-The Next Day-

Thursday, April 23

Hinata's P.O.V

The next day was the same as any day at my workplace — Ureshi Udon.

Ureshi Udon was flooded with hungry customers all ready to devour their favorite foods which were cooked for them. Many customers rushed in and requested that I serve them, leaving me with tips of ¥1500 yen, ¥3000 yen, and even ¥4500 yen.

I seated customers, I took their orders, recommended a few dishes, handed out cooked dishes, and overall made the customers that chose Ureshi Udon to feel wanted and welcomed. Afterward, I cleaned dirty booths and took the tips I was given for my hard work and dedication.

It was all the same.

That's what I thought anyway.

Because once the clock approached 3 p.m, a familiar individual entered the diner, one that possessed blonde hair, blue eyes, and yet another fine tuxedo but this one was burgundy and black.

The mysterious male was back. But earlier than yesterday.

Currently standing by the bar with an order in hand, I looked over my shoulder at him in surprise as he stood before the front entrance, fixing the sleeve of his burgundy jacket while gazing around at the crowded place.

I smiled at the sight of the return of the blonde male who arrived so early today. Deep down, I truly wanted to see him again.

So, I quickly set the order in my hand on the bar upon Kiba's side because he was currently busy pouring drinks for customers. I set the order to where he can see it when he's done with his task, grabbed a menu I previously set out before spinning around to greet the blonde.

Instantly as his blue eyes landed on me, a large grin formed on his face, one of immense joy.

I walked closer in order to greet him, smiling as well, "Hello! It's so nice to see you ag-oof!"

But my words were cut short when the tall man wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me into his frame to initiate an intimate hug.

I let out a gasp by the male's rather abrupt action of hugging me, an action I was quite stunned by. O-Oh my kami, what is he doing?

The confusion I felt was damn near shackling as I stood snuggled up within the blonde male's tight embrace, unable to think or move. The smell of the same, cool and crispy cologne that he adorned was now suffocating as it flooded into my nose with no intentions of ceasing forth. My nostrils were overwhelmed by the mysterious male's scent, mind you, a male I only met yesterday and was still without the knowledge of his name.

Is he hugging me?

In the brief moment, I was involved in a one-sided hug with the blonde male, I could feel eyes from everywhere plaster themselves on the scene, chatter from the customers now roaming about the entire diner.

I held back a whimper of discomfort, before pulling my hands forward to push against the male's chest, "U-Um, excuse me? I-I don't feel comfortable with th-this." I snapped, giving him two more hard shoves before finally getting the male to unlatch from my very being.

Now due to the male's peculiar action of hugging me, I stared back at him with a look of major concern. The blonde male certainly made the whole situation awkward.

But now seeing the male standing before me again to where I could see his facial expressions, I knew right then and there that he seemed to enjoy the hug way more than I could imagine.

The blonde male hummed in delight, shaking his limbs back and forth against his frame as if he was experiencing a chill, "Mmm, that was great. It's good to see you again, Hinata-chan." He commented before walking past me but he didn't do so without slipping a comment towards me underneath his breath, "Wow, you smell good." He complimented quite oddly before taking it upon himself to walk past me and towards the booths on my side of the diner.

There, right before the entrance, I stood completely stunned due to what I just experienced. My mind continued to replay the scene that happened only seconds ago over and over in my head. I couldn't believe it or rather I couldn't wrap my head around it all. A-Am I missing something?

It would seem the way the blonde male was acting towards me, he was someone I knew for a long time, and hugging each other was perfectly fine. But we only met one another yesterday. I still don't even know his name!

I knew nothing about that man and he knew nothing about me. We were not intimates, not friends, hell not even acquaintances.

Acquaintances at least know one another's names right?

I was very confused about current events, my head slowly whipping over to the other side of the diner where my eyes connected with emerald ones.

Even Sakura stood stunned as she stood before a booth full of customers, all movement put to a halt due to the scene she just witnessed.

Her head was tilted my way and her mouth could be seen gaped.

She narrowed her eyes, moving them to look at the spiky-haired male that was walking further and further away from my form. She turned back to me, soon mouthing, "What the hell?"

"I don't know." I mouthed back because I was just as confused as her, maybe even more so. But I quickly used all the strength in my being to recover and remain professional. I played off the rather awkward scene that just occurred by turning around and putting up a smile on my face, one that covered up the discomfort I felt.

I ignored all the stares of interest or confusion that were directed at me and instead followed where the blonde male went which was towards the same booth he sat in yesterday. The seventh one.

Just as I seated him yesterday, he deliberately chose the empty booth at the very back of the diner, sliding his body within it enthusiastically as if it was his territory.

He plastered his hands on top of the table in order to help him slide further over upon the cushion seat, "Man, am I happy to be back here." He commented joyously, referring to the diner, Ureshi Udon.

I nervously laughed upon such a comment, my feet taking the spot before his table, "Does that ex-explain the hug you, um, gave me? Because it was a bit much." I voiced out boldly, throwing in a question because I was quite eager to know what the hell was going on and why the male was acting so strangely.

I stood there, and waited for an explanation for the male's previous actions, all the while holding onto a menu in my hands.

I watched as the blonde directed his blue eyes at me, giving me a look of confusion. He shrugged his shoulders, "What? Are you offended by the hug I gave you? Not used to a man giving you attention? I thought you would be quite pleased, with ya know, all the ogling."

My head cocked back in shock at the male's bold words, "Ogling? Sir, what are you implying-?"

"You know what I'm implying. You don't have to pretend." Now the male's voice dropped an octave in a way that I certainly did not find pleasing this time.

The male seemed to be growing quite offensive and aggressive the more I denied the offense he was accusing me of, which was of staring at him lewdly.

Yes, I was quite taken aback by the blonde male's appearance yesterday but I did not once oogle all over him in a manner of thirsting for his attention.

The male was drawing conclusions and because of that, he was making me very uncomfortable.

I swallowed down the frog that was caught in my throat, my body trembling lightly as I was hit with the darkened blue eyes of the male before me.

I blew out a deep breath. Oh dear.

To hide the discomfort I felt and to disrupt the tension in the air, I put up a nervous smile, moving the menu I held down to place it on the table before the male, so he could have it instead, "Okay, um, I think we've gotten off to a bad start today. I hope I haven't offended you o-or upset you. I'm sorry if I did-"

"Oh no, love, you've done quite the opposite." The blonde male retorted while grabbing the menu I placed down for him before opening it up, to scan through it. But as he did, he went to add to his previous response, "You've beguiled me, sweetheart, and I'm afraid I can't seem to get you out of my mind."

The male was no longer looking at me as he confessed his dilemma, confessing just why he was so happy to come back to Ureshi Udon, confessing why he hugged me and why he was mistaken that I wanted him to seduce me.

I instantly felt a chill rush down my spine upon that conclusion. My mind seemed to fall unresponsive for a moment as I stood unable to utter a single word. My mouth opened and closed several times but no words escaped them.

I didn't know what to say. Things were going so fast and in a way, I certainly didn't expect resulting in me clamming up.

I closed my eyes briefly, moving my hands down to grip the bottom of my waist apron for comfort. Come on Hinata. You can do this. Just take the blonde male's order and then leave.

I blew out another deep breath to control my breathing before opening my eyes to send a faint smile to the blonde male, a smile of severe deception, "I-I am quite flattered b-but I'm afraid I am not allowed to engage in such an amatory conversation with my customers." I pulled my hands down into the pocket of my waist apron to grab my pen and notepad, trying my best to keep a friendly smile on my face, "S-So what will you be choosing today for y-your meal, sir?" I asked quickly, changing the subject in order to get a hold of his order and then leave. Things have taken quite the turn, haven't they?

I watched the best I could with a smile on my face as the sophisticated blonde turned his head upon my previous question, using his darkened blue eyes to trail my body from head to toe, doing so several times.

He chuckled dryly, a lewd smirk on his face growing and growing the more he stared at me and pondered my previous question, "Meal, you say? I think I have a few ideas."

"Sir, please." I put up one hand in order to halt his sensualized thought process, an involuntary blush appearing on my cheeks due to embarrassment. I was currently beating myself up inside for asking such a careless question. The male was clearly making a move on me so I should not make it easy for him to make such sensual comebacks.

I furrowed my brows down at the blonde who gave me a devious smirk in return, all the while holding his menu open. He chuckled, turning to look at the opened booklet in his hands, "I'm just teasing you, Hinata-chan. I think I'll try the gyoza dumplings today, with a side of fried rice, sesame balls and a cup of dumpling sauce, thank you."

"Y-Yes." I whispered out nervously before pulling up my notepad to write down his order, quickly scribbling down the specific items he chose from the menu.

But the spiky blonde male suddenly raised an eyebrow at me, giving me a stern look, "Uhh, love, it would appear that you've forgotten something. Something rather important." He voiced with irritation in his tone about a flaw he seemed to have noticed in my performance.

