Hi, it's me, Asumi Tora, age 21, height six feet tall, black hair, white skin. As you all know, my life just came to a brutal end. It's sad. I was a college student, working part-time in a bookshop. It wasn't really anything fun, but it was nice working there. Ugh, I was the type of guy who liked trying my best at pushing everyone away from my heart to protect myself. I didn't want to be hurt anymore. That was until I met her.
....Changing to Third Pearson...
Asumi, a man wearing grass, was working in a bookstore on one of his typical afternoons. He muttered, "Ugh, another boring day, time for a nap."
As Asumi was about to sit on his chair, , a beautiful woman dressed in a blue gown and black shoes entered the store. Her brown hair swayed gently as she walked in.
Asumi was stunned by her appearance and mused, "Why is she dressed like that? Are they shooting for a new magazine?"
Then he said, "Welcome, what would you like to get today, miss?" But the woman simply ignored him and went searching on her own. He mused, "Rude, why didn't she reply back?"
Curious, Asumi left the counter and followed her around, observing what she was doing.
She snooped around the romance section, looking for a book she wanted to buy. She mused, "It should be out by now. Why isn't it here?"
She pulled out a book from the row, disrupting the shelf, which made the other books unstable.
Asumi, observing beside the shelf, noticed the huge amount of books that were shaking. He mused, "That looks unstable. It's gonna fall."
Asumi rushed in, shouting in a serious manner, "Miss, look out!" She turned and looked at him, confused.
He jumped, grabbing and pushing her away from the falling books, and both landed on the ground.
Asumi, on top of her, his hands pushing away his face from hers, asked her, "Hey, miss, are you okay?" Asumi's glasses fell from his face, revealing his true beauty.
The woman on the ground looked at him, suddenly her face turned bright red. She turned her gaze away from him.
Then Asumi, observing her body, mused, "Hmm, now that I really look at her, she is on a whole other level of beauty."
He then looked at her face and noticed she was uncomfortable, so he immediately stood up and apologized, saying, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to jump on you like that."
Putting his hand on his stomach, he bowed.
The woman turned her face away, stood up, and rushed out of the store.
Asumi mused with a annoyed expression, "The least you could say is thank you, jeez." Then he turned around and looked at the huge pile of books that fell on the ground.
He put his hand on his face and muttered, "More work, great." He sighed and walked towards it, starting to arrange them.
He mused, "I better finish this before the boss gets back."
The next day at the store, Asumi was at his usual spot behind the counter, dark shades under his eyes, and he kept yawning.
A customer came into the store, "Hey mister, could you point me to the fantasy section?"
Asumi replied, "Yeah, sure, you should reach an aisle named fantasy if you keep going to the left," Asumi pointed.
The customer nodded, "Okay, thank you," then left.
Then the woman entered the store again, dressed in green. Asumi mused, looking at her annoyed, "Great, what's she doing here?"
She walked to the front of the counter, saying, "Excuse me." Asumi replied with a yawn, "Yes, what is it you want?"
Then the woman said, "Hi, my name is Catherine, and I'm here," she took a deep breath and continued to apologize, "I'm really sorry about yesterday; I was in a hurry."
Asumi replied tiredly, "Sure, no problem. Now, what would you like to get today?"
She said, "Well... Here, take this," she handed him a box. Asumi, confused, asked, "What's this?"
Catherine replied putting her fingers together, "It's for you as a token for my apology."
Asumi took it from her hand and took a look at the black box, musing, "Damn, from the texture to the shape of the box, I know for sure whatever is inside isn't cheap."
Asumi looked back at her with a smile and said, "I'm sorry, I can't accept this," he pushed the box towards her.
"What? Why?" Catherine said, surprised and a bit sad. Asumi replied, "Well, it's not that it isn't good enough. I mean, it's too good, but it's just..."
Catherine asked, confused, "Just what?" Asumi mused, "Shit, if I say it, she will definitely be mad."
Then Asumi said, "But I was just expecting something else..."
Then Catherine said with a beautiful smile, "Well since that isn't what you what, then how about we go on a date?"
