Aiya's Pov
"Come on Aiya-chan. We're going to be late."
"I'm coming Totsuka-san. You're just walking too fast."
"It's just up here."
As we finally come to a stop outside of a bar, I let out a small sigh of relief. Finally catching up, to the man who'd had a spring in his step all day.
"Alright, let's hurry inside."
As he pulls me through the doors, I feel my face immediately flush as several pairs of eyes land in our direction.
"Hello, King, Kusanagi-san and Anna."
"Tatara."
As the blonde gives a nod towards us, I feel my nervousness begin to set it.
"Is this your friend? The one you've told us about?"
He told them about me. As I feel the heat rising into my cheeks, I slowly lower my gaze to the ground.
"Yes, this is Aiya-chan. Come on, say hello."
As he pushes me in front of him, I look towards the intense stares I'm being given.
Were they judging me? What if I messed up right now and I'd never see Tatara again?
"Aiya, say your name."
As Tatara slowly whispers in my ear, I feel my blush increase as I lower my head.
"H-H-H-ello, I'm Aiya, thank you for letting me join today."
"It's nice to meet you."
As the blonde offers a smile, I notice a little girl dressed in red looking through a marble towards me and whispering something to the red haired man beside her.
"Alright Aiya-chan. I have some things to do, so please keep the others company."
Tatara slowly pushes me forward into a seat at the bar, I feel their gazes linger on me for a moment longer.
The bartender comes to a stop before me. I watch as he begins to lean in closer, feeling his hands slowly touch my face as he begins to inspect me.
Not worrying about the rudeness of the situation he had created, I feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
I give a small attempt to turn my head away from him, as he looks down amused.
"Well you are pretty cute. I could see why Tatara would like you."
"K-k-Kusanagi-san! Please let go of me."
"Oh sorry."
Letting out a chuckle and finally releasing his hold on me, I watch him casually lean back against the bar.
I notice the red haired man beside me casting me a serious expression, as I begin to cover my face from them.
"U-um is there something on my face?"
As the heat rises to my cheeks, I try my best to keep my voice steady, while I lower my gaze towards the ground, not daring to look up.
"No."
"So what are your intentions with Tatara?"
"P-p-pardon?"
"Well you clearly like him."
As the red head cast another glance in my direction, I feel myself slowly sinking into my chair.
"W-w-we're just friends."
"Sure~."
As I silently beg a miracle to save me from there torture, I hear the door open and a bunch of noisy voices flood through the doors.
"Kusanagi-san, Mr. Mikoto, we're back."
As they call in unison, I see their eyes slowly travel to the bar before they land on me.
"H-H-hey why is there a girl here? I thought you were closed today."
As a short chestnut haired boy points me out to the others, I inwardly begin to curse, as I lower my gaze to the floor once more.
"Yata, that's not any way to treat Tatara's 'guest'."
As Kusanagi-san scolds the young man, I notice the others eyes lighten up.
"Did Tatara finally find himself a girlfriend?"
"G-g-girlfriend?!"
Almost spitting my drink out from the accusation, I notice the smirk pass between them.
"No way! Someone this cute couldn't be Tatara's girlfriend."
As a young man with brown hair places his arm around me, I feel my stomach begin to twist into nots.
"Hey Chitose, you shouldn't treat girls that way you idiot."
"What was that Shorty?"
"The Chihuahua is acting up again, Kusanagi-san."
"You wanna fight, Eric?"
"I don't fight Chihuahuas."
"That's it! Let's go, Eric."
As the small male makes a move to drive for the blonde, I notice another man swiftly grab him.
"What the hell Kamamoto? I had him."
"Yata, remember what happened last time you fought in here."
As he cast a worried glance over towards the irritated bartender, the young boy seemed to regain his senses.
"I'm sorry, Kusanagi-san."
Giving a slight bow, I notice the breath of relief leaving Kusanagi-san's lips.
"Sooo."
As the voice beside me slowly speaks up, I feel the heat begin to rise onto my cheeks once more.
"How long have you known our peacekeeper?"
"H-H-H-hey, you should always ask a lady her name first."
"Be quiet, Yata. You're still a virgin after all."
"What was that, you damn womanizer?"
"You heard me. You're still a virgin~"
"That's it!"
As the young chestnut hair boy drives for the brunette beside me, I brace myself for the inevitable impact that's bound to come.
'THUD'
Opening my eyes, I notice the red haired man standing before me, casting a threatening glare to the young man on the floor.
"Anna likes her."
As he sits back down in his seat, I look towards the young girl sitting beside him. A little smile lingers on her lips, while the others quickly nod in agreement with the man.
"Alright. That's enough from you lot. Go and help Tatara out in the back."
"YES, KUSANAGI-SAN."
As they all make a speedy get away from the red head and the bartender, I can't help but let out a relieved sigh.
"T-t-thank-you, M-m-Mikoto-san."
As he gives me a small nod, I notice Anna slowly moving closer to me.
"You'd have a pretty red."
