I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Chapter Fifteen: A mere junior, thinking of being a backup option is a decade too early.

"Not yet, at least not in the first year. It's just that I'm well-informed, otherwise my friends wouldn't dare to say they want to get to know you."

Isshiki gently bit her thumb, her gaze fixed on the ground. Her small face puffed up a little and then shrank back, as if she were deep in thought.

But soon, she raised her eyes, blinked, and asked with interest, "So, senior, who's your girlfriend? It wouldn't be... one of those '2D waifus' that otaku talk about, would it?"

Although the tone was innocent and cute, without any discrimination, this pure prejudice was all the more likely to hit a nerve.

"...Don't discriminate against anime fans! What's wrong with 2D waifus? They don't cry, they don't argue, they don't make a fuss—"

"stop!"

Iroha Isshiki interrupted him and very rudely took two steps back, giving him a subtle look of disdain.

"Senior, could it be that you really..."

Okay, this guy not only has prejudice, but also the kind of discrimination that popular girls usually have against otaku.

"No, I'm just speaking up for the author." Yuu Tenkuji shook his head and left the bar. "You'll probably find out who it is tomorrow. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Iroha Iroha crept over, her tiny fingers tugging at his clothes, shaking her head behind him and squealing incoherently:

"Senior, this is something that can be said right now, why do you have to keep us in suspense? You're keeping the girl in suspense, you're even more cruel than I imagined!"

Cute girls are adorable even when they're being clingy or swearing.

This is Iroha Isshiki's code of conduct: to make the most of her charm in dealing with people. Not to mention a mere waitress, she could even win over a group of loyal followers and maintain good relations with other clubs by using her own methods to become the student council president.

It's not about acting or lying—it's something metaphysical, just a simple way of surviving.

So Yuu Tenkuji doesn't dislike her, but she can't say she likes her that much either.

"Oh, could it be that you're deliberately stringing me along because you're looking for a backup plan? I'm so sorry!"

"Although you're handsome, a great pianist, and an all-rounder—basically every girl's dream guy—I don't dislike your type. But I just can't accept a playboy who's two-timing and charming all the girls. I still want my first love to be pure, so I'm sorry, please don't keep me as a backup!"

...Well, that's what I don't like about it.

Turning his head to look at the petite girl who had loosened her clothes and was bowing solemnly behind him, Tenkuji Yu was speechless.

For some reason, the phrase "self-acting B" popped into his mind.

A self-directed and self-acted otome, a girl with a high opinion of herself.

But seeing the giggling smile on her face when she looked up, Yuu Tenkuji dismissed the thought and smiled along with her.

"A mere junior like you is still a decade too early to be a backup option."

"Oh, that's so mean, senior! I was just joking, and you rejected me so seriously!"

Turning her head and waving, Yuu Tenkuji picked up her schoolbag and was about to leave the cafe.

"Tenkuji-kun, please wait a moment."

The mustachioed shop manager hurriedly came out of the warehouse, holding the store's purchasing bag in his hand. He said somewhat apologetically, "If you have time now, could you go to the convenience store to buy a few things for me? I'm going out to dinner with a wholesaler later, and I also need to stay in the store to wait for the coffee beans to be delivered. I really can't get away..."

Tenkuji Yu took the money pouch and looked at him strangely: "Buying something is no problem..."

"I'll have Isshiki-kun go with you. She can bring the things back, so you don't have to run back and forth." The mustachioed shopkeeper looked at Isshiki Iroha. "Is that alright, Isshiki-kun?"

"Sure, it's not time to leave work yet..." Iroha Isshiki pursed her lips, tilting her head in confusion, "But why can't I just go by myself? Why do I have to ask you for help, senpai?"

"Because we need to buy a few specific brands, I was worried that writing notes would confuse Isshiki-kun. This is a good opportunity to have Tenkuji-kun teach you." The shop manager wiped the sweat from his brow and gave a wry smile. "I'd completely forgotten about this before. It's a good thing Tenkuji-kun didn't quit. Otherwise, with things getting busier and busier, the burden on Isshiki-kun would probably be getting heavier and heavier..."

“That’s right, senpai! Did you hear that?” Upon hearing this, Iroha Isshiki immediately turned around. “You can’t resign until I can replace the manager… cough cough, become the best waitress in this shop, okay? It’s a matter of responsibility!”

Tenkuji chuckled: "You've revealed your true feelings. Besides, you just don't want to take on too much responsibility, right?"

When the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up; right now, he's the tallest one besides the store manager.

Ichiro Iroha's lazy and unambitious nature is known to everyone.

"Hehe~" The flaxen-haired girl tapped her head playfully and swayed her short hair as she walked happily into the changing room.

"Then wait for me outside, senior. I'll come out and meet you for our date as soon as I've changed my clothes~"

Tenkuji Yu's lips twitched slightly: "But I have a girlfriend, isn't what you're saying a bit..."

Isshiki Hachiman's eyes widened in surprise, and she covered her mouth with her hand: "Oh dear, I forgot... Sigh, it's a shame I can't tease you as much as I want anymore."

"I've never been teased by you before, okay?" Yuu Tenkuji shook his head helplessly.

The mustachioed shopkeeper watched them with warm eyes, and only after Iroha Isshiki closed the changing room door did he speak with a smile:

"You two have such a good relationship, you look like siblings."

If the manager hadn't just heard that he had a girlfriend, his wording would probably have been even more ambiguous.

After all, he had witnessed the scene of Isshiki Iroha becoming a waitress here, Tenkuji Yu diligently teaching her, and her serious learning, and the increasingly better relationship between the two.

