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Chapter 2:
"Ah, another Kish-free day! It really is nice…"
"What? He isn't here again? Really? Well… I guess he'll probably show up later right…?"
"Purin! Do you know what's up with Kish? Why hasn't he been coming to the café like he usually does? What's that look for? I'm just curious! That's not a sin…"
"God… Work is just so boring… I almost… Oh, never mind, it's nothing… What's up with you Retasu?"
Purin marches out of the dressing room and plants herself in front of Ryou with her hands on her hips and her lips pursed. The boy looks down at her puzzled, unused to behavior like this out of her – she almost looks like she's mimicking Ichigo actually and he can only hope she's not about to demand he give her a raise. "Is there something you need Purin…?"
"Ryou-nii-chan we will all be taking Saturday off."
There's a long moment of silence in which even Minto sets down her tea, eyebrows raised, and Ichigo holds her breath reaching out blindly to grab Retasu by the arm ignoring how the other girl sways and squeaks.
"And why exactly will you all be gone Saturday?" he asks slowly.
"You misunderstood Purin, Ryou-nii-chan," she replies brightly and Ichigo just about keels over she's so disappointed. "By 'all' Purin meant you and Keiichiro-nii-chan too!"
"That's my girl!" Ichigo whispers loudly, quickly coming around to pump her fist in the air and Ryou glances back at her with his eyebrow raised. She tries to hide her fist behind her back. Retasu smiles nervously.
"Yes, so, what will we be doing?" Ryou asks turning back to her.
"There's a kendo tournament and we will all be attending na no da!"
"I have no interest in kendo…" he replies turning to leave.
"But Taru-Taru's brothers will be participating! And so will Aoyama-onii-chan na no da!" she cries with a pout.
"P-Pai-san?" Retasu murmurs and Ichigo grins.
Ryou rolls his eyes, even more unwilling than before, but Purin hasn't really asked anything of him since she's worked here he supposes. "Fine, if you insist…"
"Purin does na no da!"
Ichigo squealed in delight dragging Retasu into a little victory dance, Minto shook her head muttering "Weak…" and Zakuro only smiled behind her hand.
And that's how Ichigo avoided any confrontation with her boss and still got to go to the tournament. To think all it took was a bag of gumdrops…
After some passive-aggressive prompting by Zakuro, Minto was quick to offer up her services and promised that Saturday morning there would be a limo at the café to take everyone to the tournament. She was more than happy to do this if only to please her idol but come the morning of the competition she was regretting it.
"Good grief, you are such a barbaric little creature!" she groaned, forcing Purin back into her seat and buckling her up again though she was beginning to notice a pattern: she would look away for five seconds and the girl would be escaping again when she turned back. "Stay!" she huffs, finger in little Purin's face. Unlike Ryou, Minto is immune to Purin's pout. "And Ichigo, shut up, we get it! You want to see Kish!"
"I do not!" she cries shrilly.
"You've been talking about him ever since we left the café…" Minto growls. "Actually, you haven't stopped talking about him since the other day."
"That's not true…" Ichigo squeaks cheeks quickly growing red.
"Uh… Ichigo-chan, actually it is…" Retasu murmurs hesitantly.
"You are so ridiculous Ichigo!" Minto continues reaching out to smack Purin's hand away from the buckle yet again without even needing to look. "Why don't you just accept it and move on? You like him!"
"I do not!"
Keiichiro sighs rubbing his temples and Ryou silently offers him a bottle of ibuprofen. He accepts it with a gentle smile, pouring out a few of the tablets then moving to put away the extra, he'll be fine with one he thinks, but then decides two might be for the best.
The kendo tournament is very crowded and their little group ends up spreading out in order to get seats. Ichigo is too busy looking for Masaya – it's definitely him she's looking for, not Kish – to really pay attention to where Purin is guiding her and Retasu's not complaining so it shouldn't be a problem. Turns out it's straight to Taruto. He has seats right up front though and he's been saving some but they were for his parents and Purin, not a couple of old hags, and he's sure to make it heard though Purin ignores it completely.
