Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051597934651646/episodes/2912051601241138017
……That night, Houtarou was visiting the home of his childhood friend, Misao Shiojiri.
Misao’s family runs a coffee shop called “Arukuma” in front of the station.
It’s a small coffee shop with a retro atmosphere.
It had been a really long time since he’d been here.
The shop looked exactly the same as the Arukuma he remembered.
He placed his hand on the door and took a small… deep breath.
His feet tried to step back, but he mustered his courage and pushed forward.
The doorbell chimed.
The interior was bathed in warm lighting.
Plush red cushions were scattered here and there.
“Huh…? Houtarou…?”
The one who greeted him was Misao’s father.
He had slightly wavy black hair and a gentle gaze.
“It’s been a while, Sota-san.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
Houtarou greets Misao’s father, Sota.
“…It really has been a long time. Ever since Shinjiro passed away, hasn’t it?”
Achi Shinjiro.
That was Houtarou’s father’s name.
…His father had already passed away.
That’s why, to be honest, he didn’t even want to hear that name.
He knew that if he came here, the name of Shinjiro’s father—Sota’s best friend—would inevitably come up.
That’s why… I hadn’t come here.
“I guess so.”
“I see… Did you come to see Misao?”
“Yes. Is she here?”
“I think she’ll be back from club activities any minute now. Why don’t you have some coffee while you wait?”
“Sure, I’ll have some.”
Sota seats Houtarou at a sofa table in the corner of the shop.
“Shiko wants to see you, too. Can you stay late?”
Shiko was the name of Misao’s mother.
It seemed she was out somewhere right now.
“I’ll head home right after I see Misao.”
“I see… Okay.”
Although he didn’t say he was disappointed, I could tell he was let down.
So…
“I’ll come back. Next time, I’ll make sure to contact you in advance.”
Sota’s eyes widened at Hotarou’s words.
“I see… yeah. I’ll be waiting anytime.”
…I never thought the day would come when I could say something like that.
This shop is filled with Houtarou’s past.
It holds memories of his parents, who had passed away.
That’s why he’d wanted to stay as far away from this place as possible.
He’d kept his distance from the Shiojiri family.
…But Houtarou had made up his mind.
To move forward.
And for that reason, Houtarou had come to see Misao… his ex-girlfriend.
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