My head whipped up at the sound of such a negative emotion in his tone and once again I felt my body freeze up for the hundredth time before the blonde male. Forgot something? What did I forget?

And as if reading my mind, the blonde before me filled me in on just what I had forgotten.

The male pulled his menu flat on the table and then clasped his ring-covered fingers over it, now feasting his eyes solely on me. He tilted his head, his spiky bangs falling over, "You forget to say, yes sir, Hinata-chan. You have to continue to use your manners, love. It's so attractive when a woman does so."

Now, I was incredibly uncomfortable, more so than I have ever been in my life. Hearing the male before me practically order me to address him in a mannered fashion as if I was his maid or servant was extremely bothersome. His demand was overboard and controlling even.

His behavior at the moment was the definition of trouble and I didn't like that one bit.

I cleared my throat, doing so out of hesitance, "Yes sir, th-that's exactly what I meant. Th-Thank you, f-for correcting me on that." I simply responded back, deciding to simulate the character that the male seems to be most impressed with in order to not evoke him anymore.

The male customer before me nodded in appreciation due to my change of words, "You're welcome, love. But I should thank you for complying."

"You're w-w-welcome, sir."

With those words, I took the rest of his order, hurriedly writing down his desired beverage which was a glass of sake and a bowl of miso soup for his appetizer — same as yesterday.

After I obtained the blonde male's order, I was quick to leave his side to check on my other customers, in order to clear my mind and regain my jolly spirit again. I was quite shaken up from being teased and toyed with by the mysterious blonde male that was currently watching my every move.

With every step I took, his blue eyes followed, doing so all around the diner as I helped customers, gave Kiba my orders, and passed out drinks, appetizers, and meals.

His demeanor was certainly different than yesterday. He was more clingy, more fixated, and scarier.

But why? I constantly asked myself.

Did I do something wrong? I also asked myself.

Was it a rumor he's heard about me? Something bad? Is that why he's acting weirdly? My mind was racing with all different possibilities as to why the male seemed so adherent to me, so bewitched. It was all so weird.

It seemed the blonde male couldn't keep his eyes off of me as I steadily worked — waiting tables.

I couldn't help it but I occasionally snuck glances back at the blonde, who was located at the very back of the diner, doing so out of fear.

And each time, each time I stole a look at the blonde male, my eyes connected with his stern blue ones, letting me know his stare had not once faltered. That alone made the discomfort I felt rise to the highest degree and before I knew it, I was quickly fleeing, rushing over to Sakura's side of the diner with a means of getting her attention.

"Sakura-chan. Hey Sakura-chan." I whispered out as I spotted her currently speaking with a customer before the fifth table on her side. She handed the woman a bundle of napkins before turning in my direction, a smile flashing upon her face at the sight of me approaching.

"Oh hey, Hinata-chan-"

"Sakura-chan, you have to help me."

"Wh-What?" Instantly, Sakura was taken aback, even cocking her head back in shock by my words. All movement ceased from her as she stood in the middle of the diner while gripping a menu in hand.

Her pink eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes now holding concern in them as they picked up my sweaty features and my fearful eyes.

Sakura blinked in confusion, "Wh-What's the matter, Hinata-chan?"

"Come here, come here." I beckoned in a whisper, pulling my hand forward to grab Sakura's wrist, gently to not alarm her. I simply pulled her off to the side, by the bar, away from customers so I could have privacy to talk to her.

Sakura only grew more confused by my behavior. She clicked her tongue, "Hinata-chan, can't this wait until closing time? I have to get back to my customers-"

"No, no. This can't wait." I whispered out in a panicky manner, all the while fighting against the feeling of the eyes that pierced the back of my head. I tried my hardest not to turn my head and give the male that stared at me from afar my attention.

I blew out a deep breath before summoning up the words I wanted my dear coworker to know. This was really urgent.

I clutched Sakura's wrist tighter, to raise concern, "This is about one of my customers. Th-The blonde one - b-back there." I whispered under my breath quite shakily while nodding my head discreetly behind me, to direct Sakura toward the culprit that has gotten me so worked up.

I watched as Sakura's eyes averted from me to look around my form and back at the blonde male that was sipping away at his sake beverage rather slowly, all the while keeping his cold gaze upon my very being.

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him before averting her gaze back onto me, "Uhh, what about him?" She asked with a shrug as if she saw nothing wrong with the weird picture behind me as if the blonde's intense stare was normal.

I gasped, shaking my head due to Sakura's dumbfoundedness. Just looking at the blonde and his demeanor was unsettling. How can she not see that the male was acting strangely?

My eyebrows furrowed, "Sakura-chan, that man is acting weird. I only met him yesterday and he hugged me as if we were engaged in an intimate relationship. He's flirted with me very inappropriately, accused me of wanting him to advance on me and he's staring at me as I work quite profusely. He's making me very uncomfortable, Sakura-chan. It's just too much. Can you please take over for me? Just for his order, please?"

I was begging Sakura at this point. I didn't know what came over me but speaking out just what I felt when the blonde toyed with me just seconds ago really instilled a bad feeling over me, one I couldn't shake. I couldn't bring myself to even serve the blonde anymore.

With teary eyes, I looked back at Sakura pleadingly, gripping her arm and pouting at her in order to convince her to take the blonde's order in my place, to serve him instead of me.

I watched as the pink-haired woman clicked her tongue once more, oddly enough not expressing any worry about my case. She put up a smirk as if holding back laughter, "Oh Hinata-chan, are you afraid that he's flirting with you? I know you're new to romance but come on. If you do not like his advancements, just simply ignore him or just tell him to piss off if you're not interested. It's not a big deal."

"But it is. Sakura-chan, this is serious-"

"Appetizer, egg rolls!"

"Appetizer, miso soup!"

Sakura gasped upon hearing Shino yell out an order she needed to serve, her head whipping back to see the black-haired male push two trays along the bar, setting them out for us to grab.

Sakura turned back to me to put up a faint smile, one that did not make my situation feel any better. It actually made me feel worse.

Sakura shrugged, placing her free hand on her hip, "Just tell that sexy blonde that you're not interested in opening your legs for him-"

"Sakura-chan." I groaned out in exasperation, my fists balling up at my sides. This was certainly not the conversation I envisioned I would be having with my coworker, the woman I thought would help me in any situation I was in. Now it seems she was simply dusting my issues under the rug. For what? Who knows.

But I surely didn't like it.

Sakura sighed, whipping her head back to look at the tray of egg rolls lying on the bar briefly. She turned her head to look back at me, "Look, we can talk later, Hinata-chan. I gotta go." She only said before slipping off, leaving my side without successfully calming my worries down. Now I felt even more miserable than before, my breathing increasing faster and faster.

Oh my kami. That did not just happen.

Shaking, trembling, and contemplating my next moves were all my mind and body were able to perform at the moment. I stood in the middle of the diner as I tried my best to battle with the emotions I was feeling, to battle with the immense anxiety I currently felt.

I asked myself several times if I was just overacting. Am I? Am I really just afraid of getting a man's attention? Afraid of their gaze? Afraid of their touch? Am I afraid of romance?

Or is it something else entirely?

Is it something darker and more alarming which is why my body is deliberately refusing to take a single step toward the blonde male behind me, to cater to him, to serve him, to speak to him?

I whimpered, pulling my hands up to cup them close to my chest. Oh kami. What should I do? What should I do?

A couple of more moments were all I was able to buy myself before I made the inevitable choice to grab the tray that a bowl of miso soup was upon which Shino delivered to then serve it to the blonde.

My movement was shaky as I held the tray in my left hand, up into the air. I took baby steps forward, passing happy people that were involved in positive conversations, expressing smiles and laughter as they had the time of their lives here at Ureshi Udon.

But not me. Not me at all.

I was a mess as I traveled from point A to point B with the mysterious blonde male's appetizer, using my shaky legs to work myself closer to the male sitting at the back of the diner.

With each step I took, I could hear my heartbeat grow faster and faster, an emotion of dread taking over me. The voice inside of my head screamed for me to turn back, to turn away but I knew I had a job to do. I have to serve anyone that steps foot in Ureshi Udon and that's exactly what I will do.

I didn't want to but I soon stepped before the blonde's table who seemed to be in the process of taking another sip of his sake. His hardened blue eyes instantly snapped over towards me as I silently but shakily placed his appetizer down on the table, a thud following after such an action, "O-One miso soup." I voiced quite shakily which I tried my hardest to mask. I tried to hide the shake in my voice by clearing my throat and speaking a little louder but it was still there. Just being in the blonde male's presence was enough to make me feel uneasy.

The blonde didn't say anything as I set his appetizer in front of him. Only when I retrieve my tray only then, did he address a few things.

He cleared his throat, pulling his hands up to clasp them together but this time he didn't lay them on the table. He instead propped his elbows on the surface below him so his hands were set in the air, close to his face. His hands were not set just over his soup.

