Chapter 10: Coffee debut

We made our way towards the North Exit of Tamachi Station towards Starbucks. Akari was walking beside me. I was already making up a reason why we were late but I didn't know what to say to Akari. I could see Himouro acknowledging our arrival from inside the coffee shop. Well, I thought, there was no way to brief Akari on what to say now.

Akari swung open the door and everyone looked at us walking in. This is it, Game face on. I could see Akari wasn't perturbed by the attention but I suddenly became self-aware. If it was me alone, I would have second thoughts about going to Starbucks. Akari noticed my pace was wavering and without even looking back held my hand and tugged me towards our table.

After all the introductions were made I was seated beside Akari and a Girl from Todai (Tokyo Daigaku). We were six in all. Three of us from Keio University, Me, Akari, and Himouro. The Rest are all from Todai, two girls, and a guy. Nakamura and the others left before we got to Starbucks to meet with other Circles but promised to meet up again at Roppongi.

I could tell Himouro and Akari knew everyone in the group and I was the odd one out. Akari and Himouro were busy talking to each other so I had to awkwardly sit staring at the table waiting for us to be paged for our orders pretending to listen to everyone's conversation. I forgot everyone else's name after the brief introductions. I was too flustered about thinking about their names and now I regretted not paying attention earlier.

The group's conversation drifted unto what was the best way to get to Roppongi from Tamachi Station and everyone was suggesting routes and stations I'd never heard about. They were visually debating the best way to get there through the subway. I had to wonder how I was going to survive this, the subway was a whole different puzzle compared to the surface lines. I'm going to need to ask for Akari's help secretly later, I really can't figure out how to go home myself.