Hiruma probably should have waited inside instead of freezing his ass off, but he was trying to be civil today. His conversation with the shitty old man from a week ago was still on his mind.
"How much longer are you going to run from this?"
Hiruma Yoichi didn't run from anything.
He had actually been pleasantly surprised by Mamori's sudden message yesterday. He was planning on talking to her soon, but her unintentional cooperation was proving to be useful.
The two found seats at the bar of the small izakaya. The chef behind the bar greeted them happily as he handed them menus. The place was moderately filled, and the small television above the bar was playing slow, comforting songs.
The old man may have actually done well with suggesting this place.
"So," Mamori began lightly, "how's the Japan National team?"
Hiruma cackled.
Mamori had gone easy with the alcohol, Hiruma noticed. He had bought her a glass of beer as a courtesy, but she hadn't drank anything else except water. He was torn between commending her and convincing her to drink a little more just to make this easier.
(and maybe she'll kiss him again)
They, of course, had started the night with talking about football. Hiruma was starting to slow down as a player and work more with the analytic team.
Mamori giggled behind a hand. "Not as young as we used to be," she joked.
Hiruma grinned down at her. "Speak for yourself."
Mamori's cheeks puffed in annoyance as she chewed on some edamame. She told him about her career and how she officially earned her teaching certification a few years ago. "I've had my own classroom for two years now, and I can definitively tell you that working with toddlers is much easier than working with a college football team." She took a sip of water with a smile. "At least they know how to clean up after themselves."
Hiruma snatched an edamame out of the small bowl in front of her. She frowned but didn't protest him having some of her food. "So," he triumphantly began opening the pod, "you gonna open your own little nursery sometime?"
Mamori laughed with a wave of her hand. "Oh god no. At least, not any time soon. I'm happy with where I am right now." She snagged one of the karaage pieces off of Hiruma's plate and popped it into her mouth with a defiant grin.
Fuck, he really wanted her to kiss him again.
They spoke for a little while longer before a relatively rowdy group of young men entered the izakaya, obviously having already visited a few other bars. Mamori tried not to retch at the overpowering smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Noticing her discomfort, Hiruma began to shrug his jacket on. "Let's get out of here," he said. Mamori agreed before rising from her seat.
"I'm just going to go to the bathroom before we leave."
Hiruma nodded and watched her disappear into a small side hallway deep in the izakaya. Hiruma placed his card on the bar, and the chef took it with a loud "thank you". Mamori would probably gripe about how she could pay for half, but Hiruma wouldn't mind poking fun at her some more. He sat back into his seat as he pulled his phone out to check some work emails in the meantime.
Hiruma only noticed the time when he finished scanning through a good amount of emails. Mamori had been gone for a while. Now, Hiruma was never one to worry, but something felt out of place to his analytical eye. He scanned the small izakaya quickly. There were a few patrons, but it was mostly quiet, save for the rowdy bunch of idiots who had wandered in. Hiruma glanced at them seated at their table, noisily talking about something. Wait… how many of them were there?
One—Two—Three…
Hiruma stood from his seat.
One was missing.
Hiruma slid toward the back of the izakaya. He barely made it within earshot of the small side hallway before two voices became clear.
"... you're really hurting my pride here, beautiful."
"I'm with someone right now. Please excuse me."
"He can't be as fun as me."
Mamori gasped as the man wrapped a tight hand around her wrist. "Don't make me beg," he said, pulling her closer.
"I'd like to see that."
The man turned and paled instantly the moment he locked eyes with Hiruma. Hiruma stood, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, glaring down at the shorter man. He wasn't wearing his signature toothy grin. Instead, his lips were pressed together into a serious line. The atmosphere around him challenged the poor fool to try his luck.
In some insane show of idiocy, the young man straightened his back, jutting his jaw at Hiruma daringly despite the slight tremble in his voice. "G-go away. This is none of your business." He couldn't stop the stutter in his voice.
Hiruma shifted his eyes to Mamori who had managed to wrench her wrist out of the man's grasp. She sent Hiruma a tired, withering look as if to say "Can you believe this moron?" Hiruma bit back a smirk. Of course she wouldn't be quivering for this shitty small fry. Still, he didn't like his fucking attitude.
Pushing off the wall, Hiruma took a step toward the man. He, in turn, took a half step back, but still tried to maintain some facade of bravery. "Listen," Hiruma started with a sigh, "If there's one thing I hate, it's wasting my fucking time." He took another step and the man nearly stumbled against the other wall.
"I don't know shit about you, and I don't fucking want to. It'd be a waste of memory." Hiruma now loomed over the man, whose knees were now starting to visibly shake. "So, I'm going to give you a chance to get the fuck out of my face, or I'll have to uncover every filthy little secret a piece of shit like you could ever accumulate. And that sounds like a big waste of my fucking time." His eyes narrowed. "Don't make me waste my time."
The man opened his mouth as if he were actually going to say something, but the rational part of his brain must have finally turned on because he clamped his mouth shut immediately. After a few shaky nods, he scampered away, tail firmly tucked between his legs.
Mamori watched him go, feelings of both triumph and pity falling over her. She turned back to Hiruma. "Thanks," she said quietly, suddenly feeling embarrassed. Hiruma scoffed and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder.
"Let's head out."
