━━ 🏐 🏐 🏐 ━━

"Have a good day!"

I step out of DoCoMo, eyes zeroing in on my brand new phone. I cradle it close to my chest— protecting it from any homeless men or thieves.

"Good day, she says..." I haven't been having a good anything since last week. Not a good day, not a night's rest, not a good mood. I sigh, clicking my power button once.

I've already had my information transferred to this device prior, so all I have to do is set up my device to how I want it.

I begin to walk, keeping my head pointed towards the ground. I can't help but wonder what Hinata is doing. Since it is the weekend; he's either studying or photographing...

I pull up his contact card, quick to trace my fingers along the screen. He sent me many texts that day... just looking at them makes my heart squeeze.

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Tuesday • 2:49PM

HINATA C:<
Hey, did you bring your umbrella?

Tuesday • 3:50PM

HINATA C:<
Classes are almost out, I'm going to come get you !

Y/N, is everything okay? You're not here.
I brought an umbrella for you

Tuesday • 5:01PM

HINATA C:<

Did I do something wrong?

___________________________________________

I feel guilty. I find myself missing him.

It's been almost a week since my phone disappeared, and now that I have it— I see that he hasn't sent me any messages since then.

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Today • 2:05PM

YOU
Hey, are you busy? Can we talk?

ᵈᵉˡᶦᵛᵉʳᵉᵈ

___________________________________________

I press send, hoping to hear a response from him. Although deep down, I know that I probably won't.

I hurt him. I damaged my best friend by keeping important lies from him.

I sigh, lowering my phone into my bag. "Well... there's nothing a warm cup of tea can't fix." I try to reassure myself. And maybe I'll see Kumamon today as well. I need something to distract myself from wallowing in my own self-pity.

I pivot, turning into the direction of my favorite cafe. Every step of the way, I find gentle reminders of Hinata. The autumn leaves, photographers— hell; even his favorite bird.

This isn't easy. I find myself checking my screen every second available just to see if he's replied. My eyes remain low, and I drag my feet past the pair of double doors.

"Hello..." I whisper, replying to the greeting which was shouted towards me the moment I stepped in. Pumpkin spice. It is that time of year, after all. Autumn dances with summertime, taking a more confident lead by day. I can smell it.

"Hi. What can I help you get started on?"

Someone asks me, tearing my attention from the illuminated menu board above them. I stare for a moment, feeling frustrated at her question.

"One second. I literally just got here." I hiss a bit, allowing my eyes to narrow back in on the writing above me. I bear no shame at the moment, I just want to be left alone to my thoughts so that I can order with no pressure.

The cakes look appealing. My eyes ogle them... but then I see something even better. I turn my gaze towards the now frowning women, and with my  lips parted, she looks at me.

"Two Shu Creams please. And some jasmine tea." I speak. The woman doesn't reply as she punches in my order— no doubt thinking I should have taken longer to order with the way I'd just prevented her from doing her job.

She keys in my order quickly, not even looking at me.

"Name?"

"Y/N."

Then she proceeds to pass me a thin pole with a number attached to it at the top. I immediately feel like I am now at an auction. "Thank you. We'll serve you by the table number 42."

I nod, grabbing the stick swiftly so that I can finally exit this interaction. No doubt that the guilt will hit me first thing tomorrow morning.

Once I am seated, I begin waiting...

...But I am not convinced that it is my snack that I am waiting on. My leg begins to shake and dance— and with my fingers intertwined, my elbows so rudely dig into the table beneath me.

'Give it time, Y/N... I'm sure it's okay. He's okay.'

Man... how he'd love to be here. Hinata loves sweet things, tangy things, cute things... it always looks like he dies a little.

Mm... but how can you be so certain?
Do you really think he's okay?
I mean, you kept secrets.

And there it goes. My voice, but louder... darker. I didn't think I'd hear it again since it'd gone quiet for so long.

It's like having doubt, but this voice isn't weak. It's throbbing and protruding... i have been taking my meds, so why is she coming out now?

I ignore this negativity— and as I come to— I finally lift my head and my gaze.

"Geez, I thought you were gonna cut me with those eyes..." An employee mutters out. Despite the fear in his voice, he doesn't break eye contact with me. He lowers the platter on the table and makes his delivery.

"Oh... I'm sorry. I was just deep in thought." I try to reassure, but he was already smiling. I raise a brow.

"Nah, don't be. We're all only human." Taken aback by his grounded nature, I quirk a brow. He looks quite familiar, doesn't he?

I eye the man. He appears to be in his mid to late twenties...?
Or perhaps it is the dark scruff that makes him appear so... because when he speaks; he speaks to me as an equal.

