Chapter 5: "Couple? No! We're not a couple!"

Theo: It's....

(At that moment Akiyo was nearby. Theo accidentally saw her and looked shocked.)

Theo: Akiyo!

Celine: A-akiyo? You like Aki?

(Meanwhile, Akiyo saw them and hurriedly hid inside an alleyway. )

Aki: Did they see me? Oh no! I should get out of here.

(Akiyo ran as fast as she could and head back home. Celine was still confused of what Theo just had said.)

Celine: You like Aki?

Theo: N-no! I just think I saw her from there.

Celine: Oh...that's a relief.

Theo: Why so?

(Celine had her eyes wide open as she unknowingly said that.)

Celine: Uhh nothing! It's a relief that..ummm

(The bus finally came and Celine used it as an excuse.)

Celine: The bus! It's a relief the bus finally came! I gotta go now Theo. Thank you for tonight.

Theo: Okay. Bye!

(Celine went inside the bus and waved at him. Theo waved back. As soon as Theo was out of Celine's sight, she felt relieved. )

Celine: *sigh* That was close. What were you thinking Celine? It's not your business whether he likes anyone or not...

[ THE NEXT DAY ]

    Another day of school has finally ended. Students were so excited to go home as it is the weekend by tomorrow. This time, Akiyo and Theo are on their way out, talking.

Theo: Thank you guys so much for what you did yesterday.

Aki: Wait... You knew?

Theo: Of course! Silly. *laughs* You guys were too obvious. You even made lame excuses and sent the message at the same time.

Aki: Did Celine notice?

Theo: I don't think so. But despite all that, your plan still worked. I was able to walk her to the bus station and got to know her better.

Aki: Then the plan was unsuccessfully successful! *laughs*

(They both started laughing and enjoying the moment.)

Theo: By the way, I think I saw you yesterday near the bus station.

Aki: You actually did?

Theo: So, that was really you?

Aki: Yes, I was about to spy on you guys to know if our plan worked but I wasn't careful enough.

Theo: You should have done it discreetly if you were to spy on us. You'll probably fail if you take spying or investigations as your profession. *laughs*

Aki: Yeah, yeah. Thank you for that.

(Akiyo looked at him in an upset way. Theo started laughing more.)

Theo: You know, I'm really thankful for having you by my side. When I'm with you, I could be myself and laugh all I want.

Aki: If that's the case then you have to treat me some time!

Theo: Well, we could go and eat at a nearby cafe and hang out today.

Aki: Wait, you'll really treat me?

(Akiyo smiled cutely and leaned towards Theo. Theo then again felt she was too close and had his cheeks all red.)

Theo: H-hey! Personal space!

Aki: Oops! Sorry. Soooo do you really mean what you just said?

Theo: Y-yes. Now let's go.

(Theo walked away first, trying to calm himself as he shouldn't feel that way because he has Celine in his heart.)

Theo: What's wrong with you Theo! *exhale* She was just too close, that's it.

Aki: What are you mumbling about?

Theo: I-It's nothing.

Aki: Were you thinking about Celine?

(Akiyo repeatedly moved her eyebrows up and down to tease him.)

Theo: Fine, I'll go by myself. Bye Akiyo!

Aki: *laughs* Hey wait!

[ AT THE CAFE ]

    Akiyo and Theo sat on a vacant seat and went to order snacks.

Aki: Can I order this?

Theo: Yes.

Aki: And this one too? Oohh! How about this one?

Theo: Order all you want, just make sure you'll finish everything.

Aki: Yay! Thank you!

(She smiled at him and excitement could be seen in her eyes. Theo was again too stunned to speak as she looked adorable that way.)

Theo: S-stop that Theo!

Aki: What?

Theo: Nothing.

Aki: You know, you mumble so much today. Shouldn't you go see the doctor?

Theo: And what kind of sickness will I be diagnosed then?

Aki: Mumblenitis *giggles*

Theo: That's not funny for your information.

Aki: What a boring old man.

Theo: B-boring old man?

Aki: Yeah, what else could you be?

Theo: Well, tease this 'boring old man' here again then you'll have to pay everything all by yourself.

Aki: Pffttt.

[ A FEW MINUTES LATER ]

    The waiter arrives with their orders. There were tons of desserts and sweets on their table and Theo was incredibly astonished to see how she ordered so many.

Theo: You can finish all that?

Aki: Of course!

