HOPELESS ᵈ·ᵏᵃᵐⁱⁿᵃʳⁱ

ch. ─── one

[01] MY FAULT

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EVERYTHING SHE WAS laying out was going just according to plan, Hajime checking her reflection before leaving the café's bathroom. Her frame was clothed in a pretty white dress hugging her curves perfectly, the weather just warm enough for Hajime not to bring a jacket.

Before she left the small bathroom, she gave herself one last look in the mirror, checking if her makeup was alright. No smudges, or imperfections- she looked hot, just like she wanted.

As Hajime left and went to go sit at an empty table in the café, she felt multiple eyes following her form. Since she was younger she's always been stared at. Whether it was because of her various prizes in competitions, both physical and academic, people tended to recognize her after always coming out on top. However, this wasn't the case at this moment.

From across the café, one boy, in particular, watched Hakime intently, his eyes watching her every move just until she sat down. He looked away swiftly after Hajime looked around, scared to have been caught staring at her.

Kaminari was at a loss for words, already coming up with a list of things to say if he was to go up to her. They were all incredibly stupid, but then again, who's going to stop him? He was the one stuck with getting everyone their drink after losing a bet, so what did you expect he would do when his eyes landed on the most beautiful girl he's ever seen?

Hajime glanced down at her phone for the third time, her date already five minutes late. "You've got to be kidding me," she mumbled, tossing her phone to the side in a fit.

The guy she asked out was someone she met briefly the other day. He seemed nice, but the only reason Hajime asked him out today was that he was drop-dead gorgeous. He fit her image perfectly, and she hoped that after a few more meetups they'll make it official.

The thought almost made Hajime squeal in joy, a smile creeping up her face as her cheeks started to glow. Hajime couldn't wait to post on her social media cute couple photos and cringy appreciation posts for all her supposed friends to see. Maybe then, when they see her and this new guy so happy together, they'll finally shut about her ex.

That's why she wanted this first date to go perfectly, Hajime even went as far as to get him a present. She didn't want to, but maybe after the sweet gesture, Hajime's perfect-girlfriend image will be undeniable.

As she sprang up from her seat and headed to the counter, a sudden chill crawled down her back. It was cold and spilt down her crystal white dress.

The boy with electric blonde hair stared down at her chest with wide eyes, one of the many coffee cups he had managed to juggle within his arms empty on the tiled floor. He felt his blood drain from his face, all the words caught in his throat as he stood there frozen.

Hajime gazed down at her once beautiful dress with horror, her lovely dress now stained and see-through. She threw her arms over her chest, her violet eyes narrowing on the idiot who caused it all.

His lips pursed to her glare. "I'm really sorry, I-"

"Sorry isn't going to fix what happened," Hajime seethed, the boy's figure shrinking to her surprisingly cold tone. "How do you expect me to look like this in front of my date!"

"D-Date?"

"Yes, idiot. Do you really expect me to look good for just anyone?" Noticing his faltering stare, Hajime took a step toward him. "Wait. Don't tell me you were going to ask me out?"

Kaminari gulps, her nose inches away from his as she pressed her finger on his chest. Hajime's embarrassment quickly turned to bitterness, her whole plan for the perfect date falling through her fingers. Just the thought of a random stranger being the cause of all this infuriated; her dress, her date, everything has gone to shit. It made her jaw clench.

It was all too much. Her week was already stressful enough, and unfortunately, Kaminari seemed like the perfect way to let it all out.

"You've got to be kidding," she scoffed, straightening her posture with a pompous smirk on her lips. "Do you really expect someone like me, to go out with someone like you?"

Hajime's expression toughened when Kaminari's face fell, his steps small as he backed away from her. It didn't matter how venomous her words were, Hajime only cared how it made her feel the tiniest better.

Her smirk grew, Hajime grabbing her purse from her table before the café. She figured it was best to leave, considering her ruined dress. Hajime we'll just have to reschedule for another date. It would mess up her timeline, and set things back. But under no circumstances should her date see her like this.

"Mayami?" Her heart dropped to her stomach, Hajime's mouth becoming dry as she now stared back at her date.

His aqua blue eyes looked down her body, his frown only deepening after he noticed what a mess she was. But that wasn't why he was so disgusted, and Hajime knew why.

It was because he heard everything.

Hajime kept her mouth shut, her hand reaching toward him only for her date to shake his head. Dread filled her body, trying to come up with a way to save face. From what he knew, Hajime was this sweet girl he met at the grocery store, a little on the dumb side but cute nonetheless.

But now he knew what a monster she really was, and Hajime couldn't do anything about it.

She held her head up high, dusting off her soaked dress and pushed past him by the entrance. Hajime didn't even bother to waste her breath; his look alone enough for her to give up trying entirely.

"W-Wait!"

Her heartbeat quickened, Hajime quickly rubbing her cheek. However, when she catches the yellow of his hair, her expression washes over.

He holds out a black sweater, "You'll catch a cold."

Hajime glances down at his hands, the coffee's from early nowhere to be found. "Leave me alone," she spat, turning around and walking away.

"Please—" He cuts in front of her— "This is my fault."

The look on his face was unreadable, his eyes completely drawn to her as his mouth curved up in a soft smile. It made her insides twist, wondering how sick this person was to be so kind to her after how vile she was. Hajime refused to accept his help, and yet, she took his sweater.

She mumbles, "Thank you."

"You would've done the same," he said back, nerves enveloping his expression.

It was warm in his hoodie, long enough to cover up the coffee stain. Hajime swallowed back the urge to laugh, a lump in her throat so painful she could cry.

"You're stupid to think that," she whispered, Kaminari's forehead wrinkling. "I would've left you without thinking twice."

With a grimace, she brushed past his shoulder, not bothering to look back at the stranger. The walk back home was long and tiring, her manicured nails leaving marks on her palms. All Hajime prayed for was to never see him again, to never see the kind look on his face ever again.

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[02]