KON POV

As we strolled to Melty Café in Coli District a few days later, our whole crew, including the pervert, was with us. Zack had the entire place reserved for us today.

It’s been a while since I last visited there. I hope Ms. Melany and Momo enjoy the tea and chocolate set I picked up for them. Along the way, I asked Zack if there were any plans for our team to collaborate to boost our MSR faster.

“Collaboration? Heck no.” Zack crossed his arms.

“So our team is supposed to go solo the entire time? Are you sure we can reach the bare minimum MSR for the upcoming inter-sector tournament? It’s around the corner. We also need to prepare for the mid-year exam.” I asked the headstrong idiot.

“Who says anything about inter-sector, I’m talking about inter-district tournaments. Those are more doable.”

“Huh, you speak some sense for once-”

“Not to mention, Venti and I kinda scared the teams and parties away with our latest friendly matches. So that bridge is burnt.”

“I take it back.”

Yeesh, what am I even hoping from these two? Collaboration between teams that ends on a high note where everybody shakes hands with a smile on their face? I’d sooner see a caveman dancing in a tutu after being inspired by an opera singing.

Venti even had the gall to mock Rawr at me with a claw hands pose.

Ah, the path of a Pathfinder sure is a long one. At least the sky is clear and the sky is sunny today.

These past few days have been relatively peaceful. Discounting the modeling activities, the School Club patrol activity, and delivery commissions were easily done. There were no crazy happenings and the class Quizzes were so simple that the hardest part of it was teaching Venti how to solve them.

We have finally arrived in front of the Café.

Melty Café has a charming exterior, with a rustic facade covered in ivy and surrounded by various potted plants on its veranda. Vintage windows let in natural light, giving a glimpse of the warm and cozy interior setting.

As we opened the door, a gentle chime welcomed us into the café, where a charming ambiance greeted us with its warm color palette. The walls were adorned with local art, spanning from the western Temple to the eastern cultures. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sweet scent of pastries filled the air, while soothing jazz music played in the background, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

“Such a quaint atmosphere desuwa.” Elizabeth stated.

“Oh my, Welcome home Zack, and these are your friends? Ufufu, welcome to Melty Café. My name is Miss Melany Hanabira. You can just call me Melany.”

Momo’s mother greeted us cheerfully, and we returned the greeting as we introduced ourselves. The café hadn’t changed a bit since my last visit months ago. It still retained its cozy and soothing atmosphere, just as I remembered.

“Thank you for accepting us today, here’s some gifts. It’s your favorite tea sets.” I offered her the gift package.

“Oh Kon, you don’t have to. But thank you.”

“By the way Ms. Melany, is it fine to have the café as a HQ for our team meet-ups? Won’t you be troubled?” I asked her for permission.

“Melany is fine, and I don’t mind. It will draw more eyes to our café and it will be good for business. As for the unsavory people looking for trouble, our hardy neighborhood can handle a bit of scuffle.”

“I see. Then we will trouble you in advance. Just let us know if there is anything we can do to help.”

“Fufu, Thank you, Kon. Please take a seat, I will bring in some refreshments and snacks.”

Melany headed off to the back kitchen while our group settled down on the sofa near the window. I opted for a bar stool, enjoying the jazz singing from the nearby speaker and watching the bar TV. The channel was airing the latest news on district SpeedGear battles. It seemed like Cosa Nostra and BOA were going head-to-head. While many favored BOA, Cosa Nostra was giving them a run for their money, especially with how close the results of the hurdles races were. They were neck and neck most of the time.

Meanwhile, at the back, the team is busy designing the badge and a name for the team.

“Then how about GIGA PUNK!” Zack passionately pumped up his fist. Well, I know he likes to sing the Punk Rock genre, and it’s fine to incorporate that word into the team name. But why the heck Giga?

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

“Zack, you do know that there is one above that which is TERA, yes?” I shot it down.

“Urk,……. Fine. Kon, you name it.”

“Me?”

“Yep. Venti here is nothing but a mumbo jumbo of a wrestling moves combination. And Eliz there would sooner turn us into a boy’s band with her naming sense.”

“Long and powerful name strikes fear!”

“Hmph! We are dancers in a way desuwa!”

A good name for the team? Zack had the idea of using the word Punk. Aside from musical genre, it can also describe the rebellious nature of nonconformity. I looked out to the window and the sky was clear today with clouds floating lazily about. The Sky, huh?

“What about Sky Punk.”

“Sky Punk? Are you sure?” Zack asked. Why is he being considerate all of a sudden? It’s not as if I’m going to go into a hysterical fit every time I hear the word Sky.

“Yeah, the sky looks amazing today, and chilling here with the crew in this cozy café vibe adds a bit of that Spiciness punk flavor to the mix, doesn’t it?” I expressed.

“Heh, very well. Sky Punk will be our team name. Everyone in agreement?”

“Not bad, Kon! I still think we should have our name longer and put in a few words like ‘da Bomb’ to it. Maybe I can fill up the About page instead.”

