Chapter 2. Craving Utaha, the Antique Café

As Utaha devoured her food with little regard for appearances, Hayashi also began eating his portion.

Utaha took alternating bites of tofu and rice, occasionally sipping her sake.

Hayashi, on the other hand, started by scooping a few spoonfuls of mapo tofu, then mixed it with rice before digging in.

For a while, the only sounds in the diner were the two of them eating.

Utaha's cheeks were flushed as she ate. Her already tempting lips were now glistening from the slight spiciness of the dish.

The mild heat was just right for Hayashi, and he quickly finished his meal.

Looking at his now-empty plate, Hayashi sighed inwardly. The part he disliked most was coming up next—washing up.

He glanced at Utaha, who was still eating, occasionally pausing to exhale due to the heat.

Guess I'll wait until she's done and wash everything at once, he thought.

With nothing to do in the meantime, Hayashi turned his gaze out the window.

Hardly anyone was walking past the alleyway entrance.

Occasionally, a passerby would glance in but quickly move on. No one really stopped to enter and dine.

Most who did pause only did so because the diner's décor caught their eye—they'd snap a few pictures and leave.

This alley actually had quite a few shops.

Aside from the Midnight Diner, there was a flower shop, a café, a bookstore, a dessert shop, and more.

Thinking about it now, Hayashi realized that since opening his diner, he hadn't once introduced himself to any of the neighboring stores.

After all, in Japan, whether you're moving to a new home or opening a business, it's customary to bring a small gift or at least offer a greeting.

Hayashi thought it over and decided, "Guess I'll bring them something to eat."

And the moment he made that decision—

[Random Mission Triggered: I Heard a New Shop Opened in the Safe Zone]

[Mission Intro: Bring some small gifts and politely greet the surrounding shop owners.]

[Mission Reward: All-World Food Lottery x1]

A reward too?

Then it's no trouble at all—simple.

Hayashi nodded and got up to prepare the gifts in the kitchen.

Since some ingredients needed advance preparation, Hayashi immediately took out the ready-made pastry ingredients and made a few portions of sakura cakes using the osmanthus cake method.

The sakura cakes came out pink and glossy, with a lovely, appetizing appearance.

When Hayashi brought them out and started packing them up, Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had just finished eating, stared at them, mesmerized.

"Manager~"

"Hmm?" Hayashi followed her gaze. "You want one?"

"Mhm!"

"You'll gain weight if you eat too much."

"Just three pieces!"

"One."

"Eh~!" Hearing she could only have one, Utaha whined, "Manager~ no, Hayashi-kun~~"

"Still one," Hayashi stood firm.

Utaha's figure was just right, the black stockings hugging her curves delicately—pleasant on the eyes. What if he really fed her until she got chubby?

Realizing it was truly just one, Utaha sipped her sake and pouted.

"Hayashi-kun, you're so mean."

Before heading out to deliver gifts, Hayashi took her plate and his own and washed them together.

After that, he carried the ten packed gift boxes, waved to Utaha, and headed out.

"I'm going to greet the neighbors. Watch the shop for me."

Utaha nodded. "If anyone comes, I'll message you."

Hayashi stepped out while Utaha stayed behind.

Watching him leave, Utaha couldn't help but smile.

Hayashi-kun trusted her enough to let her mind the shop—how nice.

She dazedly smiled for a moment.

Then looked at her blank document on the laptop and quickly returned to brainstorming her novel.

Meanwhile—

Hayashi began greeting the nearest shops with gifts.

It was mostly just knocking, greeting, chatting a bit, leaving the gift, saying "please take care of me," and moving on.

He went to several shops in a row without much reaction.

Until he was down to the last one.

Hayashi stopped at the entrance of a coffee shop.

Looking down, he saw the wooden sign at the door: "Antique Coffee Shop," with various coffee prices listed below.

"..."

So the famous "Antique" was right next door to him all along?

Couldn't really blame him for not noticing.

Hayashi ate, drank, and slept in his own shop. He hadn't gone out much lately and didn't pay attention to nearby cafés.

At this hour, the Antique Coffee Shop was still open.

It was evening—students were getting off school.

Inside were a few "normal" customers. "Normal" servers were making and delivering coffee.

In his line of sight, a short-haired girl with deep purple hair was carrying coffee.

Another woman, with long light purple hair and a refined look, was reading a book while sipping.

Behind the counter, a chubby man and a cool-looking woman were preparing drinks. The elderly manager didn't seem to be around.

For a moment, Hayashi considered not giving the gift.

He really didn't want trouble.

But the next moment, he thought—well, if it's going to happen, it will. The shops are this close anyway, and avoiding things isn't really his style.

Hayashi thought for a second. "Well, I'm already here."

He stepped inside through the side entrance. The bell above the door chimed lightly—ding-a-ling~

The staff turned and greeted him.

"Welcome!"

Everyone looked at Hayashi, and he smiled as he raised the gift box.

"I'm the owner of the Deep Night Diner at the end of the alley—Hayashi. This is a small gift. I hope we can get along well."

"Owner?" Among the group, the deep purple-haired girl, Kirishima Touka, let out a small gasp. "You're that young and already a shop owner?"

Just then, a slightly chubby man in a vest and suit with slicked-back brown hair walked over and greeted warmly, "Hello, I'm Koma Enji. The manager isn't in right now, but please take care of us."

He accepted Hayashi's gift box, then turned to the cool woman behind the counter.

"Irimi, make a cup of coffee."

The woman named Irimi nodded and got to work.

Hayashi thought for a moment, but didn't refuse.

The Antique Coffee Shop was a legitimate business too—coffee should be fine.

Koma Enji led Hayashi to a seat.

But as they passed one particular table...

The woman sitting there with long violet hair, red half-rim glasses, and a white dress suddenly twitched her nose and froze.

She was holding a book, but when Hayashi passed by, she stared at his back, pupils shrinking, lips pressing tightly together as she gulped hard.

Even her breathing grew heavier.