“Excuse me sir but the cafe isn’t open yet. Please wait for ten minutes if you are not in a rush.” I am trying to call out the attention of our first customer who just entered the cafe as he mistakenly thought that it is already open while we are cleaning the windows outside.

He just walks in and it seems that he didn’t even notice me and so I grab his hand and stops him from walking in to the counter. “Sir the cafe is not yet open so please come back later.”

“Oh! I’m very sorry, I think I am still half asleep and did not notice you.” He immediately apologized when he came into realization.

“It’s okay sir, if you are not in a hurry then I can prepare a cup of coffee for you after we finish wiping the windows outside.”

“Yes, I can wait for the coffee, I am really sorry for interrupting you back there.” his ears turned a little red as he nods his head.

“No, it is fine. By the way, are you a new customer of our cafe?”

“Nope, I am a regular here but I always come during evenings so maybe your shift had already ended by that time.”

“I see. Then let me show you how our coffee brewed in the morning is better than what you can have during evenings.” I confidently blurted out.

“Okay show me what you got.” Our eyes met for the first time and I cannot explain what I feel when he gives me a smile that is as warm as the morning sun.

My heart started to beat faster just like how it feels when I am making a full sprint from my home to work when I am late.

Why am I feeling like this? This isn’t the first time that I have received a smile from our customers, but it feels like this one is different. Is it because of his perfect smile? His white shining teeth? Or the cute mole under the left side of his lips?

Wait! Stop! I have to stop imagining things before it goes wild.

“Just wait here and I’ll be back with your coffee.” I walk back to the counter and prepare the coffee beans but it was too late to realize that I did not even ask what his order is and just assume that he wants a regular coffee.

How more airhead can I be this coming days.*sigh*

After a few minutes, the bitter sweet smell of coffee lingers in the air as I carry the hot cup to him who is now in the middle of having a morning nap.

“Sir the coffee is here. Sir? can you hear me?”I lightly shake his shoulder as I observe his sleeping face.

His eyelashes are long and they look cute but it is a shame that he have dark spots under his eyes, maybe because of staying up late at night?

His hair seems to have grown a little too long for him because some of his bangs are falling down on his face and so I unconsciously touch his jet black hair to move it out of his face when suddenly an unfamiliar memory flash before my eyes...maybe a childhood memory I lost during an accident 8 years ago and have an amnesia.

An image of my young self was reflected through the glass windows of the shops in the market place as I run away crying and shivering with fear. How can I forget such a cruel part of my childhood where I run away full of bruises and fresh wounds while being barefooted?

It was indeed a memory when I was ten years old, and it was during the summer festival...

After getting my daily beating from my drunken father, I decided to run and just spend the whole night in the festival to hide and wait for my father to sober up in the morning. I’ve been used to my father’s way of treating me ever since my mother died which he always told me that it was my entire fault.

Maybe he is right, maybe it was really my fault because if I just did not forget to bring my umbrella to school that day, then maybe she would not go out and die from a road accident. In the end, I started blaming myself more than anyone and openly accepted the hatred from my father and just let him release all his anger by letting him beat me up every single day.

I slipped in through the crowd and enjoyed watching people having fun while playing games from the booths. The smell of various street foods were all over the place and tempting me to buy some but then I realized that I don’t even have a single piece of coin and so I sadly walked away from the food stalls to stop myself from feeling hungry.

I moved away from the crowded place and saw a bench in a dark corner which can be a perfect spot for me to sleep and so I happily run towards it before anyone can claim it.

“What a perfect place to sleep.” I slowly lay down in the cold hard bench to avoid putting pressure to my bruises and there, I fall asleep after just a few seconds of closing my eyes but it was immediately interrupted when I heard a crying sound in the bushes behind the bench where I am sleeping. Being a kid, I was frightened at first but I believed in the possibility that it may be just another kid who was lost in the crowd and so I bravely peak in the bushes.

“Ahhhhhhhh!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!” We both shouted in unison as our eyes met in the dark.

“Who are you?” he blurted out when he jump out of the bushes.

“I’m Mizuki a kid who lives in this neighbourhood, what about you? Why are crying there?”

“I got lost here when my big brother and I sneaked out to attend this festival.” He pulls down the hood of his jacket to reveal his face and his long jet black hair.

“I see. I can help you ask some adults for you to call your parents to pick you up if you want.”

“No, I don’t want our parents to know that we sneaked out of the house at this time. I just want to see my big brother here.” He started crying again.

“Don’t worry; I know that your brother is definitely looking for you everywhere so let’s just go to that nearest light post so that he can easily find you.” I pull his hands and walk towards the post at the side of the road where some food stalls are located and then tried my best to stand in the shadows so that he will not notice my dirty appearance and my barefoot.

The smell of the food only makes my body feel the starvation I am trying to forget but all I can do is watch the people eat and waste their food as they throw the half eaten food in the trash can.

“Hey stop drooling; you look like hungry stray dog you know.” I was surprised when he pulled out a handkerchief and wipe off the drool in my mouth.

“I’m very sorry. The food is just too appetizing so I can’t help it, hahaha.” I tried to make an excuse and just laugh it all away.

“Then why don’t you just buy the food you like to eat? I bet your mother gave you a pocket money before letting you go alone in the festival right?”

Suddenly, I feel like I wanted to cry too after hearing what he said knowing that it is the most impossible thing to happen in my life.

“By the way, are you new here in this place?” I started to change our topic.

“Yes, my parents decided to move here after receiving a house as an inheritance from my grandparents.”

“Then do you have any new friends here? We can be friends if you like.”

“Really? Then can we meet and play here every day?” his eyes that shines brightly like the Galaxy under the light post.

“Yes, we can play here until the summer break is over.” I smiled at him while still admiring his shining eyes.

“Then it is a promise between us.” He raised his right pinkie finger and together, we made a pinkie promise.

“By the way, my name is Nozomi Hi-----“

I didn’t get to hear his name because my attention was caught by someone who suddenly runs towards our direction while holding different kinds of snacks in his hands.

“Big brother! Where have you been?”

“I’m very sorry, I got carried away while buying from the stalls and I just realized that I loss you when I am on my 10th food stall, hahaha.” said the kid who runs towards us who is much older than us.

“You are so mean, how can you even forget your brother just because of those foods?”

“I’m really sorry, but you should still be grateful because you found a new friend here.” He looked at me and smiled although I cannot see his face properly because he is wearing a cap.

“I guess you are right about that.”

“Oh crap, I think we should go back now before mom notice that we are missing. Let’s go.” his brother panicked when he check the time from his wrist watch.

They started running and so I also walk back to the dark bench to continue my interrupted sleep but I was surprised when someone called me.

“Hey kid! Wait up!” I stop and turn around to see that it was the brother of my new friend who is still holding his snacks. “Thank you for helping my little brother, here take this and don’t walk out barefooted next time okay? Goodbye.” He gave a box of warm takoyaki and a stick of candy apple before running again leaving me no choice but to accept the food that he gave me.

“Thank you.” I smiled but tears came down my eyes as I took my first bite of the apple candy I always wanted to try with my mother that time.”

Back to the present...

“What are you doing Mizuki-san?”

“My flashback ends when I heard someone’s voice. I instantly pull my hand away from his hair and back away from him.

