Chapter 291 I Can't Come Back Tonight
About twenty minutes ago.

As night falls and the lights come on, the moonlight shines through the sparse clouds, outlining the city's contours clearly and hazily under the light.

"Manager Shimizu."

Behind the bar counter, Utsunomiya-senpai, who had just seen off two guests, patted Shimizu Mitsuki's shoulder from behind as he was wiping his wine glass.

"Utsunomiya-senpai, just call me Shimizu."

As a college student, Utsunomiya-senpai is a typical sunny girl with a nice breast. When there are no customers, she occasionally looks at the fashion magazines in the store.

Moreover, she treats everyone equally, from Xia Lin to juniors like Qing Shuijian, using honorifics and in a friendly manner, so Qing Shuijian can talk to her without any worries and does not feel any age difference.

"But before Miss Xia Lin left, she said that all affairs in the bar would be under the management of Mr. Qingshui. This means that you will be the manager, right?"

Although Shimizu had told her several times before, Utsunomiya-senpai still insisted on calling him that.

"Utsunomiya-senpai, what did you call me for just now?"

"Oh, I almost forgot. Ruixi just called and said she wanted to see you."

Senior Utsunomiya stretched out the microphone cord on the bar counter and handed the microphone to Shimizu.

"She called me?"

This is a special phone set up in the bar, but under normal circumstances, no one would call, so Shimizu Miki asked Utsunomiya-senpai for confirmation.

"Yes, she said on the phone that she had something important to discuss with you."

Important matter?

Feeling confused, Shimizu took the phone, put it to his ear and answered the call.

"Ichinose?"

"I haven't even given my name yet, it's amazing that Mr. Shimizu knows who I am."

"Because Utsunomiya-senpai just told me in advance."

After handing the microphone to Shimizu, Utsunomiya-senpai left the bar and went to clean up the table of the previous guests.

"So, what's the matter with you suddenly looking for me?"

"It's nothing, actually. I just wanted to invite you over for a cup of tea."

Invite him to tea?

Shimizu was puzzled. Ichinose Shiki even took a leave of absence from his work at the bar today. Could it be that he went out to drink tea?

"Ichinose...are you free now?" Shimizu asked.

"I'm very busy."

Ichinose Shiki answered without hesitation.

"And tonight will be very busy all night..."

Ichinose Shiki's subtle tone is intriguing, and he even deliberately paused here, which makes it hard not to notice.

However, what concerned Shimizu even more was that the voice of Ichinose Shiki coming from the receiver seemed to be mixed with a slight echo, as if she was in a relatively enclosed small space at the moment.

Shimizu asked this out of curiosity, and then Ichinose Shiki's voice came from the receiver again.

"Well, maybe it's because I'm in the bathroom now."

"bathroom?"

She called him in the bathroom?
"Well, I'm in the bathroom of a restaurant right now, but that's not important. Mr. Shimizu, do you have time now?"

"What do you think……"

Ichinose Shiki asked a very unnecessary question, after all, Shimizu was currently working.

"But at this time, there shouldn't be many customers in the bar, right?"

It was just as she said, there weren't many customers in the store at this time of year. Ichinose Shiki worked here every day, so she naturally knew this.

"Then Mr. Shimizu, can you please come downstairs now?"

"Go downstairs?"

"Well, I'm at a restaurant downstairs near the bar right now, and I'm going to have dinner with someone later. If Mr. Shimizu is free, can you come with us?"

Was this an invitation to dinner?

This place is near the city center, so there are many restaurants nearby. However, what Shimizu Mi was concerned about was that Ichinose Shiki had taken a leave and did not come to work at the bar, but how could she have time to eat with others in a nearby restaurant.

Considering that it was during this time period, could it be that she had made an appointment with her boyfriend to have dinner together?
Apart from this, there is probably no job more important than working in a bar. After all, every time you are absent, a portion of your salary will be deducted.

If that's the case, it would be inconvenient for Qingshuijian to go there.

After Shimizu Mi refused, Ichinose Shiki's voice was heard again.

"Mr. Shimizu, are you sure you won't come? She's a very cute girl. If you don't come, Mr. Shimizu will definitely regret it."

In other words, isn't it with her boyfriend? But even so, Shimizu Miyabi still has no intention of going there.

"Manager Shimizu."

Utsunomiya-senpai walked up to Shimizumi at some point and gently poked his arm with her index finger.

"what happened?"

Qing Shuijian asked, temporarily putting down the microphone.

"Could it be that Ruixi is inviting you to dinner?"

"Well, that's it..."

Although she didn't hear the content of the call, Utsunomiya-senpai seemed to have guessed something.

"Really? Then what is Manager Shimizu waiting for?!"

For some reason, Utsunomiya-senpai's tone was filled with excitement that was hard to conceal, and her eyes seemed to light up instantly, sparkling.

