With noon fast approaching, I stop my search of the stores along the way to the mall before meeting up with Midori at the café we visited before. I ended up having to run a bit of the way due to how short on time I was, but thankfully I made it in time.
"L-Luna?"
"Hey."
"Did you run all the way here?"
"Nn. The time slipped past me so I needed to catch up."
"Hehe. You're already so quick in PE that now you're trying to run against time?"
"I guess, heh."
I wasn't too much out of breath as I'm used to this level of running. Although I did get quite a few strange looks from the people passing by.
"So did you want to eat here for lunch?"
"Sure."
We make our way inside the café. Unlike last time, this time it's just Midori and I. It feels a lot more comfortable with it being just us. It's not like I don't like Shin or Nicole, or even Zhen, but I find it easier to talk with Midori, and it didn't take long for the waiter to come by.
"Welcome~ What will you two be having today?"
"Uhm, sorry, but do you know of anyone by the name, Reina here?"
"Erm... No, sorry."
"Okay, thank you. Then I'll have the vanilla sponge cake with black coffee please.
"Very well."
"Th-then I guess I'll have the strawberry and cream sponge cake with black coffee as well pl-"
"Hey, wait."
I just had to cut Midori's order short as I was still in the middle of processing what she just said.
"You sure about black coffee?"
"Well... I wanted to try and like it, hehe."
So she wants to continue from the time when I made her coffee? I was skeptical to even call it coffee after how diluted I made it for her.
"Still, ordering this kind of coffee. You'll hate it."
"S-sorry. I'm not that knowledgeable, aha."
"Uhm, excuse me miss-"
It's then that the waiter chimes in, joining the conversation as she faces Midori.
"Would you perhaps like to try the caramel latte instead? It's not too strong and it's quite sweet."
"Really? Is that coffee as well?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then, I'll take that one please!"
"Yes, very well. Then would that be all?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
With the waiter no gone with our order, Midori and I face one another as I notice how flushed her face has gotten.
"S-so you think this latte will be good? Have you tried it?"
"I have. It's stronger than what I ended up serving you, but the caramel will probably help balance the bitterness of the coffee."
"Haah~ Thank god."
"...Cute."
"Eh?"
"Trying to handle coffee. It's cute."
"Wh-what are you saying? You said you loved coffee, so of course I'd try to learn to love it as well."
The way she worded that reminds me of my sister... Just like how my sister was gifted with writing and other creative works, I tried to also be on the same level. I got there in the end, but she just had a better knack for it.
"Well, let's just see if you can handle this one, haha."
"Mmmm. Okay. But may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You asked the waiter before about your sister, right? Have you been looking around other places like this?"
"...Yeah."
"Then, why not after this, maybe we can spend time together to look around for her?"
"Huh? But didn't you want to hang out?"
"Mhmm. But I also care about you. You wasted no time to ask about her when we came inside here. So it doesn't sit right with me taking this time away from you."
She's far too caring in situations like these. I have tonight as well as all of tomorrow to search for my sister, so it's not like I don't have some time to spare. But-
"Are you sure? You're fine with that?"
"Mhmm!"
"...Thank you."
"Hehe."
If she's okay with this, then I'll gladly accept her help. Ah, but I better send a message to my brother and Mei about what's going on. Don't want them storming that apartment when I'm not there.
"Hahh~ You were right. That coffee was still quite strong."
After finishing our food, we leave the café and beginning walking back to the other part of town where I was searching this morning.
"But you did manage to finish it."
"Hehe, yeah. I think if it's like that then I think I can handle it."
"Then it looks like I'll need to buy a better coffee machine at home."
"Eh? Isn't the one you have good though?"
"Well, it's quite a cheap one. It can't foam up milk like what your latte had."
"Hmmm... Then couldn't you just not add the foamy milk?"
"Pfft, then that wouldn't really be a latte, haha."
"Hmmm? Is that how it works?"
I find myself smiling at this conversation. Someone new coming into coffee was an experience I never thought would be enjoyable. Even watching Midori drink the latte back in the café was fun to watch. See her face going through the emotions, going bleak from the bitterness to happy with the sweet after taste of the caramel.
"But isn't coffee machines expensive?"
"They are, but I have a lot of money saved, so it shouldn't be a problem. Especially since I know my sister's here."
"I see... Oh! Wait speaking of which. Don't you think it's better to look around places where they have live-in jobs?"
