Café D'Amour
Chapter II: Repaying Debts
Inside, Mikan was frozen in awe. It was even more conspicuous inside the café!
Mikan studied the interior: the tables were covered in appealing checkered, lavender cloths and stood with a supporter in the center. On the centre of every table were attractive candle holders shaped like flowers of all sorts- within them were tall, extravagant candles.
The backs of the chairs were stylishly designed to match the exterior of the café- abstract swirls of hearts that were cushioned and multi-coloured, also with a supporter in the center and a wide circular base. At the back of the café, she saw washroom signs without doors- obviously for hygienic reasons.
What seemed to attract the eyes weren't really the tables or chairs, though, but where they were set up. Around a large elegantly-made, semi-spherical counter in betwixt and between everything else.
At the heart of the large counter was an entrance which, Mikan noted, led to the kitchen. It was built within the counter aka bar and she thought that very clever. It would be convenient to use the bar for small orders and use the kitchen for bigger meals. Right next to the walk-in passage that led to the kitchen was a metal staircase that spiraled up to the second floor.
The café building, itself, was also fairly round in shape and predominately surrounded by tall glass windows. She imagined the contrast in scenes these windows provided for customers: During the day, gorgeous sunlight would never directly hit anyone. Instead, they would be shielded by the high-reaching trees of many varities, bringing in an incandescent brilliance and a golden 'feel-good' feeling.
Then, by nightfall, things would be dimmed, the source of light relying mostly on the decorative candles and its soft, comfortable glow. The stars would not be in clear sight but, along with the moon, their natural radiance will shine through and fill the atmosphere with a sense of romance...and mystery.
She was very glad that she would be apart of this café.
Quietly, she followed Narumi-sensei into the open-entry way to gain access into the bar and followed Narumi-sensei as he stepped onto the staircase and gingerly walked up. From afar, Mikan had thought the staircase would be really small and cramped since it spiraled. It was pretty wide up-close.
It's so unique and welcoming. Mikan was so busy observing her surroundings that she did not even notice when she trailed Narumi-sensei up the stairs and into a room with 'Employees Only' marked on the door and laid the 'man' on the long, inviting, comfy-looking couch. She dropped her uniform-filled bag off to the side.
"I am going to go fetch some food and blankets. I need you to stay here and watch him- call for me when he comes to. Adieu!" And just like that, Narumi-sensei slipped out the door. He was so in-control that even Mikan felt safe around him when she didn't even need to be.
Given nothing else to do, she began to examine the room instead. She wondered, briefly, if maybe he lived in his own café as she noticed the large television set, modern stereo system, coffee table, and the mini kitchen that sat in their own little respective corners. It was near perfect, if not perfect.
Bored, her gaze eventually found its way to the 'man' who was slightly curled and lying on his side. Wanting to be more convenient to 'watch him', like she was told, she tested the marble coffee table by putting pressure on it with her hands, believed it to be sturdy enough to carry her weight, and sat down at the edge of it. Resting her elbows on her knees, she leaned in and stared at him. At that point in time, it was so natural for her to entertain herself by playing make-belief.
A magician from another world who came to earth to destroy it under his master's command but fell ill due to the foreign oxygen! She chuckled- though she knew it wasn't very likely.
Her eyes wandered to the ceiling. With the next thought, she sat up straight, widened her eyes, and pointed her index finger up; play-acting that she had it right on the mark this time.
Maybe…he's running away from an arranged marriage, seeking refuge within this homey-looking café! Laughing at that absurd assumption, it was then that she began to ponder about his age. Her gaze dropped down to study him again.
She wondered why she had not noticed that he had a long torso. And those legs…how the heck did she not notice it before? She scolded herself quietly, convincing herself that it was because she was in 'panic mode' and did not care for the little details when all she had in mind was his safety and well-being. But now, as she had the chance to, she really did look at the little details.
His strong facial features were incredibly sharp and handsome- oddly familiar too. Like people she has seen on television. Maybe he's a model who wanted to leave the life of fame. It seemed to be the most realistic thing that could have happened to him that she could think of so far.
His expression was calm and peaceful since he was deep in sleep. This only left Mikan more tempted and curious to know one of two things: the colour of his eyes and his personality- the two biggest mysteries at the moment.
Mikan's eyes shifted to his jet-black, ruffled hair; questioning if his eyes were the same enthralling colour. Observing his attire of a long, dark, hooded robe that covered his body well, it was oblivious to Mikan that he was trying to hide from something or someone.
Looking back again at his visage, she analyzed it with more care.
His nose was long and a bit crooked; probably a sports-fanatic. There goes my theory of being a model. Male models shouldn't spoil their 'nicely built' bodies and risk the chances of bruises and injuries, she had always assumed it so. He had dark, long lashes that any self-indulging women would have sold their souls for. His full, firm mouth was meant, she supposed, for long kisses and soft words.
