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Chapter 206. Let Him Touch Them!
🕑 Added 2025-03-18 14:47:23 +0000 UTCTaking orders was supposed to be the simplest task at LycoReco.
All you had to do was write down the table number and the dishes ordered on a sticky note, tear it off, and hand it to the kitchen.
Task complete.
Compared to Chisato Nishikigi and Mizuki Nakahara, who were constantly clearing plates, or Kurumi, who juggled billing and greeting customers at the front…
It really seemed simple.
Rio Futaba thought so too.
But once she actually started, Rio realized—it was nothing like she imagined.
What she'd pictured in her head and what happened in reality were worlds apart.
Having no experience in customer service, she was already doing her best just trying to figure out which table ordered what in the chaos.
Not to mention customers with special requests.
No scallions here.
Extra tartar sauce there.
Trying to memorize it all was a nightmare.
If she spent too long writing every detail on the sticky note...
Another table was already calling her over to order.
The result? Missing one end while tending the other.
As expected, Rio messed up several table numbers.
Luckily, Chisato was always right there to smooth things over, bowing and apologizing, keeping the situation from spiraling.
Rather than helping, Rio felt like she was dragging everyone down.
Thankfully, Chisato's experience kept things under control.
After barely surviving the first rush, the team got a brief breather—and Rio quickly called Chisato aside.
They stepped outside.
"What's up? Didn't expect you to want to talk," Chisato said, surprised.
"I'm sorry, Chisato-san. Everything got so hectic because of my mistakes… I only made your job harder."
Rio bowed her head, apologizing.
She'd made three mistakes.
Chisato had to step in every time to defuse the mess.
Rio had come here to help, and yet—she'd only gotten in the way.
"C'mon, it's fine. I told you before—messing up on your first day is normal," Chisato said, waving it off.
She really didn't mind helping.
That's just how teamwork works—cover for each other.
As long as Rio improved next time, there was no problem.
Her words were clearly meant to close the topic.
But—Rio shook her head, not letting it go.
"…No. It's not fine for me."
Her earlier confidence was gone—only guilt remained. Her expression was like someone who'd committed an unforgivable crime.
"I was the one here to help… and this happened. Everyone else worked so hard, and because of me…"
Her intense guilt genuinely caught Chisato off guard.
To her, it was just a small mishap.
But Rio clearly took it seriously. That stubbornness, that inability to forgive herself—Chisato could feel it.
She blinked.
"Guess Minami was spot on…" Chisato muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What was that?"
Rio hadn't heard clearly and looked up, confused.
"Ah, nothing," Chisato shrugged. "Just thinking how you're such a perfectionist over something small."
"…No. Even if it's small, I still caused trouble. That's on me."
Rio clenched her teeth. "Please punish me. I'll accept any consequence."
"Eh? Any consequence?" Chisato's eyes sparkled with mischief, eyeing her up and down.
"Uh…"
Feeling Chisato's mischievous gaze, Rio hesitated, but finally nodded.
"…Alright, then I command you—let Minami touch your boobs!"
Chisato's excitement peaked.
"Wha?!"
Rio's eyes went wide.
"I'm not taking no for an answer~," Chisato grinned, crimson eyes narrowing like a fox.
"B-but…"
Rio looked up timidly.
"Didn't you say you'd accept any punishment? You're not backing out now, are you?"
"I…"
Her delicate fingers fidgeted nervously.
No way out.
And this—this was a trap she dug herself!
Her pink lips trembled. "…F-fine! Just… just let him touch them, right?"
She stood unsteadily, about to walk back toward LycoReco.
Then—
Clap.
Someone grabbed her hand.
Rio turned, puzzled.
And heard Chisato's bright, barely-suppressed laughter—
"Just kidding! Kidding! There's no way I'd actually let Minami touch you like that! Think about it for a second—would that even happen?"
"..."
Watching Chisato Nishikigi laugh so hard she nearly doubled over, Rio Futaba's face turned purple with rage.
She had seriously braced herself—fully prepared to accept Chisato's "punishment."
And yet, in the end... she'd just been toyed with.
Seeing Rio's expression, Chisato realized she might've pushed it too far. She stopped laughing and said softly:
"Looks like you really don't like yourself, Rio-chan."
"...?"
Under the soft light of LycoReco, Rio looked at the still-smiling Chisato, and for a moment, a strange emotion stirred inside her.
