Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume13 Chapter6 1 (section)

=== <noinclude>Search for Takuya-kun! </noinclude>Part 1. ===

There was a man sitting alone, by the window, in a cafe on the first floor of the station building.

He looked to be in his seventies. His hair could probably be called silver-gray, a blend of black and white hair making a lovely gray color – although there was perhaps a bit more of the white hair.

His spring green linen suit was paired with a bright yellow T-shirt, making him quite the stylish old gent. 

She pinned her wristwatch down and checked the time.

It was 8 minutes to 11. There was no time for hesitation.

"Are you by yourself, ma'am?"

The waitress standing by the entrance asked, and she replied with, "Ah, no," as she walked inside.

"Were you meeting someone?"

"Mm, yeah."

She answered vaguely then walked straight to the seat she wanted. Of course, since they hadn't arranged to meet, there was no reaction from silver-gray when a young woman walked over to his table. He just continued sipping his coffee, looking lazily out at the scenery beyond the window.

"Uncle."

Mami gathered her resolve and spoke to him.

He looked old enough that she could probably call him "Grandpa" but she thought that this sounded better.

Silver-gray raised his head. Then when he saw Mami's face, he looked confused.

Like he was trying to recall where they'd met before.

At last the answer seemed to come to him. After about five seconds of consternation, he smiled and said:

"I think you're mistaking me for someone else."

"This is the first time we've met. Is it alright if I sit here?"

Mami moved the leather bag from the seat opposite him and sat down.

"I still haven't said whether it's alright or not … "

"Oh, sorry."

She apologized to the bewildered silvery-gray, but most definitely didn't stand up. Now that she'd sat down, Mami would have to be pried off with a crowbar.

"What do you want? I'm waiting here for someone."

"Liar."

"Why do you think I'm lying?"

"Because you wouldn't have put your bag on the seat opposite if you were waiting for someone."

"Ah, I see."

Uncle thumped his left palm with his right hand. Then he leaned over the table a little way, lowered his voice and spoke to Mami.

"Are you one of those girls that go out with lonely old men. and in exchange they get an allowance, umm – "

"A sugar-baby? No, I'm not."

She flatly rejected this. But that he would even think such a thing was a huge problem itself.

"I'm glad."

Hearing this, Mami thought, "Same here."

"I just wanted you to let me have this table."

"Oh, why this table?"

He was going along with the conversation. Mami faithfully recited the line she'd come up with when she decided to launch a blitzkrieg at the store entrance.

"Well, the truth is, my boyfriend's cheating on me."

"Cheating? That's dreadful … "

As she'd expected, uncle listened amicably to her story.

If she kept it up, he might let her keep the seat out of compassion. Mami continued talking vigorously.

"I was secretly told that he was going to meet her at this fountain."

"How did you hear about it?"

She momentarily paused at the old man's question.

" … Um."

Damn it. She hadn't thought it that much. Mami hurriedly added new lines to her scenario.

"One of my friends … "

"Oh, and then what?"

It wasn't clear whether he believed her explanation or not, but he was urging her to continue, so Mami resumed her story.

"I thought I'd get proof of his cheating with this camera. To do that, I absolutely need this seat."

She pulled the camera out of her bag to help make her case.

"But you don't have to be here if you're only after a photo."

"He'd run away if he saw me."

Mami pleaded, in an acting display that she thought was worthy of an invitation to join the drama club.

And then.

"I see. I understand."

The old man agreed almost too easily.

"So, you'll let met have the table!?"

She sprung up in delight, but this time he shook his head slowly.

"No. Sorry, but I want to stay here a little while longer."

"But you just said that you understand … "

From elation to dejection.

"Because, how about this? Why don't we share the table?"

He made a counter-proposal. Naturally, there was no reason why Mami should object. Since she should still be able to see the fountain even with the unknown old man blocking part of her vision.

"Thanks uncle."

With the negotiations complete, Mami raised her hand to signal to the waitress.

"To show my gratitude, I'll pay for your coffee."

The old man smiled and stroked his moustache.

"Oh my, that makes me happy."

"Welcome to our cafe. Have you decided what you want?"

The waitress asked, as she filled their glasses with water.

"Apple soda."

Mami ordered perfunctorily after flipping through the menu. She didn't have time to bother within minor things like that since her mind was filled with thoughts about the stakeout.

"One apple soda. Was there anything else?"

She shook her head in response to the waitress's question but then from the seat opposite her a voice called out, "Wait a minute."

"Add the mixed sandwiches to that."

"Ah."

Mami turned to him in surprise and the old man seemed quite satisfied as he said, "Thanks for the food."

– It seems that she'd somehow got tangled up with a strange old man.