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I woke up to awesome sight outside my window: the early sun cast a deep orange band between the clear blue sky and distant grey clouds over the horizon. The soothing, rhythmic rush of the sea was insistent on lulling me to get back to sleep.

Through sheer discipline and habit, I got out of bed, did some light stretching and rubbed the sleep off my eyes: I won't be caught slacking off just because it's summer vacation.

Refreshed and awake, I straightened my sleepwear which consisted of a cotton T-shirt and sport shorts, grabbed my shower necessities, and stepped out into the dim sunlit common area.

And there stood Yukihira next to the opened doorway to the washroom... topless, with water droplets beading at the tips of his mussed-up auburn hair.

What I couldn't help were my eyes being drawn: from his wide forming pectorals to his flat abs which hinted of being a washboard in the future. And at the base, there lay a shadow of a V... I caught myself and looked elsewhere.

Whoa, guess my mind wasn't as awake as I thought.

"G'morning," Yukihira greeted with the usual pep and didn't seem to notice my roving vision as he toweled his hair.

"Morning, you're up early." I observed, keen to cover for earlier.

"Just a little morning swim to start the day," he grinned boyishly, "I'm going to make breakfast, any request?'

Unsure of the breakfast arrangement, I simply asked for whatever he's having. Upon hearing that, his eyes shone with excitement as he crossed the common area and busied himself at the kitchenette while I used the washroom.

After my morning routine and a quick shower, I came out of the washroom to find Yukihira, still topless, out on the balcony stooping next to a mini charcoal grill. Memories of the grilled squid legs and peanut butter immediately flashed into my mind.

Aw heck no.

That better not be my breakfast!

"What are you grilling?!" I hurried out into spacious deck, dreading. But instead of the briny stench of dried squid, light fragrance of mackerel pike permeated the air.

"Just a few extra things the suppliers thrown in yesterday." He said, then proudly held up something black and prickly, "and we have this beauty."

Sea Urchin! Fresh uni for breakfast? Why not?

"Looks good," I voiced, shifting awkwardly with the items from my shower in hand. "Do you need help?"

He stood up: strong calf muscles boosting him up from his squat quickly while sturdy core muscles flexed through the motion.

And for the second time today, I caught myself and looked away.

"It won't take much longer; would you please scoop the rice?"

Soon enough, we were sitting at the balcony deck enjoying the morning sun and the warming air; his idea and, seeing how nice the view was, I wasn't complaining.

Feeling creative, I served the grilled fish on top of small pile of grated daikon shaped into a cat with ponzu browned ears and tail laying on its back clutching onto the relatively larger fish across its belly with tiny paws.

Yukihira was impressed, mentioning that he would like to see more of my creations as he reluctantly dug into the dish.

On the other hand, I helped myself to the golden yellow pieces of uni, savoring its creamy texture and complex flavors; something that I didn't manage to do yesterday.

"You like it?" Yukihira asked; I wasn't aware my enjoyment was so evident. "I picked it this morning."

In the dim light of the morning, he was able to head out to the sea and find a sea urchin? I knew that he was resourceful but this is the most impressive example so far. I affirmed his question and politely offered him to dig into the fruit of his labor too.

"You can have it," he insisted with a grin, "Knowing that you like it gives me more reason to look for more tomorrow morning."

I could only wonder of his intent when he said that. It caused a tingle of something in me nonetheless.

Ahem, "So, you intend to start your mornings here with a swim in the sea?" I got the conversation moving.

"I figured that since we're here, why not?" he flexed a little with the usual jest, "got to maintain a summer bod."

I snorted at his shamelessness, "be that as it may, aren't you going to wear a shirt?"

"Naw, I would like to catch some morning sun... we'll be working in our swim attire anyway."

We? Did he just say "we" will be working in our swim attire?

"Yeh, it's to keep to the beach theme of the restaurant." He replied naturally.

… What?

"And so, I'll be counting on both of you!" Mitamura-san finished his brief with a slight bow.

"Happy to help!" Yukihira cheered, clearly getting into the beach theme: clad in only his beach shorts and his signature bandana on his left wrist.

"Thank you for the trust and confidence." I added, "we'll be in our care." It was a balmy morning, I've opted for a slightly large T-shirt with the Western Restaurant Mitamura logo displayed prominently at chest level.

It was something Yukihira finds curious: "Where's your swimwear?"

"I'm fine like this!" I whispered in defiance. Frankly though, I'm not against the idea to wear a bikini if it was for a good reason.

A reason that Mitamura-san offered.

