in the same neighborhood as me so pretty much I’ve relied on him these past years as I was a person who knew nothing about the outside world. He’s a middle-aged man, with a loving wife and an adorable daughter. He’s helped me a ton and I guess this is what I can do for him to repay somehow. I hang out here at his cafe because I attract a lot of attention from men and women alike, which I don’t really understand. My looks have never been given that much attention at home, but if I find Souma very beautiful, I’m his twin so that makes me the same? I really don’t get it.

Aside from being an attraction, I also spend my time here because they have great coffee, cakes, and it’s the only coffee that keeps me up; plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk from my university. Talk about convenience.

It’s already 2 in the afternoon and I still have a class to attend at 3. I never liked being late so I started packing up my things and stuffing them into my bag. After packing up, I approached the counter. “I’d like an iced americano, no milk, and sugar,” I said as I took my wallet out of my pocket.

“I’m sorry, Sir. You’ve had three cups of coffee, your daily limit has been reached.” Mitsuo had that annoying smile on his face as he told me off, sarcastically.

“Tch, you’re so annoying. Alright, I’ll have a double vanilla frappuccino. No whipped cream.” I glared at him, but hey, I also liked their vanilla frappe.

“That’s a good child and because of that, your drink is on the house. Thank you for your patronage~” he said as he chuckled and proceeded to make my drink.

I swear I don’t know how his wife handles him. But from what I heard from Rika-san, he’s a very capable husband and father. I don’t doubt him being a good man though because he really is.

Mitsuo handed me my frappe and added a sticky note on the cup. “Thank you, Kyouma-kun. Take care!” He said as he waved.

I took my cup and nodded at him before leaving the cafe and making my way down my usual route to the university. I took a sip and smiled a bit, it still tastes as good as I first tried it. I turned my cup to the side where the sticky note was attached and I sighed at what he wrote,

‘Don’t push yourself too hard, learn how to rest or you’ll get old early.’ - Dad

“Who does he think he is? So annoying.” I mumbled to myself as I hid the note in my pocket. I’m not gonna lie, it made me feel lighter.

I was looking at my phone while walking to check my schedule for the next day, Mitsuo said not to push my self too hard but I cannot relax with a schedule like this. Man, thinking about tomorrow stresses me out already. Is this how Souma dealt with life outside? Meeting deadlines and balancing a social life with school? Wow, outside people are amazing.

As I was walking, I accidentally bumped into a person. Well, at first, I thought it was a post because it seemed really sturdy and tall. I was about to apologize so I looked up at the really tall man, and was surprised that he looked really pissed. He glared at me and I honestly hate being threatened so I was about to have an aggression game with him but the moment our eyes met, his expression softened. He looked really surprised and at the same time sad. It was like he was looking at someone he knew. Suddenly, my phone made a notification and I immediately looked at it. My school friend messaged me, I forgot I had his handouts with me. So in a hurry, instead of getting mad, I bowed at him. “Sorry for bumping into you. I have to go.” I said as I brisk walked my way to university.

My friend was waiting for me at the entrance, he’s too bright. He had this really bright aura around him. No offense to him but he can be so tiring to be with as if he drains all your remaining energy and uses it as his own. But despite that, he has been a good friend. His name is Yoshida Haruto and he was the first friend I made when I got here, so far he has been clinging to me ever since that day.

“Man, where have you been? I missed you already! Plus, I haven’t read that handout even once.” Haruto tried to hug me but I stopped him right away by pushing his head back before he could reach me. I didn’t like physical interaction too much, it’s okay to a certain extent but I’m really not fond of it.

“Yeah? Then why did you let me borrow it in the first place? I could have just gotten it xeroxed.” I sighed at his stupidity, but I knew he was just being thoughtful. “Also, don’t be so clingy, shorty,” I added as I flicked a finger on his forehead. It was true though, his height is probably just right above my shoulder if I would compare it. He looks more of a child than a grown man.

“You’re so mean, just because you’re tall doesn’t mean you can look down on me— actually, never mind. Pretend I didn’t say that...” Haruto said realizing that I do look down on him because he is short. How else would I look at him?

“Stop fooling around or we’ll be late. I left the cafe early but I ended up bumping into a grumpy dude, took a bit of my time.” I said as I started walking. I really hated to be late. The class was going to start soon.


