"Woah! You wanna treat me after school?!" Taiki's voice boomed through the classroom. It was recess and luckily there's only a few who stayed in class.
"Its no big deal, I just simply wanna treat you" Ryuusei replied short. He neatly put his packed lunch into his bag and took a sip from his water bottle.
"Oh and arent you hungry? You're just having bread for lunch?"
Taiki crumpled the plastic after taking a last big bite of his bread and threw the packaging into the trash can near the classroom corner. Luckily, he hit the jackpot. "I dont really feel hungry actually. I might seem like that hyperactive guy who eats but that ain't me, though!"
Ryuusei just nodded blankly to the explanation before continuing, "Then, I dont have to worry much about over spending my money!" Both of them broke into laughter, which caught some of their classmates attention.
"Hey~ What are you guys talking about?" one of the student nearby joined and Taiki told about Ryuusei's generous act after school which of course, causing some small ruckus about how the others wanting to join them too.
As Ryuusei was dumbfounded with them insisting on joining, luckily after a while one of the student who finished recess heard about it and butted in. Turns out almost all of them had important extra club activities to go this evening. Ryuusei sighed with relieved. He dont mind treating them all but how could he brings almost fifteen people inside the small shop?
"Yo! So then there will be only the three of us only!" Taiki commented. Ryuusei's eyes widen and he noticed a girl, quite small for her age, sitting nearby them.
Noticing Ryuusei's expression, the girl smiled and said, "Hey, my name's Sora. Maybe you don't remember me talking to you since we actually never talk before this," the girl chuckled and added, "Well, you're quite popular in this school so Im looking forward for this evening"
Ryuusei was stunned for a second before replying, "R-right, same goes for me" Deep down, he was puzzled with each words the girl said but he kept quiet. The bell rang, signalling the recess is over. The girl smiled before getting up from her chair and said,
"See you later, Ryuusei, Taiki!" And off she goes outside the classroom.
Taiki gaped the whole time and quickly snapped after the girl went away, "Dude! You literally had that cute girl's attention!" He inhaled before screamed in defeat, "Man!! Im jealous!"
However, Ryuusei eyebrows furrowed and he replied, "Wait, she's not even from this class?!"
The sky had turned yellow and orange-ish. School was over thirteen minutes ago but Ryuusei, Taiki and Sora has yet moved to the said shop.
"Gahh!! Where the heck did I put em?!" Taiki shouted in frustration while rummaging his locker. Ryuusei was looking under the desks of the classroom and Sora helped too.
Feeling his back a little painful, Ryuusei stretched his body and said, "Taiki, its been half an hour. Lets just call it a day?" However the other boy didnt replied and weakly closed his locker.
"Damn it! How come I could be so careless..!" Taiki rested his head on the locker and shutted his eyes.
Sora and Ryuusei looked at each other worriedly before Ryuusei approached Taiki and assured him,
"Im sure tomorrow we could find your wallet," Ryuusei patted the other boy's shoulder softly before continuing, "Sora and I will tell about this to the teacher. Surely they'll help us"
Sora nodded in agreement and added, "Yeah, and its quite late right now. The school ground will be locked in a few minutes. You guys wanna get locked in a school?"
Taiki turned and made an ugly sad face before replying them shortly with a weak nod. Both of them smiled softly at him and Ryuusei couldnt help to wrap his arm around Taiki's shoulder and assured him, "Dont worry, if its about money I'll help you cover any cost until you fins your wallet back!" Taiki eyes widen in shock and touched, in which Ryuusei quickly added, "and of course our lovely Sora will help too! Right Sora?" the boy smiled jokingly at the girl who's been quiet just now.
Sora chuckled and jokingly replied, "Yes if only you treat me to the most expensive menu in the shop!"
All of them bursts in laughter and walked together to the shop. Looking from afar, they looked like a trio who's been friends with each other despite knowing each other only for such a short time.
