Captured By You

3: Informal Formalities

It was a normal day at University. Everyone went about their own business coming and going to class and Kohana was no exception. Though her destination, was a vending machine in the outside courtyard. She was dressed in her heeled boots as usual, fitted jeans and long sleeved top as the chilled air would have it.

As she descended the steps that entered into the main lounge area, Akihiko was eating with a group of his guy friends on top of the balcony that overlooked the central courtyard. They laughed together over a few drinks and talked about the upcoming year for the sports teams. Though his attention quickly shifted downwards to the courtyard as his eyes fell upon Kohana. He became silent and kept an eye on her as the guys continued talking and high fiving each other.

There was a change in her hairstyle that caught his attention. She now had bangs.

Kohana's hair was tied in a high ponytail that swayed as she walked with a habitual, unapproachable demeanor. No matter how beautiful she was, no one ever had the courage or nerve to socialize with her.

Nobody wanted trouble.

Pulling out the small wallet from her back pocket, the woman inserted her card into the machine and pressed the corresponding buttons to a healthy snack.

Her fiery eyes stared into the machine with concentration as the granola bar came forward.

'Come on... Just a little more...'

Her stomach growled out loud and she held her arm over her midsection as if to silence it. 'Hurry.. Hurry!'

Just as the snack was about to drop, it became stuck, and Kohana's eyes widened. 'No..'

The machine showed no further movement, and Kohana instantly went into a rage.

"Agghh~! You little~!" She roundhouse kicked the machine and pummeled her fists into the window. Yet, the snack gave no budge. After a moment, she gave up and softly began to bump her head into the machine. Meanwhile, the growling from her stomach became increasingly louder.

"Do you need some help?" a deep, velvet voice asked from near her.

Kohana perked up and blinked at him in surprise. Her heart instantly went up a beat, and her cheeks rosened. The man was attractive unlike anyone she'd seen... but there was something about him that seemed familiar.

"Excuse me?" she asked dazedly, yet staring at him with accusation. "Aren't you..?" she trailed off, too busy being aware of the side effects in her body that were taking place from hunger.

As her weakened state overshadowed her stubbornness, Kohana leaned against the machine for support from passing out due to fatigue.

"O-Oy.." Akihiko swiftly captured her and held her up in his arms, looking at her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Daishobu des ka???" (Are you alright? [Formal]) he asked.

She swallowed with a pained expression as her hand gripped her midsection. Akihiko observed her carefully, then eyed the vending machine. "Sou ka..." (I see.)

"Get.. off of me..." Kohana demanded in between whimpers while crossing her arms over her stomach tighter. Without loosening his hold on her, he operated the vending machine with his other hand. "In a moment. Now let's see... Number 2... Hm." Once he pressed the button, a pack of candy fell from the top row and knocked down the protein bar that was snagged. 

The tall, brazen young man reached down and took the refreshments from the dispensary.

"Here." He held out the bar, which she reluctantly took and ripped open.