A few hours later, the clouds weren’t making any sign that the rain will stop anytime soon. Anna could swear she was back to England. Having nothing to do that day, Anna started to clean the mess she has done and the mess Nao has done earlier that day. Truthfully, now that she started to take a closer look, the apartment was actually neat except the books and papers thrown randomly.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTypddC7zx
She finished cleaning the kitchen rather fast but it left her with a small amount of agreeable and comestible food. Anna had to go out and shop for groceries. Also, since she didn’t bring many clothes with her in that extraordinary and very unenthusiastically adventure in Japan she had to buy some more. She knew exactly where to go and who to call for help on that matter.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou8E8YJ8P9
“So you want me to come and accompany you shopping?” Takeshi asked, fondling with a piece of paper he found on the ground, next to the couch. “And why would I do that?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I2w8pWFYT
“Because you are a highly respected fashion prodigy whose mother is an excellent fashion designer. That’s one point why you should come. The second would be the fact that you love to play dress-up with me, on me actually.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3lDD8Vx1t
Takeshi rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow. For one second he was reluctant but in the next one, he smiled happily.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUlxOStU66
“You know me too well.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdkdPhUs2G
Anna shook her head and laughed. That, until she realized the piece of paper Takeshi was playing with. She tilted her head to the side, like she usually does when she is confused or curious, and grabbed it from him.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7etHSxVO3N
“What is this…”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppxWgq1iLn
She unfolded it, quite hard actually since Takeshi practically messed with it badly, and started to read out loud.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J8iU7k9gv
“Mister Naoki Watanabe, I am honored to have you working on the cover of our magazine. However, I have to inform you that the project we are currently running for New World Magazine is shortly running out. You have to send us the pictures immediately. There is one week left until the close up. Please, keep in mind that it is just the first round. Best wishes and good luck, President of New World Magazine, Isaac Morin.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d7naqT9SX
At the same time, both artists made a sound of comprehension.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdwMkR96qN
“New World Magazine is a French magazine for environment. They usually try to show their readers the beautiful places in the world that are still intact. And people. They put a lot of accent on the way people live. He must be really good if they chose him to work on their cover.” Takeshi concluded.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T9cPSTVgj
“But he has just one week left to take the pictures he needs and all he’s done until now is…”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRATkFOMYUp
Takeshi smirked and wiggled his eyebrows.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLhVO52AYo
“Follow you around?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRPPEs75st
She glared harshly at her friend and walked into her room. Takeshi followed closely and leaned against the doorframe. He watched as she dressed really fast into a pair of pale green pants and tucked her large cream shirt in. She brushed her hair one again and grabbed her glasses.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AM8KZmfLV
“We're going shopping?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopJ5kI1LZb
While she ran around, looking for the house keys and an umbrella, she shot him a sarcastic smile. Takeshi watched as she grabbed her small leather jacket and tied her shoelaces. She looked quite badass now that he looked better. Not noticing, Anna walked closer to him and patted his chest.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRklgmaClf2
“You’re going shopping.” She grabbed a list from the counter and gave it to him, or more like threw it into his hands. “We’ll meet at the groceries shop across the street after I’m done.” She smiled really cutely and walked out her apartment, leaving a dumbstruck Takeshi behind. He sighed and shook his head.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkL5CEjqjY
“She’s such a child…”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCokRzN98E5
Even though he was annoyed because she just let him do her chores, he couldn’t help but also get amused by her twisted personality.
