Chapter 16: Change of Plan
Boyah!
Reminder: English? Na uh, not my Mother Tongue. Any grammatical error, spelling, etc... please consider it for now tehe!
"It's unfortunate that Fuu-chan isn't here." Kaname muttered beside Masaomi. "Even though it's a rare chance that we can all gather together like this." His feature turned gentle.
"Although someone is happy because of it…" Hikaru's waggish smirk didn't miss by everyone.
"Ha! Of course!" Yusuke's answer immediately wearing his happy yet wicked smile.
"Even so, I can only hope that he can at least eat at home…"
Ema said softly.
"He's so pitiful…"
Hikaru added before eyeing my friend with a tender face this time. "Anyways, Ema's roast beef is delicious and the sweet strawberry chocolate cake you've brought Rina." He complimented both of us.
Yep, I was with them. I was invited again because Ema insisted since I am not coming with them in this Ski resort so at least I can have dinner with them before the holy night which is the day after tomorrow. It was almost two weeks when everything became peaceful again, I heard from Ema that Azusa and Tsubaki had already talked and mended up their misunderstanding, since Tsubaki avoided visiting him for two days. I was deeply happy though because everything became normal between the two, after that nothing really unusual happened until this dinner with them.
I waved my hand a little before I grinned. "Nah, I just thought I could bring at least a small gift since I don't have anything to give to you guys this Christmas."
"Just your presence is enough Rin-nee!" Touched by Wataru's word I patted his head since he was sitting beside me.
"Though it's a shame that Fuu-chan didn't even get a bite of this delectable cake you've baked and even though the one that Kyou-nii makes each year is very delicious, it seems Ema outdid him."
Kaname complimented both of us this time, even though I never tasted Ukyo's roast beef I have to agree so far Ema's the best.
"I second the motion." I said giving my friend beside me a wide smile. She smiled back at me before I heard her whisper 'thank you'.
"Thank you so much Kaname-san." She looked at his direction.
"Yup it's truly delicious." This time its Yusuke's approval heard in the background, they do really want to get a point of complimenting my friend huh. "Especially the cake…" He added, almost embarrassed.
"Delicious enough to make one of them your bride right?" Hikaru playfully said while he was holding a glass of wine.
I think I heard Yusuke's choking a little before I heard him muttered something incoherent. Sometimes Hikaru really love doing this especially to the red hair Asahina.
"Even though Ema asked you already, do you really not want to come with us Rina?"
Masaomi asked and making the rest of his brothers looked at me. I bobbed my head in confirmation before I beamed at him.
"It's really a shame that you cannot come with us, even though it would be great to have you there celebrating." Tsubaki pouted.
"Tsubaki's right, since it was a ski Resort." Azusa agreed. "It would be fun."
"Sorry I really have to cover some of my missing days at work."
"Speaking of work, Rina, are you perhaps acquainted to Manabe-san?"
Kaname inquired, making me blink at him hearing my co-worker's name. "Manabe Shioka?"
"Yes."
"Uhh yes, she's a friend and a co-worker in this tea café I'm working… why?"
He chuckled. "Nah, we just bumped into each other." Hi vague answer, I got suspicious when I noticed his meaningful smile but I didn't question him anymore.
"It looks like Kana-nii got interested with someone eh. It's really unusual for him."
Tsubaki teased earning a hit from Azusa who was silently eating. His groaned of pain heard while Kaname didn't comment on that, his smile still remained and seemed not affected at his younger brother's words.
"At least he was interested with someone else not at someone who was here." Hikaru sudden words made us quiet for some minutes before his light laugh heard in the background. "I was just kidding…"
I inwardly rolled my eyes, typical Hikaru.
"Anyways, since I can't go with you… I want to greet all of you a Merry Christmas!"
My sudden statement and finally relieving the discomfort in the air.
That's what happened last night when I had dinner with them, I looked at the clock and noticed that my shift was almost over, I turned my attention around me and noticed so many customers still coming since it was weekend. Well, it's not surprising though because tomorrow is holy night and lots of people will surely show until then. I was still in deep thought when I felt a presence beside, my eye twitched in annoyance at the arm encircling my shoulder.
"Sheesh… so many customers and most of them are couples." He sighed. "I wish I could celebrate the Christmas with someone special." I gazed at him and saw how he wiggled his eyebrows. I rolled my eyes before hitting his gut with my elbow.
"The hand Ken… the hand." I curled my lips when I heard his moan of pain.
Nasagino Kenjie was a newly hired waiter, he's been working for one month but he's getting good terms with everyone including me and Shioka, he isn't that hard to get along especially if he has this easy going character, he's naughty sometimes but he's really nice. He was attending an all-boys private high school nearby the vicinity, I was curious why he was looking for a job since clearly he doesn't need one, he was not really rich but enough to sustain their needs every day and his school fees he said. He told us that the reason why he wants to work, it's because he wants to experience how to do a part time job while he was still studying. He has brown hair, tall like Lori and tan skin. What struck me was his eyes because it was a deep shade of blue green, it was beautiful though. He's a bit weird from the start, clumsy and bubbly for a guy and since he's the same age like me I was forced to guide the moron with everything until he was able to do the job properly. Well, that explains how we became friends.
