Monotonous | Nanami Kento x Reader

17 | Y/N | Her Acknowledgement

"It's so much worse today, and I don't understand why." You sigh, slumping in your seat. 

Shiori clicked her tongue, fretting over you like a mother would a daughter. "It can't be that bad." Her hands went on your shoulders. You wince, the tightness and soreness of your joints having accumulated to where even the slightest touch hurt. The older woman frowned. For some reason, her hands went chill to the touch just by placing them there. "Nevermind. I suppose it can be that bad. Have you worn my scarves?" 

"Yes, Shi." You sigh. "And your hat, and your gloves. I even zip my jacket up all the way." That cold from your shoulders wasn't just limited there, for it had spread to the rest of your body like an icy frostbite. 

A frown painted on Shioris face. "Are you sure you aren't sick?" 

"Nope." You had asked for a quick check-up at the hospital after you visited your mom. They looked puzzled, claiming it was probably from the stress or phantom pain. Your so called remedy was to drink more water and stay bundled up. So you didn't bother the doctors too much, instead perching by your mother's side, who seemed to be getting worse by the week. 

You always felt like you were overreacting. Others' concerns should've been directed towards your sick mother instead, or your father who wasn't taking care of himself. If only you could see yourself in the same way you saw others. 

Shiori took over most of the baking duties today, shutting down any of your protests with a stern glare fit for a momma bear. 

"If it was up to me, I'd send you home." 

But you were too stubborn, and insisted on staying. Shiori sighed at that, before playfully teasing you. "Oh well, if you want to see your boyfriend that bad, I won't stop you." 

Your face went red. "Boyfriend?!" Just hearing the older woman taunt you had your palms clammy, and without thinking, you blurt, "He's not my boyfriend."

Shiori's smile curled like the Cheshire cat. "He? So you do have someone in mind." 

"No I don't!" That was another lie, for a certain blond man popped in your thoughts the second the older woman made that implication.

"Ah, don't give me that." She lightly scold, snickering. You click your tongue as she pats your back, frowning, but you weren't sad, just more flustered over her teases. In a sing-song voice, Shiori says, "Denial is a river in Egypt."

"You're a river in Egypt." You cross your arms, wincing slightly as the action brings you some discomfort.

Shiori snorts in response. "That doesn't make any sense."

"You are no sense!"

You bickered playfully with Shiori, if not serious, than just to pass the time. As the first customer of the day came in, she had left to attend to them as you rested in the kitchen space. Keith, the other bakery employee, went around, spraying down the counters. You raised an eyebrow.

"I cleaned those yesterday." You remind him. 

The tall man still wiped the counters without breaking a sweat. "It never hurts to be extra sure." It was almost comical how a long, white hat perched on top of his hairnetted - although bald - head as he flexed in his cutesy apron. He was a burly man; perfect for endless hours of kneading dough. 

He stared down at a spot, his eyes squinting at the imaginary speck of dirt before slowly running the towel over it.

"There." He breaks out into a satisfied smile. 

You had to resist the urge to break into giggles. Keith really did remind you of Mr. Clean. "Was it bothering you that much?"

"Yes." He clicks his tongue, rinsing the rag in the sink. Meticulous with his movements, he swiftly hung it to dry on a bar. He really was a germaphobe, but that wasn't necessarily the worst trait to have; especially when one works at a bakery.