(A/N Notes: The second and final release of this month's schedule. A bit late today, as I was finishing doing some side stuff for another story, which took a bit longer than I expected.
As for this chapter, it's a much more improved version, in my opinion, of the original prologue, and it makes a whole lot more sense, to an extent than the original version.
Hope you all enjoy it)
On a cold afternoon on the 23rd of December, under the orange light of the setting sun, a blonde-haired girl could be seen standing near the frozen fountain in front of the train station. Wearing a beautiful and charming — but unfitting for the cold weather — dress, the girl remained still, her face blank, in the exact same spot she had been standing for nearly three hours, waiting for her companion to arrive — almost as if she were a statue. The only signs that she wasn't one were the white mist escaping her lips with each breath she took, and her occasional movements to either check her phone or shift into a more comfortable position.
As the sun slowly disappeared and the evening continued to seep into the sky, the girl looked at her wristwatch, its hands showing that it was almost 18:00. She stared at it with the same blank expression, thinking of only one thing:
"Hm?"
As she did so, she noticed a single snowflake landing right in the middle of the watch's glass, prompting her to look up at the dark, clouded sky as white snowflakes slowly descended. It was the first snowfall of the year — one she was supposed to witness with her partner — and yet, here she was, seeing it all alone out in the cold.
Then, a single snowflake landed on the tip of the girl's nose, finally causing her composure to crumble.
"Ah… Ah… ACHOO!"
No longer able to endure the cold, the girl let out a sneeze. She rubbed her red nose, and as the snowfall grew heavier and the temperature dropped further, she couldn't help but rub her cold arms with her even colder hands, as snow continued to land on her exposed shoulders and long, wavy hair.
Even with the sun finally gone, the streetlights brightening the busy roads, and the ground slowly turning white from the fallen snow, the girl remained in her spot with the same blank expression as before. There were no signs she intended to leave — after all, she and her fiancé had agreed to meet at that very place three hours ago and had promised both their parents they would spend the evening together.
Even as the cold was becoming unbearable, the girl continued to wait. However, when she picked up her phone from her small bag, she noticed something strange — the snow had stopped falling on her. Yet when she looked up and ahead, she could still see the snowflakes drifting down. Slowly, she turned her head to the right, sensing a familiar presence standing next to her.
"Hm? Hirano…san?"
Nods "Umu. Good evening, Kogane-san."
Reflected in Kogane Sakurako's amethyst eyes, as he held an umbrella above her, was Hirano Ichiro — who, in stark contrast to Sakurako's blank expression, wore a confident, borderline smug smile on his face.
The two had a distinctly different atmosphere between them. Sakurako, with her naturally beautiful and somewhat foreign appearance, wore a dress that clearly looked expensive. Ichiro, on the other hand, had a more average and typically Japanese appearance, dressed in clothing from a brand worn by many other passersby. And yet, the two shared a sense of familiarity, hinting at a close acquaintance.
"What are you doing here, Hirano-san?"
"Me? I just finished helping out at a store run by one of my parents' acquaintances. Then I decided to buy some meat buns on the way home and spotted you standing in the snow. But what about you, Kogane-san? Why are you here — and wearing only that dress?"
"I've been waiting for my fiancé to arrive for about three hours. We were supposed to have a date and dinner together today… but he messaged me saying he'd be running late."
"And when was that?"
"…About two hours ago."
"…"
"And as for why I don't have a coat or jacket, Hirano-san… it's because I didn't want to wrinkle the dress."
"I see…"
As Ichiro gave a simple response to Sakurako's answer, his smile twitched slightly, a surge of contempt rising within him toward her fiancé. But before he could dwell any further on that feeling, his attention was drawn back to the present.
"Achoo!!"
"…"
As Sakurako sneezed a second time, she once again rubbed her cold arms in a useless attempt to warm herself. Seeing her do that, Ichiro remained silent, taking a deep breath of the cold air to suppress the surge of emotions rising within him once more — especially the contempt he felt toward her fiancé.
"…Kogane-san, could you hold the umbrella and the paper bag for a moment?"
"Hm? Sure?"
