Amai Sato Cafe, Akita, Japan-7:28 am.

Weekend. It was finally Saturday. There is no school and I can finally escape the drama happening there; temporarily. After the incident, those girls who gave me threating messages were expelled from Yosen High but some remained but got suspended. The school’s really strict so I’m surprised that they let some students stay and do community service for them. And before they left, the council made them say sorry to me. I accepted their apology and since then, I never saw them. The week after that was the Midterms and of course ungifted students try their best to convince gifted students to tutor them for the exam. Good thing I wasn’t one of the outstanding people in our class because no classmate of mine approached me for tutoring. Well except for Mayu who will always approach me for academic assistance. Typical. Being best friends, I agreed to teach her but unexpectedly, Himuro suddenly but in between our tutor session, saying that he wants me to teach him too and he wants to join our group study. Isn’t he an overseas returnee? I hear they have more advanced education there than here. I assume that he’s a smart student. Or not. Either way, he did join us and throughout the whole week, we always see each other during breaks and free periods. It’s like we’re always stuck together. In the end, we all passed our exams and this weekend is our two days rest from studies.

Well I don’t get to rest since I still to work at my aunt’s cafe.  Amai Sato Cafe which means sweet sugar cafe. We sell meals and all but mostly pastry. My shift ends around 12 in the afternoon and will continue around 6 pm and ends at exactly closing time. During weekdays our opening hours is 7 am until 9 pm. But during weekends and special occasions, it’s open around 6 am until 10 pm. And today, I’ve been working for one hour and 28 minutes.

“Hitomi, take table 12’s order will you?” my aunt ordered when I was wiping the glasses at the counter. I wasn’t serving anyone so replied a ‘yes’ to her and went over to table 12 where I saw a black haired guy sitting there, alone.

Wait, he seems familiar...

When I got to table 12, my eyes widened in shock and my jaw loosened up, as it dropped open. “HIMURO?!” I shouted as soon as I saw clear view of his face. Well not really all. His left eye was hidden.

He smiled when he saw my face and waved. “Good morning, Hitomi”

“What are you doing here?” I questioned with a stern tone. Seriously, even he knows where my aunt’s cafe is? Where I work?

“Having a nice morning; eating at your cafe” was his indefinite answer making a vein pop at my head.

“You know that’s not the answer I’m asking for” I hissed giving him a death glare. He leaned his cheek on his palm. “Oh? Are you disappointed that I didn’t say that I went here just to see you?” I curled my shaking fist, restraining myself to promote violence.

“Himuro...”

“Hey, Hitomi! What’s taking you so long in taking that order? Hurry up will you?” I got scolded by my aunt because I didn’t realize that I was taking time in talking to this American pervert.

I sighed and decided to talk civilly to this dude. “May I take your order... Sir?” Ugh, why did I even address him that way?

“Hmm, how about go out with me today?”

“That’s not the order I’m asking for”

Himuro gave me an amused smile before checking the menu provided on the table then finally gave an order. “Can I have a Hitomi flavored bread roll?” I grabbed my fist with my other hand to prevent it from getting near his face. My annoyed look just got him to laugh.

“We don’t have Hitomi flavor here”

“I was just messing with you, Hitomi. I want cinnamon roll”

“Thank you for ordering normally” I thanked listing his order before going at the kitchen’s window to pin it down. I rang the bell. “One cinnamon roll for table 12” I say to one of those pastry chefs who’s been working here since before I was born. He’s pretty old if you ask me. I waited for the order to get done while serving customers by the counter who orders take-outs or buys from our pastry shop just from beside the cafe. I heard the bell ring signaling that the order was ready for serving so I went back to the kitchen counter window where the dish was placed and was greeted by the old chef’s smile. I gave him a wondering look. “Is that boy your boyfriend or something?” I heard one of my co-workers ask making me jump almost dropping the plate. So that’s why the old man was smiling at me. He doesn’t really speak. I turned around to give her a ‘Are you serious?’ look. “What? I was just asking”

“NO” was my definite answer. “He’s available though, I can hook you up with him so he could stop bugging me”

“He’s bugging you? Maybe he likes you”

I flinched.

“No, he doesn’t. He just bugs me for fun, that’s all”

This time I’m serious, I really like you. Damn it! Why did Himuro’s words repeat inside my head?! Never mind, I’ll just ignore it. And I’ll ignore him for the rest of the day until he decides to give me peace by leaving.

“HITOMI! SERVE THAT ORDER TO TABLE 12 NOW!”

“Y-Yes auntie!”

Nanami Suzume’s POV

“Ane-chan, don’t forget to watch the microwave when heating the food, okay?”

