Six: Waffles by the Sea

"Sempai?"

"Uh…"

"Please?"

I couldn't. I shouldn't. But…her pleading face really got me. If there's one thing in the world that you must know, it would be to never let Shouko-chan plead to you. It's like saying no to your cute self. It's hard and it's going to make you a sore loser.

Kahoko and Shouko-chan both exchanged victorious smiles before snuggling closer to me. "So? What was he like?" Kahoko whispered. The light of my lamp casted enough light for the little circle that the three of us had made. Upon my return from Kinohara-san's room, these two girls never stopped following me, asking for details. It felt like the world shifted and now, I was the one being constantly asked about. Yunoki-sempai winked and raised his thumb at me before he turned to bed and I knew what that wink (might have) meant.

Kinohara-san had called him, saying that he liked the date. Whether or not it was the event and not the person. I nodded bashfully and quickly steered the two girls to my room.

"He was…charming." I said, the words seemingly intoxicatingly sweet in my mouth. Images of his face in various (handsome) angles flashed in my mind and I felt my cheeks burn. Kahoko and Shouko-chan had noted this and they started to squeal silently (though I have no idea how that could be possible). "So you like him? You like him?" Kahoko pressed on. "I cant say that I do like him in that sense. Maybe as a companion or a friend. He has nice manners and he's really fun to be with." I said, folding my legs up and resting my chin on my knees. "He's handsome too." I added and the two…practically went wild.

"Wait, wont your husbands be looking for you? I mean…" I trailed off as I looked at the clock on my bedside table. It read 10:48 PM. Shouko-chan shook her head and smiled. "Kahoko-neesan and I had already expressed our desire to sleep with you tonight." She told me. "Apparently, they boys have figured out about this so they just agreed." Kahoko added. "Wow, your men are really…submissive this time." I said and eyed them slyly. "Oh, Nami. Don't steer away the conversation! We're the ones who's going to ask the questions this time." Kahoko retorted.

The two wouldn't give up so I just told them all they wanted to know.

The dinner went smoothly. We came to know each other better. He revealed that he was a doctor, a pediatrician to be exact, which proves my unspoken hunch about him in the medical field. He was the middle child in their family and he has two younger siblings. He used to live overseas but he came back a good three years ago and continued his practice here.

We chatted for a few more while, giving stories about our younger years. When it was time for our date to end, he accompanied me down to the lobby. "I hope you had a great time, Amou-san." He said when the car approached. "I should be saying that. You were a good host. I had lots of fun." I told him.

"Oh, by the way, thank you for the shoes." I said before I forgot. He looked down and grinned at me, a thing which never fails to put a smile on my face. "Does it fit you?" he asked. "Yes, very perfectly." I said, looking down as well. "I only had a rough estimation based from a photograph that Azuma-kun had shown me." He reasoned out. The car stopped in front and upon the front seat, Tsuchiura's looming figure emerged. "Good guess, then." I said.

"It's time. I hope the three hours was enough." Tsuchiura greeted with a grin. "Unfortunately." Kinohara-san replied then looked at me. "Good night, Kinohara-san." I said and bowed slightly. He bowed as well and I stepped in the car. I rolled down the windows and waved a little. "I hope to see you again, Kinohara-san." I said and smiled. He looked down for a bit then glanced back up at me.

"…Amou-san, can I call you?" he asked, fishing out his cellphone. My heart skipped a beat and I became speechless.

"What did you do? Did you give him your number?" Kahoko interjected. "Did you give him?" Shouko-chan was not able to hide her own growing anticipation as well.

"Of course, Kinohara-san." I said and a smile so genuine crawled on his face. "Thank you." He said and handed me his phone. "Good night, Amou-san. It was truly a pleasure knowing and being with you." He said and the car honked lightly before moving away.

"He's so sweet! Do you think he could be the one? You two click together!" Kahoko said, murdering (AKA hugging ever so tightly) a pillow. "I think it's too early to call that, Kahoko-neesan. But I agree that you two work well together. I say you should give him a try." Shouko-chan voiced out her opinion. Just as I was about to respond, my cellphone began to ring and the three of us tensed. "Do you think…" I whispered, looking at both of them. "You better answer it." Kahoko said and made the move of grabbing my phone. She frowned at the name flashed on the screen. "Unregiste-"

I grabbed the phone back, answered it and set it to loudspeaker so I wouldn't have to repeat in mouth reading whatever we were talking about. "Hello?" I said.

A handsome relieved sigh came at the other end. Kinohara-san!

"Hi. It's me, Kinohara." he greeted back. Kahoko and Shouko-chan held hands tightly to suppress their delight. "Oh, Kinohara-san. You…called." I said. "Yeah, I hope you don't mind." He was chuckling as he said that. "No, I don't. I just…found it too soon of you to call." I replied.

"I…somehow missed you sooner than you and I have imagined, so pardon me." He said. My heart stopped beating for a moment and then did a round of flips as it recovered. "Ah…okay." I whispered back. I swear my face was flashing red at that moment.

"Are you sleeping already?" his husky voice emerged. "Uh, no. Not yet. I was…about to, actually." I said. "Then I was in perfect timing?" he teased. I laughed lightly in response at him. "You could say that again." I added. "Well then…good night, Amou-san. I just called to check on you." He started. "Good night, Kinohara-san. Thank you again." I said.

"Until next time." He said then hung up. The two girls started to squeal lightly and they grabbed both of my arms and started to wiggle them. "Oh my goodness, Nami! He's really into you!" Kahoko said. "You are so lucky, sempai!" Shouko-chan was very happy with that bright twinkle on her eyes. "Oh, you two! Stop it!" I giggled and the two did the same. "But don't forget that I still have two more dates coming up. So, just keep the scores and tabulate them on your own." I said.

