She was so surprised...
She couldn't move a muscle as if she was stunned.
I was holding her hand as I wait for her answer, when suddenly, her father barged in between us and interrupts, "What are you doing!?"
I looked at him as he glared at me.
"I... I thought I had your permission?" I asked.
"Yeah? I know I did, but what do you think you are doing right now??"
I got confused, "Um, asking her... For a date..? Is it wrong?"
He then looked at me closer, "Hell yes! You didn't even introduce yourself to her, nor even befriended her first..."
I gulped. I then let go of her hand and slapped my face after realizing it, 'How stupid of me...'
She laughed. But no. Actually, they both laughed at me! I feel so embarrassed... A few customers even saw us as well!
Her father then asks me to have a one-on-one talk.
She returned back to her study, while I get to have a one-on-one conversation with her father, "I'm gonna ask you. Ok?"
I nodded, "Okay."
"Have you ever experienced dating before?"
"No..."
He sighed, "So does that mean you are a virgin?"
I looked at him with a grumpy face as he said that. I literally just looked at him with a poker face with no intent of answering his question.
"Ok, ok... Are you telling me you've never dated a girl before?"
"No..."
"So does that mean my daughter is your first?"
I blushed for a second, "I... Um... I guess you could say that."
I was shy as I answered that and then looked away.
He sighed once more, "You are so straight forward and reckless... You should've introduced yourself to her first and then befriend her."
I scratched my head, "I... Uh... I don't know how will I do that..."
"It's simple... Just talk to her and open up a conversation with her."
I tilt my head slightly and shrugged, "I guess I'm not that good at opening up a conversation... Any suggestions?"
"Just trust yourself! Are you literally asking me that? Her father?"
I scratched my head. He then grabbed both of my shoulders and asked, "Do you love my daughter?"
My heart immediately pounded, fast. I felt so nervous, because I don't know what to say.
Should I say yes in this matter?
"Yes..." I muttered.
He then gazed at me with his hands tightly gripping my shoulders, "Why? Give me reasons... It will depend on your reasons if whether or not I'll let you date my daughter..."
I gulped, I should say what my heart says or else, I'm never gonna see her again, nor come any closer to her anymore.
But, I think it's for the best... I mean, why am I getting myself involve in this...
Should I lie or should I tell the truth?
I took a deep breath to feel what my heart has to say...
I replied slowly, "I..."
His eyebrows furrowed, "You..?"
I exhaled deeply, "I love her, because she's the most beautiful person I've ever met... Whenever I look at her, she makes my heart pound so fast, while the world around slows for a second.
I love her, because she's hardworking not only physically with her studies and work, but also hardworking in her relationship. She must've been the reason behind why she and her ex lasts that long even though he broke her heart, twice... Because of that, I immediately knew that she is understanding and caring...
And lastly, I love her, because she has a beautiful heart and a beautiful soul... She is joyous and lovely. Her positive energy brings happiness to everyone, every morning, and she does the same to me, as well."
I paused for a moment whilst her father was just looking at me with mouth agape.
"She makes me happy, so I wanna make her happy too..." I added it with a smile.
As I said all my reasons, he was about to cry, when suddenly, he quickly wiped his tears off before I even witness it.
He then nodded, "I understood... Everything you said about her, is the exact same thing as my dear wife..."
I was surprised... I forgot about her mother.
"Where is she now?" I ask.
"She died... When she was just 2 years old..."
I looked down, "I'm sorry to hear that..."
He then smiled, "Hey! No worries. Ok?"
"Ye-Yeah... Ok..."
"Go... Go start a conversation with her and befriend her... When the time is right, ask her again if she wants to go out with you." He said that with a smile on his face.
"Is that an advice?"
He chuckled, "Just go..."
"Ok... What about you? Are you ok?"
"I'm more than fine!" He replied hastily, "--I just want to stay here for a while, so leave me alone for now..."
"I, uh... Ok..."
I left him inside the kitchen, alone. It was as if he wants to cry all by himself. He must've remembered his dear wife...
Meanwhile, I took a deep breath and asks her, "Hi... Um... Can I sit here?"
She looked at me with a smile, "Yes... You may."
I sat down beside her and looked at her papers.
I then introduced myself, "By the way... My name is Ryu Akimoto..."
"I know..." She smiled at me.
I flustered, "A-And you?"
"Yuna... Yuna Arakaki..."
We then shook our hands. As we shook our hands, I then smiled, "I know..."
She giggled quietly and I couldn't believe it. I know it's not the first time I made her laugh, but seeing her that, warms my heart.
The next day, I picked up a flower at a flower shop. Though I think it's more of stealing, I then gave it to her after as I order my coffee.
She smiled at me, so I smiled back and looked down, after. It was so embarrassing, that is why I looked down. I could even literally hear the customers around gossiping.
Every morning, I order my favorite espresso while giving her my best smile at the same time. Sometimes, I even give her chocolates.
Every afternoon, I order cold brewed coffee and gives it to her, while sitting beside next to her.
Her father is proudly watching us from the counter.
As days passed by, our friendly relationship improved. She was looking for a better pair of shoe, while also asking me for an opinion, "What do you think?"
"You looked elegant..." I replied with a smile.
"What about this?"
I grinned, "Perfect! Just literally perfect!"
She giggled, "You are always so straight forward... Exactly what I'm looking for." She then winked.
I think my heart just melt. I felt speechless at the same time, 'Is this it? Is this the right time to ask her? I mean, I know she is dressing up, but I think I should really ask her for a date now...'
I took a deep breath and boosted my confidence, while also keeping my composure calm, "Yuna?"
She looked at me with furrowed eyebrows, "Yes?"
I then grabbed her hand and kneel before her, "I know the last time was a disaster and I wasn't fully prepared before, but now..."
She was in complete confusion, "But now?"
I exhaled deeply and looked at her, "But now... Now I think I'm ready..." I paused for a moment and asked, "--Will you go out with me?"
I felt embarrassed, so I looked down to hid my face from her, after.
She then laughed silently, "Ryu... You are so formal..."
I then raised my head to look at her. As I looked at her, she was then smiling right at me, "Sure! When do we go?"
It was at that moment, my world stopped once more...