Asumi, shocked, asked, "A date? Well, I don't know..." Then he looked at her face and saw her facial expression changing, and he agreed, "Fine, I'll come."
Catherine said grate, clapping her hands together, she continued, "Here is my number," she put a business card on the counter, "I'll call you and send you the address."
She walked out of the shop, saying, "See you tomorrow," and left.
Asumi, confused, mused, "What the hell just happened?" He looked to the side and saw the black box she brought and mused, "It's still here, huh? She must have left it there on purpose. Oh well."
Then he took the business card and gift box and continued his task.
The next day, in the evening, Asumi made his way to a resturant when he saw her standing in front of the restaurant, dressed in a white sweater that ended at her waist and a white skirt holding a purse, waiting for him.
Asumi, feeling a bit shy, approached her, saying, "Hey, it's me, the man at the bookstore."
Catherine looked at Asumi and saw a tall man wearing glasses, a black sweater, and jeans, followed by his properly styled black hair and an expensive watch.
As Asumi came closer, she blushed and turned her face away. Asumi asked, "Is something the matter?"
Catherine replied, "No, it's nothing. Let's go in."
So they both entered the restaurant and took a seat opposite each other. He asked, holding the menus, "So, what would you like to eat?"
She dropped the menus and looked at his face. Asumi replied, "Hmm, a coffee would be nice, Catherine."
Catherine replied with a smile, "Sure," she raised her hands a bit, the waiter came saying, "Yes, miss."
She replied, "We'll take two coffees for now." The waiter replied, "Sure," then he left.
Catherine turned back and looked at Asumi and said, "Hey, I know this is a bit weird, but what's your name?"
Asumi replied, "Wait, you don't know my name?" Catherine replied, "Yes, I don't."
Asumi said, "It's Asumi Tora."
Catherine, surprised, utters, "Asumi, huh? So, are you Japanese?" Asumi replied, "Well, partially."
Catherine said, "Wait, does that mean you're..." Asumi replied, "Yes, I am." Then Catherine asked, "Were you born here or in Japan?"
Asumi said, "Well, let me think."
The waiter brought the coffee and dropped it on their table, bows, and left.
Asumi was about to grab his cup when a man came up to them, grabbed his cup, and said, "Hey, Asshole, long time no see," then he poured the cup of hot coffee on top of his head.
Asumi maintained self-control, looked at the person who did it, and saw it was Karl, his high school bully.
Asumi replied with a smile, closing his eyes, "Hey, Karl, fancy seeing you here." Karl replied, "If it isn't our friendly everyday Asshole, Asumi. Damn, you landed a chick, and she's hot."
Catherine wasn't pleased with the sudden developments; she glared at Karl, signaling him to leave.
Karl, annoyed at her look, mused, "Why is this bitch glaring at me like that? Who does she think she is? I better teach her a lesson."
Asumi noticed the expression on Karl's face; he mused, "That face, he is up to something."
As Karl was about to pass his seat and meet Catherine, Asumi stretched out his hand and blocked Karl's way, saying, "Excuse me, I'd like to go to the restroom."
Asumi stood up from the chair, grabbed Catherine's hand, and rushed out of the restaurant.
Karl, surprised, said, "Hey, get back here," he came out of the restaurant in search for them, but they were already gone. He stomped on the ground, saying, "Shit," then walked back into the restaurant.
Asumi, pulling on Catherine's hand, reached a park nearby, saying, "I think we lost him."
Catherine replied, confused, "Why did we run out of the store instead of us chasing him out?"
Asumi advised, "I'd much prefer to avoid conflict than to cause a commotion, and besides, he is Captain Asshole; there wasn't much I could do."
Catherine chuckled and strolled towards him. When she got close enough, she stretched out her hand and removed his glasses from his face, saying, "You look much better without those."
Then they both made eye contact and kissed. Suddenly, fireworks flew up into the sky, bursting into vibrant colors.
Asumi squeezed Catherine tightly, putting his hand on her waist and the back of her head.
.....Changing Back to First Pearson.....
"That was the moment I knew I'd do anything to protect her."