Simplicity---
kesshou uryou

Memory 01

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I stare down rather thoughtfully at my apron as I tie it on and wonder how the heck a week or so has passed since it had been completely soaked. It feels like a day, for sure, but it has only been a week. Or really a week and a day and I have no doubt about it. That's how long it's been because that day I was working the dreaded Saturday shift. What's even worse is that today is my rare Sunday shift.

Saturday's bad enough, but Sunday is the absolute worst. It should be strictly against some basic moral ethics or at least some religions. But when I think about that, it kind of is and maybe I should convert from being an atheist. But then again, there's too much of a personal belief conflict there.

I almost want to laugh at my inner debate of stupidity, but I hold off and prepare myself for the loneliness that is working on Sunday. Obviously Selphie and I both avoid this place on this day of the week, but thanks to a two day trip to visit some relatives, I'm stuck here and she's not. The whole trip was a part of that whole phase before I'm whisked away to thirty minutes away from home (seriously, isn't this overreacting?) to say my goodbyes and get a hug every other minute. It's all rather tiring, but you can't say that.

No, you can't say that because it's offending and then they won't give you lots of money in the future which they are even now practically slipping into my pockets every chance they get. Someone might feel pampered by all of this, but to me it's just a headache. Pure and simple.

I wish I was Selphie right about now. Because I don't want to be working. Which is pretty the whole point of everything I am thinking about as I mundanely get ready for said work.

And so it continues to be the only thing on my mind until I joyfully take over the counter and pull around a high stool because my feet are tired from standing like they always are. That and the fact that I don't really give a damn about being upright and looking professional when I'm heaping out cookies to little kids with a sweet tooth.

I make this job sound so bad. I'd never make it as a spokeswoman. Because then you have to pretend you love things you really hate. And be a great orator. And possibly get some plastic surgery.

No, no thank you. I'm fine as is. Surgery in general scares me. So there's another thing to check off my list of things to be: a doctor. It's kind of pathetic, but I'm still undecided. And I probably will continue to be until the very last second when I'm forced to choose my career path and I panic and choose something that will make me miserable for the rest of my life.

Yeah, something like that. Only it sounds like it's too dramatic with an extra large dose of self-pity and angst. I'd like to think that's not me.

So don't correct me if I'm wrong. I'd rather be ignorant than to have my bubble burst.

There's the familiar chiming of bells so I turn my head and give a tug at the corner of my mouth for a perfected smile that is not entirely genuine. Hey, it is Sunday.

But it turns out that it wouldn't have mattered either way because it's a friend, not a customer. And that's someone you don't have to be overly nice to when you don't want to be. Although, of course, I respect my friends… Usually.

I can tell from a distance it's Yuffie. Because Yuffie has that certain persona that's got your attention right away, and I'll readily admit that she's entertaining to hang out with. I can already tell she's seen me though, and that suddenly bright smile is because it looks like I'm suffering.

She drags a lazy finger across the countertop with a mischievous smile, and I swear my face is point blank. She's either her to torture me good-naturedly, ask me a favor, or get me to do something outrageous. I'm guessing it's the first.

"Working Sunday, Kairi?" Well, that answers that question.

"Unfortunately," I decide to humor her even though I have no idea why. It's almost painful to please her. I bet she knows it too.

"Well, I guess it's not too bad. At least you're getting paid, right?" I still have no idea why I'm taking part in this two-person conversation. I guess because I'm too nice. That has to be it. Maybe therapy could correct that.

"I'm hungry. Give me something." She hands over her credit card, and I take it wanting to shake my head. You would think she'd have a few dollars just lying around. But no, she's far too rich for that. It sometimes makes me wonder why she even bothers stepping into this place. Probably because Selphie and I work here.

And speaking of Selphie, Yuffie is a bit like her, I guess, but she's way more mischievous and has a bigger tendency for wreaking havoc. Oh, and an uncanny ability of stealing things right from underneath your nose without you noticing. That last one's just for her own enjoyment, naturally.

Still, if you're looking for a good time, albeit a highly expensive one, she's probably the girl you'd want. Unlike me because I must have some kind of social disorder seeing as I can't say two words to a guy I like without being totally self-conscious and usually screwing things over. A week (and a day) ago is something I'd call luck on my part. That actually went over relatively well.

