"This is really not my best day!", I was thinking. I had been late to work because I had to go to the post office. Mrs. Shiraki had just asked me if I wasn't feeling well because I seemed so absent-minded. Everyone of my colleagues kept pestering me, why I had a bandage around my ankle. To make matters worse, my mother had made her daily call, to ask me, when she finally would get her son-in-law. I didn't mention that I had just met a handsome young doctor called Hatori Soma, whom I had sent chocolate this morning, including a note. "I really shouldn't have written the note in the middle of the night, when I was tired", I thought. It had taken this long for me to work up the courage to write to Hatori.
"Maybe he just put it away", I assumed. Hatori didn't look like the kind of guy, who likes chocolate. Or I thought so. Sadly, he was still a mystery to me. For what I knew, Hatori could be gay. Or worse, married with children! Maybe I had just embarrassed myself into the next millennia … "Well, at least I tried", I thought, cheering myself up.
Slowly, I started to get used to the idea to get over Hatori Soma. There was not much to get over to begin with. We just met! But, if I wanted to have my life back and keep my job, I should better forget him. Even if Hatori was the type of man, that you only meet once in your life …
I noticed a group of my colleagues standing in a corner and whispering. Curious and trying to get my mind off of Hatori, I joined them. "What's the matter?", I wanted to know. A girl giggled. "The man at the entrance", she said. The woman beside her sighed. "Isn't he gorgeous?" "Where do you find man like this?" I heard another one say. Wanting to see that terrific guy, I turned my head in their direction. And felt my heart skip a beat.
The man was Hatori. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this possible? Could this really be? "Oh my …" I just stammered. It was him … Hatori …
"Okay", I finally mananged to organise my thoughts. "Get a grip!" While my other female colleagues were still whispering and giggling, I took a deep breath and went forward. To Hatori.
Was that a smile I saw, when he noticed me? "Hello, Hatori-san!", I said friendly, trying not to sound too fangirly. "What a pleasant surprise!" Hatori nodded. "I wanted to go out for a breath of fresh air and thought I'd stop by", he told me. Was this my imagination or did he seem just as nervous as I was? "Well, it is nice to see you again", I said, remembering my job. "Can I help you? Maybe you are looking for a book?" Hatori shook his head. "No, I am not here for books", he replied and for a short second I could see his smile again, as he faced me with his amazing blue eyes. "Actually, the one I was looking for, was … you."
When he said this word, I was sure my heart had stopped beating. "M, me?", was the only thing I could stutter. "Yes." Hatori nodded. "I got your note and the chocolate. I wanted to thank you. It was a very nice thing of you to do, Kari-san." Our eyes met, as I looked up into his … "You're welcome", I said honestly. For a minute, none of us spoke. We just looked at each other … Words weren't necessary.
Finally, I cleared my throat, to regain my compusure. "But how did you find me?", I wanted to know. I had never mentioned in which bookstore I was working. "Shigure", came the answer. "Mitsuru is his editor and this his her bookstore. You said, you and Mitsuru know each other from work, so I assumed you would be here", he explained. "Only logical", I agreed.
I noticed the jealous looks of my colleagues. "So, you're really not interested in books?", I asked Hatori, trying to hide my nervousness. He laughed. "No, thanks", he replied apologetically. "And I am afraid, I have to go now. I don't have much time … I just wanted to …" He paused, not finishing the sentence. To see me? "It's okay", I told him. "It was good to see you again." Hatori shortly touched my hand. I could feel the infamous butterflies, doing somersaults in my stomach. "Bye, Kari", Hatori said. He turned, about to leave.
"Wait!" My heart took over for my brain. I didn't want him to go, now maybe forever! Not at least, while I still had a chance! It's not over, until it's over, right? Hatori stopped and looked at me, surprise in his face. I swallowed. "I was wondering … if you want … would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Silence … Hatori seemed to be completely taken aback. For a terrible second I was sure, he was going to say no. But then, he smiled. And not just a short smile, that you could barely see, but a real one. A smile, that could make the sun rise ... "I would love to, Kari", he said.
Maybe it was the fact that Hatori indeed had said yes, but suddenly, my whole vocabulary seemed to have left my head. "Great", was all I could reply, my voice sounding high and squeaky. "Then should we meet here, at seven o'clock?" Hatori nodded. "Seven sounds perfect", he said.
Hatori left, as I was surrounded by my female colleagues, who wanted to know, who he was and what we had talked about. I didn't tell them. I couldn't speak. I was just standing there, trying to realise what had just happened. I had to pinch myself, to make sure it was not a dream. I would see Hatori again! And - "What am I going to wear?!"