Mamori actually wished she drank a little more alcohol, if only to help her stay warm against the cool autumn wind. The wind had really picked up after the sun went down, and Mamori fought the temptation to wrap her arms around herself for more warmth.
After leaving the izakaya, the duo began walking, still maintaining conversations that they had started earlier. Mamori barely noticed they had walked into a larger park. She had walked through it a few times since it was close to her apartment building. Hiruma abruptly stopped and Mamori nearly bumped into his shoulder. He pointed to a vending machine just a few steps away.
"I'm gunna buy a drink." He nodded toward the bench next to the machine and below a streetlight.
Mamori got the hint, again mentally rolling her eyes at the fact that Hiruma couldn't just simply say what he wanted. "I'll take a seat then," she replied. He nodded and moved to the vending machine. Mamori plopped down onto the bench with a sigh. She glanced around the park. It was relatively empty considering the late hour. She could see a few people walking about: a man walking his dog, a group of teenage girls talking animatedly, a young couple holding hands.
Mamori jolted in her seat. Her objective. That's right. She was here to be rejected, and what better place than a quiet park?
She squealed in surprise as a can was shoved in front of her. She looked up to Hiruma raising a quizzical eyebrow at her.
"Oh! Um," Mamori fumbled with her words. She turned her attention to the can of warm tea still outstretched before her. She blinked before slowly taking it from Hiruma's hand. The warmth spread wonderfully across her fingers and palms. Hiruma landed heavily on the bench just to Mamori's left, stretching one of his arms lazily across the back of the bench behind her. Mamori tried not to overthink the fact that his arm was practically around her shoulders.
Her thoughts finally began to catch up with her. She raised the can, turning to Hiruma. "Let me-"
"Don't pay me back." He cut her off, opening his can of black coffee.
Mamori puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "You didn't let me pay before either."
Hiruma grinned against the can at his lips before taking a sip, looking away to feign innocence.
"How unfair."
"Fine. You'll pay next time."
Mamori stilled at his words. Would there ever be a next time? After what she's going to tell him? Her gaze lowered to the can between her hands.
Where to even begin?
She took a deep breath. With gusto she opened her can of tea and took two big gulps. Hiruma jumped at her sudden ferocity. After she drank, she let out a loud sigh and turned her body to face Hiruma, a determined glint in her eyes. He regarded her with furrowed brows.
"What I say may make you uncomfortable." Mamori bit her lip nervously, already beginning to lose some of her steam.
Hiruma's confusion deepened. "Wha-"
Mamori raised her hand to silence him. "Let me finish." She paused for a beat. "Before I lose my nerve," she added quietly, eyes looking away again.
"I… I-I feel..." She stumbled over her words. Maybe she should have actually planned the words out, but, she fears, she would have made an excuse to run away instead. She puffed her chest to boost her courage. "You and I—we—I mean, I…"
"What the fuck are you-"
"I like you!" She blurted out. Her words tumbled out angrily, more upset at him for interrupting her than anything else. "You insufferable man!"
Hiruma's eyebrows rose, his eyes widening to one of the clearest expressions of surprise she had ever seen on him. Well… at least it wasn't disgust.
The night was still and another gust of wind shook Mamori. She held back a shutter as she stared at Hiruma intently, waiting for his—any—response. Finally, he threw his head back with a weary groan. Mamori gaped at him. Before she could speak, Hiruma scoffed.
"You think I don't already know?"
Mamori's nostrils flared. "Oh!" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "Excuse me for wasting your time." She moved to rise, ready to storm home and stew angrily before collapsing onto her bed in tears. Maybe she could buy ice cream on the way home.
Mission accomplished.
Instead, however, the arm Hiruma had slung behind her latched onto her shoulder, his fingers surprisingly warm.
"You think I wouldn't after you threw yourself at me?"
Mamori's jaw dropped. She spun to face Hiruma again. His expression was annoyingly neutral. Mamori sputtered. "Threw myself?" Her voice was rising. "What?"
Hiruma rolled his eyes. "Not sure how else I would describe it."
"I just told you that I like you," Mamori growled, "I would hardly call that 'throwing myself'."
A toothy grin rose to Hiruma's face. "I wasn't talking about today."
Mamori's anger dissipated. Her eyebrows furrowed. "When?"
Hiruma groaned again, rolling his head back. Mamori gave his chest a smack. She opened her mouth but Hiruma cut her off.
"How often do you get drunk?"
Mamori's jaw went slack. She shook her head in an attempt to compose herself. "What are you talking about?"
Hiruma's look turned lazy. "I have to know if this is a regular occurrence."
"What-"
"You kissed me."
Mamori felt like the floor was swept out from underneath her. Her cheeks burned.
What?
Thank you again for the wonderful reviews/comments! It warms my heart that people still love this pair as much as I do :)
In one of my comments (which I can't reply to if you leave a comment as a guest!), I was asked if I was going to continue my OLD HiruMamo fic called "I'm Her Boyfriend". Honestly I started writing that fic when I was still a teenager (A WHILE ago now haha). Looking back at my old work makes me cringe lol. I currently have no plans to update that one, but I'm considering completely re-writing it. That's pretty low on my priorities tho haha. Rest assured—I plan to continue writing for these two! I love them too much to stop :)
Next chapter is the last one! As always, thanks for reading~
