"Is that... is that Kauri?"

It's the first time I've seen her in three years. And if she's been attending this college right alongside the both of us, all this time, it's a miracle that I am just now running into her.

I eyed her as we approached, getting second thoughts. I'm sure a lot of people think about barreling themselves in some sort of hole whenever they meet someone they once knew in their youth.

And yeah; I was no exception... but I just couldn't help but stare. Her hair, it's gotten longer. Much longer than my own-- and I see she still keeps it black. It's much like her charcoal-colored soul.

And her sense of fashion has improved. She still dresses as though she needs every pair of eyes on her. Her bracelets capture and reflect every ray of light-- and her earrings... they jangle.

I feel a little tiny, and sticking Hinata's lunch money in my pocket just made me feel worse. I seethed, rubbing my forearm.

"Do you know her?" Hinata asks me, but I don't reply. Instead, I awkwardly avert my gaze with beads of sweat trickling down my skin-- and the argument continues.

"Culinary department, huh?? Should I go there and tell them how much of a hazard you are? Geez. You've got no business cutting onions, girlie." Kauri hisses, eventually pivoting to turn away from the commotion... but she pauses after she makes eye contact with me.

"Uh..." I begin, awkwardly. And then she tilts her head at me, and her black curls bounce along with her. "Hi?" I say.

She seems... not upset, just... alarmed. Like memories that were estranged had begun to pour back into her rotten mind.

Kauri takes a moment to reply, so she flings her tar-colored hair over her left shoulder, and pretends not to see me.

It's understandable. After all, I was the petite, young girl whom she decided to bully simply because she was boy-crazy. If it weren't for her, my hair would have been longer than what it is now. I can still remember the sensation of Nana chipping away locks of my hair that day... The heartbreak. It felt like my soul got a bit of a haircut too.

"Anyway. Watch where you're going, spring onion." She hisses, knitting her brows together-- and there lies disgust on her visage. She's going to cause a crease in her eye makeup with the way she scowls, but I don't tell her that.

"S-Spring onion?" The blonde replies, eyebrows knitting upwards. It seems as though she's worried. It's been two months since the first semester has begun, yet she's worried that she'll be bullied by some frat-kid's rich girlfriend.

I felt a bit of relief after Kauri ignores me.

And with that, Kauri starts her strut down her corridors, tossing those hydrated curls over her shoulder once more.

Hinata is still looking at me, I can feel it. I turn my head away from him. My nose scrunches and I'd been maintaining a wincing expression that I hadn't known I'd been making.

"What are you doing? Why are you cringing?" He speaks, but I end up ignoring him just as Kauri ignores me. Instead, my eyes turn back towards the young lady in front of me.

My guess: she's afraid... but Kauri doesn't bite; although, she may stick a wad of gum in your hair like some ill-mannered preschooler.

"I wouldn't worry about her so much. She's the closest thing to a chihuahua, hahaha." I finally speak, and the lady's light-brown eyes turn towards me.

I catch a glimpse of her mutli-coloured hair clips. They consisted of stars, pearls and glitter. They were a bit child-like, but she wore them well. I smile.

"R-Really...? Then why did she pick on me like that?" She pouts, lowering her head. I can't help but feel as though I need to protect her. She raises a couple of "aw's" in my head, as well as my brows. Hinata is now silent, watching our interacting before he even thinks to jump in.

Shrugging, I crane my head to the side. I guess she gives off an aura of vulnerability... that, and everyone just witnessed how much of a door-mat she is.

"That's just the way Kauri is. I'm not sure if she was born with that stick up her ass, but eventually, you'll find it easy to ignore her." I say, unbeknownst to the fact that Sugawara was the reason why I never had to deal with her attitude again.

I continue to speak after the girl nods her head towards me. "What's your name? Spring onion is sorta growing on me, but I should at least know your name." I ask her.

Her expression slightly elates. I notice the arch in her brows and the gradual grin making its way on her visage. "Hitoka Yachi, but just call me Chi-- I hear it's easiest to remember that way, hehe."

She seems excited, like I'm the first person to approach her with a neighborly wave and greeting. But just as I'm standing here, connecting with people outside of Hinata and Yuuta... I start to shut down.

Perhaps it is because of her. I start to realize that it is.

This Hitoka Yachi reminds me an awful lot of Airi... but I try not to think about it. It'll be good for me to make more friends, right? Not everyone will backstab me or stalk my ex-boyfriend...

I am now trying my hardest to keep smiling, but I can feel myself beginning to fail. Clenching my hands behind my back, I finally begin to speak.

"Haha. Yachi it is then. I'm (Y/N), and this stick over here is Hinata."

Finally, does Hinata break his streak of stillness and silence. He gives the girl a nod of his own, nudging my side. "Hinata Shoyo, at your service." He smiles charmingly, and I notice pink begin to spread Yachi's ears.