When the Ikisatashi parents do show up Ichigo can't help but look at them curiously, taking note of every little resemblance to their sons – pale skin, bright eyes – and she wonders if Kish will fill out anything like his father. She definitely does not blush at that thought. Mr. Ikisatashi pulls a grumpy Taruto from his seat and takes it from him, having his son sit in his lap instead, and Purin eagerly does the same with Taruto's mother. Ichigo and Retasu glanced at each other, both knowing all too well what the little girl was thinking about.
To Ichigo kendo is actually a really interesting sport – not to mention noble, but that doesn't mean that she finds kenshi attractive or anything – but tonight she feels too antsy to view it properly. She keeps an eye out for Masaya and Kish both and watches closely when they fight; both win all of their respective matches – Retasu gasps when Masaya manages to beat Pai and Mr. Ikisatashi swears loudly earning a small smack from his wife and giggles from both Purin and Taruto – until it comes down to just the two of them. Ichigo isn't sure whom to root for in all honesty so she remains quiet, trying not to think about it. Masaya gets the first point and Ichigo finds herself clinging to Retasu rather than cheering as she watches him force Kish to the ground but when Kish does the same to Masaya she squeaks, biting back a squeal of delight.
"Oh my, the next one to score wins, isn't that right?" Retasu asks shakily.
Ichigo isn't able to get out much more than an "Mhmm" as she watches the two boys fight.
"Who do you want to win?" her friend asks curiously and Ichigo shakes her head furiously in response, avoiding the question.
Masaya scores again, all three shinpan's flags go up.
Masaya comes in first, Kisshu second.
The crowd goes wild and in the sudden uproar Ichigo finds her heart sinking but she doesn't know why. She watches as they bow to each other and the rest is a blur until she finds herself being ushered back into the limo by Purin who hurriedly explains her plan for a surprise party back at the café. It was something her and Taruto were plotting, he would ask his parents if they could drop by the café on the way home, Kish would want to as well, and they would eventually be forced into it and then they would find themselves at a surprise party! Retasu sees plenty of holes in her little plan but suspects that Pai will know what's happening as soon as Taruto suggests it so it will work out anyway; it turns out she's right.
Ichigo starts to get into the car until she hears her name called and turns to find Masaya waving at her, a group of girls surrounding him with hearts in their eyes. "Momomiya-san! There's going to be a party, want to come? Shun-san and Kimura-san are coming too!"
Ichigo feels slightly irritated because she doesn't even know "Shun-san and Kimura-san" and there's always the crowd of girls that surround him, all of whom are glaring at her, oh and then there's the fact that she hasn't really talked to him in two months and he bailed out on their last date. Kish got second place but he still visited her almost every day hadn't he? She isn't sure where that last thought came from but she feels a sudden rush of affection for him anyway but what may be even more surprising is the anger at Masaya. "I'm sorry Aoyama-kun," she finds herself saying. "I already promised to go to Kisshu's." It's sort of true.
He blinks at her at first surprised by how she used the other boy's name but then he feels slightly foolish for actually believing that they weren't in a relationship. "Ah, maybe another time then…" he calls but she only hears half of his words.
Ichigo smiles and waves before getting in the limo; she feels sort of giddy now. Minto slides into the seat next to her, broad smile on her face. "Well, well, well… I see you've made your decision…"
"Oh shut up," she huffs in response but there's still a smile playing on her lips.
When they get to the café Keiichiro heads to the kitchen to make some tea – Ichigo makes sure he knows it has to be green – and Purin hurries to set everything up as if the café was just opening. Ichigo is quick to go straight to the last couple of strawberry short cakes and Retasu hesitantly speaks up, telling them that they should get out the daifuku too. Ichigo giggles and then helps Retasu take all of the sweets out to the table Purin asks them to use before slipping back into the kitchen to help Keiichiro with the tea.