"Maybe it's Mizuki who wants to confess her feelings to you, Manager Shimizu. Every time I was working, I noticed that she would always sneak a glance at you from time to time. Now it seems that this is indeed the case."

Although Utsunomiya-senpai said this with a confident look on her face, Shimizu Mi felt that it was not the case.

"This is a rare opportunity. Manager Qingshui can't keep girls waiting for too long."

It seems that Utsunomiya-senpai has misunderstood something.

But if Qing Shuijian left, she would be the only one left in the bar, so he was a little worried: "But in the store..."

"Manager Shimizu, don't worry. Leave the store's affairs to me."

"Is it okay for you to be alone?"

"No problem, no problem. Manager Shimizu, just go ahead and do it."

Utsunomiya-senpai made an 'OK' gesture without hesitation.

Qing Shuijian thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, I'll be back soon."

"It's okay. Manager Shimizu can stay as long as he wants. It doesn't matter if he doesn't come back tonight."

No, that's impossible...

……

After leaving the bar, Shimizu took the elevator to the first floor.

Ichinose Shiki had just sent him the location address on her mobile phone. The restaurant where she was was indeed very close to here, only one street away.

Following the navigation on his phone, Qingshuijian walked for a few minutes and arrived at the pedestrian street.

Because of the long azure hair which was rare for a high school student, Shimizu quickly noticed the figure sitting by the glass window of the restaurant even though he was standing across the street.

After the green light came on, Qingshuijian crossed the zebra crossing to the other side.

However, when he got closer, he noticed that there was someone sitting opposite Ichinose Shiki.

The girl with black hair did not stand out in the dead of night until Qing Shuijian walked to the window and saw her face clearly.

"..."

"..."

Shimizu Ken and Ayase Kotone, who happened to be looking out the window, made eye contact.

Ayase Kotone was wearing a knee-length, elegant skirt with a white knitted top, which gave her a more mature look. It could also be seen that she was wearing light makeup, and her eyes looked deeper than when she usually met at school.

And every time Ayase Kotone blinked while looking at him through the glass window, this feeling became stronger.

Ayase Kotone had obviously dressed up carefully today, and when you look at her up close like this, you can see that she is really very cute.

Especially when the moonlight shines through the glass window and dapples on her body, outlining a faint halo around her figure, she looks like a fairy walking out of a painting, quiet and elegant.

"Mr. Shimizu, hurry up..."

Ichinose Shiki inside the glass window raised the corner of her mouth and smiled at Shimizu, but because of the glass, I couldn't hear clearly what she said.

But judging from her gestures, she should be calling Shimizu to come in quickly.

Shimizu followed the direction pointed by Ichinose Shiki, walked into the restaurant from the mall entrance next to it, and then came to the two people sitting next to the window. "Mr. Shimizu, please sit down."

The seats here were for four people to sit opposite each other. Ichinose Shiki moved one seat inside and patted the seat where he was originally sitting.

Because standing in the aisle like this would block the waiters and other customers, Shimizu Mitsuki sat down without hesitation. Naturally, the chair still retained the warmth of Ichinose Shiki's body.

"What's the matter with you calling me here?"

"Mr. Shimizu, shouldn't you first pay attention to the beautiful girl sitting opposite you?"

Ichinose Shiki said with a smile.

To say that I don't care is of course impossible.

Although I had guessed that Ichinose Shiki should be the friend that Ayase Kotone was talking about, I didn't expect that the two of them would actually meet in a place like this, and they even called him over for no reason.

"Good evening, President."

In any case, Shimizu Mitsuki greeted Ayase Kotone first.

"Good evening..."

Ayase Kotone seemed to be as concerned as Shimizu Mi about why the other party was here, so after a brief pause, she immediately continued:
"Shimizu-san, why is it that..."

"I just called him over."

"Eh?"

Ayase Kotone showed an extremely surprised expression.

It seemed that Ichinose Shiki did not tell her that Shimizu Ken would come.

"Shiki...why do you know Shimizu-san?"

"Huh? Didn't I tell you that I've been working part-time at the same store with Mr. Shimizu?"

"What the hell, this is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Ayase Kotone's voice.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to say that. Sorry, sorry."

Ichinose Shiki chuckled and apologized to Ayase Kotone.

From their conversation, it can be seen that these two people are indeed old friends who have known each other for many years.

"But it turns out that Mr. Shimizu has known Kotone for a long time."

"Because we are in the same school..."

Shimizu Kenmoto wanted to answer, but Ayase Kotone spoke for him.

"Is that all?"

"What do you mean?"

Ayase Kotone asked in confusion.

"Xiao Qinyin, didn't you just ask me who that boy was?"

That boy?

Hearing what Ichinose Shiki said, Shimizu suddenly became alert.

