1.
Narumi's POV
It was mid winter. Heavy snow was cascading on the streets and there were people frolicking everywhere. As I looked out my dainty café's window I saw two stunningly beautiful girls around the age of 16 talking and laughing. After a sometime, I heard the brunette coloured haired girl bid goodbye to her acquaintance.
I heard the chimes of my shop make a soft soothing sound. There on the doorstep I saw the brunette girl. She sat in the first seat she saw and let her eyes wander around the shop and carefully scanned the area. She took a menu and browsed through the list of food we serve. Cheerfully smiling, She walked toward me at the bar and said,
"Hi! My name is Mikan Sakura. Um… Is there an chance that you are hiring?"
We were full at the moment but how could I resist a cute and innocent girl like her?
I instantaneously replied "Hai. I am Narumi. Nice to meet you! Do you know how to serve tables?"
She nodded and elegantly picked up the oriental tray and exquisitely balanced it on her hands with extreme ease.
"I used to be a waitress in my Jii-chan's bakery. I can bake too." Mikan said.
"You're hired!" I said with the biggest smile that my face could hold. I tossed her an apron and told her to get behind the bar so I could teach her more things.
Then suddenly the lights dimmed and a spotlight appeared on the stage. It's time. I thought.
"Ne, Narumi-sensei what's going on?" she asked with utmost curiosity.
"Sensei??" I chuckled a bit.
"Your teaching me things right? So you're my sensei!" She said.
"Okay! The lights are dimmed because the show is about to start!" I replied to her earlier question.
"What show?" She asked again.
"Its-" before I could say anything further Natsume got on stage. He had gorgeous raven hair and striking crimson eyes. He also had the most angelic voice but I never told him; he might burn down my cafe.
He sat on a wooden stool with his guitar. Then he started to strum and he sang: "I'll be" by: Edwin McCain
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
And emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated; I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
And rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
And I've dropped out, I've burned up
I fought my way back from the dead
I've tuned in, I've turned on
Remembered the things that you said
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your whole life
"Sugoi! Narumi-sensei, who is he?" she asked with an even bigger smile on her face.
"Natsume" I said.
"He's so good. I wish I had a voice like him!" she said.
"Narumi-sensei?"
"Hmm?"
"When do I start? Working here, I mean" she asked. I turned around instinctively. I walked in the kitchen then I saw humongous piles of dirty, disgusting and unwashed plates. Pots and pans scattered everywhere. Conspicuous spills and stains on the kitchen tiles. I could only describe it with one word "chaos". I turned back and had a sly smile plastered on my face.
"You can start now! By cleaning the kitchen" I tried to keep my smiling face but there was a slight chance that my face showed some pity.
"Hai!" she said. I handed her a tattered rag and some yellow rubber gloves then she merrily skipped into the kitchen unbeknown of what awaits her.
5…4…3…2…1... I was impatiently counting in my head waiting for 'it' but then silence.
Eh?? I'll count again 5…4…3…2…1... Silence. Huh?? By now I was really REALLY bewildered.
I hurriedly went back into the kitchen and I saw her intensely scrubbing and thoroughly rinsing the plates.
"Hi Narumi-sensei! Are you checking if I'm doing my job? Don't worry I don't slack off. I'm a very hard worker!" She said very energetically.
"Not at all Mikan-chan. I just left uhh… this spoon!! Yeah! This spoon! Hehe…" I had to make an excuse. I can't believe she didn't whine and complain. I myself wouldn't never ever wash off those gross and egregious chunks of left over food. It was just plain nasty. I slipped out the kitchen door not wanting to see anymore plates only to find Natsume sitting on one of the chairs of the bar.
"Oi! Naru, where's my pay?" he said with such cold scrutinizing eyes.
I fished out a wee white envelope from my back pocket and handed it over to him. Natsume nonchalantly tore it open and counted the money inside.
"I need more." He simply stated.
I turned my head and through the small window I saw her with a humongous pile of dishes still waiting to be washed. I sighed.
"I'll make you a deal. I'll ask you to do little things around here. Maybe help out a little bit and I'll double your pay." I offered.
