Chapter 4 - Date
It was Friday. Kuma had good clothes all laid out for after work. Turns out he got sent home and he used the time to get his look to profession. He smelled good head to toe and freshly shaved.
Then he gave Misaki a call.
< Hello? >
< Hey Misaki, it's Kuma. I didn't have work today. You free today? >
< That'd be lovely. >
< Where's a good place you want to have dinner? >
< How about the cafe on Blossom Street? >
< Absolutely. What time? >
< I'm thinking 4. Good by you? >
< Great. I'll clean up a bit and see you there. >
< Sure thing. >
Click. It was about to go down.
~~~~~
He got to the cafe first as he saw her walk down in a green dress that almost matched her eyes. She smiled as she charged down the street.
"Hi Kuma, it's nice to meet you face to face." She smiled.
"It's great to meet you Misaki. Shall we?" Kuma greeted and held open the door.
They both ordered some drinks and sat down at a booth.
"You want to tell about yourself a little bit." Insisted Kuma.
"Well, I want to continue school to cook. Not sure what exactly but I want to do something I love and proud of. For now, just spending the time with friends and sightseeing are what I enjoy doing."
"Sounds like a good life."
"What about you Kuma? How come you go by that?"
"My schedule is hard. Wish there was more hours out of the day. I live on my own, so I work a bunch. On my days I get sent home from lack of work I clean the place up. When I played baseball, the guys called me Kuma. It's stuck ever since."
"You stopped playing? Why? I heard you were good."
"Well I'd love to get back on the field but playing ball doesn't cover the rent."
"I see. Why do you decide to live on your own?" She pondered.
"Well after my mom passed away my dad and I didn't get along well by all means. I won't get into the details. After all today's a good day. The weather is good, tea is hot, and I'm on a date with a beautiful girl. Couldn't ask for more." He smiled at her. Feeling great after getting everything off his chest.
"Right. Exactly. You take it well don't you?"
"Depression or brush it off. You got to pick one sometimes. It's hard but you got to try. I closed myself off from people but after bumping into Mai, you can imagine that's hard to do that with her."
"Ohhh, I see. So, any girls you dated?"
"Two. They were ever so short and uneventful. Just didn't click."
"I see." She replied awkwardly.
"You're right. Poor subject manner. Have you ever been with anyone?"
"I haven't. I'm really shy." She blushed.
"It's kinda cute actually."
"Stop you." Misaki stayed a glowing red.
"Just being honest. I like it believe it or not. It cheers a guy up."
"You're sweet."
Mai and Aiko are looking in from the street. Eyeing in to see how well they were doing. This was their setup after all. Checking in on was part of the plan.
"Looks like they're having a good time." Smiled Aiko.
"It seems so. And it's not costing him an arm and a leg either. Hope it works for him." Agreed Mai.
"You can be on dates three times a week if you wanted girl."
"Aiko you know I don't have the time or patience for that. Don't sell yourself short either. You're attractive enough. Just quit being indecisive."
"I'll take your advice."
"Great. Should we just let them play and have us continue to do homework?" Proposed Mai.
"Lets. We should have them be happy alone. Your house this time?"
"I welcome you of course." I have chem to do so I have to hop to it.
Back to the date there seems to be a different kind of chemistry. Playing twenty questions and having fun with it.
"Favorite fruit?" She asked.
"Mango. Odd one I know." He laughed.
"Oh my God. Mine too."
"Alright. Favorite color?"
"Green. Like my dress."
"Like those beautiful eyes. Mines blue."
"You're making me blush. What shade?"
"Depends on the mood."
"Well played because that's my second. How about movie?"
"Honestly I can't call myself a movie guy. I haven't seen many popular ones. I guess a good comedy here and there. I need that in life."
"I love movies. Although didn't think it would be a good first date."
"I thought the same thing really. I really like a good romance. You know The Notebook and such."
"I think I'd want one before I watch one. But that's just me. I can't lie I get a little jealous."