The spiky blonde-haired male turned to me slowly, giving me a full view of his cold eyes which seemed to harbor disappointment in them. He narrowed them at me, "Hinata-chan?"

"Yes, s-s-sir?"

"Ya know, I want to inform you of the hatred I share towards unmannered individuals. I also cannot stand for rude individuals either and those two unruly qualities are what you have shown to me today. Unmannered and rude."

"Wh-What?" My eyes grew teary once again as I was confronted rather harshly by the blonde about something I was not quite sure of. His voice seemed to be barking at me, barking his frustrations out without a care in the world for my feelings.

I was taken aback immensely. What is he talking about?

I gulped, gripping the ends of my waist apron tightly. I also shook my head, biting my lip from shedding tears, "I don't know wha-what you mean. H-How have I been rude-?"

"Speaking to others about what goes on between us I'd say is rude. As well as avoiding me, your personal customer is rude. Leading me on and then denying that you have ever done so tears me up the most. I thought we shared a connection - saw eye to eye."

"W-W-We did, sir. I mean, w-we do, but it's just you're scaring me."

"Scaring you? Hah!" Now the blonde man seemed to be making fun of me, scoffing in response due to my comeback as if I was simply making things up.

His blue eyes trailed my body and he picked up the tremor that I let off. But by the way, his eyes gleamed and twinkled, seeing that I trembled in his presence seemed to be something he got a kick out of.

He raised one blonde eyebrow, "Yes, I noticed you've begun trembling around me. Do I make you nervous, sweetheart?" The male clicked his tongue in pity, shaking his head as a way of revealing he felt quite bad for my case.

While staring deep into my eyes, he pouted, giving me a look that further froze me to my spot, "Ya know, love, it has never been my intention to scare you or drive you away. I've only wanted to share these precious moments with you and only you." His pout deepened, "I don't like our conversations being shared with anyone else, Hinata-chan. What we are building here is special and I would hate for it all to crumble apart due to distrust. So!"

The blonde male suddenly slammed his hands upon the table before him causing a jolt of fright to rush through my body resulting in me jumping in fright.

My lips trembled lightly upon the spiky-haired male's sudden action but it was one that fully granted him my attention.

He gave me a faint smile, one of care, "I want you to promise me, love, that our conversations will not leave this table, alright? I want you to promise me that you'll stop avoiding me and just talk to me about any issues you have, without fear, worry or embarrassment. I also want you to promise me that you'll stop playing pretend, to be yourself with me — your true self." The blonde paused his words for he caught the tremor of my body worsening.

He pulled his hand forward to lightly grab my hand from where it clutched the ends of my apron tightly. Instantly, I felt how warm his touch was causing me to whimper.

He clutched my right hand softly, in a manner to calm me, "I'm not trying to scare you, that's the last thing I want, sweetheart. I am just establishing trust in our friendship. I am just ensuring the stability of it, that's all." He finished up with a serious head nod but he didn't forget to give me a gracious smile, one that brightened his facial features tremoundsly. He even rubbed his hand along my wrist, to give me a comforting gesture before retreating.

No words were able to pass my lips after hearing the blonde male's long speech.

His words were not let off as demanding or conformational but rather genuine, concerned, and gentle.

But for kami's sake, I couldn't shake off the tremor I was currently experiencing.

The blonde male certainly sounds like a complete lunatic, one that I had no intention of making angry.

There was something about his eyes. It was a darkness that was hidden within them that would only present itself when he expressed negative emotions and felt disappointment and or disapproval of a given situation.

Seeing such a look alone has urged me greatly to simply give him what he wanted and be down with it.

What he was asking for wasn't hard to give anyway.

So simply, I nodded my head, obeying his wishes. I even bowed, trying my best to stop my stupid trembling, "Yes, sir. I-I will ensure that things will go back to how they were yesterday. I p-promise to keep what is said between us confidential a-and be less u-unmannered and instead much more efficient. I am so sorry for the inconvenience I have caused." I responded back simply, scolding myself in the process. I truly felt a part of me wither inside due to my response but I held it together.

My response however seemed to be one that the blonde was looking for, because he relaxed, his shoulders slumping. A smile came upon his face and he gave me a nod of approval, "Now that's a good girl. I would love to have more lovely conversations with you, similar to the one we had yesterday as I enjoy my stay here."

"Yes, I-I will do a-anything to keep you happy and satisfied."

A dark smirk slid across the blonde male's face upon my quick response, a response I did not put much thought into. I only wanted to comply, finish our conversation and leave. But I was so unaware of the mess I caused because of my foolish action of dealing with the situation in a more submissive and biddable approach. I was in trouble, deep trouble.

The blonde bit his lip in response, holding back a groan of delight, "Yes, you sure will. You sure will, love."

Having to serve the mysterious blonde male now after all the odd comments he gave me, the creepy flirtations, the staring, the demands, and the teasing, was all so damn humiliating.

But even still, I gave the blonde what he wanted.

I conversated with him, talking about numerous fun topics in order to get to know one another better. But even still, I was denied the knowledge of the male's name.

But nevertheless, I granted the blonde a delightful service, bringing all of his food out to him on time and giving him anything and everything he needed, without him having to ask.

I granted him a refill of his sake beverage, I granted him napkins, joked, and conversated as much as I could with him without getting my worries and fears in the way.

I actually managed to make him smile and laugh, just as I did the first day he stepped foot in Ureshi Udon which seemed to be something he enjoys immensely.

The blonde male truly seemed to convert back to being the sophisticated, charming, and intelligent young man he once was before due to my behavior change, due to me granting him my attention. Seeing him that way made it easier to carry on positively, to be able to push down my discomfort.

At the end of it all, the male spent over three hours here at Ureshi Udon and within that time frame, I had to shuffle between spending time with him and catering to my customers; that's including new ones that entered the diner.

But at the end of his stay, the male finally finished his food, leaving absolutely nothing behind. He paid for his meal and now he was in the process of leaving me a tip.

I gave him a bright smile as I rounded up all of his empty dishes, confiscating the tableware which used to hold his pork dumplings, sesame balls, fried rice, dumpling sauce, and miso soup on. All tableware, including the used chopsticks the blonde male used previously, was carried and placed upon an oval tray which I held in my right hand.

I watched as the blonde male rummaged through his wallet again before pulling out another ¥10,000 yen note. He placed the money on the center of the table gently, "And.. that's for you, love." He said with a hum which I graciously bowed in response, doing so while balancing the tray of dirty tableware in my right hand.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate this, truly.."

"Oh anything for you, sweetheart. There's more where that comes from because I will be seeing you again tomorrow, beautiful. Be expecting me."

Those words were the only ones the blonde male said before he slipped out of the booth he's been sitting in for so long before finally leaving the premises, showing me his back.

Nothing but relief came over me as I sensed the blonde's intimidating aura slip out of the diner along with him, giving me time to finally be myself again.

"Ok thank goodness," I whispered softly before reaching forward with my free hand to grab the money on the table, pulling it forward in order to slip it into my pocket along with the rest of my tips but an odd detail upon the bill made me stop dead in my tracks.

My eyes widened in confusion and I flipped the money around to look at the back side of it. What the?

Upon both sides of the yen note was printed (あ) in Japanese kanji, written in red ink.

The symbol was written quite huge in size so it was hard to miss. It also looked out of place letting me know it was intentionally written on the yen note. But why? Why write such a kanji symbol? Why write anything at all?

Looking at the kanji letter on the ¥10,000 yen note reawakened the emotion of dread inside of me for I was beginning to think that there was more to the mysterious blonde than what meets the eye.

Presentation is an illusion, he once said.

I got a feeling that, that statement has a deeper meaning to it than what it appears to let on.

I let out a gulp, turning the brown currency note over once more, taking in the red (あ) symbol on the paper a second time. What on earth is going on here?

-Time Skip-

A few days passed and the mysterious blonde customer has only grown weirder and weirder.

Not only do the times he arrives at Ureshi Udon fluctuate but as the days and days passed, it seemed the longer his visit would span on.

On the second day, Thursday, he only stayed at Ureshi Udon for three hours.

But on the third day, Friday, he stayed longer — four hours.

On the fourth and fifth days, Saturday and Sunday, he stayed even longer, almost remaining until it was the end of my shift.

But that wasn't bad as the more recent times he's come to Ureshi Udon for he has been remaining in the diner for hours, until the very end of my shift.

The mysterious blonde spent those hours watching me, stalking me, and teasing me. He calls me inappropriate pet names, gives me lewd looks, and continues to mess with me my entire shift.

He never once told me his name and I never once told anyone what went on between us. No one.

I never talked to Sakura about the blonde ever again. I never mentioned the dilemma I was facing with Shino or Kiba. The two never expected a thing, never noticed. It was normal for the same customers to arrive at Ureshi Udon daily, so the blonde's actions were not seen as weird in anyone else's eyes.

