Chapter 16: Souta Shibuya heads to the Meeting Place
[Sorry, Souta! I had an emergency, and I’ll be 30 minutes late! Please wait for me there!]
I got a message like that from Akane.
Looks like I don’t have to hurry anymore.
I was passing through the [Musashino Forest] that surrounds the large park near the Kichijoji area.
There is a large man-made forest that neighbors the Inokashira Park.
It is also called the “Witch’s Forest.”
I don’t know why.
The small path is well maintained and easy to walk on.
But the path twists and turns, so if I’m not paying attention, I’ll easily get lost.
I looked at the map that Akane sent to me on my phone, and followed the directions accordingly.
Akane marked on the map a café that was supposed to be inside this forest.
Souta: (Is that it…….?)
Off the shore of the pond, there was a log house with a red roof that looked like it could be a café.
There are tables and seats in an open sitting area, but there are no other customers in sight.
…….is it even open?
I cautiously approach the store.
It says [Black Cat Café] on the store’s sign.
Looking closer, I see an open table and a black cat curled up underneath the sunshine and taking a nap.
I see. So that must be their store mascot.
I thought it was sleeping, but as soon as I got closer, it slid open its eyes in slits and glanced my way.
It didn’t run away even as I approached it.
It must be used to being around humans.
“Welcome”
Souta: “ACK?!”
Someone spoke to me suddenly from behind.
Startled, I turn around, and there is an unbelievably gorgeous café worker with short black hair standing there.
I don’t think they were there a moment ago, right?
I couldn’t even hear their footsteps as they approached.
Was I daydreaming too much?
“How many in the party?”
Listening to their voice, it was still hard to tell if it belonged to a man or a woman.
Souta: “I’m meeting someone here. So I’ll need a table for two.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
I was taken to the seat next to the black cat.
“Here is the menu.”
I open the menu in my hand.
<<<<>>>>
Coffee ￥500 (Free refills)
Tea ￥500 (Free refills)
Breakfast ￥500 (Changes Daily)
<<<<>>>>
Souta: (There’s practically nothing here!)
But, I guess the free refills are a deal?
If I’m studying, I could stay here for a while.
Souta: “I’ll have the coffee.”
“Yes.”
The café worker leaves water and a warm towel.
Huh……..? I couldn’t remember if they already had the cup of water in their hand.
One sip, and I felt the refreshing coldness go down my throat.
Checking my watch, Akane should be here in about 15 minutes or more.
I should read my textbooks and kill some time.
But as soon as I open my book…
“Thank you for your patience.”
The same worker appeared again.
He has a steaming cup of coffee on a tray.
Souta: (Isn’t it….a little too fast?)
It hasn’t even been a minute since I ordered.
“Enjoy.” And with that, the worker left the receipt on the table and disappeared somewhere inside the café.
I glance at the steaming cup of coffee.
Souta: (Must be from a pre-made pot…..)
I was a little disappointed.
From the way the café looked and felt, I thought I could drink some genuinely good coffee here.
Well, it’s free refills, so I guess that’s about right.
I take a small sip.
Souta: “WHAー?!”
What is this?!
They most certainly ground the beans and made the coffee properly.
How could they make a coffee like this in less than a minute……..?
I was filled with awe and wonder.
It’s incredibly great coffee.
I sip the coffee once more and look around at the scenery.
I’m outside, but it feels warmer here.
It felt just like I was indoors.
It really is a strange place.
The café worker was inside the café, and I was alone outside.
Well, I guess the cat was with me.
It’s a great café.
I’m surprised that it’s not more popular.
There were no customers before I came, and I didn’t see anyone else coming towards here after I arrived.
Can they stay in business like this……..?
Souta: (I’m gonna come here more regularly.)
I secretly decided to become a regular here.
Akane is still not here.
My eyes meet the cat’s.
Souta: (Well, if I’m going to become a regular, I better at least get to know it.)
This is the [Black Cat Café].
Then this Black Cat must be part of the Café Staff.
I decided to become friends with the Black Cat.
But I didn’t want to offend it by petting it immediately.
I need to greet it first.
Souta: “Hello there. It’s such a waste to be the only customer here when the coffee’s so good.”
I left my impressions of the café with the cat.
I’m talking to a Black Cat. I wasn’t expecting a response.
I’m more or less talking to myself.
“Yeah, the Master of the Café is running it just for fun. But the disciple’s coffee is well received.”
Someone responded to me.
It was not the same voice as the Café Worker.
It was a deeper, more manly voice.
Huh?!
I hurriedly look all around me.
I don’t see anyone else.
“What’s wrong? Are you looking for something you lost?”
Souta: “..................”
The voice came from on top of the table.
The Black Cat was speaking to me.
<<<<>>>>
Warm Towel at Restaurants, “oshibori” (おしぼり) -- I’ve only seen this in Japan. Sitting at a table, you receive a damp, moist towel that is STEAMING with heat. You take it to wash your hands, and (apparently, only older men like me do this) and wash their face with it. It’s sanitary. They wash all the towels thoroughly and then put it in a steamer. Still, I could see how travelers and tourists would find that odd (and possibly unsanitary).
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CREDITS
Spirit Girlfriend ~ Seems Like I Am the Only One Who Doesn’t Realize That I Have Been Possessed by My Dead Girlfriend~
Written by: Isle Osaki (Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isle_Osaki)
Translated by: ChonkyTranslator
Japanese Title:
ユーレイな彼女 ～どうやら死んだ恋人が取り憑いてることに、俺だけ気付いてないらしい～
作者: 大崎 アイル (オオサキ アイル)
Original Source Link: