Raise your hand if you adore Raichi! (both my hands are up, BTW) I immediately loved him in manga cuz, like, he's just so pure? And cute? Then in the anime, his laugh is too precious and I died hahha I like him and Sawamura being friends since they're so similar but also different; more of that in this chapter~

Around here, there's never a moment of silence. It isn't like in the city, though, where noises of all kinds are hurled at my ears without any rhyme or reason. Here at the market, every sound blends with the other sounds in a pleasant hum. People laugh and talk about this and that with each other and the other sellers, asking for more information and joking over a good round of haggling. Nobody yells, nobody argues, nobody honks their car horns in the parking lot. Which is very large, I'd like to add! People around here are kind to each other and make friends with the uncommon stranger. The beat of a drum is usually always in the background of every interaction, including right now, thanks to Sanada Shunpei. I am friends with him, but not the kind that go on overnight fishing trips or borrow each other's graphic novels. He isn't here at the market every day and doesn't have a set place to play. He settles in random spots and plays whatever comes to mind. I'm not even sure where he lives since he leaves town at every whim. Sometimes I think it would be cool to live that freely, simply doing what I want when I want for the love of it. That isn't my journey, though, and I'm happy with the path I've chosen. While Sanada does wander around, the most common place for him to be found is past Wakana's stand, surrounded by his various drums in the corner. From there, he has a clear view of the flower stand.

"Wakana!" I whisper to my neighbor. She's straightening up an arrangement of earrings while an elderly lady and her daughter, owners of the candy store in town, browse her pieces. Wakana looks up with a smile to show she heard me. "Sanada is back over there! Do you see?"

She glances over quickly. "I do. Do you see where he's looking?"

I lean over my counter, trying to follow Sanada's line of sight. Every now and then, he sneaks a peek right at the flower stand and its owner. I laugh and turn back to Wakana. "Right at Raichi! Does he notice?" When I look across the flow of shoppers, Raichi is wrapping a bouquet in pastel paper. He's so focused, part of his tongue is sticking out the corner of his mouth.

"Probably not." Wakana shrugs, closing a sale. "Some people are a bit oblivious around here."

"Yeah, he really is!" I laugh as Raichi leaves his stand, rushing to the parking lot after telling his assistants he'll be right back. One of my regulars comes by to pick up their weekly supplies, a smile on his face. It's a good smile, so I grin back. "Afternoon! Have you tried a string bean today? It's my featured sample!" I offer him a try.

He looks confused for some reason but still takes one. "You mean green bean?"

Yes and no! "Two names for the same bean, actually." I keep smiling, happy to share my knowledge with him.

The man chuckles and grabs his boxed items. "How interesting! You always know your stuff."

When it comes to my work, of course I do. I'm glad some people can see that, though, and don't question me about it. Like certain other people would. "I try!" I bid him farewell and regain Wakana's attention. "Do you think Sanada will come over and ask about Raichi again?" He wasn't here yesterday, but the last time Sanada was at the market, he came over to talk to me and asked if the florist had a significant other. Wakana giggles while replacing whatever she sold. "Or will Raichi finally notice him and say hi?" Maybe I watch too many romantic comedies, but it'd sure be something to see the two make a connection.

Wakana sighs with a smile. "You and your imagination."

"I'm not imagining things!"

"That's not what I mean."

I'm not sure what she does mean then, but I notice the drum beat has stopped. Looks like Sanada is up and walking this way. "Do you think he heard?" My question is shot down by Wakana hushing me right before Sanada steps in front of my stand. "Afternoon! Want a string bean? It snaps when you bend it." I hold out my basket of sample beans for him. He breaks one in half and nods.

"Yeah, you're right about that." Yet another person who understands I'm not always a fool! Sanada bites one of the halves before clearing his throat. "Do you just eat these around the farm when they're raw like this?"

"Of course! They're delicious, right? Nothing added to them. One hundred percent nature!"

"If you subtract the farmers."

I ignore his smirk and roll my eyes. "Sanada, you know what I mean!"