I didn't even tell Neji about the blonde. I kept it all to myself. I dealt with it all in silence throughout the day and afterward, I went home, and wrote about it all in my diary. Afterward, I would try my best to put it all behind me.

It was easy at first — forgetting.

But it grew harder the more I thought about the blonde and the same procedure he follows when he leaves the diner.

Every time he leaves Ureshi Udon, he would leave a ¥10,000 yen note as my tip - the same amount, every single night.

But now, those ¥10,000 yen notes were marked with a kanji symbol. Each day a different alphabetical symbol in red was written on the currency bill, a random letter out of the Japanese alphabet it seems. It was all so confusing.

After two weeks have passed, I still haven't figured out what it all means.

I was quite stumped about it all. Very stumped.

Time and time passed on, days and days flew by, and now two weeks since the mysterious blonde male has shown a more creepy side of him has come to pass.

Yet another day, Tuesday, I find myself gathering up his dirty dishes, waiting for the blonde to place down yet another ¥10,000 yen note, totaling over ¥130,000 yen notes he's given me.

It was absurd but I never said a word about it. I never denied his gracious deed to give me so much money.

The spiky blonde-haired man hummed as he flipped through the many bills in his fancy wallet, now currently wearing another tuxedo, but this time it came into the color of white and black. White jacket, black undercoat, black tie.

But on his right ring finger, he oddly wore a black ring with purple designs upon it, colors that I noticed were different from the usual silver and gold rings he wore.

But I paid the ring no mind and only waited patiently for the male to place down his tip and then leave the area, to free me from his presence.

Please. Please hurry. I constantly begged within my head, wanting nothing more than for the blonde to leave the diner.

The spiky-haired male grinned as he fetched his chosen bill from his wallet and placed it down on the table, revealing yet another ¥10,000 yen note.

After he left his tip for me, he pulled his head over to give me a smile, where the corners of his lips curved quite high along his face, his blue eyes glistening at me, "Well, Hinata-chan, I have surely enjoyed myself. I have enjoyed spending valuable time here with you. I have enjoyed spending time here in this diner. I have enjoyed every meal I've eaten here and I have done nothing but crave such a splendid time to go on forever. But..." The male put a pause to his words, summoning suspense.

I stood and gave the whiskered male a look of major confusion. What the hell is he talking about?

His words seem to be leading up to something, leading up to something that fills me with dread and discomfort. I wanted nothing more than to run away and hide. But I remained put.

The blonde cleared his throat before taking the time to slide out of his booth, to regain his full height which towered over my short frame with no problem.

My head rose up to stare eye to eye with the blonde male's eyes which seemed to gaze deeply within my own.

He smiled down at me, his eyes running over all of me. It was a split second where the male just looked at me all over as if he was admiring me, leaving me to open my mouth to speak, to say something about the matter.

"Wh-What are you talking a-"

"Shh." He shushed me before bending down, placing his hands on his knees to lower himself down to my height, doing so as if I was just a mere child to him.

Only then, did he pull his lips close to my right ear, to lower his voice and continue his previous words, "I am here to tell you that it is finally time for me to grant you your final reward. Something more than just a couple of yen notes. Heh." The male's whisper was interrupted by an amused snort, a noise that my ears picked up with no problem. My ears also picked up when the male began to speak again, "Money is expendable, am I right? You, oh you, Hinata-chan, you deserve something so much more." He whispered out in a slur, his words running into one another which seemed to cause chills to rush down my spine.

His deep voice wasn't helping my situation either, as well as how close his body was to my own. I was stunned, completely frozen to my spot as I only listened to the words that escaped the blonde's mouth which was all ludicrous in my eyes.

The male clicked his tongue as he spotted an onlooker from afar, his body standing up straight so he looked less odd to the public.

But what he did next surprised me more than anything he's ever done.

He pulled his hand forward to cup my chin, doing so gently to then pull it up, so I faced his now standing form directly.

The blush that summoned on my cheeks slipped up to engulf my entire face, even slipping down to cover my neck.

The tall blonde cooed upon the sight of my flustered state, but he only resumed his words, "You've been so good to me these past few weeks, Hinata-chan and now I want to do something grand for you in return. I want to change your life, just as you've changed mine. I want to make you smile and laugh just as you've made me. I want to be the cause of your happiness, Hinata-chan, as you are the reason for mine. It's only fair, love. It's only fair." He explained profoundly, pouring his heart into his words which did nothing to help my rather stunned state.

Hearing his words of devotion and adherence caused my heart to beat faster within my chest. My blush grew tenfold, the red hue that overtook my upper body now slipping down to engulf every body part of mine causing every bit of me to grow hot and sweaty.

My breathing increased as I was captured in the gaze of the handsome blonde before who looked deep into my eyes, doing so while squinting his own.

At the moment, he looked so captivating, I felt like my body was melting in his hands. My legs felt as if they turned into jelly, now wobbling and shaking in an attempt to buckle underneath me.

The blonde's touch, his heartwarming words, his devotion, and his adoration were all so new to me. I've never had a man speak to me the way the blonde has done today.

What is happening right now?

I had absolutely no answers. No words.

My eyes were shot widened, switching from both of the passionate blue eyes that stared back into my own, as a way to pick up if the emotions the blonde felt and the confession he had showered me were actually genuine and real.

But my suspicions were confirmed by the strong look of fondness that he directed at me from his strong gaze, his thumb gently caressing my skin. Such an action caused a bit of the powdery makeup I wore to smother the tip of his finger.

But it didn't seem as if he minded.

He bit his lip, "Hinata-chan, I want to thank you. Thank you for all you've done." He whispered before moving forward to place a tender kiss against my right cheek, taking advantage of my frozen form to add affection to my body.

But his action only woke me up, startling me awake. Oh my kami.

I took a step away from the blonde in response to receiving a kiss from him, the tray in my hand rocking back and forth causing the dirty plates upon them to shift and rattle, "N-No-!"

Clash!

Just like that, the dishes I once perfectly held up all dropped to the floor following by a loud clash.

Such a sudden noise caused the four customers that intended the diner to stop what they were doing and turn to give their attention to the back of the diner where the commotion was located.

"What was that?"

"Is everyone okay?"

A few customers whispered as a simple reaction due to hearing the loud clatter from my accident.

Even Sakura, Kiba, and Shino stopped what they were doing to spare a quick look at the back of the diner.

Kiba moved his head all around to see what was the matter from where he stood behind the bar, "Hey, Hinata-chan! What's going on? Is everything a-okay over there?" He asked as he was only able to spot my backside and nothing else.

Shino only casually looked around, silently taking in the situation.

Sakura furrowed her brows from where she stood on her side of the diner, her emerald eyes gazing back at the dirty dishes that now lie scattered across the floor. She stood before a customer, currently gathering up their dirty dishes.

But she let out scoff due to my dilemma, pulling one free hand of hers on her hip in slight irritation, "Ugh, Hinata-chan, can you keep it down?-"

"Yes! I'm sorry! Everything is fine!" I yelled out to quickly get rid of the attention that I have brought to myself. But before I could bend down to pick up the broken shards of glass and the spinning bowls that were now on the floor, the blonde male before me beat me to it.

"I got it, sweetheart."

He dropped down to his knees and picked up each glass with his bare hands carefully, scooping up the mess so I won't have to.

I gulped before bending my shaky legs down to the floor as well, to pull my tray forward so he could place the glass shards on top of it.

He pulled the bundle of glass in his hands onto the tray with a clatter. His body soon worked back down to gather up more of the fallen tableware.

It was quiet for a while as the blonde male subjected himself to cleaning the mess that I caused. But I was quite grateful for his help given I was still not in my right mind. I couldn't shake off what just happened.

H-He kissed my cheek — th-the attractive blonde.

He touched me. He held my chin.

He confessed to me.

I didn't know what to do or feel. I still felt quite uneasy around his presence knowing that his behavior has been rather oppressive lately.

But on the flip side, his earlier words and his touch were blinding me, making me feel emotions I was certainly not used to.

Such feelings were ones of arousement, excitement, and desire.

I was so confused, I didn't know what to do.

But that all changed when the blonde male turned to face me again, to pull the fallen bowls from the ground to place them on the tray I held instead. But this time, he didn't settle on simply carrying on with his good deed, that is of helping me.

No.

He took this time to lean forward, voicing one itty bitty comment, something that sent major chills down my spine and froze my bones still.

"Did you figure out my message yet, love?"

He voiced such a sly question in a quick whisper as if he was in a hurry or if he was saying something he wasn't supposed to. The way he asked such a question was very ominous, the feelings of arousement I previously felt vanished completely.

I was now terrified.

My lavender eyes snapped up to the blonde only to stare into the eyes of pure darkness. His eyes were no longer blue but now had seemed to fade to a shade darker than blue, almost black.

He stared me down with his head tilted to the side, his hands currently holding on tight to the edge of my tray so I couldn't move.