Her soft voice fills the air, as I begin to blush furiously.
"I don't understand."
"Mikoto, you should let Aiya-chan join Homra."
"H-H-Homra?"
"Anna."
As the red head cast a glance in her direction, I notice the small look of sadness pass across her face, before she smiles once more.
"Come on, Aiya-chan. Come play with me."
"I- o-k."
As she tugs on my hand, I slowly stand up from the chair, giving the two men a quick bow before following her up the stairs
"What would you like to do, Anna?"
As I look around the little girl's room, I smile at how neat and tidy it was.
I had to wonder about her living with a bunch of men, but there had to be some reason behind it.
They all seemed nice and had welcomed me politely, even if there had been a few concerning remarks thrown around.
"Aiya-chan, are you alright?"
"Oh yes, I'm sorry, Anna-chan. I just was lost in thought."
"Don't worry about Tatara. He can be dense sometimes."
Feeling my face heat up, I awkwardly try to change the subject.
"The weather is nice today. It's so sunny."
"We should go for a walk, Aiya-chan."
As I think over the possibility of helping in preparation to her surprise party, I smile.
"Yes let's go, Anna."
Grabbing her hand, we make our way down to the bar.
"W-w-would I be able to take Anna-chan for a walk?"
As I cast my gaze towards the ground, I hear a familiar chuckle come from the bartender.
"Sure sure. Go ahead."
"Should Mikoto come too, Anna?"
As the young girl looks towards the two men, she shakes her head.
"No, it's just a girl's walk."
"Oh I see. How mature of you."
Nodding, she quickly pulls my hand through the door, as we make our way through the streets of Shizume city.
"Where would you like to go, Anna-chan?"
As I look towards the young girl, she smiles up at me.
"Somewhere red."
"Oh, I think I know a cafe around here that's red."
As we slowly come to a stop in front of a small cafe, I smile down at her.
"Is this place ok?"
"Yes."
Pulling her through the doors, we quickly order tomato spaghetti for lunch, as she happily hums in her seat.
"You really like the color red, Anna-chan."
"Yes, it's the only color I can see."
As I look towards her, I offer her a small smile.
"Ok then, where should we go next?"
"The toy store. The others never take me there."
"Ok, the toy store it is."
As we finish our meal, we begin to head towards the small toy store.
"Aiya-chan, what is love?"
Blushing, I look down at the young girl.
"W-w-what?"
"Is that how you feel about Tatara-san?"
"N-n-n-no."
"Oh, I thought it was like how I loved Mikoto's red."
"Y-you love Mikoto?"
As a small blush covers her cheeks, I can't help but let out a small laugh over how adorable she looked.
"N-no, just his red."
"Oh alright then, Anna-chan."
"We're here, Aiya-chan. Come on, come on."
She swiftly pulls me through the doors, with a sense of urgency overwhelming her. As she began to search through the numerous toys available, I notice something catching my eye.
"Anna, I'll just be over here, ok?"
Only giving me a small nod in return, I slowly make my way towards the red bear sitting there with a small glare on its tiny face.
"I think she'd like this."
Turning around to face her once more, I slowly hand her the bear.
"Happy birthday, Anna-chan."
"It looks just like Mikoto."
As she squeezes it tightly against her chest, I notice the little blush covering her cheeks.
"I suppose it does. Would you like it?"
"Yes please, Aiya-chan."
As we slowly make our way to the bar, Anna's small teddy in toe, I can't help but smile.
"Have you thought of a name for your teddy yet, Anna-chan?"
"Oh, I'm gonna call him Koto."
"Hmm what an interesting choice, Anna-chan."
As I smile towards the young girl, I notice her gaze travel towards me.
"Thank you for such a fun day, Aiya-chan."
"You're very welcome, Anna-chan."
"Everyone else seems to have forgotten…"
As a small frown crosses her lips, I can't help but smile towards her.
"I'm sure they didn't forget. Maybe they're just really busy today, Anna-chan."
As we stand outside the bar, I notice her hopeful glance towards the doors.
"You must be right, Aiya-chan."
Slowly opening the doors, I hold my breath waiting for the commotion to begin.
'BANG'
'POP'
'WHISTLE'
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNA."
As a chorus of happy voices call out, her face begins to light up, while her smile shines through the room.
"A gift for our princess of Homra."
As they slowly bring her a red rose, all wishing her the happiest of birthdays, I step silently to the side, taking a seat on the couch.
"Oh, Aiya-chan. I have a gift for you."
As I look up towards Tatara, a smile crossing his face, he slowly bends down towards me.
"A white rose for another beautiful princess."
As I feel him place the flower in my hair, I can feel my cheeks burning, while I cast my gaze towards the ground.
"Thank you for taking care of Anna-chan today."
"Y-you're welcome, Totsuka-san."
"You really are like my beautiful princess, Aiya-chan."
As his lips lightly kiss my hand, I feel the heat rising to my cheeks, while I slowly glance towards him.
"Please call me Tatara."
