December 2nd: Tuesday

Theme: 10. Hot Chocolate

Hiro sat down in his corner of Frostbite, letting out a deep content sigh. His classes were done for the day and Hiro decided to reward himself with his favorite drink: hot chocolate. He closed his eyes, losing himself in the warmth of his drink cupped in his hands.

"You know I didn't get your name yesterday."

Hiro opened his eyes to see Tadashi standing before him. Reluctantly, Hiro said, "Hiro Takachiho." He waited for the bomb to drop, for the recognition of his name to appear on Tadashi's face. Not to toot his own horn, but Hiro was well aware that his child prodigy status was always hot news for his fellow colleagues. He was afraid Tadashi would start hounding him like other people back home. It didn't come.

Hiro hid his relief that Tadashi didn't recognize his name.

"Mind if I take a seat?" Tadashi asked.

Hiro blinked, once again noticing that the cafe was packed to the max. It had been half empty when Hiro had entered. Where had all these people come from? He had only closed his eyes for a few minutes.

Tadashi cleared his throat. Hiro flushed, remembering that Tadashi had asked a question. There went his tangent thought process again.

"Sure," Hiro said.

"Is that the hot chocolate?" Tadashi asked as he sat down.

Hiro nodded. It was the only thing he got at Frostbite.

"I gotta admit their hot chocolate is one of their better drinks," Tadashi said.

"Is that what you have?" Hiro asked, curious. He tilted his head, looking inquisitively at the white paper cup in Tadashi's hand.

"Salt Caramel Coffee, actually," Tadashi said. "While Frostbite serves excellent hot chocolate, December 1st kicks off their specialty holiday drinks. There's 25 different ones. I try to get a different one each day."

"Huh, is that why it's so crowded in here?" Hiro asked. "Normally there aren't that many people."

Tadashi nodded. "Yup."

Silence descended. Hiro fidgeted slightly, feeling the awkwardness beginning to form. He never did know how to carry on small talk. 'A complete and total lack of friends would do that to you,' Hiro thought darkly.

Finally, when Hiro could no longer take it, he blurted out, "I gotta go. I forgot to pick up something for dinner tonight. The table is all yours."

Tadashi nodded, surprised. "See you later," he said with a wave of his hand.

Hiro felt his heart clench as he left. When was the last time someone had said that to him?