2nd Tray – Fortune Cookies
As the weather becomes warmer and the store bustling with customers, Mai had no time to relax and eat the walnut cookies prepared by the kind John. Despite the numerous orders she had to handle, Mai was glad that their previous regular customers had returned and even brough along a few of their friends along. She had wondered if she needed to resort to some promoting again like before, but decided against it as she did not want to endure the wrath of her boss who prefers having less customers in the store at one time.
"Sometimes, it makes one wonder why he even opened this store when he prefers solitude," says Masako – a good friend of Mai who works at a clothing store in the next street and also John's girlfriend.
Mai was able to take her time doing the dishes as the customers were served their orders and Masako had decided to munch on her own set of cookies (prepared by John as well) in an unlady-like manner beside Mai. Although there was a mountain of dishes to be done, Masako did not offer a hand to help as she wanted to fully enjoy her break eating the cookies as well as annoy her friend.
Instead of getting angry, Mai knew her friend hadn't been able to spend time with John over the past few weeks due to the sudden return of the dark lord as well as the numerous customers every opening day. Mai decided to let Masako thoroughly enjoy her break.
"I wondered why too but I'd rather not ask him. He'd either deem it not worthy to answer or he is only going to say a one liner which is not worth MY time asking," replies Mai as she rubs the soapy sponge against the dirty plate.
Putting the final piece of cookie in her mouth and chewing it thoroughly, Masako then asks, "Anyways, what is up with you and Naru? How'd the confession go?"
Before Mai was able to answer, someone had roughly opened the door, causing the door chime to sound loudly and startled the customers and Mai alike.
Noticing that the store was full, the person clears their throat and calming walks to the counter. Mai quickly washes her hands and dries it off before greeting her friend.
"Yasu! What are you doing here? In a rush at that," Mai enquires.
Taking a deep breath, Yasuhara – a senior and friend of Mai – asks where Naru was.
"Why are you looking for him? Well, he can only be in the kitchen if not out here," Masako answers for Mai.
"Roger that. I will wait out here then," Yasuhara replies.
Yasuhara politely asks for an empty chair not being used by a nearby customer and promptly pulls it closer to the counter area. Masako bids them farewell as she had to return to her job while Mai went back to the dishes, leaving Yasuhara to deal with the customers.
It was roughly an hour later that the number of people in the store was reduced to just four. Mai went to change the sign on the door to close, indicating their late lunch break.
Two men wearing contrasting colours steps out of the kitchen.
John was allowed to wear the white uniform instead of the sombre black while Naru chose to continue wearing his signature black. Mai had suggested to change hers as well but Naru convinced her to not by uncharacteristically saying that with only both of them wearing black, it is like a pair. Clearly, he just did not want to bother ordering another set of her uniform in a different colour, but Mai lets it go anyways.
With an obvious scowl on his face, Naru asks Yasuhara, "What are you doing here?"
Naru pulls a chair to sit beside Mai who was already eating something that he had set aside for her in the small refrigerator meant for employees.
"I have a request to make."
"Then, I refuse."
"I have not even stated what the request was!"
"I am refusing whatever you are going to request," Naru replies while pulling out a book from out of nowhere.
Yasuhara looks at Mai then John.
John shakes his head indicating that he cannot help him in persuading his boss.
Finishing her food, Mai turns to see Naru beside her then Yasuhara in front of her, then John retreating to his favourite spot to give Masako a call. Scratching her head, Mai meekly asks Yasuhara what his request was.
Eyes gleaming with hope, Yasuhara quickly unloads what he wanted to say, "You know our university will be having an opening carnival soon, right? Someone suggested that we make fortune cookies and while I do know how to make it, I can't do it a large quantity of it on my own."
"So… you want to ask if either Naru and John can help or at least loan out the kitchen to you?" Mai asks.
"Yes, that is what I would like to request. Of course, I will be paying for the help using the budget given. They told me I could use it as I deem fit."
"You'd probably be able to persuade them to even if they refused at first," Mai jokes.
Yasuhara then expectantly looks at Naru for an answer that never came.
When Naru did open his mouth, all he did was ask Mai for tea.
"Seriously, couldn't you have gotten tea yourself," was what Mai wanted to say but she held it in as the atmosphere felt tense with Yasuhara practically staring holes into Naru who was unfazed.
After brewing the tea and returning, the doorbell chimed and John had just reappeared.
Looking up from his book and a scowl forming again, Naru says, "Get out, Gene."
A face that was identical to the boss of Uwagusuri, Eugene – Older twin of Naru's and also Naru's stalker – appears with a grin on his face. Without a second to waste, Eugene went straight to his brother and attempts to hug him which failed.
"Since you won't let me… I'll just hug Mai!" says Eugene before Naru pushes his twin's face away.
"Gene! What are you doing?" Mai asks, puzzled as to why the angel version of Naru was once again in the store.
