POV：熨斗田中 Noshi Tanaka

I was casually greeting the two female customers from our school when I noticed Haruki staring at us intensely. “Noshi~ Pay attention to us when we’re talking to you~”

I turned back to the girls, smiled gently and politely said, “Shut it bitch and don’t call me by my first name so casually.” I turned and started to walk towards Haruki, but he was already gone.

The girls left and I was left bored at the cash register. I watched my dad walk into the back and after just a few minutes he rushed past me and called someone. He whispered into the phone while glancing every now and then at me.

A car screeched in front of the store right after my dad hung up and it was Haruki’s mother. She rushed to the back of the store smiling and waving as she pasted me.

She looked extra cheery just now- Did something happen?

I snuck quietly behind her and watched from the doorway. “W H A T? I’m not gay!” I felt my heart sank as Haruki said those words. “Denial...” “...Seriously...” “HUSH CHILD...” “...” “TMI MOM!”

I watched as she started to walk towards the door, and I panicked and scrambled towards the cash register and started to count the money.

“Noshi.” “...yes?” “I know you were listening to us.” “...I was counting money, so I don’t know what you mean.” “You already know Haruki doesn’t like liars.”

Ugh this woman sees right through me...

“Alright, yes I was listening, but you guys had me all curious! Both you and my dad running around all giddy and Haruki suddenly disappearing, so I just wanted to know what happened.” 

“Well Haruki had a little ‘awakening’.” She said with a grin.

What the hell does that mean? Is it a Demon Lord thing?

I sighed and went along with my day, cleaning and brewing coffees for customers, but I didn’t see Haruki for the rest of the day.