Although she didn't say anything specific, judging from the slightly nervous expression of Ayase Kotone who was sitting opposite her, she was probably talking about the boy she had been looking for.

So, the reason why Ichinose Shiki asked him to come here at this time...

"Would you like something to eat, Mr. Shimizu?"

Ichinose Shiki unfolded the menu and held it in front of Shimizumi, interrupting his thoughts.

"No, let's not do that."

There were many desserts on the table that the two of them had ordered, but Shimizu Miyabi wanted to go home to eat tonight, so she rejected Ichinose Shiki's kindness.

"Then at least have something to drink? Don't worry, it's my treat tonight."

Although that was not the point, Shimizu Mi still ordered a glass of iced yuzu lemon tea at the strong recommendation of Ichinose Shiki.

"Shiki...why did you suddenly ask Shimizu-san to come over?"

Ayase Kotone gently covered her mouth with her hand that was closer to Shimizu Ken, and lowered her voice to try to communicate quietly with Ichinose Shiki, but because they were sitting next to each other, what Ichinose Shiki could hear, Shimizu Ken could of course hear as well.

"Because the bar where Mr. Shimizu works is nearby."

"Even so..."

"And didn't I just tell you that it was you, Xiao Qinyin, who asked me who the boy I had been looking for was."

"Of course I know this, but...what does this have to do with Shimizu-san?"

Ayase Kotone glanced at Shimizumi secretly, then immediately looked away.

"Well, rather than saying that this has anything to do with Mr. Shimizu, it's better to say that the whole thing has only something to do with him."

"…Huh? W-What do you mean?"

Hearing this, Ayase Kotone felt even more confused, but Ichinose Shiki just gave a meaningful smile, then said that she was going to the bathroom and left her seat.

After Ichinose Shiki left, only Shimizu Mi and Ayase Kotone were left at the seats.

Ayase Kotone was obviously a little uneasy, and neither of them spoke to the other.

Fortunately, the silence did not last long. In less than two minutes, Ichinose Shiki came back from the bathroom with the yuzu lemon tea that Shimizu had ordered just now in her hand.

"Sorry, I spilled a little when I got it from the clerk just now."

"It's ok."

Qingshuijian took the glass and found that there was indeed a little yellowish liquid on the outer wall of the glass.

But luckily I ordered it iced, so I can drink it with confidence.

Shimizu Michi got up from his seat, let Ichinose Shiki sit in the inner seat, and then sat down again.

"Um... Shiki, what exactly did you mean by that? Why is it related to Shimizu-san..."

Although only two minutes had passed, as soon as Ichinose Shiki sat down, Ayase Kotone couldn't wait to ask.

However, Ichinose Shiki did not rush to answer Ayase Kotone, but smiled at Shimizu Mi who was drinking lemon tea next to her.

After watching Shimizu drink the lemon tea, Ichinose Shiki said:

"Mr. Shimizu, can I ask you a question?"

"what?"

"What do you think of Xiao Qinyin?"

"Shi, Shiki...why are you suddenly asking Shimizu-san such a question?"

Indeed, Shimizu Miya felt strange about the question suddenly asked by Ichinose Shiki.

However, when talking about what kind of person Ayase Kotone is, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely an excellent, smart, and responsible student council president.

"Uh... smart?"

Qingshuijian answered truthfully.

"Yes, but only for studying."

Ichinose Shiki supported one of his cheeks with his right hand, turned to look at Ayase Kotone who was sitting opposite him, with a somewhat helpless tone in his voice.

"Except for studying, he is hopelessly slow in other areas."

"Zhi, Zhixi...what do you mean by that?"

Ayase Kotone's face showed an expression that was unclear whether it was anger or confusion.

Qing Shuijian wanted to try to see her expression clearly, but suddenly he felt his vision was a little blurry and his eyelids felt a little heavy, as if an invisible force was gently pulling them down.

Although I tried to dispel the fatigue by blinking, the world in front of me became more blurry with every blink.

Then, an unprecedented drowsiness came over me.

Just as Shimizu was wondering if he was too tired from work recently, he heard the hazy voice of Ichinose Shiki.

"Isn't that right, Mr. Shimizu?"

"..."

Although Qingshuijian wanted to respond, the sleepiness was like an invisible net that wrapped him tightly.

The brain's consciousness began to blur, my eyelids became heavier, and the scene in front of my eyes became more and more blurred. The lights, human figures, and surrounding colors were like ink on a scroll being smudged by water, losing their original shapes and outlines.

Qingshuijian tried hard to stay awake, but the increasingly strong sleepiness quickly took over.

Finally, the irresistible sleepiness completely overwhelmed him.

Shimizumi's eyelids slowly closed, and the last ray of light in front of his eyes was replaced by darkness. But before he lost consciousness, he seemed to hear Ayase Kotone calling him, and the arm reaching out to him.

(End of this chapter)