John silently greets Eugene from a few steps away while Yasuhara kept silent. Eugene pries Naru's hand away and informed them that he was in Japan for work and decided to visit them. Naru continues glaring at his twin and decided that he will only be able to enjoy his reading in his lair, thus he left all of them and enters the kitchen. Taking the seat left by Naru, Eugene made small talk with Mai and Yasuhara and occasionally John who was being very silent at the back.
Once their break was done, Mai proceeds to change the sign again. Eugene says that he will help out and heads to the changing room. John heads back to the kitchen and Yasuhara decided to help as well.
Night came and Uwagusuri has closed for the day. Naru was still in his place of solace while John had already left, Mai was waiting for Naru and Yasuhara was about to leave when Eugene told him that they should catch up on things.
"See you next time Mai~ Tell Noll that he should give a call to his parents," Eugene carefreely informs Mai as he exits the store with Yasuhara.
Mai went to change her clothes and figured that Naru would take another hour before he exits his lair but he was already waiting for her when she returned to the counter.
I really wonder how he does things so swiftly… Does he have some magic power that I am not aware of?
Noticing Mai's presence, Naru closes his book and it disappears to who-knows-where.
"Naru," Mai begins.
Naru simply gave her a side glance to show that he was listening to her.
"I know this is going to sound stupid but… we ARE dating, right? I mean I confessed and you kind of… accepted it? And we also well uh…"
Unable to continue her words, Naru continues it for her, "We kissed and you are wondering if that established the relationship or not."
"Uh, yea!"
How is he not the slightest bit embarrassed saying that out loud. Well, he DID kiss me in broad daylight that day and also… deeply…
They had already arrived at Mai's apartment and Naru was waiting for her to unlock it but Mai was lost in her thoughts, she did not immediately take out her keys.
"Mai, I told you before about being in a daze," Naru says as he flicks Mai's forehead.
The flick brings Mai back to earth and she gently massages her forehead as her other hand pulls out her set of keys. After unlocking the door, Naru once again enters without a word and Mai really wondered why he keeps staying.
It isn't like we even do anything. We talk for a few minutes then we sit together silently till I fall asleep and wakes up finding him gone. Sigh, not that I am going to complain about it because I get to be with him for a while longer.
The following day at Uwagusuri, just as Mai went to change the sign to 'Close', Eugene arrives with an ominous smile.
"We shall make fortune cookies!" Eugene declares.
"Fortune cookies?" asks John as he exits the kitchen.
"Where have I heard that?" ponders Mai.
"That sounds interesting!" says Masako, who arrived just before the last customer left.
Eugene excitedly takes a seat at a table and ushers the others to join him. He tells them that he heard about Yasuhara's situation and wants to help him, without even asking Naru for permission. While Masako likes the sound of it, both Mai and John were praying that Naru did not blow up on his own twin for the one-sided decision.
When Eugene goes to present the idea to Naru, as expected, Naru will…
"Fine."
Naru will agree to it. … wait. What?!
"NO WAY!" Mai shouts suddenly.
"I thought you were in with them. I take it that you don't agree," says Naru.
Shaking her head profusely, "I am not against it! I was just… thinking of something else. Ha ha ha…"
With an awkward laughter, Mai turns away and whispers to Masako and John, "I thought he would chase Gene out and reject the idea."
"I thought so too, but maybe it is because it came from his twin?"
Masako disagrees, "Gene seems to have said something to him that we didn't get to hear. Maybe that is what made him agree."
While the three wondered what made Naru agree to the request, Eugene and Naru planned out how to accommodate to the request.
A few days later, the store was closed to do a test run of the fortune cookies (even though Naru told them there was no way they are going to fail if he is taking part of it). Yasuhara arrives with Eugene and Lin in tow in the afternoon. Lin was called to deliver the ingredients as Eugene wanted Lin to participate as well for some reasons.
"Let's get started!~"
Naru, Yasuhara, John and even Lin was in the kitchen while Mai, Masako and Eugene are in the main area. The latter is put in charge of the fortune slips.
While Mai was noting down common fortunes to include that she remembers, Masako and Eugene seem to be scheming something.
"Does Naru even believe in fortune cookies?" asks Masako.
Eugene shakes his head, "He doesn't. However, we can put a fortune that will make him at least startled!"
"Ouh! What should we put?"
"At this point, I can say that anything related to Mai is able to make him change expression."
Putting her hand covered by her kimono sleeve in front of her mouth, Masako laughs evilly, "Let's do it."
Unbeknown to Mai, Masako and Eugene devise to include the 'special' fortune when no one else is looking and will make sure that Naru takes that single fortune cookie.
After getting the fortune slips ready, Masako and Eugene were suspiciously excited about being the ones to slip in the fortunes and only letting John and Yasuhara to proceed with folding the fortune cookie with the slips inside.
Thus, Mai and Naru were sitting by the counter side by side and Lin sat at his usual favourite spot. Lin had somehow procured a tea set without Mai's knowledge and quietly drank it as he reads a book.
Lin-san seems to like reading like Naru too. Hm… he is reading a book in English that I have no idea what it is about. Will he tell me if I ask?
