Mitsuko's PoV

I dropped my backpack upstairs and quickly came back down.

"Mitsuko? Don't you have any homework?" Johji asked.

I gestured to everybody else in the room, "these people all witnessed me finishing everything in class."

"It was awesome." Ichigo laughed.

"...you caused some trouble, didn't ya?" Joh sighed, "your aunt warned me."

My smirk dropped. Aunt Joyie knows. She knows my past that's apparently dark according to Miyuki.

"I'm gonna go take a shower...." I mumbled.

"That...you'll have to go to the bathe house, there's no shower room in the cafe."

I tried to picture a bathe house since I've never been to one before, not one that I remember anyways.

"I'm going too. It's been a few days, my hair's getting sticky." Miyuki commented and went upstairs to get our things.

"Takeshi'll show you guys there, it's his family property." Haruki said while shaking Takeshi, who was at a corner reading a manga.

He put the book down and stood up slowly. Just on cue, Miyuki walked down the stairs with two baskets.

"Shampoo, conditioner and lotion?" I asked while taking over a basket.

"And extra dry skin cream and soap." I nodded approvingly at her thoughtfulness that I can never achieve.

"Girls are such a hassle, all we need is shampoo then bam! Out the door." I heard Ichigo's complaining behind me as we walked out with Takeshi leading the way.

"I heard from the others that you're a really fast runner?" I asked him along the way. He simply nodded. He's pretty quiet isn't he.

"Wanna race me?" I peered at him with interest as he turned to me looking shocked.

"You?" He finally talked.

"Yup. From here to the bathe house. you can tell me the directions while we run."

"Yo what bout meh? You know I'm not athletic." Miyuki patted me on the shoulder.

"Just follow, it's not far from here." I answered casually, then turned my attention back to Takeshi.

"I don't think that's a very goo—"

"What? You afraid you're gonna lose?" I challenged. it always works on guys.

"Of course not." He scoffed with a small smile.

"Then prepare to eat sand." I smirked.

"You're on." He said and as if there was a bond between us, we both set off at the same time.

Damn he's faster than I thought.

And he's giving it all. I like that. I like how he doesn't go easy on me.

"Turn left." He said through breaths as we near a cross road.

I'm always just a few inches behind him all along the way.

"I win." he announced as he came to a quick haunt at the door of Happy Waters. Causing me to bump into his back.

"I was holding a basket...." I muttered but I know for sure that Takeshi is faster than me.

A few minutes later, Miyuki arrived without even breathing hard. guess she walked here. Though I brag about it much more, she has a much better sense of direction than me.

"Two showers." I said.

"Five hundred yen." he said from the back of the counter.

"Five hundred?!" I unconsciously blurted out. Then I realized that that's just about five American dollars.

It was Miyuki's turn to roll her eyes and me to blush this time.

Takeshi looks at us weirdly.

Miyuki: "she just needs to get used to the new kind of money, ignore her."

***

About, I dunno an hour later? It takes you forever to bathe in a bathe house!

When Miyuki and I finally head out, Haruki was talking to Takeshi at the counter.

Miyuki: "Haruki? Why're u here?"

He looked at us. his expression unbelievable, " I was here for more than half an hour already. I was wondering why you were taking so long. It's already closing time. Not that I mind waiting, but...."

Takeshi: "many more girls take like, three hours...."

Haruki: "anyways, Okumiya. I was just here to ask maybe you'd like to come to the flower shop with me? I'd like you to meet someone as well."

Miyuki: "I'd love to!" She said a little too desperately. Then looked back at me, I shook my head. Too much flowers make me feel nauseous.

After she left with Haruki out the door, I turn just in time to catch Takeshi staring at me.

"What do you do after closing?" I ask casually and lean onto the counter.

He made a strange expression and just didn't speak. I look down to where he was staring at—

"Eep!" I quickly stand back up straight. I was wearing a light baggy t shirt on top and...........

"Erm..." Takeshi looked away, his cheeks a dark shade of pink.

"So...as I asked...what'd you do after closing?" I tried to change the subject and he took the hint.

"I usually clean the bath tubs and walls. like now." He stood up with a towel wrapped around his neck.

"Then can I help?" I stepped in front of him and grabbed a towel for myself from the counter.

"I guess so...but you d—"

"Then what're we waiting for?" I turned my back on him, cutting him off, and started walking towards the bathing areas. Behind me, I heard him chuckle lightly.

It was harder work than I expected, but I have enough physical strength to keep up to his pace, barely. I guess practice makes perfect? He's been doing this for years, no?

