Chapter 122 - 120: Reina's Premature White Flag_1

Words : 1958 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The restroom of the Maid Cafe was located next to the kitchen, separated from the main hall by a wall. One had to turn a corner to see this spot. Arakawa Reina stood at the entrance to the women's restroom, already mentally prepared and aware that there were no customers inside the men's restroom opposite. She knew exactly how many customers were in the cafe at this time. Both restrooms were unoccupied. Now was the best chance to say what she wanted to say. Arakawa Reina took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and mustered the courage for her impending words. I can't let Aozawa continue to play me like a fiddle. I have to turn the tables. Arakawa Reina exhaled. Aozawa, using the excuse of going to the restroom, had come here. He smiled and said, "Class rep, I told you not to be too nervous. I won't expose your identity to Iroha; no need to remind me in person." Arakawa Reina didn't take his words seriously. With a stern face, she stared at the boy in front of her and said defiantly, "Stop with the lies. I know what you're after. Isn't it just to use that as a threat against me? Fine, I'll tell you. You win. I won't struggle anymore. Do whatever you want! Men's stall or women's stall? It's up to you which one you want to enter!" The more she spoke, the more agitated Arakawa Reina's expression became. She moved closer, her intense emotions seeming to engulf Aozawa. He quickly grabbed Arakawa Reina's shoulders to avoid being overwhelmed, his expression surprised. "Class rep, what on earth are you talking about?" "Still playing dumb? Bringing Iroha here, wasn't it to threaten me, to make me submit to you? Tell you what, even if you take my body, you won't have my heart!" Arakawa Reina wore a look of determination, as if she were marching to her execution. Aozawa really wanted to laugh. However, he felt that doing so at this time would deal a second, devastating blow to Arakawa Reina. "Class rep, I think you've misunderstood. I truly had no intention of threatening you by bringing Iroha here. You should really read less manga." Aozawa paused, then said earnestly, "Lines like, 'Class rep, you wouldn't want other students to know you work here, right?' only happen in adult manga and movies. You'd never encounter that in real life." He let go of Arakawa Reina's shoulders and stifled a laugh. "Don't overthink it. Goodbye." And with that, he turned and left. Arakawa Reina stood there, a cold laugh in her heart. Hmph, boys. Don't think I don't know. Just count to three, and he will surely come back. One, two, three... The air was exceptionally still. Arakawa Reina didn't see any sign of Aozawa returning. A thin layer of sweat quickly formed on her forehead, her thoughts a tangled mess. Could it be that I was overthinking? Upon realizing this, Arakawa Reina couldn't help but bang her head against the wall. THUD, THUD, THUD. Three consecutive head bangs made her feel dizzy, forcing her to stop. She felt embarrassment seeping from every pore of her being. What on earth did I just do?! I'm so sorry, Aozawa. For a presumptuous girl like me to even exist in this world... Arakawa Reina hugged her head with her hands and squatted on the floor. I wish I could turn into an insignificant bacterium no one cared about! "Nashi, what are you doing crouching there? The coffee is ready. Hurry up and bring it to the customers." "I can't do it. I've lost the courage to face him." "What nonsense are you talking about? As a professional maid, you can't just serve customers when you feel courageous!" The manager's words forced Arakawa Reina to face reality. The adult world is so cruel; no one cares about your feelings—when it's time to work, you must do the job. Arakawa Reina didn't want to lose this part-time job. She got up and headed for the kitchen. 「...」 "Maru is really amazing. She can date seven or eight guys at the same time without getting mixed up," Ayatsuki Iroha was admiringly mentioning her friend's impressive feat when she heard footsteps approaching. She unconsciously turned her head and found a noticeable red mark on Arakawa Reina's forehead. "What happened to you?" "I accidentally bumped into a door just now." Arakawa Reina answered with a smile, her eyes not daring to look at Aozawa, all her attention on Ayatsuki Iroha. If I looked at Aozawa right now, I feel like I might actually explode on the spot. Aozawa saw the class rep's timid demeanor and couldn't help but laugh. "That's unfortunate. Could you please cast 'Love magic' for us?" "Yes," Arakawa Reina replied weakly, feeling she could never again hold her head high in front of Aozawa for the rest of her life. She placed the dessert and coffee on the table, formed a heart with her hands, and said, "Casting 'Love magic' for the Master." Having done this, Arakawa Reina fled as if her life depended on it. Ayatsuki Iroha said with a look of deep admiration, "Maids—no, the entire service industry has it tough." These words came from the heart, reminding her of having to always smile cheerfully when shooting short videos. No one likes a despondent influencer. Not necessarily, Aozawa thought. He knew why Arakawa Reina was in such a hurry to leave and suspected that the red mark on her forehead was most likely from hitting the wall. Anyone who had such a misunderstanding and then had to face the