"Um, Eijun?" Wakana calls from her post. "Should Raichi be carrying so much on his own?" That's probably too many things in his arms, rolls of paper and boxes of ribbon not balanced properly. It looks like something's about to fall from the top of the pile, but he keeps walking.

I can't do anything now but warn him. "Raichi, be careful!"

He isn't careful. In fact, half of what he's carrying topples out of his grasp. Instead of hearing a crash, though, I hear an awkward laugh from Sanada and realize he's no longer standing near me. He's at Raichi's side! "I believe this is yours." He holds out the various objects towards Raichi with a smile. "Well, all of this."

Raichi seems to be frozen. He kinda just stares up at Sanada, turning red in the face and not moving. Something finally clicks in his brain and he shakes his head. "I'm sorry? I mean…um, thank you."

I turn to Wakana since she's witnessing this, too. "He isn't smooth at all. Why's he so red?"

"Eijun!" She scolds me.

"No problem! Wouldn't want you to struggle. Where should I put all this?" Sanada asks.

Raichi takes a step closer, nearly in Sanada's face. "I can take it back!" He stretches his arms out, the crap he's holding included. "I'm just going back to my stand."

This makes the drummer laugh. "Wasn't that the problem in the first place?" Sanada's excellent point only makes Raichi turn a deeper red and shift his eyes to the floor. "Here. I'll follow you, okay? I don't mind helping." The offer sounds good but is met with silence. "That's…I mean, that's alright with you, isn't it?"

I swear, they're acting like they've never met before! "Yes! Thank you!" Raichi nods. "Follow me."

Wakana calls my name, so I turn away from the unfolding scene. "Don't stare."

"I wanted to see what'd happen! Why're they acting so weird? Raichi's spoken to Sanada before, and he's never so quiet and awkward."

"You know he can be shy."

I guess when I met Raichi, he was in the middle of picking flowers and in his element. We became friends quickly, so I must've missed the weird version of him that strangers get. "I bet if he acted like his normal self, neither would be acting like such weirdos." I can't hear what they're saying now, but Raichi hides behind his hands, then gestures with them. He looks confused, or maybe that's just his embarrassment. Sanada laughs at something and shrugs, Raichi sort of smiles, then grabs a flower. "Is he giving that to him?!" He is! He gave Sanada a flower! "Wakana, you see that?" I practically jump up and down, excited for the two of them!

"He's walking back over!" She whispers. "Get back to work!"

Back to work? What the hell am I supposed to do with no customers to try and look busy with? I stop adjusting my overall straps and fumble for the sample basket again, holding it out to Sanada when he passes by me. "Another sample, Sanada?" I pretend I don't hear Wakana groaning and smile to sell.

"I'm good on samples, thanks." Sanada holds up his flower with a grin, walking back to his drums. I want to shout at Raichi about this, but he's frowning over his work. What's his problem? I thought he'd be happy to have a nice little chat with Sanada, but I guess I'll have to wait to ask.

When we close, we never go home right away. We pack up our cars and sit out on one of the benches in front of the market after everyone else goes home. Raichi's already on the bench when Wakana and I leave the building, elbows on his knees and face in his hands with a daisy in his fingers. What's got him so upset? I sit beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. "What's going on? Today was a good day, wasn't it? You had so many sales!" I remind him. One arrangement in particular was real popular and he almost ran out of carnations.

He sighs, turning to me. "Yeah, but I made such an idiot of myself!"

"Raichi." Wakana sits on his other side. "That's not true."

"Yeah it is! Sanada probably thinks I'm a loser now." He groans, tugging at his hair.

What exactly does he think happened with Sanada? From what I saw, things went great. "How?! He walked over to you and talked with you! That's a huge success, you know."

"But I was so awkward!"

"How?"

"I couldn't even make eye contact. I don't know, I just felt overwhelmed, or something, and I stuttered when I said his name. I almost tripped in front of him, as if dropping a bunch of shit in front of everyone wasn't bad enough." Raichi sighs and rubs his eyes. He's normally not this hard on himself. The only time he beats himself up this way is when the business is involved. "Sanada's probably gonna ignore me next time he sees me."

"That's not going to happen." Wakana says with conviction.

Raichi somehow deflates even more. "But he's way more interesting and cooler than me! I hate that I get so nervous. That never happens."