"Of love?" She gasped.
"Well yes. Think I get that often of any sort?"
"In general?"
"Well it's been a rocky few months and I haven't opened up to anyone really. It took so long to process everything. At the same time didn't want to be negative to people. That could be worse."
"That could be true. What convinced you to socialize again Kuma?"
"Well Misaki very recent after Mai and I had a class project. Me limiting my speech bothered her and you know her reputation to those kinds of things. We're not close I'd say but she helped this blind date so I'm not complaining. It's a good time."
"I'm having a great time too."
"I'm glad it's I think we deserve times like this."
"Right." She smiled.
Suddenly Misaki's phone rang. "Hello?" A little pause. "At the cafe." Another one. He couldn't hear a thing. "Seriously?' She frowned. "Fine. See you soon." Click. Didn't sound good. "I'm so sorry Kuma I have to go. Got some stuff at home. I'm really angry about it. I had a great talk with you. Let me call you sometime." She got up and presented Kuma a soft, squeezing hug. "I had a great time. Hopefully we can do this again soon. Text me tomorrow and after school. I'll be super busy but I can get back to you."
"Looking forward to it. Talk to you soon Misaki."
"Bye now." She blew him a kiss and exited.
Man. What a woman. Can this really be true? It seems too good to be true. And I sure as hell could do worse.
Kuma walked home with head held. It was starting to get a little dark when Mai called.
< Hey Mai. >
< How was it? > She asked.
< Fan friggin'-tastic. >
< That's great. Did you two click? >
< Think so. Could definitely do worse. I can't lie. She's beautiful it almost doesn't feel real. >
< Kuma I told you not to talk like that remember. >
< Sorry Miss. Tanaka I can't help it. >
< Well you're learning. That's good meet me in the front of the schoolyard tomorrow morning. >
< See you then Mai. Thanks again. Tell Aiko and the girls thanks too. >
< Will do. Bye now. > She hung up.
~~~~~
The next morning Kuma happily got dressed and walked off to school. Head held up high as he took a seat by a flowerpot in the front courtyard. Casually waiting for the girls.
A few minutes later Mai and her friends walked up.
"You're early." Laughed Aiko.
"It happens." He replied with a bright smile.
"Tell us what happened?" Said Gen with excitement.
"Went to a cafe and talked over coffee and tea. She got a phone call from home and had to take off. She gave a hug and told me to text her tonight if I didn't see her today."
"Sounds sweet." Smiled Haru.
"Why'd she leave early?" Asked Mai.
"She didn't say. Stuff at home and that was it. If she doesn't want to touch base that's fine. Me of all people on that subject..."
"Point made. How about a surprise? She's at locker 524. Go get her." Chimed Aiko.
"Really? Sweet. See you soon girls." Kuma raced off.
"Persistent, aren't we?" Sighed Mai.
"You okay?" Asked Haru.
"Something is seriously bothering me. I don't know what's up." She replied hastily.
"You could have had your chance." Gen cleared up.
"It's not the guy, it's the girl." Huffed Mai. "Enough about this dating garbage."
"I guess we don't see it. Let's just watch the cards dish out." Suggested Aiko.
On Kuma's end he was walking the halls and was passing the high 500 numbers.
I see 568 I'm so close.
But walking down the hall he saw his worst fear. A long blonde girl sucking face with a guy. He looked at the locker numbers. His heart raced as he read down the line. 527, a guy. 526, not in use. 525, a brunette. And 524 a long blonde girl kissing a guy even though she went on a date last night. Stunned. Shell-shocked. Hurt. Kuma took a picture of the couple for proof and stepped closer.
"Enjoy I guess." He said and walked away.
Opening her eyes Misaki realized it was him. "Honey one second." She said and chased after him. She grabbed his arm. "Kuma wait." Misaki called.
He turned. "For what?"
"This is a misunderstanding."
"Is he friends with benefits or something?" He said bluntly.
