a/n: Sorry I forgot to upload this earlier because I got caught up in writing something else. Thank you for all your comments. 💙
Fictober Day 27: "Can you wait for me?"
Shiemi fidgetted nervously as she flipped her phone shut, frowning when she looked back at where Rin stood, smiling like a little kid who had just been told he could adopt a puppy.
Darn it. She would hate to ruin his good mood. But still... she didn't want to disappoint her mother, either.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way over to Rin. "Um... h-hey, Rin?"
"Yeah?" His smile could melt the coldest of hearts. "Are you re—oh. Is everything ok? You look worried."
"Um! Yeah! I just..." She hesitated. "My mom's got this big shipment of herbs coming, and she needs help unloading it. I didn't know about it until just now. I hate to ask, but... can you wait for me? I'll do my best to hurry, I promise!"
Rin blinked several times as her words sank in, and then his radiant grin was back. Maybe it was just her, but it seemed like Rin was always smiling. "Nah, it's no big deal. I don't mind." And then: "Actually... I could help out if you want? It'd go a lot quicker with three people!"
Her face felt warm and she hurried to shake her head. "No, th-that's ok! I couldn't ask you to do that."
"I really don't mind," Rin insisted. "We can use my magic key to get there faster."
"Are... are you sure?"
"'Course I'm sure!"
Reluctantly, Shiemi gave him a smile of her own. Out of all the people she knew, Rin had the biggest heart, always willing to help in some way. She finally nodded. "Alright. Let's go, then."
With the magic key, it only took seconds to get to her mother's shop. And her mother had been thrilled to know that Shiemi had brought extra hands. It also helped that Rin had the strength of somebody more than twice his size—he'd done a lot of the work himself.
On the last box, her mother asked, "Would you like some tea, Rin? It's the least I can do for your help."
"A-actually," Shiemi hurried to say, "we were going to the amusement park when we finished up. I thought... that I told you?"
"Oh, right, right," she said, with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I remember. You two have fun, then. I'm sorry to make you postpone your plans."
"Nah," Rin repeated. "I was happy to help."
Her mother's expression softened. "You're a sweetheart."
Shiemi smiled quietly at the way Rin's face went pink, at the way his eyes sparkled. Then he, too, smiled, although it was more delicate than usual. Murmured, "Thanks."
They left after that, and Rin said softly, "I forgot how nice your mom is."
"Yeah," Shiemi said, matching his low tone. "She's probably better than I deserve."
"Absolutely not," Rin said instantly, turning to face her. "You're a good person. You deserve the best."
She froze, not expecting him to come to her defense, let alone that fast. But the sincerity in his eyes told her he was speaking from his heart. Her chest felt warm. "You know... you deserve a lot better than how you've been treated, too."
Rin quieted, and for a moment, his eyes were wide, filled with a deep vulnerability that floored her almost immediately. But it was gone in seconds, buried like old treasure, and he looked as happy as could be. "Thanks, Shiemi." Then, after a heartbeat or two: "Let's get going, yeah?"
She blinked. "Uh... yeah, sure. Let's go."
Rin was beaming the entire time they'd been at the amusement park. He was beaming with each ride they went on, with each snack they bought, with each game they played. But brief as that look had been, it was raw enough to haunt her for the rest of the night.