[Short Story] Night Color

Rina-san is looking blankly out the window. I stole a glance at her profile as she gazed at the quietly spreading night sea, while pretending to drink my coffee.
Is there something on my face?
Rina-san says, without looking away from the window. I resign myself to the fact that she knew.
You have pheromones that attract me.
You're a sucker for a pretty face.
Only for you, Rina-san.
You say that to everyone, don't you?
I am single-minded.
I, well, know that.
I'm head over heels.
That's old-fashioned.
When Rina-san said that, she looked straight at me. I was taken aback and choked on my coffee. After enjoying my reaction for a while, Rina-san asked me slowly.

What color do you think coffee is?

I stare at my coffee. The color of coffee is the color of coffee. But, yes. If I were to compare it to something,
The color of the night... I suppose.
I feel like the night is a bit more sparkling, though?
That is exactly why.
Can you explain what you mean?
Rina-san slowly lifted her cup and tilted her head. My heart is instantly drawn in by the gesture of her drinking just one sip of coffee. The scent of coffee tickling my nostrils and the goddess in front of me. Is there any greater happiness than this anywhere?
...Hey.
Oh, I'm sorry. I was captivated by you, Rina-san.
Idiot. ...But, I see. If your answer from before was interesting, you can keep staring at me.
Excuse me?
You can keep staring at me. So, tell me?

I let out a long breath and organize my answer. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that arrived unexpectedly. I cannot fail here. I stare at Rina-san. Her beauty makes me dizzy.
...The night is night no matter how far you go, it is darkness. Even if you light it up with neon lights or build a fire,
...And then?
It swallows even the brightest lights... no. By swallowing hundreds of millions of lights, the night increases its beauty. Coffee is the same. For those who spend their lives swallowing both the sweetness and bitterness of life,
...It soaks deep into the body and soul... you mean?
...Well, that is what I mean.
Rina-san muttered, "I see," and then looked at the ceiling. While saying "Hmm," she is kicking her feet. My emotions become unstable at the childlike gesture she shows unexpectedly. Is she a goddess, an angel, or perhaps a little devil? I would like her to clarify that point.

Forty points.
Rina-san mutters that without looking at me.
...That is disappointing.
When I say that, Rina-san looks at me while saying, "However."
I will add sixty points for your single-mindedness.
That means...
A perfect score, right?
So I can keep staring at you, Rina-san?
From as far away as possible, okay?
That is a scam.
Would you call it false advertising?
Rina-san smiles. Is it my imagination that she seems to be enjoying this somehow?

By the way.
Yes.
Rina-san takes another sip of coffee.

Shall we talk about the aroma of coffee next?

The moonlight shining into the shop illuminates the cheeks of Rina-san, who has tilted her head. The jazz playing in the background stops for just a moment along with Rina-san's words.

What about the next product?
...Let's see. How about 'The right to spend a day with me'?
I hope it is not false advertising.
I'll tell you now, my day is only six hours long, okay?
Six hours is, well, enough.
Enough for what, I wonder.
...That is something I cannot say here.
Pervert.
I accept that word.
You total pervert.
Rina-san laughed happily.
I was desperately searching for words in my brain. Even if I am called a pervert, I want to stay by this person's side. While spinning my head, which had woken up for a reason other than the caffeine in the coffee, I stared at the goddess in front of me.

End (1467 characters)

#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout
#WhatAreYouTalkingAboutCoffee

Afterword

I finally managed to participate!!!

I've wanted to write this for a long time! I finally wrote it. "Rina" was borrowed from Rina Inoue of Sakurazaka46, who recently announced her graduation. The fact that Inori-chan is here, and that she was here. These are days when I keenly feel the weight of that. May Inori-chan's future be a sparkling one.

What is this. It's a story about coffee, but isn't it also a story about my sexual preferences? Is this okay? Will it violate compliance?
...Well, whatever.

I hope you enjoy it. I'll settle for decaf coffee.