I lick my ice cream casually and walk down the sidewalk back to the MizuNezumi. Strange, seeing that red-head again, in the same strip mall. I had no idea that she worked at the KawaiiYuki. Then again, last night on the phone, Daisy did say she had a new job that started today. Oh well, maybe she could sneak me a free muffin or a discount on ice cream. That would always be nice.

            I finish my waffle cone just as my break ended. I go stand behind the counter once more. The clock clicks over to three p.m. I only had three more hours to go. The door opens and I look up. It was the boy from the ice cream shop. He recognizes me and almost laughs.

            "Small world, isn't it?" He says.

            "Very." I reply. "What can I get for you today?"

            "One order of yaki soba and one of happosai." He points to the menu.

            "That will be about five minutes." I say after I put the order in to Tiko. "It's Hatsu, right?"

            He grins and offers his hand. "Hatsu Tsuyama. Pleased to bump into you again."

            I take his hand and shake it. "Ash Ketchum." I reply. "So, you know Misty and her sisters?"

            "The Sensational Sisters? Of course I know them. I know Misty too. They call her the runt. Poor Girl."

            "Well, I've only seen Lily." I explain. "She's a goddess."

            "Eh, she is." Hatsu nods. "Physically at least."

            "What do you mean?"

            Hatsu laughs to himself. "She is a beauty, that's for sure. But I've known the Waterflowers ever since I was in the fifth grade. That's when I met Misty. Lily and Violet would always pick her up at the elementary school to walk home with her. I had to tell Lily one time that Misty had to stay after hours to make up a test then clean up the classroom. She blew up in my face."

            "Oh," I nod. "Well, that was how many years ago?"

            "True, you've got yourself a point." Hatsu agrees. "Personally, I think Violet is the prettiest of the three."

            "You mean four." I correct.

            "No, Misty doesn't count when it comes to her sisters." Hatsu replies.

            "Oh," I say. "You two must be fond of each other then…if she lets you call her those names."

            "Names?"

            "You know," I reply. "Tenshi, O-hime-sama, anything else I haven't heard yet…"

            "Ah, those!" Hatsu smiles. "It bugs her at first, but then she gets used to it. I know she likes it, she just pretends that she doesn't."

            "Order up!" Tiko rings the small bell.
            I put the ctyrofoam containers in a bag with two pairs of chopsticks. "Here you go, have a nice day."

            "You to." Hatsu says. "Stop by the KawaiiYuki after your shift is done. I'll give you a snow cone."

            "Uh, thanks." I reply.

            "Ja'Ne." Hatsu exits.

            "Weird boy." I whisper to myself. "Yet, I like him."

            "Who was he?" Tiko asks.

            I turn around. "Oh, he works down the strip mall at the KawaiiYuki. I met him earlier when I got ice cream on my break."

            Tiko giggles. "If you have this Lily, then can I have this Misty?"

            "No you may not!" I say.

            "Whoa, there, kiddo."

            "She's my age, Tiko." I reply. "At least I think she is. Go for woman your own age."

            Tiko just laughs and goes back into the kitchen.