A Quiet Tale: An Unexpected Reunion at a Coffee Shop
I, Reima Kanezaki, am an alien.
I was a scientist in an organization where power was everything. Disgusted by the organization’s atrocious acts and in conflict with those at the top, I decided to escape as a fugitive.
I managed to take only two cores with me.
One was used in the Proto Suit.
The other was used in the Justice Suit.
With these, I snuck onto the remote planet called Earth and secretly began creating suits to counter the organization.
I had already explained the threat from outer space and my alien identity to the government, establishing a friendly relationship.
Then, after preparations, I was battling the monsters created by Omega, readying for the coming invaders, but—
“Things don’t always go as planned.”
The invaders came.
However, I was surprised by the arrival of a group of incredibly foolish beings. Still, they were invaders targeting Earth, and their appearance resulted in the worst-case scenario: Katsumi-kun going missing.
I never expected him to lose his memory…
No, more pressing than that was how unbearably annoying Red had become since the last battle.
[Hehe~ Katsumi-kun really gets it, doesn’t he? Saying it’s my color and all~]
It was truly insufferable beyond words.
Even with Yellow and Blue glaring daggers at her, she kept her hand on her cheek, acting all coy. No matter what words were thrown at her, they had no effect.
[What, are you jealous?]
She was invincible to a ridiculous degree.
And it was endlessly irritating.
“Well then…”
Currently, I was sneaking out of the company, heading to a certain place.
A park in a town about a ten-minute train ride from the district where KANEZAKI Corporation is located.
The park, where the White Knight had fought the invader called Ax, was still off-limits to the general public even after a month. But I didn’t care and stepped in, looking around the park again.
“White Knight, huh?”
It’s almost certain that he is Katsumi Homura, who has lost his memory.
I haven’t been watching the Black Knight’s activities all this time.
With my genius-level memory that remembers every little detail of his habits and movements, it’s easy for me to see that he’s the real Katsumi-kun, not an impostor.
“But why did you lose your memory…?”
He probably teleported from the spaceship to the headquarters.
There, something happened to him.
“Lupus Driver…”
An energy core, the same as the Proto Suit.
His combat ability, perfectly adapted to what’s also called the sister core, showed performance approaching my ideal next-generation Proto Suit [TYPE1].
From nothing to something.
From 0 to 1.
Compared to the new suit named after evolution itself, it might be superior in terms of unique abilities, but probably different in other aspects.
After all, it’s designed with Katsumi-kun in mind.
It’ll surely be a suit where anything could happen.
“…”
There’s something I’ve been deliberately hiding from the government, Justice Crusaders, and our staff.
It’s that if the enemy wanted to, they could easily destroy the planet and erase humanity.
They could do it without even showing themselves.
That’s how it should have been.
But for some reason, they’re deploying star generals while gradually increasing their ranks.
“I can’t help but feel there’s some deliberate intent here.”
Defeating the Black Knight, no, the White Knight, raises the star general’s rank.
Only she, who stands at the top of the organization, would allow this. Could it be that monster has taken an interest in Katsumi-kun?
For a transcendent being who can interfere with space-time to take interest in an inferior earthling, Katsumi-kun’s uniqueness and his extraordinary mental strength could be the reasons.
“No way, no way… impossible, impossible…”
Surely even Katsumi-kun wouldn’t do anything to catch that monster’s fancy.
“…Sigh, it’s no use. I don’t understand.”
I came here wanting to escape from the gloomy atmosphere of the lab where exhausted staff sleep like corpses after days of hard work, but no matter how much I think, my doubts won’t clear.
After letting out a sigh, I leave the park.
“Alright, time to grab some food!”
Another reason I snuck out was to refresh my mood by eating some delicious food outside.
I’m not trying to hide it, but I’m an alien.
As an alien, I naturally have experience eating and drinking outside Earth, but to be honest, food outside Earth is incredibly unpalatable.
Prioritizing efficient nutrient intake in the extreme environment of space, taste is disregarded… that’s what food outside Earth is like.
“Earth’s food is truly wonderful.”
Currently, staff members are sleeping like the dead in the workroom, but I’ve outsmarted them to enjoy delicious food outside by myself.
Indulging in gourmet food while outsmarting my subordinates, how delightfully wicked.
“Now then, where shall I eat… Hm?”
As I wander aimlessly after leaving the park, I spot a coffee shop beyond the residential area.
“Coffee Shop Circinus… I see, named after the constellation Compasses.”
The faint aroma of coffee, and is that curry?
There’s nothing that stimulates desire more than the smell of curry when you’re hungry.
Alright, I’ll eat there today.
With that decided, I immediately open the door. With the sound of a bell, the man standing at the counter, presumably the owner, looks my way.
“Welcome. Table for one?”
“Yes, just me.”
“Please, sit anywhere you like.”
I nod and take a seat at the counter, where it’s easier to place an order.
Given the time of day, the shop is quite empty, with only a few other customers besides me.
First, I look over the menu and… ah, there it is, curry.
“Master, I’ll have the curry and coffee.”
“Coming right up!”
Somehow, the atmosphere of the shop feels quite relaxed.
The owner’s casual speech, the jazz playing in the background.