But I couldn't move an inch on my own, anyway due to fear. I couldn't speak either. I was speechless.

But my silence seemed to be an answer for the blonde because he nodded as if I verbally voiced one, "That's quite alright. I'll give you a clue." He leaned closer, his smirk growing darker and darker, "My message is found upon a possession that was once mine but is now yours. The message was brought to you in pieces but once put together correctly, you will find that it's something so much more. Once you find out my message, you will soon learn of the possession that I now obtain. Only then will your eyes open, Hinata-chan." He whispered out quickly, his voice barely audible, making it quite hard to pick up every word he said.

His words were ones that did not make me feel good at all. The way he spoke was similar to that of a serial killer threatening their victims before killing them.

Just hearing his bone-chilling words now drove me to my breaking point.

Right then and there, I felt a strong yearning to get the blonde male before me out of my presence and out of Ureshi Udon.

Such a yearning burned me to my core. Not only that, but a voice in my head was screaming at me at the very same time to get rid of the blonde as well because if I did, then I would be safe.

The blonde man before me was no regular person. He was dangerous. He was manipulative, calculated, controlling, and not to mention very scary. And now, I've had enough of falling for his tricks and obediently playing his game.

I don't want anything to do with him anymore.

Now fully aware, I sent a glare of hate at the blonde before me, a glare that I have been holding back from giving him ever since the start. I've been hiding ever since he's become a thorn in my side. I've been hiding, obeying, and simply keeping quiet about it all.

But no more. No more.

My teary lavender eyes narrowed ragefully at the male before me who held a creepy little smirk on his whiskered face as he sat and watched me process his words.

I snarled, my trembling lips curving up at the ends, "Get out." I whispered under my breath, speaking words of pure malice.

The blonde's smirk instantly dropped at the sound of my words, his jaw clenching, "Wh-What did you say-?"

"You heard me. I said get out. I no longer yearn to serve you. I no longer will allow you to run over me and do as you please in my workplace. I've been nice and given you plenty of chances to act civilized but you have failed to act as such. So now I just want you gone. Get away from me!" My voice raised in levels as I poured my anger, my rage, and my fear into my words, finally standing up for myself and putting an end to the madness the blonde has brought to me and my job.

The anger that has been boiling inside of me has now all come out, my voice now filling up the entire restaurant causing another ruckus to disrupt everyone present.

Many gasps were let off in the diner. All movement stopped and all eyes moved to plaster themselves on the scene that was going on at the back of the diner.

But none of that mattered to me at the moment. None of it.

I only stared rage-filled daggers into the stunned blonde before me whose grip loosened on my tray until his hands slipped away altogether.

He now stared me down with a look that could rival my own.

The blonde male was pissed. He didn't make any moves doing anything else but taking a stand where he gave the diner a look around, taking in the many eyes that looked back at him.

He clicked his tongue in disappointment before turning to look back down at me, revealing his disappointed blue eyes.

But my anger only grew more and more as the blonde remained in my eyesight and in my proximity. I want him gone, now! Why isn't he leaving? Why is he still here, staring at me?

I whimpered, giving my head a wild shake which caused my midnight blue bun to wobble immensely, "I said go! If you stay any longer, I won't hesitate to call the cops! If you come back, I will surely do so as well!" I screamed out which resulted in the blonde doing just that.

He fled.

He didn't say any more words and didn't address my previous words of anger. He didn't even bother helping me clean up the rest of the mess that I made either.

He simply walked past my being to make it to the front entrance to leave. The clicks and thuds of his formal shoes as they landed on the floor were the only sounds my ears seemed to pick up on. I completely disregarded the quiet whispers that erupted around the area.

My ears were then welcomed to the sound of a bell, meaning the front entrance was pushed open, letting me know the blonde was now officially gone.

Hearing that finally caused me to relax. I finally felt safe again. I felt strong. I felt brave. I felt victorious. Yes, he's gone. That man is gone now.

Tears rushed down my cheeks as I sat shakily on my knees on Ureshi Udon's' wooden floor while shakily holding a tray that was currently held up shard glass and dirty plastic bowls.

But I wasn't granted peace and quiet for long because Kiba and Shino were quick to rush to my side, warm hands working forth to grab a hold of my shoulders and waist.

"Hinata-chan, are you alright? Did that man hurt you? Ooh, if he did, I can go handle that bastard for you right here and right now. I can even call NPA-"

I shook my head at Kiba's words because I didn't want to further blow up the situation with violence or getting the NPA (National Police Agency) involved.

The blonde male left without a struggle. He didn't put up a fight to my demands for him to leave the premises. He didn't further escalate the manner with violence and only chose to obey my wishes and leave the diner without speaking another word.

And that's all I wanted. That is all.

Now, I simply wanted to leave Ureshi Udon, go home, take a nice shower, and rest. I just wanted to leave this place now.

Kiba grew silent at the sight of my nonverbal response before he used his hands to push my body back onto its feet.

"It's gonna be alright, Hinata-chan." It was Shino's turn to try to comfort me. Gently, the black-haired man took the tray from my hands to leave the area with it, in order to dispose of it and also clean the rest of the glass and food that was on the floor.

More and more tears flooded down my cheeks as more and more memories of the blonde flooded back into my head.

All the while as I stood in Kiba's arms, bathing in his company, I was haunted by the mysterious blonde male's voice, his words, and his abuse.

I was completely and utterly petrified.

So very petrified.

The blonde's words played throughout my head over and over again.

Final reward.

Secret message.

What in the hell was he talking about?

The male was obviously speaking in code. About what? I didn't know and I didn't want to know.

I wanted to burn his existence from my brain. I wanted to erase every memory that plagued my mind that had to do with that insane man.

I want it all gone. I want him all gone.

-Later-

The drive home today was quite different than any other time I peacefully drove to my residence. This time, it was far from peaceful.

I was currently in a panting fit, breathing heavily, teary-eyed, and incredibly exhausted. My mind seemed to only be wrapped around the mysterious blonde male and the words he spoke to me from before. Kami, his words won't leave my head.

No matter what I did, no matter the effort I put forth to try to think of anything else, it was all rendered useless.

His words would only surface again.

"You've been so good to me these past few weeks, Hinata-chan and now I want to do something grand for you in return. I want to change your life, just as you've changed mine. I want to make you smile and laugh just as you've made me. I want to be the cause of your happiness, Hinata-chan, as you are the reason for mine. It's only fair, love. It's only fair."

I whimpered, jolting up as if a spark of electricity rushed through my body as a result of recalling the blonde male's bizarre confession in my head. I remembered his words, each one he specifically chose, and once again I felt as if the male was speaking in code, even then as he confessed his adoration to me.

Do something in return for my kindness?

Change my life?

I was very, very confused by what the blonde was hinting at. Very confused.

I gripped the steering wheel of my vehicle and with it, I gave it a soft turn so I could enter the lot of my residence. But even as I drove, my mind couldn't help but recall something else the blonde male had said.

"Did you figure out my message yet, love?"

I swallowed nervously before pulling my vehicle into a park within the lot of my residence building, soon pulling the gearshift to the park position. Only then, did I take the time to truly figure out what the blonde man was referring to.

I gritted my teeth in the darkness of my car, nothing but silence taking over the small space, "Message? What message?" I whispered under my breath, my lavender eyes glancing over to my purse which lay on the passenger seat beside me.

I bit my lip.

"My message is found upon a possession that was once mine but is now yours. The message was brought to you in pieces but once put together correctly, you will find that it's something so much more. Once you find out my message, you will soon learn of the possession that I now obtain. Only then will your eyes open, Hinata-chan."

Recalling the last words that lunatic of a male has spoken to me finally was enough to jolt the answer to my problems within my head.

The message that the blonde was referring to was right there, indeed in my possession all this time.

My eyes widened. The yen notes. The symbols.

My breathing increased, slipping out of my mouth in an unsteady manner, "Oh my kami. It's on the money. His message is on the tips he's given me." I whispered out in a panic, finally figuring out what the hell the blonde male was hinting at.

With the clue he's given me, I was finally with the knowledge that the blonde has indeed left me a message and just where the message was found.

I let out a whimper of hesitance, my hand creeping over to my purse which was where I placed all of my tips at the very end of the day. That's where the blonde's message is.

Now, I only have to decipher it.

So summoning up much strength, I grabbed my bag, took the key out of the ignition of my car, and pushed the door open.

I stepped out of my vehicle, emerging in the darkness of Japan where the wind was warm, the atmosphere was calming and the sky was dark and glistening.

But I paid no mind to nature and its beauties. I only had one thing and one thing only on my mind.

The blonde and his message.

So with that, I closed my car door and used my keys to lock my vehicle. Only then, did I make my way forward in order to enter the entrance of the residence I lived in to make it to my flat.

The darkness around me was extremely impairing for I couldn't see a thing within its vast abyss of blackness. The crunch of the concrete below me as my sneakers stomped upon it was the only sound I could hear at the moment as I trotted forth, with intentions of abandoning the dark outdoors to instead find shelter indoors.

