Tokyo Psychic

Page 118

Akira clapped his hands and said quite gentlemanly, "No problem... Let's go together, I'll take you all to the tram station."

Surprisingly, both girls refused.

An and Subaru said with a smile, "It's faster for me to walk home than take a car. Why don't you take Toyokawa and Izayoi home, Captain?"

Upon hearing An and Subaru's words, Toyokawa Shoko immediately imitated them, saying, "The commander's car is still parked outside the school gate, and there are cats there too... To save time, I'll take the tram myself."

So the phantom thief could only look at Jing Qinren beside him and say, "Let's go."

Jingqin Rencai said "Oh," feeling inexplicably happy. She followed Kurusu Akira out of the music classroom with a cheerful smile, feeling her steps become lighter.

Soon, only Toyokawa Shoko and Anwa Subaru were left alone in the music classroom.

After a brief silence, the two looked at each other simultaneously.

"Walk together?"

"Shall we go to the station together?"

They all spoke in unison.

They immediately turned their faces away and fell silent again.

......

Akira Kurusu and Nijina Iori shared an umbrella as they walked in the drizzling rain.

Suddenly, Jingqin Rencai felt that the boy next to her seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and his every move seemed to carry the meaning of running away.

"What is Amamiya thinking about?"

"I was probably thinking about how to convince Mr. Sakura to allow me to take in a pet cat." Akira Kurusu felt absolutely no guilt when she was coaxing the child.

Jingqin Rencai blinked. "A cat?"

"Its name is Morgana, and it's a black cat."

As the two walked out of the school gate, they happened to witness the entire process of Xinma Xiaolian being detained by the police and put into a police car.

Xinma Xiaolian seemed to sense something and immediately turned around to see Lai Qixiao, whose face showed a hint of bitter apology and shame.

He got into the police car, and a detective accompanied him inside.

The car door closed, shaking down a shower of rain, like a samurai striking blood with his sword after beheading a beheaded enemy general with an iaido attack, so swiftly severing a sinful past.

Jing Qinrencai whispered, "It's still hard to believe that Principal Xinma is such a awful person behind the scenes. Trafficking students, running that disgusting and terrifying business..."

Lai Qixiao patted her shoulder, "He will never appear by our side again, nor will he have the chance to harm the students in the school. Of course, he also has to repent for the mistakes he made."

“That’s true…” Izayoi took a deep breath and looked intently at Akira Kurusu. “Psychic thief, truly remarkable!”

Why are you suddenly bringing this up?

"I also want to awaken my Persona!" Ishihara Rina seemed to suddenly be full of energy.

"That won't work."

"Huh? Why!"

"Miracles and magic don't come for free," Akira Kurusu casually quoted a line from a manga.

Then he stared at Jingqin Rencai meaningfully, "You don't have the courage to bear the price of 'awakening' yet."

“The price…” Jingqin Rencai pondered the meaning of the word, and immediately deflated, slinking along beside Kurusu Akira.

The figures of the boys and girls were swallowed up by the white rain.

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(I've been busy with final exams, so this is a bit late. Please vote! Please give me monthly tickets! Please give me death threats!!)

106. An and Subaru's Confession (Four-in-One)

Warm, gentle light rippled across the brownish liquid surface and lingered around the rim of the white porcelain cup.

He straightened his slightly hunched back as he worked, his mask covering most of his face, and his dark gray eyes revealed a serious and solemn expression behind his fogged-up glasses.

His fingers and palms moved back and forth between the cup and the pot, each movement meticulous, as if performing a ritual to worship gods and Buddhas, with wisps of warm steam constantly dissipating with his movements.

Sakura Sojiro was brewing coffee behind the counter—several large spoonfuls of coffee powder. Heavy, strong, bitter, scalding hot, indifferent and decadent.

The familiar square table and leather sofa were there, but the boy behind the sofa was unusually upright, with his hair combed, his clothes and makeup neat, dressed like an adult.

After taking a shower, Akira Kurusu changed into the suit that his manager had given him some time ago.

The first volume of "No Game No Life" will be released for trial sale this weekend, and DB Bunko has prepared a two-hour autograph session for him in Shibuya.

