Chapter 2

"I'll see you at the cake shop, then." Kyoko said; her voice a bit different in call. Chrome held her phone close as she fumbled through her closet to find clothes to wear. Kyoko hung up, and Chrome rushed to get ready. It was a sudden invitation, but she couldn't turn it down. How could she, when she enjoyed every single time she's with Kyoko and Haru?

Her mind wandered off to yesterday's happenings. She shook her head and slapped her cheeks to focus. No more thinking about that. No more.

"Mmm…" Kyoko hummed in delight as she took her first bite of strawberry shortcake. "This is so good! What about yours, Chrome?"

"It's delicious," Chrome replied shyly as she munched on her chocolate slice. It was definitely heaven in dough and chocolate. Even Haru shed a tear with her cream cheese.

Haru sighed happily. "I wish it was always appreciation day."

Chrome agreed as she took another bite. They chatted a little until they finished their cake. Chrome's eyes wandered off to the window, which coincidentally found Tsuna and Reborn. "Ah, it's Boss."

"You guys had a day out?" Reborn asked them as the girls went out of the cake shop. The three nodded, with Kyoko and Haru in big smiles.

"It's our appreciation day today." Kyoko answered with a smile. They exchanged a few chats, only to get interrupted by Haru.

"Ha-hii!" Haru gasped as she checked her watch. "I'm late! I have to go on ahead. I'm sorry!" She bowed to apologize and rushed off right away.

"Speaking of which, you still have to buy ingredients for mama, No-good-Tsuna." Reborn reminded. "Would you like to come over for dinner, Kyoko? Chrome?"

"Hey, Reborn!" Tsuna yelled. He's doing things again without permission. But Kyoko together in dinner doesn't sound bad at all.

"Sounds good to me," Kyoko agreed. "What about you, Chrome?"

Chrome nodded. "I'd love to go. I'll see everyone there." She bowed to excuse herself, said goodbye and went off on her own.

"4:15PM," Chrome whispered as she checked her watch. She roamed around the shopping district for half an hour to find something to do, and ended up in a bookstore. There weren't that much of a crowd, with only 4 customers inside. She went in, checked a few magazines, and looked for something interesting to read.

Chrome couldn't find anything interesting to read. She decided to pick a random book and buy it without reading the contents. That way, it'll be something to be hooked on.

She grabbed a book, and checked the title. "Math for All Ages," She read.

"That's a bore."

Chrome jumped and turned to see who it was. At first she was staring at a plain white shirt with a black jacket on it, but she noticed that arm badge so it couldn't be anyone else. Her eyes slowly looked up to check if she was right, and yes she was.

She would recognize this face even if she was miles away.

Hibari Kyouya.

"Eh?" was all Chrome could say.

"I said, that's a bore."

He was referring to the book. Chrome nodded in fluster as she put it back to where she got it. She was absentminded while looking for another book. Her thoughts were in shambles. How could she recognize him? It wasn't like him to be wearing something casual.

They stood next to each other scanning through the books stacked on. Chrome couldn't stop getting conscious about herself. Every time she pulled out a book, Hibari would always say "it's boring", "uninteresting", "not even worth it", "a herbivore wrote that". What was Chrome supposed to pick?

But it's interesting how Hibari keeps on talking, even with phrases like that. Chrome couldn't help feel really happy to it.

"Oh, it's Hibari and Chrome."

Both of them turned their head simultaneously and found Yamamoto in front of them. He grinned at both of them, and then stopped to look at Hibari. "You're not wearing your uniform. That's something new!" With that he chuckled.

Hibari smirked. "I've been on edge since yesterday. I think I should let some steam off and bite you to death." He raised a tonfa and prepared for a stance.

"W-wait, Hibari!" Yamamoto exclaimed. Hibari stopped, and sighed.

"This isn't even worth it," He muttered. Hibari looked at Chrome, who blinked in surprise, grabbed a book and threw it to her. Chrome caught it with no problem.

"That one," Hibari started to walk to the exit. "is interesting." And with that he left Yamamoto and Chrome alone. Chrome stood there, dumbfounded. Up and away he goes.

"So, what were you two doing here?" Yamamoto asked casually. Chrome shrugged. She had no idea either what he was doing here. Here, and the bookstore – she would always find him somehow. No, he would always be where Chrome would be.

"Are you guys on a date?" Yamamoto asked tactlessly. He didn't seem to know the impact to his words. But Chrome was as naïve as Yamamoto so she just looked at him in question.

"What's a date?" She asked. Yamamoto paused for a moment and thought hard. In the end, he just shrugged and chuckled.

"I don't know either," He chuckled. "But that's what they keep asking if you see a boy and a girl together outside school." Yamamoto turned behind them and checked the manga section, which was full of sports manga and others.

Boy and a girl together outside school. Were they in a date? But they just met coincidentally. Is that even what a date is? Chrome sighed. What is she even doing confusing herself more? Her hands felt the cold and hard surface of the book, which she checked to be, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Interesting.

Chrome smiled. Somehow, she felt really glad she came here.

"Oh, Chrome? You're turning red." Yamamoto blurted. Chrome turned even redder. Being told she was blushing was very embarrassing. This made her blush even more. "Oh, right. Are you going to Tsuna's house?"

"Ah, yes."

"Let's get going then." Yamamoto grinned.

I'm doing this as slow as I can. I'm adding just bits of development between Kyouya and Chrome as to not rush things. Okay? Okay.