At his request, Sakurako tilted her head slightly in confusion, then took the umbrella in her cold hands and cradled the warm paper bag in her chilled arms. Her confusion only deepened as she watched Ichiro take off his long winter coat and gently place it over her shoulders.
"…"
"Sorry, Kogane-san, for wrinkling your dress. But I couldn't stand seeing you out in the cold like that any longer."
"…It's okay, Hirano-san. It's my fault for not bringing proper clothes for the weather. And also… I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable and for making you lend me your coat."
"It's fine, Kogane-san. As you can see, I'm still wearing a sweater and a scarf, and I'm pretty good at handling the cold — so don't worry about it too much."
"I see."
With that, Ichiro gently retrieved the umbrella and the paper bag from Sakurako. But just as she was handing the bag containing the meat buns back to him—
Grooowll
"…"
"Ah… I apologize for this, Hirano-san."
"You don't have to apologize, Kogane-san. I'm sure standing out here in the cold for three hours must've made you hungry."
The growl from her stomach had been triggered by the scent of the still piping hot meat buns — even in just that short amount of time. It finally brought a change to Sakurako's blank expression, her cheeks turning slightly pink from the embarrassment of such a thing happening in front of an acquaintance. Ichiro was momentarily surprised by the sound but quickly brushed it off. He reached into the paper bag, took out a meat bun, and offered it to her.
"Here. You can have this one, Kogane-san."
"Huh? Are you sure, Hirano-san?"
"Yes. In fact… you can have both of them."
"No, I can't, Hirano-san. You bought these for yourself, so it wouldn't feel right for me to eat both."
"Don't worry about it, Kogane-san. I only bought them because these two just happened to be the last ones the bakery had left. And also, between you and me… you're the one who deserves them the most."
"…I see… Thank you, Hirano-san."
"No worries, Kogane-san. Also, if you don't mind… would you allow me to keep you company until your fiancé arrives?"
"Hm? Sure, Hirano-san."
"Thank you."
With that, the two fell silent. Sakurako, having accepted the meat bun Ichiro had offered, gently blew on it to cool it down before taking a big bite. As she chewed, her eyes seemed to brighten, clearly enjoying her meal. Seeing that expression, Ichiro couldn't help but gaze at her warmly, his usual smile softening into a genuinely gentle one.
After noticing that Sakurako had warmed up a bit, Ichiro turned his head away and pulled out his phone. He began scrolling through his contact list until he stopped at a certain name — a name that brought back memories of the past, of when he first met Sakurako — and began typing a message to that contact.
.
.
.
About a year ago
Inside a small neighborhood café, a boy wearing a simple waiter uniform and a jacket could be seen slumped over the counter, looking exhausted.
"Haa… Work is finally done…"
"Thank you for your work, Takkun. Here's a cheesecake and a cold matcha latte for you."
"… … … Alright, Ichiro. What are you planning?"
"Nothing~"
"Whenever you're this nice to me, it's either because you're using me as a guinea pig for some new recipe or because you're planning something to mess with me!"
"Ah, I've been found out, huh? Oh well, it's not like you'll run away anyway."
"Oh yeah? Then watch and learn!"
Just as Takeru was about to get up from the chair he was sitting on, Ichiro played the trump card he had prepared specifically for this exact situation — one he knew would come.
"Takkun, if you go home now, I won't give you the package with the red velvet cake and milk pudding I made earlier today for you to take home."
"!?… … …"
And with that simple argument, Takeru sat back down and began eating the cheesecake given to him, wearing an annoyed and angry expression as he did so — both from being forced by Ichiro and from having such a frustratingly strong sweet tooth. Meanwhile, Ichiro stayed quiet, smiling in his usual slightly sinister way as he cleaned the bar area.
For a while, things remained calm in the café. Ichiro went about finishing the remaining closing tasks, while Takeru begrudgingly savored the cheesecake — much to his dismay, since it had been made by his cousin, Ichiro. But just as Takeru finished his snack and drink, the bell above the front door rang, signaling that someone had arrived. Out of habit, Takeru quickly moved to greet the new customers. With a practiced smile on his face, he said the usual greeting:
"Welcome to Niko's—"
Flash
"Huh? Geh!?"
Before he could finish, the sound of a camera shutter snapped through the air. He froze, letting out a surprised grunt as he saw who the new customers were.
"Oh, my lord… Ichiro wasn't lying when he said he could make Takkun smile."
"Hmm… He does look kinda cute when he's smiling. Such a waste that he's always frowning."
"O-Oi! D-Delete that photo right now, Kazuo!!!"
"Hm? Sure… and done. Deleted."
"… … … Oi, what did you just do to be so cooperative?"
"I shared it with the others and your family, of course."
"YOU—!"
Clap "Now, now, Takkun. Since you've already done what I needed, you can go home. Here, take the promised package with you."
Before Takeru could land a hit on Kazuo, Ichiro clapped his hands once and spoke calmly, interrupting the moment. But all it did was make Takeru pause briefly — just long enough for Kazuo to retreat and use the front door as a shield.
"Takkun, if you cause trouble for a customer, I won't give you the red velvet cake or the milk pudding."
"…Tch. You're lucky this time, Kazuo."
With that, Takeru angrily snatched the package from Ichiro, clicking his tongue and shooting a glare at both him and Kazuo before heading to the changing room to switch out of his uniform — leaving only Ichiro, Kazuo, and the girl accompanying Kazuo at the café entrance.
"Ahem… Welcome to Niko's Café. Kazuo, Kohaku-san, I apologize for Takkun's behavior just now."
"…It's alright, Ichiro. Also, your customer service smile and persona are honestly kind of scary compared to how you are at school."
"Oh my, whatever do you mean by that, oh esteemed Lord of the Scar—"
Before Ichiro could finish his sentence, Kazuo rushed forward and clamped a hand over Ichiro's mouth, his face desperate, practically begging him not to continue.
"Whisper I already begged you not to call me that in front of Kohaku-chan!?"
"?"
"…"
"…Fine…"
"Is something the matter, Kazuo?"
"Ah, i-it's nothing, Kohaku-chan. Ichiro was just about to say something unnecessary."
"Is that so?"
"Y-Yeah, it is. Isn't it, Ichiro?"
Friendly smile
"Not really. I was just about to mention how Kazuo is always talking about how much he loves his fiancée, Kohaku-san."
"O-Oi! I-Ichiro, w-what are you—"
"Ara? Is that so, Ichiro-san? Is there anything else he says about me?"
"Of course. He also keeps boasting about how lovely and beautiful you are — especially how much he enjoys taking care of you, Kohaku-san."
"Fufu, I see. I'm glad to hear that Kazuo is proud to be engaged to someone like me."
"…"
As Ichiro and Kohaku engaged in a lighthearted conversation, Kazuo could only stand on the sidelines, covering his red face with his hands while glaring daggers at Ichiro. He knew full well that Ichiro had brought all of that up on purpose — just to make him suffer from embarrassment. And for a moment, Ichiro snickered, amused that Kazuo had walked right into his trap.
"Well, in any case, a table for two as usual?"
"Actually, make it a table for three today, Ichiro-san. I brought along a good childhood friend of mine."
"I see. Will she be arriving soon?"
"She's already here, but she's outside right now, trying to make a call to her fiancé."
"Who also just so happens to be my brother — and he was supposed to be here with us as well. But he decided to announce, just thirty minutes before our meeting, that he had another commitment to attend. Haa… Even though I went through all the trouble of arranging this double date so that he and his fiancée could spend some time together."
"I understand how both of you feel. But for the time being, would you like me to guide you to a table, or would you prefer to wait here until your friend finishes her call?"
Bell ringing
Just as Ichiro finished his sentence, the front door of the café opened, revealing a girl with amethyst eyes. Her flaxen blonde hair was tied in a semi-looped ponytail, while her shoulder-length side bangs, were cut straight across. Alongside her uneven fringe that nearly reached her eyes, the hairstyle gave her a rather odd, yet undeniably charming appearance.
She wore a triple-layered outfit: a black turtleneck with sleeves long enough to cover almost her entire hands, under a white button-up shirt, and topped with a loosely worn light brown knitted sweater. A long velvet skirt fell to her shins, appearing to be paired with black tights. Altogether, her ensemble gave off an unusual yet comforting vibe.
"Kohaku-chan, I apologize for making you and Kazuo-san wait."
