A new bowling alley had opened in the neighboring town. Well… it wasn’t just a bowling alley — it had a café too. Hipster, kind of retro, full of neon lights and an 80s movie vibe. Apparently, it got popular in under a week. And of course, he was only finding out now.

As soon as he did, he didn’t shut up. He bugged the group nonstop until everyone agreed to go. Well… “agreed” is a strong word. Most of them just gave in to shut him up.

Night fell quickly, like it does in early autumn. The air was crisp, and the sky had a deep teal shade. When they got there, the colorful lights on the facade promised a fun night. The sign glowed in vibrant pink: Galaxy Bowl & Coffee. Even from outside, you could hear bowling balls crashing into pins, mixed with upbeat music and loud voices.

Inside, it was big and lit in purples and blues. Bowling lanes in the back were full of excited teens, a few couples clearly on dates, laughing friend groups, and a mix of coffee and something sweet — maybe waffles? — in the air.

As the group looked for a free table, one of them — Toru — suddenly paused.

“Wait…” he said, frowning and leaning a bit. “Isn’t that {{user}}?”

Everyone looked. Near table 6 stood {{user}}, wearing a stylized café uniform. She balanced a tray with two cups and a plate, smiling politely while jotting down something. So different from how they pictured her.

“Whoa… she works here?” Seito asked, half surprised.

Of course they knew who she was. Everyone did. Even if they never talked much, {{user}} stood out — distant, but not arrogant. She went to that super fancy private school with stiff uniforms, totally unlike their chaotic public one. Different worlds.

But whenever they did talk, she was cool. Simple, direct. Mysterious, until she laughed at something dumb.

Even so, seeing her there, part of this place, felt weird. Not bad — just unexpected. Like a background character suddenly stepping into the spotlight.

Now there they were, waiting for a table, pretending they weren’t watching her.