The café's lights were a warm yellow, hanging quietly above each table, so the space wasn't dim; it held a hush and warmth unique to the atmosphere.
The mauve hair shimmered under the lights, swaying gently in time with Su Tang's breathing. If he wasn't careful and drew a bigger breath, a few strands would drift before his nose and tickle.
Su Tang couldn't help it—he sneezed.
Its owner was currently propped on an elbow, chin in hand, staring unblinking at the text—so their heads were nearly touching. His small sneeze startled her all the same.
Realizing what was happening, the clerk sprang upright. The blush bloomed on her face again, and she murmured, "Um… I saw you were really absorbed in your reading and didn't have the heart to disturb you…"
Her voice dwindled, then went silent. Just as she floundered, the corner of her eye caught the cup of coffee she'd brought earlier—now cold. Like a lifeline, she snatched it up and hurried to the back, her voice trailing back on a draft:
"Sir, I'll get you a fresh one!"
"Hey…" Su Tang started to call, but she was already gone. He shrugged. "Alright, then," he said to himself.
He pulled out his phone. It was already eight. His inbox held only Aki Hayakawa's note that the devil blood cleanup was complete—nothing else.
Su Tang closed his eyes and rubbed his brow between thumb and forefinger.
Seriously… the local gang not only lacked manners; they were useless too.
They'd said there was only one last process, that the handoff would be tonight—yet there was still no word. Were they going to drag it past midnight? That still counted as "tonight," right?
Just like Valmont's goons in the cartoon—never disappointing when it came to being disappointing.
Whatever. If there was no news tonight, he really would do Tokyo a good deed tomorrow.
Eradicating the underworld is our bounden duty!
Pocketing his phone, Su Tang rolled his neck and worked his slightly stiff muscles.
Only then did he notice the shop door was locked, with a "temporarily closed" sign hanging outside.
No wonder no one else had come in.
"Your coffee, sir."
The clerk emerged again from the back, composed now. Smiling, she set a steaming cup before him.
"Thanks."
As usual, he thanked her, lifted the cup and blew lightly—when she said, "I'm really sorry about earlier. I got absorbed myself. Um… I'm Reze."
Since she'd given her name, it was only right for Su Tang to give his.
So he had to lower the cup at his lips.
Looking at Reze, Su Tang smiled. "No worries. Books are for reading. It's a pleasure to share knowledge with someone else. As for a name…"
"Just call me Su Tang."
"Okay! Mr. Su Tang!" Having his name seemed to delight her. Nervous and excited, she asked, "Um… may I ask—are you a teacher?"
A teacher?
Why would she think that?
Su Tang shot her a puzzled look and wondered if the girl had a little mental quirk herself. He'd have to bring her to his clinic someday to help business.
Then he noticed the book on his table.
The teacher's edition of Abnormal Psychology.
Ah.
He chuckled and shook his head, closing the book. "You may have gotten the wrong idea. I just bought the wrong version. But if you mean 'teacher' in the broad sense, I did do some private tutoring for a while."
That was before he transmigrated, how he'd paid tuition during university.
Hearing that, the blush on Reze's face deepened.
"Um… Mr. Su Tang, may I call you teacher?"
?
Su Tang glanced at the sign on the window.
Nope—just an ordinary café. Not a roleplay theme restaurant.
Noticing his confusion, Reze realized her request was abrupt and quickly explained: "Um… I never went to school… I've had lots of questions while reading lately…"
Su Tang understood.
Seeing her anxious look, an image formed in his mind: a child of a tragic background forced to wander for survival, yearning for knowledge and campus life, who, grown up, works in a café and studies diligently in every spare moment…
What an inspiring story.
Top Ten Heartwarmers of Tokyo material!
Su Tang put down his coffee at once, the benevolent (?) smile on his face meeting Reze's expectant eyes. He nodded. "Alright. No problem. Truth is, I don't know much more than you. Plenty of questions will take our exploring together."
"Thank you, teacher!" Reze immediately changed how she addressed him. Excited, she said, "I'll pay your tuition!"
"No need. Keep your money." Su Tang waved a hand. He wasn't actually here to tutor. "If you feel uneasy about it, just drop by my clinic when you can—that's more than enough to cover tuition."
Someone like her at the door was a living billboard—full of draw. The foot traffic she'd bring would beat any tuition.
"Okay, I'll come often!" Grateful, Reze turned and brought out a few books. Eyes shining with hunger, she beamed, "Then, teacher, shall we begin?"
Ding-a-ling~
When Su Tang pushed open the door and staggered out of the café, three hours had passed.
Maybe it was the drought-after-rain of finally meeting a teacher—Reze's stamina exceeded his expectations.
After continuous explanations, the teacher was nearly wrung dry, while Reze was still as lively as ever.
Truly—astonishing talent.
A tired but content smile touched Su Tang's face.
Then it froze.
He suddenly remembered the coffee! She'd brought it, and he hadn't taken a single sip! A loss!
He turned back, ready to down it in one go—when the phone in his pocket finally buzzed.
[West City Derelict Factory. Cash for goods.]
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