“Huh? How did you know my name?” I cautiously asked.

“Well it is written in your name tag there.” He points to my chest and there I saw my name that I have forgotten to exist.

“Ohhh yes you are right, I am just trying to wake you up but you didn’t even flinch after shaking you.”

“I’m really sorry for that, I think I’ve been overworking for the entire week and haven’t got enough sleep for too long.” He sit up straight again and takes a sip of the freshly brewed coffee.

“How’s the taste? Do you like it?”

“Hmmmm... let me taste it again.” He takes another sip but eventually finished drinking everything. “It’s good, I like it but I think you have forgotten to ask me what kind of coffee I really like to have right now.

“Sorry, I’m really sorry sir. That coffee is on me so you don’t have to pay for it and just tell me your order and I’ll brew it for you.” I apologize to him and feel a little embarrassed after being pointed out of my mistake.

“It is fine, I’m just kidding and besides, I think I found another coffee that I can add to my favorite list.” He playfully smiles again towards me and my heart starts reacting again and so I instinctively makes an excuse to flee.

“If that’s all you need then I will be going out to continue cleaning the windows outside. Just call any of the staff cleaning around if you need something.”

“Wait! Mizuki-san, can have a chat sometime if you are not busy? I’ll treat you a coffee and a cake.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that? Are you hitting on me?” I can feel my face burning hot and to my surprise, his face turns red as a tomato as he tries to cover it up.

“No! I—I mean YES! Oh crap, what the heck am I saying right now?”

“Pffttt, ahahahaha, you are acting so cute right now sir but I think before you try to flirt with me, will you please introduce yourself first?”

“Yes, you are right, I’m very sorry for being rude.” He stands up straight and cleared his throat before speaking up again. “My name is Nozomi Hikaru, 27 years old and a freelance interior designer. PLEASE GO OUT WITH ME!” The right hand that he raised to prepare to shake my hand earlier went flying up to slap his own forehead as he covers his whole face again. “Oh please just forget about the last part of what I said. I think I have to go now, bye Mizuki-san.” And then he makes a full speed run away from the cafe leaving me stunned in place.

“Manager, did that man just run and didn’t pay for his coffee? Just tell us and we are all ready to chase him back here.” Miyoshi, a high school part timer asked me when he saw the man run out of the door.

“Ahahahahahaha” I can’t stop myself from laughing while remembering what just happened.

“Manager what’s wrong? Hey, Mizuki-san are you all right? This is the first time I see you laughing like this.” Miyoshi looks at me with a concerned gaze.

“You don’t have to worry about that man, I’ll pay for the coffee so you don’t have to chase him and besides, I am pretty sure that he will come back here soon.” I wiped the tears that came out of my eyes because of laughing too much.

Nozomi Hikaru, are you someone connected to my past? Are you somehow related to that kid I met in my memory just now?

You suddenly appeared in my life without a warning and more than any strong coffee that I can make, you wake all the emotions that I have locked away from the moment I wake up with amnesia.

A week have passed but Nozomi-san didn’t come back to the cafe ever since. I even asked Sunohara-san, the manager who is in charge of the cafe during evenings about him.

“Sunohara-san, do you know someone called Nozomi Hikaru in your regular customers?”

“Are you referring to the sunshine Hikaru?”

“What sunshine?”

“Because of his bright and cheerful personality with his shining smile and together with his golden eyes, you can almost imagine the warmth of the morning sun so everyone decided to call him as the sunshine.” I almost got blind by the over the top brightness description he gave me.

“Thanks for that very detailed explanation.” I did my best to try remember all the details he said, especially the part where he mentioned that Hikaru's eyes were golden, which I seem to forget or maybe I didn't give much attention back then.

“So why are you asking about him?”

“Have you seen him for the past few days?”

“Now that you mention him, I think I haven’t seen him since last week when he came all worn out after his meeting with a client. Are you two close with each other?”

“No, it is not like what you are thinking, just forget that I ask about him.” And then I walk away to avoid any further questions.

*sigh*

Another day has passed....

“Mizuki-san are you alright? You keep making deep sighs these days.” Miyoshi curiously asked when he pass in front of the counter after serving a dessert for a customer.

“I’m just a little tired so you don’t have to worry.”

“Oh we thought that you are thinking about that guy last time who never comes back since then.” Nino, our only female employee suddenly sneaked in to our conversation.

“Nino-chan, please stop imagining things. I know what you are thinking right now so please stop shipping me and that guy.” For all I know, Nino is a certified fujoshi who likes to ship boys whenever she has a chance.

“Ehhh why not, you two look so good together when you are having a conversation that day and if I heard it correctly, didn’t that guy just asked you out?”

“What?! Really? I didn’t hear that.” Miyoshi is starting to get into it as his eyes shines with interest after hearing Nino’s gossips.

“Hey! You two please stop and go back to your jobs or else, I will make you work overtime in the nightshift later.”

“No, we will do anything except working overtime with Sunohara-san.” They both run away from me and went back to the kitchen.

I walk around the cafe to make sure that everything is going smoothly and to make myself busy. I decided to go out for a while when I noticed that we haven’t change the list of special menu available for the day in the sign board outside. I squat down on the board and started writing down the menu when I caught something interesting reflected through the glass window of the cafe.

It is Nozomi Hikaru in disguise, if that is what he is trying to do.

Unlike his smart looking business attire the last time I met him, he is now wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap covering his head and the funny part is he is also wearing a black facemask and a huge sunglasses.

He slowly approaches the door of the cafe but then he stops before entering and look inside as if he is searching for someone. He is too focused in what he is doing that he didn’t even notice me when I stand up and sneak behind me.

“Excuse me stranger, but do you need some help?” I asked him and I tried my best to stop myself from laughing too hard when he almost jump out when he looked at me.

“No, I am just an ordinary passerby, don’t mind me.” He pulled his cap downward trying to cover his whole face away from me.

“Are you sure about that Nozomi-san?” I smirked as I make the final blow to his disguise.

“Yes. Wait what? No I’m not Nozomi—I mean yes, hahaha” he nervously laugh as he slowly pull down his hood and took off his cap as continue to stare at him with a teasing smile.

“Are you looking for me inside the cafe?”

“Yes, actually I feel a little embarrassed about what happened last time and so I am still hesitant to meet you.” his ears are burning red as he try to explain.

“So you came here looking like a wanted criminal and calling himself as an ordinary passerby because you are too shy to see me?”

“How did you figure out that it was me? I thought that my disguise is perfect to deceive even my family.”

“Ahahaha are you kidding me? Do you think no one will recognize you with your lame attire that you are wearing now?"

“Ohh is that so?” finally he take off the glasses and the mask after realizing how dumb his disguise was.

“Finally, you look like a normal person and by the way, did you get a haircut? It suits you well.” His hair is now cleanly cut compared to his hairstyle from the last time where he looks like an overworked salary man in his 40's, he now looks like a fresh college student.

“Tt--tthhank you for the compliment.” And now he looks like a tall high school student blushing after getting a compliment from his crush.

“Do you want to have some coffee?” I push the door open and let myself in while waiting for him to come in.

“Sure, let me have the same coffee I have that day.”

“Ok sure, but this time it is not for free.” I led him to an empty seat before going to the counter to brew his coffee request.