So when the Ikisatashis show up and Kish finds Ichigo missing his heart only sinks further. He hasn't seen her in a while mostly because Pai and his dad were having him spend all of his time training and then Ichigo's little boyfriend took first place so he's not exactly in the best mood. He can't help but smile when his brother is tackled and his other drifts over to that shy girl who offers him his favorite sweet treat – no, more like the only sweet he likes at all. But his girl isn't here to meet him and he really hasn't talked to any of these other people before…
"Hello Kish," Minto murmurs slipping up behind him.
"Uh, hey…" he replies uncertainly and frowns when she links her arm with his. "Uh…"
She only smiles at him brightly. "Come sit down! You know, you really did well in that tournament, I was very impressed…" Minto continues dragging him over to a table and forcing him into a chair. "Just go with it numbskull, I'm helping you out," she hisses in his ear before taking the seat across from him. "But really, you were brilliant!" she sighs, reaching across the table to run her hand down his arm. He raises an eyebrow in response but keeps quiet. "You must have some pretty severe training…"
"Okay, really, Minty or whatever your name is," Kish cuts in and she rolls her eyes. "What exactly-"
She giggles loudly, resting her chin in her hands, she even manages a blush. "Goodness Kisshu, you certainly are a charmer!"
He's just about decided she's an annoying idiot when a tray is set down before him on the table with a clang and he glances up to find his Kitten glaring at the other girl. He must have died and gone to heaven, he must be dreaming, because this can't be happening.
"Oh, there you are Ichigo," Minto sighs. "Took you long enough to make that tea… I could have done it in half that time I mean really…"
Ichigo only grits her teeth.
"Kitten! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Masaya?" Kish asks still gawking up at her and he gets a kick to the shin that makes him hiss and glare across the table at Minto.
"Kish-kun," she whines reaching across to take his hand. "You were telling me about your training…"
"Riiight…" he says slowly. "Maybe another time…"
Kish can't tell if she's trying to help him or hurt him right now, not sure if he can really trust her, and even if she is trying to help he doesn't want Ichigo to get mad at him for this or something. He just wants to talk to his Kitten who is here by the way and not at Masaya's party, she chose to go tohis party rather than Masaya's. This is the best.
He stands up and grins at her telling himself that she was only being stubborn when she glowered back. "Hi there Kitty Cat, what's up?"
She motions about at the little gathering. "Just your surprise party…"
"Yeah, it's not much of a surprise when you send Taruto to get us, just a heads up for next time."
"Who said there's going to be a next time?"
"Aw, don't be that way Kitten…"
Minto rolls her eyes at the pair quickly moving to sit at the table Zakuro and Ryou were at instead. Ichigo watches her go frowning slightly.
"Kitten?" Kish murmurs and once he has her undivided attention once more he dives in. "So, I lost-"
"You came in second, that's not loosing," Ichigo protests gently. "I thought you did really well Kish."
He blinks at her for a second, insides feeling warm at the comment, but continues anyway. "I lost-"
"Kish!"
"Hear me out okay? You can yell at me in a second-"
"What are you-"
"In a second Kitten, trust me," he murmurs pressing his fingers to her lips and she blushes furiously. God, he missed that blush. Every minute without her really did feel like hours but if he told her that she would probably just think he was messing around. He's beginning to regret all of the stupid things he said when they first met, before he actually started to like her. "Remember what I said? About if I lost?"
She can't help but smile and he grins in response, feeling it against his skin. And then Ichigo smacks his hand away. "Do you remember what I said? I told you that, if you lost or if you won, I wouldn't date you…"
"Maybe that's changed?" he asks hopefully.
"I'm at your party aren't I?" she replies with a shy smile. "Isn't that good enough?"
"This doesn't count as a date," he scoffs then pauses, glancing around before leaning in to murmur in her ear. Ichigo stiffens slightly but doesn't draw away. Kish takes this as progress. "C'mon, lets ditch this little party, I'll show you a good time, what do you say?"
"Uh, no," she replies firmly pushing him away.
