This half of Cascades Town is almost identical to its counterpart on the other side of the mountain. But it is smaller, with a buzzing atmosphere and chillier winds.
Waterfalls are ubiquitous here, and many residential houses are built around these natural beauties.
At the town's busiest restaurant, they are met with a familiar presence.
"Well what a surprise!" says a sweet voice.
"Aren't you the waitress who served us on the other side of Cascades Town?" Deidara asks.
"I'm flattered that you remember me. I just moved here yesterday, change of scenery," she answers lazily, "And isn't this a wonderful coincidence!"
She takes a seat beside Rin and opposite Tobi.
"Not this again. Could you at least take our orders first lady?" Deidara says crossly.
"Of course," she simpers, "Tobi, tea again am I right? Or are you hungry this time?"
"Tea is fine," Tobi answers uneasily.
The waitress jots down Deidara's order and stands to leave.
"Wait, you haven't taken my order," Rin says quickly.
"Oh, I thought I made myself clear that I don't serve ugly people but then again, your lack of comprehension is mind-boggling. Oh well, I'll make an exception for today, what would you like?"
"Forget it, I'm not hungry-"
"Tche! She is, just hurry up and order something," Deidara interrupts irritably.
x
They sit in silence, neither relaxingly nor tensely, rather a quietude that insinuates awkwardness.
Rin forces her attention out the window. Perhaps Tobi's reflection is somewhat a trigger to the sullen thoughts? They have not spoken since the ordeal last night. If anything, Tobi is likely disregarding the existence of such event and is reverting back to his old ways of ignoring her.
x
"Tobi how was your tea?" the waitress asks sweetly, "Oh, you didn't drink it-"
"The twat doesn't want to drink it, just drop it," Deidara interjects.
"I wasn't talking to you blondie. Go play with your other prissy half," she says nastily.
"What did you say?"
"Are you scared you're just as ugly?"
"Don't make fun of my senpai," Tobi says coldly as Deidara opens his mouth to retaliate.
"Senpai?" the waitress blinks, "He's your senpai? I see, w-well then I must sincerely apologise," she says quickly.
She does not sound sorry.
"I don't care what you say, just keep your big fat mouth shut, hm."
"Well, have a nice night everyone," the waitress simpers. She drops another piece of paper beside Tobi and disappears.
"Give me that," Deidara says and he snatches the paper from Tobi's grasp.
"S-Senpai-"
Without thinking and without realising the mortification to come, Deidara reads the note out loud.
"Naughty or nice? Come find out."
Silence. Humiliation. Embarrassment.
"What the fuck is this?"
"Thanks for reading it out loud," Tobi mutters.
"That stupid bitch!" Deidara says angrily.
Rin, who has just registered the situation, is now struggling against an escalating shade of scarlet.
But her mind remains far detached from the present reality. She still cannot dismiss the disheartening conversation between Tobi and the waitress.
He was protective of Deidara, yet remained so passive when snide remarks were thrown my way.
"I'm going first, I'm…I'm tired," she says swiftly.
"What?" Deidara says, "Quit running away!"
"I am not running away!"
Yes you are.
"Tche! Overly sensitive then aren't you?"
She places her share of the bill on the table and departs.