Which would explain why I was utterly excited as I tried in vain to fall asleep that night. At the moment it was like a sign. Alright, so that's over dramatizing things but what other way is there to entertain a restaurant employee? It definitely wouldn't be doing your job on a Sunday.

Then I remember that I actually am at work and see an irate Yuffie standing there waving a hand up and down in front of my face as I blink blankly. Then I snap to attention.

"Um… what do you want?"

Can you tell why I never receive the employee of the month award? Actually Selphie's surprised me a few times and won it herself. But me, yeah, not exactly the best in customer service here.

"Anything, Kairi." Seeing me remain unmoving she looks like her patience is about to snap. Well, it's not like she had any other purpose in coming in here other than to mildly torture me… I don't exactly have to try to make her that comfortable, do I? She idly points at something, and I reluctantly get it for her. I think it's a little too obvious that she's not even hungry.

I swipe the forgotten credit card and wonder if I could have gotten away with stealing it and going on a shopping spree. I mean as long as I went to all the classy, expensive shops I wouldn't exactly be found out. Yuffie is a highly compulsive shopper when she wants to be as long as what she's buying is of high quality. Which pretty much means everything I only dream about buying.

But this is all very pointless because you can't exactly steal from a thief. It just isn't done. Or something to that effect.

Yuffie takes the credit card back, and I'm hoping that Yuffie is tiring of trying to annoy me and considering moving on to a new target. That's what I'm thinking when the bells on the door sound again and I turn my head towards the door and receive a mild surprise.

I don't know why it has never occurred to me that I might possibly, in some alternative universe or just back in the restaurant, see him again, only it never has. Maybe for the purpose of maintaining some dignity after the whole apron incident. But I guess I've had worse cases of mortal embarrassment, and he hasn't exactly noticed I'm here yet. I think. So I should be okay for now.

Only I make the mistake of acknowledging that I know of his existence.

"Hey, look it's coffee boy. Ah, I mean, Sora." I haven't exactly full attached his real name to his face and still in some weird way affectionally have him dubbed as coffee boy. I mumble this quietly but apparently not quiet enough.

"Coffee boy?" Yuffie queries, her short hair flying as her head turns wildly with this smirk that just isn't good and anyone would know it. "Who's that?"

Yeah, all that progress on sending Yuffie out the door? Every last bit is now gone. Gone.

"It's just someone I met last week, nothing really." I think my eyes are betraying me because not only am I not looking into her eyes but I am also staring at him as he takes a seat by the window, near to the door. It doesn't take a genius to follow my line of sight.

"Him, eh? Why do you call him coffee boy?" It's my turn to be exasperated.

"I didn't know his name so that's what I called him for a little bit." I cross my arms with a frown, a little sensitive on the issue for no reason whatsoever and Yuffie can so tell. Crap.

"To his face?" Yuffie asks incredulously and I make this terribly deformed-like face at this and voice my horror.

"God, no! What kind of person do you think I am?" Then I remembered that I told him I had been calling him that in my head. More crap.

"So, ah, Sora? Was that his name?" I just stare at her, my mouth clammed up shut because I have a bad feeling about all this. It would only take a few seconds to prove me right, but I'm hoping feverishly that I'm wrong.

"Maybe?"

"Ok, good." Then horror of all horrors, she proceeds to approach the god forsaken boy. God have mercy on his soul. Yuffie can only be planning to implement the cruelest of tortures. Actually, forget him for a second, god have mercy on me too. She's my friend and is still betraying me. If God really does exist, this could be a sign.

Oh, and yeah, I hate always being right. I think that as she begins to converse with him. I just stand there totally immersed in this conversation I can only see and can't hear, making exaggerated movements towards no one. Wow, I'm pathetic. And a little obsessed. But I can't seem to help it despite knowing all of this.

Yuffie has her best smile on, bobbing her head and grinning and lo and behold she has his own grin out in a heartbeat and I wonder how she did it so quickly. I can't help be just a tad jealous for not being able to make people smile so easily. But no time to think about that right now. Yuffie's damn finger is pointing my way. I look around to find something to hide behind but I know it's too late. I've been spotted.

