IOCAW V2 C25

Chapter 25: A sudden love scene…

After cleaning up and closing up shop, Risa was left alone with Zeke in the café.

It had been a while since she last cooked, and Zeke also wanted to keep her company.

Risa thought of making the syrup used on summer shaved ice. While she rinsed suis, a fruit similar to plums, under running water, she asked Zeke about Alan.

“How did Alan do today?”

“It was his first day, so there are still some parts that I can’t comment on. However, he’s fast on his feet and efficient, so I think he’ll do fine.”

“That’s a relief. He really respects you, Zeke. What exactly happened yesterday?”

Risa said, startling herself with the word “yesterday.” She faked nonchalance so Zeke wouldn’t notice and began to clean and pick at scarred spots on the suis fruit with a toothpick.

“I taught him how to decorate cake with the cake you ate, Miss Risa.”

“Ohh, you taught him that?”

“He was so clumsy, I couldn’t stand by and watch him…”

“And that’s why he’s so attached to you?”

“It appears so.”

Risa chuckled as she thought back on Alan’s actions.

When Zeke gave him an order, he followed it with a “yes chef!” When Zeke called him he came running with a “yes chef!” Coupled with that curly head of hair, Risa thought he was just like a toy poodle. She fought the urge to reach out and ruffle that fluffy looking head.

While she thought about that, a shadow cast over her hands that were busy with cleaning the plums.

Hm? She thought and turned to see Zeke’s face incredibly close. Risa jumped.

“…!”

“Miss Risa.”

Zeke beat Risa to the punch.

“You haven’t forgotten yesterday, have you?”

He said, closing the distance between them and placing his hands on the edge of the sink so he encircled Risa.

So close!! Risa yelled in her heart while she frantically focused on the plums. She felt her long ponytail of raven hair get lifted from her back.

Zeke began to play with her smooth, silky hair.

My hair…

She knew it was being touched, but Risa had no courage in her to check what was going on with her hair.

Risa’s hair that reached her waist was brought up to the much taller Zeke’s face. Zeke gently pressed her hair against his lips.

W-what is he doing to my hair…? I want to turn around, but… I can’t!

Flustered, Risa tried to continue her work, but she only succeeded in stabbing the plum with the toothpick repeatedly.

“…U-uhm, Zeke? I…I didn’t f-f-forget…”

Risa tried her best to answer his question, but her mouth wouldn’t form the words properly.

What are you, an innocent middle schooler?!

She yelled at herself in her thoughts.

Although Risa had some experience with love, she was in no way suited for love. Not only that, but she hadn’t had the energy for love since she came to this world. She hadn’t experienced love and had distanced herself from it for so long that she was thrown into a panic despite being older. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, her hands were shivering, and her face was probably a bright red.

Just then, the fruit slipped out of Risa’s hand and rolled into the sink.

“You’re noticing me.”

Risa immediately wrenched her hand back from reaching towards the fruit in the sink. She was embarrassed at how bright as day it was that she was shaken to Zeke. She gave up on the dropped fruit and picked up another fruit from the water. She heard a low chuckle right next to her ear and trembled. He must have watched her movements.

“I’m glad that you’re looking at me.”

“…I’ve always looked at you, though, Zeke?”

“But you didn’t notice that I liked you.”

“W-well… That’s true, but…”

Zeke is hard to read!

She couldn’t read emotions from Zeke’s default blank face.

“Helena found out.”

“No way?!”

Shocked, Risa turned.

“…!”

Zeke looked down at Risa, who looked up. Their eyes that were only ten centimeters away from each other stared. Risa instantly stiffened and flushed red, and Zeke slowly closed in.

Risa squeezed her eyes shut.

Zeke gently raised Risa’s chin, which Risa had instinctively shrunk back into her neck.

Their lips touched.

There was a noise from the hall.

Both of them returned to their senses. Risa removed herself from Zeke, who seemed a little disappointed, to go see what the sound was. However, Zeke stopped her with his hand.

“I’ll go.”

He said, and he walked towards the hall.

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As mentioned in a previous post, I personally am very uncomfortable about romance.
Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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