Strawberry Milk [COMPLETED]

❧Chapter Twenty-Three

I burst into hearty laughter, running after Hajime.

Just when I thought I'd catch up with him, he would jump back and start running again. I admired his playful and mischievous attitude — it was nice to see this side of him. As polished as he looked, he still loved to have just as much fun and apparently he liked getting in trouble, too!

"Mmph!" I trip and fall against Hajime, landing in his arms. He grabs me by the shoulders, steadying me and chuckling at my clumsiness.

"So you get to just take off like this during lunch and no one says anything?" I say as he starts to break into a run down the sidewalk. I race after him, filled with energy from our incredibly delicious meal at lunchtime.

Hajime and I had left the home campus together — just like that. We ran all the way to the Matsuoka bakery. I was overcome with thrill and excitement. I used to skip class all of the time at my old school, which was bad, and it still was, now, but it was a hell of a lot more fun with this guy!

"Yeah — call it a release period, if you will. As long as I come back to the bakery and help out, the school excuses my absences."

"Man, policies are different at my old school! They'd never let anyone get away with something like this!"

Hajime turned around to walk backwards toward the front doors of the bakery, pulling a key out of his pocket. I stopped running, closing the distance between us as I watched his eyes darken with his sly smile.

"Do I seem like a delinquent to you now?"

I shake my head, smirking, "More like the insanely cute prince who has a bit of a sexy bad boy vibe to him every once in awhile. But don't let it get to your head! Guys like you typically can't handle all of the mischief."

"So I'm a goody-two-shoes, then?" Hajime smiled at me. I watched his eyes glint and my smile grew even broader.

"Am I mistaken?"

Rather than answer me, Hajime turns, still grinning, and unlocks the door to the bakery. He opens the door for me and I practically skip inside. I close my eyes and breathe in the sweet smell like I was addicted.

"Is it usually busy this time of day?" I recall the barren streets on the way here and the emptiness of the building.

"Nope...which is lucky for me. I can come here and just relax. It's an alternative to school."

Hajime disappears behind the front counter for awhile, and I turn to look around. I notice one of the doors was opened and, when my curiosity got the better of me, I walked toward it. Looking inside, it seemed to be some kind of pantry. And boy, was it sparkling and glittery up in there.

There were cupcakes, cartons, cakes, breads, slices, dumplings, anything you could imagine. I thought I was full,  but my mouth was starting to water. I knew I was supposed to be a "lady" that had her fill early on in the meal, but I couldn't change my monster of a stomach, too! 

Before I knew it, I was standing in the center of the pantry, ravenous. I wanted to eat everything I saw, but I didn't want Hajime to seem disgusted with me, so I held back with everything I had in me.

I start to think about him again, wondering where he was. Catching a glimpse of his mischievous side made me like him even more.

"So even Hajime Matsuoka likes to skip class.." I say teasingly, and I suddenly felt his strong presence behind me. I don't turn immediately. Instead, I stay still and feel my heartbeat quicken as I wait for him to make a move.

The bakery is silent, but it seems like anyone could hear my heart hammering in my ears. I close my eyes when I feel his warm breath tickling the back of my neck. The warm, smooth surface of his cheek brushes lightly against mine, making me blush in response. The proximity could drive me insane!

Maybe if you turn around, he'll be waiting for you to kiss him!

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage, and spun around with my lips puckered.

Rather than feel a heavenly, soft pair of lips against mine, I get a sweet taste of frosting! Disappointed, but also pleasantly surprised, I open my eyes and saw Hajime had pressed a frosted strawberry cupcake into my face!

"Hey!" I blushed and started to lick the frosting from my lips. It was like heaven! The sweet flavors spread across my tongue like a parade in my mouth.

"What, were you expecting a kiss?" Hajime grinned, wiping some frosting from my cheek with his thumb. I feel my heart fluttering in my chest as his thumb caresses my cheek gently. My cheeks are practically burning as I look up into Hajime's gorgeous, dark eyes. His expression was playful, but his eyes said something else.

"Yes, I was." I blurted this without thinking and immediately regretted it. I panicked as Hajime looked at me in surprise as I tired to think of a response to lighten the mood. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea —- or shall I say the right idea???

Oh no what if I have to confess to him now? There's no way I can work my way around that to play hard to get! And I was doing such a good job this morning! I don't even know if he likes me back! Maybe we're just friends! Ichigo, you idiot!

"I..I mean.."

My eyes wander down as I become really shy all of a sudden.

"There you are." Hajime captures my chin in between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it so I had no choice but to look directly up at him. As his eyes held me in their never ending spell, I pressed my lips together to avoid saying anything else I'd regret.

What should I do??

"You always act so tough around everyone, but you're so shy and different when you're with me. I like that a lot, Ichigo. In fact, I love it." Hajime's face is drawing near as he says this, but I'm too confused to notice.

He..he loves it??? What does he mean different?

"Wait, what do you mean diff...Mmm!"

*Chu!*

I hadn't had time to react before Hajime kissed me quickly. It was a small peck, as sweet as it was. My heart started to dance as I replayed it over and over, in awe. It seemed like a dream that it had even happened, but the sweet taste on my lips and the lingering warmth as we parted was all too real.

"Hajime!" I felt like I could cry, looking at him and watching his beaming smile light up his face.

"Was that too forward?" He blushes a little, but he can't seem to hide his happiness, either. I shake my head, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him back. Our words  fade away into our repetitive, sweet kisses, each touch of our lips sending sparks of heat flickering throughout our bodies until we were drunk with it.

Hajime...I like you...! If we weren't kissing right now, I think I could tell you!

SLAM!

"Ah, Hajime isn't even here."

"Why's the door unlocked? That boy, I swear!"

I pulled away from Hajime, and we looked at each other, growing still. Someone had walked in, and their voices were getting closed. I didn't know if I'd like to be found here like this!

Before I had time to react, Hajime grabbed me by my waist and lifted me, moving quickly so we were hiding behind a shelf and a massive bag of flower. We knelt down on the ground to hide, and when I looked up at Hajime, he pressed his finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet. I nodded, my heart still pounding against my rib cage. I smiled, nonetheless.

"Ah, and he left the pantry door open, too!"

I had to hold back my gasp as the lights went off and the door closed with a loud THUD. After a heartbeat or two, it was locked in an instant. I looked up at Hajime and he pressed his hand over my mouth, chuckling.

"I still have the keys. We can get out of here whenever they leave." He whispers, leaning toward me to kiss me again. I smile against his lips, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close.

"I hope they never leave."

"I do. We'll be covered in flour any minute now and these cookie cutters are going to slice my suit into pieces...but if it means I get to kiss you longer..."

"Haha!" I have to kiss him to shut myself up. I didn't want us to get found out.

I wanted this magical moment to last forever!