“Oh my, look who’s here? Isn’t that guy your top Mizuki-chan?” I almost spilled the coffee when Nino appeared in the scene again while blurting out her BL fantasy.

“Nino-chan please stop playing too much with your imagination. And wait, who told you that I will be a bottom for that guy?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Take a closer look at him! Imagine all the muscles and abs hidden inside that jacket and with his height, I’m sure that it will be a piece of cake for him to carry you like a princess. He is a perfect that every bottom in this world dreamed of.” We both stare at him while imagining what Nino-chan is saying.

“I think you are right.” I unconsciously respond to her while still staring at him from afar.

“See, I told you that a fujoshi’s radar will never be wrong. And on the other hand, you don’t have to feel insecure because looking closely, you are also the most ideal uke that every seme wants to have.” She leaned closely to me and looked deeply to my eyes as if she is sucking my soul out.

“Hey what do you mean by that?” I am starting to feel self conscious thinking that I am an uke.

“Your height, your silky hair, your cute face and the way you act cute because of being an airhead sometimes, isn’t that everything a seme wanted? Mizuki-san be grateful that you finally find the perfect one for you. I am so happy for you.” She wipes her fake tears as she continues to tease me.

“Nino-san please stop teasing manager.” I feel a little relief when Miyoshi comes running to pull Nino away from me after serving a coffee to a customer.

“Oh hohoho, look Mizuki-chan, take a look of another uke right in front of us.” She grabs Miyoshi as she present him to me.

“Uke? What is that? Mizuki-san please help me, Nino-san is going crazy again.” He struggles as he tries to get away from her grasps.

“Miyoshi-chan, what I mean is that if you are going to be in a relationship with a guy, you will definitely be a bottom.”

“You mean, if sensei and I---- wahhhhhhh” her grasps tightened when she heard Miyoshi’s tongue slips.

“Sensei? So you are really into guys? Oh tell me, please tell me about your forbidden love with your beloved teacher.”

“No, please let me go! Manager please help me! Hel—“and that was his last words before Nino drag him inside the staff room for an interrogation.

The coffee I am preparing is finally done and it was a good timing that Nino-chan is no longer around.

'Thank you Miyoshi, your sacrifice will not be in vain.' I whispered while praying.

I served the coffee to Nozomi who is awkwardly making himself busy while waiting for me to come back.

“Here is your coffee sir.” I put down his cup in front of him and then put mine on the opposite side before sitting down.

“Aren’t you busy with your work? Is it alright for you to sit here with me?”

“It’s fine and besides, it is part of my job to entertain the customers, especially--the –lonely--ones.” I try to wink at him to tease him further and it turned out perfect that he almost choke from his first sip.

“Mizuki-san please stop teasing me, my heart can no longer take it.” His face is burning red.

“Sorry, I cannot help it, I just feel a certain joy whenever I see you all flustered.”

“Is that so—“

“By the way, you did ask me to have a chat with you while having a coffee and cakes right?”

“Yes, I did mention that.”

“So can I order whatever I like?”

“Yes, feel free to eat whatever you want and I will pay for it.”

“Then this will be a perfect timing because I’ve been craving for the desserts we are serving here. Orihara-kun please take our order here.” I called out one of our waiters.

“Please prepare for us the special dessert complete menu.” I whispered to him and then he winks at me after picking up my order.

“Okay, please wait for your order after a few minutes.” And then Orihara-kun walks back to the kitchen.

“So, what do you want to chat about?”I face Nozomi-san again to continue our coffee date.

“Uhmm, I just want to know you better. How about we talk about each other’s likes and dislikes?” his face is still burning red as he speaks.

“Let me start then, I am the manager of this cafe during day operations. Well I cannot tell much more about myself especially my childhood so you can limit your questions about me during the past 8 years which is nothing much.” That is the most precise self introduction I can ever make.

“Are you working here for that long?”

“Yes, Yanagi-san, I mean the owner of this cafe offered me this job after I was discharged in the hospital back then.”

“Hospitalized? Do you have some kind of chronic illness or are you involved in an accident? I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer it if it is something sensitive and personal.”

“No, it is fine to tell you about it but all I can share are what other people have told me when I woke up that day.” I take a sip of my coffee before continuing my story.

 “The doctor said that I was in a state of coma for six months after having a severe injury from falling down the stairs. I also got a panic attack when I realized that I cannot remember anything and beg them to let me see anyone from my family but the nurses accidentally told me that I don’t have any remaining family members. I feel so desperate that moment and even ask what is the point of living if I don’t have anyone and don’t even know myself but a miracle happened when Yanagi-san came in to my room and introduced himself as my mother’s little brother and promised to take care of me until I recovered.”

“I’m sorry to hear what you have been through. Errr.. by the way, you doing fine now, right?” maybe he felt a little guilty for asking and tries to lighten the mood.

“Don’t worry, I am doing fine living on my own. How about you? I heard that you always overwork whenever you have a new client, are you badly in need of cash?”

“No, it is not like that, I just enjoy doing my work too much that I always push myself to finish everything in a short period of time so I can see the outcome immediately. “ I can see how happy and passionate he is as he started talking about his job as an interior designer.

“It sounds so nice to do something you really like I guess, I wish I that I can also have some dream and passion like yours.”

“It is not too late to have a dream, just trust in yourself and one day, you will find it too.” He smiles towards me and again, I can feel my heart beating so fast that I cannot breath.

“Here is your order. Summer berry parfait, banana custard scrunch, panna cotta, soufflé, crème brulee, profiterole, blue berry muffin, macaroons, a slice of red velvet cake, fruitcake, castellan, cassata, opera cake and our classic chocolate cake and for the dessert of the month, here is your toffee apple.” Orihara-kun suddenly interrupted us when he came with the serving table with all the desserts we ordered.

“Mizuki-san I think you have ordered too much, can you really finish eating that?” Nozomi-san looks surprised to see our table filled with desserts.

“Actually this menu is for couple so this is really not all for me. We have to finish it together.”

“Cou—couples? But aren’t we just-“ his face turns redder the longer we keep talking to each other.

“Just having a simple coffee date right? Don’t worry, that is just what are menu is called.” I wink at him as a take a bite on my muffin.

“Mizuki-san please stop teasing me, what if I can’t hold it any longer.” He slammed the table and slowly rise from his seat to lean forward towards me.

I raise the muffin and use it to block his lips which are approaching my face.”Why don’t you have a bite of this delicious muffin?”

“Uhmmm... nmmmmmhhh...” it take some time before he can chew and swallow the half eaten muffin I forced into his lips and it is sort of cute watching him eat everything up.

Maybe I am getting a little out of line when I am making fun of him and so I decided to just shut my mouth before saying any unnecessary suggestive things.

“By the way Mizuki-san you are single right?” And yes I get a little too suggestive that he is starting to stir our conversation about relationships.

“Well yes, why are you asking? Is it about what you have told me when we first met?”

“I wanted to be honest with you and stop pretending so I think I have to tell it to you properly this time.” He stands up straight and then made a formal bow in front of me.”Mizuki-san I like you from the moment I first set my eyes on you. Please go out with me!”

Everyone inside the cafe heard him and so all of their attention points towards me as they all wait for my answer.

Why do you have to say it out loud? Do you think that I am like one of those dense people I see in the novels and movies that will just pretend not to hear properly something important like this crappy confession.

