The Raven & The Lady – The Strongest Problem Buddy In The World Of Special Abilities

Chapter 8: Instant Coffee Is Delicious After All

Entering an alley branching off from the main street, it takes about five minutes to go deeper and deeper.

Out of breath, Arisugawa and I found ourselves in front of a deserted, almost abandoned wooden building.

On the door, which looked like it was made of wooden planks, the words “Lost Paradise” were written in graffiti.

“Is this store really open for business?”

“You’ll know when you are in.”

Arisugawa pushed on the door, and it opened with a creaking sound.

A small bell rings.

Following Arisugawa inside, I was greeted by an interior that looks like a fusion of a bar and a coffee shop.

The tables and chairs in subdued colors were all made of wood, and it looks like they had been used for many years.

The ceiling fan spinning on the ceiling moved awkwardly.

The dimly lit, and the eerie interior …… looks like a haunted house.

“Is the store owner away by any chance?”

“No, she can’t be…”

We both look around, but there’s no sign of the said store owner.

“Hya?!”

A high-pitched scream came from Arisugawa’s mouth.

Her shoulders jumped and her cheeks stiffened, which was probably evidence that she was surprised from the bottom of her heart.

When I followed Arisugawa’s gaze down to see what was going on, I found her ankles entangled with morbidly white fingers.

Following the hand, there seems to be a figure groaning as it collapses under the table, “Ugh.”

The figure crawled out with slow movements and got up unsteadily.

The figure then leaned against Arisugawa, who remained frozen in place; it was a shaggy-headed woman wearing a black blanket.

Shivering with cold, she lets out a single sigh.

“……I slept well. What time is it?”

“It’s just after 10 a.m. ……Who are you?”

“I’m the owner of this place, in case you’re wondering. Tomari Mafuyu.”

“I’m Kyosuke Sato.”

“Yes, I know who you are. A high school student who is a special agent working at the “Special”. And you’re also a “High End.” There’s no way I don’t know you.”

The statement made me lift an eyebrow up.

Why does she know about me, whose very existence is a secret?

While increasing my vigilance against Tomari-san, I look at the situation.

If she is an enemy, I have to consider erasing her right here and now…….

Arisugawa : “I-I’m not surprised at all. It’s just that I choked.”

Kyosuke : “I don’t need to know who or what you’re making excuses to, so just tell me what’s going on.”

Arisugawa : “Shut up or I’ll chop you into little pieces.”

A sharp look stabs me in the eye.

It seems I’m not even allowed to …… interrupt.

This is the first time I’ve learned that she has no tolerance for horror-like developments, but I wonder if she cares that much?

Even though it’s not the first time I can’t understand Arisugawa’s thoughts, I think of my heart that gets cold feet every time I do.

“Tomari-san is an official collaborator of the”Special “.”

“You know someone named Kanae, right?　She’s being rubbed the wrong way just because she’s an acquaintance.”

“Huh?”

“Well, I’m going to go make myself a cup of coffee to wake me up. You two want some?”

We nodded in agreement to Tomari-san’s invitation, and she went behind the bar counter to start brewing a pot of coffee.

Arisugawa and I sit down on round chairs at intervals and wait.

The distinctive aroma of the coffee is carried by the steam to our nostrils, and a few moments later, a teacup filled with coffee is placed in front of us, one by one.

“Sugar and milk as you see fit, please.”

Saying this, Tomari-san takes a sip of the coffee in black.

I drop a sugar cube from one of the containers on the table into the cup, mix it well with a spoon, and take a sip.

To be honest, I don’t think it is much different from instant coffee.

“You look like the coffee is not very tasty for a coffee shop, Kyosuke-kun?”

“No, that’s not true.”

“That’s because it’s store-bought. I’m sure the coffee tastes better if you were to grind your own beans.”

Laughing, Tomari-san tilts the cup again.

I almost agree with her opinion, but I feel indescribable.

Instant coffee is delicious, after all.

Arisugawa carefully sips the mildly tinted coffee as it cools.

However, she immediately takes her mouth off the coffee and puts the cup down.

It probably still felt hot to Arisugawa’s cat tongue.

“Make sure it cools down properly.”

“I know that even if you don’t tell me!”

Arisugawa’s voice is hoarse with deep dissatisfaction, but her gestures remain graceful.

It’s like it’s ingrained in her body.

Arisugawa’s family is rich, so I wonder if she has been trained to be mannerful since young 

Am I the only one who feels that another part needs to be fixed?

No, if you care, you will lose.

Arisugawa and I only have a business relationship.

There is no need to get too deep into it.

“Tomari-san. I’m just here because I was told to, other than the case being a roughneck, I wasn’t told anything else.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sure you have a pretty good idea what it is, but it has to do with your work.”

“A request?”

“No, it’s not. I was asked to hand over the results of the investigation about “White Rose” to you.”

Tomari-san fishes around in a nearby cupboard, pulls out a thick stack of papers, and puts them on the table.

It’s as thick as a textbook.

“Uh, are these the results of your survey?”

“They’re encrypted, though, so you can’t read them normally.”

A quick glance through them reveals nothing more than a collection of letters and flyers with varying degrees of uniformity, dates, and addresses.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what it says, but Kagaru-san would know.

She is the brain of a “Special” person.

I’ll just leave the brain work to her.

“That’s why I asked you to do it.”

“Certainly.”

“Oh, and …… be careful with the White Tiger. Especially, Kyosuke-kun.”

“Me?”

“He’s sensitive to strength. Even if you hide it, the beast’s senses won’t be fooled. And I don’t think you’ll be far behind in strength than him, but you’d better brace yourself.”

“I see. Thanks for the advice.”

If I have time, I’ll ask Kagaru-san about it.

From the way the story goes, the ‘White Tiger’ must belong to the “White Rose”.

Then, we may have to fight sooner or later.

I must not let my guard down.

We should eliminate even one element of uncertainty.

“End of story. I’m going out and closing up the store.”

“Aren’t you too carefree?”

“That’s the beauty of being self-employed.”

“Then, let’s get out of here. Kyosuke Sato, please hurry up.”

“You’re on my ass, aren’t you?”

“I don’t need your help. And I’m not being laid off.”

“Who would want to spend the rest of their life with you, even if you were dead? Shame on you.”

“Aren’t you saying too much?”