"I've intended this restaurant to be inviting to customers in swimwear. So, it would be better if the staff looks the part and help the business thrive."

Urk.

That was how I ended up in a bikini: a simple dark blue flower print on light sky blue. Being not as self-confident as Yukihira walking freely in swimwear, I kept my hands folded at my midriff.

"… wow, that really suits you." Yukihira remarked as soon as he saw me.

Unused to hearing this kind of praise got my face heated. "Save it!" After all, I was indirectly compelled into this attire. However, rather than jest, I saw sincerity behind the grin.

Not sure on what to make of that. "Let's just get ready for service."

"Right. I'll assist Mitamura-san and clear the tables while you take the orders and serve the food." Yukihira waved the order pad at me.

"Who-" do you think you are giving me orders? Was what I wanted to say, but I recalled how well he managed service rush during our stagiaire; He knows what he's doing.

"After all, customers would be more generous when being served by a pretty girl." If it wasn't said so matter-of-factly, I'd swear he is saying those on purpose.

Before long, we got into a steady groove of working as a team. Mitamura-san's dishes were well received by the customers whom sang its praises. Yukihira, in his natural element, juggled kitchen work and the front of house cleanliness, weaving through the tables comfortably like a fish among the corals, looking into the satisfaction of the customers.

As for myself, I greeted the customers, explained the menu, took orders and served. Judging from the orders, I'd grudgingly admit that Yukihira was right about the psychology of customers.

"Excuse me!" A hand raised to catch my attention from the outside seating.

"Yes, Coming!" I cheerily called back to the table of two as I was in the midst of serving food to another table. My mood has improved since I've gotten used to working in my swimsuit. Whipping out the order pad, I approached the table, "Apologies for the wait; Are you ready to order?"

The dark haired one was looking at the menu and about to place the order when his bleached haired companion looked at me with recognition: "Hey, aren't you Nakiri's secretary?"

Puzzled, I examined both of them, trying to recall if I knew them from Tōtsuki. I drew a blank.

The first guy looked up at his companion's question and his eyes widened, "Huh? Seriously? In a place like this?" His accent was course and rude.

Clearly these two were not friendly.

Nonetheless, I ignored them; holding the order pad higher and spoke professionally, "May I have your order?"

"Ah, thinking of Nakiri makes me pissed. She was the reason I couldn't enter Tōtsuki," he continued, getting to his feet, "And the fact that she upended my dish onto my head was an insult that I cannot forgive.

"Well," he gripped my right wrist, eyes gleaming with menace, "since she's not here," his fingers dug into me, "we'll just make things bad for you."

I winced, not so much in pain, but in barely sheathed wrath. "Get-"

"Customer-san!" Yukihira suddenly appeared between me and the offensive customer, inadvertently interrupting the handhold as he stepped in front of me, "the shop is very busy; for the sake of other customers, we seek your cooperation and appreciate if you decide your order as soon as possible."

Seeing Yukihira putting himself in a potentially explosive situation, I called to him, "Yukihira, I -"

Spinning around, he placed a hand on my shoulder and pulled me close to privately mutter into my ear, "If we don't resolve it quickly, it would be bothersome to the other customers and affect the business."

Is he doubting my ability to handle the situation?

"Please leave this to me." He said aloud with a confident smile, pulling back and patting me on the shoulder. All I could do was to swallow my pride and scurry away from the area. "Now, may I take your order?" I overheard him say behind me; innocent words spoken with sharp steel in his voice.

Reaching the service counter, I finally looked at the spot on my forearm... it was bruised a sickly yellow and purplish hue where the fingers contacted my skin. He evidently held a deep grudge against Erina-sama and took it out on me.

Well, better this happened to me than Erina–sama.

I could only wonder how far would people go to get their revenge.

Then there was Yukihira jumping into the incident earlier. I'd admit that I have brought trouble to the restaurant, but there was something about how he had placed himself in danger which I found... disagreeable.

With a deep breath to clear my mind, my professionalism kicked in: Setting the incident aside, I resolved to carry on my work attending to other tables, albeit with an obliged smile expertly plastered on my lips, and conscious efforts to hide my injury from view.

If it was any consolation, I noted the two troublemakers looked visibly shaken and had hurriedly left after receiving their take away order.

I've also noticed the frequent glances of concern from Yukihira but we were busied by service to speak casually.

As the day went well past noon, there was a natural lull in the customer stream. I found myself leaning against the exterior of a side wall, away from public view, observing the tender area at my right wrist. It had barely improved but at least it wasn't spreading.

