For the last & first time... I do not own. Please enjoy.

Simplicity—
kesshou
uryou

Memory 00

--

It's the start of another relatively similar day as I'm thoughtfully chewing on some unidentifiable breakfast. Wake up, shower, dress, try to tame my hair, and grab something to eat. It would be a perfectly fine Saturday morning if I didn't have work in just a little while.

It should be illegal on Saturdays. But hey, what are you going to do? Obviously nothing.

The TV's just rattling off something on a news channel, and I'm not even listening at all. Neither am I picking up anything my mom is talking about, waving her hand unnecessarily as she she's stirring up another portion of whatever I'm shoveling down.

Ever since this summer began, I think the very thing that's been driving me for the past year has finally registered to my mom. The last year of high school and now the last summer is here. It's the final stretch, and my mom is finding absolutely any excuse to rant to me, and I can't decide whether to feel guilty or not about hardly paying attention to her.

If I don't even know how to react to this with my mom, I don't even want to think about how it's going to go over with my dad. At least I've hung out with my mom for years before the official divorce. My dad and I… we're like strangers. And I kind of want to keep it that way.

College is supposed to be awesome, but right now, just the idea of getting to that point sucks. Which really isn't making me feel optimistic right about now when I finally catch a couple words of my mom's and I realize she's talking about the ongoing news broadcast. Then there's the dreaded question.

"Are you listening, Kairi?"

I open my mouth and shut it, then open it again to take another bite before chewing ever so slowly, to buy time. Only nothing comes to me. I need to get out of here fast and just calm down. This isn't such a big deal even if it suddenly feels like it is. But suddenly work today doesn't sound nearly as bad as it did a moment before.

"Mhm… Thanks for the food, mom. I better get going." My mom's whipping her head around, that ridiculously embroidered apron fluttering with the motion. She did it herself between her photography fetish and china collection obsession. That was back during her sewing phase. Now it's try to bond with your one and only daughter until you lose her to the horrors of college.

She frowns but hides it well as she waves me off, and I do just that and I'm out that room. I peak behind the fluttering curtain in the open window by the front door to see what it's like out. It's a sunny day but the sky is dotted with numerous gray clouds. I decide it's nothing to worry about. Summer storms come and go and I fetch my shoes and I tie them up in record time on the window sill. Then there's only a light summer jacket I fling over my shoulder before I'm off.

I close the door behind me and lean against it for just a second to clear my head. Not that work doesn't do that for me. Nothing like menial labor to get your mind off of things. I'm just not sure if there is anything for me to get my mind off of. It's all rather confusing.

Or so I like to think.

It's after a silent and uncomfortable bus that I'm finally dropped off two blocks from my current job. It's far from thrilling, but I'm at that age when you do stuff like this for short change. I walk in and am greeted with the familiar smell of coffee and pastries and assorted dishes. I'm greeted with the familiar sight of munching customers and tables begging to be cleared. The most pleasant sight is the bubbly Selphie at the counter, half-leaning, half-standing as she offers a wave in greeting.

Her grins are usually infectious and today's no different, fortunately. I kick the tips of my shoes into the linoleum floor to get my bearing before I walk over. I offer a word of greeting before walking into the kitchen to get my apron and secure it tightly. Then I make my way over and take up my customary place next to Selphie for about three seconds before I remember I'm at work, not socializing.

"You're a little early today. Something up?" Selphie chimes in when I'd rather she not. She's folding the utensils up into their respective napkins and placing them in an ever growing pile. I watch idly.

"Not really. Can't I just be early for once?" I shrug a shoulder, heaving up an empty tub and prepare to make my rounds for dirty dishes and the like. Selphie looks up, biting her lip.

"No offense, but you lost your early streak a long time ago. And you hate working Saturdays…" she let it dangle there, but I got the message.

"My mom's just being overly talkative again. No big deal." Selphie shoots up an eyebrow, but she lets me get away with that, and I'm willing to take the opportunity. Naturally.

The next while is spent in great silence, mostly on my part. Selphie throws a few snippets at me between my taking orders and transporting food and clearing tables and I just nod or shake my head and all's right in the world.

Then he walks in. I spend the better part of the next few minutes trying to decide if I care or not and whether or not I should. And most importantly, should I even let myself look at him. Because that just seems childish and stupid, but hey, I've got nothing better to do. Besides work, that is, because that doesn't count.