But, I was stopped.

Suddenly, my ears were filled with a loud honk of a car which echoed throughout the entire block. Hearing such a boisterous sound so suddenly caused me to let out a yelp, my body jumping in fright.

My body whipped around only to be blinded by headlights, lights from a motionless car that looked to be currently parked.

The car was parked at the very back of the lot, parked in a way its backside was facing the road while the front side of it was facing the building. Me.

I pulled my hand up to cover my eyes from being crippled by the fierce light that glowed within my eyes, with intention of severely blinding me.

Honk!

Another honk was made which caused my body to jump again, my feet working back, away from the vehicle. And right then and there, I took the opportunity to leave, rushing into the building to avoid being confronted by the psycho that was honking their car at me.

Who was that? I thought to myself as I practically jogged through the lobby and slipped into the elevator where I pressed a button so I was taken to the 29th floor. There, I waited a couple of minutes in order to make it to the floor I lived on.

But my mind was racing all the while. My mind kept thinking back to the car outside, the one that honked and shined its lights at me.

A gulp slipped down my throat once I felt a feeling of dread overwhelmed me. I was starting to get a very bad feeling about what just occurred.

In all of the nights I arrived home, never once am I confronted by anyone, not in the parking lot or the lobby of my residence. The walk to my room was usually pretty peaceful so current events were very new. So very new.

I gripped the straps to my bag tightly as my mind recalled the one individual that seems to haunt me. My mind recalled the one individual that seems to enter my thoughts and impair me, an individual that has taken away my joy and happiness and instead has filled my days with fear, dread, and worry.

The mysterious blonde man.

"Oh my kami. Was that him?" I whispered under my breath within the silent elevator alone, my words referring to the mysterious person outside that managed to get my attention by using their car to honk at me, to shine their headlights on my very person; in order to put me in the spotlight.

My teary eyes stared shockingly at the carpet floor below me, my hands gripping the straps to my purse until my knuckles turned white.

Did that man follow me home? Does he know where I liv-?

But I couldn't finish my thoughts because I was interrupted by the elevator stopping. But this time, I didn't simply wait until the doors of the elevator opened completely. No.

In a frenzy, I rushed forth to squeeze my way through the metal doors, squeezing through the small space that was available in order to rush down the hall to make it to my flat.

Nothing but pants escaped my mouth as I passed numerous rooms to make it on my own, so I could slip inside and lock myself within the peaceful domains of my home.

And that's exactly what I did.

I ran up to my door, fetched my flat's key from my purse, and entered it inside the doorknob. I turned the key within the knob and gasped in delight to hear a click and the door slip open, letting me inside.

With a relieved sigh, I pushed myself into my flat and closed the door behind me, slipping my fingers down to lock the door.

Click.

I laid my head on the wooden door in exhaustion, sighing long and deep. Thank goodness, I'm home.

It took a while for me to catch my breath so I took this moment to do so. Today took a lot out of me. So much out of me.

Just like every day at the end of my shift, I was always left with aching bones, my body dirty and grimy and my mind a mess. I was deeply exhausted, now in a desperate need of a shower and sleep.

But not right now.

I still had one last thing to do.

Decipher the blonde man's message.

Something inside of me was screaming for me to decipher the mysterious blonde male's message and fast. Because if I don't...

I whimpered to myself, before quickly moving my body away from the door to instead cut the light on in my flat so I could see. Afterward, I rushed over to my cousin's room, just to check on him before I hole myself up in my room.

Quietly as can be, I pulled Neji's bedroom door open to be granted a room full of darkness, the light from the kitchen spilling in slightly causing me to see a glimpse of my dear cousin sleeping in his bed, wrapped within the sheets.

I smiled faintly at the sight of him peacefully sleeping. Kami, I missed you so much, Neji-nii chan.

It brought me joy just seeing him here after the long and stressful day I had. My lavender eyes took a moment to soak up the wonderful picture before me before I went to call out to him.

"Neji-nii chan?" I called out in the darkness of his room, my voice loud enough to cause the dark brown-haired male to stir.

"Hm? Hinata-chan?" He whispered softly within the quiet air, bringing light to his warm voice. He responded to my voice, stirring awake due to the sound of it, "You here?" He added on groggily.

I beamed up positively at the sound of Neji's voice before answering the exhausted male's question by nodding, "Yes, I'm here. I just stopped by as I always do to tell you goodnight." I responded back with a heartwarming smile, my lavender eyes watching as the long-haired male moved along his bed so he was facing me. His white eyes cut through the darkness to look at me as I stood by the entrance of his now-opened door.

Neji smiled at me, which was a gesture I was thankfully able to see, thanks to the light from the kitchen.

He sat up to run one hand down his face, to help wake him up further, "Mm, ya know, Hinata-chan, I've been thinking. I know it's been rough in the past and it's rough now, given our dreadful work schedule and I know it seems we're just strangers. But I want you to know that I wish things were different. I wish that we weren't as busy so we could spend time with one another, to exchange conversations like normal people. We hardly talk to one another. We hardly even see one another and I-"

A grumble of frustration stumbled out of Neji's mouth as he rambled on and on, mentioning several issues the two of us have been facing alongside one another.

My facial features slumped at the sound of Neji's depressing responses, my grip tightening on the knob of his bedroom door.

"Neji nii-"

"J-Just let me finish, itoko. I just wish things were better. I just wish we didn't have to live in this godforsaken flat and work so damn hard to stay afloat. I just — damn it, I'm rambling."

"No, no, no." I responded back, cooing at my cousin to calm his overworked state. He was stressed, angry, and very tired.

Our lives now are not how he envisioned they would be and that was tearing my cousin apart. It saddened me to see him this way.

I made my way inside his room just as he moved over to switch on the light to the lamp that was on his nightstand, granting us the ability to see one another fully.

And I saw that Neji, my cousin, wore a gray t-shirt with gray joggers. His long, silky hair was pinned back into a low ponytail, to keep it out of the way as he slept.

Neji sat on the edge of his bed while gazing up at me with sad eyes, revealing the dark circles that were currently underneath his eyelids due to stress.

I frowned before taking the spot beside him on his bed, "Hey, Neji-niichan, I know that times are a bit difficult right now. I know that time spent between one another has been cut short and yes, it's hard. But we have to look on the bright side." I turned to him, moving one hand forth to pat his shoulder, my lavender eyes watching as he turned to face me.

He smiled faintly down at me.

I gave him a gracious smile, "Right now, we are working our hardest to ensure our future. Every single coin we earn, every sweat that leaves our brow, and every day that passes only works us closer and closer to the dream we envisioned for our future. We can do this, itoko. We will soon live our lives happy and free and only then will we be able to spend time together, as we did when we were kids. We could actually start living."

With much enthusiasm and positivity, I gave Neji the pep talk he needed. I instilled hope in him, hope that everything that we have ever gone without we will soon have. I assured him that our current situation was only temporary, thanks to our hard work, good deeds, and dedication.

I made him feel much better by giving him the conversation he needed and granting him big hugs and warm smiles.

And I was happy to see the frown that once overtaken his lips had now vanished, leaving a smile of happiness and hopefulness on his face.

Neji turned to me, causing his long hair to sway along his backside. He showered me with grateful smiles, his white eyes growing teary, "Th-Thank you, Hinata-chan. You always know just what to say to make it all better. I truly hope you're right about this."

I nodded with much confidence before playfully brushing my shoulder against his own, causing his body to sway. He chuckled in amusement.

I giggled as well, his bed creaking underneath our sitting forms, "Of course, I am. Whenever am I wrong?"

"Hmm." Neji tapped his chin in thought, staring off into space in a playful manner, "Well I can recall a few times you were-"

I gasped, pushing my body over with all of my might to push him again, "Neji-niichan!"

Nothing but laughter escaped our mouths as we took this time to spend valuable time with one another; a time that was very needed.

We exchanged conversations, talked about deep topics, joked around, and even shared events that went on today at our workplaces.

But as I told Neji about my day, about my day serving Japan's people at Ureshi Udon, I had a yearning to tell my dear cousin everything about the blonde customer that has been bothering me for two weeks now. Something deep inside was urging me to expose it all to Neji, to tell him everything about the blonde.

But my lips didn't form the words and soon after, the conversation changed, and my chance to tell Neji the truth about my workplace vanished completely.

And at the end of it all, I left by waving goodbye to my cousin, watching as he began to slip back into bed in order to get his rest.

He turned over to switch off the light switch of his lamp, my body now standing at the entrance of the door again.

I smiled, "Goodnight, Neji-niichan. I love you."

"Ahh, love you too, Hinata-chan. Sleep peacefully."

"I will."

And with those words, I closed the door to his room, giving him his privacy once more.

But as soon as I closed the door shut, I rushed off at full speed, cutting off all the lights in the flat to practically burst into my room.