"Live-in jobs?"
"Yeah. You said that your sister didn't return last night, right? So maybe she found a job that has her staying over night?"
"That's true!!!"
Midori's words struck me like a tidal wave as I immediately stopped walking before pulling out my phone in order to research. I don't know why I never thought about it like that, and after hearing Midori, it perfectly makes sense.
"Hehe. I'll help."
Seeing me on my phone, Midori pulls out her phone as we soon find a bench to sit down on. Together, we browse around for local jobs around the city, but honestly, I'm not finding much.
"Oh! There's a house sitting job not too far here."
"Huh? Where?"
Leaning over, I look at Midori's phone as it appears to be an advertisement for looking after a house. Apparently the owners want to travel and just want someone to look after the house for a few weeks.
"That- could work."
"Want to check the place out?"
"Nn. Ah- wait but shouldn't this ad not be here? If Reina is looking after this house, then shouldn't the listing be taken down?"
"Ah~ I guess that's true..."
And so, we continue looking around for live-in jobs, however the earlier discovery had opened up a whole new batch of problems. If Reina has taken a live-in job like house sitting, then we'd also be needing to search all the residential places, searching every home until we find her. I feel like what I thought was an easy job just became a hell of a lot more harder. Instead of the needle being in a bowl of hay, it's more so like it's in an entire field's worth of hay. That realization sends my heart plummeting as I find it difficult to even smile at the thought of looking for her.
"Hey, it's okay. We'll find her, okay?"
"Nn..."
But right as I started to feel down, Midori put her hand on top of my own that was resting on my lap. Just that small bit of warmth was enough to spark a bit of hope once again.
"How about we start around the houses that's closest to that apartment you said you're staying at now?"
Just like usual, Midori has figured out my thoughts, and the dilemma that is in front of me.
"Yeah... Thank you, Midori."
"Anytime."
Hearing that brought a smile back to my face as we both stand up from the bench.
"Hehe. Then let's go~!"
Accompanied by Midori's positively, we begin walking once more in search of Reina.
While Luna and Midori search nearby houses and stores for her-
"Great work!"
"Haah~"
After rush hour, it has finally calmed down enough for us to take a break. With Kanon's father and the other worker out front, Kanon and I sit down in the break room as one of the cats jump up on Kanon's lap.
"And great work to you too, hehe."
She says as she pets the cat as it nuzzles down deeper into her lap. It's done this a few times now, but it's 'cause this is actually Kanon's cat and not one of the rescued ones.
"Are you sure they'll be fine out front?"
"Mhmm. Things tend to start dying down around this time."
That time being just a bit past 1pm.
"But tomorrow is Sunday, so you don't need to work if you don't want to and just hang out at our place."
"Eh? But aren't I supposed to be helping out?"
"Sure, but you need at least a day off. Everyone does."
"What about you?"
"Well I'm technically a co-owner. It doesn't really apply to me, haha. Or I guess I'm a manager? I'm not actually sure, hehe."
I guess that sort of makes sense? But I'm still skeptical.
"Hey, trust me. We're alright. Don't overwork yourself, okay? I saw you working hard, putting smiles on customer's faces."
Like Kanon said, I was mainly taking orders, essentially acting like a maid which I guess makes sense considering my uniform.
"Sundays aren't that busy as Saturdays anyways, so just take it easy."
"...Okay."
"Hehe, good. That'll give Anna time to warm up to you."
Was that her plan all along? Truthfully, I guess I was thinking about how to get on Anna's good side, but could this be the whole reason why?
"Wait... So while you all are at work-"
"Mhmm. Anna typically stays at home, looking after the house."
It all makes sense now. No wonder she was quite defensive when it came to me moving in.
"Well... If it means that Anna will have someone with her, then I'll do what I can."
"Thank you, Reina."
Kanon shoots me a bright smile whilst patting the cat on her lap. The cat also seemed to be happy with how the conversation went; at least that's how it looked like to me.
Our break didn't last long though as after thirty minutes, we were back to working once more, albeit at a more calmer pace, being able take breaks every so often.
Slowly over time, the number of customers began to decrease to the point where only a couple customers would come every hour, and even then it was from the take away menu. Despite yesterday where everyone was flooding in between 3-4pm, it's now like a barren wasteland.
"I see why you close the shop earlier on weekends."
"Right? Yeah I think we'll close in another hour I think. We sold everything we baked this morning so it all worked out."
