CHAPTER 9

Rufus was leaning on the wall while looking up. He sighed and scratched the back of his head.

"Rufus~"

He immediately stood up properly and looked up to who called his name. Yuffie waved at him with a big smile on her face. He waved back and smiled.

"Did you wait long?" she said when they are in front of him. Rufus shook his head, "Not really," he chuckled. He bit his lower lip and looked at the girl beside Yuffie. Tifa looked at him and her eyes got bigger, 'Wait… He's the guy at the bar last time!?'

"I want you to meet my friend~" she pulled Tifa closer to her, "This is Tifa, by the way." She smiled evilly at him and looked at Tifa, "Tifa, this is Rufus." She giggled.

Tifa bowed at him, "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Tifa," he bowed, 'Act normal.'

Tifa glared at Yuffie. "What?" Tifa acted innocently. "I didn't know you know this guy," Tifa mouthed to her. She just smiled at her.

[Yuffie's flashback]

Rufus entered the bar and sat down at the counter.

"Good afternoon, sir," Yuffie greeted, "Oh. You seem familiar. Have we met before?" she smiled.

Rufus looked at her, "I don't think we've met before," he smiled. "Really?" she pouted and looked closely at his face. His head moved backward.

"Oh!" she snapped, "I remember you now! You were here last night, right?" She smiled at him, "I knew it," she crossed her arms, "Now back to business. What do you want, sir?"

"Uhm… Actually… I'm not here to drink," he looked down and played with his fingers. "Then, maybe you want to eat," she tilted her head.

"I'm looking for someone…"

"Are you looking for Tifa?"

"Huh?" he looked up, "Tifa?"

"Yes. Tifa Lockhart... My bestfriend. The one who assisted you last night," she smiled.

"Yeah… That girl… I am looking for her. May I ask you where is she?" he looked around. "She is not here," she said while wiping the glasses.

"She is absent today?"

"No… I mean, she doesn't work here."

"What? But…"

"She was just here last night because we were lack of waitresses that time," she explained.

"Oh… I see…" he looked down. "Do you want to see her again?" she leaned closer to him. He looked at her and nodded.

"I have an idea!" she snapped her fingers. "Idea? What is it?" he said curiously.

[end of flashback]

"Let's go now!" Yuffie said happily.

While walking towards the burger store, only Yuffie and Rufus were talking. Tifa was just listening to them.

"Hey!" Yuffie elbowed Tifa, "Why aren't you talking?"

"Uhm… I have nothing to say," she grinned. "C'mon! I know you want to say something to Rufus!" Yuffie pushed her to Rufus leaving her hugging him, "I'll go first in the store!" she ran off.

Tifa pulled away immediately, "I'm sorry!" she bowed. "No. It's okay! You don't have to say sorry," he scratched his head and slightly bowed his head. She pouted, "I am really sorry…"

"It's really alright," he smiled, 'I should thank Yuffie later…' Rufus thought as he rubbed his arm, "Shall we go now?"

She nodded and started walking, 'I'm going to kill you later, Yuffie Kisaragi.'

"I didn't know that you and Yuffie knew each other," she finally spoke to him. "We just met yesterday," he said.

"Yesterday? How?" she looked at him.

"I went back to the bar yesterday… Then, we became friends there," he answered without looking at her.

"Oh…" she nodded slowly, "Do you always go there?"

"No. That kind of place is a no, no for me."

"Then, why did you go there again?" she tilted her head, still looking at him.

He gulped, "Hey, look! That's the burger store, right?" he pointed. She nodded. "Let's go inside now." He walked first to avoid her question. They saw Yuffie sitting there already.

"You, two, are so slow," she rolled her eyes and gave her a smile, "Hurry! Sit now!"

"I'll order. What do you want?" asked Yuffie. "Anything! As long as there are fries," she answered. "I'm fine with anything, as well," Rufus answered.

"Okay! I'll be right back," Yuffie stood up and went to the counter.

"How's school?" Rufus asked Tifa after Yuffie went away. "It's fine," she sighed, "I remember that we have so many assignments today."

"Oh… Then you should go home early today."

She just nodded, "What is your school, by the way?"

He looked at her, "I don't go to school anymore."

"Eh? Why?"

"Why should I go to school if I already know everything?" he chuckled. She blinked her eyes many times, "You're so full of yourself," she giggled.

Seeing her giggling made his heart beat faster, "I was just kidding there," he smiled.

"I know… It is obvious that you are telling a joke," she covered her mouth,

"And, what do you mean by that?" he smiled again. "I was just kidding," Tifa giggled again.

Yuffie placed their orders in front of them, "I'm sorry, but I need to go now," she got her bag.

"Where are you going?" Yuffie asked. "I'll be meeting Aerith today. I'll leave you, two, now here, okay? Bye!" she ran off again. Both of them just looked at her running. Suddenly, Rufus' phone vibrated.

"You owe me. :P" Yuffie texted him.

"Yeah. :) Thank you so much, Yuffie." he smiled secretly. "Let's eat now," he put the burger and fries in front of her.

"Thank you," she unwrapped the burger and bit it while talking to each other