Aside from the few people idling around and chatting, the field around me was empty. Cherry blossom petals from the blooming trees glided through the soft wind, littering the grass with their pretty colours. Chiaki was seated on the bench next to me, glistening on this March afternoon as he slipped out a pudding cup from the convenience store bag he'd brought along before joining me here five minutes ago.

"'Milk pudding,'" I read aloud. "Is it any good?"

He glanced my way. Considering it was spring vacation and the weather had warmed quite a bit, he'd tied his hair back into a small ponytail. He was even dressed in a Mortal Mania t-shirt as well as a pair of dark shorts. However, his grogginess was imminent as he extended the little cup in his hand.

"Here."

The gesture startled me. I furiously waved. "I can't. It's yours."

"It's fine. I bought a lot."

He beckoned it again and reluctantly, I caved. Picking up the small spoon that accompanied it, I slipped it out of its wrapper. Despite Chiaki's trained stare, I shovelled a spoonful of the still chilled treat into my mouth.

My tongue instantly exploded with flavour.

"Delicious, right?"

"Super delicious!" I declared, taking another bite whilst beaming. "Ah, I'm in love."

His bright green eyes softened as I continued to delightfully eat, lips upturning into a ghost of a smile. "I... really do love your smiles, Teru. They're so pretty."

Feeling my cheeks warm, I sheepishly laughed. "I love your smiles too, Chiaki. Since you rarely show them they mean a lot."

"I've never seen Aki share his pudding...T-Teruhashi is amazing."

I whipped my head in the opposite end of the bench where my other underclassman was. He cowered from behind the railings, his long white hair and red-rimmed glasses poking through.

"Hayate," I immediately called. "You need to try some too! Chiaki brought lots!"

I twisted my body toward the bag only to find Chiaki had scooped it into his arms, protectively pouting. "Do I have to give Haya?"

"Of course," I returned. "I know you love your cold desserts but you can't pick favourites."

His pout grew, as if not fond of the idea. Which puzzled me considering he'd given me one rather easily, and with a smile, no less. After sparing Hayate a quick peek, he returned his attention to me. Dejectedly, he reached inside and slipped another one out.

"If Teru says so..."

Even after I set it right at the edge of the bench, where Hayate was currently crouched beside, that still didn't rid his awed gawking.

"Aki loves his pudding so much. He's usually so stingy..."

Was that true? He'd always been so considerate to me whenever cold desserts were an issue. Granted, he'd never actually bought and shared one with me as of late (it was typically the other way around). But considering this was coming from Hayate—the one who was with him on a daily basis—his words probably held some truth.

"So, when is that event starting, Teru?" Chiaki mumbled, snapping me from my thoughts.

Brightening, I cast my pudding aside and slipped out the colourful flier from the small bag I brought with me. It was the reason behind why I'd called them out here.

A baking competition.

Though that in itself was appealing—especially considering it was open to all citizens who wanted to watch it unfold—what had really caught my interests was the words written at the very bottom of the page.

"'All leftover desserts are to be distributed to the guests who come out to watch'," I recited, ogling the beautiful cakes sprawled across the cover.

"Imagine all of the cold desserts," Chiaki drawled, sparkling.

"And pastries and confections," I eagerly added.

Hayate even appeared dazzled. "I-I bet they'll all have such creative ingredients and designs."

If it wasn't already obvious, all of us were equally as entranced. I had a feeling they'd be, so the moment I came across this flier on the way home from school a while back, I'd invited them all to join me. These two were the only ones who ended up complying.

Koyuki didn't show up today even though I invited him here too. Truthfully, it felt as if the guy had been avoiding me since the trip and I couldn't pin why. Then there was Miko who had her own work to deal with and couldn't come either.

"We still have ten minutes before the event ends," I said, staring dreamily at the clear blue sky. "I've been low on sweets lately and it's been driving me crazy. I can't wait to stuff my face today."

"You've... been low?" Hayate echoed.

Woe instantly masked my features. "Since it's a break, I can't use the school kitchen to bake anymore. And my mom won't let me at home. She cut me off from giving me an allowance so I can't buy desserts as well."

"Not even milk pudding?" Chiaki demanded.

I shook my head. "Not even milk pudding."

"O-or ice cream?"

I shrunk in my seat. He gaped. Even Hayate sent me a sympathetic frown.

I expelled a heavy sigh. "I really need a job..."

"Then, work with me."

Chiaki's declaration stunned me into silence. I jerked his way and was definitely not expecting to see him so serious. Maybe learning I couldn't eat ice cream knocked all the sleepiness out of him.

It took me a while to process his words. "Work... with you?"

He repositioned himself, peeling open another pudding cup.

"My... grandparents have an antique store, and I help out there since they're understaffed. I bet they'd appreciate your help."

I sat straighter in my seat, mouth parted and flapping for words. My memory reruns to nearly a month ago, when I stumbled across him making deliveries in my neighbourhood. It became even more difficult to find my voice. Considering the stern nature of my mom, I'd been sending out applications and resumes to different places, much to no response. Miko even agreed to talk to her managers to get me a job at her flower shop, but that fell through rather quickly as well.

I'd just about lost all hope about regaining my old life filled with prosperity and copious desserts any time soon. And yet...

"I... can't believe a job opportunity was this close to me." Heartbeat picking up in my chest, I leaned forward. "You'll talk to them for me?"

"I do want Teru to live comfortably," he replied. "Besides, if you don't bake, you won't be able to improve. Then you can't make your dream come true."

Dramatic tears filled my eyes. He was so kind...!

