𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 -𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗈

TWO: Grey Sky, Two Cups of Coffee, and.. Us

Choso's PoV

"What do you mean you can help me?" I asked, slightly suspicious but still willing to listen to whatever she might offer. She takes her phone out from her pocket and dialed a number, walking far away from me so I couldn't hear the conversation between her and the person she called.

I kept my eyes on her while I think about what she wants from me. I obviously know what she's known for but, I don't know who she is. I'm sure that everyone thinks that way too but they're distracted by what she appears as to them, taking their minds away from getting to know more about her. At least that's what I observed when it comes to the popular students here. Well, no one's as popular and desirable as her.

The first time I heard about her, my first thought was: 'Is she alright?' With slight concern for her. But I suppose I also didn't like her with the way she just discards people without showing guilt or any remorse for causing those people pain. Why does she do this, I wonder.

Rumors about her contained the words of: "If you get close to her, she'll either date you and make it look like you're living your dream or she'll make you suffer", "I'm only hanging around her because she's hella rich.", "I heard she'll buy you whatever you want if you befriend her.", "She's got a nasty personality.", "Well... I guess I like her? Who wouldn't like her though, her whole  family's loaded and has a lot of connections."

It's like everyone sees her differently and there's no reliable source to ask about who she really is. Am I curious about her?... perhaps.

"You have debts to pay and siblings to send to school, right?" I was too lost in my thoughts that I didn't see she was standing in front of me. "Hurry up and answer me." She added, sounding impatient.

Why is she asking about that? "..You're right." I answered anyway. She holds her phone to her ear again, "I got the confirmation. You know what to do." She said before hanging up and put her phone back in her pocket.

"What did you do?" I asked her. She snickered, "I hate how dense you are." She muttered. She lifts her leg up and it looked like she was gonna kick me but, she kicks the fence and leaned towards me. "Don't you get it? You're dating me now." She confidently smirked, holding up the lighter that I lent to her then lighting up a cigarette held between her teeth, exhaling the smoke towards my face.

This wasn't how I expected to be asked out. Heck, I should've been the one asking women out, but one just told me that we're already dating. Though, I'm sure that dating her comes with a price.

"Just think of this as a deal.. or a contract, rather. You date me and your siblings get to have the best education. You're the sole provider for your only family, right?" But why is she speaking with sympathy if people say that she has a rude personality? "I'll make your life better." And her smile... wait, I never heard of anyone who saw her smile.

Why does that even matter now. I'm facing a generous offer that could change my family's life for the better, they don't need to sacrifice anything because I'm the oldest. I'll do anything to give my siblings the best life.

"I'll do it." And as soon as I gave her my answer, what came next surprised me to my core. She had me pinned against the fence and her lips were on mine. She caught me off guard and this is what happens to me. Can my day get any more shocking than it is now? That aside, I'll give her the credit on being a great kisser.

She pulls away and lifts my chin up with her finger, "Let's have coffee. Come on." She didn't even wait for me to regain my composure, she just grabbed my wrist and dragged me.

At the Café
Ayako's PoV

I lean my chin on my hand and I looked at him while he was drinking his coffee. I can tell that he's still hung up on what happened earlier at the rooftop. It's not my fault that he looked a little.. cute earlier. I normally don't kiss the people I date after the part that I say we're dating. I guess he's a special case.

"Tell me about your family." I said. He seems to react to the word "family" with the way his eyes brightened up, maybe his siblings popped up in his head when I said the word. I quietly scoff in amusement as I watch and listen to him talk about his family. 'Cute...'

As he was talking about his family– his younger siblings, I didn't notice the coffee that's gone cold. The sky is grey since it just rained, the atmosphere was supposed to be cold but, I felt warm as I was listening to him talk.

"You really cherish your siblings, huh." I said. "They're all I have and I'm the one they look up to. Even if I have my hard times, I remember their faces and their encouraging words that kept me going. I'll do anything to keep them happy and protected." He's really interesting. So that's how he treats his family.

"We're sorry, Ayako, but here... you can go to the mall with your friends with this."

"Milady, these are the gifts from your parents. They added some compensation for being late."

"We can't attend the event. We're sorry, Ayako."

"What about you?" I broke off my trance and I noticed his gaze on me. "What?", "What about you? What's your family like?" What's he talking about? "Why should I tell you." I picked up the cup of coffee but it was cold now so I placed it down again.

"Shouldn't we get to know each other better if we're dating each other?" The question pierced through my head like an arrow that came from him. "Wait... don't tell me you never–", "–SHUT UP!" I abruptly stood and knocked the chair down then stormed out of the café.

"Wait!!" I hear his footsteps catching up to me and it wasn't long until he held me back by my wrist. "I'm sorry." Now why is he apologizing? He's so strange. I look back and see him with an expression that was unfamiliar to me, but it reassured me for some reason.

"Your situation is different from mine and I was too engrossed with talking about my family without being aware of your own. It's pretty insensitive of me and.. for that, I'm sorry." I was at a loss of words from his apology. This is the first time I heard an apology from someone that didn't make me feel sick to my stomach. I was so sick of hearing empty apologies and I thought it would be the same this time, but it's not.

"Oh, I remember that I have a question for you." He said. "What is it?" I ask him. "Are we on a first name basis now?" I stared at him in silence for a few seconds. He looked confused by my silence which pushed me to the edge, "PFFT–" I burst out laughing. "What... what's so funny about my question??" I laughed even more when he asked another question in a clueless manner.

"Tell me, Ayako. What's so funny about it?" He asked in a serious tone, pulling me toward him and our eyes met when I landed in his arms. I was speechless for a full minute and there was a change in his expression. "Pfft, you should've seen the look on your face." He said, chuckling.

"YOU–", "–Now, now, let's continue our coffee date." ...How did things turn out this messy??