"Ok." Just as I say that and stand back up straight from leaning down scrubbing the walls, I felt something splash at my shoulder.

water. I thought as I quickly spun around. Takeshi was over there, holding a sprinkler in his hand, a bewildered expression on his face. Like a kid who just got in trouble.

"Takeshi..." I say, purposely making my voice sound dark as I took dangerous steps towards him. I knew it was an accident, of course, but still.

"H-hey-Mitsuko-that was an ac—" before he finished, I splashed water onto his shirt using the exact same sprinkler. The front of his shirt was soaked thanks to me.

"Hah." he sides of his lips curl up just a little bit into a small smile as he let out a sigh.

"This is no fun... you're not fighting with me...." I mumbled as I put the sprinkler back in place. "Sorry." I apologized since it was me. I couldn't help but wonder, Ichigo would definitely be pissed.

"It's alright. I'll go change." he stood up, then sneezed. The front of the shirt was drenched, and we had just opened windows for fresh air to cycle, it's quite cold in here if your shirt is soaking.

"You'll catch a cold. Take it off now." I flapped open a dry towel for him while he just stared at me with wide eyes.

"What? Didn't you hear me?" at my question, he finally slipped off his shirt reluctantly. What's bothering him?

I put the towel over his shoulders from behind, so he'd at least be dry. I twisted his shirt, letting the water out. Then realized that he was just staring at me the entire time. What's he worked up about? Me seeing his muscular bare chest? Well how AM I supposed to react? Blush a deep crimson and turn away trying to cover my eyes? You just described Miyuki.

Even though with that little incident in the middle, Takeshi still said cleaning time cut in half.

