Keichiiro loves fish

Lettuce was cleaning the tables after the café had closed for the day and she and Keichiiro were the only ones left since everyone had gone home. She felt kinda sad at that she was the only one who had not found somebody else yet it also made her kinda jealous too.

Kisshu and Ichigo had gone to a Love Hotel to have some alone time and to have some fun because Ichigo was hinting during work hours that Kisshu was way more passionate and kinky that Masaya ever was since he acted like sex could only happen after marriage.

Purin and Taruto had gone off to a noodle joint for their first date since they were growing closer and Taruto was seriously thinking about marrying her when they grew up which made Purin excited and hyperactive during work hours which annoyed everyone else.

Zakuro had mooched off with Pai since he was the mature one and knew how to pleasure a lady in all different kinds of ways plus he had offered to buy her dinner which she couldn't refuse so they were off together too.

Mint had stolen Masaya again and was taking him to a fancy gala dinner to show off since she was thinking about dating Masaya since he was not only good looking but very passionate in bed if he was horny enough which only took teasing from Mint.

As for Ryou he was out drinking since he didn't want to get stuck with Lettuce when they were supposed to be seeing other people until the 2 weeks were up. This made Lettuce anxious since she couldn't help but wonder if he was making out with cute girls there and drowning his sorrows in beer.

"Hey Lettuce your kinda quiet back there is everything ok?" Keichiiro asked worriedly bobbing his head through the entrance to the kitchen. He had kindly offered to stay behind and clean up with Lettuce and had taken the kitchen duty while she cleaned the café.

"Huh oh its nothing Keichiiro I'm just thinking is all" Lettuce said sighing sadly and continued to mop the floor but in truth what she really wanted to be doing was to be having some wild action with another guy since her sex life had been rather dull with Ryou.

Keichiiro wasn't buying it he knew lettuce was self conscious but now she was acting more like melancholy. He finished the last of the dishes and went into the café to check on Lettuce. "I may be the manager Lettuce but that doesn't mean you cannot confide in me when something bothers you" Keichiiro said kindly to which Lettuce responded by suddenly grabbing Keichiiro and crying on his chest while clinging to him tightly.

"Oh Keichiiro why…why can't I be cute like Ichigo, Zakuro or Mint I'm so plain and ordinary no wonder Ryou has lost interest in me" Lettuce sobbed loudly to which Keichiiro put his arms around her and placed one hand on her head to console her until she calmed down.

15 mins later

Keichiiro and Lettuce were walking through the park on their way home and Lettuce was still a little sad but had also cheered up somewhat which relieved Keichiiro he hated seeing Lettuce sad he preferred to see her sweet smiling face.

"Akasaka-kun thank you for helping me out back there but I feel so daft that I cried in front of you like that geez I'm such a crybaby" Lettuce said apologetically feeling rather daft. She took a quick peek at Keichiiro's face and thought to herself "Wow Keichiiro sure is handsome but why did I never notice it before?"

Keichiiro stopped dead in his tracks and clenched his fists thinking of Ryou. He remembered how Ryou often cancelled dates between Lettuce and himself because he was busy and how many times Lettuce had said she understood but knew deep down she wanted to cry and call him a jerk and how unfair he was being.

"Akasaka-kun what's wrong are you ok?" Lettuce asked walking towards him worriedly and looking deeply into his eyes her face very close to his. Suddenly Keichiiro pulled Lettuce close to him shocking her "Akasaka-kun what are you doing?" Lettuce asked worriedly she was baffled at his sudden change in behavior.

Keichiiro tightened his grip around Lettuce not wanting to let her go as if she would vanish if he released her. She was always so kind and so gentle and Ryou never treated her like she was that important yet he seemed to be overly affectionate with Ichigo and favor her more.

"Akasaka-kun please your hurting me what's the matter with you?" Lettuce whimpered quietly she was getting very afraid Keichiiro was usually friendly and cheerful he never acted like this he was being so quiet and forward it was very unlike him.

"You…You always seem to cry because of him…" Keichiiro said quietly shocking Lettuce into silence "Ryou always blows you off when it comes to dates and he chooses his work over you most days but you never cry or yell in front of him no matter how much you want to" Keichiiro said crossly "If it was me I would never let you cry unless necessary and would treat you right".

Lettuce couldn't believe what she was hearing Keichiiro Akasaka was in love with her I mean she usually thought he was kinda handsome but she had Ryou but now she could date him if she wanted due to the month's deadline. "Akasaka-Kun" Lettuce said gently wrapping her own arms around Keichiiro's back.

"Please…please call me Keichiiro I want you to call me by my first name" Keichiiro said gently stroking Lettuce's hair and breathing in her scent enjoying the warmth of her body pressed closely to his. Despite the choice of having any other woman Keichiiro liked Lettuce because of her good nature and kind hearted attitude.

Lettuce closed her eyes and a tear ran down her cheek then she whispered "I…I love you too Keichiiro" causing Keichiiro's heart to leap out of his chest and he felt like he was on cloud nine he had always wished for her love and now Lettuce was confessing to him.

"Oh Lettuce I'm so happy you feel that way I promise I'll make you happy please don't leave me ever" Keichiiro cried happily and pulled her into a passionate kiss which shocked her but she soon returned it since she and Ryou hardly ever kissed on the lips he mainly kissed her on the cheek like you would a younger sister or child.

That evening

Lettuce sat on her bed wearing green pajama's with blue fish on them her long hair was lose and flowing over her shoulders and down to her waist. She fingered it delicately and thought to herself "perhaps if I organize a date with Keichiiro I could tie my hair up but let it flow loosely" she pondered curiously.

Suddenly there was a knock at her door "Lettuce its mama I have a parcel for you" to which Lettuce got up quickly and retrieved the parcel from her mother and asked who it was from "I believe a handsome brunette who said he was your boss and that he forgot to give this to you after you left the park to come home" her mother said. After her mother left Lettuce opened the package and was touched to find a stuffed turtle toy inside and held it close to her bosom "Oh Keichiiro thank you…thank you so much" Lettuce sobbed quietly.

Morning

Everyone was rather baffled at Lettuce's new attitude at work the next day she kept daydreaming, singing, humming, giggling shyly and gazing at Keichiiro every now and then until the mews figured it out. "I think Lettuce is in love with Keichiiro you guys" Ichigo said sternly which did make the others mews except Purin fit Lettuce's behavior into an explanation. "I would also explain why she's cheered up all of a sudden" she concurred.

They were completely unaware that Ryou had overheard everything and decided he would do the same with Ichigo "she is cuter and sexier to boot plus it means I can date her afterward" Ryou chuckled and went back to the lab to do more research. Lettuce saw him walk away but said nothing as she knew it was part of the monthly deal.