The venue was leftover from the "Barame Dojo" art exhibition. There was still a whole day left before the rental period ended, so it was handed over to the DB Bunko staff for arrangement after the art exhibition ended, which can be considered as making the best use of the space.

Considering Akira Kurusu's potential financial problems, his agent, Mr. Munehisa Iwai, bought him a suit out of his own pocket.

Sakura Sojiro placed the brewed coffee on a tray and then presented it to Kurusu Akira.

At this time, LeBron had already closed, and a "CLOSE" sign was hanging outside the store.

Raindrops pattered against the red and white awnings, playing a melancholic tune on the quiet street.

......

Sakura Sojiro took off his apron, still wearing that flashy pink work uniform, and instead of going home, he went straight to sit opposite Kurusu Akira.

This is very strange.

Akira Kurusu thought to herself.

Because Sakura Sojiro would never bother him at this time.

Akira Kurusu glanced at the suit she was wearing, composed herself, and waited for Sakura Sojiro to speak first.

Sure enough, Sakura Sojiro paused for a few seconds, then asked Kurusu Akira, "Are you planning to go out with Izayoi Sera tonight?"

"I knew this was the topic," Akira thought to herself, then answered honestly, "Yes, the club members all agreed to have dinner together at a restaurant in Seijo today."

“Hmm.” Sakura Sojiro nodded, as if he had secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He still didn’t leave, but took out an old copy of Harry Potter from the bookshelf and sat down opposite Kurusu Akira to casually flip through it.

The warm light shone on the table, making the shop exceptionally quiet, and you could hear the whole world dancing melodiously in the rain.

Some say that rainy days are best paired with coffee, because the rich aroma of coffee can evoke hidden emotions, and then let thoughts slowly drift away with the ripples of the coffee.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that I do have some similar feelings.

Akira Kurusu picked up her coffee and took a sip. The bitter, warm liquid rolled down her throat and into her stomach.

Sakura Sojiro suddenly put down his copy of Harry Potter, perhaps unable to bear the hardships of the attic boy, or perhaps because the ripples from his coffee had finally reached the cup.

"Do you remember the techniques I taught you when I was teaching you how to make coffee?"

"of course I remember."

"A good barista should make customers feel comfortable and enjoyable while drinking coffee..."

“Therefore, every step of the coffee-making process should be taken seriously, patiently, and meticulously,” Akira Kurusu added for Sakura Sojiro.

Sakura Sojiro was stunned for a moment, not expecting that Kurusu Akira had actually remembered every single word he had said.

His fingers tapped on the table, his gaze drifting to the empty surface, then wandering over the paintings on the wall, before finally settling on the coffee cup that Akira Kurusu no longer touched.

"Feelings are like coffee. You have to carefully roast and grind it, and then brew it with care to make it delicious. Coffee grounds are also part of coffee. If you want to enjoy the taste of coffee, you also have to endure the sour and astringent taste of coffee grounds. But if you let the coffee sit for a while, the coffee grounds will sink to the bottom of the cup... Well, I mean if you're thirsty, you should drink water. Coffee is for enjoyment."

Sakura Sojiro closed the book, put it back on the shelf on the counter, and turned to Kurusu Akira, asking, "Do you feel like you're enjoying your drink right now?"

"I just finished showering, and I'd rather have some cold water than coffee."

"So remember, the relationship between customers and baristas is one of mutual selection. Sometimes baristas can't see what customers need, and if customers remain silent, then the time and money invested will turn from 'enjoyment' into 'perfunctory service'."

Sakura Sojiro handed a glass of cold water to Kurusu Akira, then patted him on the shoulder. "After you finish drinking the cold water, don't forget to empty the coffee cup quickly. When washing the cup, be sure to use warm water to avoid leaving coffee grounds in those unseen crevices... Everyone knows that it has a sour and bitter taste."

"I'll definitely remember that." Lai Xixiao took the cold water and said earnestly, without making any move to pour out the coffee.

