beep beep more cute stuff ahead. ;)


Wednesday, October 15

Ayako and Bou-san attended to customers at the counter, frequently looking up at the wall clock. They sent each other glances of question and worry.

"I think we should call her," Monk said as he passed by the red-haired priestess.

"I'm sure she is fine, she's only 15 minutes late. Probably got caught up with something at school," she rationed, trying to push her own worry aside.

An additional 20 minutes passed before Ayako agreed with Bou-san's idea. After serving coffee to one of their most frequent patrons, Ayako strode over to the side where she pulled out her phone and scrolled down her contacts until she found Mai's name. Without having to say a word, she could hear Mai's frantic voice through the receiver, "I know I'm late I'm so sorry I'll be there in five minutes!"

"It's alright, Mai. Just be careful and be safe getting over here. Take your time, don't rush and end up tripping, I know how clumsy you are," Ayako said very matronly-like.

"Ok, ok. I'll be there in a few. See ya!"

And with a click, the call ended. Ayako looked out of the many large windows their café had and saw dark, ominous storm clouds rolling in quickly. In the background, the TV channel had been turned on to the news where they were giving the weather report.

"We recommend you folks find a place to stay indoors until the storm passes. It will only last up to two hours, but it will be wicked," the weatherman said.

"I hope she makes it here before the storm does," she thought to herself. She gave Bou-san an 'everything is alright' nod, and went back to serving customers.

Only a few minutes passed before the rain began to trickle down, and it took almost no time before it was impossible to see a foot in front of your face. The rain came down hard, driving people lingering on the street quickly into the café for shelter. However, the one face the owners wanted to see hadn't shown up yet. Bou-san made more coffee for their newly arrived customers. Lightening flashed in the sky, drawing almost everyone's attention to the windows. Not long after, a silhouette of a girl appeared through the rain. She held a jacket over her head in an attempt to shield herself from the rain. When she emerged through the doors, it was obvious the jacket did not help very much.

"Mai! Oh, thank goodness you're okay!" Bou-san embraced Mai into a big hug.

"Get off of her, not only are you going to crush her, you're going to get yourself all wet!" Ayako wacked him with her purse and the monk quickly retreated backwards, holding his head.

"How does she always have that thing…" He muttered to himself, "I'm glad you're safe Mai, but you should call us when you're going to be late. I was worried something might have happened to you!"

"I'm super sorry, time really escaped me this time," Mai replied with a nervous laugh. Ayako held a fresh, dry pair of clothes in front of her.

"I'm not sure how well this will fit, but you'll get sick if you stay in that wet uniform any longer," Ayako's doctor side shown through as she led Mai to the back storage room where she could change in peace.

"Thanks, Ayako," Mai smiled up at her.

"Where did you get that jacket?" Ayako asked, eyeing her up. Mai's cheeks turned a light pink as she stammered out, "Oh, uh, this? Hehe, I just… I found it! Yeah, in school. Thought I should find who it belonged to, you know. Looks expensive too, probably something someone wouldn't wanna lose."

"Oh, Mai. You really do need to become a better liar," Ayako chuckled and before walking out the door. She stopped right before exiting and said, "Oh, and you better be ready to tell me the truth when you finish changing." The door closed with a click and left Mai alone in the backroom filled with coffee beans and other supplies they needed in the café. She quickly stripped of her soaking clothes and put on the dry ones, mumbling something about how much she hates the rain and how luck never works in her favor. She found an old towel that she used to dry her dripping wet hair. Mai carefully hung Naru's jacket over a box and spread it out evenly in hopes it would dry quickly. She decided it would be necessary to wash it before giving it back to its rightful owner.

Mai left the storage room with a chipper smile and a cheery attitude despite having just been caught in a torrential downpour. She went right to work, serving only the hottest of coffees and teas while chatting up the customers. She loved hearing what everyone had to say, everyone's story was different and unique. The café was like a little ball of light in the darkness that was the storm outside. Occasionally, the lights would flicker a bit or the power would turn out momentarily but that never seemed to stop the joy inside. Mai chatted with John for most of her shift. He sat at the counter so they could talk easily without Mai having to go too far.

