The inside of the maid café was a haven of whimsy, its dim lighting and soft café music enveloping patrons in a warm, fuzzy glow. The walls, adorned with pastel pink and cream hues, were a canvas for adorable chibi drawings and frilly hearts that seemed to dance across the space, infusing it with a dreamy, welcoming atmosphere. Waitresses, clad in ruffled black-and-white maid outfits that added a touch of vintage charm, floated from table to table with effortless grace. As they moved, their bows swayed and skirts bounced, like delicate metronomes marking the rhythm of the café's lively pulse. Their bubbly voices, pitched to perfection, delivered greetings that were equal parts sweet and playful, making every guest feel like a cherished friend. The air was filled with the gentle clinking of cups and saucers, the soft murmur of conversation, and the occasional burst of giggles, creating a sense of carefree joy that was impossible to resist.
Kokoro and Nakahara Sakura sat across from each other at the small table by the window, bathed in the soft, golden light of the morning sun that filtered through the delicate lace curtains. The seats, cushioned with heart-shaped backs in a playful touch, seemed to cradle them in comfort. The laminated menu, adorned with cartoonish illustrations of parfaits, omurice, and other whimsical dishes, was a feast for the eyes. Dishes like "Princess Pancakes" and "Magical Bunny Curry" were touted in sugary script, their names evoking a sense of wonder and delight.
A black-haired maid approached their table, her twin braids bouncing with each step as she smiled sweetly and curtsied, her bright pink apron a perfect complement to her crisp black dress. Her voice was as bubbly as soda pop, effervescent and full of life, as she greeted them with a cheerful "Okaerinasaimase, goshujin-sama~! Goshujin-sama and ojou-sama look adorable together! Are you two ready to place your order, or would you like some magical recommendations?"
Kokoro cleared his throat, trying not to visibly cringe from secondhand embarrassment as the maid's words washed over him. He felt a flush rise to his cheeks, but he managed to stammer out an order, "Uh... I'll just get the omurice set. The one with the little bunny ears drawn in ketchup." He hoped that would be enough to satisfy the maid's enthusiasm, but he wasn't counting on it.
The maid's eyes sparkled with delight as she nodded and jotted down his order. "Hehe~! Bunny omurice for goshujin-sama~ noted with extra moe~!" She beamed at him, her smile unwavering, before turning to Sakura and asking for her order. Kokoro couldn't help but steal a glance at Sakura, who was watching the exchange with an amused smile, her eyes dancing with mirth.
Nakahara Sakura smirked, clearly enjoying Kokoro's discomfort. "I'll take the parfait with caramel syrup and the pancake tower. Oh, and a strawberry milkshake."
"Yay~! Pancake tower for ojou-sama! Right away! Your sweet desires shall be fulfilled, fufufu~!"
As the maid skipped off to place their order, Sakura leaned forward and clapped her hands. "Now then, serious business, Kokoro-kun."
Kokoro blinked. "You clapped. That's never a good sign."
With a teasing grin, she pulled out her phone and turned the screen toward him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Tada~ look. This is her."
The candid shot displayed on the screen was of a girl stretching on a school track, her light brown skin glowing warmly in the sunlight. The gym uniform she wore was a study in contrasts - tight navy shorts that showcased her sculpted thighs, and a snug white shirt that struggled to contain her generous assets. The curve of her hips and butt was so pronounced it could have rivaled a model's, and yet, it was her face that truly caught the attention. Her messy black hair was wind-tousled, giving her a wild but youthful aura, while her small, pretty features added a touch of innocence to her otherwise striking physique. Her expression, calm and focused, with a hint of seriousness, seemed almost at odds with her body, lending an air of maturity beyond her years.
Kokoro blinked, astonished. "You're telling me she's a student? That's…"
Sakura tilted her head, smiling at his reaction. "A sight to behold, right? That's Nakahara Naomi. My stepsister."
Kokoro looked at the picture again, then exhaled slowly and leaned back into his chair. Despite Naomi's goddess-tier body, his mind still drifted to Mika. Yes, this girl was beautiful—no doubt about it—but Mika, with her intensity, her contradictions, her quiet obsession... Mika was still the one who stole his heart.
Sakura, seeing the flicker of loyalty in Kokoro's eyes, simply smiled and rested her chin on her hand. "I'm serious about this, y'know. I want you to help me win her over. So look carefully."
Kokoro groaned inwardly. Just what kind of chaotic mission was he getting himself into?