"However, I feel that coffee is something that requires emotion and time, so there should be no waste. Even if the remaining bits at the bottom are bitter, they are still part of the experience... I am a barista, and the coffee I make with care has no reason to be thrown in the trash. After all, I have a good eye, and if I encounter a customer who only wants water, I will tell them to get out of the shop."

Akira Kurusu finished his cold water, then downed the coffee in the cup next to him. He then showed the empty bottom of his cup to Sakura Sojiro, saying, "The fatigue from work and study always needs to be relieved by drinking a few more cups of coffee."

"Hey, you little rascal..."

Upon hearing this, Sakura Sojiro immediately scratched the back of his head in distress, his shriveled hair squeaking as he scratched it with his fingers.

Then he picked up the umbrella that was by the door and prepared to go home.

I can't keep up conversations with young people.

As soon as he opened the shop door, he was greeted by Jing Qinrencai, who was holding an umbrella.

Sakura Sojiro looked at Izana, who had specially changed into a short skirt, ankle boots, and a small shirt today, revealing her slender arms and legs, with a blue bow fluttering at her collar, and his eyes immediately sharpened.

How many subjects did you take today?

Such an unromantic question immediately made Jingqin Rencai want to back out.

It wasn't until Akira Kurusu, who was facing the shop door, waved to Nina Izayoi that she timidly slipped past Sakura Sojiro into the shop and quickly ran behind Akira Kurusu.

Who exactly is her guardian...? Does she know that Akira Kurusu is getting close to that "Shoko Toyokawa"?

Sakura Sojiro's expression froze instantly. He hesitated by the shop door for a while, then left in silence.

These young people these days are becoming increasingly incomprehensible.

Once she was sure Sakura Sojiro was far enough away, Izare Nina cautiously pulled herself up from the sofa back. "Shall we set off now?"

Akira Kurusu placed the coffee cup and water glass on a tray and took them to the kitchen sink, saying, "Let me wash these cups."

Jing Qinrencai said "Oh" and then curiously followed him into the kitchen.

"What about Morgana?"

"It's being kept in the attic for now."

“Mr. Sakura agreed.”

“I told him that Morgana was very good at catching mice, and he agreed.”

“I see… However, there seems to be a little bit of coffee grounds stuck there,” Izana pointed to the bottom of the cup that Akira Kurusu was rinsing with water.

Akira Kurusu immediately wiped it off, saying, "It's clean now."

Jingqin Rencai blinked. "As expected, coffee shouldn't be left out for too long; it has to be drunk while it's hot..."

"You have to drink it while it's hot," Lai Qixiao answered quickly.

“…If it cools down, it’ll be a little troublesome to wash.” After saying the last part of her sentence, Izaya Rina looked at him strangely, “Why did you suddenly interrupt me!”

"Will you drink the coffee when it gets cold?"

"Drink! Of course I'll drink!"

"?"

With her hands on her hips and a smug expression, Jing Qinren said, "I paid money and waited in line. Even if the coffee gets cold, I have to hold my nose and drink it! But if it's too bitter, I'll add some milk and honey."

Akira Kurusu paused noticeably while washing the cups, giving her a strange look for a moment before saying, "Whatever makes you happy."

......

Evening at Seijo Station.

As the downpour subsided, a series of raindrops fell from the eaves, pattering onto the puddles on the overpass. Inside the underpass, cars rushed by, their hooves whistling through the rain.

Akira Kurusu led Serina Izayoi by the wrist as they walked across the overpass, holding an umbrella in her other hand to shield them from the slanting raindrops dancing in the sky above the city.

We're very close to the restaurant we agreed to meet.

It is an upscale restaurant whose prices are beyond the reach of the average student.

Even with Akira's looks, he would have to work all night selling alcohol at STARRY to afford to treat everyone here—luckily, the girls in his Phantom Thieves group are all very sensible and know to offer to split the cost.

When Lai Xixiao privately chatted with them about the time and place of their get-together, everyone said they would help him share the cost.

Of course, even with the phantom thief's flexible sense of self-respect and moral bottom line, he still couldn't bring himself to make a young girl treat him to a victory celebration.

At this moment, he recalled Ravenda's admonition and began to ponder how to truly practice "being true to one's desires"...