The atmosphere inside the café was still a little awkward. Jin So was sitting on the chair, and Haruki stood before him, looking exactly like a guilty child. The worry on his face was obvious.
Haruki softly said,
"I… I didn't know you were the owner of the café…"
---
Hina was standing to the side, watching everything quietly. She thought to herself,
"Just a little while ago, he wasn't listening to anyone… now what happened to him?"
---
Haruki's voice suddenly started breaking, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Please forgive me…" he said while crying.
Jin So raised his eyebrows in surprise and said,
"But the mistake was mine, wasn't it…?"
But Haruki didn't stop.
"Please… don't fire me from the job…"
---
Jin So, now looking even more confused, said,
"Why would I fire you?"
But Haruki, still wiping his tears, kept repeating,
"Please…"
---
Finally, Jin So snapped a bit and shouted,
"Be quiet! Or else I will fire you right now!"
Haruki instantly froze in fear, like someone had pressed his mute button.
---
Jin So calmed his voice and asked,
"Now tell me… why would I fire you?"
Haruki, with a tiny sniffle, replied,
"Because… I threw you out of your own café…"
Jin So went blank for a second, then burst out laughing.
"Ah! So that's what you were worried about?"
Haruki only looked more embarrassed.
---
Jin So then said more firmly,
"Just quietly go back to work… or else I will fire you!"
---
Haruki made a face and muttered,
"This is so unfair…"
Jin So only laughed harder at his reaction.
---
Just then, Hina walked over to Haruki. She smiled softly and said,
"And… thank you for helping me."
---
Haruki looked confused and asked,
"But… that was just the boss's prank…"
Hina nodded gently, explaining,
"Yes, but still—you helped me without expecting anything in return… so, thank you."
---
Haruki gave a small smile and replied,
"It's nothing."
Hina smiled back warmly and then asked,
"Will you be my friend?"
---
Haruki froze in shock, staring at her.
"Well…?" Hina said again, waiting.
---
Haruki still in disbelief, stammered,
"You… really want to be my friend?"
Hina smiled sweetly,
"Yes. I'd be really happy if you became my friend."
---
A sad little smile appeared on Haruki's face, but he nodded.
"Alright then… we're friends."
The two reached out, clasped hands, and shared a firm handshake.