A/N: For a while I kind of felt stupid. I didn't exactly think this story through and I didn't really go into much thought about the plot. So it took me a while to think up the next chapter. Then I got sick and recovered. And when I finally started the next chapter, something again happened to me and I really didn't feel like trying. So I'm really sorry for the long update! And thank you all my reviewers!
…Chapter two, Ryou's POV…
I'm not one to eavesdrop or even gossip. I just don't have the time or energy for all that. Not that I ever knew a guy that gossiped, but you never know when you'll come across one. Although for some odd reason I couldn't tune out the sound of Ichigo's voice when I heard her talking. It was annoying, yes but the words that she said I couldn't help but listen to.
It was something stupid, which always seemed to be what Ichigo was talking about. Pulling another weed from the side of the Mew Mew Café, I scooted a little closer to the entrance wall, trying to listen more.
"That's something to be incredibly happy about?" I heard Mint's soft voice ask. I threw the weed into the green waste garbage bag and stood up slightly, peering around the wall at them both. Ichigo pressed her hands to her cheeks and her smile slowly turned into a frown. She lowered her gaze to the sidewalk and shook her head.
"Oh well, I guess not. But I kind of have a bittersweet feeling about this. I mean, it's been a while since I was single and I have this odd, satisfying feeling of being free!" Ichigo grinned slightly, obviously a tad embarrassed to be too happy about breaking up with Mr. Oh-so-look-at-me-I'm-too-perfect guy (that's a first). I rolled my eyes the same time Mint did and began to stretch my arms.
I took a second to ponder a great way to tell Ichigo I was writing her up for being late. I cleared my throat and began to do that weird stretch where you twist to one side then the other. An excite-full type feeling escalated in me and I wasn't sure why. Shrugging it off, I turned to walk around the wall but stopped a second.
"Hm, well I don't know why I'm agreeing, but I suppose you're right," Mint replied turning towards the café. I cocked an eyebrow, not expecting her to say that.
"You agree with me?" Ichigo asked, almost to stunned to even move let alone follow her into the café. Mint nodded and I continued to watch her from behind the wall like some crazy stalker (which I am not!). She flipped back her indigo colored hair and grinned slightly.
"Yes, I mean honestly Ichigo, how did you ever think you could compete with Masaya?" That must've hit Ichigo like a rock. She stopped walking and a dumbfounded expression spread across her face quicker then I'd ever seen in my life. She rolled her head so that she was looking over at Mint.
"What?" her voice cracked with a high pitch that made it seem like a scream. I winced and smirked, watching more closely.
Mint laughed and shook her head. That was Mint for you, she never knew when to say something right. Ichigo's face flushed brightly and her eyes narrowed. I chuckled quietly to myself. I loved that expression on Ichigo; it was like a pout slash "I'm angry but I can't really seem to show it right now" lookI paused slightly and wondered, "When did I ever like anything about Ichigo." But I would get into deeper thought about that later.
"Oh Ichigo, we all know you," Mint started and Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at this, "You're a bit clumsy and you're grades and smarts are average." Mint paused a second and I guess this allowed Ichigo to chime in.
"Yeah so? What do you mean I can't compete with Masaya?" Ichigo asked. I scratched my chin, wondering if a catfight was going to break loose and whether or not I should stop them if it did.
"I was getting to that, just face it Ichigo, he's a straight A student going to one of the greatest Ivy League schools in the world. You're not. You deserve someone you don't have to compete with." Mint finished explaining. I somewhat got what she was saying. It must've been hard at times to have to live up to Masaya. Not that they were related but what other people might have thought. Maybe they thought that she was too stupid for Masaya or that he could have done so much better.
Ichigo kind of tilted her head and shrugged, "Oh well, I don't really care anymore. We broke up and now that feeling is gone!" she grinned, as if that was the end of the discussion and started towards the café.
