Fikush-ON!

Ch. 20: Birthday (Tea) Party

It was mid-July. Only a week until the summer vacation would begin, and also a few days until my birthday. It was noon, and I was late for school. Not that I cared much about it. As I strolled along the street towards the school, I couldn't help but notice how warm it was. Even though I was wearing my summer uniform, I was still sweating like hell. I finally got to the school, changed my shoes, stopped by the cafeteria to buy myself a sandwich and a juice, and headed down to the basement. Right as I got to the club room, I walked over to the air conditioner near one of the windows. I clapped my hands together, and bowed to it.

"Thank you for your service."

"The hell are you doing?" I could hear Tadaaki muttering from one of the couches.

"Being grateful, you dick," I quipped to him, and turned to face the kitchen. "Huh, no coffee?"

Ichiro raised a tall drinking glass in his hand. "It's thousand degrees outside, so we decided to make some iced coffee. There's some in the fridge."

I glanced at the fridge, sucking in some air between my teeth. "...iced coffee, huh..."

Tadaaki chuckled. "Don't worry. It's made using the Founder's recipe. It's actually pretty good. Give it a try."

Oh, in that case, I might as well do that. The club's Founder had gathered dozens of coffee recipes in his blue notebook. During our time here, we've tried most of them out, and all of them have proved to be delicious. I dug out a glass from the cupboard, took the iced coffee jug out of the fridge and poured myself some. I tasted it a bit, and yeah, it sure was good. I carried the glass over to the couches, and was just about to sit down on the one, vacant couch, until Tadaaki hastily stopped me.

"Dude, it's a leather couch!"

Oh, right. Leather couches don't mix well with the heat. So, I took a seat next to Tadaaki on the fabric couch. I dug out the sandwich from my pocket, tore the plastic open, and took a bite.

"...by the way, how's the situation with that summer job of yours?" Ichiro asked, resting his wrist on his forehead.

I swallowed the bread in my mouth. "Oh, right. I got accepted."

Ichiro seemed to flinch a bit. "Huh, really?"

"Yup," I nodded, sipping my iced coffee. "Actually, I'm supposed to meet my employer later today. We'll discuss the job more comprehensively."

I took another bite out of my sandwich, and turned my gaze upwards. "...I proposed that we'd meet up in Nakamura-san's café. For some reason, I wouldn't want the employer to come to my home."

Tadaaki shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I get what you mean."

Ichiro had a vicious grin on his face. "What if we stopped by to say hello?"

"Then you'll leave with two of your teeth missing," I muttered to him, sipping my iced coffee.

"Alright, I get you," he said, snickering.

No one had any more comments on the subject, so I resumed eating. That meeting is the reason why I came so late to school. I could barely get any sleep last night. I mean, I already got accepted, but I was still nervous.

Hours later, I was sitting in my house's foyer, getting my shoes on.

"I'm off."

My mom peeked from the kitchen. "Dressed like that?"

I glanced at her over my shoulder. "Mom, I'm going to be a domestic worker, I'm pretty sure I don't need a tuxedo to make an impression."

She seemed to think about it, until she smiled. "Well, suit yourself. Try to be back home by dinner time."