"Hn." was all he said. I wonder what he needs the money for. His salary is undeniably larger compared to the other employees here. Ah none of my business anyways.
"Natsume, are you still going through with 'it' ?" I asked.
"Hn." then silence.
"ahh...". Quickly changing the topic I told him, "You can start helping out here by helping Mikan-chan wash those dirty dishes over there." I said as I opened the doors to the kitchen.
"Mikan-chan! Natsume will help you clean the kitchen." I practically yelled.
"It's okay Narumi-sensei I can handle it. My Jii-chan's kitchen was filthier and more revolting than this." She flashed a smile and went back to work.
"Guess she doesn't need me." I heard a deep husky voice from behind.
"Fine. Just stay here and watch the cafe for me I'll just go out and buy some things." I said as I took my coat headed off.
But I really didn't leave. I hid behind the tree near the shop and observed the two closely. Natsume didn't do anything, typical. He just continued sitting on the chair and stared at the clock but then after a great amount of time he started snoozing.
As expected of him. Oh well. I was about to wake him up but then Mikan came out of the kitchen sophisticatedly carrying a small martini glass with some kind of white thing inside.
I guess she took a break. I thought.
As she laid the dessert on the counter he stirred then he leisurely opened his eyes gave a small yawn and stretched his arms. Then he saw Mikan smiling at him.
"Good morning Natsume!" She said although the moon was still up in the sky.
"Did you have a nice sleep?" she asked.
"Hn." He plopped his strong arms on the counter and watched her munch the dessert she created.
"Do you want to try this? I made it."
"What's that?"
"Its panna cotta with chocolate syrup and some grapes on top" she flashed him another smile.
She handed him a spoon and he took a bite out of it. She also started to eat again.
"How's the taste?"
"I don't hate it." He then took another unmistakably big scoop and placed it inside his mouth.
Mikan pouted a little but then slowly her expression changed into a determined one.
"Okay then." she started. "I will make a promise that as long as I am not able to make a dessert that you would love I will always work in this cafe."
"Don't make stupid promises little girl." he replied then he grabbed the martini glass from Mikan's hand and groveled on the dessert. He left the spoon and glass on the bar and walked out but not before smirking and saying
"If that promise was real you'd be gone by now."
He left Mikan with the shock of her life. Making her happy and silly at the same time. It meant that he liked her dessert. He really liked it. She was ecstatic, overwhelmed, flabbergasted and couldn't help but smile all night. I was smiling too happy that she was able to make friends already. Then I heard the same deep husky voice.
"It's not nice to eavesdrop on other people's conversations you know." I turned and saw the back of Natsume going farther and farther into the distance.
So he knew. He knew I was there all along and yet he didn't mind if he ruined reputation infront of me. Being nice to a girl that was unexpected from Natsume. He was known for his callous and uncaring attitude and now he was being nice?? What's going on? and he also said he liked the dessert. Although indirectly. It was implied...
I started to see swirls so I decided to go in and sit down.
"Are you okay Narumi-sensei?" Mikan asked and assisted me with a glass of water.
"Yes, I'm great." I replied then a thought just popped in my head.
"Mikan-chan?"
"Yes, Narumi-sensei?"
"Can I ask you to make more of those dessert things you made for my cafe? I'm going to put it the menu." He looked at her hopefully.
"Sure. No problem" She grinned and walked in the kitchen to continue cleaning.
Yes! with this my cafe will surely gain popularity. I'll put posters everywhere stating that THE Natsume actually liked this dessert but I need help. I know I'll call my friend and ask.
RING RING RING
"Hello?" the voice of girl around her 30's answered.
"Hi! Imai-san! can you help with some fliers for my cafe?"
"Naru-kun! sorry but i got a lot of things to do. Don't worry I'll ask my daughter to help." she said with assurance.
"Thank you! Can you ask her to come to my cafe tomorrow at around 7 in the morning?"
"Okay. Bye Naru let's have lunch sometime."
"Bye." then I hung up the phone. I can't wait for tomorrow.