I yawned, "What a waste of perfectly precious time." I reached down and grabbed the green waste bag and swung it over my shoulder. As I began to walk around the wall I almost bumped into someone and quickly took a step back. "Sorry." Was my immediate response but when I noticed whom it was the word caught in my throat.
"Ichigo may have been oblivious enough to not have noticed you, but I'm not," Mint said sternly, a slight stare of annoyance sparking her russet colored eyes, "What were you doing listening in on us?"
I scratched my chin, playful sarcasm glimmering in my voice, "I was pulling weeds when suddenly out of nowhere, I heard the sound! It was the sound of Ichigo complaining to her best friend! Ahh! Oh no!" I snickered at my own wittiness but Mint seemed to be less than impressed, let alone amused.
She pointed her manicured finger at me, kind of close to my face, "I'm not impressed." "I know" was on the tip of my tongue but Mint went on, "You're an eavesdropper and a weirdo and you wanted to know what was up with Ichigo."
That whole assumption made me want to take it, crumble it in a big ball, and set it on fire. I almost gagged when I heard it but I winced instead and took another step back. "Please," I started, "don't ever say that again." I was going to need a shower after that one.
"Why?" Mint glared more, "You know it's true!" This made me wonder if Mint knew me at all after all those precious, precious years. I shook my head, paused, and then shook it again.
"None of that is true. Trust me." I adjusted the bag on my shoulder, its weight starting to bother me. Mint stared at me and laughed slightly, "So why were you listening? You're not one to eavesdrop."
I laughed on the inside; I would never doubt that Mint didn't know me again. I shrugged the best I could, "Ichigo's voice is so irritating that the only way to ignore her was to just listen." I didn't even get what I just said.
"Hm well, so you heard about Ichigo breaking up with Aoyama?" Mint looked towards the café, making sure Ichigo was in. I nodded, oh how would I miss that?
"And how come she was so happy with it?" I asked, I heard them but I felt like I had to ask a question.
Mint looked back at me and shrugged a bit, "She never quite said, just now that she felt free." That must've been a chick thing.
"Wow." I remarked. Mint nodded and turned towards the café then looked back at me, smirking.
"You're going to ask her out, huh?"
I was so taken aback about the question I almost stumbled backwards. I gaped at Mint with absolute horror and disgust. Okay, scratch that, I would always doubt that Mint ever knew me. I stuttered loudly, "W-what?"
Mint laughed, "Now that Ichigo isn't with Masaya, everyone is going to want her! I wouldn't even be surprised if Kish showed up again. But how could you blame him? After all, she is cute, clumsy, sweet, and funny. Everything you can't compete with, and everything you need, Ryou." My stomach practically churned and I swallowed to keep down anything that was planning on coming up.
Inhaling deeply through my nose and exhaling through my mouth, I leisurely set down the trash bag. I rolled my shoulders and slowly looked up at Mint, "Why would you even consider saying that?"
Mint laughed again, obviously loving this, "Over the years Ryou you can tell that you have always had a little something for Ichigo. Dwell on it. But hurry!" she wiggled her fingers and waved both her hands in "poof"-ing motion, "Or she'll be taken before you know it."
Mint turned towards the café and started to walk to it. A weird taste in my mouth made me grimace and I got the heebie-jeebies. Shaking it off, I picked up the bag and began to drag it to the trashcan. After a few moments I rubbed my temples, trying to release the pressure of an oncoming headache. If I was going to be attracted to Ichigo when I didn't like her, I was going to have to avoid her right?
Maybe then I could just ignore her? I would have to think on this more.
If it was one thing I had just figured out though, I had just figured out my reason why to write up Mint. Now I just had to figure out how come I had to write up Ichigo. And how I was going to avoid her.
…to be continued…
A/N: Sorry again guys if you read the top authors note. Finals are coming up so as soon as I get pass those I'll be updating more. Thanks and please read and review! I'm seriously trying! Please forgive me! And sorry about the short chapter. TT-TT
