Paper Bags

Paper Bags 21

The small 'hole-in-the-wall' was indeed an actual shop in the wall. Haru didn't think Adam had meant it literally, but here it was. It was a quaint looking place with wooden stools in front of square, greying tables and nothing else to decorate the place. If he walked up to the closest wall, he was sure he could see mould judging by the slight tinge of green in between tiny cracks present on it. It didn't look the most sanitary place to grab something to eat, but Adam simply found a seat and sat down.

Clearly, this guy was used to it.

Haru hesitated only for a second before he took a seat in front of the so-called bad boy. Perhaps the man's food choices could be something to ask at a later date. For now, he was more curious of his behaviour toward Rain. The words he had uttered had been harsh even if there were some truths in them. Yet, if she had been someone he liked, he didn't think he could get that angry at her. He scratched the back of his neck. It was why Jason got another chance to prove himself, didn't he?

Or that could be because of their long friendship and he wanted to believe his best friend was the man he had known for so long.

Tossing that thought away, he focused his attention back at Adam who had flagged down a waiter. The lanky with limbs that seemed a bit too long for a slim figure appeared close to their table, eyes staring down at the Haru's companion. Adam didn't bother to look surprised that he was being practically glared at. If it had been anyone else, Haru was sure they would have been creeped out.

"What would you like?" the waiter asked, his monotonous voice matched the bored look on his face.

Adam glanced at Haru and then said, "Fried noodles. With those seasoned scallops of yours. Two."

"Hey, what if I'm allergic to seafood?"

"Are you?"

The question stumped him for a second before he shook his head. He was not allergic to seafood, but it didn't mean he couldn't be. Adam simply raised his eyebrows as if he was proving a point. Huffing his breath, he leaned into his chair and looked away from the infuriating man before him. There weren't many people in here, much to his surprise. Just outside of here, there had been a crowd heading to somewhere and since this hole in the wall was close by, he was sure they would be lining up to get in here.

A certain suspicion settled in his mind.

Maybe the food here wasn't as nice as he thought it would be? Perhaps Adam brought him out here to watch him make faces as he ate disgusting gloop.

"Whatever stupid thing you're thinking about, it's not it," Adam said, startling him from his thoughts.

"I'm not thinking about anything," Haru said, his cheeks warming.

"Sure," Adam said, though his tone was clear that he wasn't believing him.

Not wanting to let the other man win, he quickly said, "That was quite harsh, the way you spoke to Rain, I mean."

There was a moment of pause in between them. It wasn't how he wanted to ask the question, but it was out now and there was nothing he could do. Instead, he stared at Adam and waited for him to answer the question. His heart skipped a beat in nervousness, though. While he had been curious, he didn't want to overstep the boundaries. The last thing he wanted was to piss the bad boy wannabe. For once, it wasn't because he was scared of him, but because he didn't want to make him angry.

"Harsh?" Adam said, leaning away a little from the table and crossed his arms against his chest. His body posture may look like he was relaxed but Haru wasn't stupid to not notice the tensed shoulders. "What do you mean?"

Swallowing past his dry throat when he realised he already dug himself into a hole he had been trying to avoid, he said, "I mean... yeah, what Rain did wasn't very nice, but maybe the way you said it was a bit..." Haru showed his right hand, lessening the gap between his thumb and pointer finger until there was a little space between them. "You know, harsh."