"C'mon Kitty Cat…" he insists still hovering close to her, taking in her scent and warmth. "If you don't have fun I can bring you right back here and if you do have fun I can always walk you home…"
She rolls her eyes but finds herself nodding along in agreement. "Right, just what you've been wanting… Okay Kish, I give in… But where exactly do you plan on taking me?"
Kish's face lights up and he immediately begins dragging her towards the door. "You'll see…"
"Kish," she groans glancing back at her friends, all of them engaged in their own conversations except for Zakuro and Minto who were both looking back at her with mischievous smiles. Oh well.
He guides her out of the café and straight to the park responding to her whining and weak protests with a grin and the repeated promise of a "magical time". Ichigo shakes her head trying to hide her smile from him.
Her hand feels warm in his own, so small and delicate. He likes it. He likes how her hair bounces with every step she takes, how it frames her face, compliments her skin so nicely. His "passing" fascination with her didn't actually pass like it was supposed to, his attraction grew from simply physical to emotional as well – his amusement with her fiery nature and bright personality grew to actual fondness. He isn't sure when it happened but it did.
Kish pulls her closer releasing her hand in favor of wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Ichigo shakes her head trying to shrug him off but her lips are still pulling into a smile, she just can't keep it in. "Aw, don't be so cold…" he says, trying to sound light and teasing.
Ichigo only giggles hurrying ahead before turning back to look at him. "Really, where are we going?" she asks still walking along backwards.
He pouts at her. "Kitten, I thought I told you that was a surprise…"
"What happened to 'dates at the park aren't real dates'?" she continues.
"C'mon, I never said that…"
"Yes you did! You were like 'what kind of date is that?'," she insists trying to mimic his voice by making her own higher.
He scoffs in response, cheeks slightly pink. "I don't sound like that!"
"Yes you do!" she giggles.
"Okay, so maybe I did say that…" Kish admits and she giggles some more. "But…"
"But…?"
"With the right person it doesn't really matter where you are, right?" he mutters, scratching the back of his head. She's going to chastise him for being so corny he just knows it.
Her steps falter slightly and she feels a pleasant sort of warmth in her chest. That's something she can relate to. Ichigo feels her heart speed up when his eyes flicker to her face; this wasn't the reaction he was expecting at all. "Yeah… guess you're right…" she finally admits in a mumble.
Kish blinks at her pleasantly surprised and then smiles. "So, you willing to trust me on this one then?"
She pouts at him. "Fine, fine…"
He chuckles placing his hand carefully against the small of her back to continue guiding her and she decides to let it be. "It's a pretty night…" she says faintly, glancing up at the starry sky. Kish hums in response trying to decide if resting his head against hers would be going too far. "Kisshu…?"
"Yes Kitten?"
"Uh… never mind…" she murmurs ducking her head to hide her blush on instinct.
Too bad Kish sees this coming, pressing his cheek to hers. "Kitten… Are you blushing Sweetheart…?"
"You are such a pervert!" she hisses pushing him away but there's not much sincerity in it.
"I'm only teasing," he replies a bit hurt. "Come on, we're almost there…"
Kisshu pulls her along, suddenly veering off of the pavement to head through the woods, and she reluctantly allows it. The darkness grows even thicker and when Ichigo glances up she can no longer make out the sky, only dark leaves, and she realizes that no one actually knows where she is, no one could come to her rescue if he were to harm her, but that quickly passes because she trusts him not to hurt her – at worst he'll try to steal another kiss she decides – and she believes that he really will take her back or even home. "Kisshu?" she asks again, hands fumbling with each other, and he almost doesn't hear her over the hum of crickets.
"Yeah Baby Girl?"
She huffs in response, cheeks flaming, but she's determined not to wimp out this time. "Don't call me that!"
"But Sugar Plum-"
"That one is even worse!" she giggles. "Let me finish!" He immediately falls silent; her insides only feel warmer. "Kish, do you really like me?" she asks finally but the words hang in the air, weighing her down even more now that they're out, and she bites her lip when he literally trips over his feet hand momentarily leaving her back. She decides to act like it never happened.