The little shop doorbell tinkle as three of them entered the shop. They were sweating a bit, due to Taiki's sudden idea to run halfway there. Not wanting to lose, Ryuusei ran, following Taiki. Sora had no choice to join the two boys running.
"Please dont run like that anymore..." Sora said as she plopped into one of the seat, fanning herself. Luckily the shop had air conditioner.
"Don't worry, next time I'll run with you" Ryuusei smiled sheepishly. Sora just sighed and continued observing the shop's interior.
"Welcome!" The same old voice greeted them. Naruse just got out from the staff room holding a few cups and his smile widen seeing there's new customer.
"Your friend, Ryuusei?" Naruse asked the other, his hands quickly took a small note and a pen to joy down their orders.
Taiki and Sora looked at Ryuusei with their eyes in both shock and excitement. They clearly had tons of question to ask but they both kept quiet and let those two continue their conversation.
"Yeah, this is Taiki and Sora," Ryuusei gestured to them and added, "We're in the same year"
Naruse nodded, his mouth curled into a small 'O' before approaching the students and gave them a small menu. Both of them looked throughly at the menu and not long after that, Taiki broke the silence. "All of them sounds good!" Ryuusei swore he could see Taiki's eyes gleaming just by him looking at the desserts.
Come to think of it, Ryuusei wondered why he never bought a food here before.
"Naruse, what's todays special?" Ryuusei asked.
"Its Strawberry Pudding Cake! Its a new menu though"
"Alright, I'll order that" Sora said. Her eyes lit up when heard it.
Naruse giggled and said, "Yep! This cake is pretty popular among the ladies too," Averting his eyes towards the other two boys, he continued, "How about you two?"
"Lemme have the triple triangular trio sandwich!" Taiki replied. Ryuusei didnt ordered any food instead he ordered tea for the three of them.
After all their orders is done, Taiki chomped down his food while Sora took pictures of them and her food before started eating. They seemed to indulged in their foods, so Ryuusei just enjoyed his tea while looking at the sunset sky.
This reminds him of how his quiet and not talkative became the first reason why he had only a few friends back in the city. Most of them preferred going to karaoke and either go to the arcade. Ryuusei had no problem enjoying those, he just prefers the nature and silence. Maybe only a company or two.
Naruse who was wiping the glasses at the counter glanced at Ryuusei who seemed to lost in his thoughts and chuckled.
"How cute"
Sora who had eaten almost a half of her cake glanced at Naruse and quickly turned to Ryuusei. "Hey, Ryuusei! How do you know with the staff here?"
"Oh, Ive been here a few times before and chatted with him"
Taiki who overheard their chat nodded in sync with Sora. Gulping down his sandwich first, Taiki said, "I thought this shop was closed last year ago! You know, the former owner is an old man"
"Oh? Really?" Ryuusei was a bit shocked hearing that. He added, "Then he must be happy that someone decides to continue his legacy!"
Suddenly, a small plate of fresh tarts served in front of them. Naruse, still wearing a kitchen's apron was smiling and said, "Here! This tarts is on the house, I just want you guys to taste if its good!"
Sora, who just finished her cake saw the tarts and her eyes beamed with excitement.
Ryuusei's mouth gaped, "Woah! You made this? It smells good!"
Taiki took one and stuffed it in. In a second, his mouth couldnt stop praising how the sweetness is balanced and keep on eating. Seeing the positive reactions, Naruse smiled with a relieved.
"So,should I put this on the menu?" Naruse asked, putting the tray closed to his chest. Ryuusei nodded and replied, "Yes! Totally! This tastes so good!"
Taiki and Sora nodded in agreement, mouth full with the tarts.
Naruse chuckled and said, "This actually reminds me of one of the tales I've heard!"
Ryuusei remembered that Naruse promised to tell him about the folk tales and quickly replied, "Oh! Why dont you tell us the story? Theres no other customer here other than us for now!"
Hearing the others excitement, Naruse smiled brightly and said,
"Then, let me tell you a story about first folk tale of this town,"