CHAPTER 712: CHAPTER 434: BROTHER-IN-LAW IN THE COFFEE SHOP

As soon as he arrived at school, Todaka Keichiro saw Uesugi Sakura in the elective class and immediately walked over.

Uesugi Sakura had also just arrived in the classroom and casually picked a seat at the back. When he took out a reference book from his bag, he had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"It’s not even ten degrees today, why do you look so hot?"

Uesugi Sakura placed his bag on his lap and replied, "Just finished running."

"Running again... Why are you working so hard lately? You’ve got a good figure already."

"Gotta maintain the figure, and it’s also for physical fitness."

"Why don’t I try running with you?"

"You’re welcome to, but it’s best if you can keep up."

"What if I can’t keep up?"

"It’s fine if you can’t, but about ’giving up,’ the first time is easy, and the second time it only gets easier. Will you promise?"

"How far is your morning run?" Todaka Keichiro asked, not quite decided yet.

"Ten kilometers," Uesugi Sakura said casually.

"Ten kilometers..."

Even though Todaka Keichiro had long known this guy could really run, hearing this definite number made him lose the will to join in for the morning runs.

He usually got exhausted after just one kilometer, not to mention continuously running ten kilometers.

A ten-kilometer morning run.

And waking up so early in the morning.

He’s practically a monster.

Todaka Keichiro decided not to say more on this matter.

"Uesugi, about the thing I asked you to do yesterday..."

"Yeah, she agreed."

"That’s great!"

Uesugi Sakura looked at his elated expression and felt a bit hesitant to spill the truth.

Judging from his contact with Kobashi Rikai yesterday, she had no idea about his feelings.

It makes sense though; no normal sister would suspect her brother likes her.

"Uesugi, do you think I should confess?" Todaka Keichiro lowered his voice.

"Weren’t you saying you wouldn’t confess?"

"Apart from seeing her once at a mixer by chance, she’s been avoiding her parents these past few months, and every time I try to talk with her she refuses. Do you understand that feeling of not being able to see someone for a long time?"

"Do you want me to tell you the story of how we met? It’s actually pretty funny."

"Forget it," Uesugi Sakura quickly refused.

He felt that the two of them wouldn’t work out.

For two reasons.

First, they are now part of a combined family, with a nominal sibling relationship.

Second, the girl hasn’t considered his closeness or goodwill as affection.

"Uesugi, did she say where to meet?" Todaka Keichiro asked, "I called her yesterday but the number was disconnected. It’s probably an old number she doesn’t use anymore, and she never replies to me on Line, not even reading them."

"She said to meet at the café."

"The maid café where she works?"

"Yes."

"That’s good too, cafés are really suitable for meetings," Todaka Keichiro mumbled, unable to restrain his excitement.

Uesugi Sakura didn’t know how he would make use of this opportunity to meet, but from the looks of Kobashi Rikai’s attitude, she’s still preoccupied with her deceased father, likely uninterested in what he has to say.

Uesugi Sakura could understand Kobashi Rikai’s feelings; having a good father really influences one’s personality.

By noon, the two hurriedly ate lunch at the Central Cafeteria and prepared to head to the mimi café.

The two exited through the cafeteria.

Uesugi Sakura suddenly stopped him and said, "Go to the right."

"?"

Todaka Keichiro pointed ahead, puzzled, "This way is closer to the bike shed."

Uesugi Sakura looked at the golden ginkgo trees up ahead, "If you don’t mind the smell, go that way. I’ll ride from the side and meet you."

Todaka Keichiro glanced at those rows of ginkgo trees.

In the past two days, he hadn’t entered through that place, always using the side entrance.

"Does it really smell?"

"It’s pungent."

They arrived at the bike shed.

Uesugi Sakura pulled out his pink bicycle.

"Your bike is the most eye-catching among the boys."

"What’s wrong with pink?" Uesugi Sakura asked, looking at Todaka Keichiro.

"No, it’s great, very girlish!"

To accommodate his buddy, Uesugi Sakura pushed his bike all the way to the café.

Luckily, it wasn’t far, just across a street, taking only a few minutes on foot.

The two arrived at the commercial street, downstairs of mimi café.

"Huh? I remember there always being maids here soliciting guests every day. Isn’t it like that lately?"

Uesugi Sakura patiently explained, "First, it’s not working hours. Second, with higher foot traffic now, there’s no need to rely on soliciting to maintain business at the café."

"Oh, I see." Todaka Keichiro nodded, then asked, "Anything I should be aware of at the maid café? Like whether I need to make unnecessary, weirdly chuunibyou-like remarks when ordering and getting an omelette rice with a maid magic chant~?"

"No need, just behave like a normal customer," Uesugi Sakura said, "You seem to know a lot."

"I just watched some old maid café videos online. To be honest... it felt like a socially awkward disaster. Just watching from the screen gave me goosebumps all over."

Uesugi Sakura suddenly remembered something, "Didn’t you come here once before for coffee? Why ask?"

"Last time I came incognito, masked, and bundled up in a coat. The maids didn’t dare to serve me. If it hadn’t been for me not doing anything strange, they would’ve probably called the police."

Speaking of which, Uesugi Sakura recalled.

Towa Rina had complained to him after her shift that a masked weirdo had come to the café.