“Sky Punk. I will be dancing in the sky desuwa! Ohohoho!”

“Alright, I shall commence prototyping the badge now. I will sketch a batch and you pick whichever one you fancy.” Kuro begins her Air Scroll moments again as her fingers move rapidly from panel to panel.

Melany returned with a tray loaded with cold drinks and pastries, perfectly remembering my favorite combo of orange juice with a dash of lemon. Alongside, there were croissants and scones, with an extra touch of fresh cream and berries for anyone with a sweet tooth.

But for some reason, after serving everyone else, she lingered behind me instead of heading to the other side of the bar. Did she want something from me?

“Fufu, Kon. You finally look up to the sky. You used to just keep staring down the floor as if the world is weighing you down.” She spoke softly.

“Eh? Ah, that. Yes, I suppose things are finally looking up for me. I can’t keep running away from my problems all the time after all.”

“Ara, such maturity. You have grown to become a splendid young man, haven’t you.”

I need to calm myself down. Melany often teases me like this, but I can’t deny that I enjoy it. She has this motherly aura around her, yet there are moments when she exudes a playful allure. It’s impressive how effortlessly she balances maternal tenderness with captivating charisma, especially with that teasing smile of hers.

Her soft light pink hair, similar to Momo’s, gently brushed my nape as she moved in closer, pressing her chest against my back. Oh goodness, my whole body felt like putty, and the spoon in my hand started shaking uncontrollably. The orange ember inside me was thrashing wildly, urging me to use an intent mask, but for some reason, I relented to her touch, feeling my cheeks flush hotter and hotter.

“Thank you for always looking after those two, Kon. You are a good boy.” She whispered in my ear before she gently blew into it while tracing a finger down my spine.

“EEEPPP!!” I squeaked. Thankfully I put the spoon down before it could fly elsewhere.

I quickly covered my mouth before glancing back to find my friends staring at me with puzzled expressions, or at least some of them were. Zack had a grin plastered on his face like a Cheshire cat, while Kuro seemed lost in thought, her hand propping up her chin. I hoped whatever was on her mind had nothing to do with me.

Thankfully, the awkward atmosphere dissipated when a gentle door chime rang, and Momo walked in. She must be back from her club, I assumed.

“I’m back, Hi guys. Mom, you can stop molesting Kon now.” Momo ran pass the table bar into the backstairs.

“Welcome home Momo, and please don’t use such crass language in front of our guests.”

“Sure sure. I’m going up to put things away first.”

Off Momo went up the stairs, and I let out a sigh of relief. That was dangerous. Lady Melany always teases me when she thinks no one is looking, but she was quite bold just now, different from her usual teasing. Of course, she’s not serious. She never is. But why would she suddenly act like this when my friends were around?

Wait…. Come to think of it. Zack hasn’t returned my dirty magazines. Did Melany discover it? I sure hope not and if she does I hope she thinks it’s Zack’s. Ugh, I want to palm my face right now. Gotta go upstairs and grab them later.

Suddenly, Kuro stood up and approached me.

“Hey Kon, can I pat your head a little?” She asked out of nowhere.

“Uh….. I don’t mind, but why?”

“Just felt like it.” She shrugged, then started patting and rubbing my head for a while before deep in thought again.

Eventually, she returned to her previous seat to work on the badge with the rest of the team. Strange behavior, but then again, the pervert has always been eccentric. And no, intent reading her is out of the question. Kuro Kovanski is a forbidden gate that should never be opened or peeked through.

A while later the forbidden gate beckoned me to look at the finished badge creation.

The Sky Punk Badge is a visually striking emblem, illuminated in a mesmerizing fusion of azure blue and electric purple. Its design, characterized by sleek lines and futuristic symbols, exudes a sense of rebellion and technological sophistication. At its center, a cosmic insignia encapsulates the essence of solidarity among those who dare to push the boundaries.

In other words, it’s beautiful. It doesn’t take an artistic sense to see that the badge suits us in the way we see ourselves. Freedom in solidarity huh? I like it.

I gave it a thumbs up for Kuro to finalize it and send the data shard containing a 3D map image to our tablet.

“So next, we need a Badge Maker to create the Team Badge based on this design. Anybody knows a guy or two?” I asked the team. Most of the team shook their head but Venti raised his hand.

“I know a Badge Maker. He is somewhere around Taikan District.”

“Isn’t that the district BOA recently got hold of?” I questioned.

“Yep, and I can guide you there. It’s been a while but I know my way there.”

“I guess that settles it then, I will book an appointment now.”

After a quick call and a data shard transfer, assuming there are no further hiccups, we should have our badge completed in a couple of days. That night, we celebrated with dinner together, joined by Melany and Momo. It was a pizza party, marked by cheers and clinking glasses, commemorating the creation of our team.

And of course, I didn’t forget to sneak into Zack’s room to take back the books that he stole.

I just wish the idiot could have hidden it in a more inconspicuous place.