"It's not my fault, it has its own life!" He whined. I silently laugh at his silly antic. "I don't even know it has rested on your shoulder." His fake tears didn't stop, I finally laughed when Shioka showed up behind him and smacked his head.
"Itai…" He groaned again and scratching his sore head.
"Get back to work idiot, the customers are starting to notice you." He saluted to her before he swiftly walked or more like running away from us. I saw Shioka sighed in frustration and stared at me. "Are you sure you're going to set him up on date with Ema-san?" She asked, doubt clearly in her tone.
"Yep." I beamed at her. She shook her head in disbelief but I can see her lips tilting upward, she found the idea of Kenjie having a date with a demure girl amusing.
"Do they both know that you are setting them up on a date?"
"Yes, but they don't have any idea who will it be." I winked and a quiet (evil) laugh heard on my lips.
"Stop smirking kid, it's quiet disturbing."
I pouted at her. Quickly, about last night conversation with Kaname came into my mind.
"Ne, Shio, do you know Asahina Kaname?"
Her questioning look made me think that she doesn't know the monk Asahina. So I decided to describe him, maybe she can remember him… What surprised me most is her displeased countenance when she finally recognized who I am talking about. She told me that she met him when her best friend invited her in this small party in her house since she was promoted to her work, he was there, Kaname wasn't so hard to notice (considering his..ahem handsome face). You see, most of the girls surrounded him when she entered, except for her friend of course. He was invited because her best friend's boyfriend was a close friend of Kaname.
"Hm, he always have this charm and charisma when it comes to girls Shio..."
I chuckled. She rolled her eyes and continued her story. Nothing unusual though they just bumped into each other when she was going out to have some air. Of course knowing Kaname with his gentleman and pervert attitude (since he always hit any beautiful girls he saw) he helped her. Shioka remained blank while he was helping her, her countenance though made him curious.
"I hate your hair."
Was all she said before leaving him.
I really tried not to laugh, but damn, I can clearly imagined how she said those words with completely blank façade.
"What's funny kid?"
"Pfft… nah, nothing haha just it's cute? Haha…sorry."
"Pch, what a coincidence, that pervert was an Asahina huh." She frowned. "How did he even know my name? Actually never mind, I forgot he was acquainted to Shira's boyfriend."
"Honestly I found your first meeting absolutely entertaining." I chuckled again. "Why did you say that anyway? I mean honestly Kaname's hair wasn't that bad."
She shrugged off her shoulder before avoiding my gaze. "I don't know I just blurted it out…"
I shook my head in amusement. "Anyways, we are still open tomorrow night right?"
"Nope, this is a rare chance that boss will let us go tomorrow, he wants us to celebrate with our family." She looked at me again and a smirk seen on her lips.
What?
"You didn't know? I thought Kenjie told you already about it." The said guy passed beside us and noticed our stares, especially the glaring eyes of Shioka. "Did you forget to tell her aren't you Kenjie?"
I snickered inwardly when I noticed how his back shivered at her irritated tone.
"Uhm… it slipped in my mind… tehe." He immediately ran away and entered the kitchen again. Shioka sighed beside me and excused herself to give him some lesson.
I chuckled a little before I bobbed my head leaving me alone at the counter, oh well, I guess I am celebrating the Christmas Eve alone huh.
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Two figures went out the tea café together as both of them sigh in relieve.
"Damn, my legs hurt." Kenjie groaned in exasperation. I rolled my eyes.
"Just sleep, it'll be gone tomorrow." My nonchalant comment, my scarf around my neck almost covering half of my face. "I'll go ahead. Don't forget about our plan this new year's eve, if you won't show up I'll sue you." I glanced at him with a warning look on my expression before I heard his light laugh.
"Yeah, yeah… besides, you're pretty scary when you get angry."
"You better be." My last warning before I turned my back and waving my hand at the same time.
"They should be careful to you… I mean be careful!"
He shouted but before I could shot him a glare he was already running in a different direction, I shook my head as I continued on my way to go home, the busy street filled with Christmas decorations and people who were having some fun time since tomorrow night will be Christmas. The air is really getting colder, I blow my hands to warm it up since I forgot to wear my gloves today.
"Here use this."
I got startled at that familiar voice and stopped from my track. I looked behind me and saw Natsume offering a pair of gloves. "Natsume-san?" I turned around and faced him. "… wait, what are you doing here I thought you're with Ema and the other at this Ski Resort. Are you following me?" my wary query. His lips twisted into a smile before he gently took my right hand and slipped on the glove which obviously big before he took my left and did the same thing, I think this gloves belong to him.
"Did you eat your dinner?" he asked before letting my hand go.
"Have ever occurred to you that if somebody ask you a question you shouldn't answer it with a question also. It's was kind of rude you know that." His smirk widened but he still didn't answer my question instead he grabbed my right hand again and tugged me softly. "Hey, you shouldn't dragging people like this especially girls like me." I huffed when he didn't answer my question again.