“This was such a bad idea.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv031RvEPz
After she left the apartment, she originally wanted to take a taxi to Chris’s hotel, where probably Nao was. The only thing she ignored until then was that…980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc2YPZgTmW
“I don’t have any idea where the hotel is…” She puffed her cheeks, annoyed, in the middle of the street while it was raining heavily. Trying to contain her anger, she closed her eyes and bit her lower lip.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyopNvoOZml
“What are you doing?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALSOP7lpw3
Sensing that whoever spoke was probably referring to her, because no one was that dumb to stand in the middle of the road except her, she sighed heavily and turned to face the stranger. Surprisingly, it was Kyoya. He was dressed in a way that made him look like a host, which wasn’t something unexpected since he did work as one before.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEl5sMPNbZ
“I wanted to get somewhere but I forgot I don’t know the address.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzFxlmP28X
Kyoya had the same habit as her: he tilted his head to one side and pouted, confused.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTYEmb7sjM
“Where is that?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjgUAAmnWW
She shrugged. She didn’t even know the name. Maybe Nao wasn’t even at Chris’s hotel for all she could know. It was all really messed up. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiReD940Qq
“Well what’s the name?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVcqUCPMkn
“I think it’s called Riverview -or something- Hotel.” Kyoya raised an eyebrow, making him look even cuter than before. “Well? Do you know where it is?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxymiPd0Gi
Kyoya shook his head, making Anna drop hers in shame.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkfbV8l37H
“Come on. Let’s go get coffee. You look like a lost puppy.”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dxiIc6Dbn
Anna rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him. Surprising was the fact that he actually stumbled, trying to regain his balance.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkwrKqRzOz
“You’re such a girl.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXSR5ZPLOw
He scoffed and started to walk in front of her, making her chuckle. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIgFpgGWzc
They ended at Kyoya’s workplace: the bohemian coffee shop. It was really warm inside and granted to the weather, there were many customers. The place wasn’t big enough therefore it was quite crowded.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP5Ld1nfrf
“I thought you said we’re going to drink coffee?” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBimFOJAnCP
Kyoya nodded and led her to the stairs. That was a place made especially for customers that also helped the small coffee shop throughout time. Anna, by herself, helped a lot by always coming with new customers. She also helped promote it in other countries, therefore having an honorable seat already prepared.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp42IsZPT1
The upper part of the shop looked bigger and had just three people wandering around. It looked like a flat, from what she could see. There was a large hall, where they were standing, with a lot of colorful cushions and small tables, with big glassy windows that didn’t show the outsiders what was there, a lot of posters with musicians and a huge white piano next to one of the windows. It was beautiful and not even Anna, who was rarely amazed, could be so ignorant and unappreciative. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwEnOWHyM3
Being entranced by the room, she didn’t see the person walking in from a different room. He was amused to see her there but also, he knew how special that place was for her.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OmDcuK0Zj
“Ah, Nao! You’re here?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA77pQ3uwrz
That three letters name was enough to get Anna back to reality. She blinked a few times while the subject simply stared at her, a taunting smirk playing on his lips. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5bysIidHu
Kyoya backed off, sensing how the atmosphere got very tense. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGD6HBcT2T
“You know each other?”
“Yes.” Both responses came on the same tone. “What are you doing here?” Again, they asked at the same time. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz636lximi
Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously but Nao seemed pretty neutral.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorRFILUMTZ
“Actually, I wanted to see you.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYloRXxbKYq
Anna’s words got the older man almost suprised. Almost. He wasn’t sure if he should back off or stand still when he saw her walking closer. When she finally stopped in front of him, she grabbed something from her pocket and showed it to him. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkV3Z6pNXM
“It seems you have just one week to send the pictures.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaiBs8fFhk
For a moment he looked dumbstruck. He was still registering her words. When he finally caught on what was the information about, he nodded and took the paper from her hand.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tyzudXPaC
“Thanks” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSEuwzZgSQ
With a one word answer he turned his back on her. He could still hear, though. Her scoff didn’t go unnoticed but neither his facial expression. She could see his reflection in the window. He was smirking smugly.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxHUEGpAOs
“You’re an annoying brat.” She commented but it didn’t seem to affect him. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmVKSTe9wE
Moreover, it just urged him to piss her off. With a graceful turn, he walked closer to her, occupying the space that was earlier between them and leaned in. Their faces were very close and even though she was trying really hard to be calm, she was mesmerized by his eyes. Not as much as him, though. Her green orbs were definitely the cause he couldn’t sleep multiple nights after he left her apartment 4 years ago.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBbl9oQJOM
“Who came all the way to see me?” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNkli1IhOp
She puffed her cheeks childishly but didn’t respond. He definitely caught her without a comeback. It sincerely made him happy to see her acting like a normal woman instead of a smartass.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNdVGbYjr8
“Back off…” She mumbled, pushing him slightly.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaFRKp9izS
She couldn’t really face him in that moment. Every piece of courage left in an instant. It pissed her off but she couldn’t negate how weird it felt when he was too close.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt8Nrmiig5
