『Ichigo's POV』
I felt overwhelmed having survived the whole week with Kisshu peeping in and out of my life. And now Saturday has arrived.
Why did I regret walking out of the front door of my house right now? Because my work shift starts early in the morning, meaning there was a possibility of seeing Kisshu all day.
"I wish, I wish.. that he moved out of town to a far away country— NO. A far away continent, and leave me in peace for at least five years." I sighed as I headed on to the cafe.
"Aw, but then you'll miss me and beg me to come back." An arm slung over my shoulder and I immediately froze on the spot.
"Good night" I greeted absentmindedly, face as blank as paper.
His forehead creased while he leaned closer and observed me unsurely. "Um.. are you okay?"
I never blessed him a greeting for as long as I knew him. My own words tasted of indecision, especially how I had swapped day for night. What was wrong with me.
"Yeah. I'm cool." I responded quite quickly. The road that lead to Cafe Mew Mew was only a few paces away and I hoped to make it there without stopping.
A hand took a firm grip on my shoulder as I was reluctantly rotated around. "No, you're not. You're just talking gibberish."
"I'm sorry, Kisshu, but I have somewhere to go to." Shrugging his hand off and walking around him, I looked straight ahead and was more than delighted to see the cafe reeling closer.
"So do I" he slyly tugged along and brushed his shoulder against mine. Ugh...
I noticed he was wearing a black short sleaved shirt and silver-ish grey tie, black skinny jeans hugging his legs. Does he always dress this smart, or was formality his usual dress style? Whatever it was, he looked... good.
"No. I think you'll find that the customers normally enter through that way." I showed up at the back exit door and inwardly groaned, knowing with a strong feeling that Kisshu had obviously followed suit.
His eyes reflected the direction I pointed.
"But.. I'm not a customer today."
"Stop being a nuisance, Kisshu." I turned his body right around. "I don't need your stupid presence to start the day, so please, just go."
I tiredly sighed and rolling my eyes, entered through the back exit to get dressed into my maid's outfit.
Funny I should have checked if he was following, because the next thing I knew, he was standing exactly at the first steps leading down to the basement level.
Like magic...
"How did you come this far when I closed the door in your face?"
He leaned on the dull brick walls with a knowing smirk.
"You left it unlocked."
Why, God.. why..?
"Move out of the way" I stepped closer and removed him from the narrowing walls. "You're in my way."
"So is this where you hang around during your breaks?" Kisshu asked and nodded as he observed his surroundings. I didn't mind that he did, because he was never going to come back here. Ever.
"No.. I'd usually be sitting in a closet or hiding under a table away from you" I sarcastically replied.
It was mean, I know, but I really wasn't in the mood to swallow his comments and accept him being here.
"I see... Maybe that's why I sometimes feel something peculiar shuffling under the tables."
I shot him a glare and he innocently smiled in return.
Appearing to stand in front of the Maids' Changing Unit, I grinned and didn't hesitate to inform him, "You can go now. This is as far as it gets, bye!"
There wasn't a chance to let him inside — what a crazy thought! — because I shut the door purposely hard before he could say anything. A loud slam tuned out his voice, peace and quiet at last.
Better if I locked the door this time; I don't need anyone like Ryou stepping in unexpectedly! And so rudely, too..
I didn't bring any bags with me, so I kicked off my shoes and threw them in place where I'd normally drop my schoolbag at the foot of my locker.
It was a hundred times more easeful to change into my uniform without anyone having to rush me.
Flattening the tangled heap of hair at the top of my crown, which tousled messily as I dived into my red dress, I slowly slipped the frilly white headdress over my bangs.
One last tie of the pink laces of my high-platformed black shoes and I was all ready to go.
Saturdays may not be the way out of work, but it had its perks. At least I got to change clothes at my own pace!
There was an hour left before the cafe opens up. That gives me time to adjust to the early morning and set up the store while the other waitresses streamed in.
I flung open the door and immediately shut it straight after I emerged out.
"Good. He's not here.." I checked the halls from left to right, noticing it was empty. There were no obstacles or boxes he could hide behind.
Humming a random tune out of the blue, I ascended the stairs to find Keiichiro and Lettuce already here. The green waitress calmly lowered the chairs from their assigned tables and a wave of sugar and spice could be smelt from the kitchen.
"You sure took your time" A deep voice reached my ears.
All I could was sigh. Kisshu hadn't left the exit, he must've explored the place and discovered every secret entrance to the main room and back.
Great..
"Sorry, Ichigo-chan" Lettuce turned around and innocently shrugged her shoulders. "He was too nice to ask him to leave..."
I disappointingly pouted at the floor because it wasn't her fault. But then I promptly glared at Kisshu. He stood nonchalantly and grinned with no idea of my dislike for him now.
"Did you hear that, Ichigo? I'm perfect boyfriend-material. Lettuce just said so."
What?!
"No. Lettuce only mentioned your kindness!"