Shakes head "It's fine, Sacchan. In fact, it's your fiancé who's at fault here!"
"I agree. My brother had agreed to be here today as well, but he suddenly said at the last minute that he had something else to do."
"…"
As the girl began speaking with Kohaku and Kazuo, Ichiro remained silent, maintaining the professional smile he always wore while working at the café. However, as the three chatted, none of them noticed Ichiro quietly gulping as he struggled to maintain his composure. The moment he laid eyes on the girl, his heartbeat quickened—so much so that he feared it might leap out of his chest if he stopped focusing.
It was the first time Ichiro had ever felt that way, though he had a good idea of what the feeling was. But before he could dwell on it any further, he was brought back to his senses by the very person who had caused it.
"Hm, Hirano Ichiro-san, was it? It's nice to meet you. I'm Kogane Sakurako, and I'll be in your care for the time being."
"…"
Hearing Sakurako address him made Ichiro momentarily freeze in surprise. But he quickly pulled himself together, took a deep breath, and returned her greeting with his usual practiced smile.
Nods "Umu. Likewise, Kogane-san. It's nice to meet you too. Now that everyone is here, shall I take you all to your table?"
Nods (x3)
With that, all three nodded in agreement, and Ichiro guided Kazuo, Kohaku, and Sakurako to the table usually frequented by the first two.
"Please have a seat… And here's the menu. I'll be back shortly, but if you finish deciding what you'd like to order, just press that button and I'll return as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Hirano-san."
"You're welcome, Kogane-san."
"…"
With that, Ichiro left the group, heading behind the counter and into the kitchen, disappearing from the trio's view. However, Kohaku had a lingering feeling about Ichiro's demeanor, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She leaned closer to her fiancé and whispered.
"Kazuo."
"Yes, Kohaku-chan?"
"Is it just me, or… did Ichiro-san's demeanor change once Sacchan appeared?"
"Now that you mention it, hmm… Well… it's probably just him switching gears to leave a good impression on Sakurako-san so she might come back again. At least, that's the impression I get, based on how he treats me when I show up during busier hours."
"I see."
"? Did you say something, Kohaku-chan?"
"No, I didn't, Sacchan. Have you already decided on what you'll have?"
"I'm currently conflicted between the black coffee or the day's special blend."
"Ah! I should've guessed it would be something related to coffee."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen
Closes the door
"… … … Haa."
As Ichiro sighed heavily, he slowly slid his back down along the wall until he reached the floor, where he then covered his face with both hands.
"… To think that I'd develop feelings for a girl who's already engaged to someone else… and who just so happens to be Kazuo's older brother's fiancée… Hahaha… This must be my punishment for constantly teasing him about how he feels about Kohaku…
Deep breath in
Haa… … … Maybe these feelings will fade with time… … … I hope they do… … … Sigh
To fall in love with Kogane-san at first sight… I really am an easy person, aren't I?"
As Ichiro tried to sort through his emotions in a self-deprecating manner—due to the unfortunate circumstances of who he'd developed a crush on—he suddenly heard the familiar buzzing sound from a table requesting service.
"… Breathes in… … … Whew… Alright, time to work."
With that, Ichiro jumped to his feet and took another breath—this time to push his feelings for Sakurako as deep down as possible for the time being—before leaving the kitchen with his usual smiling face.
Back to the present
"…"
As Ichiro momentarily stopped reminiscing about his first encounter with Sakurako, he spoke to himself in his mind while looking at her with a friendly smile. But as he did so, Sakurako noticed his gaze and turned to look at him—and to speak.
"Is something the matter, Hirano-san?"
Shakes head
"It's nothing, Kogane-san. Rather, I was just captivated by your adorable beauty."
"Ah… Thank you…"
Caught off guard by Ichiro's unexpected compliment, Sakurako's cheeks blushed slightly as she looked away. As Ichiro enjoyed seeing her cute, embarrassed expression, he felt his phone buzz inside his pocket. When he picked it up, he saw it was a message from the contact he had messaged earlier. Upon seeing it, he couldn't help but let out his true—albeit slightly wicked—smile, as the sender was none other than Kazuo, the brother of Sakurako's fiancé.