The secret message! The secret message, I have to figure this out!

My mind was now racing as I took this moment to finally direct all of my attention to finding out what the mysterious blonde male wrote to me. I have to find this out now, right now!

With my purse still wrapped around my body, I pulled it off in order to hurriedly position myself before my desk. I was just about to dump all of my belongings on top but I stopped because I noticed something special was missing on top of it.

My midnight blue eyebrows furrowed.

My diary. Where's my diary?

I blinked in confusion as I noticed that my diary was now missing, completely gone from where I normally placed it.

I gritted my teeth at that, whipping my head around the rest of my room. Damnit, where did I put it?

Such a thought only remained in my head for a second before I shrugged it off to go through with my risky plan.

I blew out a deep breath before dumping my purse.

In a frenzy, I dumped all of my belongings upon the table, watching as many girly items slipped out to make a massive impact on the surface of my desk.

I winced at the sound before dropping my purse to the ground to dive my hands through the vast items that now lie on my desk.

I passed by my makeup bag, my keys, cellphone, nail clippers, comb, brush, pads, perfume, hand sanitizer, lotion, pens, and mints, in order to grab a hold of my women's wallet on the edge of my desk.

I gasped at the sight of the pink wallet before me, one hand fetching it in order to pull the strap that kept it closed forward, to grant myself access to the inside of my wallet. Instantly, my eyes spotted the bundles of money inside of all different colors.

But the brown-tinted yen notes were the only ones I cared about and I pulled them out.

With my fingers, I spilled out every ¥10,000 yen note I now owned and took the time to count each.

The blonde man attended Ureshi Udon for fourteen days. He left the same amount of tips every day so that would mean I now should have fourteen notes.

Underneath my breath, I counted the yen notes, pulling out the notes and noticing the bold ¥10,000 marking that was engraved on them. I also noticed the brown tint of the note and the weird red kanji markings that were upon them.

I brought to the light every tip the blonde man gave me and set each note directly on my desk. Though, I took the moment to clean my area, dumping all of my other belongings back into my purse so nothing but the blonde's tips were on center stage.

Now, the brown yen notes were all positioned in four rows. I placed the yen notes in four columns as well, placing four notes on each row.

The last row, however, only possessed two yen notes, leaving a total of fourteen brown yen notes before me, all lying stiffly on my desk.

My lavender eyes looked from left to right at the money that was lying before me, all harboring a red kanji marking, except one.

I noticed the yen note that was positioned on the second row, third spot in the column did not contain a red kanji letter written on it.

I tilted my head at that odd detail before pulling my hand forward to grab the thin piece of paper, using my lavender eyes to run over the entire note.

I flipped the note over only to see that indeed there was no kanji symbol visible.

I hummed at that. Why is this one different?

I clicked my tongue as I relied on my memory, doing so to pinpoint the day I actually spotted when the kanji letters began to appear on the tips I was given by the blonde man.

The first day I met the blonde, I do not recall seeing any kanji letters on the money he gave me. But the second day he arrived... however.

My lavender eyes trailed the many brown-tinted notes on the desk before me, steadily picking up the different symbols that labeled them.

My eyes soon landed on the note that had the symbol that looked like (あ).

Such a symbol was one I recognize for it was the first symbol that appeared to me on the blonde's second visit to Ureshi Udon.

(あ) is the first kanji letter that starts off his message.

I nodded before leaning forward to grab the yen note that possessed such a kanji letter. That exact yen note was located in the third row, in the first spot.

I grabbed the note and instead placed it in the first row, in the first spot within the first column.

I kept the yen note that did not possess any kanji letters imprinted on it away from the marked yen notes, in order to keep myself focused and less confused.

I blew out a deep breath, my lavender eyes taking in the rest of the twelve kanji symbols that were before me, kanji symbols that I could read clearly but it would seem such symbols did not make a lot of sense standing alone.

I need to connect them. I need to bring them all together.

So with that, I relied on my memory to help me complete the puzzle before me.

I backtracked in my mind and thought of each day of the first week the blonde attended Ureshi Udon. I began to remember each day and what symbol I spotted on those particular days upon my tips.

I nodded and with that, my hands began to move, my fingers working forth to grab a yen note that held the kanji symbol — (な) than the symbol — (た).

"Friday, Saturday..." I whispered to myself as I used my impressive memory to go back through each day the blonde visited and recollect the moment I picked up the blonde's tip and saw the differentiating kanji symbols that marked them.

"Sunday," I whispered before dragging the yen note that possesses the kanji symbol (は) and I placed that particular note within the first column, on the last spot.

But once I did so and used my eyes to scan the four kanji symbols that now lay side by side to each other on my desk, suddenly I was able to pick up the word before me. I was finally able to read the first four symbols before me.

(あな た は)

Translation: You're.

My breathing hitched upon finally putting together and translating the first part of the message before me. Seeing that the first word of the message is, you're, sent a major chill down my spine.

But I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

I instead focused my mind once more to remember the first days of the blonde's visit to my workplace, identify the kanji letters that appeared on those specific days and find such kanji letters before me now, to place them in their correct spots.

I clicked my tongue before silently putting together the puzzle before me. I grabbed a yen note within one of the rows before me, rearranged the columns, and instead changed the yen note's original spot.

"Monday, Tuesday."

I grabbed the yen note that possessed the kanji symbol (私) and placed it within column two, on the first spot. Next, I grabbed the yen note that had the kanji symbol (の) imprinted on it and placed it in the second column in the second spot.

(私 の)

Translation: Mine.

"Oh kami." I whispered out fearfully as I now picked up the second word that was present within the blonde's message. But I kept going.

Pulling myself together and fighting through the fear that was slowly beginning to crawl into my lungs to suffocate me, I shakily grabbed a few more yen notes, all the while using my memory still to recall two weeks ago.

"Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday." I whispered under my breath quickly as I pieced together five yen notes that contained kanji letters, doing so until I was able to make a word that I understood and that made sense within the translated sentence before me.

I placed those kanji letters on the third column, placing them side by side.

(もの で す今 や)

Translation: Now.

"One more. There's one more left." I whispered very shakily, my midnight blue head whipping down to grab the last remaining yen note that contained the kanji symbol (愛) and I placed it on the last row, the fourth one.

(愛)

Translation: Love.

"You're mine now, love." I whispered out to myself, successfully deciphering the blonde's message. I did it. I figured it out.

Before me lies four rows, with the first column possessing four yen notes, the second column possessing two yen notes, the third column possessing six yen notes, and the last column possessing only one yen note.

And now, before me lies the message the blonde was so eager for me to find out.

You're mine now, love.

Reading the message again really did a number on me for my body suddenly jumped out of my chair, causing it to fly back and fall upon the floor, creating a massive thud in the room.

My feet carried me back in a frenzy until I landed tragically on my bed, causing it to squeak. My hand rushed up to my chest, just over my pounding heart, the organ beating against my hand vigorously. I also began to hyperventilate in a state of fright.

All my mind now cared about was the blonde's message, a message that I have pieced together and finally figured out.

You're mine now, love. But what does that mean?

The blonde was clearly messing with me by slipping in the pet name that he's always calling me within his message.

But claiming me so boldly was another thing. The message seemed to be a bit ominous given that now is present within the sentence.

The message states that, "You're mine now." The blonde means that I am now his but I wasn't before. But why? What changed? Why now? Why is he claiming me now? Why is he claiming me at all?

So many questions were now popping up in my brain as I tried to make sense of the encrypted message that I just deciphered.

I let out a gulp as I used my brain once more to backtrack, back to what the blonde last said to me within the diner, right before I forced him to leave.

"My message is found upon a possession that was once mine but is now yours. The message was brought to you in pieces but once put together correctly, you will find that it's something so much more. Once you find out my message, you will soon learn of the possession that I now obtain. Only then will your eyes open, Hinata-chan."

My eyes grew hooded as a result of recalling the blonde male's words, words that have stated that his message was one that contained something that he now obtains.

Me.

"Oh kami. What does that m-mean?" I whispered to myself in a shaky mess.

Nothing made sense. The blonde's intense feelings towards me didn't make any sense. His coded words made no sense and his message sure as hell didn't make a lot of sense either.

He has to be messing with me. He's toying with me again.

The blonde convincing me to engage in this detective hunt was all a way to mess with me, to further make me submissive and docile to his claims.

He wanted me to fetch and so I foolishly did, doing so like a damn dog.

My breathing began to increase more and more as I thought about my current situation. I felt myself grow to dislike the blonde man even more for what he has done to me over the two weeks that have passed by.

Only two weeks I've known this blonde fellow and he's already managed to tear my life apart.

Ever since the first day I met him, it seems I can't shake him. Everywhere I turn, he's there, those dark blue eyes of his are always there. Tracking me, watching me, stalking me.

He's even present in the very tips he gives me every day he attends my workplace. He's written a message to me to further consume my world with himself, and only himself.