He knew that she would doubt him but he never thought that she would come out and say it, at least not like this. He takes a deep breath before turning to look at her – praying she'll forget about what just happened, meaning how he tripped over his own feet like a gigantic idiot, but the way she looks at him tells otherwise – and he carefully takes both of her hands into his own. "I know I tease you a lot and you probably think I'm an annoying pain in the neck but, yeah, I really do. That's just how I am and… well, hopefully you at least think I'm funny and like to be around me I guess." Kish's grin wavers slightly and he takes another deep breath, looking away before quickly looking back to her. "Ichigo, I think you're a fantastic girl, I think you're pretty and sweet and it's fun being around you. I like you. A lot. But I mean… I get that you like Masaya and all so it would be cool to keep being friends and all," he says hurriedly, words tumbling out of his mouth, and he feels like the biggest fool ever.
Ichigo pulls him down and hugs him, arms tight around his neck. After he actually realizes what's happening he hugs her back.
He is an annoying pain in the neck, just like he said, but he's sweet. She's never had a boy really like her, at least not enough to bother her every day and follow her about, and even if he expresses it in an odd sort of way she likes the attention and she likes being around him too though she'll never admit that to anyone, especially not him.
Finally she releases him and gives him a nervous little smile, one that he can barely make out in the dark. She doesn't want to explain herself and the hug is a good enough response to him so she isn't asked to. He takes her by the hand again and pulls her along, glancing back at her a few times, reluctant to take his eyes off her; he almost feels like she'll disappear.
Ichigo is surprised when they're in the clearing with the cherry blossom tree. It looks different in the moonlight, the leaves almost black and the early buds a pearly sort of white, but it's still beautiful – if anything it's more so.
She can't help but gasp, clasping her hands over her mouth, when she looks up at the full moon. Kish grins, curling his arm around her waist. "It's so beautiful…" she murmurs.
Kish nuzzles closer to her, nose brushing through her hair and then against her ear. "Not as beautiful as you…" he murmurs and she bats him away.
"You're so cheesy, good grief…" she mutters but she's still struggling to suppress a grin and giggle.
He chuckles taking her by the hand and pulling her over to the tree. "Here, let me help you up-"
"What are you talking about?"
Kish laughs at her bewildered expression only pulling her closer. "It's easy, I'll lift you up and you'll get onto that branch-"
"But it's so high up!"
"It's the lowest branch, I can even jump and climb onto it," he replies. "Up you go," he insists locking his hands together.
She pouts at him and he gives her a lopsided grin. Before she knows it she's giving in. She climbs onto the first branch with his help and he follows her up, causing the limb shake and her to squeal clinging to the trunk. "Don't be a scaredy-cat," he teases and she punches his arm weakly. He smiles at her motioning to another branch. "One more."
"What's wrong with this one…?" she whines.
"It's my night Kitten, do it for me, please?" She huffs at him but still slips onto the next branch up and he takes the spot next to her. "Much better!" he decides with a grin. She only grumbles.
"I can't be out too late," Ichigo tells him suddenly. "I have to be home by eleven."
"So I will be walking you home?" he asks eagerly, swinging his legs like a child.
"Well I wouldn't want to go home alone in the middle of the night…" she mumbles.
"Of course," he replies scooting closer. "I'll get you home safe and sound."
"You better, my dad will kill you if you don't…"
They talk for a while and it's just as easy as the first time they met up at this spot, even with Kish's confession. Ichigo doesn't realize how late it's getting but he does and decides that it's probably best to warn her instead of being selfish and keeping her close. He tells her the time and she just about falls out of the tree when she checks it on her phone, thankfully Kish is there to steady her. She scowls at him when he laughs.
The walk home is just what Kish expected it to be: Ichigo is hurrying and huffing at him and his half-hearted teasing. He wouldn't have it any other way though. When they reach the gate to her house she hesitates and Kish can't help it, he has to end this night right.
