KOKICHI OUMA

My face was red, my eyebrows were hunched up, sweat was trickling down my spine and spooling my hands. My face created wrinkles, that'd of never existed before. This tense emotion I felt when I was with him curled around me like vines. What has gotten into me? It was just one day in this cashier position since Kaede wasn't here today to be on time for some appointment. Yet, here I was, acting like a total clutz in front of everyone. It was embarrassing to say the least, but I couldn't fixate myself.

Get yourself together Kokichi... I tried to relax myself under all of the pressure I was in but to no avail.

I clenched my hands, trying not to allow Shuichi to see through me and the nervous state I was holding. But it seemed he was holding the same exact emotion as me. There was silent noise in the corridor of where we stood, and all I'd realized was that I was stuck in this position for as long as it lasted. My job wasn't to check out neighbored items, it was to endure this awkward state I sat in. I hate to say it, but we were acting like kindergarteners blushing as they were holding hands in a line. Don't get me wrong, I am a very immature person, however, this situation was releasing my inner me. It was so embarrassing...

He wasn't looking at me, nor was I looking at him, but we could see each other through our souls. And we both knew the current state we were put in, but needn't say a word. After the events prior to today, neither of us could conduct a sentence to the other. My heart hiccuped as I tried to look for something to hold onto. Nobody seemed to be so cavalier in the sitch and I could explain why.

The silence broke when a hoary old male; almost bald, approached my cash register. I knew what I had to do, even if my hands couldn't right now. Finally, a huge pot of breath I didn't even realize I was holding, escaped my mouth.

"Oh- hi umm...," I sputtered, trying to find the words to speak after choosing not to for a while.

The elder stared at me, slowly and cautiously placing the objects he was planning to purchase onto the counter. A can of beans in which was chosen by him began to roll off of the counter to my side. Despite my lousy attempts to refuse the can from falling, they failed anyway, hitting the floor with a loud thump.

Lucky enough for me, nothing spilled, but I went to pick it up anyway only to be met with another hand. Me and Shuichi's hands brushed against each other as we both attempted to pick up the can. On instinct, we both pushed our hand away at the same time, making the situation awkward. I felt my face heat up as I began to apologize nervously, looking but only at the ground as I picked the can up. I touched around my face, trying to look for something to feel.

Don't touch your hair, it just shows how nervous you are! I thought to myself.

In an instant, I touched my hair, stroking it slowly. I let it coil around my index finger, and slide between my hand. I just had to play with something. Somehow, this helped ease my nerves and I continued with my job.

The old man just continued to stare at us, rather confused as I would be too if I was in his shoes. I gave the older man the can and checked out the rest of his items.

The day continued to go by fast, with me and Shuichi proceeding to act very chaotic with each other. I hated every awkward interaction I had with him and just wanted to end my shift and go home fast. Soon enough, Shuichi had to go for his shift had ended. I felt myself admit a sigh of relief as I wiped at my forehead slowly.

Kaito came up to the front counter, taking Shuichis place and I felt a groan escape from my mouth in annoyance. Something, in me, kicked the thought of wanting Shuichi back. Kaito was better than whatever that was a few minutes ago, but he was worse than caramel dipped in salad verte.

"Of course it had to be you...,"

Kaito arched an eyebrow, leaning onto the cashier counter with a smirk. I felt his eyes lock onto me, like they always did whenever he had something stupid to talk about.

"Is there a problem?"

I rolled my eyes; seeing as I had no reason to start trouble with him anyway. If we did get in a fight I would be at fault for caring so much. But yet, he was always the one starting them. Leaving Maki, the one who breaks them up. Different story, same ending.

"My shift is about to end at five, so I won't have to see your ugly face after two hours,"

"And I won't have to see your twink ass in another two hours as well," He retorted, raising his tone an inch.

"Shut the fuck up."

I wasn't there for it that day. I still couldn't believe Maki liked such a jerk. I mean, he wasn't all that bad, but sometimes he could be annoying in which could take a toll. I sighed as a customer went up to Kaitos booth, him taking their items and cashing them out in a swift second. Of course, he was an excellent employee; better than the rest of us. He tried his best to excel in all activities if it meant being an Astronaut in the future. I never had such faith in him. With his arrogant demeanor, I couldn't imagine him being anywhere near the stars.

But now, here he was. Stuck as an employee in a gas station. Quite embarrassing, wasn't it? Wants to be an Astronaut but isn't even up to a waiter in a restaurant.

I felt a vibration in my pocket and looked down at my shirt to see my phone glow up. I picked it up and looked at the notification, I presumed I received. There laid a text message I had received... from Shuichi?

Shuichi🤐

We need to talk... like seriously

Oh.

. . . . .

I slouched onto my bed with a sigh, slapping a palm onto my forehead. All I'd been doing the whole day was staring at that text message, forbidding myself to conduct a lousy response. It was time consuming, seeing as it had already distracted me off my routine. I mean, what was he trying to talk about? And... why, to me? Little had I even noticed my thoughts traveling into miniscule topics about said boy. My brain began to wander, my actions regretting themselves slowly as time ticked by and the only thing on my mind was Shuichi... and how I was going to get over him. Better yet, what I was going to say in response.

I opened the damn message, he knows I did, and that's what makes my heart run cold. Because now I look like an ass who leaves my friends on 'read.' I don't know where the courage came from so suddenly, like- not a clue, but unexpectedly, my fingers began to take control and tapped on that keyboard like it was nothing. I probably deleted my message four times before finally coming to a conclusion. It was just so difficult trying to talk to a man you accidentally kissed a few days ago. Swift fingers typed out the following words, and almost instantaneously, I hit... send.

Shuichi🤐

We need to talk... like seriously

You

It's about the kiss right?

Just tell me it's about the kiss, I already know it is

I completely regret it

I'm sorry I didn't ask for your consent

It was so wrong, just please forgive me

I desperately waited for his quite risky response to my heartwarming message but to no avail as time passed slowly. I looked like a puppy searching for their owner in urgent need of care. Then, after fifteen minutes of staring at my phone, the three dots I'd longingly been exploring came knocking at my door. I tried to hide my face under the hood I was wearing, fearing to witness the message he would declare.

I blushed, looking down at the hood in realization that it was not only but Shuichis very hood I was wearing. The same guy I was hounding my mind about, at the very moment. Weird enough, it smelt like lemons and raspberries, just as addicting. As embarrassing as it was, I continued to smell it longing for the nice smell of natural scents. But yet again, that was fucking weird as well.

Shuichi🤐

It's completely fine and I forgive you. You don't have to worry too much. I just want to meet up at the alleyway near my house so we can talk.

The pace of my heart began to beat fast as I read the message word for word. A deep sigh of relief filled me, my hand clutching at my chest in reassurance.

Yes!

I hastily got on some clothes, only good enough for the slight breeze outdoors. Except, I didnt remove the soft hoodie, wrapping my body up in protection. I only fitted on some pants as to hide the boxers underneath. Leaving my house, my mind began to plot how I'd start off the very conversation we'd have. Simply, I would declare I wasn't interested in anything extra, and that kiss was supposed to be platonic as hell... except it wasn't and I was a damn liar. But who cares? Me and Shuichi were going to be friends again if such things said went as planned.

So just... act normal.

Act...

Fine.

Even if you aren't.

Word Count: 1679

CHAPTER DICTIONARY:

Cavalier - Showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.