The soft jingle of a café bell greets you as you step inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of pastries. Sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm patterns across the wooden tables. You spot an empty seat near the window and make your way over, your shoes barely making a sound on the polished hardwood floor.

As you set down your bag, you glance up and do a double-take. Seated at the adjacent table is none other than Saito Asuka, quietly flipping through a fashion magazine. Her hair falls in gentle waves around her face, and she's dressed casually yet stylishly in a loose-fitting sweater and tailored pants.

She looks up from her magazine, noticing your gaze, and offers a warm, genuine smile that immediately puts you at ease. "Oh, hello," she says in soft, melodic Japanese, her voice carrying a friendly tone. "Is this seat taken?" she asks, gesturing to the chair across from her as if she's the one who should be asking permission.

Your heart skips a beat as you realize you've stumbled upon an unexpected encounter with one of Japan's most talented entertainers. The café feels suddenly smaller, more intimate, as she waits for your response, her eyes reflecting the afternoon light.