The Yakuza's flower

Our Days

Hanayama Pov

Last night Ume and I went to dinner at a nice restaurant that Kizaki recommended to me. During our dinner Ume was talking to me about some of the foods she used to eat when she lived in her birth country. She was very passionate about everything she was telling me, to the point that she even suggested that she wanted to cook me some of the foods she grew up with so I could try them. I was trying my best to pay attention to the conversation, but I was mostly admiring her... I noticed Every time she ended a sentence her mouth would curve into a simple but beautiful smile, and her eyes- "Hanayama?" I heard her call my name, but I didn't catch what she said before calling me.

I just nodded my head to play it off.

"So, you would?" she asked cheerfully.

"Yes, just let me know when." I responded to her without even knowing what she asked previously, but it didn't matter because I found out the next day.

The Next day Ume and I were at Baki's place because Ume told Kozue That she wanted to cook some of her favorite traditional foods and that's when I remembered what she asked me.

"The foods almost done, Baki come with me to get some refreshments at the store." Kozue Yelled to Baki who was in his little basement, training a bit. She walked past me and waited for him by the door. Baki eventually came up from the basement and made his way to Kozue "Alright, I'll be back. Do you want a specific drink Hanayama?" He asked me. "No" I replied to him.

Once they left to make a quick trip to the store, it was only me and Ume in his little house.

"I hope you are hungry because we just made a lot of food, both tradition and international cuisine." Ume said to me in her cheerful like tone as she brought some of the food that they made to the floor table that Baki had. I looked at her and smirked a little bit. "Guess it means we won't be going hungry huh?" I joked and she laughed. I smiled when she started laughing, when she smiles or laughs it's just enough for me.

Ume went back to the kitchen area to check on the food that was almost about to be done.

While waiting I was seated at the table already and was looking around Baki's little studio. It looked smaller to me, but I guess it's only because I haven't been here in a while. Not only that but I see a lot of Kozue things in his house.

I guess this means that they are living together?

"Hmm" I murmured to myself as I lost myself in thought for a moment thinking of the words "living together."

Thinking about it reminded me about the beach trip.

Ever since our night together at the beach house I've been visiting Ume as much as I can to make sure she's okay. Also, because I want and need to see her. I don't know if it's because she left before I woke up, but it made me feel like I need to keep an eye on her.

...

Once she was done organizing the table with the food, she took a seat next to me.

"You look lost in thought what's wrong?" She asked me and I was shocked. How did she -?  I'm usually told I'm hard to read but she just reads me easily.

"Come over tonight." I told her to change the subject.

"Tonight? The beach house is pretty far and I-" I cut her off when she mentioned the beach house. "No, Not the beach house, my place." I said to her, and she looked surprised. "Whoa, inviting me to your actual house this time, am I talking to the right hanayama?" she teased. "Yes, or no?" I asked her because she was stalling.

"Hmm" she said thoughtfully "okay" she replied to me with a smile on her face. I reached my hand out to caress her cheek and she started blushing. "Tonight then." I said to her before moving my hand away when I heard Kozue and Baki coming back.