As Mai spaces out, Naru clears his throat loudly in an attempt to get her attention but Mai continues to stare at Lin. Feeling something surges in him, Naru tugs on Mai's elbow a little too hard, causing her to turn and lean against him.
"Naru?" asks Mai as she tries to push herself away from him.
"Are you already thinking of cheating on me?" says Naru as he holds Mai in place, not allowing her to pull away.
Mai blinks rapidly, not understanding why he asked such a question.
"What are you saying? It was painstaking to even confess to you, why would I cheat on you?"
Looking as though he had made a mistake, Naru clicks his tongue and let go of Mai, then continues reading his book.
I know she won't so why did I even ask. I need to stop being… possessive.
Mai racks her brain and came to a single conclusion, a conclusion that hit the nail on the head for Naru.
"Did you think I was interested in Lin because I was staring at him?" asks Mai, innocently.
Since when was she this sharp
Noticing Naru's lack of response, Mai continues, "You were busy reading and I was bored, so I happened to look at Lin-san and wondered what book he is reading."
Naru did not say anything but Mai knew he was listening because he was still reading the exact same page since before.
"There is no way I'd cheat on the almighty perfect Naru. I only like you, Naru," says Mai without missing a beat.
Usually, Mai would feel embarrassed or shy to say her feelings but since she knew that only he can hear her at the moment and that she wanted to reassure him, she told him her feelings wholeheartedly. Naru was going to say something but the outburst from Masako and Yasuhara interrupted him.
With a tray of fortune cookies lined up, it was placed on an empty table to cool while everyone began talking about random things. Naru retreated to his lair without anyone saying anything.
The cookies cooled down rather quickly and the first piece was given to Lin by Eugene before the latter left. They talked for a while as the rest took one each. Masako however, took two.
"Why did you take two, Masako?" Mai questions.
Masako panicked a little but managed to convince Mai by saying that she will deliver one to Naru.
Odd. Why did she offer to give it to Naru? I mean, she doesn't think well of him. Hmm…
When Masako went to give Naru the 'special' fortune cookie, Naru wondered the same thing as Mai. Even so, he took it and quickly broke the cookie in half. He ate the cookie and left the fortune slip without reading it. Masako insists that he read it before returning to her friends.
'I hate you – by Mai' is what's written.
Naru chuckles to himself and simply threw away the slip before he exits the kitchen and naturally taking the spot beside Mai.
"What's your fortune, Naru? I got 'Trying something new will bring more happiness'," says Mai.
Masako and Eugene look at Naru expectantly but Naru says, "I don't believe in it so I threw it away."
"What!" is what both Masako and Eugene screamed in their mind.
John figured that his girlfriend must have conspired with Eugene on something regarding the fortune slips but Naru was not acting like how they expected. John quietly shows his fortune slip to Masako that says 'Your love will last long'. Masako's train of thoughts instantly switches to John and they are both in their own world again. Like a forgotten person, Yasuhara silently opens another fortune cookie and realises something.
"Oh, it is April Fool's day today."
With just that sentence, Masako and Eugene came to a conclusion of Naru not caring about his fortune slip because he knew it was April 1st.
After closing up the store, Mai thought Naru would head home with Eugene but apparently not.
"Isn't Eugene staying with you? Why don't you go back with him? You don't have to always send me home."
"Exactly, because he is there."
What is that supposed to mean?
"He'd disturb my precious healing time," says Naru, as though answering Mai's thoughts.
Is he a psychic…
Mai didn't continue probing him about the matter and they silently walk. When they reached Mai's apartment, Mai is no longer surprised at Naru taking a seat at her couch without a word. She slowly takes off her shoes and places her bag as usual, then joins Naru.
"Naru."
"…"
"Naru!"
"I hear you."
"Well, I was wondering why you accepted the request when Eugene asked but not when Yasuhara did. Is it because he is your twin?"
"…Yes."
He hesitated. Why?
"Hm… Next time, I should ask Gene to relay my request if you reject it."
There is no way I'd reject your request.
"I wouldn't reject it if you don't ask me for a dumb request," teases Naru.
As though offended, Mai replies, "Says the one who got jealous of me briefly looking at another man."
Naru didn't say anything and Mai decided not to say more.
It's all Gene's fault.
~~ Back to the day Gene was asking Naru to accept Yasuhara's request ~~
"If you agree to this request, I'll think of something to stop the surveillance from Lin as well as stop all the wire-tapping."
With a sigh, Naru replies, "So you did plant a wire-tapping device somewhere."
Grinning like a Cheshire, Eugene proceeds with, "Also, I know that you see Mai almost every day, but take her out on dates, will you? You'll make her bored of you soon."
~x~
Closing his eyes, Naru gently leans his head atop of Mai's on his shoulder.
Knowing that Mai was already asleep, Naru whispers in silence, "I only like you too."
+++End of 2nd Tray+++
… I have nothing to say to this haha.
Naru gets more and more OOC the more I type LOL