A/N: Many thanks to readers who left reviews for the previous chapter. I really appreciate them and am glad to know you enjoyed my writing ^_^
Soon is Soon
Honoka had believed Tsubasa was joking when she said they would see each other again soon.
However, the next day, which was Tuesday as Umi had kindly reminded her when she broke a saucer within the first hour of her shift, she was proven wrong.
The joyful tinkling of the cafe's wind chime brought to one's mind a cool summer's breeze, or in Honoka's case, a panic attack. She drew a sharp breath, nearly passing out from the oxygen rush when a familiar - and enthralling, Honoka couldn't help but add - forehead came into view. As much as she would like to stick around to admire its gorgeous owner, she had embarrassed herself enough the previous day. Eyes frantically searching for a way to escape her post at the register, she sighed in dismay upon discovering her co-workers were all occupied.
Why did I have to break that saucer? Now Umi-chan has banished me to this register of hot forehead English doom!
Hands fisting her shamrock green apron, she watched Tsubasa with bated breath as the stunning girl strode past the shop's furniture with a self-assured gait. She wondered how the brunette managed to look like a million bucks all the time. Tsubasa was undoubtedly shorter than average but somehow, she stood out even with that disadvantageous height. Her hair was glossy with satin-soft wavy ends that hung just above taut shoulders. Her eyes, mesmerizing pools not unlike precious gems, held a intelligent glint in them yet remained friendly enough to regard a poor, bumbling university student such as Honoka.
"Hello!"
Juicy notes of crisp tangerine spiked with hints of soothing jasmine wafted up Honoka's nostrils. She unconsciously took in a deeper breath than necessary, losing herself in the tantalizing fragrance. How unfair. It was already evening yet Tsubasa smelled like the day had just begun.
"Are you okay?" Those striking eyes came within inches of Honoka's face, causing the ginger to flinch with a half-strangled yelp and knock over the blender behind her. Arms flailing, she executed a dive that would make the national team's goalkeeper proud and made a splendid save of the contraption.
THUNK!
And a howl of pain.
Tsubasa cringed. She was sure something hard - and hollow - had connected with the floor but it sounded nothing like the blending appliance. Leaning over the counter, she found Honoka hugging the blender on the floor as if her life depended on it. Hot tears streamed down Honoka's face.
"Hey! Are you hurt?" Worry creased the flawless forehead that had so captivated Honoka. At the rate tears were cascading like the Niagara Falls from Honoka's eyes, Tsubasa feared she had broken her skull until she saw the jubilant smile on the cashier's face.
"I... I saved my pay!"
"Huh?"
"And Umi-chan won't get to scold me again!" gloated Honoka.
Tsubasa's gaze softened and she couldn't resist letting a small smile slip at the scene. Aside from a bruised head, and perhaps bum, Honoka seemed be fine. Well, fine if you don't consider what happened next.
"Honoka! I saw that! Did you break the blender?" blasted the ever vigilant Umi from across the cafe.
"Of course not! See!" Honoka sprang up and brandished the blender like a hard-earned trophy above her head.
"Get your act together. If you manage to even break something at the register, you have nowhere else to go!"
"Yes, yes, Mother," Honoka answered begrudgingly. "Umi-chan is a slave driver," she mumbled. "Can't she at least praise me for my amazing save?"
"Umi-chan meant well. She's just worried about you," offered Kotori after hearing the fuss.
"She's always scolding me." Honoka placed the blender back, pouting.
"Cheer up, Honoka-chan. Here, have some bread." Kotori popped a piece of freshly baked banana bread into Honoka's mouth. Across them, Tsubasa noted with interest how Honoka's face lit up instantly.
"Kotori..." Umi called in a warning tone. She rubbed her right temple, feeling a headache coming on. It was a common occurrence whenever she was around Honoka - which basically meant 80 percent of her time awake.
"Don't be upset, Umi-chan. I'll feed you a piece too later," Kotori coaxed cheerily, sending a wink Umi's way. The recipient of said love-love-max wink sputtered like an overheated engine, words failing her. With a face similar to a ripe tomato, she took to wiping the nearest empty - and totally clean - table vigorously, all the while muttering something about people being shameless in public.
Tsubasa chuckled at the pair's interactions; she was right about returning to the cafe. A ruffling sound brought her attention back to Honoka who appeared to be readying for a fight from the way she was pushing up her sleeves and sucking in an impressive gulp of air.