Ooh la la. I'm getting the feeling that I'll be playing with cupid's arrows from this point forward.

"Well, I should probably start heading to my next class. It was nice talking to you, Yachi!" I exclaim, watching as her eyes take a moment to connect with mine. She's been ogling Hinata ever since he's spoken.

"Likewise!" She says, and I can tell that she means it with the way her eyes glisten towards me. I then turn back to Hinata, who begins to reach for my bag.

"What's next again? Psychology?" Hinata guesses, and to my surprise, he's right. I leave my bag in his possession, watching as he leaves the strap to hug his shoulder.

"Ding ding ding! Wow, I should give you a gold star. How's that sound?" I'm only this sarcastic with him because it's taken him this long to memorize my schedule. I feel kind of offended since I know his.

"Haha, you two are funny! Have you been friends for a really long time?" Yachi questions, even though I'm positive that she already knows the answer.

My orange-haired friend nods, eyes trickling away from the two of us. "Yeah. We met in high school, so that means..." He begins to trail off-- keeping his hand to his chest, presumably counting the years.

"We've been friends now for... four years? Is that right?" Hinata speaks, asking me for validation. I haven't really thought about it for a while, and now that we're being asked... it's kind of awkward.

"Sounds about right! I met you beginning of Senior year, and I'm a Junior now so... yep. Three years, goin' on four!" It's true. It's been a really long time, and honestly, having Hinata here by my side has been so much fun. I'm really grateful to have him.

"Anyway! I'm really hungry now, so we'll catch you later, Yachi!" Waving towards the adorable girl, I eventually zipped her by, marching towards the cafeteria and vending machines. My next class was stirring, I had to hurry.

"H-Hey--! Wait--!" Hinata beckons me, taking a step forward-- clumsily bumping Yachi's shoulder with his haste. He apologizes with his eyes before he does verbally.

"Sorry!" He chimes, noticing her hairpin slipping from her only ponytail. He immediately feels guilty since he was the cause.

"It's okay! It was just a little bump." Yachi smiles, but Hinata doesn't leave it alone just yet. He looks away for a moment, towards me, just before he steps forward.

"Excuse me." He mumbles, reaching his hands towards her loose hairclip to give it a tighter push. His expression then loosens after he sees the pin back in its original place.

Yachi's eyes warm up a bit, and so does her cheeks. "Oh... thank you..."

"Much better, isn't it?" He chuckles out, sweetly; as though she could see the malfunction for herself. Still, Yachi nods and reaches for the clip-- careful not to touch it.

"Hellooo? Hinata, you comin'??"

Apologetically, he nods towards our new acquaintance once more. "Duty calls. It was nice meeting you!" He then begins to sprint off, back towards me.

"How could you just take off like that?

You know, that's how you left your research the last time!"

"Oh; whatever! I know it's fine because I have you to take care of me~"

"...just shut up."

As Yachi watches them both leave, she keeps her hand clenched over her heart. It doesn't stop beating and her face remains heated. She knew it then, and she'd know it later:

Hinata Shoyo is an absolute catch.

━━ 🏐 🏐 🏐 ━━

"Ah, Hinata just texted me back. He says he is five minutes out." I lower my phone as the two of us begin to venture inside of the building.

We're immediately greeted by friendly faces and genuine smiles, as well as robust chatter and a homely aura. It always feels good to walk in this place. It was our favorite diner to go to. The key was to visit the family-owned restaurants-- they serve the best food and drinks.

"That's cool. I'll just order his usual." Yuuta speaks, and I stick by his side as he finds us a good spot to dine in and eat-- away from prying eyes is how I like it. He knows this.

Once we finally unwind and get ourselves comfortable, I find myself averting my gaze and opening my ears to the group ahead of us.

"Whaaat? So, I can't get your number, OR your name?" A lady speaks. She appears to be older-- not too much older-- but by a couple of years. She's still in her work attire, so she must've had a long day if she came here directly after work. She's like the rest of us. We could all use a drink right now.

"That's right. I charge for that kind of information, miss." A male replies, wagging his finger towards her. In his other hand, he kept a serving platter against his thigh. "2,177 yen for my name, 3,629 yen for my number."

**approximately 15 and 25 USD

He leans away from the ladies, grinning from cheek to cheek. Such an antagonizing, yet smug smile he wears. It's wide and pearly, and you can tell that plenty of women have fallen for it. I feel like I've seen it before.

"Hahahaha, what?? Do you live a double-life or something?" The other woman asks, laughing shortly after. The liquid courage must've put them in this situation.

"Can't say that I do. I just like the money." He replies with, finally taking a step away from them. He reaches for the pitcher, refilling their boiling water before he turns away.

"Aw, whatever. I guess he likes money more than he likes beautiful women."

