New Roles, New Feelings

The school hall buzzed with excitement. Students gathered around the bulletin board, eyes scanning the freshly posted list of internship assignments. The school's partnership with local businesses had everyone curious and a little nervous.

"I hope I don't get stuck doing paperwork," Kaito groaned, stretching his arms dramatically.

May giggled. "I think you'd be great at serving coffee."

"I'd spill it on purpose just to quit," Kaito shot back.

Isagi watched the board with calm anticipation, his eyes finally catching his name. His assignment was…

"A café?" he murmured, reading the name of a cozy little spot in town.

"Oh! I got the same place!" May's voice chimed in, her eyes lighting up.

His heart skipped. Of course, fate had a funny way of pushing them together.

The next day, they stood in front of the café, a quaint, charming place with wooden décor and warm lighting. The owner, a cheerful older man named Mr. Sakamoto, welcomed them warmly.

"I hope you're ready to work hard!" he said with a grin. "We've got a busy week ahead."

Their tasks ranged from taking orders to serving tables and even helping in the kitchen. It didn't take long for May's natural cheerfulness and Isagi's calm efficiency to make them a great team.

But the real test came when a sudden rush of customers flooded the café.

"Isagi, can you handle the register?" Mr. Sakamoto called.

Isagi's eyes flickered with familiarity — this was just like a café-themed anime he'd watched. With swift confidence, he handled the orders, his memory of the anime's tips guiding him through.

"Wow, you're a pro at this!" May teased, impressed.

As the day wound down and they cleaned up together, the warm atmosphere made everything feel… right.

"You're really amazing, Isagi," May said softly, tying her apron. "I feel like you can handle anything."

He met her gaze, his heart thudding. "Only because I have you backing me up."

The new arc had just begun — and with it, their bond grew stronger than ever.