My daily life is not peaceful
Chapter 14 - Antique Café

Chapter 14: Antique Café

Horror movies shown in theaters are rarely boring.

As a long-standing franchise, The Conjuring held up well with its special effects and acting, though the plot felt a bit weak.

It followed the usual trope of a haunted old house, culminating in a priest being called to exorcise the spirits.

However, compared to earlier films with just ghosts, this one added Fallen Demons and exorcists, filling the gaps with some action scenes.

After all, in the original Conjuring films, the exorcism process was just a priest waving a cross and Bible, chanting endlessly.

But for Luo Yun, who’d had real encounters, it felt a bit dull—especially the sudden loud sounds, which only made him blink.

He felt like dozing off, but with Asagi beside him, it didn’t seem polite.

Asagi, however, was completely immersed. Despite being a “veteran,” she was still terrified.

The blonde girl huddled on the sofa, her beige skirt accentuating her curves. From the movie’s start, she’d clung to Luo Yun’s arm, trembling with every ghost or monster’s appearance, making him acutely aware of just how… well-developed she was.

Far more so than she appeared.

In Asagi’s mind, this outing wasn’t entirely innocent. Or rather, ever since she changed her hair color for him, every shared meal or chore together had been with less-than-pure intentions.

Calm, composed, decisive, with a maturity beyond his peers, and an unintentional kindness and gentleness.

When she grieved her mother’s death, he was the only one who comforted her. When her classmates shunned her for her style, he was the only one who talked to her. Over time, Asagi developed a sense of reliance on him.

This wasn’t love at first sight but a gradual affection built over years of connection—or rather, Asagi’s self-convincing “攻略*.”

When startled, she’d sneak glances at Luo Yun’s profile, instinctively tightening her grip and pressing closer, as if only then could she feel secure.

The boldness of her actions surprised even her, but backing down wasn’t in her nature.

“The movie’s over. If you’re hungry, let’s grab something to eat.”

At some point, the film ended.

Luo Yun shifted to stand, but Asagi was still staring at the screen.

As the theater lights brightened and the sound quieted, a gurgling from her stomach snapped the girl out of her daydreams about “what to name the kids.”

Her eyes widened, her already flushed cheeks now burning red. Locking eyes with Luo Yun so close, her heart felt like it might leap out of her chest.

She hurriedly let go, standing to fix her disheveled hair.

“W-Well, let’s go then.”

Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

“I heard there’s a nice café nearby. Wanna check it out?”

Back on the bustling streets, Asagi recovered from the intimate setting.

Leading the way, she spoke to Luo Yun with enthusiasm.

Last night, she’d scoured the internet for all the fun spots around Itogami Island, and even if she forgot, her phone’s AI navigation had her covered.

“Let’s go take a look.”

When a girl makes a suggestion, a guy shouldn’t shoot it down.

The point of a date is to have fun, and while Luo Yun’s mood was usually steady, seeing Asagi’s smile brought a slight curve to his lips.

“Mogwai, plot the shortest route to the café.”

Walking ahead, Asagi whispered to her phone.

The screen displayed a virtual pet, her personal AI.

“Your date’s going great, miss! At this rate, you might even score a home run*!”

“Drop dead! Just navigate! Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll delete you!”

“Yes, yes, miss.”

After sorting it out, Asagi glanced back, relieved to see Luo Yun hadn’t noticed.

Ten minutes later…

The café’s location was indeed tucked away, with little foot traffic—maybe a few hundred passersby a day. With no signboard or staff soliciting customers, eight out of ten people wouldn’t bother entering.

Why not go to a more popular café?

Like most, Luo Yun avoided alleys. Despite living on Itogami Island for years, some areas remained unfamiliar to him.

Asagi pushed open the door, a bell jingling pleasantly.

Luo Yun followed, noting the café’s refined decor, filled with the rich aroma of coffee. An old gramophone played soft music nearby.

Though small, it felt complete and cozy.

“Welcome! What would you two like to order?”

A uniformed girl behind the counter held a tray, flashing a professional smile.

“Hmm… let me see.”

Asagi flipped through the menu.

But Luo Yun’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze settling on the waitress.

Footnotes

• 攻略(gōnglüè): Pinyin: gōnglüè. Literally “strategy” or “conquest,” in Chinese otaku culture, it refers to the process of “winning over” a character (romantically or otherwise) as if in a dating sim or game. Here, it describes Asagi’s gradual, self-driven process of developing feelings for Luo Yun through their interactions.
• score a home run (shàng lěi): Pinyin: shàng lěi. A slang term borrowed from baseball, used in Chinese to imply achieving a romantic or intimate milestone, often with a playful or suggestive connotation. Here, the AI teases Asagi about the potential for their date to escalate romantically.

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