Critical hit. Miyu slumped over onto the table.
"Guh... Your attack power has gone way up, partner..."
"Ah! I'm sorry! I was just kidding!"
"Dammit... you've become a cold-hearted city girl..."
"I don't know what that means, but I'm sorry!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Miyu sat back up and started rummaging through her luggage. "To make it up to me, you have to eat this! Shi-ro-i Ko-i-bi-tooo!"
"Why the robot cat voice? But thanks for the souvenir. This brings back memories."
"Memories? Hmph. Your heart and soul really have gone 'Tokyo,' haven't they?"
"Why are you acting so rebellious today...?"
Miyu flopped onto her back, stretching out like a starfish. "Just kidding! I just missed you, Kohi. I wanted to act a little spoiled since it's been so long."
"I missed you too. It really has been a while." Karen smiled, genuinely happy to be reunited with her best friend.
"Well, I'm just glad to see you're doing well."
"You too, Miyu."
The two spent the next hour lost in nostalgia, laughing over stories from their school days back in Hokkaido. Eventually, the excitement died down, punctuated by a loud growl from Miyu's stomach.
"Oops. I realized I haven't eaten dinner yet."
"Oh, neither have I. I was nodding off when you arrived."
"Perfect! Let's go grab something!"
"What are you in the mood for?"
"Actually, there's a specific place I want to go," Miyu said, a spark in her eye.
"Really? Where?"
"Dicey Cafe."
"Never heard of it. Is it famous?"
"Sort of. It's run by a guy named Agil, a member of my guild."
"I see. Well, I'm game. How far is it?"
"It's at the next station, but from here, it's about a twenty-minute walk."
"That's closer than I thought. Let's go."
Karen got ready, and the two headed out toward Dicey Cafe. They found the place without any trouble.
"Dicey Cafe... this is it."
"Ooh, I'm actually getting a little nervous."
"Wait, you get nervous?"
"When it involves the guild, yeah. A little."
"Fair enough. Well, let's go in."
When they entered, the late hour meant the shop was nearly empty, save for two customers. They looked like a couple, chatting with the foreign bartender at the counter.
"Ah, that's Agil-san. I heard he's a foreign guy born and raised in Japan."
"Oh, interesting."
Agil spotted them immediately. He stepped out from behind the bar and greeted them with professional courtesy.
"Welcome. A table for two?"
"Um, yes."
"Feel free to sit wherever you like."
"Actually, the counter is fine," Miyu said.
"Very well. Right this way."
Agil led them to the counter, setting down water and menus in front of them. "Let me know whenever you're ready to order."
"I'm ready now!" Miyu chirped.
"Miyu, you haven't even looked at the menu..." Karen whispered, startled.
Agil didn't miss a beat, assuming she'd seen the menu online. "Alright then. What can I get you?"
Miyu's answer was not what he expected. "I'll take whatever Agil-san recommends!"
Agil blinked, studied her for a moment, and then a knowing look crossed his face. "Wait... are you Fuka-jiro?"
"Whoa! How'd you know?"
"Process of elimination. Nobody knows about this place except 'family.' Out of everyone I haven't met face-to-face, there's only Sinon and Fuka-jiro. Sinon hasn't been officially introduced yet, so I doubt she'd just barge in. That left only one person. Right?"
"Aww! I wanted it to be a surprise, but you caught me immediately..."
"Can't be helped. Valhalla is mostly a 'real-life' group; you're the outlier."
"I guess so."
"Well, no matter. Glad you made it all the way from Hokkaido. Welcome to Dicey Cafe."
"Thanks!" Miyu beamed. She finally felt like she truly belonged.
"And your friend...?"
"This is my best friend, Kohi."
"I'm Karen Kohiruimaki. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, so 'Kohi.' Nice to meet you, Karen-san."
"You too!"
Amidst the friendly atmosphere, Miyu suddenly dropped a bombshell.
"Kohi got hit on by the Leader the other day, and now she's totally head-over-heels for him! Mwah, mwah!"
"Miyu! What are you saying?!"
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