Epilogue: Pride
was nothing short of a triumph. The director’s deft hand, the cast’s stellar performances, and SHIZUKU’s electrifying presence
“Hey, hey, how far have you and Shizuku-chan gone?” Utahara-san’s sly grin cut through the quiet lull in the café, where the clink of dishes filled the air as I scrubbed them clean.
Ever since Shizuku and I started dating, Utahara-san had made a habit of these teasing probes. I didn’t mind too much, but no matter how unchanging my answers asking. “…Nothing’s changed yet,” I replied, keeping my focus on the soapy plates. “Shizuku’s been so busy, we barely get to see each other.”
“Aw, man…” Utahara-san’s voice carried a playful lilt. “I thought maybe you two had already done this or that.”
This or that—what could she even mean? Holding hands? My mind struggled to venture beyond that, the thought alone enough to stir a quiet flush. “…Master, thank you for everything,” I said, shifting the topic.
been the one to nudge me toward confessing to Shizuku. As my coffee mentor and more, she was undeniably my benefactor.
“Jun-kun, you’re like my top disciple, you know,” she replied, flashing a cheerful smile. “I couldn’t help but meddle a bit.” Her tone softened, but her eyes held a knowing glint. “You’ve gotta take good care of Shizuku-chan. If you leave her alone, she’ll probably do something reckless again.”
“…Yeah.” I gave a firm nod, hoping to ease any unnecessary worries. From now on, I’d be the one by Shizuku’s side more than anyone else. The entertainment world was still a mystery to me, and as a boyfriend, I knew I had plenty of shortcomings. But that was exactly why I’d face Shizuku with everything I had. If I didn’t pour my heart and soul into it,
“…You’ve grown up, haven’t you, Jun-kun?” Utahara-san’s voice took on a wistful note. “Ugh, now I really want a boyfriend…”
“Huh?”
“What’s with that surprised look?” she huffed.
“No… I just thought you weren’t interested in romance or anything…” Utahara-san always brushed off suitors with such effortless grace, her focus so singularly on coffee that I’d assumed a partner wasn’t even on her radar.
“Of course I want one!” she exclaimed, her voice rising. “I’ve been telling everyone coffee’s my lover, but come on! Coffee’s not human! It’s just beans!”
“Y-Yeah, that’s true…” I mumbled, sensing the danger in her escalating fervor. She was shouting the obvious now, and if I tried to say something clever, I’d likely step on another landmine—
“When you get to my age, everyone around you starts getting married… Some are even announcing pregnancies…!” Utahara-san’s voice cracked with exasperation. “If this keeps up, I’ll end up an
“You’re not that old…” I ventured cautiously. “Besides, Master, you’re beautiful and kind. I’m sure you’ll find someone great in no time.”
“You think so? Am I pretty?” Her tone shifted, almost coy, like a yokai luring in prey.
“…Don’t leave me behind, Jun-kun,” she added, her voice teasing but tinged with mock despair. “You can’t go ahead of your master, okay?”
“That’s unreasonable…” I muttered, half-amused.
“Waaah! Jun-kun’s been stolen by Shizuku-chan!” Utahara-san wailed, putting on an exaggerated fake cry. The old me would’ve floundered, unsure how to respond. But now, I could see through her antics—this was her way of celebrating us, even if a small part of her was genuinely throwing a fit.
“…Anyway, let’s put the harsh realities aside,” she said, resetting the conversation with a playful sulk. “Is Shizuku-chan coming by today?”
“She had a magazine interview nearby, so she said she’d come straight here.”
“Got it. Feels like it’s been a while, doesn’t it?”
“It’s been a week, after all.” Summer break had begun, and Shizuku was making the most of it, her schedule packed with modeling jobs. Next month, another drama awaited her, her star
“Oh, speak of the devil,” Utahara-san said, glancing up as the bell chimed, signaling a new customer.
“Welcome,” I called out, my voice steady as Shizuku stepped into the shop, her presence as familiar as the scent of fresh coffee.