Nozomi Hikari, you are really an idiot!

*sigh*

“Nozomi-san please sit down first so we can talk a little more.”

“Yes, sorry.” He immediately sit back and look at me.

“So you are really confessing your feelings to a person you barely even know huh? You don’t even know my last name so you keep calling me Mizuki as if we know each other for a very long time. Nozomi-san you are really a strange guy.”

“I’m very sorry! It was my fault for not even asking your full name.”

“Hahahaha you don’t have to apologize so formally over that, I’m just kidding.”

“Then can I ask more about you? “

“My name is Mamoru Mizuki, 25 years old and single.”

“I’m glad to know you, Mamoru-san, so about my confession, what is your answer?”

“I’ll think about it for a while so you have to please me first.”

“And what should I do to please you?”

“Finish up all the food on our table.”

“What?! But what about you? I thought that you wanted to taste all desserts here but now you are asking me to eat everything.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, there is always a chance for me to try out this menu and besides, I already got the thing I like the most, my toffee apple. So hurry up and show me your determination.” I smile as I made the ‘do your best' sign with my hand while holding the candy apple

“Then I’ll do my best if this will make you happy.”

He starts off with the cakes and it is amazing how fast he eats. After that, he picked up two macaroons and shoved it in his mouth.

“Pffttttt, you really look like a hamster, ahahaha, it is so cute.” I can’t stop myself from laughing at him every time he makes his cheeks expand after putting a lot of macaroons.

“Mamoru-san, you are much cuter when you smile like that.”

“Hey, stop the flirting and just continue eating there.” He almost got me there.

Half an hour later, he finally finishes up everything, including my coffee which he has forgotten that it was mine.

“I think I consumed a month worth of sugar for my body. Do you think I will have cavities after having too much sugar?”

“No, I think you are just exaggerating things.”

“But I think my stomach is having a hard time right now.”

“Just relax for a while; I’ll make a special tea to help your feel comfortable.”

I never thought that he is weak when it comes to sweet things. Now it feels like my guilt will come hunting me if he really get sick after this.

I walk inside the kitchen to get some tea leaves but apparently, Nino with her weird grin in her face is blocking the supply cabinet where the tea ingredients are kept.

“So are you officially dating with that guy? Tell me all the details.”

“Nino please step aside, you are interrupting my work.”

“Ohh hohohoho, is the name of your work called ‘Nozomi Hikaru?’ “

“Hey stop it, you are distracting me right now.”

“Then just tell, did you say yes?”

“No, I don’t.”

“EEEhhhhh! Why?! Did you reject him? Oh my, poor Nozomi-san.”

“Hey stop with that fake drama you are having in your head, I said no to him but it doesn’t mean that I have already rejected him okay.”

“Then what are you planning to do?”

“Nothing. Besides, I don’t want to be some kind of easy to get person.”

“Ohhh I see, so you want to play as a hard to get huh? Wait don’t tell me you are just a tsundere?”

“Who said that I am a tsundere? I’m not and will never be so Nino-chan can you please step aside the cabinet before I turn into a yandere here?” I make a creepy smile and stares down at her.

“Eekkkkk! Okay fine, keep up the good work, bye!” and she run off.

Playing hard to get huh? Well I guess she is basically right but I have my reasons. First of all, loving a first just because you are attracted to them at first sight is a little irresponsible. How can you even love a person without knowing them personally? This is the main reason why a lot of people are being a victim of scammers and con artist nowadays.

Second reason is that I consider myself as someone who is incapable of loving someone. I admit that I am flirtatious but when the other person started to take things seriously and eventually confess their love towards me, I automatically back away and reject the person. My friends told me that maybe I am just afraid of having a commitment in a relationship but I still believe that it is my fear of love that made me like this.

I haven’t been involved in any love related relationship with anyone for the past 3 years and I planned to stay away from it for the rest of my life but now, what should I do with Nozomi-san who just randomly appeared out of nowhere. I should have just rejected him on the first day we met and push him away but why did I purposely played with him? Why does it feel different when I am flirting with him unlike my past experience where I am just having fun and not getting flustered when the other person flirt back with me?

“Mizuki-san? Mizuki-san! The water! The water is already at boiling point.” Miyoshi shake me off from my endless thoughts.

“Oh thanks. Miyoshi can you serve this cup of tea to Nozomi-san?”I poured the tea to a traditional tea cup and set it to a tray.

“Are you sure? I think he is expecting you to come back to him.”

“Just tell him that something came up and I won’t be back, and also tell him that I won’t be here next week so don’t bother to visit me.”

“Really? You won’t be here next week?”

“Just tell him that and don’t you ever give him any of my personal information especially my contact info and address. You got that?”

“Yes sir!”

“Then go and do your best. I’ll treat you something nice later so go along with me.”

He walks out with the tea and served it to Nozomi-san who is surprise to see that I am not the one who came to him. I just watch them interact with each other while I am just peaking from the kitchen door and I can clearly see how he is starting to make a long face when Miyoshi said something. Yosh! Good job Miyoshi, you are getting better talking with people now. After that, Nozomi gives something to Miyoshi before the kid walk away from him.

“Mizuki-san, he asked me to give this to you and tell you to contact him once you came back from your out of town trip.” He handed me a business card with the complete info.

“Out of town trip?”

“He asked me where are you going next week when I told him that you won’t be here and so I am forced to improvise a lie. I told him that Yanagi-san is sending you to a so-called dessert expo for a whole week.”

“You are quite a clever kid. Good job.” I pat his head and take a peek again and saw him taking with the last person I wanted to talk with him, Nino-chan.

Oh crap. Why of all people here is she the one to take his payment? Why?! What if he asks her about my imaginary expo next week? I have to do something and drag her away before she starts spouting things to him.

“Miyoshi, I have to ask you another favor. This time I’ll give you a coupon good for one month of the dessert of your choice if you manage to stop Nino from spilling our lie to Nozomi-san and drag her here. You have to hurry and silence her. Go!

It sounds like I am sending a Pokémon in battle when I throw Miyoshi out towards Nino and Nozomi-san.

Please, please let our lie be concealed completely until the end. I watch as my two employees pull each other until they reach me inside the kitchen. I think it really work out.

“Mizuki-san, I made it in time. You are really giving a coupon right?”

“Wait, let me confirm it first.”

“NINO let me ask you something.” I make the creepiest smile yet again to scare her.

“What is it Mizuki-san?”

“What did Nozomi-san and you talked about?”

“Nothing much, he just ask if you are okay because you didn’t come back.”

“Anything else?”

“I already said everything.”

“Really?”

“Oh actually he is asking about some kind of expo but I didn’t manage to hear the rest because Miyoshi-chan dragged me her.”

“Good job Miyoshi, I’ll give it to you later.” I gave him thumbs up before letting him go back to his work.

“Hey what is happening here? Mizuki did something happen?”

“Promise me first that you will go along with my plans from now on and never interfere.”

“Okay I promise so let me in with your secrets.”

“I wanted to hide from Nozomi-san for a whole week to see how much sincere in pleasing me.”

“What? So you want to play hide and seek with him? How about your work? What if he came in and see you walking around?”