Selphie has noticed what's up when I approach her. She offers a grin as she stands there ever so still and shrugs in apparent lack of knowledge on this matter. Jeez… and Selphie's supposed to be talented in sprouting off advice when it's needed.

"Do whatever you think is best." Then she's off into the kitchen to get the replacement cake for the one that's been devoured from the display window. This job really is so much easier when you're working the counter slash bar. But today's not my day for it so I'm left being jealous of Selphie as I go about getting someone else's order. Because that's what I'm supposed to be doing in the first place.

And it's just my luck that it's only one table over from him. I bring my pad and pen up to begin jotting down whatever this guy has to say as I stare indiscriminately out of the corner of my eye. Unfortunately my pen is scribbling on its own accord, and I fully glance back to read what I just wrote and can't make out a word. I'm barely saved from having to voice my embarrassment and ask him to repeat the order again. Instead he's speaking.

"So who is he?" I'm blinking and staring at him now and my confusion finally settles into a light blush.

"Is it that obvious?" I say as I rub the back of my head sheepishly. He's grinning. That's a good sign. Nothing like an angry customer to ruin your day. And if I didn't know any better, it feels like I'm about to be teased here.

"Yeah," he says without any hesitation at all. He dramatically winces as he says it, and I have to resist the urge to swat at him with my pad for taking orders in a familiar fashion. Instead I pluck the black pen I'm holding behind my ear with a little frown that isn't there because I'm in a bad mood. I'm rather wanting to smile amusedly.

"Well, I guess it's because I'm not sure what to do…" I trail off uncertainly but then frown in realization at how stupid it sounds when you say something semi-personal like that. I drop the frown and put on one of those smiles anyone involved in customer service has developed to use as second nature. I'm not sure, but he seems suddenly put off.

I decide there's other things to be do than ask if he really is. Especially because asking that would sound a tad too rude.

"So… this is embarrassing to say, but I missed that order. What was it again?" He's staring off straight ahead, and I let my eyes wander one table over in a moment of weakness. They snap right back on target, however, when he's speaking again. So credit is deserved where credit is due.

He smiles at me as if his grin before was all an act, and I have to blink off the intensity of it. "Whatever coffee you'd recommend." I tilt my head to my side, wondering if that really was what he had said before, and I'm thinking a whole-hearted no on that matter but I nod and I'm off. With a few more glances in an obvious direction, of course. I'm too out of it to realize that if he just wanted coffee he could have just gone up to the counter.

Selphie's back, attending to a customer at the counter, dishing out some particularly delicious looking cookies. A con of the restaurant business has got to be how hungry you get while you're working.

I'm completely unresponsive as I round the counter and pick up an empty cup from the stack and absentmindedly begin brewing up a particular type. Whatever it is I'm craving at the moment. Selphie tilts her head back to get a good look at me once she's free.

"I was watching. If it was eating at you that much, you should have just said hi while you were over at that cutie's table." I stop what I'm doing, nearly spilling the contents of the cup in the process. First thing first, I glance at the object of my attention. And Selphie's words strike me as logical as I stray to look over at the table I had just been at and realize he is good looking. Finally it's back to Selphie, wondering if I should be resentful for her giving me advice so late into the game or just be thankful she's come up with something.

All that and how I could not have thought that one up. Sometimes I'm no good in the moment.

I cap the brimming cup and thoughtlessly begin walking back to the table, calming my nerves down because there's no need to be anxious in the first place. But still I can't keep my eyes on the customer as I hand the cup over with a distracted smile and mumble words and turn away towards my current objective.

"Good luck."

I glance back with surprise but definitely not unwelcoming to the development. I nod just slightly, rather embarrassed that I'm that transparent. But that's out of my mind as I make a quick friendly stop at a table that isn't one of the many I attend to.

"Hey." It's quiet and soft-spoken, but that's normally how I am most of the time anyway. And my voice is stable and calm and I'm relaxed now which is good because I'm not the type to get overly nervous.

He looks up at my greeting and I smile lightly because I'm good at producing smiles when I want to. He offers a grin back and I'm completely worry free.