“Good evening,” she replied, her tone warm despite the careful disguise of her hat, sunglasses, and mask.
“Evening, Shizuku-chan. The usual?” I asked, already moving toward the counter.
“Yes, please!” Her enthusiasm sparkled, unchanged by her growing fame.
Utahara-san gave my back a light pat, a quiet nod of approval. As I began preparing Shizuku’s coffee, she settled into her usual seat, her movements relaxed yet deliberate. Ever since we became a couple, I’d taken over brewing her coffee—a small responsibility that felt monumental. Utahara-san still handled the other orders, but entrusting me with Shizuku’s drink was
“Here you go,” I said, sliding the cup across the counter.
“Thanks.” Shizuku lifted it, savoring the aroma before taking a slow sip. “Phew… This is so calming.”
Her face softened completely, shedding the polished veneer of SHIZUKU, the cool and untouchable model. Seeing that unguarded expression, so different from her public persona, I couldn’t help but want to laugh.
“…Stop staring at me. It’s embarrassing,” she muttered, her cheeks tinting faintly.
“Sorry. Your relaxed face is just so cute,” I teased, unable to resist.
“C-Cute…?” Shizuku’s voice wavered, caught off guard. “It’s been a whole week since I had your coffee, Juntaro, so give me a break, okay?” She pouted playfully, but her next sip betrayed her contentment.
I’m hopeless, I thought. Every version of Shizuku—pouting, smiling, or otherwise—felt impossibly dear to me. Head-over-heels didn’t even begin to cover it.
“You’re getting more and more popular, huh,” I remarked, eyeing her meticulous disguise. The hat, sunglasses, and mask were now necessities, her fame after the drama’s success. She could barely step outside without them.
“Well, yeah,” she said, a playful lilt in her voice. “A beauty like me is pretty rare, right? So it’s only natural I’d get this popular.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed, matching her tone.
“…I wanted you to play along a bit,” she huffed, puffing out her cheeks in mock indignation. But her sulky expression quickly melted into a shy smile, her blush deepening. “Well, getting praised by you makes me happy, so whatever.”
Every expression she made shone brighter than any gem, captivating me entirely. She caught me staring again and gently chided, “I know you’re crazy about me, Juntaro, but this isn’t exactly a conversation.”
“Sorry…” I mumbled, scratching the back of my neck.
“It’s fine. It makes me happy.” Her voice softened, and she leaned closer across the . “Hey, wanna go somewhere during summer break?”
“I’m fine with it, but can you even get time off?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I forced some time. Four days.”
Four days out of an entire summer break felt painfully short, but I kept that thought to myself. Instead, I watched as her expression shifted, a flicker of worry her face.
“…I want to ask you something, Juntaro,” she said, her voice quieter now, tinged with hesitation.
“Hm? What’s up?”
“Doesn’t it bother you that we can’t see each other much?”
The question hung between us, heavy with her unspoken fears. A half-hearted answer wouldn’t do—not when she looked at me like that, vulnerable beneath her confident facade. I met her gaze, speaking clearly to ease her heart.
“It doesn’t bother me. There’s no way it could.” I wasn’t just her boyfriend; I . Her successes thrilled me, her struggles weighed on me, and no distance could change that. “I love how you throw yourself into everything with all you’ve got. I want to support that. So even if we can’t spend much time together, I’ll always love you.” I paused, then added with a wry smile, “Though, I won’t lie, I do get a little lonely.”
My honesty slipped out at the end, and Shizuku’s eyes softened. “…My boyfriend’s pretty cool,” she said, her voice warm with affection. “I wanna brag about you .” She finished her coffee in one smooth motion, her smile lingering.
I already knew what I needed to do.
“Juntaro, can I get the usual?” she asked, her tone light but expectant.
“You got it,” I replied, already turning back to the counter. When she asked for a refill, I could never say no. As I brewed her coffee, just like always