It’s not unpleasant; rather, it creates a soothing ambiance that naturally puts me at ease.
“You’ve got an unfamiliar face. First time here?”
The owner asks while preparing my coffee and curry.
“Yes, I was just passing by nearby. The smell of curry and coffee lured me in… that sort of thing.”
“I see. The curry is a recent addition to our menu, and it’s been quite popular.”
“Oh, that sounds promising.”
“One of our part-timers came up with the idea. They’re off today, though.”
This looks promising.
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As I eagerly anticipate the well-reviewed curry, the coffee I ordered is placed before me.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
…This is good coffee.
Even from the aroma, I can tell it has a depth unlike instant coffee.
As I savor the coffee, relaxing in the cafe’s atmosphere, the door behind me opens and a new customer enters.
“Master, is the meal I ordered ready?”
“Hey, mind your manners in front of customers, Shirakawa.”
…Hm? Shirakawa? And that voice?
Recognizing the familiar name and voice, I turn around to see none other than Shirakawa-kun, who left our company four months ago.
She seems to have noticed me too, looking very surprised.
“Eh, President? Why… are you here?”
“That’s my line. I just happened to stop by this cafe, but what about you?”
“Y-You just happened…?”
She seems quite flustered… Well, I suppose running into your former boss after quitting would cause such a reaction.
“Hm? You know each other?”
“Ah, yes. I was her former boss.”
“Well, it’s a small world.”
It truly is.
She looks well, and it doesn’t seem like she’s struggling in her life after leaving the job.
As I feel relieved about Shirakawa-kun’s condition, the master brings out what looks like a wrapped box from the back of the store.
“Here, Shirakawa. Two portions, including your brother’s. …Though I think it’s definitely two portions including yours too.”
“Ah, thank you.”
So they do takeout too…!!
Moreover, Shirakawa-kun and the master seem to be quite familiar with each other.
What an interesting connection I’ve stumbled upon in this cafe I visited on a whim… Hm? Wait, brother?
“Shirakawa-kun, you have a brother?”
“Eh!? Well, yes… I do.”
I don’t know much about my employees’ personal lives, but I’m surprised to learn Shirakawa-kun has a brother.
“Shirakawa’s brother works part-time here. His name’s Katsuki, quite an interesting guy.”
“Oh?”
So his name is Shirakawa Katsuki.
From the master’s reaction, it seems Shirakawa-kun’s brother is quite a fine young man.
“M-Master…! I-I… Katcha… my brother must be hungry and waiting!”
“Oh? Okay?”
“President, see you another time!”
Before I could reply, Shirakawa-kun left the store clutching the bento boxes.
Perhaps she felt awkward having her former boss at her regular hangout…?
If so, I might have done something inconsiderate.
“…Ah, I see. That’s what it is. I’ve done something bad, haven’t I?”
“Master?”
“Hm? No, it’s fine. Anyway, here’s your curry rice order.”
A plate of curry rice is placed before me, with a mound of white rice next to a generous serving of curry.
The rising steam, the appetizing aroma of spices, the dish that intuitively seems delicious even before tasting – I gulp in anticipation.
“Thank you for the meal.”
Just as I pick up the spoon and am about to eat, my phone in my chest pocket receives a call.
Feeling a bit deflated at the interruption, I check the caller ID to find it’s Omori-kun, one of my subordinates from the lab I sneaked out of.
“Hello? What is it, Omori-kun?”
[Chief, where are you right now?]
“In the president’s office, why?”
I lie as naturally as breathing.
Then, after an eerie silence, I hear what sounds like someone operating a device.
[You’re lying, aren’t you?]
“…No, I’m not.”
[I can tell from your breathing that you’re lying. And that ambient sound and customer chatter… Jazz? Alcohol? A bar? No, you wouldn’t be drinking at this hour… It’s a cafe, isn’t it?]
“Eek…”
Did that person just run a real-time high-precision scan…!?
What a waste of technology and talent…! Is it my imagination, or do I hear cursing voices around Omori-kun?
[We’re stuck with nutrition bars]
[The chief must pay]
[Curse, curse, curse]
[This’ll be fun when the commander gets back]
Realizing those are the voices of the development team members, I almost scream, but I still bravely face the situation.
[To think you’d sneak out alone for a meal outside, what a privileged position you have…!]
“W-Well, I am the president after all.”
[Hehehe]
“Hahaha”
We both let out laughs that aren’t really laughs.
Sweat begins to bead on my forehead.
W-Why do earthlings become more terrifying when cornered mentally?
Shouldn’t they normally weaken? Is this finding a way out in the face of death, the Japanese samurai spirit…?
[Be prepared when you return. The entire development team is waiting for you.]
“Ah-“
After that chilling mutter, the call abruptly ends.
A moment of silence.
As I stand there dumbfounded, the master, who had been watching the exchange, worriedly calls out to me.
“Hey, are you alright?”
“…I might not be.”
I close my eyes for a moment, then pick up the spoon with determination.
“Alright, let’s eat! Master, please prepare for seconds.”
“O-Okay?”
In this situation, I might as well eat my fill before going back!!
I’ll worry about what happens after I return when I get there!!
I decide to forget about the recent call to maintain my sanity.
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