"Hey, Kairi. I didn't know you worked here." I shrug and take a quick glance out the window behind him.

"Well, now you know. Have you ever been here before when I wasn't on shift?" Sometimes I've been complimented for my ease of conversation and I'm truly thankful for it at this moment. Actually, I don't think I've ever met someone who I couldn't find words for. And no matter how romantic that prospect sounds, I'd never want that to happen.

I hate awkward situations.

"Just ran in and out. I've never actually sat down and eaten here." My mouth forms an understanding "O" shape. I nod to show I'm listening, and I wonder how much time I can get away with before I have to get back to work. I consider this as I speak again.

"Well, tell me how it is, okay?" I would have offered to take over this table for whoever else is covering it today, but I know that's he's already ordered and now it'll just seem strange. All other possibilities of interacting with him at that moment, however, are completely obliterated as I hear a small commotion behind me. We both turn our heads at the same time.

There he is, that guy and his coffee that has managed to spill all over the table and is dripping onto the familiar floor. I almost feel a headache coming on. I fully turn back around and grin apologetically.

"Sorry, I've got to take care of this, Roxas."

"No problem." He waves me off and even though I'm rushing back into the kitchen to wet some rags to clean the mess up, I can't help the smile inching up my face.

As I walk by, Selphie gives me a thumbs up and winks. "Too bad the coffee had to spill," she mutters and then is talking to another customer. I silently agree.

Armed and ready to tackle the mess, I hastily make my way back to the site of disaster. The first thing that the guy who spilt the coffee says to me isn't what I expected, however.

"No offense, but that coffee wasn't really good." My mind draws a blank at that, but I'm back on track a moment later. I can't help but feel slightly offended despite what he said. Although, I have to admit, he doesn't really seem the kind to hurt people verbally and his face completely agrees with that conclusion.

"Hey, shouldn't you be apologizing for spilling it?" I'm frowning slightly, still somewhat in a daze over the unexpected topic of discussion. I take a quick glance and am relived that Roxas isn't seeing me so clearly frustrated. Because there is this internal debate over "the customer is always right" raging in my head.

"I'll excuse it just this once because you were obviously distracted." He holds his index finger up for emphasis and I tilt my head with thoughtfully narrowed eyes. But then it sinks in and I stop my circular motions of wiping up the table to place a hand over my mouth. That's when he breaks into a full grin.

It sounds really childish, and it is, but it's the second time that day I want to fling something at him. A dirty rag would do just fine. I'm almost half way through the motion too when I stop and sigh and am back to wiping up the mess. For the first time ever, I hear his laugh, and I have to admit I like it. Even though I don't like why he is laughing in the first place.

Unfortunately, it's all downhill from there because Roxas turns around and catches my eyes and I'm looking down at the table with a blush because I can't see my shoes at the moment. It's all rather horrible.

I turn a mild glare at the source of my embarrassment and find I can't hate him for it. I'm just too nice, which really, really sucks.

"Hey it isn't my fault that you were distracted and gave me something incredibly horrible. I can't even guess what you put in there. So you should be apologizing for that." And my realization of just a few moments ago is back, this time accompanied by guilt. I can't believe I was paying so little attention that I'd screw up such a simple order. But I have a little pride.

"I'll only say sorry if you apologize first. After all, it's common courtesy. You didn't have to go and spill something that wasn't good. You could have just got my attention and I would have gotten you another right away." I realize quickly that it was all probably an accident, but I can't exactly back off now. And he really does look like he's thinking about what I just said so that I feel a sense of accomplishment before he completely obliterates that too.

"Nah, I was doing you the favor. He wasn't interested." My eyes go wide and my cheeks are burning in outrage and embarrassment. But he still gets the next word in. "Besides, how do you know that I just didn't drop it to get your attention? It looked like it was going to be pretty hard to do so I might have just needed to take extra measures."

"H-hey," I manage after a moment, "That was pretty cruel." I can't believe I'm even saying that because his face is showing no words of contempt. There's actually this little carefree grin trying to conquer his lips. I feel like I'm being teased but can't realize it. I can't even tell if he's serious or not. Yeah, that headache is definitely coming on.