Not that she had actually experienced kissing him...or anyone else's kisses for that matter. Mikan's mind drifted to back to the scene when their lips nearly touched. Not any real experience that counted. She found herself slightly relieved that she had not lost her first, essential-to-the-average-teenage-girl, kiss to a stranger. But when she searched deeply within herself, she found that a teeny, tiny, teensy bit of her was a tad crestfallen. Not wanting to acknowledge that small part, she pushed it aside.
All in all, he had the face of either some fairy-tale prince come to life, some gallant knight on a quest or maybe even a slightly tattered angel. Add that to the long, lean body, and superbly wide-palmed hands that clenched and unclenched during his sleep, he made quite the package.
What are you thinking, Mikan! She couldn't believe she could have such thoughts about a 'man' she had just met- unconscious at that, too!
The feeling of her sore derrière(bum) atop the marble coffee table hit her like hammer slamming a nail. She got up to move to the other unoccupied couch, leaned back, shut her eyes, and relaxed.
The next few moments threw Mikan off balance; it all felt like a big, confusing blur- just like eating a sandwich gone bad and accidentally drinking sour, expired milk to wash it down.
Yuck.
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Where the hell am I? The pain from his journey finally caught up to his body and was beginning to feel the aches and sores everywhere. His stomach, as well, had never been so empty for as long as his he could remember. His eyes shot open when he heard rustling next to him.
The girl. He had questions and she would be the one with all the answers.
Ignoring his body's discomfort and warning signs, he moved quickly as soon as he was able to think properly again. Making sure her guard was down, he leaped from his position, took hold of her shoulders, and shoved her back to the couch so that he was on top clamping her arms to her sides; using only enough power to restrain her movements. Resting his left hand beside her head for stability, he used his right to hold up one of her pig-tails,
In a threatening, low voice, he finally spoke to her, "Answer me in five seconds or I shall rip your hair off. Who are you, who sent you, and what do you want with me?"
As lucky as he was to be able to think, Mikan could not. Everything swirled in her head and she was sure she had lost a good portion of her already short life due to the sudden shock of his assault. When she was able to open her eyes again, the 'man's' face was the only thing in her vision: his eyes the deep colour of crimson red. Tempting, it was definitely.
Dangerous…he was that without a doubt as well.
"You…You're awake!" Relieved, it was all she could manage as she had difficulty focusing enough to hear his soft, threatening- yet formal-sounding, voice. He could not understand the kindness and relief in her lovely voice. Could not and would not trust it. She hadn't meant to capture me?
Then Mikan remembered the task at hand 'Call for me when he comes to', "Ah! Naru-" He cupped a hand over her mouth. What's his problem? We saved him for goodness sakes! She tried her hardest to break free when the sudden thought of losing her life was very likely in this situation…or at least one of her pig-tails anyway. You know the old saying: a girl's hair is more important than her life. (Or something like that :)
"Silence, you! And stop squirming about!" She didn't like him at all. "Damn it, you bellyacher!" What in the world is a 'bellyacher?'So much for wanting to know his true personality…and man, was he strong.
"Shit. Someone is approaching." He said as his eyes came up to locate an escape route of some sort. He got off of her as soon as he spotted the window and moved towards it when the door was literally thrown open and the girl ran with tears streaming and her nose running.
"NARUMI-SENSEI!" Something else fell besides her tears and she was not going to like it one bit.
"What's going on?" Narumi-sensei couldn't believe the sight he beheld as soon as he stepped into the room. He was carrying a plate of fruits and a slice of a magnificent-smelling cheesecake in one hand and a stack of blankets and clothes in the other.
"See ya." The 'man' said as he picked up her dropped item and dangled it between his fingers. "Polka-dotted panties girl," -Yes, it was her skirt- "you forgot this." He planted his hands on the frame of the window and rested a foot to prepare to launch himself.
"Eh?" She watched it fall humiliatingly, yet again, to the ground. Unable to fully take in the embarrassment, she stood there as her bottom lip abandoned the top and fell lower than ever, trembling. Her dignity, too, was plummeting to the same depth.
Narumi-sensei moved quickly. He threw the blankets on the nearest couch carelessly, picked up Mikan's skirt and tossed it so that it landed on her head, and traveled closer to the boy before he decided to jump from the second floor window. "Wait!" Narumi-sensei called out to the boy, 'man'- whatever, "You're hungry aren't you?" He held up the delicate and heady scent of the plate of food and smirked to deliberately get on his nerves, "You know you want it."
Forgoing his better judgment, the boy sniffed in the aroma, taking a deep uninhibited breath. Hesitating, he didn't want to turn around and face that smirk he knew was plastered on the blonde's face.
