Chapter 3 ~ Blush

Author's Note: This chapter is just something I wanted to try. It's mostly focused on Miharu's reactions toward Akise during their time at the diner. It has a lot of her blushing and getting nervous (thus, the title, blush), just for the fangirls that like "Imagines", or second person short stories. However, this one stays in first person.

Miharu's POV:

* walking *

Akise Aru. The name echoed in my mind over and over, as if drifting by like a kite, purposely leaving no trace of its existence. It's frustrating; frustrating to know that the name burns a place in my past, yet not knowing why, or when. Akise Aru. Such a pleasant, pure name, as if cleansed by the most serene waters in the universe and crowned upon a boy that deserved it. I simply cannot remember where I have heard that name.

"Mimi," Akise's voice cut clean and clear through my thoughts,"is… something wrong? You've been quiet since we left the beach." I shook my head and smiled at him, hoping he couldn't see through the mask of my emotions. "Um…I don't know…I guess…nobody's ever taken me out to eat before…and-" I stuttered, peeling at my fingertips. "You're so funny. You don't have to pretend someone as divine a creature as you hasn't been taken out before. Am I right?" Akise laughed softly, looking ahead at the road. My cheeks flushed to a shade as bright as his glinting eyes. "Well…I…uh…" I mumbled. The ravishing blue dress Hinata-san gave me was now creased with wrinkles and folds all over the hem from me needing something bunch up in my fists in awkward situations like this. Akise tilted his head at me and smiled right through my heart. At this rate, my face will never return to it's original shade; with Akise-kun's little cunning lilts and this ridiculously warm weather. He walked with his hands in his pockets, his handsome tie swinging and his silvery hair ceasing to stay in one place, bouncing with each stride.

"You know, this diner has, by far, the best breakfast in the city. Maybe even in Japan. It's extremely convenient that we live so close to it." Akise-kun stated.

We? Does he mean…I live in his house now? Well, I have nowhere else to go. We ignited in a conversation, the longest one I've had since I arrived in Sakurami. Akise told me all about his life before his parents had gone, and each and every one of his friends, and even suggested me to go to his high school. Occasionally, he would flitter his eyes to a sideways glance as he talked, as if silently studying me; scouting for the deepest parts of me that no soul in the world could. His sideways glances always melted my heart into a warm nothingness. Those glittering eyes, giving him what little color he holds, sliding like the thinnest blade in existence through all negative things you hold. Doubt, pain, suffering, envy, remorse; all gone in an instant with just one dance of Akise Aru's eyes.

At last, the welcoming diner stood before us, dotted with a few parties and several waiters and waitresses dressed head to toe in orange and yellow outfits. Akise pulled out his phone and checked it. "Alright, shall we?" he held out a hand.

Akise's POV:

[10:07- Diner floods]

I checked my watch. 9:31. I have time. I ushered Miharu into the restaurant, who was immediately greeted by waitresses in orange and yellow. "Table for two please," I gestured at the booth table. "We'd like a booth." "Right this way." A waitress smiled. We sat down opposite sides of each other and I buried my face in the menu. I hadn't told Miharu about the diary yet so I can't be too obvious about checking it. I peeked behind the menu. She was swinging her feet back and forth and beaming at the menu as if it were a little rabbit. I caught her gaze and quickly hid behind the menu once again. "Hm…macaroni soup…" I mumbled, pretending to be engaged in what to order. Miharu flipped my menu down and slapped my arm playfully. "Stalker-san, are you ready to order?" she teased. My face flushed. "I wasn't..! I jus-" She put a finger on my lips, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." And rolled her eyes. "Oho! Akise, you're back! And who's this? Your girlfriend, eh? She's quite a cutie." A waiter with salt and pepper hair stopped at our booth. "No, she's m-" I began. "ALRIGHTY! CAN I TAKE YOUR ORDER?" Miharu blushed and lowered her head. We placed our orders with many, many interruptions. This guy probably has ADHD. "You have a lot a friends, ne Akise?" she asked. "No…I really don't. In fact, before I met Yuki, I spent most of my time alone. I skipped class and always went to solve cases undercover." I replied sheepishly. "Your breakfast, Miss. And yours. Enjoy!" A young woman dropped off our plates. "Don't mind if I do!" Miharu said, and began digging in. I started on mine too. After a bit, I checked my watch and my heart began racing. It was 10:06. "Hey Akise, I bet I can run faster than you. I'll race you to the beach." Miharu bragged with a mouth full of food. "Hah. You wish. You're on!" I challenged her. She stood up suddenly and grabbed my tie. She pulled me closer to her face until I could count every eyelash on her crimson eyes. This girl, whom I could feel no confidence from just an hour ago, what is she doing? "You're not gonna win. Not. In. Your. Wildest. Dreams." She smirked, stabbing my chest with her finger with every word. She narrowed her eyes at me. I could feel her light breathing and it was as if all the lights had been turned on and I could see every gorgeous detail of her delicate face. My heart stopped. 10:07. I pulled away from Miharu and scooped her up. I ran to the door just as a huge wave of water came rapidly crashing towards us. I jumped out of the diner just in time. "Whew, that was close." I put down Miharu, who just let go of my tie. Her expression was one of pure awe. "How..how did you know the diner was going to flood?" she asked, still mesmerized. "Forget that. How 'bout that race?" I winked. She took off. "HEY! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" I yelled, chasing after her.

She made it to the beach first, of course, with me just a hair behind her. She tripped on the sand and I ran into her, also falling on top of her. I got up quickly, and scratched the back of my head, blushing. "Well? Aren't you going to help a girl up?" Miharu joked. I helped her up. We walked together to the shore and sat down. It was quite a while before we spoke. Then I grabbed her hand and she lit up. "Akise..?" she stuttered. I smiled at her. She scooted in closer until no light could pass between us and rested her head on my shoulder. I let go of her hand and put my arm around her waist. Her eyelids fluttered sleepily. "Ne..Akise. When we grow up…can I be your wife..? We could get married. Right here. On this beach." She mumbled. My heart pounded quickly in my chest. I never thought she would ask this, but I smiled and curled my fingers around her waist. She flinched. "Yes…that would be great, Mimi. I promise." I told her. She intertwined her pinkie around mine and fell asleep. I kissed her cheek and rested slightly on her head.

Kousaka's POV:

Mao-chan and I peeked around the palm tree. "Awwwww." She cooed. She pulled out her camera and snapped a picture. "I wonder what they were talking about." I whispered. Mao-chan began taking multiple photos.