Lying is a Sin, A Sin Hanagaki Takemichi Commits Too Often

More Lies - The Seventeenth Promise

September, 2012

"M'hiring some chick so you can stop with yer complaining," Takemichi's boss muttered, not looking up from the newspaper in his fat hands.

He wanted to correct him, he never actually complained to his boss, to his friends, yes. Because it was outrageous that he was expected to basically run the place for the old fat geezer while he was technically only a part time worker who was studying a business and hospitality course at university. He had no time to study and was constantly missing classes. But he did love his job, he loved to bake for people and make them smile when he'd throw in an extra cookie.

"Alright, when will she be starting?"

"Should be 'ere any minute. Train her, I don't want any complaints," he grumbled, turning in his squeaky swivel chair.

"Yes sir," he replied through gritted teeth. Great, now on top of everything, he had to find room to train someone else.

.

The girl bouncing around in front of him was young, about the age he was when he started working here. But she looked keen, so that was a plus he supposed, it would be difficult to train someone who was very antisocial.

"Hello, I'm Hanagaki Takemichi. I'll be showing you the ropes around this place," he introduced himself.

"Very nice to meet you sir! You are very handsome by the way, I was expecting some little old lady." Well she didn't have a filter, that's for one.

Takemichi flushed at the compliment but quickly focused himself, "What's your name?"

"Oh! I'm Nishimura Emi, I'm 15."

"So are you only here on weekends? Or do you not attend school?"

Emi gaped as if he just insulted her mother, "I'm going to be a doctor, of course I'm in school. But yeah, weekends, and some afternoons."

Takemichi just couldn't imagine this girl becoming a doctor, but he couldn't judge, he just met her after all.

"Well Nishimura, there's about half an hour until we open, I'll show you how the register works," he said.

"Okay! Oh, and you can call me Emi. Now let's get started Takemichi-san!"

Well if this girl wanted to become a doctor, she would definitely need to learn a thing or two about respect. Takemichi preferred being referred to by his first name, but a younger person calling an older person by their first name from the get go was pretty disrespectful.

"Ah um, well yeah. Just, come over here please."

.

Emi was...not as bad as he thought. She was very energetic and definitely an over sharer, but she was sweet and seemed like a hard worker. Sure she dropped coffee grounds all over the floor and told a customer to shut up when they interrupted her, but other than that she did very well.

"Good job today Emi, see you next time."

"Thanks for training me, I promise I won't be rude to a customer again or joke about my dead older sister. It's just how I cope."

"That's okay, but people come here to have a nice relaxing experience, okay? So let's try and promote that."

"You got it, Takemichi-san. See ya!"

.

June 20th, 2017

"Takemichi, there is someone out front for you," Ran said, walking into the kitchen.

"Do you know who it is?" Takemichi looked up from the dough he was kneading with Rindou.

"Can't remember his name. Long black hair, sharp teeth?"

"Ah, Baji-kun. Rindou-kun, just continue kneading until it is more firm, but don't over do it, alright?"

"Yep."

He followed Ran out of the kitchen, to be honest, he was surprised to see Baji. The older man didn't usually come by too often without at least one of his partners.

"Hey Baji-kun," he greeted.

Baji flashed a toothy smile, a cupcake in his hand, "Aye Takemichi, these are really good. I love extra frosting."

"Well Rindou-kun actually made those ones, I'll have to let him know you enjoyed them. Did you want to talk about something with me?"

His eyes flickered over to Ran before moving back to Takemichi, "Uh yeah, can you come sit with me? Just for a few minutes."

"Uh sure, not too long thought."

"Won't be at all."

Takemichi is different. Baji wasn't the smartest guy, he didn't hang out with Takemichi too often either, but he knew. Takemichi wasn't the genuine selfless bundle of inspirational joy that he was when he was a teenager. Yes he was still selfless, more than anyone he knows, and he was really good at making others happy, Kazutora's mental state has improved so much over the years partly due to the strong bond he shares with Takemichi. But he was still different. Recently his smiles were smaller and tighter, his eyes didn't crinkle up as much and his laughs were forced. Baji was a very observant person, unbeknownst to many people. And after what Kazutora told him, that he fears Takemichi may be suicidal, he was definitely on edge and felt the need to check up on him. But he didn't want to be blunt, in case he was wrong and maybe Takemichi just matured differently but was still trying to convince everyone that he was the same as he was when he was younger to keep people happy.

"No need to be so nervous, Takemichi, not gonna eat ya," he joked.

"I'm not nervous." A lie. "Just surprised I supposed, haha." A forced polite chuckle to ease the situation.

"Tora was a little worried about you, but he's not feeling so well so I thought I'd check up on you." Kazutora was okay, he was just too shy to confront Takemichi.

"Oh, is he okay?"

"Yeah, Fuyu's with him. But I'm asking about you. How are you? Don't lie to me, I might punch ya." He wouldn't, by the look of Takemichi, a single punch might actually break him.

Takemichi paled and swallowed audibly, "I'm tired."

"Tired of what?...Life?"

"Why are you asking these questions Baji-kun? What did Kazu-kun tell you?"

"Just that he's concerned about your health." A little white lie.

"I just feel conflicted with myself, it's affecting my health I suppose." 'Conflicted with whether or not I should tell my friends I'm dying.'

"Mental health? Are you seeing a therapist?" They can fix motivation, not cancer.

"Don't have the money. Guess you can say the business has made me a little stressed too."

"Then fire one of the brothers, then you can still have help but you won't have to pay as many people. You were doing fine when that young girl worked here."

"I can't fire one of them, it would be showing favouritism and that's not very ethical."

Baji sighed, "Look, what I'm asking is are you happy with life? Should I, or Tora or Fuyu or anyone be worried?"

Yes. Very much so. Should start choosing which suit you're going to wear to my funeral.

"I am happy, I promise Baji-kun. No one needs to be worried, I'm just tired and stressed is all."