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Chapter 68
Word's counted --1500
Enjoy —
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The atmosphere was quiet in the store as employees and customers buzzed around, going about their business. That peace was shattered by a sudden, deep roar that echoed from the back room.
"Where are they?" The manager's voice boomed, commanding attention. His brows were furrowed intensely, and his eyes darted around, searching with determination. An employee, trembling, pointed toward a corner of the store.
"S-Sir, there they are, sitting right over there," he stammered, gesturing nervously.
The manager's eyes followed the direction and landed on two figures seated in the corner: Aki, calm and relaxed, and Runa, who was looking down at her hands. Instantly, the manager's demeanor shifted. Straightening his posture, he brushed the wrinkles from his shirt, took a deep breath, and marched over. As he approached, his steps grew slower, more measured, and his face softened to a polite, if slightly nervous, smile.
"Sir! Aki Shijo? I am the manager here," he called out with a respectful bow as he approached. "Welcome to my humble establishment. It is an honor to have such distinguished guests here!"
Runa's eyes went wide, her head snapping up in surprise. She blinked, as if she couldn't quite believe the manager's reverent tone. Her heart raced. What's going on? Why is this man being so polite? she wondered, glancing between the manager and Aki, who just smiled back, calm and unmoved by the attention.
"Why would someone like you come to my humble store?" the manager asked, his tone filled with awe and slight disbelief.
Aki gave a polite nod and replied in a quiet, composed tone, "It's nothing special. I'm just here to help my girl pick up a few things." His words were simple, but his gaze held a quiet authority that made even the manager take an instinctive step back.
Runa's cheeks flushed pink as she tried to hide her embarrassment, only able to look at Aki in disbelief. "I... uh, I just wanted to buy a new phone case," she said shyly, though her heart was in turmoil. 'My girl?' Isn't that too...cringey? But... I did like it.
"Ah! Yes, of course!" The manager's face brightened with enthusiasm. "We have the finest selection! Please, anything you want. How many would you like?"
Runa glanced at Aki, feeling both awkward and strangely empowered by his presence beside her. She cleared her throat and spoke up, "Um... two. Two matching Osa-Usa, please."
The manager practically leaped into action. He clapped his hands, summoning an employee to retrieve the phone cases immediately. His eagerness to serve them was almost comical, and Runa couldn't help but glance at Aki in bewilderment.
Why does he seem so desperate? she wondered, feeling a thrill in knowing Aki was somehow the cause of it. Maybe he's someone really important?
Moments later, the manager returned, holding two sleek boxes in his hands, cradling them as if they were precious artifacts. His gaze flickered over to Aki, then to Runa. "These phone cases... please, take them, free of charge," he said, his voice tinged with pride as he handed them over.
Runa's jaw dropped, her eyes darting between the cases and the manager's eager face. "W-Wait, free? But... why?" she fumbled, her hands hovering, unsure whether to accept them or not.
The manager beamed. "It's nothing, truly! Sir Shijo and Miss—honoring us by visiting my store is more than enough payment," he insisted, his voice unwavering. "Consider it a token of my gratitude."
Runa's hands slowly took the phone cases as she shot a wide-eyed look at Aki, who gave her a small, approving nod. It was only when the manager bowed and stepped back that she turned to Aki, blinking in shock.
Aki leaned down slightly, his eyes soft as he looked at her. "You wanted to get these, so they're yours now," he said simply. Then, to her surprise, he held out a small, silver card the manager had just given him.
"What... what's this?" Runa asked, taking the card in her hand. The elegant script read, VIP Discount — Lifetime Access.
Aki shrugged, his tone casual but sincere. "The manager gave this to me, but it makes more sense for you to have it."
Runa's mouth parted as she looked down at the card in her hand, trying to process what he'd just said. "Why... why would you give this to me?" she asked, her voice soft and almost childlike in her confusion.
Aki met her gaze steadily. "You got me these phone cases," he said, smiling faintly, "so it's only fair I give you something in return."
Runa opened her mouth to respond, only to close it again. But... the phone cases were free! she thought, swallowing hard. Her heart was a mix of emotions, touched by his gesture but equally overwhelmed by his presence. Who is he really? How does he hold this kind of charm?
They both thanked the manager, who bowed deeply as they left the store. Runa felt a lightness in her steps, yet a nervous energy bubbled within her.
Outside, they paused for a moment as Aki glanced around. "There's a small family restaurant nearby," he said, gesturing down the street. "Are you hungry?"
Runa's stomach gave a slight growl, and she nodded, laughing a little. "I am, actually."
They walked side-by-side, and Runa felt herself relax slightly. Her gaze kept drifting to Aki. He seems so different from the boy I remember, she thought, but there was a warmth there that comforted her. They entered the small, cozy restaurant, the clinking of cutlery and the gentle hum of conversation welcoming them.
Aki held the door open for her, gesturing toward a table in the corner. As they sat down, Runa could finally exhale, glancing at the menu. Aki picked up his own menu, glancing over it with casual interest, though he occasionally looked up, watching her with a small smile.
"Aki," she began, her voice soft, "thank you... for everything today. Really."
Aki's eyes met hers, warm and kind. "You don't need to thank me," he replied. "I enjoyed spending time with you. Let's make it a habit."
Runa's heart skipped a beat. She was overwhelmed, but in the best way possible. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of excitement blooming within her. She returned his smile.
Building up her courage, she asked what had been on her mind, "Shijo-kun... are we a couple now?"
"Eh?" Aki blinked, momentarily surprised by her question.
"Please answer me," she said, leaning in. "You did agree to my confession and to go on this date, but... I feel like it was all too easy. Are we really dating now, or... are you just forcing yourself?" She wanted to ask if he was truly enjoying himself or just here out of politeness, but not wanting to sound rude—especially not wanting him to hate her—she softened her words.
For a moment, Aki remained silent, focusing on his meal, each second intensifying the tension between them.
Finally, he spoke, "I'm not forcing myself. I do really like you, Runa."
Runa's mood brightened. "Then—"
"But," Aki continued, "while I do like you, I can't say I love you yet. If someday I find someone I love so much that I'd die for her... then I'd have to follow my heart. I'd leave those I simply like for the one I truly love."
The atmosphere darkened. Runa felt a pang of anger rise up. "Then you are playing with me," she accused, her voice shaking.
Aki shook his head, calm but resolute. "I'm not playing with you. You might think I'm here to take advantage of you or something... Honestly, I have thought about that. But I want us to wait until we're truly in love."
"...What? Wait! So you're saying..."
"Yes. Let me fall in love with you. I might not be the best man out there, but can you promise you won't leave me once I do?" His tone softened, and a smirk played on his lips as he teased, "Though even if you try, you won't be able to."
Tears welled up in her eyes. Though his last remark was a bit unsettling, she chose to ignore it. "Yes, and I'll try really, really hard to make sure you fall in love with me. I might not be the smartest girl around, I don't have any particular talents, and I may not be a pure girl that you deserve, but... I've already fallen in love with you, so I'll work hard to make sure you don't leave me."
"Idiot." Aki flicked her forehead gently. "We've only met two or three times. Don't declare your love like that so easily," he said, looking serious.
"But—" She rubbed her forehead and looked up, only to see Aki blushing.
"First, let's get to know each other better," he murmured.
Like spring blossomed, Runa's heart blossomed too. "Yes!" she whispered.
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