𝕋𝕠𝕜𝕪𝕠 ℕ𝕚 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕦 (𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓)

2 "365 days before happiness"

For a year now I have been brought up under the watchful eye of Miss Mayumi.  It is quite an interesting experience because, unlike my biological family, Inosute is understanding and takes care of me 24/7.

It's also interesting that she manages to deal with someone as mentally ill as I am, but that's a topic for another time.

Recently, Mrs. Inosute allowed me to make a small tattoo on the border of the neck, collarbone and shoulder, depicting an eye done in a rather angular way.

Well, okay, because we're not talking about some kind of tattoo here.  I wanted to present a rather interesting situation that happened some time ago.

As usual on Saturdays, I helped my "nanny" in the coffee shop.  Her boss somehow allowed this to happen.  Seriously, there's something wrong with these people.

I was clearing the tables as usual and bringing the goods that the customers ordered.  Everything would be like every day, when suddenly behind me I heard a low voice saying:

"Aren't you too young to work, little guy?"

I turned around and saw two guys sitting at one of the tables.

The first was of medium height with pitch-black, piercing eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair that was tied up at the top and left loose on the sides.

The second one was quite tall.  Quite is not even an understatement.  Also, like his companion, he had black eyes and blonde hair.  His hairstyle, however, was a bit more interesting - cross-sectional strands were neatly braided, but only those passing through the middle of the head.  The sides of his head were shaved, revealing his dragon tattoo on his left temple.

I thought for a moment, staring at the two figures.  I was curious that people like them would pay attention to someone like me.

Thinking this way, I completely forgot about the question asked by one of them.

"I don't work here."  I replied a bit indifferently.  "I'm just helping. And besides, I'm not a "little guy" 'cause I'm female."

"Are you serious?"  asked the shorter one.  "You don't look much like a girl. Sorry for that."

"Cool."  I even smiled.  "I actually like it when people mistake me for a boy. I'm flattered."

The shorter one looked at me confused.  The other one obviously understood what I meant.  It was obvious from his facial expression and eyesight.

"Ken-chin?"  the smaller blond replied.  "Will you buy me some cake?"  he put on a pleading face, which actually looked funny.

Ken-chin.  First time I hear something like this.  Or maybe it's a nickname for "Ken"? Mere guesswork rarely leads to facts.

"Sure."  Ken-chin replied in a slightly broken tone.

The joy of his companion was indescribable.  He enjoyed a small piece of cake like a child.

"Sorry about him."  he turned to me.  "He's like that."

"I don't mind. I'm a psychopath, for example, so you know."

He just nodded.

"Which do you want, Mikey?"  he said to his friend with a smile.  Gosh... I don't think anyone's smile has ever looked so... pretty to me before.

"I hesitate between strawberry one and chocolate. How about putting some strawberries on this chocolate one? It would even be a good combination."

"We'll see what Mrs. Inosute has to say about that."  I replied, then walked over to the counter and began to explain to the woman what had happened.

Even though I was talking to her, she kept looking at the two boys.

I waved my hand in front of her eyes, and she abruptly looked away from them and looked at me.

"It scares me the way you look at them."  I replied shortly.

"Sorry."  she smiled stupidly.  "So what did you say to me?"

"Why are you staring at them so much?"

"You won't let go, right?"

I nodded.  Mrs. Inosute already knew me well.  She knew that if I was curious about something, I wouldn't let go until I got an answer to my doubts.

"All right."  she sighed.  "The shorter blond guy is Manjiro - my friend's younger brother. I've known Manjiro since he was a kid. We lost contact over the last year because... my friend is dead."

"I see."  I replied.  By the way, I learned some interesting information thanks to this conversation.

When I had dealt with all my duties, I sat down to Manjiro and "Ken-chin".

Our conversation could go on forever.  I felt so... happy!  Finally, someone didn't push me away at the very beginning, because "I am what I am". It was quite the opposite! Even if what I do or what I like seemed strange to them, they tried to understand me. Especially Ken-chin, who turned out to be  only called that way by Mikey, he prefers the nickname "Draken" though he'll end up differently because of me anyway.

Since then, I've been trying to keep in touch with them.  True, we're not close friends, if that's what you call it, but I think they like me.  But that will probably change soon.

Though since that day I still wonder about one thing.  That surname.  Sano.  It sounds quite... familiar.  But from where?

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Original author's note:

Finally!!  End of the second chapter!!

Finally, the next one will be a bit more interesting, that's all I can tell you for now.

See ya next time, darlings ♡♡