Strawberry Milk [COMPLETED]

❧Chapter Ten

Hajime was wicked hilarious. We might have only spoken for about 5 minutes before he had to get back to serving, but he sure knew how to make the most of a short time. He asked me about the guys I had fought the other day and seemed so amused for the reason. I told him I was a tomboy and couldn't help being unladylike but instead of cringing in disgust at my inclination to use my dusts, he smiled sweetly and gazed at me quietly for a long, long time.

Then he said something I never thought I'd hear come from someone else's mouth about me :

"I don't see anything unladylike about you...an adorable girl who fell in love and was made fun of for it only fought back to defend her honor. Everything about you just screams princess!" Hajime says with a dramatic outstretch of his arms that I couldn't help but smile shyly in response to.

I stared back at Hajime, in awe at his everything. His smooth way with words, the way his skin brightened under the gentle glow of the lights above us, the dreamy look in his bright blue pools for eyes as he looks back at me with a lingering, persistent gaze. Despite everything in me that shouted to wake up and stop clinging to this dream I was starting to have, I didn't want to wake up and be in denial. Besides, Hajime's eyes were the most honest pair I'd seen in a very long time.. a very long time.

"I remind ya of a princess?" I ask, surprised at how soft I sounded. Hajime nods in response, resting his chin in his hand and his elbow on the table. We stare back at each other for the longest, sweetest time...

That is, before something rises to the surface and I ruin the moment in my eagerness, "I -- I'm going to your school, or somethin' like that!"

Hajime straightened up, his eyes widening in shock. I look back and forth between his eyes, wondering how to take his reaction.. he looked like he was still processing it.

My worries melt away when Hajime's eyes begin to sparkle like the stars and his lips spread into an excited smile, "You're enrolling into the Crystal Mountain Academy?! That's great! Are you excited? We'll be schoolmates."

I giggled nervously, "I'll only be excited if you're there as my guide, of course."

I almost couldn't believe what had come out of my mouth.. did I just flirt with a guy?!

Hajime looked rather pleased, shocking me once more. He leaned a bit farther forward, closing the distance between us like he was so interested in me, "Of course. Damsel in distress, right? I'll need a chance to make up for not rescuing you the other day when I was strolling nearby."

Someone behind the counter shouted Hajime's name. I heard something about a piano lesson, but the rest was mush as I got lost in his eyes. Hajime blinked and rose slowly to his feet, "I have to go, Miss Ichigo, but..," his eyes twinkled back at me as he flashed me a smile I'd have going through my head until the next..

Unexpectedly, he grabs the tray from the table but leans far enough down to my level so his next statement was only for my ears:

"I'm looking forward to seeing you in our uniform."

Oh.

Oh no.

My heart.