“This is why I am telling you this; I am assigning you as the temporary in charge of managing the happenings inside the cafe while I work inside the kitchen completely hidden to our customers. I will also inform the others to go along with it.”

“So you are willing to go through such lengths just for Nozomi-san huh? I feel so excited! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure this will go well knowing that it is for your love life’s sake.” She grinned like an idiot and joins me peaking through the door to watch Nozomi-san walk out of the cafe.

This time, I wanted to try something different.

Today is the day, the first day of my hiding and thankfully all of the employees understand and are already informed about my so called expo just in case Nozomi-san appeared out of nowhere and starts asking randomly anyone of our staff.

I arrive in front of the cafe early in the morning and plan to stay inside the kitchen the whole time and so I stretch for a bit and take some fresh air when suddenly I sense danger, or more likely, I sense Nozomi-san approaching. I run as fast as I can to the back door of the cafe. My hands are shaking and so I am having a hard time searching for the key. Oh come on, I don’t want to talk to him right now.

“Oh excuse me but you are working in this cafe right?” I can hear him speaks and it makes me freeze thinking that he is talking to me.

“Yes, I am a waiter here. Do you need something?” Someone else answers his question.

I slowly take a peak from the corner and I can see Orihara-kun talking with Nozomi-san in front of the cafe.

“Is Mizuki, ah no I mean Mamoru-san, will he really be out for the whole week? I actually came here early hoping to see him at least before he goes out of town, so can I ask if he will pass by here today?”

“Actually he already left yesterday evening so I think it is impossible to see him until next week.”

“Then can I ask where exactly the event he will attend to?” Oh no, is he planning to look for me?

“The event is a little confidential and is only known to all the members of a certain association and so we cannot disclose such information.” Nice answer Orihara-kun I am glad that you are doing your best lying in a straight face but why do you make it sound like I am attending an illegal expo and it looks like we are a member of a secret association?

“I see.” He really believed that?! “Then can you at least give me Mamoru-san’s contact info?”

*gasps* How can you dodge that Orihara-kun?

“I don’t have a phone so I don’t have his contact info.” *gasps* Never thought that you can also use that kind of excuse when someone is asking another person’s number beside yours.

Orihara-kun you are now my second best employee next to my boy Miyoshi-kun. I promise that I will treat you both after this.

“Oh, then you also have no idea where he lives?”

“No. He is not fond of sharing any personal information about him so all of us have no idea where he lives.” How can you lie so seriously like that when in fact, all of you just went to my house last night to drink and have a barbeque party in exchange of your cooperation with my mischief?

Hahahahaha. I am very sorry Miyoshi-kun but you are no longer the number 1 best employee for me, Orihara-kun successfully snatched your place by simply being a poker face and a great liar of the year.

“I’m sorry for asking too much. I will be going now, have a good day.” Nozomi-san eventually gives up and walks away.

I finally find the key for the backdoor leading to the kitchen and casually walk in and as the same time, Orihara-kun enters the cafe using the front door with the key I lend him last night knowing that he is the most punctual among the others aside from Miyoshi who only works during weekends.

“Good morning Mizuki-san. You didn’t bump with Nozomi-san on the way here right?” Orihara-kun goes in the kitchen when he noticed the lights were already on.

“Ahh no, I am actually hiding at the back when you are talking with him.”

“Oh I see. Then did I say something unnecessary to him?”

“No, you actually did great.” I pat his shoulders then give him a smile of approval.

“Oh what is happening here so early the morning?” Nino’s voice ring throughout the kitchen as she walks in between me and Orihara-kun.

“Nothing much, I am just giving early motivating words to him. Do you want to hear one too?” I grab her shoulders and give her the smile she always feared from me.

“No thanks. I think I should be starting to arrange the tables outside and the sign board so see you later.” She drags Orihara-kun along with her outside leaving me all alone in the kitchen.

When the cafe opens up at 5 AM, customers gradually come one by one until the peak hour for breakfast arrived and kitchen got so busy and I didn’t notice the time until someone says that it is already lunch time.

I haven’t been working in the kitchen lately since I am assigned as the manager but I can still remember the days when I am having fun baking cakes and other desserts. As time goes by, the cafe needed me to be hands on in the managerial work and so the only thing I can do is focus on it and be the barista of the cafe.

“Is Mizuki-san not here? I wanted to let my boyfriend try the best coffee here today but it seems that we are unlucky.” I can hear a woman sitting near the kitchen looking for me.

“I’m sorry about that but we assure you that we can give the same quality you wanted today if you like.”

“Really? Then two cups of espresso panna and a slice of red velvet cake.”

“Okay ma’am, I will be back with your order in a minute.”

Nino approached me and gives the order for me to make. I hope that they will not notice that the coffee is really made by the same person they are expecting. I don’t want to be caught in hiding but I also don’t want to risk the quality of the coffee we served and so I have no choice but to do my best.

“Thank you for the wait, here is your order ma’am.”

“Oh thank you.” She takes a sip immediately to taste the coffee I made. “Oh you are right this taste the same as what Mizuki-san is doing. Don’t tell me he is just hiding inside the kitchen?”

“No, you are wrong. He is recently teaching one of our staff so maybe he is getting better with Mizuki’s guidance.”

“Oh I see. Then tell him to keep up the good work.”

*sigh* at least people are getting easy to fool nowadays.

The day ended smoothly and Nozomi-san didn’t show up.

The next day, he didn’t show up either.

During the end of the third day, I am starting to feel a little weird with a slight pain in my chest. What is this, am I dramatically in pain just because he really didn’t bother to show and try harder to find me? Did he just give up after acting so interested in me the last time?

Thursday came and my mood is not getting any better. There was no glimpse of Nozomi-san.

Why am I being like this? Why? I know it is all my idea to avoid him to sort out my own feelings and test his determination but why am I acting like an abandoned puppy here? Arrgghhhh!!! Am I getting crazy? Did I actually fall for that idiot?

Friday came and I am sure that everyone already noticed how much I am spacing out the whole time.

The weekends finally arrived after five days of suffering from my own silliness.

Miyoshi arrive earlier than anyone else and I can see that he is shock to see my lifeless form.

“Uwaahhhh! What happened to you Mizuki-san? Did you get sick during the weekdays?”

“Me? Do I really look like that? Hehehe”

“You should at least see a doctor, the dark circles in your eyes are so obvious and it feels like I am looking at a malnourished panda.”

*snaps* Oh that is the sound of my sanity snapping for today.

“What did you say?! Mi-yo-shi can you repeat that?”

“Huh? What? Wait! I am just trying to make you laugh!”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha”

“Eekkkk! I’m sorry! Wahhhhh!” and then he run out of the cafe with a broom in his hands.

“Pfftttttt, ahahahaha” okay that was a really funny reaction coming from him. My energy comes back a little and maybe the reason for all this uneasiness I’ve been feeling is because I am too busy working in the kitchen to even play around with anyone.

The next thing I knew, I was already in the staff room and looking at myself in the mirror. Eye bags. Yeah, Miyoshi is right. I really look like a skinny panda with these dark spots around my eyes. What should I do now? What if Nozomi-san sees me like this?

Oh wait! Why am I worrying about that? Why would I care to that idiot’s opinion anyway? Hhmpppp, whatever! He doesn’t even check if I am already back and so I should also stop thinking about him.

