Love, On Read (MxM)

Chapter 20: Goosebumps and Aprons

A/N: Some wholesome Haruto and Ollie time; aka Ollie experiencing simping hours.

Ollie's POV

Aside from the cafe's chime and trying to catch our breaths, the cafe was silent as we entered it. Janice and Mi-young were still at the cafe when we walked in, completely soaked from running the streets. They looked at us curiously as they slowly went back to cleaning the shop, exchanging quiet words between themselves.

Although Haruto was fit, he took deep breaths as he ran a hand through his dark locks. "How's your bag? Did it get drenched?"

I looked down at it, and although it did get wet, Haruto's suit did prevent it from being thoroughly soiled. "It's fine."

He was relieved, and I wondered how he could still be smiling despite how soaked his clothes were—and I mean completely soaked; the white undershirt was not hiding anything as he stood there. I shrugged his jacket off before handing it to him. "I'll pay for the dry cleaning, or whatever, and thanks for lending it to me. You didn't have to do that, and now you're probably going to catch a cold."

He grinned, his dimples deepening. "I'll live, and as I said, it's not a problem about the jacket. I feel worse about letting us get caught in the rain like that. Probably wasn't your idea of fun."

"I did," I said a bit harshly before clearing my throat slightly. "I did have fun, I mean. I wish I had known how good the food was there."

"We can always go again when it's not raining, of course. Some vendors only work during the day, while others work only on certain days. There's one that makes the best cheeseburgers with wagyu beef. It's a bit pricier, but she adds this amazing homemade honey and garlic butter on the fries." He walked us over to the table, setting his things down. "I can take you next time. She's only there on Thursdays, though."

Haruto's hair was still dripping wet as he stood next to the table.

"I'd love to try it," I finally told him before pointing to the backroom. "Did you want to change into something dry? You said there might be something in the back."

He glanced over before grinning again. "I'll be right back; there might be some towels or something too."

I almost laughed as the waterlogged shoes of his squeaked with every step he took towards the backroom, and watching the girls smile indicated that they had heard it too. They continued cleaning the glasses and other equipment as it was past closing time, and only the four of us were in here. Aside from the curious looks, it seemed they didn't find it strange that Haruto was here on his off days or past closing time. Haruto practically lived here, and I wondered morbidly who else he had probably brought here after closing time or on his off days.

Although Haruto's coat was practically ruined with rain, I folded it gently and placed it on the adjacent table, fiddling with my hands. A small part of me felt the urge to ask his coworkers if they had known about this mysterious person he had mentioned, but first, Haruto would be back any second, and second, I wouldn't put it past them to snitch and tell Haruto that I had asked. As lovely as they were, I'm sure they love to gossip with him during their shifts.

As I debated the pros and cons of it in my head, Haruto strolled out, still in his soaked pants but now donning a pastel pink t-shirt and a pair of what looked to be house slippers. Draped on his arm were a few small hand towels and an umbrella that hung from his wrist.

"Not my proudest fashion moments, but it'll do," he joked, his dress pants still dripping water all over the floor. He placed one of the towels, on the top of my head, ruffling my hair a bit before adding on, "here you go. We don't have full towels, just hand towels."