He gives a little wave and I just sink a few inches as I slump over. Then I raise my hand like it weighs like lead to wave back because I'm far too polite. I catch this smile on his lips as he's still looking my way and I have to look away fast or else I don't know what I'll do. This is far too embarrassing for almost no reason whatsoever.

And what the hell does Yuffie think she's doing? Oh, that's right. She's trying to torture me. Well, I'll just have to remember to thank her later then, won't I?

Yuffie says something else and despite never having met him until a moment ago, nudges him in the shoulder as if she's prodding him to do something. Whatever that could be, I have no clue. I almost think she's flirting and I wouldn't put it pass her. But there just seems something so wrong with her flirting with this guy I semi-semi-semi know. Just something really weird about it all.

Then Yuffie's striding towards me and is pulling out her cell phone from seemingly nowhere. She's dialing fast and looking focused as she mouths a quick "I have to take this…" my way.

I blink a few times before I get a little agitated.

I have to take this? What the? It's obvious she was the one making the call…! I can't even begin to understand why she'd do that. Yeah, don't get me wrong I'm glad she's given up her torture game with me as the target but at least say goodbye or something. Her figure disappears around the corner outside already and the bells on the door are still jingling.

Wow, that was really fast.

There's no time to puzzle over this though. Because two practically mind blowing things happen at once and I think I'm about to have a stroke. Suddenly coffee b- uh, Sora, is right in front of me and then guess who walks right in?

That's right, it's him. Roxas. Could my life get more complicated? But no time for Roxas right now. (I can't believe I just thought that.) Because someone is right at the counter and I have to pay attention to him now. I can't help but think that Yuffie has put me into this massive crisis. And she's not even here to glare at… Forget complication, could life be any more unfair?

"Uh, hi," I say softly only because I'm not sure what to say and I'm also having thought upon nauseating thought circling around my head. But I try not to look like I'm about to get that stroke I feel coming on.

Alright, I admit I'm over exaggerating… a bit.

"Hey Kairi," He hasn't lost his smile, not at all. But still I feel like he's smiling a different, new one for me and I can't help but feel a little unexplainably proud. Only there's nothing for me to really say because I can't say that. And I'm at an utter loss of words.

"…Sora…" He brightens.

"Ah, you remembered my name. I thought I might still be coffee boy or something." My face is burning. Burning more than I think it has ever burned. And it isn't even because of a guy. Okay, actually it is. But it not in that way. So it still doesn't count.

"Yeah…" I'm staring at the counter only I can see my reflection in it due to my having washed it just a little while earlier. This discovery is full of horror and I quickly avert my eyes away from him too and focus, once again, on something I shouldn't be.

"Sorry, am I making you embarrassed?" I laugh a little shakily but I shake my head, feeling a bit more confident. What really is the big deal here? He obviously doesn't care. So what if I admitted my own stupidity in a little downpour? I look him back in the eyes but I'm still shooting glances in the other direction I had just been focused on.

"No, I'm okay. What are you doing here?" I think a smile has just settled across my lips and with its arrival goes the heavy burden on my shoulders. I should know better that to worry about his opinion. I barely know him, and he's apparently very easy going.

"Well, I sort of eat from time to time." Is that a smirk I see? What does it matter? I'm already blushing, but this time I still have my tongue.

"Hey, it was an innocent question. I'm not stupid. I don't see you here every day or anything so I was wondering if you were at some other store nearby or something. That was the kind of answer I was looking for." I bit my lip at the end of the explanation, not caring if I sounded touchy. I wanted to clear that up a bit.

"I know. I don't you're stupid. Don't worry so much." I shrug at that, pretending indifference although I rarely ever am. I manage to keep my smile up and I sigh to relieve some tension. But then he's finally noticed where I'm staring off towards. Damn.

"What? He's here too? What's he doing here?" I can't, simply cannot, let this opportunity slip by. He set himself up with that last question.

I drop a hand to my hip and cock my eyebrow. "I don't know. Maybe he's here to eat, you know? People sometimes have to do that from time to time." I didn't expect any kind of reaction like the one I had given him. And I was right. He laughed.

The pride of making him smile just for me was nothing compared to making him laugh. It really couldn't.

"Point taken."

The corner of my mouth curved up on its own after that, and I think he noticed which made his smile grow all the more. Or maybe I'm just being egoistical, especially since I'm wondering if he feels proud of making me smile.