Saturday ended for me slowly but he is still nowhere to be found.

“Mizuki-san tomorrow is the last day and as you can see, we have done our best hiding you from everyone looking for you so how about we have another barbeque party at your place tonight to celebrate your victorious way of hiding from the loan sharks.” Nanahara, the one in charge of making cakes said to me.

“No\, you are wrong\, it is not a loan shark he is hiding from it is--- *whispers*” Ichigaya\, the one in charge of making pastas interrupted Nanahara.

“Now I get it! But nevermind, all I want now is to eat some barbeque so can we, Mizuku-san?” he looks at me with his pleading eyes.

“Okay fine, but promise me that you should not get yourself drunk and no one should be late for work tomorrow.”

“Yes! We promise.” Everyone, even those outside the kitchen peaked inside to answer in unison.

-A few hours later-

*Bleurghhhhhh* I was the one who told them not to get drunk but here I am throwing up because I have drunk too much.

How did I end up like this? Well Miyoshi being the youngest didn’t drink at all and so he just went home after eating a lot of barbeque, Nino on the other hand also left early after drinking a little because of some urgent call. Orihara-kun and the others were too focused in cooking meat and so I was left to sit between Nanahara and Ichigaya who are quite heavy drinkers and the leader of mischief. They keep filling up my glass and asking me to drink it all at once. Everyone left my house looking happy without even realizing that I am totally drunk thanks to my skill of walking straight despite of being dizzy.

*Bleurgghhhhhh* I swear\, I will get my revenge from those two if ever I ended up having a severe hangover tomorrow.

My head is spinning really badly and my body is burning up. It’s been a long time since I got drunk like this and the last time it happened I swear to myself that drinking too much will only cause an extreme suffering from hangover.

I closed my eyes and try my best to fall asleep until I open my eyes and see myself in a dream or maybe this is not a dream but rather, a fragment of my forgotten memory.

It was dark and I am lying in a small bed with white curtains hanging around just like in hospitals.  I sit up and found my own reflection from the glass cabinet beside me. I look so much younger and it looks like I am wearing a school uniform so maybe this is not a hospital but actually a school infirmary. My whole body feels so hot and my vision is at mess and so I lay back to the bed and close my eyes. After a few seconds, I can hear someone entering the room but I cannot see his face clearly, I just know that he is also wearing the same uniform as mine.

“Mizuki, you don’t know how much you made me worry when you suddenly collapsed in the classroom; I thought that you just died back there.” He brushes my hair with his long fingers as he continued to talk to me who is pretending to be asleep.

He leaned closer and whispers to my ear “I love you so please take care of yourself more.” And then he suddenly kisses my lips.

Who the heck is this guy? I wanted to push him away but something in me feels comfort and happiness with his touch easing all the pain I am having right now.

When I open my eyes, I am back to reality; I am back lying down in the hard floor of my living room. My head is still aching and the scent of booze still lingers all over the place.

This is all Nozomi-san’s fault that I am starting to have weird flashbacks like this.

I stand up but the dizziness makes me stumble down and causing my forehead hit the floor so hard.

“It hurts!” My eyes get a little teary when I felt some blood drifting down my freshly bumped forehead.

I wonder if I still have some medicine and bandage to cover this up until tomorrow. Slowly, I crawled down the floor until I reach my room to search for my supplies and to go get some proper sleep in my bed instead of lying on the cold hard floor of my living room. I open up the first cabinet but there is nothing, I try to search in my drawers but there is still nothing.

I am too unlucky this days seriously. Instead of finding anything useful from my last hope, also known as my bag which I always bring during work, what I found is a piece of paper or to be more precise, the business card that Nozomi Hikaru gave me.

What can this paper do to help me now\, huh? Will my wound and headache disappear if I attach this in my bleeding forehead? *sigh* I had enough of this; I have to do something before I do another idiocy in my life.

I saved his number to my phone with a full resolve to call him tomorrow to have a serious talk with him. I will make sure to sort my feelings for him once I am sober up, I swear but for now I have to call somebody to bring me some medicine even though it is already late. I checked the time first and saw that it is almost midnight and so I cannot call any of my workmates and the only option that’s left is Yanagi-san who is surely on his way home from his weekend check on the cafe.

I scrolled through my contacts to search for Yanagi-san’s phone number and without any hesitation I started the call. It was only a few seconds when the call was picked up and so I speak up immediately.

“Hello, Yanagi-san are you on your way home? Can I ask you a little favor and buy something for me in the pharmacy at the second street? I got into a little accident and I am still dizzy so I cannot go out on my own.”

“.....” he didn’t respond.

“Hello? Yanagi-san it is okay if you cannot make it then, I’ll ask somebody else-”

“I’m sorry but who are you?” he finally speak but it was not the usual calm voice of Yanagi-san, it is much manlier and a little husky just like Nozomi-san. Nozomi-san? Huh?! Wait, did I just make the worst mistake and called him?

I slowly looked at the screen to confirm what I just did and I am right. It is really Nozomi-san!

“Hello? Are you still there? Is this an emergency call for somebody else? I can call an ambulance to your place if you like.” He speaks again but it seems that he didn’t recognize my voice. Maybe I really sound like a kid when I talk through phone calls and audio recordings.

“I’m very sorry for calling in the middle of the night. This is all a mistake, please forget this call and just delete my number. Goodbye!” I end the call and throw my phone in the bed but it bounces back to me and surprisingly hit my nose so hard that it easily makes it bleed out.

“Why?! Why do I have to be so unlucky these days?!” I shouted at the top of my lungs before collapsing down to my bed.

The next morning, I woke up later than my usual time because my phone died when it hit my face so hard and so the alarms in it didn’t went off. I run to the bathroom to take a fast shower before running to work but I suddenly stop washing my face when I saw how I look like.

There is a hug bump in my forehead together with the awful scratch that bleeds overnight and my nose covered with bruises and a little swelling. I definitely look like someone who was beaten up by some gangsters last night. Luckily, I still have the face mask and cap that Nino gave me as a present last year and it is really useful and effective to hide my battered face.

I stop by to the pharmacy to buy some painkiller and band aid before going to work.

“Ohohoho, looks who is late after drinking too much last night?” Nino followed me when I enter the staff room to take some painkillers.

“I have my reason for being late you know.” I take off the cap and the mask and look at her.

“Oh my gosh! What a disaster! What happened to your cute face Mizuki?” she looks so surprise to see my ruined face.

“Uwaaahhh! Manager what happened? Did someone beat you up last night?!” Miyoshi exclaimed louder than Nino when he follow us inside the staff room.

“Lower your voices! I didn’t get into any fight or something like that. I just got into a little tripping accident when I was drunk and it is a little embarrassing to admit it so please stop asking.”

“Pffftttt hahahaha then is a mere result of your hidden clumsiness?” Nino is now laughing at me after being concerned for a few seconds.

“I’m not clumsy. I am just dizzy last night, that’s all. Come and help me patch up my face right now.”

“Manager, you should just have told us that you cannot come today instead of enduring the pain to go here.” Miyoshi carefully applies the ointment to my nose.

“This is not really a big deal so you don’t have to worry and besides, today is a busy day so I have to help everyone here. Oww that hurts!” Miyoshi is now applying disinfectant to my forehead before putting the band aid.