Kanon's father chimes in with a big smile on his face. Don't tell me he knows how to bake as well?
"Ah, and here's your pay check."
"Eh? Wait-"
"No buts. Just take it."
He speaks with a smile, but his voice is quite intimidating, but I know that he doesn't mean it to be. That said, it does get his point across as I take the envelope of money from his hands.
"It's not much, but I prefer you to have something rather than nothing."
"...Even though I'm living at your house for free?"
"Of course! We don't want you to feel like you're locked in with us. At the end of the day, it's your life. Kanon has taken a liking to you, so I want to make sure that you're well taken care of."
He says that, but I bet that he also thinks the same way, that's what I've come to know about this family. They're far too accepting.
"Thank you."
Honestly, if it's this much, I think I might be able to manage. I can save this money up and start looking for sis once again. Although a phone might be needed if I'm to leave. I don't want this family to start stressing out with not being able to contact me. If only those men didn't jump me during that time then this whole thing would've been a lot easier. Even all the money I had from grandma was taken...
"Ah-"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Uhm... I was just thinking about how I left the blanket my grandma gave me back at the apartment."
"Oh, we could take you there after we lock up for the day? Is that alright?"
"Thank you... Again."
"Haha. No problem."
After the promised hour was up, we finished up with work at 5pm, which is around the same time as other Saturdays from what Kanon told me. Once we packed away everything into the car, we began driving down the street, towards that man's apartment.
"Do you want me to come in with you?"
"It's alright. I'll be in and out."
I appreciate Kanon wanting to help me out, but I doubt the man will do anything. And if he does try something, Kanon and her father will be just outside. I'm not all that scared.
It didn't take too long before we pulled up to the apartment as I'm the only one stepping out of the car.
"We'll be right outside, okay?"
"Mhmm."
"Just yell out and I'll charge in there and beat his ass!"
"Dad!"
"Haha! I'm kidding. But seriously, Reina."
"I know. Thank you."
With that, I slowly make my way up to the apartment door. Taking out my key, I take a deep breath before finally opening the door.
Just like what I'm used to seeing, the only light coming in is from the window at the back of the bedroom. With how small this apartment is, it's honestly enough to light up the whole apartment.
"Ah good! You're finally back. Now how about you clean up that mess you left behind."
"What?"
The man notices me at his desk, but he remains seated, only throwing his words towards me. However I do notice what he's talking about, which I find quite strange. Did he use a pan? The rice cooker seem to have been used as well, but the pan is definitely an anomaly here, especially after seeing what he usually eats. Wait, but he said that "I" did this?
"Well come on! I don't want that crap to stink up the place."
Confused, I simply just ignore his words before going to the corner of the room to retrieve my blanket. There is the box of things here, maybe I should take them as well? They're mainly disposable stuff, but I guess it would save Kanon's family money. I may as well.
So, I quickly roll the blanket before putting it on top of the cardboard box before walking back out the door?
"What?! Wait, what are you doing?"
"Leaving, that's what!"
"Huh?! Hahaha! So you're going with those two people from before, huh? How naive can you get?"
Hearing his words makes me stop dead in my tracks. It was one thing about him saying I made the mess in the pan, but now he's talking about two other people? The only people that come to mind are Kanon and her father, but they've never been here... right?
"What do you mean?"
So... I had to ask.
"Your 'friends' you made? Oh don't tell me you found others too? Hah."
"No. What do you mean? I didn't bring any people here before."
"Ugh, I don't care anymore. Just get out of here! I would've liked to have a couple more months, but whatever. Go have fun out there~ See how the world treats you..."
Without getting much answers, I leave like I'm told and move back towards the car. After putting my things inside and getting back in the back seat, my mind is still fixated on what just happened.
"Is everything okay?"
"I'm- not sure..."
Kanon immediately took notice of my behaviour, but I really don't have any answers.
The pan... and two people? To top it off, I haven't even set foot in that apartment recently. So what the hell was all that about-
"!"
My eyes widen at one possibility, albeit a ridiculous one at that. Could he have mistaken me for sis? But there's no way, right? Why would sis be at that apartment? I'm trying to think of other possibilities, but right now all I'm focused on is sis.
I continue to rack my brain over it as we eventually pull up at Kanon's family's home. The place that I'll be properly staying at from now on. But even as I'm getting out of the car, carrying my things, I still can't find any answers to my thoughts.