Levi's POV

"Hello?" I answered the call from Hanji. I didn't go back to the library just because I didn't want to see her again. She's still a minor, and I rather keep my distance from her. Even if she wants me to be more involved... I still have to keep my boundaries from her. "Hanji?"

"Hey... Levi..." She whispers, almost like she's in a place where she can't be too loud. "Um... do you think we can meet up? Outside of the library... this weekend?"

"Well, I'm not too busy. Is this related to one of your class projects?"

"No, no, it's not. Think of it as... a thank you. For helping me out yesterday with my project. And you wouldn't need to pay a thing. It's just at a cafe about 2 blocks from the library. It's a very quiet cafe called Rosslin's. Think it'll be alright, Levi? I'll treat you to lunch."

"Are you sure, Hanji? You don't need to pay for me. I'll pay-."

Her tone changed into a much sterner one. "Levi, when I say you wouldn't pay a thing, I mean it. It's a thank you to you. And... probably as some sort of payment for your time. Free lunch after every time you help me with my work. Is that alright with you?"

I believe there was no way I could win if I tried to fight against her. Reluctantly, I agreed to go to Rosslin's Cafe this Saturday at 12. I should feel... disgusted because I'm 26 years old going to a cafe to meet with a 17-year-old young woman. But why do I feel my heart pounding with glee like some horny teenager going on a date with a cute girl?

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I waited outside of the cafe, just sitting on the stone bench and tapping my fingers together. Continuing to think about meeting Hanji this weekend. I wanted to ditch this meet-up, but if someone ditched me when we planned to meet each other, I would hate them. I rather not have Hanji mad at me for doing such a deed.

Instead, I got off that bench and walked inside the cafe. With all honesty, I arrived half an hour early.

I quickly took a seat by the side, looking around to see a familiar face. A few seconds passed, and not a single face stood out to me. It wasn't until my eyes glazed over the counter. Hanji was running behind the counter. She... worked here. If she's a student, this must've been her part-time job. God, I'm so stupid.

I began to sink in the chair, turning red at the embarrassment. What am I getting myself into...?

"Levi?" Hanji's voice fluttered to me as she stood next to me in her uniform. It wasn't exactly a maid outfit as some cafes tend to do, but it seemed like a regular uniform. Black pants and a green apron in front of her. She wore a white buttoned-up shirt- tucked in, no less. Her hair was always up in her usual ponytail. "You're... early..."

"Yeah... sorry..."

"Eh, no matter. Technically, I can still treat you as a customer... I'm still on shift."

"Do you get off at 12, I assume?"

Hanji smiles softly, nodding her head. "Yeah..."

"You're not embarrassed?"

"Eh? By what? Why should I be embarrassed?"

I pointed towards her co-workers, and she looked back as well. "Well... you asked an acquaintance to meet you here where you work. And you're giving them free food that you're paying for. Aren't you embarrassed that they might tease you or something along those lines?"

Hanji chuckles softly, shaking her head. "I'm not that embarrassed. The people here aren't from my school. Now, if they hired someone from my school, then yes, I'll be embarrassed. Now, are you going to order something or are you going to keep taking my time for the rest of my shift?" The way she smiled was... kinda cute. 

Pushing down my pounding heart, I began to talk again. "Do you guys have black tea?"

She pauses for a few seconds before nodding her head. "Wow... in the few months I've been working here, you might be the first person that I ever served that mentioned black tea. Isn't that bitter?"

"Wow... criticizing me for what I drink?" I smugly asked her as she laughs in response. "I like the bitter taste. Sometimes, I hate sugar. Just not in large quantities."

"Alright, fine. I'm guessing hot black tea... uhh... did you want something else to eat?"

"Not really."

Once again, she's judging me. Her hands began to cross over her chest as she popped her hip out. "Levi, I'm buying you lunch. Most people take advantage of that and usually buy other things. Are you just trying to be nice or did you eat beforehand?"

"Honestly? I'm not that hungry."

"Are you allergic to anything?"

At first, I wanted to make a joke and say 'bullshit,' but I wasn't too sure if it was going to be funny enough. "No, I'm not allergic to anything. You're not going to buy something for me anyway, huh?"

She smirks a bit before darting off to place my so-called order. I waited a few minutes before Hanji came back out with a medium teacup of black tea and a small plate of just a sandwich. "Enjoy. I'll be back- I need to punch out and join you in a few minutes, okay?"

"I can wait, Hanji."

As my black tea cooled down, I took a bite of the sandwich. Surprisingly, it was good. Balanced too. Not too much ham or not too much cheese. And it wasn't cold to the point where my fingers are freezing. Minutes passed and Hanji plots down in front of me with a cup of coffee. 

"How's the sandwich?"

"It's good."

"Nothing else?"

I shook my head, "Yeah, Hanji, I'm fine. Meanwhile, you're just sitting here drinking coffee. Aren't you hungry?"

Her eyes avoided me as her cheeks grew red. "Ahh... I am... but I'm planning to get a burger after this. A burger... and fries... that or some good sushi. Wait! I do remember that a poke bowl shop opened up nearby. I'll get that after you finish up here."

Gently, I put my black tea on the table, leaning in. "You're telling me that you're going to get a poke bowl after drinking coffee after you're done paying for me? Maybe next week, we can go eat at a poke bowl shop. Is that okay?"

"Uhh... next week... yeah, that's fine by me."

"And next week, I'm paying for the both of us." Her face became covered by her hands. "Thank you for lunch, Hanji. I... I appreciate it." 

Hanji smiles softly, putting her hands down. "Heh... so... next week, same time?"

"Where are we meeting up again?"

"I... I don't remember the name of it... I'll text you the place later. I'm gonna go pay for your meal and I have to meet up with a friend of mine, okay? I'll see you later, Levi."

Once she paid and left, I wanted to kick myself. I practically set up a date with her next week. You're fucking things up, Levi. She's still underage... you can't keep associating with her! But I'm just being a friend to her... right?