Strawberry Milk [COMPLETED]

❧Chapter Twenty-Two

"Ah, I should have started eating lunch with you all much sooner!"

I let out a giggle as I reach for a delicious treat from Hajime's bakery, stuffing my face full of it. His friends all sat on a picnic blanket in a circle, chattering back and forth with me in excitement.

"You're so cute, Manabe-San! Hajime knew someone like you for so long and neglected to introduce us!" A pretty girl with curly brown hair pulled into a fishtail braid wiped the crumbs from her mouth with a beautifully embroidered handkerchief. Her name was Natsume.

I wonder if Chisame will get me one of those. I could let Hajime borrow it all of the time!

"He's been holding out on us!" Akira, a boy with curly sandy brown hair and excited green eyes bit eagerly into a croissant before sighing out his words.

"No, he's been holding out on me. I didn't know you brought such delicious treats from your bakery to lunch! You know I love it there!" I turn and look at Hajime and instantly meet his gaze.

Hajime's tender blue eyes sent a shudder through me. The more he gazed at me like this, like I was some kind of angel made me feel like I was glowing.

"I'm glad you finally accepted the invitation. You're always welcome here, Ichigo."

"Thanks.." I smile back at him and he reaches over to rub some jam from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. As he runs it over my cheek, his entire warm hand spreads out across my face. I can't help but lean into it, feeling my heart pound. Although I'm pretty sure the jam is off by now, Hajime and I don't stop looking at each other for a moment.

"Uh...um...I haven't gotten to tell you, yet, but...I really thought you were cool when you first transferred here."

I was so shocked to hear the shaky voice that I almost hadn't realized it was real. I turn away from Hajime to see Emi — the shyest of the bunch hiding behind her veil of starlight colored hair. She blushed after she finished complimenting me and I broke out into a smile.

"How sweet of you! Thank you." I answer, and Hajime seems annoyed as he interrupts the moment to grab me and pull me in the direction away from the picnic. I wave at everyone excitedly. They seemed like such nice people — and boy did they look like a group of supermodels straight out of a magazine.

"Ichigo, what is all this?" Hajime gestured toward my entire body, looking confused.

"A new me, of course. I asked you what you thought about personal change the other day, remember?"

It suddenly clicks for him as he blinks and his eyes get wide, "Wait...this is what you meant?! But I liked the old you!"

My heart flutters in my chest as I think of a way to explain my position.

"Hajime, I...it's not like I'm changing to fit in. I'm changing to give myself a chance. Things are different here...more different than I'm used to.."

Hajime looked at me with an unreadable expression, sighing. He reaches forward and takes both my hands in his, sending a shiver running through me.

"I guess I'll try and understand. But...you might think we come from different worlds, Ichigo, but you're no different. If you promise to keep being yourself and not get lost, I'll approve." Hajime smiles sweetly. His words are kind, but I felt playful enough to twist them.

"Who said I needed for your approval?" I poke him in his chest and he chuckles before taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting my face upward and leaning forward so I had no choice but to look in his eye.

"I don't think Manabe Ichigo was the only person you dressed up for today. Admit it, you were excited for me to see you."

I could just melt on the spot. Hajime could go from polite, charming gentleman to a seductive monster in half a second.  Needless to say, I pretend to be unaffected by the warmth his eyes are giving me.

"Too bad, you're wrong!"

"Is that so? Then why do you squirm so much when I look at you? You love my attention."

"I do not squirm!"

DING DONG DING DOOOOONG!

Hajime and I pull away from each other, annoyed at the sound of the school bell summoning students back from the lunch break. Our fun time seemed so short and under-appreciated all of a sudden.

"Ah, that's a shame.." I turn to walk back toward the group, but Hajime grabs my hand and spins me back toward him. The mischievous glint in his eye was enough to make my heart race.

Before I could ask him anything, a smile spreads across his lips and he starts to speak low enough that only I could hear.

"Hey, Ichigo...would you like to go somewhere with me?"