Chapter 25: Could it be female ketone?

A girl, maybe eighteen or nineteen, walked in.

She wore our school’s red-and-white uniform with blue-and-white track pants.

Her deep red hair was tied in a high, perky ponytail.

She looked like a lively, sporty girl.

Pretty, too.

She glanced around the shop.

Her eyes were on her phone as she approached the counter.

“One caramel macchiato, with milk and ice, please.”

I took a deep breath.

I kept my expression natural, using a soft, feminine voice.

“Sure, one moment.”

“Fourteen yuan, scan to pay.”

She scanned the QR code on the counter.

She glanced at me again.

Her face lit up with excitement.

Her eyes widened, sparkling with enthusiasm.

She grabbed my hands.

Her face got super close.

She gushed nonstop.

“You’re so pretty, maid miss!”

“Your skin’s so fair and soft.”

“Your features are gorgeous.”

“Such a high beauty score!”

“Can I take a picture with you?”

“Y-Yeah, sure.”

“But please calm down.”

“Can you let go of my hands?”

“I need to make your coffee.”

“Sorry, I got too excited.”

“First time seeing such a pretty maid miss up close.”

“I couldn’t help it.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.”

“If you want a photo, make it quick.”

“I’ll prep your coffee after.”

She pulled out her phone.

She leaned over the counter toward me.

I leaned forward, trying to get closer.

Click.

“Thanks, maid miss!”

“First time getting a photo with such a pretty maid.”

“I’m Gu Yuewan.”

“Can we add each other on QQ?”

“S-Sorry, I can’t.”

“Some special reasons.”

“I can’t add you.”

“Oh, alright.”

“Sorry for bothering you.”

Her expression turned glum.

Her head lowered, eyes drooping.

Sorry, classmate.

I’m not the pretty girl you think.

I’m just a shameless guy in a maid outfit for money.

My apologies.

Another reason I refused?

If Sister Yuan found out I secretly added a girl on QQ, I’d be toast.

Bitten or not, I’d be in trouble.

“Can you at least tell me your name, maid miss?”

“I’m Lu… Lu Ming.”

“Here, Miss Gu Yuewan.”

“Your iced caramel macchiato with milk.”

“Thanks.”

“Such a shame.”

“Our school has two girls as pretty as you.”

“But I never got to know them.”

“Now I meet you, and you won’t add me.”

“Sorry, I really can’t.”

“You could try befriending those girls.”

“You’re so outgoing.”

“I bet they wouldn’t reject you like I did.”

“Nah, forget it.”

“One’s not in my class.”

“She seems friendly but keeps this subtle distance.”

“Hard to get close to her.”

“But her blue hair is so pretty.”

“I really want to know her.”

“The other’s a teacher at our school.”

“No chance there.”

“She’s super cold to everyone.”

“No way to get friendly.”

Gu Yuewan finished, grabbed her coffee, and sat by the window at a round table.

She pulled out her phone, fiddling with something.

She’s probably talking about An Xue Ruo and Sister Yuan.

Sister Yuan, yeah.

Becoming her friend is crazy hard for outsiders.

Especially guys.

The only time I saw her give a man besides me a friendly look was that vendor who mistook us for a couple.

An Xue Ruo…

Becoming her close friend doesn’t seem easy either.

Why’s this girl so obsessed with befriending pretty girls?

Is she… into girls?

Ding-a-ling—

The doorbell chimed again.

Su Ye Mi, in her school uniform, appeared at the door.

The class president?

Why’s she here?

She won’t recognize me, will she?

Panic hit me.

My hands fidgeted with the small trinkets on the counter.

Gu Yuewan waved at Su Ye Mi, calling out warmly.

“Ye Mi, Ye Mi, over here!”

“Maid miss, one iced mocha with milk, please.”

“Sure, one moment.”

Su Ye Mi sat next to Gu Yuewan.

They huddled together, chatting.

They glanced at me now and then.

I didn’t pay much mind.

I kept grinding coffee beans.

“Your iced mocha with milk.”

“Please enjoy.”

They didn’t notice me approach with the coffee.

Hearing my voice, they hurriedly turned off their phone screens.

“Okay, thanks.”

“By the way, maid miss, are you in school?”

“Yeah, I’m in high school.”

“I work here at night.”

“Anything else?”

“No, nothing.”

“We’re just curious about you.”

“Can you tell us what school you go to?”

“Uh… sorry, I can’t share that.”

“Oh, alright then.”

I hurried back to the counter.

If I kept talking, even if Sister Yuan didn’t find out, my guy identity would be busted.

Life blooms like a flower, far away or by the road…

My phone rang.

I answered without checking the caller.

– “It’s 8:19 and 25 seconds, Xiao You.”

– “If you’re not back by nine, no more wandering after school.”

– “No way, Sister Yuan.”

– “I’ll be back soon.”

– “Give me a bit, please?”

– “I promise I’ll be home by 9:30.”

I kept using my feminine voice.

Gu Yuewan and Su Ye Mi might overhear.

– “Hm? Xiao You, your voice—”

I hung up immediately.

I glanced at Gu Yuewan and Su Ye Mi.

They were staring, faces full of surprise.

Six eyes met mine.

I gave an awkward smile and took my phone to the shop’s inner room.

Making sure no one could eavesdrop, I switched back to my male voice.

I called Sister Yuan.

– “Sister Yuan, sorry.”

– “Just now… can you not ask?”

– “I’ll explain later.”

– “Your secret seems pretty big, Xiao You.”

– “I’ll let it slide if you know what to do.”

– “Come back early.”

– “…Alright, I’ll try.”

– “Gotta go.”

– “Bye.”

– “Bye bye.”

Back at the counter, Gu Yuewan dragged Su Ye Mi over.

“Maid miss, who was that on the phone?”

“My sister.”

“Why?”

“Is your sister named Mo Yuan?”

“The English teacher at Qiuhua High?”

“How’d you know?!”

Crap.

I basically admitted it was Sister Yuan.

At least they haven’t recognized me.

A campus beauty-level high school English teacher with a sister working at a coffee shop?

Not too weird, I guess.

“I knew it!”

“Ye Mi, that was Teacher Mo.”

“No surprise they’re sisters.”

“Maid miss, your looks are on par with Teacher Mo.”

“You even resemble her a bit.”

“I think Teacher Mo’s prettier.”

“She’s got that older-sister vibe.”

“Sorry, sorry, maid miss.”

“I didn’t mean you’re not pretty, just…”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind.”

“I think Sister Yuan’s prettier too.”

“Please don’t tell anyone at school about me and her.”

“I don’t want to affect her work.”

“No problem.”

“We won’t say a word.”

Su Ye Mi wasn’t listening.

She kept blushing and apologizing.

I started feeling bad.

“Hey, Ye Mi, don’t tell me you’re into maid miss too.”

“You’re out of luck.”

“She just rejected me.”

“No way!”

“We’re both girls.”

“How could I…”

Su Ye Mi’s face turned redder.

She lowered her head, muttering something I couldn’t hear.

*TL Note: The term “QQ” refers to a popular Chinese messaging platform, widely used for social connections, reflecting Gu Yuewan’s eagerness to network with Lu You, unaware of his true identity, in a setting inspired by anime/manga-themed maid cafes.