"Goddamn...I'm fuuucking tired...." Of course I am I've been being pulling doubles for K for almost two whole weeks now, Plus all this cramming for my exams and attempting to keep food in me. I just feel too tired to go on anymore...
Mika looks over at me as she dries her hands. "Hey Shiki, I know you really like being here at the cafe and everything being an effective second manager right under K buuut....Don't get pissed at me or anything but you look like shit..."
"Yeah, thanks I definitely didn't think that when I looked at my reflection in the mirror after dragging myself out of bed this morning. Thanks for reiterating that Mika exactly what I needed to hear when I'm running on what's probably half a handful of cucumber slices, salmon and 3 hours of sleep...." I wasn't in the best mood; I've felt so stressed out that I haven't touched my viola in alittle under a month. So much for wanting to help those in need. Hell, I'm in need WHY isn't anyone fucking helping me!?
"Shhhiki? " I looked back over at Mika with a slightly annoyed expression on my face "What is it now Mika? " I straighten myself and rub my temples with my fingers only to look over to the opposite side of the serving counter to what was effectively my living nightmare.... It was Ryuya..that werido that happens to work at The Witch Beatz music shop...and now he's in my maid cafe...my job...and I had no way of getting out of the situation....
"......." His face curled up into the worse type of smile a human could probably make. It just seemed to be oozing everything 'Predator'. Of course, I'm of age but this guy has always been a creep...Ever since my 1st encounter with him a few weeks after the Music shop opened. It's been open for a little of shy of four years I believe. I remember seeing bits and pieces of the construction when I was visiting the area while my paperwork was being moved to the school I'm currently attending. Which of course he also happens to attend as well...When I saw him in school, he seemed to ignore me at first until I meet him officially as Witch Beatz's 1st employee outside of the owner.
"Well, isn't this a delightful surprise? I was craving something sweet~ " His lip raises on one side to show his teeth slightly, not that I ever made it a habit to do but looking at his mouth in that moment his teeth seemed oddly shaped. Not like they were broken up or rotten they just seemed- strange sharp and pretty off putting if I was being completely honest. "How much would it cost to have you served up on a platter with some syrup and fresh fruits Kitten~?" I felt something churn inside my stomach like I had something terrible.
"Uh excuse me, but SHIKI isn't on the menu she just serves what's on it." Mika says rather firmly. I look over at her still sort of out of it at the moment before I blink and try to get my thoughts together properly. "If you aren't going to order anything from our sizeable menu, I think maybe you should find a different shop to fill your need for something sweet " Ryuya looks over at Mika with that same look he had given me and I think she did flinch, but she still stood there strong. It was strange to see her act like that toward a guy, from what I hear most girls around our age would be tossing themselves like Ryuya and she was one of those girls, but she was effectively rejecting him which is seriously seriously out of the norm for her. I will admit that she did seem pretty cool in that moment standing up for me even after I snapped at her. "I dunno who the hell you think you are coming in here and trying to mess around with my coworker but I'm not gonna let whatever your plans are come to pass got it?" She points him rather aggressively, threateningly even.
Ryuya lets out a small chuckle before he encloses his hands and tilts his head to the side slightly "Does that mean you'd take her place then? " Mika inhales before pulling out her phone and almost instantly snaps a picture of Ryuya before taking a step back from the counter.
"I'm into REAL men not creeps. If you don't get out of our shop, I'm gonna call the fucking cops." Ryuya sucks his teeth
"Really? " He smiles again "Alright fine, but now that I know you work here Kitten I'll be back. " He backs away from the counter and turns to leave "Oh- and by the way Grien misses you, come by the shop more often yeah? " He blows me a kiss before leaving out making the doors bell chime as the door closes behind him. I hadn't even realized that I had been holding in a breath for that long and I released it. Mika softly touched my shoulder.