"Sorry! You wait soooooo," Honoka stretched out her arms sideways in an exaggerated fashion, "looooong. Today, what want you?" She ended the question with an awkward tilt of her head and a what-should-be-cute-but-looked-like-she-was-cramping-up wink.
Tsubasa had to bite her tongue to maintain her composure.
Honoka's eye and mouth twitched, evidently not adept at winking. Why is she not answering? Does she not understand me? Did I mess up? Is my wink not as cute as Kotori-chan's? She shook her head, slapping her cheeks. Alright, chill, Honoka. Let's try again.
"You want y-yesterday," she did a backward circling motion in the air with her finger,"same same?"
Most customers have a favorite drink they always ask for. I'm sure it'd be no different for her! Take that, English! You can't beat me at this game! Honoka nodded smugly to herself and did a mental victory dance.
"I would like a small green tea soy latte. Make it iced, please."
And all words flew over Honoka's head.
WHY?! If she could, she would smash her head on the counter but that would mean another pay cut if she damaged it with her thick skull (description courtesy of who else but Umi). Throat turning dry, she forced a horribly fake smile and croaked, "S-Sorry. One again?"
Bad, bad idea to ask.
Tsubasa casually propped her elbow against the sleek mahogany surface, closing their distance like it was the most natural thing to do. Reaching forward, she traced Honoka's apron, hand brushing lightly against her tummy. Honoka sucked in her stomach, cursing her greedy self for having a second serving during dinner... plus that overnight sandwich she discovered in the cafe's fridge.
Pinching the green fabric, Tsubasa dropped her voice to a low, sensual whisper. "Green," she said and glanced up, pleased to find Honoka's eyes following her every move like a nervous little lamb. "Green tea latte," she repeated slowly. "With soy milk."
Honoka gulped, nodding.
Almost languidly, Tsubasa dragged her finger up to the middle of Honoka's chest, halting in between two modest mounds. "In a small cup."
Heat seared through Honoka's head. She tugged her uniform's collar with a trembling hand. Did the air-con break down? No, more importantly, did she just hint that my boobs are small? Puberty, come back! I promise I will be a good girl and drink milk every d-
A soft hand cupped her burning cheek, shutting her brain up.
"With ice. Not hot like you," Tsubasa breathed the last detail of her order and added a fetching wink for good effect. Then she straightened herself and took a step back, flashing a winsome smile as if she hadn't practically seduced one of the shop's staff during working hours.
Honoka blinked. And shook her head. Hard.
No! I can't let it end like this! Honoka, fight-o!
She thumped her chest, driving down her rising nervousness. She had to do or at least say something. Sure, she was far from smart but she couldn't let herself look like a fool every time. Looking up, she locked gazes with Tsubasa, her brilliant blue eyes set in a determined glare. She could do it! Yes, she could!
"P-Please come every day!" she blurted out.
...
WHAT THE F- DID I JUST SAY? This time she banged her head without hesitation. A loud crack sounded but she didn't care. Maybe it'd be better if she was fired so she wouldn't get to embarrass herself anymore. Of all times her English could be perfect, it had to be now.
To say she was surprised would be an understatement; Tsubasa stared wide-eyed at the now keeled over Honoka, a look of awe adorning her beautiful features.
"Amazing!" She gripped Honoka's shoulders, unintentionally scaring the ginger upright. "You really are an interesting person!"
"E-Eh?" Honoka gawked stupidly.
Tsubasa flashed a genuine, wide smile, looking even more dazzling than Honoka remembered. "I will certainly come every day to see you."
Honoka's brain short-circuited. All she could think of was Tsubasa's honeyed voice saying "to see me" over and over again. Naturally, she fumbled with the payment process, dropping coins all over the floor noisily and hitting her head (again) when she stood up. Fighting back tears of pain, she handed the change to Tsubasa.
A sudden small pressure to her forehead snapped her out of her self-loathing state. Tender fingers massaged the raw bruise she had gained from smashing the counter.
"Take care, okay?" Tsubasa's hand retracted sooner than Honoka would have liked. "I'll see you... soon." And she left for the very same seat by the window before Honoka could gather a coherent response.
Later that night, as the trio were cleaning up the place, Umi walked over to Honoka.
"I've been wanting to ask..." she started. "But we were too busy just now."
"Hmm?" Honoka stopped sweeping the floor, giving her friend a quizzical look. Suddenly, Umi reached for her forehead.
Rriiip!
"Ouch!" Honoka clutched her forehead in pain. "What are you doing, Umi-chan?! Eh? Isn't that a plaster?"
