■3rd Person POV■

It's been a month and a half since Y/N and Hinata met. Ever since his last visit a month ago, Hinata keeps coming to help Y/N at the store when he has free time and visits her mother too.

Today as well, he helps out at the store. Y/N watches as Hinata is getting used to working in the store, interacting with the customers and all, and is touched even more by him, he's like the sun in her dark days.

Hinata: Thank you, so much... please come again~

Customer: oh my, yes yes, we will surely come again.... bye bye Hinata, Y/N chan... lucky Y/N chan to find such a nice man...

Y/N's face reddens but before she could explain it to the customer, they already left.

Honda is watching at the youngster with a playful smirk from the back room. He has been working with the L/N since before he was married.

He knows Y/N since she was young and is happy to see that she looks a bit livelier l since she met Hinata. Losing her father at a young age and found out that her mom has a dangerous illness, Y/N has been putting on a strong act.

But with Hinata around, she doesn't have a chance to act strong because Hinata always helps her out and she started to be more open up.

Everyone at the store is working on their own assignments. Honda is in charge of making the mochi, Hinata is restocking the mochi while Y/N serves the customer, when there's no customer, she helps Hinata.

Just then the telephone rings. Y/N comes and picks it up.

Y/N: hello, L/N Mochi... how can I help you?

Nurse: good afternoon, can I talk with L/N Ieri's daughter.

Y/N's chest tightened and she looks nervous, Hinata notices this and stops whatever he was doing.

Y/N: a-ah yes, it is I L/N Y/N...

Nurse: ah, Ms. L/N, your mother's conditions dropped... please come to the hospital...

Hinata could see the blood drained from Y/N's face and worries resurface. Y/N place the phone down and looks at Hinata.

Y/N: a-ah... I uh have to-

Hinata: let's go

Y/N's eyes widened when she looks at Hinata who looks serious. Honda told them to go while he'll take care of the store, and just like that Y/N and Hinata go to the hospital.

■Hinata's POV■

We're on the taxi heading to the hospital. I can't help but see how scared L/N is. Her body trembles a little and the looks on her face showing how worried she is.

I reach a hand and hold hers in mine. L/N looks up at me and I give her a smile, I need to try to reassure her.

Hinata: she will be okay... the doctors said they're checking her condition right...

I rub circles on the back of her hand and could feel that she's less trembling.

Y/N: Hinata san... mom... will she be alright?

Hinata: yes... we will be there soon okay...

When we arrived we walked to Ieri san's assigned room. When L/N opens the door we see Ieri san is laying on her bed, she looks at us and smiles. The nurse is looking at us and walks to us.

Nurse: ah, L/N...

Y/N: nurse, how's my mother?

Nurse: earlier her condition dropped, she keeps on vomiting... it's probably because of the chemotherapy... we need to watch her more closely... now that you're here and she's stable, I'll leave...

Y/N: thank you...

The nurse leaves and we both walk closer to the bed. L/N holds Ieri's san's hand and brings it to her face.

Y/N: are you okay? You... scared me...

Ieri san smiles and rubs Y/N's cheek.

Ieri: don't worry sweetie... I'm sorry for making you worried...

Ieri san looks at me and smiles.

Ieri: Hinata thank you for coming with Y/N... sorry I might've bothered your time again...

I walk closer and stand next to L/N.

Hinata: not at all, we were at the store... please don't think about anything, just focus on your health Ieri san...

Ieri: oh my, were you two always work at the store before coming here?

Y/N: Hinata san has been helping me and Honda san...

Ieri san thank me for helping out. She tells us that she wishes she could go home soon. She misses the store and the smell of Mochi.

As we talk and Y/N is peeling an apple for Ieri san, the TV is on and a certain drama is played.

Ieri: ah!

Y/N and I look at Ieri san who seems like remember something.

Y/N: what is it, mom?

Ieri san looks at us and smiles.

Ieri: Hinata and Y/N... you guys should go to xxx Park... go on a picnic there... that was Y/N's father and my favorite dating spot... young couple will enjoy their time there...

Dub dub

Couple?

L/N is flustered and she tries to explain things to her mother.

Y/N: m-mom it's a misunderstanding it's uh... Hinata san and I... we aren't...

Ieri: Oh my, I'm sorry.... I thought you guys are already together... Hinata keeps coming here with you that's why...

Ieri san is laughing while L/N and I are a blushing mess.

Ieri: well... you two still could go there and enjoy your time... leave the shop to Honda san...

Ieri san is such a warm person, no wonder Y/N is like how she is, fruit doesn't fall far from the tree after all.

Hinata: well... let us all go there... L/N, me and Ieri san too... so you should get better soon...

I could see L/N and Ieri san's eyes widened. Ieri san's eyes soften and she smiles happily.

Ieri: I'd love that a lot...

I want Ieri san to get better...

So L/N won't make any sad face anymore...

■Y/N's POV■

The visiting hour has come to an end. Though I'm still worried, mom keeps telling me to rest at home.

Y/N: I'll come again tomorrow okay... I'll come earlier...

Just then Hinata san stands next to me.

Hinata: I only have practice in the morning tomorrow so I'll come to if that's okay

Dub dub

Mom smiles at Hinata san and then tells him he could come and she'll be happy to see him.

Hinata san and I walk out of the hospital and like any other day Hinata san walks me home.

I remember when mom misunderstood us and told us to date on her and dad's favorite dating spot.

How does Hinata san feel about that? He must've been surprised...

Y/N: Hinata san...

Hinata: hmm?

Hinata san looks at me as we walk in this empty street.

Y/N: um... s-sorry for what mom said earlier...

Hinata: which one?

I could feel my face grew warm and my chest is pounding. Thinking about it makes my heart racing, saying it makes my chest want to explode.

Y/N: th-the part where she misunderstood us... um... she misunderstands us as a couple-

I feel that Hinata san suddenly stands in front of me so I stop walking.

Y/N: Hinata sa-

Hinata san reaches a hand and gently cups my cheek with his warm hand. My breath hitches with the gentle touch. I look up at Hinata san as he stares at me with tender eyes.

Hinata: then...

I could see a small pink streak crossing his cheeks.

Hinata: can we make it so it wasn't a misunderstanding?

Dub Dub

Huh?

Hinata san stares at me and I can feel that my heart is beating faster.

Hinata: I... like you L/N... do you want to go out with me?

The night is quite windy...

It's cold outside...

But...

My chest feels warm...

As I hear him asking me out....