A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! You motivated me to put a new chapter up earlier than expected, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 – Feel for Me
After school, Ichigo ran down the steps of her school and towards the café, her red hair streaming behind her. She knew Ryou would be in a terrible mood if she was late again. She burst into the door and immediately looked at the clock on the wall, noting with relief that she was just on time. Unless he was counting seconds today…
"You're late, Strawberry," a voice said from the stairs.
"I am not late, Ryou Shir-" Ichigo's voice died as she looked to the stairs and realized that Ryou was nowhere in sight. In fact, the stairs were empty. Looking around, she quickly found the owner of the voice. "Mint!"
Mint laughed lightly before taking a small sip of her tea. "Couldn't help myself," she said. Zakuro smirked at her from her usual corner. Ichigo fumed silently, stomping into the changing room and changing into her uniform with lightning speed.
"Don't be mad, Ichigo-oneechan!" Pudding said chirpily, bounding into the changing room. She was juggling a couple of plates on sticks as a warm-up. Ichigo couldn't help herself. She smiled at the young blond who grinned back at her, causing her to drop the plates on the floor. Shards of china flew out from the point of impact, as both girls jumped at the sound and attempted to stay away from the sharp fragments. Before either of them could even blink, Lettuce had hurried into the room with a dustpan and broom.
"Sorry Lettuce-oneechan," said Pudding mournfully, but Lettuce merely smiled.
"Don't worry Pudding," she replied in her soft voice as Pudding ran out of the room, possibly to find more plates. "Are you alright, Ichigo?" she continued, sweeping the shards into the dustpan. "You look a bit strained."
Ichigo sighed and sat down on the bench. "I am a bit on edge, I guess."
Lettuce sat next to her. "Do you want to talk about it?" she enquired gently.
"Masaya asked me to go to the Downtown Café tomorrow and he said it's important," Ichigo replied, remembering with a small stab of apprehension the serious expression on his face as he told her this. "I need to ask Shirogane if I can leave early tomorrow afternoon."
"Don't get your hopes up."
Ichigo scowled at the arrogant tone of voice. This was the real Ryou. Sure enough, when she looked up, the blond was blocking the door, his arms crossed and a slight frown on his face. She let out an impatient huff.
"What does that mean?" she said crossly.
"It means that you can't leave work early, baka strawberry," Ryou replied.
Lettuce excused herself and hurried out of the room as Ichigo growled at him. He smirked at her in satisfaction and that was what pushed her over the edge. She exploded. "And why not? I work more than anyone else does here and all I'm asking is to be let out one hour early tomorrow so I can meet my boyfriend! Is that so hard?"
Ryou slowly sauntered over to her and in those few seconds, Ichigo felt a sudden desire to tuck the straying stand of blond hair behind his ear, out of the way of his…what on Earth was she thinking? She mentally slapped herself and glowered harder as he stopped in front of her.
"It is rather hard, especially when you're not working more than anyone else now," he replied smoothly. "Now, if you don't go outside and do something productive rather than gossiping, I'm going to take ten dollars off your salary." He nodded with satisfaction at the look on her face before gesturing to the door. "Go on."
Ichigo jumped up and flew out of the door, anxious not to lose the money from her salary. After all, she was after a raise, not a deduction! Ryou watched her go, the smirk falling from his face.
'But it's harder watching you go off with Masaya, knowing you don't feel for me the way I feel for you,' he though to himself, a bitter smile creeping onto his face. He could smell her scent lingering in the air, invading his sensitive nostrils. She even smelt of strawberries.
With a small shake of his head, Ryou strode out of the room, suddenly longing for a nap.