Oh kami. He's insane!

And taking one look at the blonde male, you would never know that fact.

You would never know just what a psycho the gorgeous blonde really is.

Suddenly, an excruciating throb zipped through my brain causing my vision to blur, my eyes to hood even more and my breathing increased.

My thoughts began to scramble, mixing together and in turn overwhelming me.

The entire situation that I was in was just far too much for my overworked body and stressed mind and because of that...

I fainted.

My body collapsed with a thud upon my bed, lying stiff against my bed sheets, rendering me unconscious.

There, I was left upon the edge of my bed, still in my work uniform, bedroom lights on, and the blonde man's tips sprawled upon my desk, a small detail that no longer bothered me...

-The Next Day-
Wednesday, May 5th.

I awoke the next day, lying quite comfortably within the sheets of my bed.

Now that I wasn't in my work clothes, I wore a satin blue gown that draped down my body and kept me warm.

My body seemed relatively clean as I laid deep within my sheets, my midnight blue hair free from the bun I usually keep it in so now, my long hair strands were sprawled along my pillow as I rested.

Surprisingly enough, my body felt incredibly satisfied at the moment, more satisfied than it's ever been before. My legs tingled, my body trembled lightly against the sheets and oddly enough I felt a constant throb from my lower groin, a pleasurable sensation that caused me to close my legs tightly together.

Hmm, weird.

My eyes blinked several times as I slowly awoke to reality, slowly revealing my two lavender eyes to the slightly lightened bedroom I was currently in.

The sun's rays shone through my closed curtains to slip into my bedroom, bringing light to the area, giving me the ability to see.

I blinked in confusion, my head whipping around a bit to look around my surroundings and recollect myself with memories from last night.

It would seem the events of last night were a blur to me. I couldn't recall anything that happened or what took place.

I looked down at the gown I currently wore and raised an eyebrow. Did I dress myself last night? Did I even shower?

I was detached completely from reality, the memories of last night dreadfully out of reach, leading me to believe that last night went as all the other nights go.

I must have come home, said good night to Neji-nii chan, disposed of my work uniform, and readied myself for a good night's rest.

I nodded at that, sighing under my breath. I pulled one hand up to cup my forehead softly. Yeah, I must have been very tired last night which is why I can't remember much before I laid my head.

So with that, I simply shrug off my thoughts of the night before and instead hopped out of bed, to instead focus on the day before me. I have work today!

I deserted my bed to rush over to the dresser that was located at the far side of the room, completely missing the desk that was not too far from me, the surface of it was now perfectly clear. Absolutely nothing was on it.

But nothing at all dawned on me by just glancing at the desk. No worries, nothing at all. So simply, I grabbed what I needed from my dresser and left my bedroom to flee to the bathroom, in order to get ready for the day.

Overall it took me fifteen minutes to initiate my skin routine, dress within my backup uniform and do my makeup.

Afterward, I left my empty home without a care in the world, now dressed in my uniform, while holding my purse.

I left my flat and soon the entire building to drive to my workplace, with my mind only focused on Ureshi Udon and my customers.

The mysterious blonde man didn't once pop up into my brain, only doing so until a few hours passed by as I worked my shift.

I began to notice something.

The seventh booth on my side of the diner, the booth that always contained a spiky blonde hair, blue-eyed, tuxedo-wearing male was in fact not here today.

Hours and hours passed and not once did I ever see the blonde within Ureshi Udon.

Numerous other customers instead began to occupy the blonde's usual seat. Customers including families, friends, old and young were seated within the blonde's usual seat.

The day ran just like that the whole while.

The blonde man never showed.

The blonde never stepped foot within Ureshi Udon the entire day which only made me feel safe and secure.

Yes, he's obeyed my warning. He's staying away.

It was a relief to know that the blonde man was no longer going to bother me, watch me, harass and stalk me.

Now, I could do my job peacefully within the pleasant confines of Ureshi Udon, work alongside my coworkers and serve the people of Japan with a smile on my face and no worries in my mind.

I was happy again. So very happy.

But that was all short-lived.

At the end of my shift, I helped Kiba, Shino, and Sakura clean the building of Ureshi Udon and close up the diner for the night.

The clock struck, 9:25 p.m, and I was now present in my car, currently taking the same route to my home in order to clean up and rest for the night.

A smile was currently forming on my pale face as I peacefully drove the roads of Japan, my ears listening to the catchy pop music that was currently playing on the radio.

I was in a good mood, a very good mood.

Today was yet another success at Ureshi Udon that I was certainly blessed for. I met so many new people, I made so many customers smile and laugh today. I recommended many new dishes to customers all around and in the end, I accumulated a lot of tips for my hard work and dedication. As I usually do.

And all the while, not once did I see the mysterious blonde man today. Not once was I cursed by his presence. Not once was I teased, watched, ordered around, and harassed.

The blonde male was gone and so was my despair. Oh yes, I was certainly in a very happy mood.

With a cheer, I turned the wheel of my car slightly to the right in order to maneuver my car within the lot to the building I lived in, doing so as I did every single night.

Only a couple of cars were parked within the available parks that were present within the residence's lot so, I used my eyes to search for the same park I always set my car in.

My smile grew when I found the particular park I had my eyes on, a park that was currently empty. And on that note, I turned the steering wheel of my car to slip it into the park gracefully.

Darkness surrounded me entirely as I tried my best to park as neatly as possible within the white lines underneath my car. Once I believed I positioned my car correctly within the park I chose, I pulled the gear shift within my vehicle up to the p icon, parking it within my current spot.

Once I did so, I let out an exhausted sigh, just taking the time to relax within the quiet space of my car.

I allowed my eyes to close for a bit, to rest them as I settled my overworked body. I sat and just relished in the memories of today, relished in the memories of actually working a normal day at Ureshi Udon, just like before I met the blonde.

Well, today was a very good day.

I smiled to myself, my hand rising forth so I could cup it close to my chest. I wish I had more days like this one. Good days full of happiness and freedom.

My smile grew happily upon my thoughts.

But with that, I allowed my eyes to open and my breathing to steady. Well, it's time to go.

With that thought in mind, I moved my body over to grab my purse on the passenger seat. I took out the keys in the ignition and pushed my car door open, granting me access to the outside world.

The warm breeze hit me first and then the rough hands of a strong individual which worked to grab my very being from my car.

Everything happened so fast.

One minute I was sitting peacefully in my car and the next I was held pinned against it by a shadowy figure dressed in all black with a strength that was greatly overpowering.

My purse and keys dropped to the concert ground with a loud thud where the objects grew lost within the dark abyss that surrounded the area.

Bone-chilling fear struck my body with full force causing me to wiggle in a frenzy, screaming at the top of my lungs.

"Help! Hel-mm!"

My mouth was quickly covered by the unknown individual that was currently pressed against my back, a gloved hand now cupping both my nose and mouth tightly making it hard to breathe, hard to scream, and hard to think.

My screams were muffled, and wiggling was futile against the immovable object behind me. It was like I was bound by a tight rope and every time I wiggled, the rope would only tighten around my body more, keeping me restrained.

Slamming my body against the individual who towered over me did nothing either for it was like I was slamming against a wall. All my efforts were useless which only worsened my petrified state.

My eyes widened, so big, I felt them begin to ache. What do I do? What do I do? This can't be happening! This can't!

I was panicking as the numb feeling only fear could bring began to take over every bit of my body causing it to become very hard to move a single muscle. It would seem I was slowly going into a state of shock, a state where my body was beginning to become unresponsive.

My arms were held tightly behind my back, crossed over the other by one larger hand, a gloved hand that belonged to the camouflaged individual behind me who seemed to hide in the shadows of the darkness quite well.

"Shh, everything will be just fine, love."

My aggressor whispered against my ear within the darkness, breathing their hot breath against my skin which only caused the tremor I was experiencing to worsen. I tried my best to wiggle more but it was once again useless.

I was kept pinned to my car door, my arms restrained and my legs smashed against the metal frame of my vehicle. I was trapped.

I struggled even more upon that fact, trying my best to break free but the hands that held me down kept me from doing so, the screaming voice in my head was crippling my spirit, and the fear that I felt was eating away my strength. I was done for.

And my aggressor noticed.

A familiar masculine voice shushed me again, once more keeping their lips pressed against my left ear.

"I'm here to make it all better."

And that was the last thing I heard before the hand that covered my mouth worked to instead grab the back of my head, to push it against my car as another method to restrain my body. But now that my mouth was no longer covered, I took the opportunity to scream out within the darkness, to alert anyone of my dreadful situation. I need help. I need help now!

"Help! Please somebody! H-!"

My breath hitched when I felt the sharp sting of a needle slip within the skin on the right side of my neck, entering a substance inside my body that instantly caused my vision to blur, my body to weaken and grow very heavy. Soon after, darkness took over my vision, leaving me helpless and in the hands of...

The mysterious blonde man.


End Of Part 2