person they misunderstood would find it impossible to keep a composed face. However, I just can't figure out why Arakawa Reina's imagination is so vivid. I simply came over to have a cup of coffee, and yet she imagined me to be like some blonde protagonist from an adult comic, coercing her into doing *that* kind of thing. The class president's reading material in that area is a little alarming. Aozawa's right hand picked up an egg tart. "Iroha, try this. The egg tarts here taste pretty good." Ayatsuki Iroha looked at the egg tart he was holding out. Instead of reaching for it, she leaned forward and bit into it with her cherry-like lips. The touch of her soft lips against Aozawa's thumb suddenly made his heart skip a beat, even more so than when he had wrapped his arm around Ayatsuki Iroha in the movie theater. Is this the charm of feeding someone? He suddenly understood why couples liked to feed each other. "What's wrong?" Ayatsuki Iroha's expression was a bit puzzled, not thinking there was anything wrong with her actions. "It's nothing." Aozawa shook his head and stuffed the tart, now missing a bite, into his own mouth. Ayatsuki Iroha's eyes widened. D-didn't this count as an indirect kiss? Despite her thoughts, she didn't voice any objection. As a Hot Girl, if I can't even tolerate this much, I'm clearly not qualified. She clenched her left hand tightly and, with feigned calm, picked up another egg tart with her right hand and began to eat. 「...」 Around three in the afternoon, the two left the Maid Cafe and headed to Ikebukuro West Exit Park for a stroll. Aozawa was holding Ayatsuki Iroha's hand. The mundane streetscape and the surging Saturday crowd all looked extraordinarily bright in Ayatsuki Iroha's eyes. She was in a good mood. She only had one step left in the plan set by Maru and Saeko: to show Aozawa her super maturity. Where should I display it? Ayatsuki Iroha's gaze swept around. There were too many people. It would only be suitable to display it somewhere quiet. What should I bend down to pick up? This bag doesn't seem quite right. A high school girl unable to hold onto a bag would seem too fake. What was it that Saeko said? Ayatsuki Iroha tried to remember but couldn't think of anything specific. At this moment, she realized she hadn't actually asked Saeko what she should pick up. I'm such an idiot! Dropping the ball at such a crucial moment! She scanned left and right. Now I have to find not only the right place but also something suitable to bend down and pick up. Ikebukuro West Exit Park is definitely not appropriate. There are too many people coming and going; someone might see me bending down anywhere. I need to find somewhere else... Ayatsuki Iroha grew increasingly anxious, her gaze darting all over. Aozawa, seeing her unease, asked with concern, "Is the sunlight too strong out here? Should we rest for a while?" "Okay, let's rest." Ayatsuki Iroha's eyes lit up, thinking it was a good excuse. She pointed and said, "Let's sit over there." Aozawa looked in the direction she was pointing. It was just an intersection, without even a bench. Are we supposed to sit on air? "There's air conditioning inside the coffee shop." "Didn't we already have coffee? Let's go! Find a nice place to rest!" Ayatsuki Iroha pulled Aozawa in that direction. Right now, she needed to find a place with fewer people. The scenery didn't matter; as long as it wasn't crowded, it would be fine, allowing her to show her super maturity to Aozawa. She took the initiative to pull Aozawa, searching everywhere for a place where she could unleash her super maturity. Aozawa, seeing her avoid crowded places and choose quieter spots, immediately understood that she wasn't just looking to rest. Could it be she wants to confess? That absolutely won't do! Aozawa didn't want to face Ayatsuki Iroha's confession just yet. He believed their relationship hadn't developed to the point where they *had* to be together. This 'had to be together' doesn't refer to my feelings, but to Ayatsuki Iroha's feelings for me. If Iroha confessed now, there's a high probability she wouldn't accept Chitose's existence. Things have to wait a bit longer. Only by letting our relationship deepen further might there be a chance Iroha would consider accepting Chitose. With this thought, Aozawa suddenly stopped. He took Ayatsuki Iroha's left hand, shifting from being led to leading. "I just remembered something I need to do. Let's call it a day here. I'll take you back." "Eh?!" Ayatsuki Iroha turned her head, a hint of surprise on her tan cheeks. I haven't had enough fun yet. The sky was still bright, the sun too brilliant to look at directly. But considering Aozawa had things to do, Ayatsuki Iroha didn't say anything and replied reluctantly, "Okay, let's go back." "We'll go out again when we're free next time." Aozawa smiled, holding her hand as they made their way to Ikebukuro Station. Ayatsuki Iroha followed closely, letting her smooth arm brush against Aozawa's. Her mind was no longer occupied with how to show her super maturity, only wanting to walk quietly on. How nice it would be if this road to the station had no end. She thought this to herself, only for reality to shatter the fantasy as she saw Ikebukuro Station. The passing crowd is proof that the time to part with Aozawa is drawing even closer.

Chapter 122 - 120: Reina's Premature White Flag_1

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