The old woman bombarded me with questions about Atsushi and I's relationship.
"You two seem pretty close and I have never seen you talk to someone customers until now!" She exclaimed.
"We are definitely not close." I replied in a blunt tone. I was more focused in wiping down the counters than the pointless conversation the woman insisted dragging on. "I don't know anything about him other than his name."
"Well, it doesn't have to be the way forever." she smugly suggested.
I paused my movements and met her eyes. I noticed the glint in her eye and I most certainly did not like that look.
"You are not playing matchmaker." I shot the idea down before she even had the chance to present it. The old woman pouted in defeat.
"You need to get out there! You can't stay cooped up in my cafe forever." She exaggerated. I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Do you not like my company?" I sarcastically commented. She laughed.
"Of course I do honey but, I just wish the best for you. I don't want you getting lonely." She cooed.
"I don't really enjoy constant company of another person. I am fine like this." I shrugged. Lie.
She gave me a quizzical look but, decided against furthering the conversation. The old woman went to her office to sort out some taxes.
-
"No." I shot her down once more.
The old woman seemed fed up with my lack of motive to spend time with anyone.
"Well, too late." She laughed nervously.
My heart stopped.
"What?" I practically hissed.
"I sort of set up a hang out for you and that Atsushi fellow." she said sheepishly.
The sun began to set and I heard quick footsteps coming down the stairs. I turned to act as if I was doing something important until he said my name.
"[Y/n]." Atsushi said giddily.
I inwardly cringed but, turned towards him.
"Oh, hello." I greeted.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Actually my shift doesn't end unt-"
"Your shift ends early. Go have fun you two!" The old woman cut me off. She quickly untied my apron and shoved me towards Atsushi's direction. I looked back and she was already gone.
Atsushi chuckled and held out his hand to me. I scrunched my eyebrows, shoving my hands in my pockets. His pale face was dusted over with pink as soon as I began to walk out the door. He quickened his pace in order to catch up with me.
"Where are we going?" I asked Atsushi.
"U-Um, do you like trees?" He stuttered.
I tried not to laugh.
"Nature isn't so bad." I said.
"The cherry blossoms are blooming this time of year!" He confidently said. We walked side by side without saying a word.
Then, many shades of pink came into view. The light breeze allowed blossoms to travel far from the trees. I never had paid close attention to these blossoms until this experience with Atsushi.
Even with the beautiful sight in front of us, Atsushi insisted on staring at me. I blinked and got out of my trancelike state. I turned towards him, blushing at his stare.
"Stop that." I pleaded, almost sounding like a whine.
"You're all I want to see right now." He blurted out. I noticed his reaction to the words he had just said. Regret. He seemed to fear for my reaction but, I didn't say a thing. I just began to walk down the pavement that was covered in a sheet of pink blossoms. Atsushi followed like a lost puppy.
He kept his eyes locked on the blossoms that still clung to the trees. I took this opportunity to admire his features. The gentle breeze ruffled his already messy hair which looked nice in contrast with the blossoms. He seemed to bring this glow everywhere with him.
"Beautiful." I said.
Atsushi turned to face me, stopping in his tracks. I stood still noticing the blossoms that had fallen in his hair. I slowly reached and pulled them from his hair. I held them in my open palm, watching the blossoms flutter away.
"[Y/n]..."
"I'm glad to have shared this moment with you." I confessed.
You are the light of my life, literally.
Atsushi's face softened and his carefully caressed my face as if he was afraid I would shatter by his touch. His multicolored eyes glanced at my lips. He had a determined look in his eyes for a quick second until I was pulled into his arms. Atsushi held me tightly while my arms limply hang at my sides, refusing to hug him back.
I felt a pain in my chest.
I always thought hugging wasn't meaningful. It is the most cowardly way to show your feelings because it involved hiding your face from your partner. The person wouldn't know what you truly thought of them because of your hidden face.
I wondered what Atsushi's looked like at that moment...