"Does it rain like this ever in Australia?" Mai asked curiously as she started to make a fresh pot of tea. John chuckled a little bit before replying, "Australia doesn't get much rain, it's almost like one big desert. Only Antarctica receives less rainfall than Australia. But, there was one time I was trapped in the Church for a few hours because of a heavy downpour, but that's the only rain I can really think of there." Mai placed the tea in front of him while asking, "So, do you like the weather here better than Australia?" John thought for a moment.

"I suppose here is better. I love snow which we don't get to see too often in my home town." Mai made an 'oh' shape with her mouth.

"Yeah snow is very lovely, especially here in Tokyo," she smiled at the thought of a perfectly white snow, untouched by humanity covering the roads and walkways.

"Excuse me, ma'am," a customer called for Mai's attention.

"One second!" She yelled back with a smile.

"Don't miss me," she teased to John with a laugh. John smiled back at her and looked out the window once she walked away. The rain seemed to be letting up finally after about two hours.

The rain eventually stopped and by then, it was time to go home. The cafe had been closed, so Mai was collecting empty cups and mugs from tables, then returning them to the kitchen to be cleaned. She hummed as she worked, bouncing from side to side with each step. Mai walked into the storage room to collect her things, putting on both of her jackets and grabbing her bag. She double checked everything to make sure it was in order before she walked back out.

Ayako and Monk stood in the small kitchen washing dishes and mugs side by side.

"Did you see that jacket Mai had on today?" Ayako asked with a devious smile.

"Yeah, is that new? It looks a little big for her," Monk replied nonchalantly. Ayako chuckled before echoing one of Monk's nightmares, "I think she got it… from a boy." Monk gasped and almost dropped a mug.

"There's no way my precious little Mai could be concerned with some boy! All they are is trouble! I should, I am one!" He looked at Ayako flabbergasted. Ayako shrugged, "Just a thought." They both continued scrubbing the dishes in silence, the same thing obviously on their minds.

"You don't think it could be the boy she talks about, right? What is his name again? Natsuko? Iru?" Monk struck a thinking pose as he really racked his brain for the answer.

"Naru," Ayako answered without missing a beat, "His name is Naru." A ghost of a smile graced her face.

Bag in hand, Mai pushed open the storage room door. As she did she heard the bell of the door ring.

"I'm sorry but we're closed n-" Mai looked up and stopped mid-sentence.

"N-N-Naru! What are you doing here?" She stammered with her sentence and reached out and pointed at him with her finger, as if she couldn't believe he were there. He was wearing his school uniform still, but minus the jacket for reasons being.

"I didn't know you worked here," he replied coolly and started to walk around the place as if he were inspecting it.

"We're kinda closed now…" she trailed off as she debated whether or not to serve him one last drink of the night. "He did give you his jacket, Mai. Call it even now." She nodded to herself before moving behind the counter and plopping her bag next to it.

"Buuuut you did help me out earlier so I guess we are even now," she smiled lightly over to him. He walked over and took a seat on the stool in front of her, placing his elbows on the counter and resting his chin on his hands. He looked out the window to his left. His clothes seemed slightly damp, but that could have just been due to poor lighting. Mai tapped her fingers in a rolling motion and took in a breath.

"What can I get cha?" She asked in a sweet voice, tilting her head slightly to the side.

"Tea. Earl Grey," he spoke calmly. Mai nodded and turned around where she grabbed a tea kettle and placed it on the stove with water to boil. There was an awkward pause in between the two. Mai thought Naru wouldn't be the one to initiate conversation so she tried her hand at it.

"Why are you out so late? It's almost ten," she fidgeted with her fingers and swayed back and forth on her feet. It dawned on her that she had never seen Naru outside of school before.

"My favorite café moved to another part of the city earlier this week, I'm trying to find a new place," he said naturally. Mai accepted his answer, but couldn't tell if he was serious or not. "Maybe he has some sort of tea addiction that I never knew of… Wouldn't surprise me considering I know close to nothing about him."

"I see you like the jacket," he motioned to her new jacket that was a few sizes too big on her.

"Oh, ahh, yeah I guess you could say that, haha, it's just, umm, really cold in here sometimes! You know… especially with the rain and stuff," she laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck. Thankfully, the teapot rang out. "Phew, saved by the bell."