“Not a big deal? You just exclaimed out of pain! And how about our beloved loyal customer who will see your battered face looking like that? Your reputation as the cutest manager and barista will be ruined for sure.” Nino started to poke my cheeks as she scolds me with something unrelated to the issue.

“Nino please calm down, and please stop poking my cheeks because it hurts. I am still working inside the kitchen today so it is certain that no customer will see me like this and besides, I don’t even care what people think about my appearance or anything.”

“But how about tomorrow, the next day, the next next day, and the next next next day? Do you really think that those bruises will come off after a good night sleep later? I cannot handle the managerial job any longer so you have no choice tomorrow but to work outside the kitchen so tell me what should we do now?”

“Nino stop being over acting, this is what you get after reading too much manga since yesterday.”

“Huh? What manga? How did you know I was reading something?”

“I saw it yesterday before you left our drinking party, I saw you reading a post from a famous publishing house about a newly released manga yesterday and the first 100 copies available include a free poster a keychain and bookmark signed by the author. The real reason why you left us in a rush is because you run to the nearest bookstore to buy that right? And if I remember correctly, the title of that manga is ‘My Seme doesn’t Like a Battered Uke like Me Anymore,’ am I right Nino-chan?” I pointed her while impersonating the pose of a detective when he is pointing out the criminal.

“Pfttttt, Nino-san what’s up with that title? Hahahahaha” Miyoshi interrupted our unplanned cringy conversation that turned into a comedy skit.

“And so what if I really did read it last night? It has nothing to do with you.”

“Nothing? But the moment you saw me take off the face mask, I can imagine how that manga flashed before your eyes. That poor uke, you can imagine it as me right?”

“Hold up! How the heck did you even know what is that manga all about? Don’t tell me you also bought one last night?”

“Are you an idiot?” I stand up and flick her forehead, “Anybody will know what the plot of that manga is after seeing that very long title, right Miyoshi?”

“Ah yes! Mizuki-san you are really a genius.”

“Hhmmppp, fine I’ll admit it, I am acting like this because I am really concerned about you and your love life with that hunk Nozomi Hikaru.”

“Well I don’t care what he will think after seeing me like this and besides, he doesn’t even bother to visit the cafe the entire week to look for me, that idiot is just like any other jerk.”

“Ohohoho, did I just see the hidden ‘Mizuki the tsundere’ for a second? Don’t be mad about that, I’m sure that he will show up later, just trust my fujoshi radar.”

“Whatever. Let’s all go back to work now.”

“Ok fine. Just make sure to fix your face before he asks you out for a date.”

“That will never happen, go back to work oh great temporary manager.” I kicked her out of the staff room. “Oh by the way Miyoshi, thank you for patching my wounds, I promise to treat you and Orihara next week.”

“I am looking forward then.” He happily bounces out of the staff room.

Now it is time to face the kitchen staffs who made me so drunk last night.

“Good morning!” I shouted to get everyone’s attention and to answer all their questions regarding my face before they try to make any weird individual assumptions.

“Manager who beat you up?” Nanahara asked immediately.

“Did you win the fight?” Ichigaya follows up.

“First of all, I didn’t get into a fight so nobody wins and lastly, this is just because of a little unfortunate accident after you all left last night.”

“But are you sure you can work for today? You can just have your day off and stay in your house to rest.” Nanahara sounded like a decent being for the first time.

“Nope, I am fine with work. Just make sure not to get in trouble so I won’t be stressed out.”

“Yes sir!” They all answer in unison.

I did my work as usual despite of the little pain I can feel occasionally whenever I move my facial muscles to talk and so I limited my interactions with everyone to avoid talking.

I was too focused in dealing with the pain from my face that I actually forgotten my main problem, but well actually it is not only me who have forgotten but as well as all the staffs here because we are all caught off guard when Nozomi-san arrived during the last 5 minutes of our working shift no one noticed him until we all went off from the cafe.

“Mizuki-san, two caramel macchiato for table 8, one espresso panna for table 9 and table 6 asked for the best seller coffee we have in the cafe.” The last batch of coffees that I will make for today was given to me by Houtaro-kun, our newest waiter who just started today.

“Okay, it will be done in a few minutes.” I started doing the caramel macchiato followed by the espresso panna and when I am finally in the last order, it made me think for a second. All of the coffee I made is loved by everyone so I have no idea what is our bestseller so what am I supposed to make for that customer?

I just stare at the cup when I remembered the coffee that I always make as a default, maybe that normal coffee will do, assuming that the customer is new to our cafe.

“Houtaro-kun, it’s all done. Be careful in serving it.” I put all the coffee in one serving tray and assisted the newbie in walking outside the kitchen.

Finally when Sunohara-san with his staff came in to change shift, my staffs all happily came with me to walk home.

“Mizuki-san, we realized that it is somehow our fault that you are injured right now so please let us prepare something for you to eat in your house.” Ichigaya said as they all follow me walk out of the cafe’s backdoor.

“Are you sure that it is the only reason? Don’t tell me you want to have a drinking party again?”

“Well it will depend on you. Just kick us out after cooking if you like.” Nanahara said with his ever mischievous smile.

“Fine, you can bring drinks but I swear, I will never drink tonight so don’t you dare offer me any.”

“Understand boss.” Nanahara and Ichigaya answered in unison.

“By the way Mizuki, are you sure that you don’t need to go to the hospital for a checkup--- Ahhhh!” Nino suddenly exclaimed as if she have seen a ghost behind me.

“Nino what’s wrong?” I asked her.

“Be—behind you.” She answered with a small voice.

“What is behind me? Don’t scare me like this please.”

“No-zo-mi” she said without using her voice.

Oh crap, our biggest fear is approaching us from behind and I don’t want him to see my face. I wanted to run away but everyone is looking at me and I don’t want to look like a coward running away from him.

“Everyone you can go ahead of me, I’ll just follow later.” I passed on the key of my house to Nino and whispered something to her before turning my direction towards Nozomi-san who is looking at us from the corner.

“Oh hi Nozomi-san, long time no see.” I greeted him with my usual tone but my forehead decided to ache all of a sudden.

“Mamoru-san what happened to your face? Did you get into a fight in the expo you attended?”

“No, it is just an accident and these are just minor injuries so I am fine.”

“I am glad to hear that. By the way Mamoru-san, why are you working in the coffee today? I thought that you won’t be back until tomorrow so it surprised me to find you here.”

“How did you even know that I am at the cafe today?”

“Because of the coffee you made for me a while ago.”

“What coffee? Nobody told me that you are there- Oh wait, are you the one who asked for our bestseller coffee?”

“Yes that’s me and I knew it the moment I tasted the coffee you always made for me.” It seems that he sometimes use his brain to think when he wants to.

“You have a good sense of taste to be able to identify that. By the way, do you need something? Nino-chan saw you lurking from behind so do you have something to tell?”

“No, I just want to see you because I missed you so much. I wanted to visit the cafe the whole week but my work with a client is too complicated and so I don’t even have time to visit your cafe. I am so lucky that I got to see you again today.” My heart beats faster when he looked directly into my eyes as he said those words without even getting flustered.

“Really? Oh well we are both busy with our own work so it is given that we cannot see each other much.” Even though the truth is I really feel lonely not being able to see you for so long.

“Mamoru-san do you have any plans right now?”