"So what are you going to do about him?" The spell is now effectively broken and I swear I look like a fish out of water, gasping for air. Only I like to think I can retain a little more dignity than that.

"Who?" It comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. He looks a bit taken back but he has this silly grin on that's becoming more and more distracting. And frustrating…

"That guy. From the other day."

I do a double take and then my eyes land on, yeah, you guessed it, Roxas. If I were to talk right then, there is no doubt in my mind that I'd stutter. So instead I swallow a lump in my unusually dry throat and regain some composure.

"Oh? Roxas?" It comes out not nearly as nonchalant as I would have liked.

"Yeah, him." He himself seems a bit distracted now, his eyes wandering around lightly before they focus on me once more.

"I dunno… Say hi or something?" Well, that sounds lame even to me. But really, do people normally discuss these sorts of things with others they hardly know? It seems hard to believe. But then again, it is happening to me. Everything weird happens to me.

"Are you serious? Is that how you're going to the get the attention of some guy who is practically oblivious to your existence?" He folds his arms along the counter and I look around to see if my supervisor is around to yell at me for letting him do it. Because otherwise I wouldn't really care.

"What would you have me do then?" My elbows are propped up now, my chin in my hands and eyes that are anything but still. Then as a necessary after thought: "And he's not completely oblivious to my existence."

"Of course he isn't." I can tell playful sarcasm when I hear it. "And my suggestion would probably to just go up there, tell him how you feel and get rejected or accepted. But I wouldn't get too hopeful."

"You don't just go up to someone and tell them that you like them. It's just not done."

I see from this rather odd angle all the disappointment that flashes across his face, but he recovers quickly enough.

"You've got a lot to learn, Kairi. You're missing out on half the fun in life." I subconsciously rub my nose in disdain, realizing too late that I had done so as I complete the action. Sora pulls an extended smile at my movements especially when I lightly glare back at him.

"Well, I don't know what kind of world you live in, but I'm fine with being perfectly sane along with everyone else around here. Stuff like this- well, you need a little more tact." Hey, it is true. You can't exactly be abrupt and hasty about these things. Unless you're Sora apparently.

"Of course you wouldn't do it if you just met the person. But if you're serious, then you should say something." I pause here, a disturbing thought crossing my mind. Was I serious? Sure I was worried and nervous. But I never stopped to really give that question any thought before…

"So you're saying that you would?" Best to get my mind off of an intense self analysis.

"Yeah." The way he just comes out and says it, meeting my eyes is actually kind of heartwarming. And makes me jealous. I wish I had that kind of confidence. Still, I have my own personal beliefs to maintain here.

"You're either really stupid or you love risks." I say it point blank, nonchalantly staring out the glass windows. There was no way I was going to even hint that I find that quality of his admirable.

"Neither. C'mon, you wouldn't take a guy seriously if he just came up to you and told you that?" Gah, why does he have to make me think of all things? These are hard questions…

"Well, I can't exactly say that I wouldn't pay attention to him if he looked serious enough. But I'd like to know who the guy was first. Not a total stranger that I think is a stalker." I shudder slightly at the last thought. Too late do I realize that I had walked right into that one.

"See? You just proved my point. You like Roxas, you seem to know him at least a little bit. What's so wrong with just going up to him and saying-"

"It's just embarrassing, that's all. And there's always the threat of awkward silences and a ruined semi-friendship. It gets complicated." I don't like the way he refuses to let any understanding seep into his facial features. But when I frown, he grins.

"So take the risk. You never know what could happen. You really look like you should take some more." I weave a hand through my hair in irritation.

"I do so take risks. Just not with these sort of things." He looks skeptical, but neither of us say anything for a good minute. When I start looking for the supervisor again to keep myself from getting yelled at, he starts the conversation again.

"So do it." I blanch. Haven't we just gone over this?

So, less eloquently put: what?

"What?" He's now looking at me as if I'm the one who's crazy.

"Go over there and confess. See what happens." Is there absolutely no getting through to him?

"How about no?"

"How about yes?" Apparently yes.

"I said no already."

"You're not backing down, are you?"

I haughtily fold my arms with the slightest of smirks. "Of course not. Who do you think I am?"

