Chapter Seven:…Short and Sweet…

It was almost time for Ueda to close up the shop. He was all alone and was doing some simple chores--sweeping, cleaning tables, the usual tasks. No matter how much he tried, Ueda just couldn't stop thinking about Tomaru. She had told him that there were some things she wanted to discuss, and that she would stop by the bakery before Ueda had to close up.

Suddenly, Ueda heard a light tap on the glass portion of the front door. He pulled aside the small curtain to see Tomaru peeking through. She stepped inside after the door was opened, forcing an awkward smile.

"Good evening, Tomaru. Do you want a coffee or a cappuccino…or something?" Ueda offered kindly.

"No, I'm alright…but there is something I'd like to talk to you about."

Ueda grabbed his coat from a nearby table, "Mind if we do it while taking a walk?"

She shook her head, and they both went for the door.

* * * * *

Chii and Hideki had been out shopping, when they noticed Ueda and Tomaru walking through the town.

"Hey, Chii. I didn't know Miss Endoso worked full days. I thought she worked the same amount of hours as you did," Hideki said, pointing them out to Chii.

"Hideki is correct. Miss Endoso left work at the same time that Chii left," she said with suspicion.

"Then I wonder why they're together."

Chii paused to think. Then she tried to put the facts together, "Chii might know! Chii thinks that Miss Endoso and Manager like each other. But Miss Endoso was afraid to tell Manager. Maybe Miss Endoso is going to do that now!"

Hideki smiled, knowing how much Chii cared about Tomaru and Ueda, "Do ya wanna find out?"

Chii's face was full of cheer when she showed her appreciation to Hideki with a warm hug. They both decided to follow the nervous couple.

"Listen, Manager, I'm sorry about last night…I know that I just came over your house without permission, and then I hung around all day…and I know how I acted, and after I left, I couldn't figure out why…and," Tomaru was tensely rambling on.

Ueda sighed, his ears were burning from her constant apologies, "Tomaru! Please! Just tell me what's on your mind."

She stopped, blushing at Ueda's comment, "You're right. I guess what I'm trying to tell you is…"

Chii and Hideki were still close behind, listening attentively to them. Tomaru continued, "Well, I was talking to Chii earlier and…"

Ueda looked at her, smiling.

"Right, right…to the point; make it short and sweet. I got it!" she chuckled nervously. Tomaru continued, "Okay… Manager Ueda…I was wrong about how I felt the other day. Because the truth is…I like you too."

Chii and Hideki looked at each other. Hideki gave a thumbs up, which Chii cutely imitated for him.

Ueda was surprised at first, but then a lighthearted smile spread on his face. He pulled Tomaru into him, putting his arms around her. They remained that way for a couple minutes, then Tomaru looked up at him. Ueda touched her rosy face, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

She spoke softly, "Oh, Manager…"

He stopped her, setting his finger against her soft lips, "Hiroyasu. I want you to call me Hiroyasu, okay?"

Tomaru nodded, smiling. She began to blush when Ueda leaned down to kiss her. Hideki's mouth dropped open.

Chii giggled and pointed to Hideki, "Why does Hideki's face look funny?"

"I'm surprised, Chii. It's what a person does when they don't expect something," he explained to her.

"Hideki, look!"

Ueda and Tomaru were walking towards Ueda's apartment--they were holding hands and smiling cheerfully.

Hideki grinned mischievously, fantasizing about what could happen and thinking, Whoa! They're goin to Manager Ueda's apartment? It's kinda late too…Manager Ueda is sooo lucky!

"Chii wants to keep following Manager and Miss Endoso!" she said, beginning to scurry after them.

Hideki quickly grabbed her hand, "Um…Chii, it might not be a good idea to follow them back to Manager Ueda's apartment."

"Chii? Why not? Does Hideki not know the way?"

Hideki stalled, he didn't want to exactly explain to Chii why they should leave Tomaru and Ueda alone, "Uh, well…"

The persocom smiled, "It is okay, Hideki. Chii understands that Hideki would rather go home."

Hideki took a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Chii. We can talk to Manager Ueda tomorrow, okay?"

Chii agreed, then picked up her shopping bags and skipped alongside Hideki as they headed home.

**Whew, I got one more review! Whoo-hoo! Since I finally scraped up some extra time, I've decided to finish up the fic. One more chapter to go, so get ready…get set…cuz here it comes! (Whoa, that was kinda dorky…)**