"Hey you, ok? I know you said you were tired, but you really seem out of it. You should maybe take your break now? You haven't sat down in a while either go take a load of I'll handle things out here and only call you if I really need help, ok?" She smiles at me and runs a hand down the front of her apron, I nod and smile back at her softly
"T-thanks Mika I just- I really can't think too straight at the moment I think I will go sit in the back for a bit call out any desserts you need, and I'll set them in the window for you, ok? It's the least I can do for you sticking up for me like that-- "
"Don't mention it" She waves her hand "Normally when guys come in with an attitude like that you stop them on the spot. With that guy I actually saw you freeze up and that made ME uncomfortable, so I decided to step if. Even if we have our differences at times Shiki were still friends and I do care about you and your health and I definitely wouldn't want some dude creeping on you, plus you have other people aside from me that care about you and want you to be safe too right? Like that really cute guy that stopped by during Valentine's day to bring you something? He seemed to know you pretty well and when you were talking you seemed pretty at ease, he was also a pretty fun to talk to as well." She smiles "You gotta bring him back for a visit sometime~" Mika giggles to herself before grabbing my shoulders and lightly ushering me toward the backroom. "Go on go on already relax Shiki I got it seriously..." I sigh and chuckle abit myself
"Alright alright. I'm going I'm going sheesh." I walk into the backroom and through it to the bathroom to splash some whatever on my face. Why of all places for Ryuya to show up did it have to be here at my job, He doesn't even seem like the type of guy to show his face around a cafe. But then again maid cafe's tend to have all sorts of girls of different shapes and sizes and even though our employee count is rather low we make up for it with hard work and the vouching our returning customers do for us. I suppose the special events we hold every now and then do help in boosting popularity as well...
Regardless of all that, That jackass knows where I work Takano's been Mia and barely answering my texts or calls and I haven't seen or heard from Dante since V-day....I don't have my support system so I'll have to be careful so that he doesn't find out where I live...I really like my apartment and the rent is at a very comfortable rate....
"Huuh~" I Feel myself shudder as I grab some paper towels to dry my face. "Huh? Mika? Are you out there? " There's no answer. But I felt a strange chill down my spine just now like someone was nearby. I leave the bathroom and look around "Mika? " I sigh and rub my face "Guess it was just my imagination."
Mika was in the front of the cafe still cleaning up as it was maybe 2 hours before closing, not too many customers were left and was just daydreaming when her thoughts were interrupted by a strange oddly cold feeling that seemed to appear out of nowhere. "ugh what was that feeling just now?" She looks around and only sees the few customers left and no one else. "weird." After maybe another half an hour Shiki returns back out front to help begin closing down the store. "Hey feeling any better Shiki?"
"Yeah actually I think I did need that break, Thanks again for covering for me. What's going on out here? I look over at her as I grab some cloths and a bin to collect cups
"Mhm...We'll we don't have much longer until closing so I'll clean behind the counter if you wanna get the lobby?" She looks over at me before getting the spray "Yeah I can do that Mika." We both begin cleaning up until the front of the cafe before doors bell chimes and we look over toward the shop.
"Good evening Ladies, Hope I'm not too late to get a warm drink " I feel my face lightly up slightly when I recognize the figure that just walked through the door. Medium length soft looking black hair that had been tied up into a ponytail, striking grey eyes adorned with a eyebrow piercing and wearing quite a nice slimming 3-piece suit.
"Welcome to our Shop-- Eeeee!! It's hiiiim!! SHIKI SHIKI it's hiiim!! " I found myself gawking if only alittle at him. "D-dante...It's you..." He smiles over at me holding up his hand to show off his prized ring
"In the flesh...I had a lot to do today so I couldn't stop by earlier, but I did want to try and stop by because I forgot to exchange phone numbers with you when I was here last. While we were catching up it completely slipped my mind. " He chuckled some before walking over to me and taking his hair down. He smelled really nice like something wood related I couldn't put my finger on it but it was smelled warmed and It really made me wanna hug him. I felt my cheeks begin to get hot as he got closer. "Mind giving me your phone number Shiki? " He smiled softly while holding out his phone it definitely looked like one of those newer ones, I've seen on tv lately.