"So you think I'm perfect too?" Kisshu smirked; I felt like punching him. "That's nice to know."
I didn't even bother giving a try.
Snapping my head in another direction, I restrained myself from looking at him. Nobody wants to call an ambulance for a boy with a broken nose..
Zakuro suddenly emerged from a different door than I used and stopped short of her tracks as she spotted Kisshu. Her eyes narrowed, switching from him to me, undecided on how to react.
She also knew the certain customers I don't like.
"Ichigo, I thought you knew that the cafe doesn't open until five minutes later." Zakuro tsked as one corner of her lips slightly raised. She then headed for the kitchen, calling out "Unless you have specific reasons to open the doors for him especially~"
"I didn't!" I defended myself with horrified eyes.
If I protested that Kisshu only made himself at home here, nobody would believe me. No one would think of a random boy sneaking into the cafe without good reasoning.
Just why was he here anyway?
"No need to hide it from them." Kisshu leaned in closer and whispered into my ear whilst standing behind me. "I know you purposely left that door unlocked for me."
I spun to face him and felt undeniably embarrassed as he winked with pleasure.
"Don't you dare think that" I sent daggers at his face and shoved his chest backwards.
"Oh? Then who would be that mindless to walk in and forget to check—"
"Are you calling me clumsy?!"
"Nope." He half-shook his head. "Just cute and secretly considerate for her favourite customer."
Lord, please forgive me if one of your creations leave this world earlier than planned...
"Step outside and actually wait until the cafe opens, like every other normal person."
"What's the point with only five minutes to go?"
"Huh.."
Grabbing his arm and turning it to glimpse at his watch, I let out a small gasp. How had one hour flown by so quickly?!
I stared at him with shock. I wanted to tell him that his clock-time was wrong, that my work shift can't have arrived that quickly.
But it was me; I must've really taken my time to change clothes, being so glad that I shut the door in Kisshu's face, and all that.
"I understand you don't want to leave me, so how about you walk me to a table of your choice."
Blinking in confusion, I creased my forehead and wondered what nonsense he was talking about. Then I remembered I was still grabbing hold of his lower arm.
"Eww, no way!" His arm was thrown back to him in disgust. "In your dreams forever!"
I irritatedly wrinkled my nose and advanced towards the two large main doors, tossing them wide open and breathing in the gust of fresh air.
Kisshu was right. I sure did take my time..
The first of the new customers strolled into the cupcake house and Lettuce began sitting them at tables while I dragged the pink open-sign stand outside.
I suddenly wanted to stay outside really badly.
噩噩噩噩噩噩
If I took one step forward for every time I were teased, harassed or misused, I would have walked around the entire globe by now.
Kisshu did not leave me alone.
"You look exhausted.." He confronted and slurped on his drink as I passed him. "Come sit here and take a rest."
He thrusted the chair opposite him with a kick of his foot until it slid out under the table.
"No thanks." I slowly pushed the chair back in and hoped he had different plans today, other than pestering me.
"I'm not tired" I lied.
"Oh, well. Never mind, there's always my lap, too."
I facepalmed and quietly groaned. Kisshu was never going to let me go at this rate.
"I'm still waiting for that day you get a girlfriend and leave me alone."
"But I already have one…" He paused and smiled, cutely extending his arm out with a finished milkshake. "You."
Resisting the need to slap him across the face, I snatched the empty glass and returned it to the counter where Pudding piled it up on a tray. She then carried the heavy mountain to the kitchen and literally 'dropped them off' again at the sink.
That girl needs a thorough explanation.
Gazing all around, I noticed the cafe wasn't as busy as the day before. Yesterday mimicked a hell, whereas today it was more calmer.
Most of the customers were elder couples; I guess those weekly students were preparing for oncoming exams... I wished them all good luck, and an invisible cake to celebrate over.
"Ichigo-chan!" Kisshu exclaimed over the noise of chattering couples.
Inwardly sulking that he never summoned a different waitress, I stopped at his table with a really ticked-off face.
He looked content with what he was about to say.
"You just HAD a drink. Why, you want another?"
"Thanks for the offer, but no." He shook his head and casually leaned back in his seat, a sly smirk creeping on his face.
Oh, no.. I had a pretty downright feeling that he'd ask for something we don't sell.
Why? Because I've noticed idiots always make themselves look comfortable in front of maids before saying something stupid.
"I'm not paid to stand around and do nothi—"
"Be a good girl, and sit next to me~"
"How many times do I have to tell you: It's. Not. My. Break!"
"Liar." He chuckled, and yanked me down to the seat opposite his. "You're only working extra hard to avoid me."
"Well, good for you for noticing." I gripped the edges of the circular table, preparing to spring back up and run to the kitchen. "Anything else I need to know?"
"Yeah. Paradise Park, next week. You're coming with me."
I promised there'd be lots of fluff in the summary and I'm sorry there was none in this chapter.. or very little, anyway.
And a huge thanks to my followers and (+anonymous) reviewers! You're the best!