(Akiyo starts eating almost everything while Theo watched her in amazement with a slice of cake in front of him.)

Aki: *chewing*Mmm... This is tasty.

Theo: Stop talking or you'll choke.

(Akiyo continued eating and Theo noticed how there was chocolate cream on her face—specifically near her lips as she probably had that as she was eating.)

Theo: Hey, there's chocolate on your face.

Aki: Really? Where?

(Theo pointed where it was and Akiyo struggled to wipe it with tissue.)

Aki: There's nothing.

Theo: No, there actually is. It's on the upper right side near your lips.

Aki: You're kidding me right?

Theo: Yeessh! Why don't you believe me. Here, let me do it.

(Theo stood up from his chair, took the tissue out of her hand and gently wipes the chocolate cream out of her face.)

Theo: You're such a baby. Why can't you wipe this one prop—

(At that moment, their eyes met. Theo's hand was still on her face. They both suddenly felt embarrassed. Theo immediately took his hands away and sat on his chair.)

Theo: I-I'm sorry.

Aki: It's fine, thank you.

(She continued eating but this time the atmosphere was pretty awkward.)

[ HALF AN HOUR LATER ]

    Akiyo and Theo finished eating and finally paid for the bill. There were about to head out and go home when suddenly one of the waiter called them.

WAITER: Excuse me, sir? Miss?

(Both of them looked back to see whether they were the one being called)

Aki: Us?

WAITER: Yes.

Theo: Do you need anything?

WAITER: Well, our cafe usually take pictures of couples that come here and then we post it in our social media account. Do you mind if we take a picture of you two standing in front of the cafe?

(Theo and Akiyo was surprised to hear her say that.)

Aki: Sorry but we're not a co—

WAITER: Oh come on now, don't be shy.

(The waiter smiles teasingly and Akiyo was dumbfounded.)

Theo: We're really not a coupl—

WAITER: You guys were really sweet together earlier and you guys match so well, so please?

Aki: But I don't think it's a—

WAITER: Please? One picture won't hurt, won't it?

(Theo and Akiyo looked at each other.)

Theo: If it helps promote you cafe then—

WAITER: Alright!! Please stand here and look sweet together.

(Theo and Akiyo stood in front of the cafe and posed formally.)

WAITER: Don't be embarrassed...Please get closer.

(They moved closer.)

WAITER: Closer..

(They moved closer again. Their shoulders touched and they were both petrified.)

WAITER: Perfect, now one more thing.

(She went near them and grabbed Theo's hand and placed it on Akiyo's shoulders. She then came running back to her position to take the picture.)

WAITER: That's perfect!

(Akiyo and Theo looked at each other shyly.)

WAITER: You guys can look at each other as much as you want later, but for now please look at the camera! 3, 2, 1. Smile!

(A FEW MINUTES LATER )

    Akiyo and Theo finished taking the photo and was walking out to finally head home.

Theo: What a weird waiter.

Aki: I agree, she was too persistent.

Theo: She even mistook us as a cou—

(Their eyes met and despite the time that passed by since the picture, they were still shy. They immediately looked away.)

Aki: I have to go now. Bye!

Theo: Bye!

(They went on their different ways.)

Theo: Now that was....embarrassing.

[ THE NEXT DAY ]

    Akiyo was waiting for Celine at the bus station to go to the mall to buy the cake and a present for her mom since it's her birthday today.

Aki: Where is she?

(Suddenly, her phone rang.)

Aki: Hello?

Celine: Aki!

Aki: Celine? Where are you?

Celine: I'm sorry I couldn't go. My parents will take me somewhere today, they said it's for something important.

Aki: Oh I see, it's alright Celine. Enjoy your trip!

Celine: Sorry, please tell Mrs. Roseifinn that I can't go.

Aki: Don't be sorry Celine, it's really fine. I'll explain it to her later.

Celine: Thank you Aki. Well, talk to you later!

Aki: Alright! Have a safe trip!

(Akiyo hang up.)

Aki: Well, I guess I have to go alone now.

(Akiyo started walking towards the mall, but suddenly it started to rain.)

Aki: Oh no!

(She was about to run to find shelter but suddenly, her sandal strap broke.)

Aki: Why did this have to happen now? Silly sandals.

(She knelt down in attempt to fix it, but failed.She was now all wet, when suddenly Theo came with an umbrella. He extended his arms to cover Akiyo from the rain.)

Theo: Need a hand?

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