Tuesday morning was…

I was woken with a soft ringing sound from somewhere. I squinted my eyes and my hand patted all sides around me, hoping to get a grip on that ringing object. And guess what, it was my phone.

"Hello?" I slurred out the words and got up. Kahoko and Shouko-chan went to their own rooms after all so I was able to sprawl on my bed.

What greeted me at the other line was enough to wipe away the heavy cloud of sleep in my head.

"Good morning too, Amou-san."

"Kinohara-san?" I gasped and sat up straight, with my hair flying behind me in a wicked mess. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. "G-Good morning…" I greeted back and he chuckled. Oh please, stop that. You're making me feel so weird!

"I suppose you just got out of bed?" he asked. I could hear the faint sound of seagulls in his background. "Actually, I'm still on it. Wait, where are you?" I inquired then stood to get my robe. Nao purred along and me feet. I stooped down to stroke her head lovingly. "Ah, somewhere along the beach." He said.

"So early." I commented and walked out of my room. Hihara-sempai was the first to see me and we waved at each other our greetings. "For a change. Besides, since I'm already here in Okinawa, might as well savor it fully while I still can." He replied. "I see. I hope you don't get sunburned for staying on the beach!" I kidded and he laughed.

"By the way," he started. "Would it be rude of me if I ask to visit you today?" he asked.

"No. I'd be…delighted, actually."

"Then…would it be rude of me if I ask to visit you now?"

"Ah, that is quite fast. But no, Kinohara-san. Your visit would be still delightful."

"Then…" he paused. Suddenly, a knock came from the front door. My heart stopped and my eyes widened.

It couldn't be…

"Would it be rude of me to ask you to open the door?"

I was so shocked with the happenings that I couldn't even answer him…either on the phone or on the door.

Yunoki-sempai suddenly emerged from the stairs. He walked straight to the door and…opened it, only to be equally surprised with the one standing behind it. "Kousuke-kun?" Sempai asked in confusion. "I wasn't really expecting you to be the one to open the door, Azuma-kun but, yes, good morning too." He flashed a smile. Sempai looked around and finally saw me standing by the hallway that led to the kitchen.

In my sleeping robe, and the fluffy pink bedroom slippers.

With the cellphone on my ear.

With my mouth open and frozen.

Yunoki-sempai smiled at me. "I'll keep him company while you get dressed." He said and the next thing I knew, I was back at my own room. When I came back, Kinohara-san was now being entertained not only by Yunoki-sempai but by Hihara-sempai, Kahoko and Shimizu-kun. They looked like they were talking about something funny. Hopefully, it's not about me. It was Shimizu-kun who spotted me first.

"Looks like you're all having fun." I said and slipped beside Kahoko. "Oh, have you guys had breakfast already?" I asked, realizing the time. "Actually, that's what Kinohara-san is here for." Kahoko said. "Oh…" I heard myself.

A shy smile appeared on his handsome face and he chuckled softly. "I have a basket on my car. May I ask you…to join me for breakfast?" he asked and he wasn't able to hide that glow on his face and eyes. And I couldn't deny the fact that he was directing the question to me. I had to look away to prevent myself from smiling so wide that it looked hurtful to do so.

"We'll be fine here, Amou." Tsuchiura's gruff voice sounded in. "It's not like we cant cook for ourselves." Tsukimori's voice went second. I saw the two walking together. "You sure?" I asked and the two guys nodded at the same time. "I second them." Hihara-sempai said with cheerfulness only he can convey. "Thanks, guys." I felt so giddy. I glanced at Kinohara-san and he looked like he has been looking at me since. He got up to go to his car and retrieve the basket. I caught a smirk from both Tsuchiura and Tsukimori's faces before they went away. They were probably talking about the date tomorrow.

Having been living in this place for this long, I have never imagined on taking breakfast here. Least enjoy it with someone. With someone.

Shizuo had trotted along behind and from the looks of it, he fancies the idea of having Kinohara-san around. "It's overwhelming to know that you prepared something like this. How could I ever repay you?" I teased as he finished setting up the mat. The basket that he carried smelled of freshly baked bread, waffles, and some bacon. I offered to carry the two jugs he brought along. He chuckled with pure delight at the question I threw. "Just promise me you'll give this moment to me." He murmured and winked. Oh boy…

He was charming, really. I…cant deny the fact that we agree on most things and even if we don't, we are open to each other's preferences. He was a good companion and he wasn't the type that hugs the spotlight for him. It may have only been yesterday since we met but it felt like…longer than that. It felt like I knew him from way back. It was…enchanting and confusing at the same time.

His slightly tousled hair danced beautifully with the sea breeze that came along. The twinkle in his eyes never faded. He was beautiful.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Amou-san?" his quiet voice slipped like silk on my ears. The cry of seagulls from above intensified the silence that I had given him when I didn't answer. "…Amou-san," he leaned in and I didn't know why but I didn't move. I was still mesmerized by the fact of him, by the truth of him, by the sureness of him. His hand landed softly on my cheek and odd, the space in his palms felt in perfect fit with my face. The thumping in my chest grew louder and stronger but I didn't care. If it was Kinohara-san…

"Please choose me," he whispered and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "Choose me, no matter what, Amou-san. Make me yours." He added and his hand slipped down to my hands and gave it a quick squeeze. I saw how his eyes pleaded and it pierced my heart. I wasn't really a fan of love at first sight but…this man…

I can't say yes since I still have two more dates left. Not that I don't like this man but it would seem unfair to the other two men. I wanted to meet and know them in an unprejudiced manner. It was a searching manner so I had to date the others with no bias.

But I cant say no either since…I do feel something for him. Call it cliché but…at first sight of him, I did felt like there some magnet drawing me to him.

How should I react? What should I do?