"Was it? I didn't mean to be." I stare at him with his innocent smile on, and I'm working at what to say as I continue cleaning up. I never get the chance. I turn around at the sound and so does this confusing guy and we stare at Roxas take out his cell phone and begin to talk. It's not a few moments later, I swear, that he's getting up and leaving money at the table. I stand there frozen and he comes up to me and speaks apologetically.

"Sorry I have to go. I'll see you around."

I still haven't recovered. Roxas shoots the guy next to me a glance. Then he's looking back at me.

"I didn't know you got a boyfriend. Congrats." He pats my shoulder as he walks away, and I'm standing there, eyes wide, my voice stuttering out an unheard "you're mistaken."

Roxas walks up with that familiar jingle of bells on the door and behind me comes the laughter. I cock my head towards him for a full minute. The next my hand is up covering half my face, and I feel like I'm betraying myself as I start laughing too. Damn him and his contagious laugh. But I think I have to admit that this is all laughable in one way or another. Or at least he makes it seem that way.

I open my eyes after I've regained my composure, and it's then that I'm wincing a bit at the state of his sweatshirt. There's an attention-grabbing, large coffee stain right there, and I'm shifting my weight uneasily. I don't know why, but somehow I have stumbled into a guilt trip. And it really isn't fair because he hasn't even apologized yet.

But the more I think about it, there's even less for him to apologize for.

"Ah… that stain. I'll guess in the end I'll have to say sor-" Funny, now I'm humble.

"Forget about it. It'll come off… I hope." I want to pout at that. Way to reassure me just to leave me hanging.

But then it hits me, and then I think I finally catch on. Which really makes me feel stupid.

"You really get a lot of amusement out of making fun of people, huh?" I can't help but think I am a comical sight when I put my hands on my hips and cock an eyebrow.

"I don't know what you mean." And I almost believe him and his small smile. Almost. But then again, he's one of those genuine kinds of people, ones that get you doubting your judgment over them. So I decide he meant no harm. Still, he doesn't have to know that.

"Okay, I see how it is." I say it with the same exact tone he had spoken in, and it's a good feeling that I get. I don't know how I've went from meeting a total stranger today to joking around with that said same stranger. It would be all rather amusing if I thought about it later, I'm sure, but right now I'm in the middle of a conversation.

Which, because this guy is unpredictable, is pausing momentarily.

"If you do, then I'm sure you wouldn't mind getting me some non-toxic coffee this time." This time I have the resist the urge to stick my tongue out as I wipe down the last of the coffee spill. I nod to show I heard him and I'm walking away from that table for the third time that day.

Selphie's looking at me like she's got a lot to say, but she's in the middle of calming down an aggravated customer. I mouth something or other which she apparently understands and reassures her. I find my amusement in watching the ticked off middle-aged woman complaining loudly at Selphie as I carefully make a proper order this time.

I sympathetically glance at Selphie when I'm done and usher myself back to the recipient of the steaming coffee. When he reaches his hands out for it, I make sure the exchange of ownership is very careful. I'm not cleaning another spill up today. And if I had my way, I'd never do it again.

I make my way to step back again from the table as I prepare to excuse myself, but this guy is persistent. Deciding whether I care or not is for later.

"Wait, can I have a menu? I think I want something to eat now." This is unbelievable, and I have to resist saying it. Still, it's all oddly amusing.

I come back a moment later with the menu, and he's ensnared me in another conversation.

"I have to say that I don't understand why he wasn't interested. If that makes you feel any better. You are attractive." So it was back to that. Ah, his comment about Roxas not caring about me at all in that way. I'm not offended. I'm not blushing either. I think.

"Flattery will get you no discounts." I tap his menu and revert him back to deciding what to get. The only reason I'm waiting around is because he clearly said he would choose in a second while I walked away to get the menu. He is such a liar.

"I figured." I'm hiding my smile. I wait patiently for a few moments more as he flips the pages nonchalantly, and my eyes are wandering again as I'm holding in a breath without even realizing it. Then he's motioning me closer. From where I'm standing, I lean over just a bit over his shoulder.

"What's this?" He points hurriedly at something or other on the menu, and I'm left blinking, not knowing quite what he had been pointing to just a moment before. It's funny too. I thought this menu was pretty self-explanatory. I stand corrected. Oddly enough, I'm not surprised he could find a way.

