It was my classmate Kijita-kun who suggested we try a nearby interesting café.

Kijita-kun is in the baseball club and a bright person who stands out in class. As usual we started talking when I helped as a sort of substitute manager at club activities. There wasn’t any time sale that day and I figured I could make it back in time to pick up Umi so I accepted his after-school invitation.

But when we reached the café near the busy station district I started thinking I should’ve refused.

“...A concept café?” [TL: Maid Cafe as an example.]

“Yeah! A concafé! It’s called ‘Luage’!”

Kijita-kun bounced excitedly.

“Is it fine for minors?”

Suzuki-kun, another classmate with us, tilted his head. Suzuki-kun is large and muscular enough to look like an adult but that’s not the point.

“It’s fine! Nothing shady! The staff just serve customers in cosplay! Basically like a maid café.”

“Doesn’t that still sound shady?”

Stepping into a place where female staff give pleasant embarrassing service feels like betraying Iwabuchi-san. Well we’re not dating or anything but emotionally you know?

“Hayama too! Don’t glare like that! Sure it’s all female staff but nothing weird happens! It says so on their website and review sites!”

“You just dragged us along because you didn’t have the courage to come alone didn’t you?”

Suzuki-kun shot him a doubtful look. I agree...

“Hayama don’t indulge him. He’s just using classmates.”

“Yeah... maybe we should leave Kijita-kun and go home.”

I turned with Suzuki-kun away from the concafé.

“W-wait!”

Kijita-kun leapt forward grabbing us both.

“Don’t be cold! We’re already here so come on?”

“But...”

“W-we’re friends right!?”

That’s hard to resist.

Kijita-kun invites me even knowing I often refuse after-school outings due to family circumstances.

If he thinks of me as a friend I can’t dismiss that.

“Kijita, if you're trying to deceive Hayama by using friendship as a shield I won’t forgive you.”

“That’s not it! I wouldn’t!”

Seeing Kijita-kun nearly teary, my decision was made.

“Alright fine...”

In the end I was swayed and entered.

I hope nothing shady happens.

Seriously though, just how badly did he want to go to a concafé?