Treat You Better

Chapter 3

Kojiro unlocked the front door to Sia La Luce and flicked on the main lights. He walked into the kitchen, tied on his apron, and set to work. Wash hands, wipe down the counters, meet the produce truck out back, its all a set rhythm that he works by on the daily. He carried the boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables into the restaurant, and a box of cherries caught his eye. 

"Hmph," he let out with a smirk. "I wonder how he's feeling..." Kojiro thought. "He left in such a hurry, I wasn't able to check on him too closely. He's gonna push himself too far one of these days..." As he continued to unpack the boxes, he pulled out a bottle of champagne. "Ah, a Veuve Clicquot, that takes me back."

...

"Wow, you look great, Pinky," A younger, more innocent Kojiro stood in front of younger Kaoru outside an ornate Parisian Restaurant. "Did you do something different with your hair...?"

"I- no, it's just how I wore it to my meeting with my client." Kaoru said matter-of-factly. "Well, I planned a busy night for us, shall we begin?" he said, opening the door for Kojiro. 

"Gladly," Kojiro replied with a beaming smile.

The two were seated, and a waitress came up to them and introduced herself, offering them a drink menu. Kaoru, prepared as always, had already researched the best Parisian champagnes for them to try and what entrees were best at this particular restaurant. 

"Thank you," he said politely. "But we'll have bottle of a Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label, please."

Kojiro looked on, impressed by his astuteness. He was captivated by the way Kaoru's hair spilled over his shoulders, and the way his eyes sparkled behind his glasses as he talked to the waitress. Then, as he turned his head back down toward the table, Kojiro caught a slight glint by his ear. Had he...? No, he had a meeting today. Unless...

Their night went on beautifully, though admittedly, Kojiro can't remember most of it. That champagne was delicious though. What he does remember is a walk on the river banks of the Seine, the soft and fuzzy glow of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.  They just strolled around, slightly buzzed, talking and laughing. The top button of Kojiro's shirt was undone and his tie hung loosely around his neck, but Kaoru looked presentable as ever, not bothered by the warmth of the night. 

"Oh, Kaoru," 

"What did I say about calling me that..."

"Right, right, 'Cherry'," Kojiro replied mockingly. "Anyways, I just wanted to..." he paused to place his hand on Kaoru's shoulder. He jumped slightly, surprised by the sudden touch. He looked up to lock eyes with Kojiro, who was staring intently back. A soft breeze rustled across their knees and the whole world stood still for a moment. The stars sparkled with anticipation and the moon shone only for them. 

"I," Kojiro started, but he never finished. He brushed his hand up to Kaoru's soft neck, brushing a bit of hair away, and leaned his face in close. 

An intense blush rose to Kaoru's face, and made the tips of his ears feel hot. "Kojiro, what are- what..." and without thinking, lost in Kojiro's eyes, he slowly fluttered his eyes closed, but his lips remained bare. He peeked his eyes open again to see Kojiro staring intently. Not at him, but ever so slightly to the right. 

"Ah-ha! I knew it!" Kojiro declared. Kaoru shook out of the trance he was in moments before. 

"I- what?" He exclaimed. 

"Back at the restaurant, I thought I saw you had an earring in." he explained. "So, I knew I needed to see if my old friend was reverting back to our high school days!"

"What? My ear..." Kaoru was still becoming fully aware of what had just happened. "My earring? I thought you wanted to, to-"

"To what?" Kojiro inquired, still not fully sober.

"To... never mind. Let's go back to the hotel."

"Okay, if you say so..."

...

"...sir... Sir!" A foreign voice snapped Kojiro out of his daydream. "Sir, can you hear me? Sign this please." The man said, pushing a pen and clipboard into Kojiro's hands. 

"I- right. Sorry about that." Kojiro said, taking the paperwork and quickly signing off on it. "Here." 

"Thanks, have a good day." The delivery man said as he walked back to his truck. 

Kojiro went back to his work, welcoming in early patrons with a million dollar smile. He returned to the kitchen and began cooking, but he couldn't shake the thought of that night with Kaoru. Throughout the day, Kojiro kept finding little bits of Kaoru in everything he did. An older man came in wearing a yukata, a woman was fanning herself as she entered. Kids skated by the front windows, joking and laughing. 

Hours passed, and the time to close up had arrived once again. Kojiro stopped for a moment. "I wonder if Kaoru's still at work," he thought, glancing at the clock. He pulled out his phone, and opened his messages.

"Hey, Pinky, what time are you going home today?" he texted. A minute or two went by, and he heard the phone vibrate on the table. He walked over to see Kaoru's reply.

"Relatively soon; if you're asking about S, I intend to go tonight."

"Ok, good to know." He set his phone down, and jumped into action. In a flash, he whipped up some smashed tomato pasta, Kaoru's favorite thing to order when he came to Sia La Luce. He placed it in a box, and cleaned up. As he left out the back, he grabbed his skateboard and headed towards Kaoru's house.

He arrived at a dark home. He beat him. He waited around, practicing little jumps and tricks on his board. Not 10 minutes had gone by, and Kojiro heard the click- clack of Kaoru's sandals on the sidewalk. He propped up his board, and grabbed the box of pasta. 

Kaoru turned the corner, and jaw dropped. "I- you, you gorilla! What are you doing here?" He sputtered. 

Kojiro held out the box proudly, and exclaimed: "Dinner!"

"I don't recall asking Carla to order me food," Kaoru thought.

"Exactly, I don't want you going hungry." he reasoned. "Plus, its your favorite!" He teasingly cracked open the box. "C'mon, you know you want it!"

"I.... fine." Kaoru obliged. "Well, would you, would you like to come in for tea?"

Kojiro gave a knowing smirk and said, "Absolutely."