"Hisako!" I glanced up to find Yukihira jogging over to me. I allowed the fact he used my first name to slide as I didn't want to deal with it now. "Are you alright?"

I immediately hid the bruises with my left hand, getting into a natural position to not draw attention, "Yes, thank you." I have determined to address the earlier incident, "I'm sorry … I have brought trouble to the shop by bringing in a personal matter." I tightened my grip, feeling the pain as atonement for my fault. "I didn't expect for that to happen... what I want to say is: thank you for stepping in."

Yukihira seemed relieved at those words, "Don't mention it..."

"However," I continued, cutting into his words, "you didn't have to trouble yourself because of me." My resolution came through in my next words: "I could have handled it by myself."

"Ah?" He seemed incredulous at my words, "won't stopping them be difficult for you?"

"What?" Is that a slight on my ability?

"Isn't it so? There were two guys!"

"It doesn't matter who the other party is!" Feeling indignant, my right fist has clenched and was brought up to my chest level, "Don't worry about me."

Yukihira's eyes hardened with a serious frown. In an explosive move, he slammed his right palm onto the wall, stunning me, "you mean to say," he seized my right wrist with his free hand, "I should not worry," showing me the bruises, "if this kind of thing happens to you again?!"

I was speechless, I had thought that I had managed to hide those marks from him up till now.

"I know that you can handle them, but it's not about strength or ability" he gently lowered my hand and declared, "I simply refuse to let you face trouble alone!"

His protective words gave me pause. That same indescribable tingle I felt in the morning has returned.

Thinking back to the time of the incident, what would I have done if he had not come in as he did? With adrenaline rushing through my veins, my immediate action would have been... an extremely effective self-defense move against men:

A swift kick to the groin.

Perhaps his buddy would have received one too if he had joined in.

Then again, that may cast a negative reputation for Mitamura-san and his new restaurant. And that relates to the warning from the school for accepting this job.

What Yukihira did just made sense; I'm ashamed for my rashed judgement about him.

Something has been gnawing at me for a while now: from his words and actions, could they mean he… feels something for me?

I've never considered that possibility which made me wonder: what should I do about it; do I acknowledge it?

I don't even know how I feel about him.

Should I be flattered? Excited? Or Elated? Most likely surprised that he'll feel that way about me.

Maybe, even dreaded when you consider how awkward it would be to spend two weeks with him under the same roof.

What about that blonde from yesterday?

I'm sure he's having a similar internal debate within him.

Nonetheless, Yukihira Soma, you really helped me there. "Yukihira... Thank you. And... I'm sorry for worrying you." I began, breaking the moment of silence between us.

"Why are you so formal about it?" His features softened, "We're friends, aren't we?"

… Huh?

"Friends look out for each other," his usual demeanor returns. Sticking a thumb up and pointing to himself with assurance, "So just call for me any time and I'll be there!"

Friends... of course; what was I expecting?

Something about that had brought a weird feeling of... disappointment? Why?

I coughed to clear a lump in my throat, "It's the first day we're open, I don't wish to make a big deal of this," I said looking into his eyes to make it clear that I meant it. He nodded in acknowledgement and a comfortable pause fell between us.

"Ah! Hisako, you're bleeding!" Yukihira held up my hand. Small, pin prick red spots have surfaced on the area; a minor contusion, nothing serious.

"It's not-"

"We have to do something about it; let's head to the water!" He began to pull me away from the restaurant towards the sea.

"Huh? Whatever for?" I wasn't resisting, merely stunned and curious of his intent.

"Salt water is good for disinfecting; besides, going to the kitchen would alarm Mitamura-san, won't it?" He replied, checking his steps, "Oh, and..." He undone his signature bandana. Before I could react, carefully but firmly bound it over the injured area, "Bruises heal faster when we apply some pressure on it."

His quick, efficient motions were a testament to how used he was to tying his bandana on his wrist.

"Done," he remarked, proud of his work.

The wrapping was snug, not stifling and had the added benefit of covering the marks. I flexed my hand and it indeed felt slightly better.

"What about the shop?' I thought to dissuade him of his plan.

"Mitamura-san has given us a break before the evening service." He held my hand again and continued his strides, "Don't worry, we'll be back before then."

"H- Hang on!" I stammered out, "Why are you holding my hand?"

"Why?" he looked back with a wide, bright grin, "If I didn't, you'd run away!"

He got me there.

Speechless, all I could do was to keep up with Yukihira's enthusiasm to the crystal-clear waters.

A/N:

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