"What is what?" I finally chime in after a moment's pause of my incessant blinking. Then he's carelessly flipping the page again, and I slowly inch back to my full height. I eye the back of his head just so I can freely stare at him however I want without him seeing. This time, I'm the one holding off a laugh as I make a face.

He shifts around suddenly, and I'm not sure in just what expression my face has frozen, but it's obviously enough for him to get a short laugh out of it before drawing out a simple, "Yeah, I'll have a hamburger." I open my mouth, but he cuts me off, "Medium-well."

Out of reflex my hands writes this down as I try to loose the tension in my face and stop myself from lightly glaring. He really has no care that he's not in the least bit familiar with me. It's refreshing, but I don't think I'm wrong in saying he's completely overstepping his boundaries.

I am very, very tempted to condemningly drawl out an "and you needed the menu and all that time just for that?" But of course I don't say a word. I'm not nearly as confident in being totally casual. Which, horribly enough, seems like such a cool attribute to have.

I tug the menu out of his loose fingers and wave off his grin as I get back to what I'm supposed to be doing. And even though I was working back there, it didn't feel like it. It all sets in a whole lot better, however, when I rip out the sheet with his order on it. I pick up a plastic tub and gather more dishes and throw those in the sink and then somehow end up getting my hands wet. I'm drying them on the front of my apron as I step back into the main restaurant, and it's then I notice it has started raining. Wonderful.

It's not like I don't like the rain. It's just I don't like trekking through it on my way home when I'd rather be nice and dry. Too bad my shift for today's almost over. I usually don't have to work much on Saturdays but it's at the cost of a break.

I decide worst things could happen as I watch a few people come in, a few people out, just like I always do. Selphie has been fidgeting in anticipation for conversation, but it's either her or me preoccupied, and I just don't feel like explaining it all at the moment.

I think I'm just tired. That's my thought as that hamburger's done, and I scoop up the dish onto a tray with other assorted orders as I begin my march of service. It's very unglamorous, really. I don't know why I always thought as a little girl that being a waitress for a temporary job would be cool. It's not really, but it's not too far from my future college or my house. And it doesn't pay too poorly. Oh, and yeah, there's Selphie, but that is always a given.

At this point in time I am completely unaware that this job has other things going for it. But that's latter. A hamburger being delivered is now.

He takes it gratefully without a word but rather a customary grin. Selphie takes this opportunity to swoop by on her way to the kitchen and reminds me cheerfully that I've only got twenty minutes to go. I smile appreciatively because we both know that I don't like coming in on Saturdays when I'm used to sleeping in late.

I have half a mind to just go home and ignore my mom and just plop down on my bed and sleep for a while longer. But first there's that rain to get through. Oh well, I'll deal with that in twenty minutes. And these rain spells usually never last long in the summer like I was thinking just that morning. Here's to hoping.

Which is, sadly enough, a toast with only a glass of water from the sink in the kitchen because I'm not old enough to drink alcohol in the first place. And I'm not very tempted to do it. I did get a hangover once, but it ironically was when I was with my mom. Memories like those make me think she isn't really cut out to be a parent.

But I'm not about to go blaming her because she's the only person in the world I'd call true family. We've been through everything together. And I understand this is why she's being so attached at the moment, but it really isn't doing anything for me except getting me annoyed. So it would be nice if she would understand where I was coming from for once.

That's not right now, however. I'm pulling on the light summer jacket that I had enough sense to bring because of the threat of rain even though I was stupid enough to not take the damn umbrella. Ah well, a life lesson for next time. Better safe than sorry because apparently self-toasts with sips of tap water don't stop rain from falling.

And it makes me wonder about what I had been thinking in the first place to even do that. I come to the conclusion I was thirsty. Simple enough.

I'm coming out of the kitchen now and there's Selphie waving an enthusiastic goodbye with this look in her eyes like she knows something that you don't. It's actually making me a bit uncomfortable, and I really have no idea as to why she's looking at me like that. I'd rather not think about it.

Selphie's and my shift usually line up because we make it work that way. But she missed out on a day earlier this week so she's making up for it now. I can tell by the way she's looking at me that she didn't want me to get away today without questioning me first. But she lets it go. I must not look like I wanted to start that a conversation right now, and she's ringing someone's bill up anyway, and I notice it's "coffee boy" who proceeds to pay and catch up to me on my way out.