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Sakura's gaze drifted around the café, her long brown hair cascading over one shoulder like a rich waterfall. The blue floral print on her dress seemed to shimmer in the ambient light, adding a touch of elegance to her relaxed demeanor. As she turned to Kokoro, her expression transformed into a soft yet curious one, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"So, like... what's your plan, Kokoro-kun? Y'know... for makin' my sis fall for... well, you know," she teased, her eyebrow arching playfully. The casual tone of her voice belied the intensity of her gaze, which seemed to bore into Kokoro's very thoughts. "You're the dating genius here, right?" she added, her lips curling into a sly smile that hinted at a deeper knowingness, as if she were privy to secrets Kokoro himself wasn't aware of.
Kokoro sighed and leaned back in his seat, his white-on-white getup catching more than a few glances in the café. "Before that... can I ask something first? Why do you even like your stepsister in the first place?"
Sakura blinked, her fingers pausing over her straw. She looked down, the teasing glint in her eyes softening to something more sincere.
"You wanna know that, huh... Alright, I guess it's fair you know. Just don't laugh, okay?"
Kokoro gave her a gentle nod.
Sakura inhaled deeply. "When I was five, my mom died. Kidney failure. Just me and my dad after that. He worked like crazy—day and night. Always tried to make me smile, even if he looked exhausted doing it. Then one day, he told me he met someone... someone who made him feel like he could finally rest, y'know? And she had a daughter too—Naomi. Her husband died in a car crash. So... we became one little family."
She gave a small smile, staring at her reflection in the drink. "I wasn't mad. I was... glad. Glad my dad wouldn't be alone anymore. Naomi was two years older than me. A tomboy, loud, athletic. And at first, I was scared of her. But she always protected me. Bullies? Gone. Loneliness? Gone. I started looking up to her... then somewhere along the way, I started liking her. Not like a sister."
She paused, her eyes darting slightly as if hesitant to continue, the silence between them thickening like a held breath. Kokoro, who had been silently watching her, his gaze piercing yet gentle, finally spoke, his voice breaking the spell that had settled over them.
"Sorry, but... I asked about the love part. Not your life story."
The comment hit like a slap, and Sakura's eyes widened in shock, her face paling slightly as the words hung in the air. Her mouth opened to shoot back a snarky reply, the retort already forming on her lips—until she saw him.
Kokoro's expression remained stoic, but his eyes betrayed him, tears welling up at the edges, glistening with unshed emotion. They didn't fall, nor did they distort his face, but the vulnerability was unmistakable, and Sakura's indignation faltered, her gaze locking onto his with a newfound intensity.
"Wha—?!" Sakura blurted, completely thrown off. She flailed a little, blushing and stammering like an anime heroine caught in a compromising scene. Her hands waved in the air as if trying to physically rewind time. "O-of course, of course! We can totally skip the tragic parts! Geez, my bad for being so long-winded! Sorry, Kokoro-kun!"
She was clearly panicking.
Kokoro, moved by her earlier story and now guilty for his cold tone, instinctively reached out. He gently took her flailing hands into his own. They were smaller than his—soft and slightly cold. His own hands were calloused, rough from hours of drawing and pen gripping.
"No... it's not useless, Nakahara Sakura. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked something so bluntly."
Sakura froze. Her cheeks glowed pink, her mouth parted in shock. Before either could continue, their server—a twin-braided girl with black hair and a perfectly practiced maid demeanor—arrived at the table.
"M-Master! Ojou-sama! Your humble maid has returned with the finest delights this café can offer! May these humble dishes please your precious palettes!~"
Kokoro awkwardly pulled his hands back, sitting straighter as the food was set down in front of them. Sakura followed suit, her face still a bit flushed.
"Thank you..." she muttered.
The maid, as she set down each plate, paused as she overheard Sakura's next words.
"Thank you, Kokoro... for feeling sorry for someone who was trying to blackmail you."
The maid blinked. Her smile twitched slightly.
"Pardon me, Ojou-sama?"
Kokoro coughed, avoiding eye contact. "She's joking. Just a weird inside joke. Haha... ha."
The maid tilted her head, a picture of innocence. "Ah~ I see! Of course! No sane person would dare date someone blackmailing them, after all. That would be most improper~" Her voice dripped with subtle sarcasm, her tone sugary sweet.
She gave a polite bow, her braids bobbing slightly. "Please enjoy your meal, honored guests!" With a serene smile, she departed, though her eyes sparkled with confusion, betraying her composed demeanor.
Sakura looked at Kokoro and giggled. "We're gonna give that girl a weird story to tell when her shift ends."
Kokoro sighed again, tiredly. "Great. Just what I needed. Now even maids think we're crazy."
And with the clink of utensils and the faint laughter between them, the strange alliance between Kokoro and Sakura continued.