Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 21: Would You Go Out With Me?
It was a lazy afternoon on a day off.
I was working part-time at a café.
“It’s slow today, Akkun.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty quiet today.”
There was a time when the café became a hot topic and was packed with customers, but after a while, the buzz died down.
Now, it had returned to being an ordinary café loved by the locals.
“Ren Takazuka, the actress from the Takarazuka Revue, is making headlines for starring in the famous director Yukio Kakogawa’s new play The Magic of Snow, the Far Side of the Moon! Takazuka plays male roles in the all-female troupe and is especially popular among women…”
The sound from the TV filled the quiet café.
“They’re here again today, those two.”
Acchan murmured while looking toward the back table.
“Those two” referred to Tsukiyo Himeji and Asuka Ashiya.
“Yeah. It seems they’ve really taken a liking to this place.”
“Hmm, not so sure about that… I’ve seen the black-haired one around sometimes before, but the blonde—she’s the idol Asuka Ashiya, right? I’ve only ever seen her when you’re on shift, Akkun… Also, seriously, when are you going to explain what’s going on between you and those beautiful girls?!”
“Huh? I didn’t tell you? They’re friends from my high school.”
I guess I never got around to introducing them properly, especially since the first day had been so hectic.
“Friends, huh…? Well, since they’re the only customers here today, introduce me! Akkun, come on!”
“W-whoa—!”
Acchan grabbed my arm and dragged me to the table where the two were sitting.
Still as forceful as ever…
“Himeji-san, Asuka-san, do you have a moment?”
“Go and… the waitress? What’s up?”
Asuka-san, who was drinking coffee, responded.
“Well, Acchan said she wanted to meet you two… is that okay?”
“…Sure. I’ve been curious about her too, seeing how familiar she seemed with you.”
“Sakasegawa-kun, please introduce us!”
Asuka-san seemed to be thinking something while looking at Acchan.
Himeji-san was staring intently at me.
Introducing friends… this is my first time, but I didn’t expect the atmosphere to be this tense…
This is kind of nerve-wracking…
“Um, this is Tsukiyo Himeji, a classmate from my high school and the first friend I made there. And as you probably already know, this is Asuka Ashiya from the idol group Asterisk. She recently transferred to our school and has been a big help, even introducing me to this job.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Tsukiyo Himeji, a friend of Sakasegawa-kun.”
“Nice to meet you again, I’m Asuka Ashiya.”
Himeji-san gave a small bow, and Asuka-san gave a casual wave.
“And this is Acchan. She’s the granddaughter of the café owner. We used to play together when we were little and then coincidentally reunited here.”
“Yep! I’m Acchan—real name Akane Nishimiya, Akkun’s childhood friend! Nice to meet you!”
Acchan put a lot of emphasis on childhood friend during her introduction.
“Childhood friend, huh…”
“Akkun, huh…”
Why does it feel chilly all of a sudden? Is the AC on?
I checked the settings, but nothing was running.
“Yep! I’m the childhood friend. I’ve known Akkun for ages, so feel free to ask me anything!”
“Oh really? But didn’t you just recently reunite with him? That means you might not know much about the current Go-kun.”
“Guh…”
Acchan flinched slightly.
“As for me, I’ve known Sakasegawa-kun from a bit further back and up to now…”
“Guhh…”
What… exactly am I witnessing?
Aren’t introductions supposed to be about the person themselves?
Wait, is this normal?
“Well, I’d love to hear more about the old Go-kun… I can tell you about the current him, so how about we chat?”
“Really!? There are sooo many stories from back in the day… which one should I start with? Maybe the time during Shichi-Go-San (a traditional celebration for kids) when he was mistaken for a girl and dressed in a girl’s kimono? I think I even have a photo of that…”
“…I want to see it!”
Himeji-san’s eyes sparkled.
“No, no, no! You can’t go sharing embarrassing stories about me right in front of me!!”
The conversation was heading in a weird direction, so I hurriedly jumped in.
(If I don’t stop this now, I’m going to die of embarrassment… What do I do?)
Clink, clink.
The door opened, and the bell rang.
“Hmm. I’ve heard rumors, so I decided to come, but… is the café not open right now?”
(A customer! That’s a relief—wait, this person is…!?)
Standing there was a stunning figure: short silver hair, icy blue eyes, a cool and composed face with a seductive gaze. Tall, with perfect posture, they looked incredibly stylish in skinny jeans.
If not for the ample bust, one could easily mistake them for a beautiful, androgynous man. That’s how strikingly handsome—and beautiful—they were.
“No, we’re open! Wait… could you be… are you Rin Takarazuka!?!?!”
Acchan reacted in shock.
“Indeed, I am Rin Takarazuka.”
It was the Rin Takarazuka—an actress from the Takarazuka Revue who played male roles and was hugely popular among women. She had even ranked among male celebrities in “coolest celebrity” polls.
“W-wow, I just saw her on TV earlier… Those legs! She’s cool and gorgeous—no, wait! Let me show you to a seat right away! Akkun, take over!!”
“Wait, me!? Ow!”
Caught off guard by this unexpected guest, Acchan shoved the task of guiding her onto me.
She gave me a firm slap on the back and pushed me forward toward Takarazuka-san.
Staggering from the sudden push, I almost tripped and fell forward.
(At this rate, I’m going to crash into her!)
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
Takarazuka-san shifted her body slightly, avoided me, then reached out—one hand grabbed mine, the other caught my body, and she spun me around gently to absorb the momentum.
We ended up in a pose just like something out of a ballroom dance scene.
“Are you alright, young lady?”
Even to me, a guy, her gesture was incredibly cool—beyond gender, she was simply beautiful.
However, there was just one small mistake I had to correct.
“Th-thank you very much! But, um, I’m not a young lady—I’m a guy!”
“Oh my! So you’re the cute boy I’ve heard about who brews such delicious coffee. With that glossy black hair and big, bright eyes—you really are as adorable as the rumors say.”
Takarazuka-san gently cupped my cheek with her hand and whispered softly.
Then, she stared deeply into my eyes.
“Huh? You think I’m… cute? That can’t be right…”
Embarrassed by her gaze, I turned my face away, denying it—surely there had been some mistake.
“No need to deny it. In fact, I came today because I have a favor to ask of someone as cute as you.”
She stopped holding me and, still holding my hand, dropped to one knee and looked up at me.
“What do you say? Would you go out with me?”