Moving to Japan after living in the States her whole life Kingston Kozue is going to have to get used to a new life. Her life hasn't been easy, she's lost so much and she isn't prepared to lose anymore.
She had hoped to get through the next two year...
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It was a weekend, and the young Kingston girl was working in her mother's café. She could feel a strong gaze on her and eventually had enough as she sighed, turning to meet her mother's curious stare.
"What is it?" She asked monotoned and the brown eyed woman narrowed her eyes.
"It's the weekend honey, the shops not that busy, so why not go out with your friends instead?" She asked and Kozue shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't have any." She replied nonchalantly just as the doorbell to the shop rang.
"That hurts! I thought we official became friends just the other day?" A familiar voice whined, and she turned to see Mikey with a playful pout on his face, before sending her a quick wink.
She is surprised to see him here and her mother's eyes sparkled.
"They sure are some handsome boys." Her mother whispered to which made the steel eyed girl roll her eyes. "So you two are friends of my daughters?" She asked switching her gaze back to the two teens, and Mikey nodded.
"Sure are ma'am."
"What are you doing here?" Kozue asked the blonde boy who already made it to the counter while his tall friend was still back at the entrance.
"I came to get some dorayaki. I didn't know you worked here. Can you bake?!" Mikey asked excitedly, his eyes sparkling in awe.
"I-"
"Yes, she can." Her mother cut her off and she turned to send her mother a warning glare, though she only giggled as she moved to give them some space... just a little though.
"Wow, I'd love you to make me something one day Kou-chin! I bet you make the best dorayaki!" He said as he leaned his cheek in the palm of his hand resting on the counter dreamily.
"Are you actually going to order?" She asked and Mikey looked behind him realising there were a few other people behind him.
He gestured for them to go first before taking his spot back in front of her.
"I'll take a dozen dorayaki please." He said sweetly flashing her a closed eye smile.
"Sure." She said packing his order with her usual stoic look and he frowned.
"Aren't you going to ask why I'm getting so many?" He quipped and she looked to Draken with an odd look, and he pressed his lips into a thin line as he tried not to laugh.
"Do I have to?" She asked looking back to Mikey while Draken busted out a laugh. Mikey pouted at her which made her sigh. "Fine, why are you ordering so many dorayaki Sano?"
"So that I can share some with you of course!" He cheered and she furrowed her brows.
"Why would you want to share?" She asked slowly and confused.
"Because we're hanging out today!"
"I can't, I'm working." She said before she felt soft hands rest on her shoulders making her flinch.
"Go on sweetheart, I can manage on my own." Her mother's voice came from above her and she shook her head.
"No ma, it's okay really-"
"Great! We'll bring her back in one piece. Promise!" Mikey said excitedly as he grabbed her wrist leading her out of the shop. "Nice meeting you Mrs Kingston!"
Kiyoko smiled longingly as she watched the three exit the shop.
'That boy looks at Kozue the same way I used to look at my Gray.' She smiled reminiscing the fond days she had with her late husband.
'Please bring my baby the same happiness my Gray brought me.'
~*~
"Sorry about the way I acted the other day, I shouldn't have lost my cool so quickly." Draken apologise and she shook her head dismissively.
"It's fine, I suppose I acted out of hand too." She said sheepishly scratching the back of her neck, an action which surprised him. She looked so pretty in such a normal moment that he couldn't help but blush just a smidge.
"Great to hear my two best friends have made up." Mikey clapped his hands excitedly and Draken gave him an eye roll while the other just looked at him confused.
"I'm not your best friend. We just became friends the other day." She stated plainly and Mikey ignored the arrow that just pierced his heart severely.
"That doesn't matter I still consider you my best friend." He said smiling brightly at her.
"You're pushing it." She warned and his eyes widen before holding his hands up in surrender.
"Sorry, sorry! It's just... I already know you're going to be my best friend." He said lowly as he corrects himself, and Kozue's eyes widen briefly before a small smile tugged at her lips. Sometimes his boldness really got to her, and she couldn't help but feel a little giddy about it. Mikey was so stunned at her reaction that his jaw dropped slightly. But before he could shower her in compliments and praise, Draken cleared his throat.
"Well, I'm off to meet Emma. I'll catch you two later." He said raising a dismissive hand and Mikey shouted a goodbye while Kozue gave a short wave.
"And then there were two." Mikey piped up as he reached for her hand, but she flinched slightly not used to such sudden touch by someone she wasn't entirely used to.
"What are we doing anyway?" Kozue asked pulling her hand from Mikey's grip who was saddened she pulled away but had already come to realise she wasn't very touchy.
He would snap her out of that very fast, respectfully.
"Well... I want to fight you." He said seriously as he turned to face her properly and she furrowed her brows in confusion.
"What happened to your 'no hitting girls' policy?" She asked a little amused, which only earned her a meek shrug of the shoulders.
"It still applies of course, but I really want to fight someone strong like you! After all, you brought down the Haitani brothers, 50 men and Ken-chin!" He all but shouted and she looked at him sceptically.
"How... how did you know about the Haitani's and those other guys?" She asked and he frowned.
'So it really is true.'
"Well, it was just a thought, but you confirmed it for me just now." He smiled cheekily and her eyes darted to the side. He wanted to grab her hands again, but he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, so he instead moved into her gaze.
"Come on please? I just want to see how I would fair against you." He begged and a short silence washed over them before she sighed.
"Alright fine." She said taking a defensive stance, but he quickly stopped her.
"Wait! Not here."
"Huh? Then where?" She asked and he smirked.
"Let's go to my dojo."
~.~*~.~
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