Here, Kitty, Kitty!

Taiyaki

Being open on Saturday not only means dealing with more customers but also having Hina around to help out. It gives us a chance to catch each other up on the days since we last saw each other... Which sometimes leads to talks like this. "So, let me get this straight. Over the course of the last week, you've managed to meet five hot guys on five different occasions?" Hina's tapping her foot on the tile floor as she leans to one side. She groans and throws her hands in the air. "Why does stuff like that never happen on the days I'm here to help out!?"

I raise my hand to cover my smile, finding it hard not to laugh at her outburst. "I never said they were hot, you're just making yourself feel bad." I can't say she's entirely wrong though, even I can't deny they were conventionally attractive.

Hina responds by rolling her eyes and clicking her tongue. "I'm right though, judging by the way you're smiling." I freeze for a moment, feeling my face slowly grow warm as a blush creeps up my neck.

I adjust the way I'm leaning against the counter, quickly looking out into the seating area to make sure the few people waiting out the clock aren't paying any attention to us. That's when my eyes meet the gaze of the blond sitting by the window, the reason this whole conversation started in the first place. He smiles at me before raising his hand and waiving, looking very pleased with himself. When he came in earlier Hina had asked if I needed her to take over the front until he left but I told her no, which immediately led to her asking what changed. Of course, I then had to tell her about my interaction with Draken, which led to me telling her about the other people I've managed to meet over the last few days. At first, she thought I was joking.

I avert my eyes from the man and look back at Hina instead, finding the man's staring a little unnerving as his gaze openly focuses and shifts between me and Hina. She's grinning at me when I turn to look at her, as if my silence was enough to prove something. I sigh, slightly annoyed at her ability to read me so well... Maybe I'm too easy for people to read. "I guess you're right. Conventionally, I mean."

Hina's grin widens knowingly. "You're as bad at lying as one of my students." Her grin breaks it's she begins to giggle, not even having the decency to try and cover it up.

I cross my arms and glare at her, not appreciating being compared to a group of preschoolers. I'm about to reply when the door causes me to whip my head around a little too quickly, ready to change the subject to something that doesn't involve embarrassing me or belittling my abilities as a liar. Instead, I find what I'm sure is going to be the result of further embarrassment as I watch Draken walk into the bakery.

Draken smirks when his gaze lands on me, jerking his head up slightly in greeting before letting his gaze wander the rest of the bakery. I can practically hear the sigh he lets out when he catches sight of the blond seated by the window who waves him over with the most childlike smile on his face I've ever seen. "That's the other guy who came in with him last time, right? One of the cute guys you talked to?"

I immediately turn my head to look at Hina, surprised that she has the confidence to say something like that so loudly. "Hina, keep your voice down." My whisper comes out harsh but I can tell she doesn't mind by how she sticks her tongue out at me. I glance back at the two blonds, thankful they seem too caught up in their own conversation to hear me or Hina.

Hina grins, always happy when she finds an opportunity to embarrass me. "Sorry, I meant to say hot anyways. The few glances I took of him last time really didn't do him justice." I huff and shake my head, glancing back at Draken and his friend only to find an annoyed-looking Draken and his excited friend leaving their table to approach the counter.

I immediately straighten myself out and smile, hoping my face doesn't look as red as it feels like it does. "Hey! Do you guys need anything?" I narrow my eyes at Hina when I hear her giggle, I'd fire her for that if she even worked here in the first place.