It doesn't occur to me until much, much later that this is all rather coincidental. No, it doesn't because I have my thin jacket's hood up, taking quick steps in the direction of the bus stop. It's all part of my mind being preoccupied by the amount of water pouring from the overhead clouds.

It's only when I get to the bus stop that I realize that there's already a small crowd waiting under any available cover from the downpour, and I'm left standing there at the mercy of the rain. Then my shoulder is tapped, and I tilt my head back around to see him there and what surprises me the most is how I'm not surprised at seeing him there.

"Hello." I am, however, taken back that I'm the first one to say something. He was, after all, the one to get my attention. "You take this bus too?"

"Ah, not really but I can take whatever route home. I'm in no rush." Which, I think, is the exact opposite of me. It's just kind of sad I'm racing home without anything to do but sleep. But now that I think about it, the rain that's plastering my hair to my forehead would be something I'd like to get out of as soon as possible.

"Anyway," he begins a second later, and I'm staring at him with numerous blinks. It's partially to get the water out of my eyes and because I'm expectantly waiting for the rest of what he's going to say in a clueless manner like always. I should break that habit.

"Kairi…" he trails off with this grin I have to call goofy and I wonder what's so funny that coffee boy has to make fun of me over it. Then I pause and breathe and think for a moment. Because I could have swore…

"You know my name?" I take this opportunity to notice that coffee boy's hair is actually like the color of coffee. I never fail to find the ironies in life.

"Well, you do have this nametag clipped to your apron…" Ah, the classic nametag answer. That clears things up pretty easily.

"That's right. I sort of forgot about that for a moment." I get the notion here to ask for his name for some unknown reason. I don't think I'll ever see him more than just a few rare times after today, but it's still suddenly something I want to ask. He just happens to cut me off before I can, though.

"And about that…" We're just staring at each other as he looks off behind me, and I almost want to look behind me to see what's so interesting, but I know he's just having a bit of trouble getting his words out. Frankly, it surprises me. Because, well, he's been pretty collected so far.

"Yeah?" I seriously have no idea what to expect. Coffee boy (ah, I still haven't asked his name) is unpredictable as far as I'm concerned.

"Yeah… you're still wearing it." It takes a while to sink in as I move a clingy wet bang out of my eyes to stare at him. Then I realize he was just having a hard time saying that because he was trying to keep a straight face on at the same time. I know this well because now he's laughing without restraint. And I'm neither looking offended or amused as I just simply stare. Then it does sink in.

"Ah, crap!" I don't get much farther because he laugh really is contagious even when I'm feeling like a total idiot walking around in an apron on the streets. I also would like to say that the way he's laughing right now just scrunches his face up too comically for me to handle. And I don't even know what I'm laughing about anymore, as we both try to recover, standing in the middle of the rain, waiting for a bus to come.

I decide an apron can be dried, and I'll do just that, but that's later. Now is laughter. I finally get around to what I've been meaning to say too, although we haven't really gotten all that somber yet.

"This is going to sound dumb, but I've been referring to you as "coffee boy" in my head. So I'd like to know your real name." He bursts into an entirely new bout of laughter at that, and I swat at him carelessly without hitting my target. It's impossible not be causal at this very moment.

"It's Sora," he says as he is still laughing, but I like it that way because I think his name would sound best with laughter. It's just the type of person he is. He offers his hand or maybe I offer mine, but we're shaking hands and laughing and grinning and I'm wondering how the hell this all happened.

But it doesn't matter. I'm standing in the rain, shaking hands with this guy I just met as we wait for a bus to show up. It's just so charmingly simple, and that's why I can't help but love that moment.

Worries could be later. Happiness is now.

--

I must confess. Most of this chapter, or so to say this introduction to a possible story, was written with a smile on my face. Even when I'm thinking about what I'm going to write, I'm smiling. It just brings a smile to my face. So I'm hoping that it makes you smile too.

This is not an angsty/dramatic experience here. It's romance, simple and pure without complications galore. I must ask for reviews, if only for your reaction and if I should continue. I'm not very good with chaptered fics and this could stand alone, but I'm willing to give this a shot because the concept was just so much fun to write.

Please review! Love to the readers & (hopefully) the reviewers too.