"Well- no. He's my best friend and he asked me out. Kuma you are a great, sweet guy. Think we can stay friends?"
He exhaled. "I'll think about it. Bye!" Which basically means no way.
After walking off that stinging emotionally sensation he entered homeroom so his good attendance was on point. His ego however, not in the greatest state of mind.
"Keep it up Iwakuma." Smiled Mr. Aono.
"Sure." He brushed off.
Mai looked over at Kuma planting his face in his desk. Oh no. I knew something wasn't right. Kuma went from rainbows to a rainy day.
A guy tapped him on the shoulder. "How's the ladies?" He asked thinking it was about Mai or Aiko and not Misaki.
"Suck it."
"Not well I'm guessing. Good luck you'll need it." He laughed.
"Well aware. Thanks for that." He brushed off again. Not trying to have anyone bear him.
"Marik I..." Mai tried to comfort.
"Save it I'm good." He rejected.
"Kuma..."
~~~~~
It was lunchtime. The girls table were only starting with three. That was the first sign of something being wrong. When routine was off it wasn't a good thing. Someone had something important going on.
"Where's Mai?" Asked Gen.
"On the roof. Apparently, the day after the date it didn't go so well." Said Aiko.
"Checking up on our boy. That's nice of her." Smiled Haru. "Sorry his date didn't go as planned. That homewrecker."
Meanwhile Kuma was on the roof eating and gazing at the view as routine. But as the girls predicted, Mai was on his tail. She knew at this time he could be in only one place. Or rather, on one place.
She opened the door to the roof and walked over to him.
"Make it quick." Ordered Kuma.
"I'm sorry." Sighed Mai.
"For what? Don't be." He replied.
"What?"
"Mai I'm not mad. Nor heart broken. It takes trust for that. I didn't trust and I had my guard up. When something is too good to be true it probably is."
"What about being healed by an angel." She winked.
"Ummm- well, a special case?"
"I get it. Just a joke to cheer you up. I planned on being with you today up here whether the news was good or bad."
"Not bad per say. It's just annoying Mai. Not you. It's Misaki. And she wants to be friends. Yeah right. Isn't that a joke?"
"If you met under different circumstances, I get it. After that I'd sleep on it." Mai took a bite.
"Right. I guess this is why you don't date?" Asked Kuma.
"Men are confusing. What can I say? Can be indecisive, so dense, afraid to commit, pervy, and have bad timing."
"They can. Stereotypes are created for a reason in those sorts. Women can too. Yet we love them anyway. I'll leave it at that." Smirked Kuma.
"How?"
"Nothing."
"Speak Marik."
"I know you're angry or annoyed when you use my real name."
"Point for you. Less dense than the average bear." Giggled Mai.
"To answer your question though can be demanding like you are now, needy, jealous, and moody. I know we can debate back and forth but those stick out to me."
"Well played." Admitted Mai.
"Thanks. I try."
"Don't push it Honey."
"Sure. Why do you call me Honey though? I thought that was a term of endearment."
"Not always."
"Ohh." He blushed.
"It's just a girl thing I guess. Don't think too much of it."
"Sure. Right. Let's just look at this view and eat I guess."
"You know, maybe a good month of this and the snow comes. What are you going to do?" She concerned.
"To be honest it's been in the back of my mind, but I've came up with no solution. I'll have to sit in the lunchroom hoping no one asks me personal questions of why I eat on the roof and cut myself off from people. As far as work goes not sure what Mr. Choo will have for me. Snow shoveling is inconsistent. It gets dead that time of year. Truthfully I'm scared."
Shaking her head. "I apologize."
"It's alright I got into this mess. I must find a way out."
"Easy up. I can help." Offered Mai.
"Yeah? Oh please. How?"
"Do NOT push me. I can do more than you think boy. I am more than just a girl with pretty eyes and a chest."
"You are special Mai."
"Kiss ass move." Mai smirked. "Thanks though. Look, worry about tomorrow. We will make it work. I promise you."
"That'd be interesting."
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