This is true. I don't really know of anything Raichi's afraid of. Wakana shrugs. "It's because you care. It's completely normal."

"Then why do I feel like such a dumbass?"

Wakana puts her hand on Raichi's other shoulder. Her smile is gentle and warm. She's always sincere with her smiles. "He loved the flower you gave him. Did you see how big he smiled when he went back to playing music? I don't think I've ever seen Sanada so happy." She makes a really good point!

"Yeah! He wouldn't've been so excited over a flower if he didn't like you. You just need to act like yourself so Sanada can really see you."

Finally, Raichi's frown softens. "He really liked it?"

"Yeah!" I assure him. "He likes you!"

"You guys really think so?"

"Absolutely." Wakana nods.

I slap his back with a smile. "We wouldn't lie to you, our flower child!"

He laughs and stares at his feet, twirling the daisy aimlessly. "You both know I'm awful at this kind of thing. I just hope you're right." Raichi pats Wakana's hand. "At least you guys sound like you know what you're talking about." He hands me the flower. After smelling it, I tuck it in the front pocket of my overalls.

I do know a lot! It's no secret that I'm not exactly smart, but I happen to know a lot about a lot of things. Like, I know a lot about bugs and how to deter them from plants. I also know about fishing and how to tell different kinds apart from each other. When I talk about things I understand, it bothers me to be told otherwise. Obviously it's why I got so pissed off at what happened at the bar the other day. Maybe I could've said more to prove myself to Miyuki, whose name is Kazuya according to Haruichi, but maybe he should've been nicer and taken me seriously. "Thank you. It's nice to know that some people get that I'm not all dumb."

Wakana knows me too well, shooting me a look. "Is this still about what happened at the bar?"

"No!" My answer fools no one. "Maybe a little! But I hate being told I'm wrong when I know I'm right. It's so annoying, and I didn't even get to properly defend myself to that four-eyed bastard."

"Why not go back?" Raichi suggests. "If it's really getting under your skin that bad."

"You'd really drive over an hour out of your way to settle an argument with a stranger?" Wakana asks in a tone that makes me think she already knows the answer to that.

After telling my family I won't be home right away, I find myself back at the bar. It's weird using the front door, pausing to be greeted by someone. Last time I was here, I just followed Haruichi through the back and found my own seat. I did consider using the same door today, but I feel like Haruichi would've disapproved if he found out. I have to squeeze my way through strangers and furniture to get to the familiar counter, taking the same seat as before. Nobody comes by to make me a drink right away, so I scan the area for Kuramochi. I find him laughing with Ryousuke at the other end, doing his fancy drink stuff. Maybe I can get his attention? I lean over the counter and look Kuramochi's way, careful to balance on the smooth surface so I don't fall over to the other side. "Kuramochi!" I wave at him until he sees me, sitting back in my seat when he does. "I'm back! Remember me?"

Should've known he'd greet me with a towel to the face. "Nobody could forget someone as loud as you, Sawamoron."

I don't approve of that nickname and shove the rag aside. "Can you make me a new drink? I have to drive again, but I'm thirsty." Being on the road for that long made me hungry, too. Kuramochi nods and gets to work.

"Yeah, sure. What're you doing all the way out here, anyway?"

"It's for work." Seeing what our crops are made into counts as some sort of business trip, right? "It's a good idea to see what happens to our products once they leave the farm."

He laughs, handing me a glass and not throwing the coaster at me. "For real?"

"Yes! And I like your drinks." I think this one might be better than the last one!

Kuramochi blinks at me, crossing his arms. "Thanks? I guess." He acts like he's never been given a compliment, or something. "Didn't Little Kominato make you drinks before? You said he practiced with you."

I nod, squeezing the juice from the lime wedge. "Yes, but that was years ago! And his had alcohol, so they weren't as good." I just don't like the taste of alcoholic stuff. "It was fun watching him, though. He really likes trying new things and making them look cool. He misses that." I'm not expecting to see Kuramochi frown at this, but that's exactly what happens.

"Misses it? What do you mean?"

