Shichen didn't allow Chisato to have her way and "get back at him," but he also didn't feel like gaming anymore.
He put the games away, then went downstairs with Chisato to help out in the shop.
Right now it was still fairly quiet, only two or three customers, none of whom had come specifically for the view. They sipped coffee while typing on laptops, occasionally glancing at passersby outside the shop, looking quite at ease.
The café had a certain calming atmosphere, which was probably nice for those who wanted to get some work done.
Shichen made himself a glass of juice and took a seat behind the register; Chisato busied herself tidying the tables.
Before long, Tohru emerged from the kitchen and, without a care in the world, flung herself into Shichen's arms.
"Chen-dono."
"What's up?" he set aside his juice and held her.
"Nothing much… I've just run out of inspiration."
"Inspiration?" Shichen peered at her curiously.
"Yeah, I can't think of any new dishes," Tohru replied with a little pout of regret.
"That's all?" Shichen shook his head, amused. He reached out to ruffle her hair. "If you can't think of anything, just don't worry about it. We're a café, you know. We don't actually need that many dishes."
"But I wanna make something new for you to eat, Chen-dono."
"Huh… sweet-talking me, but sorry, no prize for that."
"Hmm?" Tohru tilted her head, failing to catch his meaning.
"Never mind," Shichen smiled, tapping the tip of her cute nose.
"Alright." Tohru didn't press further, just snuggled herself against him, letting him sense how she'd developed.
With the air conditioner going, hugging Tohru wasn't hot at all. Shichen was only faintly aware that one of the customers kept glancing over at them, but he didn't pay it any mind.
A couple of minutes later, Chisato—having finished wiping the tables—noticed Tohru in Shichen's embrace and strolled over.
"Chen-nii, I want a hug too!"
"No way. There's already no space!" Tohru shot back before Shichen could say anything.
"Aww, you've been hugging him forever now; let me have a turn!"
"I've only been hugging him a few minutes!"
"How about half and half?"
"No way!"
"Tohru, you're so possessive! Can't you share a little? Watch out, or one day Chen-dono won't like you anymore."
"That can't happen! Besides, I got here first."
"You two…" Shichen, sandwiched between them, found himself pinned front and back.
"There are still customers watching," he reminded them.
"It's fine, they're busy with their own stuff," Chisato said.
"Really?" Shichen turned to look at one of the guests, who hastily withdrew his gaze, although he had clearly been casting envious looks.
The other two were indeed glued to their laptops, fully absorbed in their work.
"Oh, whatever makes you two happy." Shichen gave in.
"Hehe~ Chen-dono~"
"Aww, Chen-nii is the best."
They snuggled closer to him, sandwiching him between them.
"…." Shichen could only shake his head helplessly.
Truth be told, having two beauties clinging to him, front and back, should be considered lucky. Too much comfort could be its own form of trouble. Sure enough, not long after that, a customer came in, so Shichen had no choice but to push the pair away.
Chisato went to prepare coffee for the customer, while Tohru headed back to the kitchen.
He himself no longer felt like returning to his game upstairs.
Shortly before seven o'clock, the final customer left, and they began preparations for dinner.
Kanna, at this point, also woke up and came downstairs.
Everyone gathered in the kitchen. Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kanna simply sat by the dining table, not really doing anything; Shichen and the others busied themselves with cooking.
Washing vegetables, Shichen asked Chisato, "So, Chisato, that person from DA still hasn't arrived?"
"Not yet. She said it'd be today… maybe she got lost."
"What person?" Kasumigaoka Utaha overheard and curiously joined the conversation.
"Someone from Chisato's old place is coming," Shichen said simply.
"A man or a woman?"
"Definitely a girl," Chisato answered with a grin.
"A girl…" Kasumigaoka Utaha furrowed her brow.
"Eh? What's the matter?" Chisato looked at her in puzzlement.
"Nothing…" Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head, then cast Shichen a meaningful glance.
"Hey! Stop looking at me like that! If you have something to say, just say it!" he protested.
"Hmph~ you know in your heart what it is."
"Come on, I'm not that kind of guy, right?"
"Who knows…" Kasumigaoka Utaha said, staring off as she cut off the conversation.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and the bell at the entrance chimed.
"Excuse me, is anyone here?"
A girl's voice, sounding rather young. They'd simply opened the door and come in.
Shichen and Chisato exchanged a look.
"She's here, I guess?"
"Probably. Chen-nii, go check. I'll finish washing these veggies."
"All right." Shichen nodded and walked out, followed by Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Kanna joined them, too, jumping off her chair. "Shichen~ wait for me."
Without waiting for them, Shichen stepped into the café's main area. There in the doorway stood a teenage girl with black hair falling past her shoulders, wearing an outfit resembling a deep-blue and gray high school uniform. She looked composed and serious; if not for the bandage plaster on her cheek, her face might have looked quite delicate.
In Shichen's mind, a mechanical voice instantly spoke:
[Detected a Divine Fragment Host!]
[Target: Inoue Takina.]
[Task: Earn her trust, help her discover other beauties in the world, and you can claim the Divine Fragment.]
Exactly as he anticipated.
~~~
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