What is wrong with him anyway? Showing up suddenly like a stalker and lending me gloves which are bigger for my hands and dragging me to somewhere.
We both stopped in a Korean restaurant, he didn't hesitate to enter with me still holding my hand. We found a nice spot and settled there, swiftly a waiter gave us the menu and asked our orders. Since I'm kinda mad at him I decided not to take an order, instead I just order a cup of tea which Natsume disapproved and chose for my place. The waiter left us while me still glaring at him.
"You can't just do that, what if I'm not hungry? You just wasted my money." I puffed my cheeks before crossing my arms.
"I know you're hungry and you don't have to worry because I'm the one paying."
I whipped my head to face him again, and just like that my lips curved into a big smile. "Why you didn't say that earlier, excuse me waiter!"
Natsume smiled inwardly, finding Rina very amusing as she added another order. Luckily though because he brought extra money for this.
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He drove me home again after eating our dinner, he was quiet the whole time but I'm used to it, Natsume was not a talkative person but not also a quiet type. I thought he was driving me home when I noticed that he turned to a different direction, I looked at him in confusion.
"Uhh… my home's on the other way Natsume-san?"
"I know, I just want to take you somewhere first before I drop you off." His quiet words, still staring ahead. I remained silent and gave him side glances until we reached this certain place that he wanted to go. What surprises me is that it was a playground, this is where I first met Wataru and Masaomi.
"You want to play before I go home?" My dull countenance didn't affect him, instead he got out of the car and gestured me to follow him. "Don't you think you're too old to do this kind of stuff? Not too old like an old man… just in the middle of twenties or something and I think—"
"Five minutes."
"Pardon?"
He leaned on the car's window. "We will stay for five minutes and then I'll drive you home."
This is getting weirder. First he suddenly showed up after my shift and then giving me a free dinner after that bringing me in this place.
"Pch fine." My answer and sighing in exasperation, I got out of the car and followed him. He stops from his track for a moment with a lost look on his face, I glanced at him before he continued and decided to sit on the swing as I followed also his action. "What's this emo atmosphere around you? Is there a problem?" My worried question. He didn't answer me which is getting into my nerves 'cause he didn't answer most of them from the beginning he showed up.
"Who was that guy with you a while ago?"
I rolled my eyes when he answered me again with a question. "That's not an answer Natsume-san. I asked first, and for your info you're just the only guy I'm with right now I don't remember being with some guy." I huffed again.
"I'm serious Rina." I finally gazed at him and saw he was giving me this oh so serious look I've never seen from him. His stares hold mine, I didn't even know how long we've been in that eye contact contest but I didn't bat my eyes. "Don't give me that look, I'm serious also and I don't remember any—wait, are you referring Kenjie?"
"So his name is Kenjie…"
"…are you perhaps been outside the café for long?"
"Yes."
Finally. He answered me!
"You should have waited inside the café instead of freezing to death outside you know…"
"Is he a friend? This Kenjie?" He asked again.
"Uhh yes." I puckered my brows before a mischievous smirk showed on my lips. "If I didn't know you so much I would think you sounded jealous." I laughed a little and patted his shoulder, when I noticed he didn't react my laugh died down swiftly before I cleared my throat. "Sorry, that was a joke."
The silence between us became awkward, well for my part since he wasn't seemed affected by it.
"I showed up because Ema asked me to fetch and bring you to the Ski Resort together with Hika-nii."
I whipped my head to his direction and gave him a confusing look. "I already told you…"
He smirked at me. "She already knew you're free tomorrow."
Huh? She knew already? How? I just knew the news right after Shioka told me. Wait, yesterday… I gasped inwardly when I remembered Ema fetched me yesterday at my work and while waiting for me I saw Kenjie was talking to her like they have known each other for long. Maybe that idiot mentioned it to her and asked Kenjie a favor not to remind me about it. Damn, Ema was so sneaky some time.
"Did you know?"
"Yes, after you went home yesterday."
I shook my head in disbelief and sighed in defeat.
"Wait, why just only Hikaru coming what about the others?"
"Ema, together with Masao-nii, Kana-nii and Yusuke went ahead, the rest can't go because of the unexpected works for Ukyo-nii, the twins and Louis-nii, Subaru made a promise to celebrate with his team, Lori did the same thing with his colleagues, and Wataru… made also a promised to our mother."
"Oh…"
"We stayed behind because I needed to finish some works the same with Hika-nii. But after that we are free…"
I bobbed my head in understanding. Damn, so much for avoiding these men. Well, at least the twins aren't there (sorry for thinking that way Tsubaki, Azusa), now I think it's a better time to talk with that idol brat, stuff like feelings isn't really fun to deal with anyway.
"Are you going or not?"
I snapped my head to look at him again before releasing a defeated sigh. "Do I have any choice?"
One down!
R&R
tenchu.
-Aza
Edited: 05-02-18