Isn't he the manager? He should know what I'm talking about. "He doesn't mix drinks like before 'cause he's serving people. You know, since somebody quit, or whatever? You should know."

He nods slowly, tapping his arm. "Yeah, we should really hire someone."

"Where is Haruichi, anyway?"

His glare is a warning of some kind, I'm sure. "You're not about to pester my employees."

That wasn't even my plan! "So he's busy?"

"If I let him take a quick break, will you stop making that face?"

"What face?"

He rolls his eyes before stepping away. "That weird pouty one. Stop making it." Kuramochi leaves the bar, heading to the main part of the restaurant. Instead of seeing him again, I see my friend take his place at the counter.

"Harucchi! You're free!"

He laughs but shakes his head. "I've got a few minutes. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to see what was being made with my produce."

"Still annoyed at Miyuki, then?"

Why does everyone keep thinking that? I mean, I haven't talked to Haruichi about the whole Miyuki thing since yesterday, which is a whole day without even mentioning him! "That's not what I said, even if it is true. I never thought about what people made with our food after we sold it. I mean, I know where it goes and what types of restaurants and stuff buy them, but after that, it's a big question mark." I stir my drink, swirling my cup around. "Maybe if I knew how they're being used, I could use that information, somehow? I don't know."

Haruichi hums, leaning on the counter. "You know, that sounds like a good idea." He smiles. "It's good to think like that if you want to keep learning."

And I do! I want to learn everything I can about our business and show my family that I'm serious about farming. It's all I've ever wanted. Hearing Haruichi say that, acknowledging my idea and my thoughts, makes me feel warm inside and I don't hold back my grin. "That's so nice to hear!" I chuckle, resting my head in one hand. I slide a coaster under my elbow in case my sleeve is dirty. "Is that how you think, too? To be the best bartender you can be?"

He shrugs, smile fading a fraction. "When I'm at the bar, I do."

I know he misses it. I don't want him to be sad, so maybe I'll bring up another topic. "Also, my family knows you and Furuya are coming for a trip this weekend. You'll have to have at least one meal with them or my mom will get mad at me."

It's not a joke, but Haruichi laughs. "That shouldn't be a problem. Maybe we'll provide the fish."

"Good idea! It'll be fun to get a change of scenery, right? You don't leave the city very often, even though you know my door's always open." I remind him.

"I know, I know." He nods. "Fresh air will be nice. I could use a change of pace."

His sigh doesn't go unnoticed by me. Another change in subject it is, then! "So's there anything new around here lately?"

"Since you came by days ago?" Kuramochi returns with a laugh.

Haruichi taps the counter. "Now that you mention it, there is a new item on the menu."

Well, I wasn't expecting that. "Can I see?"

"Chef convinced the general manager yesterday." Haruichi hands me a menu. "I'm surprised by how well it's selling."

Kuramochi scoffs. "I'm surprised he even bothered with it."

Not sure what he's getting at, but maybe I'll find out. "What do you mean? Does the manager not like to change things up often? People will get bored otherwise." Selling isn't as easy as some of us make it look.

"I mean Miyuki." Kuramochi explains. "I don't remember the last time he came up with something to add. Ultimately, management decides what makes it to the menu, but Miyuki hardly ever brings a suggestion to him. He just cooks what he's told to."

My friend nods. "That's true. It seems to be a good dish, though, so it's worked in our favor."

"Was it always that way?" I peel my orange slice so I can eat it. "That he didn't come up with his own ideas?"

For some reason, my question makes Kuramochi shift and look away. I guess this is uncomfortable for him, but I can't imagine why. "You ask too many questions, you know? Don't be so nosy all the time." If that's supposed to make me back off, it has the opposite effect. Kuramochi gets tired of me staring and sighs. "Look, all you need to know is that he always does his job and does it well. If he didn't, you wouldn't be here."

I gasp at such an untruth. "Who says? That's not why I'm here!"

Haruichi smirks. "Eijun, you're no good at lying."

"Harucchi!"

Kuramochi laughs. "He's right, though!"

Clearly I can't win here. I cross my arms, annoyed. "That's not very nice."

"It wasn't mean, either." Haruichi squeezes my arm in passing. "I'll text you later, okay? Don't be mad." His smile makes it impossible to really be upset. His nice smile, that is. He definitely has another smile that means he's had enough and will no longer be kind and thoughtful. I nod and wave as he leaves. My arms make a good pillow for my chin, so I rest there and stare at my drink.

"Don't pout, Sawamura." Kuramochi pokes my arm. "We were only playing."

"I know, and I'm not mad at you guys." I do feel something, though, but I'm not sure what.

Kuramochi clears his throat and gestures down the bar. "I'll check on you later, alright? Don't do anything stupid."

After he's gone, I watch a drop of water run down my cup. It puddles on the coaster and spreads to the edge of the cardboard. Why am I here, really? Obviously I wanted to give Miyuki a piece of my mind and prove that I sometimes know what I'm talking about. I wanted to watch that smirk fall from his face when he realized that he's the one who's wrong. An apology was never going to happen, but maybe I wanted something close to one. Thinking back on the different plates I had last time, I know there's another reason why I'm here, why it was so easy to convince myself to drive all this way: I want to eat more of Miyuki's food. I don't like that, but I can't help it! I never knew the crops I plant, raise, harvest could taste so…different? I'm used to simple dishes, and mostly fresh vegetables with little cooking and stuff involved. This new dish on the menu doesn't seem like the others since it isn't fried or breaded. Why wasn't he making healthier options like it before? Why hide natural flavor behind dips and crumbs and grease? Kuramochi comes back, wiping the counter down when someone leaves. "Why'd he change his mind?"

He doesn't look up but I can tell he rolls his eyes. "Who, and about what? Not a mind reader."

"Miyuki, about the new food. I'm just wondering why he'd make something so different."

"Well, we did have a meeting." Kuramochi rests his elbow near me so he can speak quietly. "Chris, our manager, asked specifically if anybody had any suggestions that day, but nobody spoke up. It probably lit a fire under Miyuki's ass, and he decided to try something new." So their manager understands that people need change, or else they'll get stuck in boredom and forget how exciting new things can be. "No more questions, alright? Why don't you order something and you can ask him all this shit instead of me? You'll probably like the new food."

What an excellent suggestion! "Yes, I'll do that!" If Miyuki sees that this wholesome food is selling well, he has to see that I'm right and that food doesn't need to be ruined to be tasty.

"You're way too excited about this, but fine."

"People here aren't enthusiastic about eating?"

He thinks this over for a second, frowning a little. "I mean, not really? It's just a bar. There are dozens in the city like it. It's nothing special." That sounds pretty sad to me. "I'll be right back. Keep your volume down."

"I wasn't even yelling!"

"What'd I just say?"

Right, the volume thing. I keep quiet until Kuramochi comes back. "Do you want this place to be special?" I know I want my family's business to be better than the rest, so I can't imagine otherwise.

"It's not mine." He scoffs. "Things would be different if it was my name on the building, but it's not. Look around you." I turn to look over my shoulder and at the sections of the restaurant. Mostly men in suits, some women with briefcases, a few small groups of assumed friends, a couple here and there. "They want alcohol after a day of working hard for someone else. They want a dark place to rest their eyes and forget about computer screens. They want something familiar so they won't even have to think. They don't care about innovation or artistry. Nobody notices the angle a lemon wedge sits on a glass or the paintings on the walls."

The paintings are hard to see, but I can tell that they have a lot of color and curves. I bite into a cherry, pointing at a frame with the stem I pull off. "Those are nice pieces, though."

"Not my best, but thanks." Kuramochi painted those?! "But you get what I'm saying? People aren't trying to be surprised or wowed here. They just want to relax. Go to other bars and you'll see that you're the only one thrilled about ordering virgin cocktails and green beans."

"It doesn't have to be that way." There's more I want to say on the matter, but the kitchen doors open to make way for the first course of my dinner and the man bringing it to me. That smug look on his face is annoying, but the worst part is that it doesn't annoy me as much as it should. It's a feeling worthy of a scowl. "Miyuki Kazuya!"

I'm setting y'all up for the next update. Spoiler: we'll get more of Miyuki :D