Although some people do not advocate workplace romances, for a shop owner who simply wants to enjoy life, it would be wonderful if some delightful romantic comedies could happen in his shop.

What a pity...

"Maybe so, although my sister is much cuter than her."

Tenkuji Yu remained unmoved, his tone unwavering, as if this were the very truth of the world.

Not long after, a pretty and lively high school girl came out of the locker room.

"Let's go, senior! Let's head to the convenience store to buy some supplies!"

Why are you so excited?

"Hehe, it's almost like leaving get off work early! How could anyone not be excited about getting paid and being able to go shopping!"

"Um, Isshiki-kun, I'm still here..."

"...Ahem, I didn't say anything just now."

Under the complex gaze of the mustachioed shop manager, the two left "Angel Coffee" one after the other and headed towards the nearest convenience store.

Chapter Sixteen: My Junior Can't Be This Cute

"Senior, what does the shop manager want to buy?"

On the way, Isshiki Hachiman walked beside him with her hands behind her back.

"Some common ingredients, but the manager likes to use those small brand brands, and has also made some special recipes based on the subtle differences in taste." Having worked in the coffee shop for two or three years, Yuu Tenkuji naturally knows this very well. "For example, lemon tarts, handmade cookies and cakes... Although he is very confident in his mixed coffee, in my opinion, desserts are actually the manager's specialty."

Isshiki Iroha nodded in agreement: "Indeed, no wonder I think the desserts in the shop taste better than those sold outside... By the way, senpai, can you make desserts?"

"I know a little, but I'm not proficient."

"With such amazing culinary skills, how come you're not familiar with desserts?"

"That's why there's a distinction between chefs and pastry chefs." Seeing that surprised look on her face, as if to say, "Oh, you're so bad at this," Yuu Tenkuji gently patted her forehead with his money pouch. "Don't just criticize me; do you think you can do it too?"

Originally covering her forehead and about to complain, Isshiki Hatake immediately pretended to be nonchalant, looked up at the distant sky, and muttered a sigh.

"The sunset today is so beautiful..."

With a slight pout, Tenkuji Yu walked past her without stopping.

Iroha quickly caught up, her flaxen shoulder-length hair fluttering in the sunset.

"Senior, would you work hard to learn how to make desserts for your girlfriend?"

Why are you asking that?

"Just out of curiosity."

“I will have her learn it, and we will divide the work.”

"...Ugh, zero points for this answer. With your straight-laced personality, you must only be able to get girlfriends because of your abilities and looks, right?"

"You don't understand. From an idealistic perspective, do straight men really exist in this world? Or perhaps, we are all actually straight men..."

"I won't listen! I won't listen! I won't listen to your fallacies!"

She closed her eyes tightly, covered her ears, and shook her head vigorously.

Tenkuji Yu glanced at her sideways, looking at her unreasonable behavior, and couldn't help but smile, feeling helpless yet relieved.

Seemingly sensing his gaze, Isshiki Hatake quietly opened one eye and, after meeting his eyes, couldn't help but chuckle.

He skipped and hopped along beside her, like a lively and adorable little rabbit.

The convenience store was soon reached. Yuu Tenkuji took the shopping basket and, according to the list in her purse, explained to Iroha Isshiki which brands of sugar, chocolate, peanut butter, and other ingredients to choose.

Unlike her playful demeanor earlier, she listened attentively and even took notes with her phone. After putting everything into the basket, she took a picture, showing a very serious attitude.

Before he was about to pay the bill, Isshiki Iroha stopped him.

"Excuse me, senior, I want to buy a dessert to eat on the way!"

Tenkuji Yu thought for a moment, then picked up an empty shopping basket from the side: "Take this and fill it with whatever you want to eat. It's on me today."

"Huh?! Really?" Iroha Isshiki's clear, animal-like eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't expect my senior, who wouldn't even agree to a matchmaking event, to be so generous... Ah, I know! The manager must have given me extra travel expenses!"

Her expression shifted, revealing a smug look as if she had guessed the answer correctly.

"No, it's a reward for you."

Tenkuji Yu rolled her eyes, forcefully shoved the basket into her cool, soft little hands, and deliberately put on a haughty air, saying, "Seeing how serious your attitude towards studying is, I am very pleased. Giving you a little reward is nothing, so just accept it obediently."

"Hmm—" Being looked down at from above, Iroha couldn't help but narrow her eyes, her expression very displeased. "You said it yourself, right? Iroha is a good girl who will not let go of any opportunity to make myself happier—senpai, if you dare to be so arrogant, I won't be polite to you!"

"Bring it on." Yuu Tenkuji crossed his arms, leaned leisurely against the food counter next to him, took out his phone, and said without looking up, "I'll give you ten minutes. Call me when you've chosen."

"Just you wait and see!" Iroha glared at him angrily, then took a long stride with her beautifully slender legs and rushed towards the dessert and ice cream area.

Late September is a season when short skirts and ice cream haven't disappeared yet, a time when young girls are as vibrant and energetic as summer itself.

"This is what a normal campus life should be like," he said, watching the other person leave.

During those ten minutes, Tenkuji Yuu naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to wait for her.

He opened his chat window with Natsukawa Masuzu and began composing their first message.

Sky Temple: "A junior of mine has invited me to a mixer to meet and chat with a few girls who want to get to know me. What do you think?"

Masuzu aka Love Dies: "Is your first message a declaration of cheating? You're something else, Yu."