-DURING CLASS FREE TIME-

I’ve been feeling so uneasy and I guess the people around me were feeling the same way. I didn’t like being stared at and it was also uncomfortable for those staring because all I could do was glare at the discomfort. But there are odd people who start talking about how sexy I looked like while looking angry and annoyed. How is that attractive? Sexy, even. I’ve been outside for 2 years now and it seems like women are more complicated than anything else I’ve encountered. Perhaps more complicated than my life's situation.

One girl approached my seat nervously and I honestly cannot control my expression at all. I glanced at her and she immediately blushed and got even more nervous. “Is there something you need?” I tried to ask nicely.

“O-Oh, I just wanted to give you this. It’s an invitation for the freshman welcome party this weekend. I couldn’t give it to you earlier because you always seemed so busy, but I hope you can come!” She tried to avoid eye contact but I understood why.

I took the invitation from her hand and stared at it for a bit before looking back at her, “Thanks. I’ll think about it.” I looked at her and nodded my head before facing back in front and keeping the invitation in my bag.

“O-Okay, thank you!” She said sounding relieved as she walked back to her own seat and it sounded like their friends were congratulating her. Was I really that hard to approach? Hmm, I don’t know if I can even change.

Our professor peeked inside the room announcing that he won’t be able to continue the class today for he had urgent matters to attend to, so he decided to dismiss us early. It was a good call since I needed more time for reports and papers I needed to pass. Maybe, I should also go to the welcome party. It’s going to be held this Saturday and I think I’m free by then, it’s also a good chance to unwind. Hmm, it looks like a plan.

Class officially ended and I left the premises in a hurry to catch the train, Mitsuo also sent me a message that I should come over and eat dinner with them as he sent a picture of his daughter. To be honest, my parents loved me but my heart never felt this warm. It’s really different to feel as if you are accepted for the way you are. It’s an amazing feeling. When Souma gets better and he returns to himself one day, I will bring him with me to meet Mitsuo and his family. Souma will surely like them too.

I walked to the station making my way through the crowd which I hated a lot, there was no other way to get home though. I finally found my way to the platform and stood there for a bit before the train arrived after about 5 minutes. I lived two stations away so I took a seat and got comfortable. I was so tired, that I was planning to just eat at Mitsuo’s and go home right away to spend the rest of my time finishing my report that was due tomorrow. Since everyone was on their way home, the train started getting crowded.

“Excuse me, mind if I stand in front of you?” A man with a rather husky and low voice said. Huh? Was he talking to me? I looked up and was surprised because he looked really familiar. It's that guy! He had the same expression but now it's as if he was happy to see me.

“Go ahead,” I said as I looked down and started to reply to messages that I left unanswered.

But as I was doing that, I felt as if the man in front of me was still staring at me. His gaze never left me and he seemed a bit fascinated. Is he a creeper? I’m pretty calm on the outside but my mind is always judging things around me because I’m really cautious about everything, you can even call me paranoid. So I decided to ignore him, he’s probably gonna leave at some station different from mine so it will most likely be the last time we’ll see each other.

But I was wrong, a while passed and I finally reached my station I excused myself as I got out of the train and to my surprise, he was going the same route as me. Is he actually a stalker?

Mitsuo’s house wasn’t too far, but for some reason, the walk felt a tad bit longer than usual and the man was still following me.

“Are you following me?” I asked coldly without looking at him but I was already getting annoyed even at the slightest delay in his answer so I faced him this time as I asked again, “So? Are you?”.

“N-No! Of course not! It’s just that I’m also heading this way. Even I think it’s weird, okay?” He said and he sounded quite apologetic.

“Hmm, I see. Alright.” I answered and started walking again, seeing the light from Mitsuo’s house from where I was, became slightly comforting. But I started messaging Mitsuo that a man was heading the same way as me from the station. But I found it funny that I update Mitsuo about my situation like a child would to a parent. And as I reached his place, I stopped in front of his gate and the man did too.

“Eh??” We said at the same time, with the same dumbfounded reaction.

“Why are you stopping? Go on.” I said trying to mask my panic with my usual cold nature.

“I should be the one asking you that.” He replied with a sigh and obviously bothered by what's happening.

Mitsuo opened the door because I texted that I was right outside.

“Oh.” He said slightly surprised but after realizing something he laughed so hard that I got really confused.

“What’s so funny?” I asked Mitsuo, still confused about his sudden outburst of laughter.

“You know him??” The man beside me asked me with a really shocked expression on his face.

“Come on in, you boys must be hungry.” Rika-san, Mitsuo’s wife, said as she peeked from behind her husband with a big smile on her face.

What the hell?