I look past him for a moment— eyeing the headband keeping his mahogany hair from touching his forehead, then I continue looking past him.

Two ladies caught my attention. Whispering to each other, looking my way, both smiling as though they were in a room with a celebrity.

I then look back towards my server.

Hm. It's all starting to make sense now. He is quite easy on the eyes.

"Two shu creams and a cup of jasmine tea." He adds, with a smile like a saint. His eyes, his voice, even his actions are all quite gentle.

I give him a silent nod, reaching for the tea so that it'd calm my nerves. I don't want to make his fanclub jealous. "Thank you."

I raise the warm glass to my lips and go in for a patient sip, but as I lower the glass— I notice my server still there. I awkwardly chuckle, tapping the butt of the cup against the table.

"...Is there... anything else you might need?"

The man laughs, rubbing his forearm with his hand; all whilst the platter he served me with earlier is tucked underneath his arm.

"Where's your friend?" He pointedly speaks, craning his head to the side. He flashes me his pearly whites, grinning from cheek-to-cheek.

"Friend?" I parrot, craning my head as well.

"Yes. You normally come here with that cinnabun guy, but I don't see him today." He coos, subtly squinting at me. I can feel my heart wrenching at his question; because of that cinnabun guy. Whenever we come, we both usually get the same thing... and he hasn't replied to my text just yet.

"Ah... well... he isn't feeling well today..." I shamelessly lie into my cup, lips puckering against the glass.

But my waiter must've known I'd been fibbing with the way he chuckles and patiently nods. I keep my eyes averted from him, and he soon speaks.

"Ah; well. I hope he gets better soon." He smiles, tapping the buds of his fingertips against my table. The man finally takes a step back.

"I have more tables that need my attention now. Next time you come by, look for an Azumane Asahi, yeah?" He winks just once, rolling his eyes into any other direction.

I slowly nod, wondering why he's taken such initiative. He doesn't seem to be a friend of Hinata's...

Could it be? Is my new-bought perfume working?

"Will do. It was really nice meeting you, Azumane!" I speak sincerely. Since he was so honest with me, I wish we could chat longer. I need someone to distract me from my problems... but alas; the long-haired man is pivoting.

"Haha, ditto! And please, call me Asahi, hehe. Every time someone calls me by my last name, it sends shockwaves throughout my body."

I quirk a brow. "Shockwaves? Not a fan of your name, are we?" I can't help but wonder why. Azumane Asahi. It has a nice little ring to it.

"Hm... Well..." He pauses, playfully tapping at his chin as though he has to think about it. "It certainly does sound better when you say it."

My lips gape for a moment. He is sharp and charming. Much like someone I know.

And just like that, he's beginning to grow my smile, watering it with such gentle kindness. I smile from cheek to cheek just before I start to chuckle.

"Not sure if you should be saying things like that with your fanclub behind you... and if you stay any longer, I fear that they'll make a voodoo doll out of me." I take another sip, slowly blinking.

Asahi laughs, brows raised. It seems I have thoroughly amused him with the way he hesitates and stares.

Eventually, he sends me one final wave goodbye with the light bow of his head. "Yes, you might be right about that one. 'Till next time, Y/N."

And just like that, the best thing I had to company is gone. Well... second best. My eyes zero in on the pair of sweets in front of me— but before I could sink my teeth into the bread, I pause.

"How did he..."

Ah; well. Whatever. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me. I take my first bite and exhale, lowering my gaze towards the outside glass.

I should get going soon. Daylight's burnin'.

━━ 🏐 🏐 🏐 ━━

___________________________________________

Today • 2:05PM

YOU
Hey, are you busy? Can we talk?

ʳᵉᵃᵈ

___________________________________________

Hinata has read the message...

What could he be up to? He still must be fuming.

I lean back, pressing my back against the uncomfortable, wooden bench. And even though the Sun is still out, I notice street lamps beginning to illuminate my surroundings.

In any case, I'm surprised it only took me two hours to crack Y/N's code. She's a simple lady, but this? No; this passcode has thoroughly exceeded my expectations.

112320

November 23rd of the year 2021. It was supposed to be the day that I died. What a crooked, twisted reminder that you've set for yourself, Y/N. But I have to say... I am flattered.

I relax against the bench, and as I take the last slurp from my juice box, I notice three dots appear on the bottom left-hand side of my screen.

• • •

Oh boy ; how happy I was to see that.

Unbeknownst that I am here, stalking chat logs, Hinata foolishly submits his text message to Y/N.

___________________________________________

Today • 2:05PM

YOU
Hey, are you busy? Can we talk?

ʳᵉᵃᵈ

HINATA C:<

Yeah.
Are you free now?

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.