"Obviously stubborn." Before I know it, my tongue has already shot out of my mouth and has performed such a childish action. Still, I can't find it in me to be ashamed. It is kind of fun to act like a real kid from time to time.

There's another lapse of silence in which I mentally debate making him stop leaning on the counter like that because it looks bad to the other customers and I would like not to get in trouble. I decide to make him move, but it seems that it turns out to not be necessary. Because in some strange cruel twist of fate, Sora is already standing up.

Sure, that's fine and all. But it's when he shots me this look that screams trouble and I see him walking over to Roxas that I see my death flashing before my eyes. Needless to say, this guy cannot be trusted. It's totally self-explanatory why I'm instantly trailing him. All I let him get out is a "hey" before I'm joining him at the table, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

To get my mind off that horrible fact, however, I glare in warning at Sora who takes no heed. I have to be vigilant. I never know what words he's going to spill from his mouth.

"Hey, uh, Kairi," It looks like Roxas thankfully acknowledges I exist now because some guy that Roxas thinks is my boyfriend just randomly went up to him and said hello. How awkward, how weird, how-

Oh my freaking god! I forgot. Roxas thinks he's my boyfriend!

This has got to be smooth… real smooth. "I just wanted to bring him over to clear something up. This is Sora and we are not-"

"Yeah, I'm Sora. Nice to meet you." What? He did not just interrupt that ultra-important sentence where I correct Roxas's misassumptions. He did not! I try to hide the fact that I'm gritting my teeth.

"Same." I can't believe this is happening. My own death of mortal embarrassment and it is occurring so casually too. I decide to interrupt while I still have the chance.

"Anyway," I begin again very good-naturedly. Sora shoots up one eyebrow out of the corner of my eye as he turns his head to face me. It's a clear expression of confusion, one of those "what the heck are you doing?" looks. And that just completely gets me tongue tied up with my mouth agape. What am I doing? Isn't it obvious?

But Sora just grins and I'm regaining my composure when Roxas remarks absentmindedly, "So, how long have you two been going out?" Ah, that was probably an attempt to fill in the brief silence… but it is only making things worse here! Poor deluded Roxas. If only you knew what damage you were doing. But rest assured, I don't blame you.

"Ah, see, you're mist-" Sora suddenly clears his throat rather loudly and I balk for a moment before taking a swing at him. He's doing this to get me mad, (he must be) but I can't help it, it's working really well. Seriously, I'm starting to have a conspiracy theory. Sora and Yuffie are ruining me today.

Of course I totally miss that swing I took and he takes a couple steps sideways and I pursue with the general feeling of annoyance growing. It really can't be helped.

"So, uh, I better get going." Oh no, no, no. My chance is slipping away to correct him so he can have freely romantic thoughts about me again. But it's all way too late. "See you around, Kairi. Maybe we can go a double date one day."

My hands start waving frantically, and I absolutely must set him straight before he gets out that door. Somewhere amongst all this commotion I see he's already left money for the bill and is standing up.

"No, no, no, no, no. You're wrong. It's not like… that." Wait… what?! "What? You have a girlfriend?" I think I just died. I've been going after a guy that's already taken? Why didn't I get the memo? Seriously. I think that question deserves a repeat. Why didn't I get the memo?

Roxas looks a bit sheepish. "You didn't know? Ah, sorry." Sorry? Sorry? That's all he has to say? I act like a complete fool in front of him because I want to get his attention and it was all totally worthless because he's taken?

Seriously. This could only happen to me.

I wave my most disheartened wave at him as he leaves, and I just feel like dead weight. Sora clasps my shoulder in an attempt I think is to cheer me up. I make sure to glare at him. Really, it's not exactly his fault. He did make me come over here, but at least I know now that he's not interested. But still… I need someone to vent on!

Hey… Is he grinning at a time like this? Where's his compassion? I just got dumped… indirectly… sort of.

I think he catches on to my intensified glare because he's pointing behind me. Before I turn he explains, "It's just a funny sight."

I whip around and there, pressing up against the glass in intense concentration and squinting is none other than Yuffie. Oh god, I am going to kill her. Well, I am until Sora starts laughing and I calm down just the slightest.

But really, there has got to be some kind of conspiracy against me.

Or I just have the worst luck in the world. One or the other.

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Updated. Any good? Comments, questions? Please let me know. ;-)