43 Step Up Your Game

Haru arrived earlier than usual that Thursday night and as soon as he opened the front door, someone welcomed him home. He glanced at where the voice was coming from; it was Kyoko, who waved her hand and beckoned him to come over in the living area. After removing his shoes at the genkan, he made his way to where she was and sat adjacent to her. He removed his sweater, then combed his long jet black hair with his fingers.

"Here, come eat some. Uncle already ate his share," she told him, showing the opened boxes of pastries and sweets atop the center table with only a few remaining ones, such as raspberry macarons, chocolate praline, and tarte citron. A clean saucer and fork were also on the table.

He wasn't surprised to see the boxes from a famous patisserie as he knew how much Kyoko loved this ever since they were in college. "How's your night out with friends?" the fresh raspberries inside the macaron caught his eyes, so he pointed to it.

She merrily took it from the box and placed it on the clean saucer. "I really had fun!" she beamed, but then felt her nose itchy, so she sniffed and scrunched her nose afterwards. "It's been a while since we've seen each other. Actually… we're supposed to go partying, but we got caught in the rain, so we just went home."

He glanced at the tall woman and cocked his brow, "You got caught in the rain and didn't shower and change your clothes? You wanna get sick?"

"Oh come on! I'm not a child, Haru," she chuckled. "I got so excited to taste these that I forgot to do those. Don't you worry, we found a shed right away, so we didn't really get that wet."

"Alright, if you say so."

After taking a bite of the macaron, Haru enjoyed the chewy and soft texture of it, and the sweet delicate taste of the raspberries.

"I've realized something…" she stated.

"What is it?" he poked the raspberry with the fork and put it inside his mouth.

"Staying at home and drinking wine once in a while is better. The best with friends. I really enjoyed our drinking sesh last Friday even though I got really drunk," she cracked up.

"You know that's a sign of aging, right?" he smirked.

"Shut up!" she glared at him and stretched her arms upwards with a smile on her face, "Ahhhh~ I'm so excited for tomorrow. Our special clip will finally be released!"

"I almost forgot about that," there was a pause before he talked again. "By the way… have you talked to Sakura?" he asked casually. He knew she was busy, but he was getting worried and wanted to know if she kept in contact with the others.

Kyoko shook her head, "You need something from her?"

"Just wondering why she hasn't chatted in our group chat."

A smile appeared on Kyoko's face as she hadn't seen him this interested in a woman before. "If you miss her, then send her a message."

Redness spread across his cheeks, "M…m… miss...miss her? I didn't say-."

"Why are you stuttering then?" she picked up her phone beside her, "I'll tell her you miss-"

Haru quickly snatched the phone from her hand and hid it behind him.

"What now? I thought you miss… I mean worried about her?" she raised a brow.

"It's almost 12 midnight. She's probably asleep, and I don't want to disturb her-"

"How about a good night message?" Kyoko reached for his arm and tried to pull him up from his seat, but failed to do so. She just fell back on the couch and crossed her arms. "Is this why you don't have a lover yet? Because you're this timid and reserved?" she scoffed.

"Huh?" Haru raised his brows as he stood up from his seat, giving her phone back to her.

"If you wanna get a lover, then step up your game, Haru."

"Not sure what you're trying to say, but I'm just concerned as a friend, Kyoko," he said truthfully.

Haru waved his hand whilst he turned his back, and walked toward the staircase. When he reached the door of his room, he stopped in front and thought that maybe, at the back of his mind, he was already missing her.

–

The very next noon, Haru received a call from his father while he was eating brunch in the dining area.

"I forgot to tell you this morning, but check up on Kyoko since she's got a fever. I've already cooked okayu in the pot, so just preheat it."

"I knew it," he murmured, not surprising him anymore since she got caught in the rain last night.

"Knew what?"

"That she'd get sick," he wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up from his seat. "I'll prepare her food. Anything else, pops?"

"She said today's the release of the clip, and she's troubled that the café might get flooded with customers."

"Aight, we'll cross the bridge when we come to it."

A short laugh was heard across the line, "I should drop by and watch you panic."

"Panic my ass," he smirked and waited for his father to bid goodbye before hanging up.

Since he still has a shift later in the afternoon, Haru quickly preheated the porridge in the pot for the sick Kyoko and headed to her room. Kyoko was awake when he entered, and she smiled at him weakly as he placed the tray on the desk.

"Kiyoshi's on leave and the other baristas are not free today, except for Ayaka. She agreed to extend her shift this afternoon to accompany you," there was a long sigh from her. "I should really try… and go to work to help you," she tried to sit up straight, but he held her down.

"We can manage. Your health comes first," he rested his palm on her forehead and then on her neck. "You're still feverish. After eating, drink your meds and sleep again. Pops said he'll drop by the café, but assured me that will be home early."

"Too bad I won't be there," she sniffed and sighed once again.

"You know that pops can visit the café anytime, right?" he pulled the bed table just beside the desk and placed it on top of the mattress.

"Right… right," she spoke faintly. "Call me if you encounter problems."

"I told you, we can manage. Eat and rest now," he said after setting the bowl of okayu, water, and medicines on top of the bed table.

Once Kyoko started eating her meal, he finally took a bath and dressed himself in a plain black box shirt and dirty white straight-cut jeans paired with a black belt and black high-top sneakers. He checked up on Kyoko and ensured that she has already taken her meds before leaving.

That afternoon was sunny, and even when walking under the lined-up trees with leaves that had turned luscious green, the breeze already felt warm when it touched Haru's face.

As he was nearing Café Ai, he could already see a line of customers outside the shop from the other street. He wasn't sure, but it seemed that the shop was closed, too. Confused, he quickened his steps and even before he could reach the back door of the café, a group of women, who looked like college students, blocked his way!