Monotonous | Nanami Kento x Reader

15 | Y/N | Unexpected Meeting

Wow... this is one fancy building.

As you pulled your bike up in front of the apartment, you unbuckled your helmet as you gawked, your head having to tilt up. In the dark, it was hard to tell how high up it extended, but the building itself wasn't the impressive bit, not when there were many tall apartments in your city. It was more the classiness of the impeccably well maintained space. 

You didn't even dare bring your bicycle into the rich lobby, the carpeted floors pristinely matched with the clean, textured walls layered with paintings. You felt out of place in your food delivery outfit, as if someone would call you out any second.

"Would someone from here really be ordering Papa Johns?" You mutter as you lock your bike to a stand outside. Once you finish fumbling with the lock, you sling your bag over your shoulder, balancing the small box filled with the order in your other hand. "No, wait, Papa Johns is good. I take that back."

You hummed a tune as you entered the elevator, making goofy faces in the reflective surfaces before you make it to the penthouse. 

One last delivery, you tell yourself. 

That, including grocery shopping. Oh... grocery shopping. You didn't want to go, but you promised your sister ice cream. Maybe, instead of getting everything on the list, you'd get just the ice cream. 

A soft sigh escaped you as you rang the doorbell, waiting outside. You shift your weight from one foot to another, rolling your shoulders back.

Barely a second passed after you knocked did the door open, your eyes filled with shock.

"Kento!" You blurted out his name. 

The tall man stood at the doorway, the light from inside creating a halo effect around the edges of his neat, blond hair. His brown eyes widened a fraction, but more of a pleasant surprise than a judgemental look.

"That's my name." 

"I didn't know you lived here." You exclaimed, eyebrows raised in astonishment.

"That's because I didn't tell you. I wouldn't have expected you to know unless you're a stalker." His deadpan voice almost convinced you he was serious.

 Almost. You knew he wasn't, and you snorted, giggling. "I'm not a stalker. Just a food deliverer." 

"And a baker."

"I'm a woman of many talents."

It was a pleasant surprise to see him here, especially when he didn't come in for his evening dose of bread. It was reflected by the light sparkling in your eyes, an almost giddy feeling overriding your heart. It was like the universe correcting a wrong by having you meet... in an outside-of-work circumstance.

You gave the box to Kento, flashing him a grin. "You seem exactly like the type to have an acai yogurt bowl for dinner." 

"How so?" He asked, taking the box. Your fingers brushed once again. This time, on purpose. 

E/C eyes flickered down to his loosened tie, as he was still in his work attire. He must've arrived home not too long ago. You clear your throat once you realized you were checking him out. You refrained from saying those thoughts out loud.

"Well," You start off by saying, tapping your finger on your chin. "You just give off the vibe. Plus, since you're a regular at my bakery, you obviously have the best taste buds ever." That was also matched with the fact the food itself was nutritious and healthy, it just exuded matureness like the man in front of her did. "Is this your favourite? Acai?"

Kento nodded, leaning against the doorway, the same question waiting on the tip of his tongue. "And yours?"

You were flattered he asked about you, even if it was just to politely return your question. Once you gave him your answer, he took note of it, crossing his arms over his chest. His light blue dress shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, displaying his toned forearms. A tie leisurely wrapped around his collar, just one tug away from becoming undone. 

After you straightened back up, he asked without thinking. "Would you like to come in?"

You pause, turning back to face him. "Oh no, I wouldn't want to be a bother." 

It was late evening, and you didn't decline his offer because you barely knew the man -- besides, he radiated the opposite energy of a kidnapper -- but more so that you wanted enough time to buy ice cream for Ada. "Maybe next time."

Now you had said that without thinking.

Next time?

Kento raised an eyebrow. "You're not a bother." It wasn't just a reassurance, it was a fact. His voice was steady like an anchor, and you found yourself wanting to hear more of that. Then, remembering your last words, a subtle smirk tilted a corner of his lip up. "Next time."

You smiled back, trying to hide the butterflies in your stomach. He was handsome even with a neutral, almost displeased expression, but he was outright breath-stopping with that small grin of his.

Now, instead of seeing the same tired, absolutely done-with-life customer that frequented your bakery, you were now seeing a different side of him. A side he rarely shows; consequently, a side you are only recently becoming acquainted to, but you weren't complaining.

Kento's eyes widened slightly in realization. "Your umbrella." He suddenly remembers. "I forgot to return that." 

Before he could get it, you interject. "Keep it for now. I have a spare one." You weren't too worried since you had a few at home; you would just have to remember to place it in your bag. "When that 'next time' arrives, you can return it." You add.

"I'll be awaiting your arrival then." Usually, he would've been adamant on returning it. He had no use for keeping others' belongings for longer than their purpose, but he decided to keep the umbrella like you said. Kento wouldn't admit this, but it gave him a reason to expect you again. And that reason was enough for you as well. 

You paid farewell, and as you walked down the hallway, you had the urge to look back. And so, when you looked over your shoulder, your E/C eyes met his brown ones, as he was still midway in the hallway. 

He looked slightly surprised to have been caught looking, but he didn't avert his gaze. Was his gaze always this strong? 

No, no, it was, you recall the days at the bakery. Only this time, it was as if he was making a realization, a much more important one than returning a borrowed umbrella. 

In any case, you gave him another cheeky smile and a wave before finally leaving, still feeling his eyes glued to your back. It took everything you had not to turn back. 

Once you made it into the elevator, another goofy grin laced your face, but this time, you couldn't help it. Something about this encounter had left you giddy like sugar, wanting more of it at the same time. 

Well... you finished the last delivery of the night.

Now all you had to do was find a store that was still open at this hour.