"You think she'll like these?" Harima asked me, holding up a bouquet of flowers. I smiled, noticing they were Tenma's favorite. I looked down at my phone with a text that backed me up on it.
"She'll love them. You know those are her favorite right?"
"Yeah. When we were thinking of what to do for the festival while you weren't here, I asked her what flowers she would prefer than went into a ramble about her favorite lilies."
"She sure does that a lot… I guess it can be a good thing, since you'll be nervous and not know what to say. Just have her talk, she might think you're a really good listener," I winked, elbowing him. He blushed lightly.
"But I am! Aren't I?"
"When you want to be. Could you tell me what you learned in math today?"
"Something about x and y equally u or something."
"My point. If you ever need tutoring, don't hesitate to show up," I told him, looking at the sweet peas.
"I won't, don't worry. Thanks though."
I nodded, smiling at him.
"Do you need my help with anything else?"
Harima shuffled his feet, his eyes hiding behind his sunglasses. I raised a brow.
"What? I'm not giving her the roses for you. We're in separate classes."
"No! That's not it. It's just…. I just realized I left my wallet at home…"
I chuckled, taking the flowers from him.
"I'll pay for them."
"You do so much for me these days," he smiled.
"You're my best friend. It's the least I can do," I told him, paying for the flowers. The sales clerk giggled a bit when she heard our conversation. I smiled at her and we walked out. I handed him the flowers.
"Now. Let's head to her house, where you were invited to study, and ask her out."
"I hope she says yes…"
"I'm sure she will. I don't see why she wouldn't."
"Karasuma," he sighed.
"Right… I think I may have to have a chat with him. He doesn't really seem to notice Tenma. Just food."
"Sounds about right."
"He's kind of… Silent. He worries me a bit."
"I wonder what Tenma sees in him," Harima wondered out loud. I shrugged.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Kenji. Now, go up there and give her the flowers!"
"Ack! When do I ask her out though?" he asked nervously.
"Right before you leave. You're lucky I was able to talk her into studying with you. You better not fuck this up!" I said, slapping his back. He nodded, walking through the gate. I spied on it, as he handed her the flowers. She squealed and hugged him. His face turned bright red, and I chuckled. I turned to walk home, glad with the work I did with Harima. As long as he didn't mess it up at the end, it should work out fine. I was just a house down from my gate when Kai texted me saying we need tea and coffee. I sighed, turning to cross the street to the store. I found a cute café that sold coffee and tea and decided to try it out.
"Excuse me, do you have a mint herbal tea mix?" I asked, looking at the desserts.
"Yes. How many do you need?"
I looked up, shocked by who it was working there. Karasuma.
"I was just talking about you earlier. What are you doing here?"
"I work here every now and then. Why?"
"I never knew that… Huh, shocking. I need ten packs."
"Alright, anything else?"
"What coffee do you recommend?"
"I don't like coffee."
"Then give me your best seller. A three pound bag should do."
"Okay."
He started to put my order together. I shifted my feet while waiting.
"So do you talk to Tenma often?"
"Not really, no. Why?"
"Just wondering."
"I don't like her if that's what you are trying to get at."
"Um… Okay?"
"I like someone else."
"Let me guess, you're about to tell me who?"
"It'll be fifty yen."
"Pretty cheap. I think I'll come here more often," I said, paying for my stuff. I turned to walk out the door.
"Hikari, would you like to know who?" he called. I stopped halfway through the door and let an elderly woman in while I looked at him.
"Sure."
"You."
I stayed silent, sighing.
"I'll see you at school. Later," I said, walking out. When I got home, I put the bag on the table.
"I see you found the new café! I went there once. Their desserts are very sweet," Kai said as he started to put the stuff away, "Oh, and you got my favorite tea. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Would you like some coffee?"
"No. I'm going to finish up some homework and head to bed."
"Hmm… What happened?"
"What do you mean?"
"You never turn down coffee before homework unless something is bugging you. Was Harima not able to give her the flowers?" he questioned. I laughed, shaking my head.
"No, he was. It's just… Another class mate told me he likes me."
"The one that Tenma likes?"
"Yeah," I sighed.
"In a way, that will help her and Harima. In another way, cause issues for you. Be careful who you tell."
"Don't ask, don't tell. Right?"
"Might be best to do that for now. I'll make you some decaf. What are you going to work on?"
"History. Thanks Uncle," I said with a small smile. I walked to my room, my phone buzzing in my pocket. I looked at it, a text from Harima.
'Hey! I asked her out, and she said yes! We're going to the movies next weekend to see a movie that comes out. Thanks for your help!'
I smiled, replying a 'no problem bud' back before opening up my math notebook. I had a hard time focusing, even after Kai had brought me my coffee, because of Karasuma.
Why me? Why now? Just why?!
I sighed, deciding to head to bed early. I didn't think punching a hole in the wall was going to help this time.