Disclaimer(s): K-On! rightfully belongs to Kakifly © Alternate Universe.
Part 5: Business Cards
"I'll have six set A, please," I said as I looked around the small café, waiting patiently for the coffee and donuts. In time, I saw somebody I used to know on the other side of the street. "Miss?" The waitress soon called for me, with an indescribable smile tugging by the small end of her lips. I just returned it with a polite one while I proceeded to pay my order. "I bet you're new, miss."
"Yes," I replied shortly while my eyes drifted back to her back. I smiled in a bit. It was magical how I could detect her easily in a sea of people – I even think that these eyes were made just for her. "Thanks," I held and I rushed outside thinking I could catch up with her, but I stopped all at once. What's next? It could be awkward after what Kai forced on us. I changed my mind.
It's always like this – I thought while I backtracked to my car. I used to be a very open person. I always said what was on my mind because I hated lies but now I kept fabricating my thought, turning every truth into twisted lies so effortlessly. It started when I heard of their relationship from people I barely knew – somehow, everybody knew. I had never felt so far from her. It hurts.
"Ritsu?" I was miles away in thought for a while as a soothing voice softly called me – the voice that can break my heart without a sound. "Hey, Mio," my voice cracked a little towards the end as my mind briefly bit the dust. I tried to find a way to break down the wall we built between us but her curt gasp defeated me. "Did you just buy coffee, the coffee?" I simply laughed.
"I did," I admitted nonchalantly while I glanced at my watch. I'm late for nine seconds already but who's counting? "I'm really sorry for yesterday, I mean, all I thought about was him," she said as her eyes looked into mine, making me wonder if I ever crossed her mind at all in those past five years. "I didn't even ask about you, so how are you?" she asked with a weak strained voice.
"I got my doctorate a month ago and my parents kind of forced me to take over their firms – same old same old." Mio smiled all the time I went on and on about how I got my job. Her smile faltered from time to time and I knew she started to regret she greeted me. Why wouldn't she? She could spend this precious day with him instead of being with me. I'm just the other guy.
"I'm very jealous of you, Ritsu, I only have bachelor's degree. I'm working as a florist at a small stall downtown," she admitted before she took a card out of her purse and passed it to me. The card got a nice rosy scent. "The Valentine's Day is coming soon, just so you know," she said suggestively and I laughed quietly in reply. I don't think I'm ready to find someone new.
"I'll keep it in mind," I confessed as I put it in my wallet, above her picture. It's strange but it's the perk of loving someone – you kind of feel closer to your love like this. "Here's mine, Mio, I'll want your help in some events," I admitted as I returned her gesture. I felt the long-lost rush the minute her fingers met mine. "It's funny, isn't it? We always traded books or notes or pens but seriously, business cards?"
"I feel you," she laughed along as I stacked the empty boxes of donuts and she helped to wipe our table. I bought them for me and my juniors honestly but I knew Mio all too well – she's nuts for donuts. "I'll pay them back!" she kept insisting although I turned down the unnecessary offer already. She was beyond upset for eating most of them – all six boxes actually. I ate just one single donut.
"I don't really like donuts after all," I sighed and I took the chance to pat Mio's head, feel her hair. I felt like I had lost her to him again as I knew – Kai's all she thinks of right now. He used to do this all the time. I stared into her dark, pensive grey eyes as they looked past mine. "So when is that surgery? The guy won't tell me." She was slightly taken aback at my sudden question – fine, I'll repeat it.
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading.