The Succubus's Plaything

Chapter 31: Coffee

Inesa POV

I don't think much as Hal and I retreat away from the owner, rushing through the lobby and out of the building, but before we can leave, we quickly grab our jackets from the coat racks in the entrance.

Briefly I turn around to check behind us, and end up in direct eye contact with Hina, who is sitting on one of the sofas with a confused look on her face.

Instead of stopping though, me and Hal continue out and into the street.

I don't believe Hina to be the kind of person to gossip, so I should be able to talk to her later.

Somehow I'm feeling a lot more chill about this than before. Maybe it's because I have fresh blood coursing through my veins, or because I've finally settled my decision about who to choose, at least for this moment.

"So.. Where are we going?.." Hal asks once we reach a halt next to a busy street.

I hadn't thought of that.. Home? I guess?.. I'm tired of the mixer, but there's no way I'm inviting him to my place. Especially after what had just happened.

I can feel my cheeks warm up, and Hal tilts his head towards me still awaiting an answer.

"Ehm.. Maybe we can go to a café before we both head home?.." Maybe that way we can actually start to get to know each other a little better..

He looks down at the ground shyly before turning his gaze back to me. "Yea. That would be nice.."

Awkwardly we make our way down the street and to the nearest café.

Despite the late hour, somehow the place is still open and with a few customers scattered evenly about the place.

The bells on the door rings welcomingly as we enter, which causes most of the few customers, as well as the staff at the counter to look in our direction, and for some reason most of them give us a brief frown before returning to their own business.

For a moment I'm confused with everyone's behavior, before realizing an embarrassing fact.

My makeup is completely ruined. After my previous breakdown, there is no way my pink mascara isn't completely smeared all over my face, and one look at Hal confirms it.

One look at Hal and I know for certain that it's on his mind as well. His cheeks are completely red, probably self conscious because people rightfully are assuming that he was the one to make me cry, and because he can't decide whether or not to bring it up.

Despite my current embarrassment, I make a brief note of how.. Cute.. It makes him look. But regardless I need to do something about this. I can't walk around in my current state, so I immediately tell Hal to wait for me as I head to the bathrooms to wash off my face.

...

Once returned most of the awkward stares seem to have disappeared, and Hal is back to acting a little bit more confident.

"So shall we order?" Hal asks for confirmation, to which I respond with an affirming nod.

I order an iced coffee with extra sugar, while Hal simply goes for a coffee with some cream.

Surprising me, when the barista asks if we would like to pay separately, before I have the chance to ask, Hal says no and immediately pulls out a debit card and proceeds to pay for both of us.

"You didn't have to do that you know.." I say once we sit down.

"No.. But I felt like I owed it to you in some way."

I giggle in response. "Owe it to me? Are you sure you haven't gotten your story all mixed up?"

He looks down in his mug and shakes it a little, watching the hot coffee swirl around.

"Well.. I made you cry.."

I smile. It warms my heart to see him concerned. I'll indulge him.

"Well then I accept. Thank you.." I too look down into my cup before taking a sip of the sweet liquid.

I regretfully realize that I'm washing away the sweet aftertaste of Hal's blood from my mouth. I tell myself that I'll need to have some more soon anyway, but I'm still a bit sad about it.

We carry on for about half an hour, slowly draining our cups sip by sip while engaging in idle conversation.

I learn several things about Hal that I didn't already know from being friends with his big sister, such as his part-time job, a few of his hobbies including writing, and a little about his time in school.

I also share a few things about myself, and we share a couple laughs when I tell him about some tricks I've played in school. I am after all pretty unanimously regarded as a nuisance among the teachers.

Even after we finish our drinks, we end up still seated and discussing for so late that we get politely kicked out when the café closes, so we head towards the nearby train station together.