Chapter 7: Prince Toushiro

Little Falcon: Hey! Happy holidays everyone!!! Here's the next chapter you've waiting for. To tell you the truth, I don't plan on updating this until January but I received a message that they wanted me to update this story quick hahaha. I hope this was quick enough for you (you know who you are). I'm really happy to hear that somebody wants to know what happens next to the stories I write ^_^ thanks a lot. Oh read and review like always!!!

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"Irrashaimase! (Welcome!)," her response was almost automatic upon seeing someone enter the store. Her voice was loud enough to convince the people that she loves her job… despite the fact… that they never once saw her smile. It was as if she was an automatic worker… all work and no play.

"Good morning, Sakuno-san," patrons of the old bookstore replied with a gentle smile as they heard her greeting. It was almost a year since she started working in the shabby bookstore. Almost everyone who comes regularly knows the hard working girl that never missed a shift.

The smell of old paper and newly published books surrounded her. Everywhere she turned was almost covered with books. This is exactly the place she needed to be in. That was what she said to herself when she first applied for the job as a clerk.

One clerk for a huge old bookshop was clearly unjust especially if you're receiving a pay as low as she did. Dusting shelves, rearranging books, managing the counter, cleaning the store and entertaining customer requests were only a few of the responsibilities that kept her so busy for the entire shift. Often times she would miss her break because of the work piled up for her but she didn't seem to care. That way… her mind would not wonder back to him… to that person she was forbidden to think of but she wouldn't dare forget.

"Thank you for your patronage," Sakuno bowed her head, recited the standard protocol line as she had given the wrapped items to the customer. Immediately, she entertained the next person in line. But as she punched in the prices on the register, her big hazel eyes glanced at the dusty shelf in the counter then towards the pile of unarranged volumes of manga (comics) in next.

"Thank you for your patronage," she did the same thing again then automatically proceeded to the next. The line of customers waiting was not getting any shorter even though she was doing her best to quicken her pace. Shrugging her shoulders, Sakuno still maintained her pace until her stomach churned and grumbled. Mentally, she was shocked. The noise made by her tummy was loud enough for the customer across her to hear and make her giggle lightly.

"Better take your break dear," the old woman suggested calmly as she slowly walked out of the shop hugging paper bag against her chest.

"Hai, later maybe," her reply was polite and almost automatic as well… she had been in this situation a couple of times but she never did get to take a break even if she wanted to and that doesn't bother her al all.

The line were composed now of only three people. Glancing up at the large wall clock on top of the entrance doors, her liquid brown eyes blinked innocently. It was her lunch break… twenty minutes ago… and is still now. Again, her stomach painfully complained, but this time the sound was only audible to its owner.

The last person in the line placed a plastic bag containing a sandwich and soda on the counter which made her tummy protest harder. She waited for the book or whatever school supplies the customer is to buy but with her peripheral vision, she saw the customer go back to looking at the shelves. "Eat," she heard a familiar male voice say.

Looking up, she saw the customer with uncombed flaming red hair reading a manga in the distant shelf. "Excuse me," this time she realized that he was the only customer now inside the shop. She was hungry, yes. But she wouldn't dare eat something that was given by a random stranger…even if her stomach was roughly disagreeing.

"You only have ten more minutes until you break is over. Eat," the red headed customer turned around with his bright sapphire eyes still on the book he was reading.

"Senpai? What are you doing here?" her chocolate brown eyes widened in surprise at the same time her midsection began to ache badly. Not to mention her mouth was already watering upon the sight of the sandwich.

"Ask me later. Eat," he said with a deep strong voice that presented authority. Without even looking at her, he turned around to continue reading.

Her vision dimmed as the pain began to intensify, it was only then did she remember that the only thing she had for the entire day was a cup of coffee. Hesitantly, she took the sandwich from the bag and began to nibble on it but as soon as her mouth got a taste of food. She put modesty aside and began to take big bites out of it.

Almost drowning herself with the soda in a hurry upon seeing that her break was over, she scanned the place to look for the red haired customer but to no avail. "That was awfully weird," she walked to the shelves that needed to be rearranged according to volume. Her thin eyebrow rose as her fingers ran through the well-arranged books. "Don't tell me he…" it was the same shelf that her senpai was facing before he disappeared.

Not having time to dwell on that matter, a new wave of customers entered the shop. Of course, she greeted them immediately as she walked back to the counter.

The next day, Sakuno arrived at school too early. So she decided to kill time inside the university's library. Sitting in the farthest corner of the room, she opened her textbook and a reference book on the table.

Someone pulled the chair beside her but she was so immersed in her reading that she didn't even care to look. "Ohayo, Hime-chan," his voice was kept low but enough for her to hear him clearly.

The student wearing their standard black pants, white shirt with loosened black tie and maroon blazer quietly sat next to her and opened a textbook as well.

Her face showed no changes as her eyes were still on the page but her hand pulled a plastic bag from under her desk and placed it on top of the book the boy was reading.

A smirk appeared on his pretty face as he saw a sandwich and soda inside… the same brand and from the same store. "I don't like owing favors to anyone," her monotonous tone made him stare at her for the longest time until she was irritated enough to get up from her seat.

"I won't join your team, Toushiro-senpai," Sakuno closed her books. She knew 'he' would be bothering her again after what happened yesterday so she never gave an effort to find him.

"Who said anything about you joining the team?" Toushiro mimicked her actions and caught up with her. "I did that because I want to be you friend…Hime-chan!" he flashed his set of perfect teeth.

"Stop calling me that!" she quickened her pace only to have him effortlessly by her side.

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"I told you to stop calling me that," the voice was drowned by the sound of the heavy rain hitting the hard pavement and the loud siren now quickly disappearing.

Her long wavy hair almost covered her face as her eyes reflected the sight of blood on the street. The puddle of crimson beneath the wheels of the car… was slowly being washed away.

Despite the people around her asking if she was okay. Nothing registered in her mind but the sound of his voice calling her. This time… there was nothing more she wanted than to hear him his voice again…

"Call me 'Hime-chan' again," her shaking hands took the tennis racket that was lying so close to the crimson pool.

Little Falcon: Happy Holidays guys!!! Read and review okay? ^_^