Yes, yes. I finally have chapter three up. I've had it written for months now, but I've been too lazy to actually type it. I have chapters 4 and 5 done too, but it'll probably take a while for me to type those as well. Hopefully, they'll be up next week.
"Ichigo?" He asked with such a sweet tone in his voice. He put his hands on her face as he looked at her sadly. "Ichigo, do you....do you care about me?"
She grew speechless at the sight of his sad eyes. She couldn't find the words to tell him. "Ryou....Ye--" She stopped, hearing the sound of the front doors opening.
"Everybody! I'm back!" Keiichiro shouted, opening the doors to the kitchen. "Hello, you two!" He greeted, with a smile.
Ryou quickly took his hands off her face before Keiichiro could notice. He sighed, wondering why Keiichiro always showed up in the middle of his moments with Ichigo. "Where you've been, Keiichiro?"
"Out," He simply replied, with an even bigger smile. "Did anything happen while I was gone?"
"Touch your nose." Ryou answered, quickly. "You shouldn't be so nosey. If anything happes, it shouldn't be your business." He leaned against the wall, as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He didn't usually talk to Keiichiro like that, but at that moment, he felt so of upset that he couldn't have kept a moment alone with Ichigo. Especially when she was about to tell him what she felt about him.
"Aww!" Keiichiro responded. "I just want to make sure everything's okay. I wouldn't want anything wrong to happen to any of you..."
Ichigo wasn't exactly sure what Keiichiro was talking about. Was he trying to get them together or keep them apart? Did he leave earlier so they could have been alone together? Or did he show up to make sure Ichigo didn't say anything that would make something happen? Afterall, Keiichiro never gave a reason as to why he had left. Maybe it had to do with the two of them.
"Keiichiro, you really shouldn't worry so much. If anything happens, it can easily be dealed with." Ryou said, not wanting to discuss this conversation anymore.
"Um...how about you try my cupcake, Keiichiro?" Ichigo asked, not wanting an argument to occur at any moment between Keiichiro and Ryou. If this all had to do with her, she didn't want to let things get out of hand.
Keiichiro nodded at Ryou. Maybe Ryou was right about it not being his business. Maybe he should start letting them realize their feelings for each other on their own, without his help. He turned to Ichigo and smiled. "Of course, Ichigo! I'd love to!"
Ichigo handed the cupcake to Keiichiro, smiling. She, then, turned to Ryou and sighed. Why was it so hard to figure out what she felt about him? Why was she even thinking she was in love with him? Afterall, it was Ryou. She was with Masaya, and there was no way she could just leave him for Ryou. Just because she felt wonderful when she was with him, it didn't mean she had feelings for him, right?
Keiichiro took a bite and smiled. "It tastes really good, Ichigo. Good job! Maybe you can help out around the kitchen today!" He exclaimed.
Ichigo's eyes brightened.She had always wanted to be in the kitchen to help. Waitressing was way too tiring since she was probably the only one who actually worked anyway. She gave him a big smile. "Keiichiro, I'd love t--!"
"Sorry, but Ichigo is more needed as a waitress. She can help in the kitchen some other time." Ryou cut her off, as he took her by the wrist and began to take her out of the kitchen. "Come on, Ichigo. You have work to do."
"But the cafe's not even open yet!" She protested, as she was dragged out of the kitchen. "Keiichiro!"
But Keiichiro didn't do anything to stop Ryou and sighed, watching them leave. "Hopefully, he'll tell her soon....." He whispered, closing her eyes. "Hopefully..."
Ryou held Ichigo's wrist tighter, as he began to pull her up the stairs. He had to talk to her now. If he didn't he might not have another chance.
"Ryou! Where are we going!?" She asked, trying to pull his fingers off of her wrist with her free hand. "The cafe's down there! I don't work up here!"
"I know you don't. Right now, you're not going to work." He stated, opening the door to his room and pulling her inside. "Besides, the cafe's not even open."
"But......that's what I told you a while ago! Why are you even bringing me here!?" She stared at him in confusion. "Okay, this is just weird. You have me all confused now, you know!" She complained, still trying to go free from him.
Ryou sweatdropped, finally letting her go as he shut the door. "First of all, you're always confused. Second, we have to talk about us and what happened earlier. Third, don't think that when we're done talking here you won't be working, but after this conversation is over, you're going straight downstairs to get your job done. And fourth...." He stopped, hesitating to speak any forward. But he had to speak. He had to tell her the truth. "And fourth.....I love---!"
"Oww!" Ichigo cried out in pain, as she looked at her arm. "I think a mosquito bit me. It hurts! And I think I'm bleeding!"
Ryou sweatdropped yet again. It seemed every moment was ruined, even when Keiichiro wasn't there. He stepped closer to Ichigo and grabbed her arm. "It's not that big of a deal. I don't know what you're whining about." He pulled her arm close to his face and kissed the spot where the bite was.
Ichigo blushed, as he kissed her arm. 'What is he doing?' She wondered, though all of a sudden she wasn't thinking about the bite anymore and the pain suddenly went away. "Um......."
Ryou sighed, annoyingly. "But if you want, I can get you a bandage, you big baby," He mumbled, taking her arm and pulling her near his desk. He grabbed a first-aid kit that was next to his computer and pulled out a small bandage.
"Um....Ryou?" She whispered, watching him.
"Yeah?" He responded, as he slowly put the bandage on her arm.
She bit her lower lip, hesitating to ask. "What was the fourth thing you were going to tell me?"
He sighed, thinking. He couldn't tell her now. All those interuptions were signs that it wasn't time yet. "It's nothing. Just forget about it." He answered, giving her a rare smile.
She nodded, smiling back at him. "Okay....and thanks. For the bandage, I mean."
"No problem. Whatever." He stared at her for a few seconds, before turning away.
"We should....go back downstairs now..." He began to walk towards the door, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Ichigo?" He stared at her, raising an eyebrow.
"I-I-I....u-um...." She stuttered. "I....um....I need to know...."
He blinked, before he moved closer to her and put a hand on her chin. "Ichigo, what is it you want to know?"
"Ryou...." She started, taking a deep breath. "Why did you kiss me?"
::clears throat for the usual speech:: Why didn't Ryou just tell Ichigo the truth? Why are there always interuptions when Ichigo and Ryou are together? Where did that darn mosquito come from? Will Ryou ever tell Ichigo he loves her? What will he answer to Ichigo? Why in the world of rapid chipmunks has the cafe not been open yet!? WILL it ever open!? Why am I taking so long to finish this story!? ::coughs:: Um, that's all for now. Till next time! ;;;