It was amusing therefore he started to chuckle, making her feel innocent in front of him. It was a feeling she never felt before. It was a weakness and she had to get rid of it as fast as she could.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzGNfOVRI9
Trying to ignore him, she walked towards the table in the middle of the room. It was round and really big. Right in time, Kyoya entered the hall again with two cups of coffee. Sensing that the atmosphere changed in better, he smiled boyishly at Anna and sat next to her.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2ZzfDWbT
“So, do you like this place? It’s been a while since you had last seen it, it improved a lot huh?” Kyoya’s excitement was contagious. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGzLtrXeHG
Anna forgot about the older male quickly and moved her attention on the youngest.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96o6ty5Opw
“Indeed. It was just an abandoned place before. It really looks amazing.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKGSzKpfXL
Kyoya nodded happily.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgihkHLgW1
“And do you know who’s responsible?” The young male pointed at Nao even though he was not paying attention. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeuReDGkyj
He was looking at Anna’s reflection on the mirror. Seeing her again, being playful around her, pissing her off wasn’t actually his intention. In his mind, the whole scenario was romantic. Reality was harsh and it came like a slap on the face. He was stupid to think that she would simply run to him and share her unconditional love for him. That didn’t happen and he was sure it won’t happen in the near future either.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMQrc10zK8
“Him? But I brought him here just once; 4 years ago. Did he come by often after I left?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVMaHc2L7U
“Seriously? Often? Maybe almost every day in the next year or so! After that he left too and eventually got married. He never brought his wife here though.” Kyoya sais before he rubbed his chin, thinking deeply about something. “Right. Naoki-san! Why didn’t you bring Ai-chan around?” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDd8iQI3H
Nao sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t know how to explain himself with the reason being right there.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM1G0bS2Kx
“She’s a busy person.” His response was vague. 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnqTYYbylA
Anna chuckled silently, trying not to grab attention. That coffee shop was something she introduced to Nao. Naturally, it meant something for their relationship. His wife didn’t have any place in the equation so she understood Nao’s emotions.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FfPFyf4Pw
“Then,” She started. “I should thank you for helping this little place, right?” She tilted her head to one side and smiled softly. For her, it didn’t mean much. It was just a sign of respect. For him, though, it meant the world. His heart started to beat faster and he felt himself sweating. It was quite a big gesture.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUDvF6jNqX
While Nao started to think about a response for her, the door opened again and the three pairs of eyes turned in sync to see who entered. It was a man that Anna hadn’t seen in quite a long time. She still remembered him, though. His eyes looked more tired and his whole appearance was better than in college; he actually looked like a business man.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagn6ipeAkG
“Well, well, look who came to visit my humble home,” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglbhbTEUJh
Anna started to chuckle and flipped him off. The man started to laugh and walked closer to her. They hugged and he kissed her cheek. Nao and Kyoya didn’t expect the two to know each other and they just remained perplexed in their seats.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGdccoTVM7
“I honor you with my presence, Ayumu. Like always.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKOwDZs5xl
They let go but Ayumu still had a tight grip on her shoulder.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVckZiLV4y
“Old habits die hard, little princess?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfwBvZFa4q
She stuck her tongue at him and pouted.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK8640wuDk
Nao and Kyoya were still surprised, though. The interaction between the café boss and the author was more than friendly. Nao could see in Ayumu’s eyes that he was looking differently at her than most men.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ybvJmmnM6
“How do you know each other, boss?”980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ogD61YZ3
Kyoya was one talkative boy. He didn’t like to be left out of something and he definitely didn’t have any patience. He was very forward with his words and very sincere. That was a good point for him but it also meant that he felt the need to tell people the truth. That was how he got fired from his last job as a host.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w2yDBkmau
“We went to the same university. Believe it or not, the little princess here majored in Business and Management. We were classmates.” Ayumu answered with a smile.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUWsjWkPNM
It was obvious that Ayumu looked up to the woman even though she was younger. They were classmates which meant Anna had spoken to him about a lot of things before. Ayumu started to ramble about how they met and the whole history of their friendship. It ticked Nao off that Anna used to hang around so many boys and didn’t really have many friends who were girls.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh9MuqJunn
Brushing off his possessiveness, he remembered what he wanted to ask the café boss in the first place.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWGZCl3OG
“Ayumu-san, that other room at the end of the hall,” The man nodded as a sign for Nao to continue. “I heard it is unoccupied?” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiJr9E1vwL
The man nodded again but he knew were that was going. He smiled happily and let go of his friend. He walked towards Nao and stuck his hand out. The older man stared at his hand, a little taken aback.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkFSwOGWWM
“Consider it yours. You have done a lot for this coffee shop, Naoki-san. This is my way to repay you. You can use it for how long you want.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaFt1WP18N
Nao smiled politely and shook hands with the boss. Ayumu’s grip on his hand, though, hardened at some point and he pulled Nao closer.980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13t6EaKifJ
“Girls are not allowed up here without my approval.” 980Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadI64PhZSw
The older man nodded and Ayumu let his hand go.
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