“Sure, sure” I said in response as my little sister reminded me for the nth time about heating my food. She’s going to her softball competition today as a varsity, while I’m left home alone since mom and dad are working overseas. She left, closing the door behind her, officially stating that indeed, I am lonely here. Even though I’m popular, I don’t have many friends. Just a few from the student council, and one that’s studying at another school. I don’t know if Yoshio-san considers me as a friend though; but I would love to be her friend.

I flopped on my bed after locking myself inside my room since I got nothing better to do. Midterms just finished, and we’re not busy at the council these days so I guess I got all the free time I need to take a break.

I closed my eyes for a second before I heard my phone ringing, signalling that someone was calling me. I opened my eyes and grabbed my phone over my bedside table to check who was calling.

I flinched nervously.

F-Fukui-san? W-Why is he calling me? Staring at for a few seconds, I took a big gulp before answering it to be greeted by his usual cheery voice that always seems to make my heart beat like crazy. “Oh Nanami, you finally picked up!”

“F-Fukui-san, W-Why are you calling me? It’s a weekend”

“What? I can’t call you during weekends?” he remarked making flinch and blush in embarrassment. If he was here, he’ll completely see how my face turns into a tomato.

“S-Sorry…” I uttered making him laugh as my heart beat even crazier.

“Hahahahaha! You’re really timid, aren’t you, Nanami?” his comment made me embarrass of how I act around him. I’m usually calm around others, but whenever Fukui-san is around, I can’t help but lose my cool.

“Y-Yes…” was the only thing I managed to answer. It was quiet between the both of us, until he asked me out t-to go to the park and meet up. “M-Meet up at the park? J-Just the two us?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yeah sure, the exams just finished anyway, so it’s a great time to relax and enjoy ourselves for a while” Fukui-san is asking me to hang-out? Man! I-I-I don’t want to humiliate myself in front of him when I get there! I’ll end up stuttering and say more embarrassing stuff to him! But it’s Fukui-san that’s asking… How could I say no?

“S-Sure” I agreed finally, staring blankly at the wall in front of me.

“Ah, great! I’ll see you there in 20 minutes!” with that, he hung up.

Please someone slap me right now. Oh, I’m alone, I’ll do it then. Did. He. Just. Ask. Me. Out. To. Hang. Out? H-He… “HE DID ASK ME!!!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed starting to hit myself like a retarded person. I wanted to confirm that it wasn’t a dream, and that I was wide awake.

“Hey, Ane-chan—” my little sister, Iguru, suddenly came back, entering my room, catching me as I swoon over Fukui-san. “A-Ane-chan?” she gave me a ‘what are you doing?’ look, at the same time, me calming down a bit.

“I-I, I was just…” I tried to explain my actions but good thing she brushed it off and told me she just forgot her glove, and went back to get it when she heard me scream. “Sorry for the ruckus I made” I apologized bowing my head, shyly.

“Don’t worry about it; I know you’re just excited about Fukui-senpai asking you out”

“I-I-I-It’s not like that!” I stuttered.

“Sigh, whatever, I’m going” That girl! She’s so cold hearted! She left me still sitting on my bed. I didn’t realize that I already sat up from it, when I was talking to Fukui-san.

I screamed again when I realized that 5 minutes already passed when Fukui-san ended the call. So I still have 5 minutes to prepare, and a 10 minute walk to the park. When I was done, I sprinted towards to our meeting place, only a few minutes to spare before reaching the bench where he was waiting where I almost trip and fell. G-Good thing he caught me!

“Woah, be careful there” E-Eh!

I flinched, pulling myself from him and bowed, 90 degrees down. “I’m sorry Fukui-san!”

He laughed ruffling my hair and assured. “Don’t worry about it” H-He just ruffled my hair!

“H-Hai!” I straightened up my posture, my face still blushing from Fukui-san’s touch.

He smiled at me before sitting on the bench as an awkward pause drawled in the air. “You don’t want to sit?” Fukui-san offered, breaking the silence.

“U-Uh, s-sure!” I stuttered sitting beside him. T-This is… nice…

I was invited to hang-out with Fukui-san, plus, we’re alone together… should I even consider this a date?

“Say, Nanami” E-Eh! I flinched when he called my name as I reply with a questioning ‘Yes?’ facing him frantically. He gave me a poker look then turned serious as his soft eyes stared at the ground. I wonder what’s wrong. “Don’t you think Hitomi’s getting a bit louder these days?” he suddenly grinned childishly at me making me sweat dropped.

I gave him a questioning look. “What?”