"Let me text them." He reached into his pocket and surfaced the device. He tapped rather slowly, leaving me tense. Almost immediately after he sent a message, astonishment consumed his face. "...Oh."

My gut twisted.

Oh?

What did "oh" mean?

"Wh-what?" I asked.

Chiaki hesitantly met my eyes. Apprehension gripped me by the shoulders, making it difficult to breathe.

"Grandma said okay."

No matter how long I stared at him, he didn't flinch, nor did his words stop echoing in my mind.

"What?" I said, dumbly.

He elevated his phone to my ray of sight, giving me a full view of his screen and conversation. "She said okay," he reiterated.

"No way. That quick? This has to be a scam."

I snatched his device out of his hands, bringing it so close to my face it was blurry. But it was there. Her approval. And somehow, she was faster at texting than Chiaki.

"They've been looking for staff for a while now," he elaborated once I handed it back to him. He texted a bit more and nodded at the streamline of texts and emojis she sent in return. Whoever his grandmother was, she was hip and good at typing quick. "Since I'm recommending them, Grandma says she can trust them."

"I-I'm trusted?"

He returned his phone into his pocket. "You still have to come in for an interview though."

"Chiaki!" I cheered, practically swooping him into a big side hug. "You're the best! Your grandmother is the best! Thank you!"

His entire body stiffened because of the sudden contact but it took a while for me to notice. More so, his timid reaction that followed after I retreated, consisting of him fiddling with his short bangs that draped his forehead. I giggled.

"Congratulations... Teruhashi," Hayate called over from where he was.

I beamed like an idiot as I swivelled to face him. "I can't believe this is happening!"

A lightbulb went off above my head.

"Oh, by the way, Hayate. You can stop the whole 'Teruhashi' thing. It's way too formal. Since we're friends now, just call me Kotori."

"K-K-K..." He stumbled in so much shock he collapsed on his back.

"H-Hayate! Are you okay?" I lurched to my feet, dashing to his side to gingerly aid him up.

He scrambled from me at once, warding me off with his palms. His blue eyes were wider than saucers, red claiming every inch of his face and ears, proving his embarrassment. He vigorously nodded then proceeded to bashfully twiddle his thumbs.

Relief washed over me.

"Sorry," I said, meekly. "It's too tall of a hurdle, huh? Since I call you by your first name, I wanted things to be less formal between us. A nickname is fine, too. How about Koto? Tori? Teru—"

"He can't steal 'Teru,'" Chiaki interjected.

Both of our heads craned his way to find him pouting as defensively as he did with the pudding earlier. I laughed and returned my gaze to Hayate.

"It's up to you, of course," I said. "What do you think? Which would make you the most comfortable?"

With much reluctance, he lifted his head to properly address me. I flashed him a grin. His wonderment didn't fall—if anything, it grew alongside his flushed complexion. The more he pondered the idea, the redder his face and limbs became. Upon realizing that, I stiffened and demurely chuckled.

"I guess a nickname or my first name would be a little too friendly after all, huh? Forget I said anything—"

"Koto...ri...n."

His whisper accompanied by even more blushing succeeded in making me gasp. Leaning forward so we were eye to eye, I beamed brighter than anticipated.

"That's perfect! Again!"

He stared at me, a lot easier, which I deemed was due to my elation. Voice still soft and small, he did so: "Koto...rin."

"One more time!" I cheered. "More confidently!"

"Kotorin!"

Onlookers stopped to gawp—but that was to the least of my concern. Hayate's too. That was the loudest I'd ever heard him.

Animated sparkles had filled my countenance. "Hayate! You did it! I love it!"

A matching smile on his face, he nodded, equally as amazed. "Y-you do?"

"I do! So, so much! Thank you!"

Beaming, I rose my hands for a high five. He delivered, albeit timidly.

We might have appeared like weirdos to those around us. However, it seriously energized me. Only a while ago, we were on such terms whet he found it difficult to face me, let alone speak. Not only had he come out here with Chiaki upon my request, but he was talking to me and did his best to overcome his awkwardness to call me by my first name.

What did I do to get an angel so precious on my side?

"Teru really is awesome." Chiaki's words broke me from my reverie. "Haya isn't even that sociable around me."

Amazing? I waved him off, rising to my feet. "I'm normal. Besides, after the whole birthday cake incident, we've been getting along a lot better. We've found a lot of joint interests."

"Kotorin likes Royal Sweets too," Hayate spoke up.

Chiaki's eyebrows furrowed. "Royal...?"

"You haven't heard of it?" I demanded, balling my fists. "Royal Sweets is the best baking manga in existence. An anime adaption needs to come soon or poor hearts like ours will die from sadness."

Hayate vigorously bobbed his head in agreement.

Chiaki jutted his chin. "Well, Teru and I both like milk pudding."

Why was he competing?

One glimpse at Hayate and the imaginary flower sprouting from his head, I wasn't given a clue.

I glanced up once more at the sky, slowly fluttering my lashes. Now that I thought about it, why did it feel like I was forgetting something important?

It took three seconds for it to settle in, and for me to gasp loud enough to jolt even those standing feet away.

"Teru?"

"Kotorin?"

I swerved for my bag to check the time displayed on my cell, then scooped up my half-eaten pudding cup. Panic swelled inside of me.

"Th-the competition!" I sputtered. "We're late!"

***

It's been a while since Chiaki and Hayate were in a chapter together. Hopefully this was still enjoyable to read.

Also, do tell me if you have a favourite character or characters! Or, maybe a character you're looking forward to learning more about! And what are your opinions about Chiaki/Hayate?

PS: Both Chiaki and Hayate are the types who gives cute nicknames to everyone around them. How precious.

Thanks for reading! <3