“Welcome back, Master.”

I was greeted as I entered the cafe. It was the same maid that led me to my table when I met up with Val and Nadeshiko before.

I just responded with an awkward “uh hi.” I mean, how were you supposed to answer to being called master.

“Ah, are you meeting with Lady Nadeshiko today again?”

“No, I am not. I actually have made a reservation of my own?”

“Of course. Under which name?”

I said my name and she looked through a list she procured from somewhere.

“Ah yes, follow me please.”

It went similarly to last time. I noticed table 69 in the corner being empty, despite the cafe being full enough to warrant making a reservation. Was that the extent of Nadeshiko’s power?!

She led me to a smaller table, one that still featured two armchairs.

I took place on the one facing the entrance, so I could see him when he came in.

“I noticed you haven’t requested for a particular maid when making your reservation, Master. Would you mind if I, Erika, attends your table for today? Or would you like to see the menu?”

I was taken aback by the way in which she said her own name. Was this part of the script? To spare the guest the awkwardness of asking one’s name? I was thankful for that, because if she told me her name before, I had forgotten it by now.

“Oh, I don’t mind you attending the table.”

“Of course, Master, thank you very much. Should I bring you the drink menu then?”

“Mmm, yeah. Two of them please. Hopefully my friend will arrive soon ...”

“Understood.”

Erika turned around and with perfect posture and a swift yet dignified pace made her way to the counter.

I glanced at my phone real quick.

Crush texted he’d be on his way a couple minutes ago. I arrived early on purpose, of course. I couldn’t tell whether he’d have to walk a long way to the cafe.

Erika came back and placed the two menus on the table. One in front of me, the other in front of the other chair.

“Here you go, Master.”

“Thanks.”

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She stood by the table, as I skimmed the menu. Honestly, I’m very sure I’d just be having a glass – or several – of water, considering I could already feel my throat drying up.

The ringing of the bell above the entrance ripped me from my thoughts, as I turned my gaze towards the door. It was just some couple, that was already being greeted by another maid in their usual fashion.

I sighed.

“Who is this friend you’re waiting for, if I may ask, Master?”

“Oh, uh, well it’s a bit complicated. He’s a guy from online. We never met before. This will be our first time seeing each other.” My nervousness made my speech choppy. Erika could probably tell how excited I was.

“Oh! Is it perhaps ... a date?”

“Uhhhhhh ...” I don’t know, was it?

“Hm, so it’s complicated?” She asked with an impish smile, so unlike the composed maid she was before.

“Y- you could say that.”

“Don’t worry. I can provide you with our special first date service! That way you’ll be sure to have something to talk about, in case you get a bit lost along the way.”

“I appreciate it, but actually, it would be best if you left us alone? We got some things to clear up first haha ...” I chuckled awkwardly, when I heard the bell ring again.

I turned to look at the singular person who had just come through the door.

A wave of familiarity washed over me, spiked with feelings of dread. It reminded me of meeting my father again, after being away for uni several months.

I became jittery even though I had yet to drink any coffee. If I thought my throat was dry earlier, it sure as heck was dry now.

Wow, I’m seeing him in 3D for the first time. That sure was a feeling.

I’ve had several meet-ups with guys from dating apps, so doing something like this was nothing new. Heck, I met Val and Big-Tuber-San for real, just a few weeks earlier.

My eyes followed his every move.

He let the door fall shut behind him. As with every other guest, he immediately was approached and greeted by a maid. He said something, probably mentioning he has a friend waiting for him.

Does he know my table number? He wouldn’t know the name under which I made my reservation of course. Or I could just wave. Like an idiot. Yeah no.

“I think that’s him,” I told Erika, hoping she would maybe direct him toward the table.

Erika was facing away from the entrance, so she turned around.

Crush was following the maid in our direction.

I think our eyes met in that moment.

That’s the only way I could explain his reaction.

I think his eyes widened. Kind of cliched, and I couldn’t tell for sure, because he was too far away. But considering he stopped in his tracks and his entire body tensed up, I think his eyes widening made sense.

I’m not even sure if he was still looking at me.

I tried to say something, but the words just didn’t come out. Should I use my normal voice? Or should I use Gaia’s voice to not throw him off? But using Gaia’s voice while ... being a dude would surely be even more off-putting.

But it didn’t matter anyway, because while I was pondering how to approach him, he did the exact opposite: He left.

Although, saying he fled the scene was a much more appropriate description.

I couldn’t even properly comprehend what had happened.

Suddenly he was just gone.

The maid that walked in front of him did not even realize he left, until she saw mine and Erika’s befuddled expressions.

“Um, rude?” the other maid simply said.

Erika did not respond and just stared at the door.

“He told me, you two had a date, that true?” the other maid asked me.

I answered with a confused and choppy yes.

“Hm, in that case ... we never had anyone bail on a date like that, but I feel bad for you. Tell you what, just order a cake and a drink on the house, ´kay? And if that bastard ever returns, we’ll just put it on his bill the next time. So order at the best of your judgement, wink wink.”

My heart was a black hole and my stomach a deep pit. I ordered. But I didn’t remember having much of it.

[.]

[..]

[...]

[..]

[.]

Crush

Val? Can you give me his address?

I need to clear things up.