Ayako paused in washing a mug when she heard the scream of a teapot kettle. She questioned if she even heard it for a second, but decided to go check just in case. She peaked outside of the kitchen door when she saw Mai and a strange boy together by the counter. But it was not just any strange boy. No, Ayako immediately knew who it was. Her eyes lit up as she had to contain herself from saying anything.

"Oh, my goodness, it's happening," she spoke softly to herself before walking back over to the sink with a huge grin on her face.

"What's the look for?" Monk raised an eyebrow to her.

"Okay, don't freak out... but Mai is with a boy," Ayako squeaked.

"What! You mean-" Ayako quickly covered his mouth and shh'ed him.

"Come on, you've heard her talk about him! I will not let you ruin this for her!" She spoke in a hushed tone and glared at him, and if looks could kill, Monk might not have been alive to tell. He crept over to the door and peered out to see the two there, chatting seemingly nonchalantly. Monk held his chest as if he were having a heart attack.

"She's growing up right before our eyes," he said, teared up.

"Tsk, pull yourself together, you weird man-baby," Ayako hit him lightly on the shoulder. Had it not been for the two closely outside the door, she would have wacked him with all she could. But just this once she could make an exception, just for Mai.

Mai turned around with two steaming cups of earl grey tea is her hands. She placed one in front of the after hours customer and took the other for herself. "Wow, no thank you? I guess I shouldn't have been expecting one." She sighed, realizing a 'thank you' was never coming, and took a sip of the tea. The smell in the air and the warm cup in her hands were calming.

"Where's Gene?" Mai questioned, normally the two went as a pair.

"Home," was all he said before taking another sip. Mai nodded and set her cup down as it began to get too hot in her hands.

"I guess you two must not live far from here then?" She tried desperately to make conversation.

"Are you going to try and stalk me?" He asked not looking up from his cup. Her face turned a shade of pink before she could retaliate.

"As if! I could ask you the same thing! I'm not the one who just showed up to your work after hours!" She exhaled deeply as something caught her attention from the corner of her eye, in the kitchen door way to be exact. "Ohhh if those two are spying I swear- "

"Here. This should cover it," Naru held some yen out in front of him and he stood up.

"Oh no, no, it's on the house," she smiled and shook her hands in front of her. She grabbed his empty and her practically empty cup and returned them to the kitchen. Ayako and Monk stood there, acting like nothing out of the ordinary was happening, whistling as they cleaned.

"You guys aren't invisible you know," she spoke quietly with a grin to them before walking back out. She was surprised to see Naru still there. He held her bag in his hands, and passed it to her when she got into arm's length reach.

"Thanks," she said, taken off guard a little. He only nodded before turning to walk out, the bell chiming as the door opened. Mai followed behind him out the door.

"I, uh, guess I'll see you tomorrow then!" she tried to seem cheery despite being slightly nervous and exhausted from the day. Mai started walking the opposite way he went before she heard him call for her.

"For the tea... thanks. Good luck in your exam tomorrow," he said before turning back around and walking the way he originally intended on. Mai stood there and complete and utter shock. Her eyes almost bulged out of her head. All the words she had ever learned were stuck her throat. Mai almost forgot to breathe as she watched him stroll down the sidewalk as calm and cool as he walked into the café. Mai smacked herself on the cheek lightly before making her way down the road towards her home. A small smile crept onto her face as she was still in disbelief of what she had just heard. "Keiko and Miruchi will never believe what just happened!"

When nearing her home, she placed her hands in the jacket pockets to shield them from the harsh wind. She stopped when she felt something plastic-like in the right pocket. She gripped it gingerly and pulled it out slowly and look at the small objects in the middle of her palm. They were individually wrapped caramels. "Who would have thought Naru would be the kind of person to carry these around?" The thought of Naru secretly hiding caramels in his jacket made her giggle. She shrugged and popped one into her mouth, the sweet flavor bursting in her mouth as she sucked on it. "I guess, maybe he is a little bit more human than I had though before."


Thanks for reading!

The next chapter is pretty long, so it might take me a few days to get it all done. Hopefully I'll have it up by Thursday or Friday.

Big thanks to okaysunshine and Sesshy's Rose for reviewing! I hope you continue to enjoy my story. Also thanks to everyone who's followed 'n favorited. :)

Please review, and have a wonderful night/day.