Saturday Morning – St. Ivy High
The school had never looked like this before.
Banners swayed in the breeze, stalls lined the front courtyard, and music drifted through the air like the whole building had exhaled excitement.
Every hallway buzzed with laughter, footsteps, and the sound of someone dragging a fake dragon tail behind them.
I arrived in uniform.
Not school uniform.
Royal Café uniform.
Deep navy blazer. Silver chain over the chest. Polished boots. White gloves. Cape. And a slim crown that sat just slightly tilted on my head, like it knew I wasn't taking this seriously enough.
Sofia met me at the gate.
She took one look.
"Good. You're hot. Let's go."
Class 1-A – Royal Fantasy Café
Our room had been completely transformed.
Soft gold drapes hung from the ceiling, fairy lights sparkled behind trimmed ivy, and each table had a little nameplate styled after noble families.
Emma stood at the front—clipboard in hand, hair tied in a perfect ribbon, and a look that said: No one messes up my floor plan.
Luna added final touches to a chalkboard menu by the entrance.
Amaya helped set out trays of custom-made treats: crown-shaped cookies, royal tea blends, strawberry tarts.
Tyler was already in costume, trying to juggle goblets behind the counter.
Noah wore a magician cape and greeted every guest like he was born on stage.
And me?
I took a breath.
And stepped into character.
"Welcome to our café," I said with a soft bow to the first group of customers. "May your stay be magical."
The line outside grew instantly.
10:00 AM – The Festival Begins
Students from other classes started pouring in.
Then second-years.
Then upperclassmen.
Then alumni.
And somehow, they all wanted the same thing.
A seat in Class 1-A's Royal Café.
Or more specifically?
A seat near me.
Jay's Corner – The Chaos Grows
I made the mistake of leaning down to refill someone's tea.
"His voice is deeper in person."
"Did he smile at me?"
"I will fight someone for that table."
Emma pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Control your groupies," she muttered as she passed.
"I'm trying," I whispered back. "They multiply like rabbits."
"Good. Rabbits with money."
Sofia danced past in a red-and-black corset ensemble. "Jay! Table six is requesting a poem reading. They brought their own quill."
"I… what?"
"Use your charm, darling. You're the heart of this kingdom."
11:30 AM – The First Meltdown
Tyler dropped a full tray of drinks near the back.
"IT'S OKAY," he shouted. "WE'RE A DRAMA-THEMED CAFE. THIS IS PERFORMANCE."
Emma looked ready to scream.
Miles arrived late, saw me posing for a photo with a visiting guest, and grumbled, "Unbelievable."
Then walked off before I could say anything.
Amaya stayed close to Luna most of the time.
But every now and then, I'd catch her watching me from across the room.
Smiling.
Soft.
Like she knew I didn't actually belong in this fantasy world—but I was trying.
1:00 PM – Midday Madness
We rotated shifts.
I got ten minutes to breathe.
Barely.
"Can someone give me a tea." Jay shouted
I stepped into the back hall, leaned against the wall, and closed my eyes.
Only for a second.
"Jay."
I looked up.
It was her.
The same second-year girl from rehearsal week—the one who got too close while measuring me.
She smiled, bold as ever, and leaned against the opposite wall.
"Still as good-looking as last time."
I sighed. "We're not doing this again."
She grinned. "Why not? You're still single, right?"
I opened my mouth—
—and felt someone slide between us.
"Sorry," Sofia said sweetly. "Prince Jay is booked for the next twenty years. Byeee~"
Second-Year: "Excuse me—"
Sofia: "Excused."
The girl left, muttering something about "territorial barmaids."
Sofia turned to me. "You're welcome."
"…I didn't ask—"
"You're welcome," she repeated, tapping my chest.
2:00 PM – Rumor Surge
Apparently, a senior boy tried to offer Emma actual money to trade shifts and sit next to me during closing hour.
Sofia shouted, "AUCTION STARTS AT TEN THOUSAND."
Emma threw her clipboard at her.
Noah started crying from laughter.
I couldn't stop blushing.
Amaya dropped a tray when someone mentioned it, then laughed it off, but her hands shook.
Tyler whispered, "Bro. You've become legend."
I whispered back, "Bro. I just want tea."
3:30 PM – Performance Hour
As part of the café's schedule, we were supposed to do a "theatrical welcome" every hour.
This time, it was me and Amaya.
She wore a soft blue maid outfit with a white lace headband.
She looked so small. So delicate.
And when I offered her my hand and said:
"Shall we greet our noble guests?"
She took it—shyly, but with warmth.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Her hand trembled slightly in mine.
I squeezed once.
She smiled.
And we stepped through the curtain together.
4:00 PM – Crowds Peak
Our café reached max capacity.
The line outside looped around the hallway.
Photos were being taken. Requests made. Treats devoured.
The class worked like a perfect, ridiculous machine.
I'm shouting to get some tea for myself.
Emma finally allowed herself to laugh.
Luna smiled as someone complimented her set design.
Sofia made three guests faint with one wink.
Amaya beamed when a little girl said she was "the prettiest princess."
And me?
I looked around at it all.
And I felt it.
Pride.
This was our kingdom.
And for once?
I didn't mind wearing the crown.
He smiled and spoke
"still doesn't get my tea."
6:00 PM – Festival Closeout
Our shift ended as the sun dipped low.
We gathered at the back of the classroom, exhausted but glowing.
Emma collapsed into a chair. "We survived."
Sofia plopped into my lap. "We thrived."
Amaya pulled her away by the elbow, cheeks pink. "He needs to breathe, Sofia."
Luna passed me a sketch.
It was the six of us—me at the center, the girls in various poses around the café, smiling.
I stared at it.
"Thank you," I whispered.
She nodded. "You earned it."
Fireworks – Night
St. Ivy's final gift.
Everyone gathered in the courtyard as the sky lit up with bursts of colour.
I stood with my class.
No stage. No café.
Just me.
Emma by my side, silent.
Sofia leaning on my arm, humming.
Amaya beside me, fingers brushing mine again.
And Yuki—far in the distance, watching from the shadows like she always does.