Hating herself...
That was something she'd only ever heard from Minami.
And yet now, from someone as different as Chisato, the same words came out.
"I don't."
"No, you do. You just don't realize it—or maybe you do, but you're afraid to admit it."
Chisato raised a finger, undeterred by Rio's denial.
"You clearly didn't want to, but you still forced yourself to accept such an unreasonable 'punishment' from me. That's self-punishment, isn't it?"
Letting a boy her age touch her chest—
No girl would ever agree to that lightly.
Even Chisato herself, before developing real feelings for Minami, would've refused outright.
But Rio had agreed.
No matter how you looked at it, it wasn't normal.
"That was... because I messed up..." Rio murmured.
"Everyone makes mistakes their first time. Getting so hung up on it says a lot already," Chisato cut in.
She could feel Rio's obsession.
Her inability to accept her own weakness.
Her rejection of her own flaws.
Her hatred toward that weak, flawed self.
But the truth was...
"No one's perfect. Trying to do everything perfectly, then hating yourself when you can't—it's self-destructive."
Chisato raised her hand again for emphasis.
No rebuttal.
Rio couldn't argue back.
Her words were spot-on—so much so that Rio felt like she was talking to Minami again.
Just like Chisato said...
Ever since middle school, when her body developed faster than others and her classmates started avoiding her...
That's when she first noticed her self-hatred.
She hated her maturing body.
Hated her stagnant personality.
But she'd always ignored it.
She played the role of the cold, logical science girl, keeping her distance from everyone.
Rio was silent for a long time.
Then she looked up and asked softly:
"You're a girl too, Chisato-san... if you had the same issues as me, what would you do?"
"Hmm..." Chisato hummed.
"I think... it's pointless to chase perfection. Whether it's who you are now or the self you hate—aren't they both still you?"
She stretched lazily.
"Living like that's exhausting. I think accepting your flaws isn't so bad."
"Accept my flaws...?"
The conversation opened up, and Rio's mind kicked into science mode.
She repeated Chisato's words under her breath.
After a long pause, she stood up. "Thank you, Chisato-san."
This gratitude was genuine.
She truly appreciated that Chisato listened and helped her.
Even someone as unpredictable as Chisato could give a proper answer when it mattered.
But what Rio didn't expect was—
Chisato waved her hand, smiling. "No need to thank me—it was all Minami's idea."
"Eh...? Minami?"
Hearing his name at this moment left Rio stunned.
"Yup, Minami."
Chisato giggled. "He told me to keep it secret, but I think you should know."
"...Secret...?"
"He probably didn't want you to feel pressured. He even asked me to watch out for you today."
The golden-haired girl sighed dreamily. "That's my Minami—so thoughtful! I love him even more!"
"...I see..."
Unlike Chisato's giddy sighs, Rio recalled everything Minami had done today.
Inviting her suddenly, asking for help at LycoReco.
Chisato stepping in to support her.
And, true to her personality, she apologized afterward...
Was all this part of Minami's plan?
He'd predicted this far ahead?
Was this guy... really an alien in disguise?
Rio groaned internally.
She was completely outmaneuvered by Minami.
If Chisato hadn't told her, she'd still be in the dark.
And...
From the moment she met him...
Minami had always been helping her.
She had never repaid him—not once.
Even today, he'd quietly set everything up for her.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "Thank you again, Chisato-san. I feel a lot better after talking to you."
"If you really mean it, then come work at LycoReco for a week. Deal?"
Chisato didn't reject her thanks—just smiled and made her pitch.
"…I'll think about it."
Truthfully, the atmosphere at LycoReco was nice. Chisato, Takina—they had a calmness different from other students.
And at night, she had nothing better to do.
Maybe Chisato was right—working part-time, expanding her social circle... it wasn't a bad idea.
And during that time...
Heal herself. Accept herself. Stop hating herself.
"What are you going to do next?" Chisato asked curiously.
"Next, huh…?"
Rio's eyes gleamed behind her glasses.
"No grand plans. But for now…"
She stood, gaze fixed on LycoReco—as if she could see someone inside.
"I want to be friends with Minami first."
Bathed in LycoReco's soft glow, Rio's beauty shone under her loose hair—blossoming like a flower.
Chisato looked at the café too, sighing.
Her future husband's charm was maxed out… looks like he's caught another one.
What should she do now?
This is getting serious.
