"Hello, Hojo-kun," she said, placing a coaster in front of him. "The usual?"
He brightened at the greeting, leaning forward with a nod. "I was worried I wouldn't be served by you tonight."
Kagome forced a smile. "Can't have your tips going to waste," she replied. None of her dismissals in high school had ever sunk in—though she had her friends to thank for that. Even without Inuyasha in the picture, she didn't have the time or the energy for someone as mousy as Hojo. Her friends, however, had continued to placate him, encouraging him to push for a date even after they'd graduated.
Which was why he showed up during every shift.
So far, he'd been harmless, but too many crime-show marathons had her side-eyeing him each time he showed up. Kouga was more than happy to walk her to her car, but he'd never approached her after a shift, content to gaze at her from afar while she served other customers.
She poured him a cup of sake, leaving the small bottle next to him before ringing in the order. "Nothing to eat tonight?" As expected, he declined, closing his eyes as the first sip warmed his insides.
"Just this will be fine." She hesitated, waiting for him to strike up a conversation, hope growing with every passing second that today would be different. "What are your plans for the weekend?" he asked.
So much for that. She pulled a rag from her apron, wiping away invisible dust from the workstation in front of him. "Super busy, actually." He rested his chin in his palm, and she sent a silent wish to Kouga to need her help with something. "I'm going on a hike. In the mountains. By myself," she added.
"That sounds wonderful!" he gushed. "Getting away from the city pollution will do wonders for your complexion."
Kagome coughed to smother her groan. For being one of the top test-scorers in school, he sure was gullible. Luckily, he was more of a reader, getting his outlandish remedies from magazines instead of the internet. She was surprised that he wasn't an avid conspiracy theorist.
He offered her some advice on what to bring to repel insects, but overall, it was a pleasant conversation. She almost forgot he was a borderline stalker by the time he left.
"Any issues?" Kouga asked, pouring another beer.
"I think that's the first time." She thrust her arm in front of his face. "Here, quick, pinch me. I think I might be dreaming." Kouga flashed her a fang, and she realized her mistake too late, his fingers tweaking her ass instead. She kicked him in the shin.
"You told me to!"
"In the arm, asshole."
"Semantics," he said, waving her off.
Kagome's glare dissipated as she waved down one of the servers. "That's fine. I'll just tell someone you were getting handsy the next time I see him."
The wolf blanched, and she laughed, hips swaying as she walked away.