"Yes, a plaster."
"How did-"
"Not just any plaster. Look." Umi held the tiny strip by its two ends, pulling it straight. Honoka bent forward, peering curiously. A string of seemingly random numbers stared back at her.
"That's such an interesting design for a plaster!" exclaimed Honoka.
Umi did not bother to fight the urge to roll her eyes. How her friend had survived to this day with that simple mind of hers was the world's greatest mystery. "Are you an idiot? It's a phone number!"
"A phone number?" Kotori piped excitedly from where she was wiping the coffee machine. Now this she had to hear.
Honoka rubbed her chin and frowned in deep thought. No wonder the customers had been giving her funny looks all night. Why didn't anyone tell her? She must have looked so stupid! However, instead of addressing that issue, her mind had already wandered further than expected of any normal human being.
"Why would there be a phone number? Could it be... It's a lucky draw? Maybe if I call that number, I'd win 100 million yen?"
Thankfully, Kotori came over before Umi could rip Honoka a new one.
"I think it appeared after you served that girl who also came yesterday. The one who spoke English," Kotori chipped in helpfully.
Girl who spoke English... Honoka's eyes bulged. Her hand shot up to her forehead, remembering Tsubasa's gentle touch. "Tsubasa-san?! That means... t-this is her number?"
Her two friends shared a look before nodding, albeit uncertainly.
"W-What should I do? Do I call her? But what if I don't understand her? Or she doesn't understand me?" Honoka was visibly getting flustered all over again.
Kotori giggled. "I think you should save her number first."
"No," Umi objected and promptly crushed the plaster.
Honoka screamed. Lunging forward, she pried the crumpled strip from Umi, desperately trying to untwist it. "My hot forehead Tsubasa-san..."
"Umi-chan! How could you do that?" Kotori chided, her strong tone startling Umi. "That could be Honoka-chan's chance at love!"
"She could be a bad person for all we know!" rebutted Umi. "We don't even know her background! What if she kidnaps Honoka?"
"Just give her a chance. I think Honoka-chan really likes her."
"No. Too dangerous."
"Umi-chan..." Large, puppy eyes peered at Umi.
"N-No, it won't work, K-Kotori..."
Kotori grasped the front of her blouse, effectively bringing out the lovely curves of her breasts. "Umi-chan... Please!"
Umi's resolve crumbled like six-year-old Honoka's sandcastle. "F-Fine..." she caved in, utterly defeated. She was swiftly enveloped in a crushing bear hug from Kotori which caused her face to scorch a deep scarlet. K-Kotori's boobs... pressing against mine... So shameless... but so firm... I'm sorry, Mother, Father! I've sinned!
"Thank you, Umi-chan! You're the best!"
Kotori planted a peck on Umi's cheek. Umi fainted. Honoka wailed - but for an entirely different reason.
"I smudged the number!" All that reckless twisting had produced way more friction than the ink could handle. Honoka dropped to the floor on all fours, sobbing.
Knock, knock!
Kotori turned towards the cafe's entrance, brows furrowing. Who could it be? The cafe was already closed for the night. She squinted at the figure outside the door and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when recognition hit her.
"Honoka-chan!" She shook the ginger excitedly but a sniffle was all she got. Alright, this called for drastic action. She put on her most comforting voice and patted her friend's back. "Honoka-chan, it's okay. You can always ask Tsubasa-san for her number again."
Honoka let out a dry laugh. "Don't need to console me. She might even be just kidding about coming ba-" Her words were cut off when Kotori grabbed her head none too gently and whipped it towards the door. A distinct crack sounded but it was the last thing on anyone's mind. Honoka's jaw dropped.
"T-Tsu-Tsu-Tsubasa-san?!"
Tsubasa took Honoka's dumbstruck reaction as her cue to enter the cafe. Her heeled Chelsea boots clicked elegantly against the parquet until she came to a stop right before the gobsmacked Honoka.
"Say, Honoka, would you like to have supper with me?"
If Kotori wasn't holding her, Honoka would have joined Umi on the floor.
When Tsubasa said soon, she truly meant soon.
A/N:
Thanks again for reading! I hope you enjoyed this new installment. This should be the last official update for this story. I hadn't planned for it to be a long series but at the same time, I'm not ruling out the possibility of new chapters. I will write if I get new ideas. For now, I'd like to work on a new Tsubasa/Honoka fanfic. The world can never have enough TsubaHonks!