He reaches out to her, cupping her cheek and guiding her to look at him, and leans in to kiss her. At the last minute he changes his mind and presses a kiss to her cheek rather than her lips. "G'night Kitten, see you Monday…" he says as he withdraws, waving to her lazily before jogging back the way they came from.
He's regretful – she's disappointed.
She watches him go, hand going to her cheek, and she isn't sure what to think.
"Hey Kitty, you wouldn't be free tonight would you? Just thought we could go to the park again – I mean, only if you want to of course. Aw, come on Kitten! You know you want to…"
"Heeey, uh… you haven't talked to Masaya lately have you? I'm only curious…"
"Sweetie Pie, when's your next day off? We should do something. Anything. I don't really care what, even if you wanted to go shopping I would be up for it. Yep, some serious stuff right there, mi amor. Oh, that reminds me! I still don't have your number!"
"'Sup Cuddle Bear? What are you doin' this weekend, hm? Wouldn't want to go to the movies or something would you?"
At first Kish isn't sure what he's looking at.
When it finally sinks in he finds a broad smile stretching across his face but when he looks up again Ichigo has already hurried away to another table. He can still spot her thick blush and how her eyes are darting over to him nervously. It's precious.
Kish carefully gathers up the napkin scrawled on in pen from beneath his plate and immediately puts the number into his phone. He starts to slip them both into his pocket before hesitating, deciding to do one last thing.
To: Pretty Kitty
thnx doll ;)
Later, after work, when Ichigo checks her phone and finds his text she turns a bright pink immediately earning the attention of Minto. The smaller girl tiptoes up behind the other girl, stretching to peek over her shoulder, looking very much like a bird as she does so. As soon as she's scanned over the screen there's a broad smile stretching across her face.
"Ooh, Ichigo has a boyfriend…" she says teasingly and Ichigo cries out shrilly, hopping away, phone clutched to her chest.
"Don't scare me like that!" she sputters.
The other girls all crowd around curiously making Ichigo feel extremely claustrophobic.
"Who is it, who is it?" Purin sings, bouncing on her heels. "Oh, Purin thinks it must be Kish-kun na no da!"
"What? No! I would never-"
"Oh! Congratulations Ichigo-chan!"
"Wait – Retasu! No!"
"Is it really the Ikisatashi boy? Do I need to speak to him about treating you right? I think it-"
"Zakuro! No, no, no!"
"Oh, so it's not Kish? Then he's up for grabs then right…?"
"No!" she snaps and everyone finally grows quiet. Ichigo clasps a hand over her mouth, surprised by the sudden outburst – even Minto looks a little shocked. "I mean, I-" she shakes her head furiously with a little scowl. "I have to go!"
She hurries from the dressing room feeling more confused than ever – this new feeling towards Minto not helping anything. It's almost like anger but it isn't, it hurts worse and makes her insides squeeze in a different way.
It takes her all night to figure out that it's jealousy.
She doesn't text Kish back.
here kitty kitty here kitty kitty where are you?
come on dont be such a tease sugar whats up with you lately?
stop being so stubborn kitten just text me back already we both know youll give in eventually we also know im not one to give up
im amazed youve been able to withstand my charms so well its impressive kudos to you but seriously text me back
"Oh I-chi-go…" Moe croons trotting up behind her friend.
Ichigo glances back at her and smiles warmly. "Hey Moe-chan, what's up?" she asks casually before continuing with what she was doing, placing her shoes in her locker.
"Oh, you know… nothing much…" Moe replies with a sigh.
"Alright…" Ichigo glances back at the other girl again, this time with a small frown. She knows Moe too well to believe that.
"But what's up with you? Anything new?"
"Nah, not really. Work still sucks, school still sucks."
"Are you sure there isn't anything?"
Ichigo turns to face her friend with another frown. "What is it?"
Moe huffs in response pouting. "Ichigo! I thought I was your friend!"