"H-Huh? o..ooh sure...I've been wanting to catch up properly anyway, but I've been so swamped with everything going on at the moment that I just.... hadn't thought about us reconnecting really, so I'm sorry. " I shouldn't feel bad or anything, life happens people get busy and all sorts of things happen all the time. "Shiiiikiii what about me? " Mika whines in the background
"Sorry Mika I'm a one lady man. " He smiles innocently as I take his phone and begin putting in my number. "We can still be friends though if you like, I am new to the area so I could use a nice guide when Shiki isn't able if you're willing~ " Mika blushes cutely before looking over at Dante
"Do you really mean it? " She starts to bounce around abit seeming to have gained a bit of energy. "Yeah, I don't mind at all." I hand Dante back his phone
"You really shouldn't do that; I'm warning you if you give her your number, she'll never leave you alone." I go back to clearing off the remaining tables in the lobby "Aww do you really not trust her that much? or is it me you don't trust? Granted it has been a few years so I could understand since you have no idea what type of man I've grown into..." I stop for a moment to look over at him
"N-no I didn't mean it like that of course I trust you...I just- " Mika puffs up her cheeks before returning to wiping down the counter and cleaning the coffee machines. "I'm still here ya know." Mika says before groaning and continuing her cleaning. Dante smiles as I sigh before turning away from him and he takes a seat nearby.
"We didn't forget about you Mika, I was just teasing Shiki- is everything alright? " He turns toward me and adjusts his jacket to get more comfortable.
"Y-yeah I just...I haven't been...getting too much sleep lately the end of the senior year is coming, and this is probably the busiest I've been since enrolling." Dante looks over me with a serious look
"You have been eating properly right? You say you haven't been sleeping but have you at least been eating?" I stand still for a moment trying to think of a good lie but I guess I took too long. "Shiki, answer me...Have you been eating proper meals? " He said abit more firmly he almost sounded angry, and I just can't turn to face him because it'll give away whatever I say next.
"Y-yeah....I've been eating fine. Sure they haven't been full course meals or anything, but I've been getting my nutrients. You don't have to worry.." I go to pick up a glass before it I feel my grip sort of fade and I suddenly feel light headed. I attempt to shake off the feeling and look around at the cafe.
"Well you don't look too well, I know it might seem abit pushy but I'm taking you home tonight and making you a real meal to eat, you looks like your wasting away..." A small part of me was actually looking to Dante's cooking, it was something he was passionate about even when we were younger.
"Mm...A home..cooked...meal-- " My body suddenly feels heavy and the world around starts spinning
"Shiki? " Dante had noticed the small smile appear on my face before the cup I was holding crashed to the ground " SHIKI-! "
Someone was calling my name...I can't think of who it might have been though...everything felt so cold for a moment but...not I feel warm again and it's that same warm scent from before...
"Oh my god what happened i-is Shiki ok?? " Dante touches my forehead after he lifts me from the floor and feels for a steady pulse
"She's alright she just passed out but she's burning up we need to get her a hospital.."
"O-ooh okay...I Can't exactly leave the shop but I'll call someone right away so that they can come and pick her up, you'll stay here right? "
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now.." He feels around my face and head for any bleeding luckily there only seemed to be a bump. Mika was in the background pacing as she was on the phone was emergency services. "Y_yes my friend just collapsed s-she mentioned being tired and didn't look very good at all throughout most of her shift today and she's burning up- " Dante strokes my cheek and looks over my face carefully.
"Don't worry Shiki...you're going to make a full recovery I'll make sure of that..." He holds me close to his chest as the flashing lights of approaching ambulances can be seen in the distance through the shop windows.
No comments:
Post a Comment