Big Hero 6: The Art Theives
Chapter 12: Bad Company
"Are you going to the cafe today?" my mom asks the next morning as soon as I wake up.
"Yeah, I'm going to head over after I get dressed," I answer, picking out a pair of dark blue shorts and yellow t-shirt and quickly putting them on. Afterwards, I pull my hair back with the clips Tadashi bought me, slip on my shoes, and run to the cafe.
The bells over the door jingle when I enter, and Aunt Cass looks up from where she's taking an order at a table.
"Sakura! You're here!" Aunt Cass says, sounding relieved. "I need all the help I can get!"
I nod, put on my apron, and join the fray.
"Boys!" Aunt Cass calls, as Tadashi and Hiro head down the stairs. "Come over here! I could use the extra help!"
They nod instantly and get to work. Hiro takes orders, Tadashi runs the register, and I bring the food out to our waiting customers.
"Hi, I'm Sakura. Welcome to the Lucky Cat Cafe," I say kindly to a group of guys who just arrived and sat down at a table. "Feel free to look at the menu, and we'll be right with you."
I turn, head back towards the counter, grab a waiting tray, and take it to the customers at another table. As I return to the counter, one of the boys from the group earlier calls out to me, and I head back towards their table.
"Have you decided what you would like to order?" I ask.
One of the boys, with blonde hair and blue eyes, grins crookedly. "Yes," he says. "I would like an order of you." He reaches out, his fingers wrapping tightly around my wrist, and I yelp, trying to pull away.
"C-Can you let go of me, please?" I ask, feeling frantic and scared both at once. "I-I need to go back to work."
And then, suddenly, Tadashi arrives, looking none too pleased. "Sakura, do you need any help?" he asks as he glares at the blonde boy.
I nod feverishly, still trying to pull myself out of his grip. The boy only grins. "What makes you think I'll let her go?" he asks tauntingly.
"If you don't," Tadashi says threateningly, "I'll force you to."
Aunt Cass joins Tadashi, a rolling pin held tightly in one hand. "You have three seconds to let her go before I kick you out of my cafe," she tells the boy fiercely.
The boy grits his teeth, and then flings me backwards, finally releasing his grip. I stumble into Tadashi, who steadies me before I can hit the floor. With a final glare at Tadashi and Aunt Cass, the blonde boy turns and storms out of the cafe.
"Thanks for all the help," I say breathlessly, subconsciously rubbing my wrist.
"Any time," Tadashi replies.
When rush hour ends and all the customers are gone, Tadashi, Hiro and I sit down at one of the tables to relax.
"What was with that guy?" Hiro says, sounding disgusted. "He was really after you."
"Yeah," I say, nodding. Aunt Cass walks over, setting a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream down in front of each of us. I thank her and take a sip; some of the whipped cream gets stuck on my nose, and Tadashi laughs. I get some on my finger, lean over the table, and put it on the tip of his nose.
"There," I say, smiling. "Now we match."
He blushes, and I smile.
"You know, for your first rush hour, you did a really good job!" Aunt Cass congratulates with a warm smile. "What that guy did was seriously uncalled for, but you stayed calm and collected. I'm proud of you."
I blush, taking another sip of hot cocoa.
"You have the hair clips on today," Tadashi notices, also sipping his hot cocoa.
"Yeah," I say, "I mean, I was going to wear them at some point, right?"
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Hiro offers. "It's getting late, you know."
I smile and nod, then stand and help clear away the empty mugs of hot cocoa. Meanwhile, Tadashi grabs the back of Hiro's hoodie and pulls him aside.
...
"Bro, I know what you're doing," Tadashi says, "but it's not gonna happen. Sakura and I aren't going to get together."
Hiro smirks. "Even after you rushed in to save her from that guy from earlier?" he asks.
Tadashi blushes. "That's different," he says.
"Oh, if Baymax were here," Hiro says with a laugh, "he'd totally lecture you about bottling up your feelings like this."
Tadashi ruffles Hiro's hair roughly. "Come on, let's go eat," Tadashi says.
Hiro huffs, crossing his arms. "What did I say about the hair?" he grumbles.
...
"Itadakimasu!" I say, folding my hands and bowing my head. Tadashi smiles, and we all start to eat.
A little ways into dinner, Aunt Cass turns to me. "Hey, Sakura," Aunt Cass says, "I was wondering if you could come in a little early next weekend."
"Sure thing," I say, nodding.
After dinner, I help Tadashi and Hiro clear the table. "Oh," I say, checking the time, "I've got to go. It's later than I thought it was."
I hug Hiro, then Aunt Cass, and finally Tadashi. "Thank you all!" I say, and then, I turn and leave the cafe, heading back towards my own home.
...
"Tadashi has a crush! Tadashi has a crush!" Hiro sings merrily as he and Tadashi get ready for bed.
Tadashi rolls his eyes, laying down with a yawn and shutting his eyes.
"Say whatever you want, bro," Hiro says knowingly, "but you can't hide forever."
Tadashi groans loudly. "Just go to bed, Hiro."
"You never know!" Hiro says, moving towards his own bed. "She could be the one for you!"
Tadashi pulls the pillow over his head, and Hiro only laughs.
"It's been like this ever since the day you met!" Hiro says. "The love bug got you good."