His childish careless face turned back to the serious expression he wore before, as his eyes averted their gaze back to the ground. “Well, it’s just that since meeting Himuro… she’s been communicating to other people a lot don’t you think?” Yoshio-san?

I saw the look on Fukui-san’s face that made me understand why he’s like that.

He’s worried about how Yoshio-san makes friends since losing her parents. 

Yoshio-san used to be a happy go lucky child when she was little. She was really close with Fukui-san back then but then… she became distant from him.

 I know her story since my parents were friends with hers and when we found out about the accident, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Ah, well, usually Yoshio-san is really quiet while Akihiro-san just talks to her whenever I see them hang-out in the council room. But when Himuro-kun transferred in Yosen High, I can’t help but notice her talk more, not only to Akihiro-san, me or Himuro-kun, but also to other people. She discusses matters with other council members often now” I told Fukui-san which put a relieved expression on his face.

“Is that so?” he leaned his head on the bench, staring up at the sky. “That’s good…” I heard him murmur. I smiled at him.

“Fukui-san is a good cousin to Yoshio-san” my comment made him looks at me. This time, I didn’t even flinch or feel shy. “I can tell you’re worried about her communicating with other people since her parents passed away”

“She just changed after that” Fukui-san leaned his arms on his knees, his hands clamping together. “She distanced herself from others, even her family, to me. I just want the old Hitomi back” I kinda feel sorry for him now.

“Fukui-san…” I stared at his face, concern painted on it. I closed my eyes, racking my brain on what to say to him. I lift my eyelids up, glancing at Fukui-san then grabbed hold of his hand, squeezing it. “Don’t worry Fukui-san; I’m sure Yoshio-san will find a way back to her old self. We can already see the changes that she is returning to the old Hitomi. Let’s just hope for the best that we’d be able to bring her back, together”

“N-Nanami” Fukui-san stared at me in awe while I give him a warm smile. After a few seconds, he mirrored the gesture, and clamped his other hand on mine. “Thank you, Nanami”

“Anytime” I replied but quickly flinched when I realized the position of our hands.

F-F-F-F-F-Fukui-san! H-H-He’s… he’s holding hands with me!

My heat turned to red at the same time steam evaporated. I almost fainted when we heard two familiar voices just around the park.

“YOU PERVERT HIMURO! WHY DID YOU DRAG ME HERE?!” It was Yoshio-san’s.

“Hmm? I just thought you wanted to walk around” And Himuro-kun’s.

“I was in the middle of work! Why did you have to barge in our café like that?! My aunt will kill me when I get back!” Yoshio-san was yelling at Himuro-kun while they were walking. They came to a stop when they saw me and Fukui-san sitting together on the bench. Their eyes landed on our enjoined hands creating suspicious looks towering us, causing Yoshio-san to interrogate. “Kensuke, Kaichou, are you two dating or something?”

E-Eh?!

I immediately pulled my hand away from Fukui-san’s burying it on my lap, my face flushed as I tried to explain it while failing miserably. I kept stuttering. “I-I-It’s not like that! F-Fukui-san just a-asked me to c-come and h-hang-out with h-him!”

“Kensuke-senpai?” Himuro-kun now questioned Fukui-san.

“Ah, well, I asked Nanami if she was free today, and she said yes so here we are” Fukui-san managed to answer their questions casually.

They seemed to buy it because Yoshio-san nodded her head and Himuro-kun agreed with her. “Whatever you say” they chorused.

“Hey Hitomi, want to feed the ducks at the pond?” Himuro-kun laced his hand with Yoshio-san’s, pulling her to where the pond was, admiring the view where the ducks swam around.

“Sure, as long as you’re the one you’ll be fed to the ducks”

“So mean”

I and Fukui-san stared at the two for a while seeing them fight like a cute couple. Yoshio-san kept yelling at Himuro-kun while he just smiles and laugh at her. Now that I’ve noticed it, they make a very cute couple.

“They look like a couple, don’t they?” Fukui-san suddenly said out of nowhere, smirking at the two.

I glanced at him then back at the two before nodding. “Un, they’ll make the couple of the year” I smiled seeing Yoshio-san like this. It’s better than looking at a quiet her. She changed so much after she met Himuro-kun.

“Nanami, I agree on what you said” Fukui-san stated as I looked back at him again. He gave me that childish cute grin that always made me swoon over but this time, it looked so cute that I can’t help but just stare at it. “Let’s bring the old Hitomi, together” I gawked when he said that and felt my heart beat 100x faster than before.

I beamed. “Sure!” 

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Yooooo~! I updated this again! :D Haha! So who ships Fukui x Nanami? ^__^ 

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