When the both of us head back to Black Ship. Miyuki was already there with Haruki, also a little girl sitting between them.

~~~

Miyuki's PoV

The walk to Haruki's family flower shop was a comfortable silence. He talked once in a while but didn't make flowing conversations.

He held open the door, letting me pass him first.

As soon as the door closes, though. A little girl came running out from behind the counter.

"Haruki!!!" the girl looked no more than six years old. She hugged Haru's leg and looked up at him. Who's this? I don't remember ever meeting her.

"Hey Sae. Where's mom and dad?" Haruki asked as he picked her up for a brief hug.

"They're out delivering. But a new order just came in after they already left."

"Oh right." Haruki put the girl down at my curious gaze, "Okumiya, this is Sae, my sister. She was born after you and Takahashi left." he introduced.

"Sae. Say hi to Miyuki."

Sae shyly hid behind her brother's leg. I knelt down to her height: "Hi Sae. I'm Miyuki Okumiya. How old are you?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I'm six!" she said proudly. That distracted her and she stepped towards me, a happy expression on her face.

"Wow. You're turning into a big girl." I smile genuinely at her excitement despite not even being four foot tall.

"Yep! I wanna grow up quickly! Then I can MARRY HARUKI!" she says exictedly. I chuckled at her dream instead of blushing. Little girls. The bond between these two siblings must be strong.

"That's really nice, Sae."

"I thought you'd be good with kids, Okumiya." Haruki commented with a gentle smile, "kids like nice, and caring big sisters like you."

I felt a bit of heat rush to my face so I stand up and look around.

the place haven't changed. Except for maybe it looked bigger now.

"Hey, Okumiya." he caught my attention again, "I was just wondering, would you like to deliver the flowers to Black Ship? It was the extra order. I could drop you off there, it's perfect."

"Absolutely." I smile back.

"I'm coming with you, Haruki!!" Sae hugged his leg again. She's so cute.

We chatted along on our way to Black Ship.

When we arrived, Mitsuko and Takeshi aren't back yet. I wonder what's taking them so long? What were they even doing?

I brought Sae with me to the long couch at the back while Haruki arranged the flowers.

"Now. About that stupid homework thingy." I pulled out my math book.

"Do the first one." Haruki sat down beside Sae, who was beside me.

Then, the bell chimed. I looked up to see Mitsuko entering, followed by Takeshi.

"Sup." Mitsu casually greeted as she plopped down beside me. Her slangy attitude gets her friendly with teens her age easily, but it might be a tad too much for kids like Sae.

I felt Sae shuffle closer to Haruki.

"Who's that?" she asked in a gentle voice—her gentlest mind i say—to Sae.

Haruki introduced them while I finished the first question.

Mitsuko's PoV

As soon as I enter Black Ship. I see Miyuki with the homework book laid out, and a girl sitting between her and Haruki.

Ichigo looked shocked as Takeshi and I entered together. He stopped Takeshi short from going to the couch at the back. It seems that they were talking about something that I have no interest in knowing.

I greeted Miyuki before asking about the girl.

"Takahashi, this is Sae. My sister. She was born after you two left."

"Hi, Sae. I'm Mitsuko." I said. I'm seriously not good with kids, if there is a definition. I mean—do they find me with a terrifying aura or something? They just seem scared in my presence for no reason.

Sae didn't say anything back even as Haruki nudged her lightly. She shrank into the couch more. I stood back up straight. That's it. Why bother trying. Kids hate me.

"I'm done!" Miyuki said since she doesn't know what was going through my head.

"The work is perfect. Nice job." Haruki says, his eyes widening more or less.

I can tell Miyuki was about to say thanks, when I cut in: "Why do you sound surprised? Miyuki here may hate math, but she's a straight-A student. Like me." Of course I would add 'like me'.

"G-Gomen'nasai. I didn't mean it like that—" he seems flustered. A satisfied grin stretched at my lips. Sometimes it's fun to make people nervous.

Yeah I'm a sadist.

"Don't worry, Haruki. Mitsuko's just twisted." Miyuki took her book and head upstairs: "I'm just gonna finish the three other questions on the desk upstairs."

I swallowed as I look back at Sae, I gave it one last chance: "How old are you, Sae? Do you like flowers, too?" lame questions, I know. But what else can you discuss with a kid? Ariana Grande?

When she still doesn't show any signs of talking, my hands dropped: "You know what? Haruki, it's getting late. You should take her back home now." I said without looking at him.

"You two, too." I say to Ichigo and Takeshi, who were still talking. Meh, it's mostly just Ichigo.

After everyone left, I closed up the shop and head upstairs.

***

The next day.

We have science right now, the female teacher was talking about friction. Blah blah blah.

I started on with the easy homework under my table. Then, expectedly, she called out to me: "Ms. Takahashi."

I look up, not even bothering to anwer her.

"What'll happen if friction doesn't exist?"

I put my feet flat on the ground, and said seriously: "then you'll unintentionally do the splits."

Muffled laughters were heard around the room again, before the teacher's face turned into stone: "Ms. Takahashi. I'll see you after school."

I gave her a two-fingered salute jokingly.

After school [i think something happened in between too. but i don't remember :( sorry]

I take my bag with me, prepared to go to that teacher's office, whom I still didn't learn the name of.

"Going to Ms. Mayahara's lecture?" Miyuki said sympathetically. She wasn't packing up yet.

"You coming with us?" Ichigo asked as he flung his school bag over his shoulder in a cool manner.

"Nope. I need to drop by the principal's office real quick. You guys go on without me." Miyuki said as I exited.

"I have 'detention'." I put airquotes.

"sumimasen." I opened the door to the teachers' office.

"Ms. Takahashi. This isn't the first time you've pulled a stunt like that in class. I've heard several complaints from other teachers already." she started like any ol' teacher will. I was almost tuning her out until she said:

"If you need a role model. Go to Tanemura. He's in your class, and you're friends outside of school, too."

I did hear that Haruki is every teacher's favourite. But wow.

Suddenly, she leaned in closer so the other teachers in the office were out of hearing range: "how 'bout this, Takahashi. You, be like a responsible, respectful and polite student for the rest of the month."

I raised an eyebrow at her. What kind of teacher does that? And more importantly, what do I get?

"What's in it for me?" I asked bluntly. I don't make empty bets.

"To prove that you can. Or is it that you don't feel like you can." she taunted. Seriously, what kind of teacher makes bets with her students? Though I do like her concept. Even though I know it still is an empty bet. But at least it'd be fresh. I mean, I've never been that good girl who's always respectful and full of modesty. It'll be fun to try.

"I will inform other teachers who have classes with your class. And if by the end of the month, you still didn't break down and broke a rule, you win. And I'll never bother you during my classes again. I can't promise other teachers, but I will." she says matter-of-factly.

Still not enough, and I don't give a damn about that anyways.

"I still don't get what's in it for me." I cocked my head at her.

"Fine."

"Deal."

She smiled at me: "starting tomorrow, young lady."

As I walked back to the classroom since I need to pass by there to go home anyways, I heard a scream.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is what's supposed to be happen up to. This chapter is republished 2015/5/6

It's understandably different than what I wrote before though...

thnx for reading!

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—Lillie