Chapter 1
Salty Koharu
♠
A high school girl sat on the terrace that overlooked our café's signature flower garden.
Hmm . . . Should this be a wide shot? No, maybe a close-up . . . It needs that food porn effect . . .
She stared at the freshly made pancakes through her phone's screen.
I watched her from a distance.
That's Koharu, isn't it?
She was my classmate, Koharu Sato, also known as Salty Koharu.
She had bob-cut black hair trimmed at the shoulders and gently curled inward, large almond-shaped eyes, and a well-defined nose. Striking the perfect balance between cute and beautiful, she attracted much attention for her well-groomed appearance. And, with a name as adorable as Koharu, countless people have tried to get close to her over the years.
Yet not a single classmate has managed to do it. Why is that?
I mean, we're not exactly close.
Such was Koharu Sato's legendary response to a cute guy from another class who dared to ask her out on a date.
The entire exchange happened within a few seconds after he approached her, during which she did not move a single facial muscle.
That was Koharu in a nutshell.
Koharu was known for her cold, or "salty," demeanor toward everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or looks.
No.
How annoying.
So what?
Can I go home now?
Her responses lacked the slightest hint of warmth. She spoke like she was like firing a shotgun, and all with a completely blank expression.
Still, people were drawn to her. This was undoubtedly because she looked extremely put-together.
But sure enough, she shot down everyone who tried to approach her, earning her the nickname Salty Koharu.
All that aside . . .
Koharu, what are you doing all by yourself?
She peered into her phone, swaying her upper body back and forth, left and right, and repeatedly muttering to herself.
As far as I could tell, she seemed to be trying to photograph her pancakes.
Who gets that serious about taking a pancake photo anyway?
She was so focused that she did not even notice me when I brought her pancakes over just moments ago.
Knowing Koharu, there was a good chance she did not even recognize me as her classmate. Hearing her say that to me directly might just break my heart, though, so I pretended not to recognize her, either.
On that note, my name is Sota Oshio. I'm a naive high school boy. I work part-time at a hidden garden café, Café Tutuji, in Sakuraba City.
From my experience as a seasoned part-timer at this café—though I was the only one—having customers come in solo was rare, even more so for a high school girl.
On top of that . . .
Which angle would capture it best . . . ?
She's even mumbling such amusing words to herself. It's impossible not to pay attention.
However, she is a customer, so it would be best not to eavesdrop.
I was about to retreat to the back of the store when it happened.
Hey miss, what have you been up to all this time?
I heard a nasal voice speak in a tone feigning sweetness. Turning around, I saw a trio of male college students at the adjoining table talking to Koharu.
Initially, Koharu seemed slightly perplexed by the sudden approach, but she quickly regained her usual, beautiful, expressionless composure.
Is that any of your business?
Her voice was so bitingly cold that it could freeze your spine.
Whoa . . .
A sound of admiration echoed through the space.
Koharu's salty demeanor was alive and well, in and outside of school.
But . . .
Haha, you're cute. Let loose a bit!
You were taking pictures for Minsta, right? Pass me your phone. I'll take them for you.
And while we're at it, let's exchange Minsta IDs, too. C'mon, let's link up.
The college students laughed it off, not taking her seriously. Koharu's salty responses were not getting through.
In fact, they tried to snatch her phone away forcefully.
W-wait . . . !
The odds seemed to be against Koharu.
I immediately turned on my heel, marched up to the group of students, and stood firmly before them.
This isn't that kind of establishment.
I pointed to the "Refrain from hitting on other customers" sign at the entrance of the shop.
She doesn't seem comfortable, so could you please stop?
My tone was firm and clear, though it did not live up to Koharu's.
The three college students and Koharu looked up at me, dumbfounded.
I hoped they would give up. Fat chance.
Hahaha. Oh, come on, part-timer, we're just chatting here.
Yeah, yeah, get back to work already. You're on the clock, right?
From their smirking faces, it was clear they had no intention of leaving her alone.
Well, it was time for plan B.
I took a deep breath and turned toward the kitchen.
Daaad! The customers said the pancakes were delicious!
Huh?
My sudden, bizarre move caused one of the students to exclaim in surprise.
Their foolish faces turned pale in an instant.
The next thing they knew, a man who looked like a musclehead straight out of a Western movie came striding out from the back of the shop, his shoulders squared.
It was no longer a matter of reason; the fear they experienced was an instinctive response.
Whaaat?!