I crack a bit of a snort at that situation, finding it to be amusing. At least the guy is focused-- he has his priorities straight.

And since I am still being nosy, looking up towards the trio, his gaze eventually meets mine. I felt my heart sink into my butt.

It's not because I was caught watching, but because... he was so distinct. I see why those two were hitting on him. Even though he was obviously around my age, he seems more... developed and mature. He seems like he's been forced to endure so much.

And only a select few people can pull off a smile like that, taunting yet charming. He feels mysterious, and as he approaches, I am sure that is the aura he's emitting. He keeps his eyes on me, so I defensively turn my gaze.

I begin to hum, awkwardly, tapping at the table in front of me. I'm trying to get him not to acknowledge me, but he doesn't care. And I'm sure he's already noticed my feeble attempts at trying to play it cool.

"Hello there." He speaks. His voice reaches further than my ears. It is reverberating throughout my mind, and there was no 'stop' button. My back straightens and suddenly; I'm chilled.

And his eyes... God. His dang eyes.

Dark, suggestive, intrusive. They are prying, and I can't help but look away. At this rate, I'll never really get a good look at his face.

"

Oh, yeah hi." Yuuta speaks up for me, looking the male directly in his dark-grey hues. He has some balls, I thought.

"Has anyone spoken to you two yet?" Our server follows up with, placing down both the platter and pitcher. He seems to already know the answer since he's already fished for his pen and notepad.

Still silent, I finally made a move. I shuffled where I sat, shaking my head and keeping my gaze on the table.

"No, we just got seated, but we're ready to order now." Yuuta adds, and the male nods his head with truffles of his black locks following.

The policeman takes care of our order, and I felt like shrinking the entire time. Eventually, he finishes and the waiter tucks his notepad into his apron.

"Alright. It'll be out in a second, alright?" The raven-haired man reaffirms, reaching for the pitcher and platter once more. He never takes his gaze off me, and I think Yuuta is beginning to notice with the way he scoots closer to me.

I felt a bit of relief knowing he was going to be on his way, but for some reason, he was still there. Still standing in front of me in his black apron and trousers.

I finally, and slowly, look up-- peeling my gaze over his hands. There is a scar there on the back of his right hand. And then I look towards his white dress shirt, which was buttoned up to the very top. He has class.

"...(Y/N), isn't it?"

He asks me. ME. He's gotten the name right; moreover, how did he know?

I freeze, glancing at Yuuta who was sitting on my right. I can see him raising alarms in his head. He's probably thinking something like, '(Y/N), you know this playboy?'

Hell, I don't even know that much. Do I know him? The awkward silence has made me begin to burn holes into the man. His beauty mark, his dark, alluring hues and his shaggy, black hair...

No... Sugawara is dead. This isn't him. How could I be looking for my dead, batshit crazy, ex-boyfriend in someone else?

I belong in a psychiatric hospital.

"...Oh." I begin after pinpointing his familiarity. I tilt my head to the side. "I think I met you... three years ago?" He was the guy in front of the college. He was new then, and he was studying...

"Yeah. I'm studying to become a surgeon, remember? I bumped into you while on my way to class." He continues smiling at me. A part of me really likes it.

"But you... remember all that? Even my name?" I was... flattered, really. It felt like he didn't allow himself to forget. I glance towards Yuuta, who is now silently observing our interaction.

"Yeah, it doesn't feel like all that long ago to me, haha." He eventually pivots, and I can tell that he is now beginning to make his escape. "Someone will be by to bring you your drinks, I'll be right back."

"Thanks man."

And there he goes. He leaves as swiftly as he arrives-- gone in an instant. Sorta like autumn leaves.

"Hm. I can't believe that guy remembers you after all this time... but I hear you have to have a sharp mind when you're dealing with surgeries." Yuuta reassures me, giving my back a good rub after he notices how uneasy I look.

I don't feel uncomfortable because of the guy, but I feel this way ... because he just reminds me so much of Sugawara.

"Hey guys. Am I late? I don't have to pay, right?" A ginger sprouted, seating himself right across from us. He looks at Yuuta, who'd been lowering his hand, then he looks at me.

"You two okay?" He pries, but I nod my head. I'm sure I'm just being crazy paranoid or something. Our waiter was so sweet to us.

"Yep! Just really, reaaallyy hungry." I pat my stomach, and as if on cue, another lady swoops in and delivers our drinks for the night.

I become ecstatic, rolling up my sleeves and tying back my (H/C) hair. "Hope you ladies didn't have any plans for tomorrow... 'cause we're going all out!"

I immediately reach for the soju, pushing all of my responsibilities, overdue assignments and undetermined stress to the back of my mind. Hinata and Yuuta both look at each other, rolling their shoulders back with a sigh.

It's going to be a long night.