五。新たな光「柿原徹也」

》》》

After the night I saw Kakihara drunk and all, I never really spoke about anything that happened on that day. I wanted to let it slide.

Today it was the same thing at work, but no customers. At all. My phone then beeped. I opened it to see a text from Kakihara.

Hey. Are you at work right now?

Hey, yeah. Why?

Sorry. I just woke up. How did you get home?

What do you mean?

One of the guys dragged me home, right? The last thing I remember is getting wasted.

Oh, so he doesn't remember. Okay. That's fine. I can just go with the flow.

Yeah, Murase-kun brought you home. He said that his place was nearby so I let him bring you to your place. How are you feeling?

Oh. I see. I'm okay. I think I'm feeling the hangover a little bit, but I'm sure it'll pass in a few hours.

"(L/N)-san, you can have the rest of the day off. It's a couple more hours til closing, but I don't think anyone's coming." The manager said.

"Ah, is it really okay?" I asked.

"Yes, you've been working hard all week. You haven't had one absence this month either. You deserve the break, (L/N)." She said.

"Alright. Thank you very much." I said then entered the dressing room to change out of my work uniform, grabbed my bag, then walked out with a bow.

After walking out, I texted Kakihara.

Hey, stay in bed. I'll be there in a couple of minutes.

Okay. Thanks, baby girl (^_-)

I immediately blushed at his reply and furiously answered.

SHUT UP! >~<

I hurried to the bus station to get to his place. I was nervous, but I had to face him. At least he doesn't know what happened when he was drunk. That was a good relief.

☆☆☆

In a few minutes, I already arrived in front of his apartment building. I entered and got a visitor's pass then got inside the elevator and pressed the designated floor.

I stepped out when I arrived on the right floor then headed to his room. I nervously knocked.

"Kakihara? It's (L/N)." I said.

Seriously? It's (L/N)? Of course he'd recognize your voice, you idiot!

"Come in, it's open." He said.

I gently opened the door then closed it when I entered.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked as I approached him. He was laying down on his bed.

Seriously? That again? Didn't you already ask that? Urgh?!?!?

"I'm alright. Besides my dizziness and nausea, I'm pretty much fine." He said with a smile.

"Haha. I'm making porridge." I said with a fake laugh then gave him a stern look.

"Fine~ just buy some. I'm sure they'll deliver." He said.

I was kinda speechless from that point. Well, you see, I don't earn much. I can only spend so little a day and I only use for transportation fee or snacks. I bring a packed lunch everyday and cook for myself during morning and night. I can't let him know that I'm a cheapskate and low-earner.

".. I prefer making it myself." I lied then walked to his refrigerator.

"Let me borrow your kitchen and fridge, yeah?" I said then started working on the porridge.

☆☆☆

"Please, (L/N). Please~" he begged.

I struggled as I sat on his bed and placed a miniature table on top to put his food on. He's been bugging me to feed him, but I feel like he has other plans. There must be a catch.

"Please, (L/N). When I get better, I'll buy you a really nice meal! Well, not the fancy ones that don't even make you full, but the decent ones. Please, (L/N). Please~" he said.

(F/N). You must resist. You must resist. You must resist his temptingly delicious offer.

"Please, (L/N). It can be anywhere you want. Name it. It could be a buffet, a cafe, a fast-food chain, a steakhouse-"

"S-Steakhouse?!"

(F/N)! CALM DOWN! HE'S TRYING TO TRICK YOU! DON'T GIVE IN!

"Yeah, and if you feed me my medicine, I'll buy dessert too. You know those delicious brownies with ice cream on top with a wad of whipped cream and chocolate syrup... so, do we have a deal?" He asked.

(F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! (F/N)! DON'T—

"You bet your bottom dollar, we do!"

ARGH—!

"Ah, (L/N). You're so easy to read." Kakihara said which snapped me out of my thoughts.

Oh my gosh. I just made a fool of myself. I looked so damn cheap like that! Ugh! Agreeing to feeding him for a bribe of food? (F/N), WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

(A/N: (F/N), PLEASE FILL YOUR STOMACH SO YOUR ANGER WILL PASS— //slapped by (F/N))

"Hey, (L/N). I heard that the pay at the department store isn't that high. If you ever need something, just call me. I'll help even if it's just buying a snack or paying for transportation fees." Kakihara said.

"You don't have to do that." I said, declining his offer.

"ButI want to help you." He said.

"Mister, you are not my boyfriend." I said.

"Are you implying I should be your boyfriend before I can offer my help?"

"Yes."

"Then can I be your boyfriend?"

"No."

"Why not?"

I sat down next to him on his bed then answered.

"Because I'm not yet ready for that. I want to be capable when I'm in a relationship. I want to have enough time, enough money, enough relaxation before I get in a relationship. That's my side. I don't like burdening the guy I like." I said.

"Fine, but I'm gonna keep on asking so you better hurry up and say yes." He said as he held my hand.

"Yeah, yeah. Here, eat." I said as I grabbed a spoonful of porridge.

He then opened his mouth as I fed him.

"Wow! This is really good!" He exclaimed then swallowed the spoonful.

"Glad you liked it." I said with a smile.

I may not be the perfect dating kind of person, and I'm not all affectionate either, but I want to take care of people who have always looked after me. Kakihara is a nice guy and I believe I'll have a good relationship with him, but that'll have to wait a little longer.

Well, at least I was starting to see him in a new light. It was the side of Kakihara that I don't think anyone has seen before and I was happy to know that I would be the first to see it.

06|14|2017 ~ 4:45 pm