Deciding that he would rather find his own way in the cruel world of reality than ever giving in to the blonde, he prepared himself to jump from the second floor. Then his stomach, almost a mind of its own, gave in and betrayed him: It growled so loud, it disguised and even covered the wailing of the crybaby-girl.
Why? he lectured himself, Fine. I suppose there is simply no other way. "Give it here." He said as he turned around and finally came face-to-face with Narumi-sensei. Narumi-sensei gave him a look of caution- warning him to play nice, or no food. His eyes narrowed at the blonde, you've got to be kidding me. He saw the look of seriousness, and then rolled his eyes like a child. Damn him to hellfire. And back. "…Please."
Narumi-sensei was very pleased with himself and handed over the food. As soon as the boy took it, he crossed to the window and locked it with keys. Then back to the door to do the same to make sure all possible escapes for him were closed off. When Narumi-sensei dared to glance at Mikan again, she had put her skirt back on, but was bawling like a newborn and creating a small pond of tears around herself. He bit back a chuckle at her innocence, listening to her blabbing nonsense.
"WAHHH! NO ONE'S EVER GOING TO MARRY ME NOW! WAHHHH!" Head down, she had dramatically written out a will for herself.
"Now, now…stop crying, Mikan-chan." Narumi-sensei spoke in a gentle tone, but Mikan just started to pound her fists to the ground as hard as she was sobbing. This made him recline. "Having your panties seen isn't anything major!"
At long last, she lifted her head, "NOW I WON'T BE ABLE TO BECOME A WIFE!" and dropped her head to bawl some more.
Narumi-sensei saw his mistakes immediately and began trying to amend for them, "Oh, you do not have to worry about that!" He crouched down near her and whispered only quietly enough for themselves, "We'll have that boy take responsibility at that time, so-" The boy twitched just as he was putting a slice of apple in his mouth, no matter how quiet of a whisper, the boy had heard.
"NO! NO! NO!" Narumi-sensei shrugged and released a sigh (as did the boy, a sigh of relief), it seemed to look like nothing was going to stop her from making a girl-made lake. Looking at a bag near the door, an idea came to him.
Narumi-sensei gave her a very tight hug to cut off her tears- even if it meant getting his shirt drenched, "How about you go and finally try out this uniform on? I'm really curious to see how cute you will look!" He gave her his best comforting smile and gathered her uniform from her bag and handed it to her. Hoping with all his heart that she will give in.
To Narumi-sensei's delight, she did stop crying and looked blankly towards her uniform, sniffling violently. Looking up at Narumi-sensei's kind smile, she asked in between broken sobs, "Where. Is. The. Washroom?" Her eyes were as red and as swollen like a strawberry. Absolutely adorable, too.
Narumi-sensei unlocked the door and gave her directions, then locked it again when he was alone in the room with the boy. He crossed the room and sat beside him, with respectable space in between them, and planned his next move. He waited until he was finished with the cheesecake and gobbled the last of the grapes before Narumi-sensei initiated his final blow.
"Thanks, old man." I'm only 25. Narumi-sensei felt insulted, but didn't show it."But I must be on my way." and stood up once again.
"Nuh-uh-uh! I don't think so." Cheeky kid…Narumi-sensei waved his index finger in the air while shaking his head in a 'no-no' gesture,"You eat my food and then you just choose to leave like that?" Perfect. He knew exactly how to use such a good-looking kid like him now. "Not to mention the fact that I saved you when you were unconscious on the streets, almost picked up by that…oh, how should I describe her?" He made a good act of pondering deeply, "That…impossibly kind and very, very lonely-looking lady." He grinned. Not exactly true- but hey, who's going to tell him otherwise?
The boy thought it out carefully- he did remember fainting and at least he wasn't captured by them. "Thank you for saving me. Look, I really have to set out now, so if you do not mind-"
"Ah. But I do mind." He could tell that he was a run-away from his choice of clothing and situation this morning. Narumi-sensei can be ignorant sometimes, but he was wise in his ways. What could be advantageous to himself, could also be advantageous to the boy. "Hasn't anyone taught you how to kindly repay your saviour by offering your services?"
Crap, the boy thought, this is going to be dreadful."How do you want me to repay you?"
Gotcha. Narumi-sensei gave him another one of his deadly smirks. He could help attract as many female costumers as Mikan can with male costumers. As soon as the words left Narumi-sensei's lips, he had the pleasure of witnessing the look of misery and disbelief on the boy's face.
"Work for me."
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Author's Note: (01/30/11) I realize that many people have a problem with this particular chapter as it is very similar to the anime...that's the point. I wanted to connect it to the original series somehow. Rest assured, I've only done it in this chapter alone and have no further plans to do so with other chapters~
Red Strings of Fate