"You are!" she replies shocked.
"Then why aren't you telling me?"
"Telling you what? I don't know what you're going on about."
"Your boyfriend!"
Ichigo feels all of the color drain from her cheeks before coming back with a vengeance. "My 'boyfriend'? I don't have a boyfriend! Where did you hear that?"
"Well everyone has been talking about your relationship with Ikisatashi Kisshu!"
Ichigo jumps slightly then quickly begins waving her arms about and shaking her head. "No, no, no! You've got it all wrong! That's not true! I'm single! You know I like Aoyama-kun," she adds much lower.
"Uh-huh…" Moe mutters with a roll of her eyes.
"I'm serious!"
"Text me when you feel like being honest…" she grumbles turning to leave.
"Moe!"
Ichigo stares after her friend feeling frustrated and exhausted. She doesn't have time for this.
kitten come on text back whats the use of having your number if you dont?
im beginning to think this is just some sort of cruel joke kitty cat please text me back? :(
ok really whats wrong? what did i do? you arent even talking to me in person now at least tell me what i did ill do anything to make it up to you love
Ichigo i miss you please answer i mean i would get it if you had just dropped me after that stupid confession and everything because that would be like telling me you werent comfortable with a friendship knowing about how i feel and all but you didnt and you gave me your number and you were still talking to me and all so it cant be that its just confusing
Ichigo won't even serve Kish at the café anymore. Retasu does it in her place.
"Hey, Sweetheart," he murmurs lowly to the girl and she blinks at him, light blush coming to her cheeks. "What's up with Kitten?"
"Wh-what?" she squeaks.
"What's wrong with Ichigo? Do you know?" Kish asks. If she can't – or won't – tell him then he doesn't know what he'll do, she's basically his last hope.
"Ano… I'm sorry Ikisatashi-kun," she replies softly, nibbling on her lower lip. He's starting to see why she drives Pai so crazy. "I'm not really sure, I…" she shakes her head.
"Please? Anything?" he begs.
"W-well… we may have something to do with it… gomen…"
"What do you mean?"
"The other day we were harassing her a bit about your relationship and she got very angry…" Retasu explains, ducking her head and hugging her tray to her chest. "I still feel as if she is angry with us and she hasn't been speaking to me as she usually would… I'm worried I may have seriously harmed our relationship…"
Kish frowns, watching Ichigo as she heads back to the kitchen, and he feels as if she is purposefully not looking at him. "I see… Thanks hon, don't think I'll actually order anything today," he tells her standing. "On a side note…" he says smirking and she frowns, brows knitting together. He leans in to whisper in her ear, "Y'know, Pai's constantly talking about you. It's always Midorikawa-san said this, Midorikawa-san did this, Midorikawa-san is so smart, Midorikawa-san is so gentle, he just goes on and on and on… I mean, for Pai it's going on and on – these things are relative."
When Kish draws back he finds a lovely blush painting her cheeks and her big blue eyes even wider than usual. "Really?" she squeaks.
"Yep, you should come over to our place sometime," he tells her and hears a strange little growl. He glances to the side to find Ichigo glaring at them. "Kitten!" he cries but she scowls immediately turning to stomp back into the kitchen without giving anyone their food. He groans knowing that he just made things much worse.
"Oh my! I'm sorry, I-I'll try to speak to her! I-"
"It's okay, not your fault," Kish replies with a strained smile. "Don't worry about it. See you later…"
In the other room Ichigo is fuming, slamming her tray onto the counter and spilling tea everywhere before heading straight to the dressing room. She can't believe he had the nerve to just start hitting on Retasu like that! What is it that goes through his head? Is it just "Hey! A cute waitress! Let's flirt with her!"? Is he really that big of a jerk? And to think she had started to actually believe he really liked her! Really liked her! Like liked her!
She had thought that he was sweet and charming in his own sort of way, even caring!
He's just a manipulative jerk, that's what he is, and she was falling for it!
She just doesn't understand why it hurts so bad.