“Well my work just ended and I am on my way home so-“

“Then can ask you to have a dinner with me?” his eyes are shining so bright and I cannot stop myself from avoiding to look from his brightness.

“Okay, but it is your treat right?” Nino’s premonition about a date is really true.

“Yes, of course. I’ll take you to any restaurant you like.”

“I’m not in the mood to eat in a restaurant looking like this.” I may be mistaken as a gangster when I walk in a restaurant.

“Then how about the night market? We can eat from different stalls if it is all right with you.”

“That is a great idea, let’s go.” I never imagined that he actually knows about the night market because I assumed that he is from a well-off family who only knows how to eat in fancy places.

We walked our way towards the busy night market which has just started in this early evening. I can clearly see how excited he is as we walk around the stalls, and so now I don’t know any more if he is just happy about me being with him or he is just happy to see all the food around us.

“Hahahaha, you look like a kid running around Nozomi-san.”

“Well I am just happy to be with you here.” He smile so brightly yet again.

We first stop by the stall which sells yakisoba bread, and then we found a table nearby to eat our food.

“This so fun Mamoru-san, it feels like we are in a festival.”

“You are right, though I haven’t been in a festival for ages.”

“Really? Then do you like to come with next time?”

“Sure but I prefer somewhere nearby from this city.”

“I’ll remember that. Oh I already ate my yakisoba bread, I shall go and buy something else, do you want to eat anything else? I will go and search for it.”

“Then how about a cotton candy and ice cream, any flavour will do.”

“You really love sweet things huh. Okay, I’ll be back so be sure to finish up your yakisoba bread before I come back.”

And then he run off like a little kid.

Did I really not been in any festival for a long time? Then that memory when I was a kid...

“Hey wait for me!” my thoughts are interrupted when two high school students pass by while chasing each other. It feels nostalgic watching them even though I don’t even remember my own high school life and additionally, that strange memory I remembered when I was drunk last night, did I actually have a relationship with a boy back then? But why can’t I remember his face? Why can’t I even remember his name? Are we still in a relationship when ‘that’ accident happened?”

After a few minutes, Nozomi-san came back holding a lot of food with his two hands. “Sorry but there is no ice cream available today so I only have your cotton candy but I also bought a lot of different food so you can choose whatever you like.” He put down everything on our table and handed me the stick of cotton candy.

My eyes focused down on the takoyaki he bought and something in my memory is trying to resurface.

“Mamoru-san do you want the takoyaki? You have been staring at it so seriously for a while now.”

“Ahh no, I’m just thinking of somet—umpp” he suddenly shoved down in my lips the hot takoyaki.

“You don’t have to be shy, just eat it” This guy is seriously an idiot.

I have no choice but to finish eating up the takayoki he forced into me and I didn’t expect that eating it will unlock another forgotten memory of mine. I closed my eyes to focus on it more...

“Mizuki, Mizuki, let’s go to the festival tonight” the boy who is wearing a high school uniform called out to me.

The setting changed in a blink of an eye and we are already in the festival. We are walking around while eating a box of takoyaki.

“Isn’t it fun? I wish that I can spend each day with you like this.” I still cannot see his face clearly but I can see how happy he was with his bright smile directed towards me.

I was too distracted with his smile when he suddenly got the last piece of my takoyaki from my hand and swiftly bites it whole.

“Hey that’s mine! You idiot! Give it back.”

“Hahaha too late, I swallowed it already.”

“Hey Mamoru-san, hey, hey, hey, did your battery run out, hey, hey.” My flashback ended just like that when Nozomi-san started bugging me like a kid seeking for attention and so I lose my focus and was pulled back to reality. How can I figure out things with just a short clip and more importantly it is just about two kids and a piece of takoyaki. It feels like I just watched a cliché commercial of two teen boys flirting over a snack.

“You idiot!” I turn all my frustration towards Nozomi-san and so I actually smack him in the face.

“I’m very sorry! I didn’t mean to force feed you or anything like that so I didn’t expect that you will space out. I actually thought that you choked with the food.”

“I’m not an idiot like you to choke with something simple like this. *sigh* I think I have forgotten to do something so I should be going now.”

“What kind of lame excuse is that? Can you at least think of something specific?” He started pouting like a spoiled kid.

“I swear\, I really have something to do so—“ *ring**ring* “See? They are calling me now.” It was a perfect timing for Nino to give me a call just like how I asked her.

“Hello? What is it?” I answer the call and start acting innocent.

“What do you mean ‘what’? You are the one who asked me to call after an hour.” She sounds a little irritated and I can hear the noise of everyone chattering around her.

“Yes, I know. Sorry for putting you in charge again.”

“Just come back as fast as you can. There is limited edition merchandise that will be out in half an hour so I must get it no matter what.”

“Okay, I promise I’ll be there soon. Bye.” I ended the call and look at Nozomi-san who is still pouting.

“I really should be going now. Thanks for the food, see you tomorrow.” I wave at him and started walking away but then he run after me.

“Wait! Mamoru-san! Before you go, can I call you sometimes? I don’t know when I will be so busy again so I at least wanted to contact you” he looked at me with his pleading eyes that are so bright.

“Sure, but make sure not to call me during my work shift.” How can I resist to such alluring gaze.

I walk back to my place when I suddenly realized that something is wrong. He asked me if he can call me but I never gave him my number in the first place. It is just him who gave me his contact info so is he assuming that I will call him first?

*ring**ring*

I almost jumped out when I hear my phone ringing in my pocket. And surprisingly, it is Nozomi-san calling me.

“Hello?” I hesitantly speak up.

“Mamoru-san this is your number right?”

“How did you know my number?”

“Well you called me last night right? I thought I was just mistaken when I heard your voice but after seeing your injuries today, I concluded that it is really you.”

“Oh I see. Sorry about interrupting your sleep last night. It was an accident calling you in the middle of the night.” This is really embarrassing.

“It is okay. Besides it is a great chance for me to actually get your number. I’m so happy.”

“Hahaha you are really are a weird one Nozomi-san.”

“Well I turn weird when it comes to you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh hahaha nevermind, I am just happy every time you crossed mind.”

“You are getting way better in flirting since I met you.”

“I thought you like flirting so I tried to learn some while I’m away.”

“Technically, I like flirting but I am not used to being the receiving end.”

“Then be used to it starting now because I will never stop until you start to like me.”

“You are way too smooth Nozomi-san. Oh I think I arrived to my appointment, I will hang up now.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow Mamoru-san. Good Night.”

“Good night.” I ended the call and I feel weird smiling while looking at the screen.

Did his cliché way of flirting actually affects me, the great king of flirting Mamoru Mizuki?

“Hey Mizuki! Did your date went well? You are just smiling like an idiot there you know. Come inside now so I can leave.” Nino is standing in front of my door looking at me.

“You can leave now. Thanks for the hard work.”

“You have to pay me for babysitting those brats with the details of your date tomorrow so be prepared, hehehe. See you at work, bye bye.” And then she runs out at full speed to the anime store.

Details of our date huh? Maybe it really went well because my heart is still beating so loud and I cannot stop myself from grinning. Damn it. Did I really find real love and not just a flirting buddy?

Nozomi Hikaru, I really hope that you can show me that you are a worthy person to fall in live with.