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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cnQnDHhm5
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2D0Pzxa1S
“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?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFjVFM2nOc
“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.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzLGj6k4If
Takeshi rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow. For one second he was reluctant but in the next one, he smiled happily.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaNj99B7Z9
“You know me too well.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmrZZx6JQ7
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9QTft7kf9
“What is this…”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrMlMvnHHm
She unfolded it, quite hard actually since Takeshi practically messed with it badly, and started to read out loud.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75UNyg1HvV
“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.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlcJOstWTh
At the same time, both artists made a sound of comprehension.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7N6teXj71
“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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy7jyR3zQe
“But he has just one week left to take the pictures he needs and all he’s done until now is…”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnS45OreCr
Takeshi smirked and wiggled his eyebrows.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtxWjgNghq
“Follow you around?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ7FczIEXf
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmMqJqLzj4
“We're going shopping?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza1o9o26m5
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kGadZ9mNH
“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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LUJtU8pLF
“She’s such a child…”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEediOO4jss
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.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BsjIVlR7E
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…900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1wlHyHky1
“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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIGL7oTrbp
“What are you doing?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWge8h17YB
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlTdXS5kwR
“I wanted to get somewhere but I forgot I don’t know the address.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8InDBY6kC
Kyoya had the same habit as her: he tilted his head to one side and pouted, confused.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNyIbSFAnI
“Where is that?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9JF1gDgeT
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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gT064j1Mv
“Well what’s the name?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SQayMAz0E
“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?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszgGVKTTU9
Kyoya shook his head, making Anna drop hers in shame.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1KYuXnp7g
“Come on. Let’s go get coffee. You look like a lost puppy.”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrXQv8Hjpr
Anna rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him. Surprising was the fact that he actually stumbled, trying to regain his balance.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpxRUKx2S1
“You’re such a girl.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW2GKciVco
He scoffed and started to walk in front of her, making her chuckle. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jrTiAtKwG
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uJXmYjCv9
“I thought you said we’re going to drink coffee?” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzPw7cXLDc
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2aMfa60C3
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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAhifLlSkY
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQocpXv393P
“Ah, Nao! You’re here?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3spLOPBY4
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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVELFpsgUpF
Kyoya backed off, sensing how the atmosphere got very tense. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1WBY5E9aW
“You know each other?”
“Yes.” Both responses came on the same tone. “What are you doing here?” Again, they asked at the same time. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs1wFZJ3YF
Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously but Nao seemed pretty neutral.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqo9AZDUOc
“Actually, I wanted to see you.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E53fv5iM5
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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6FYMFZl3h
“It seems you have just one week to send the pictures.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhNYujW7Qp
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OXKs9EXoZ
“Thanks” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqoo9k1xcV
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowcxskeyt8
“You’re an annoying brat.” She commented but it didn’t seem to affect him. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuhnv51F3C
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jvRgffOSk
“Who came all the way to see me?” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi55EAiQXB6
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsLgqQQpOM
“Back off…” She mumbled, pushing him slightly.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBSD5NkVPI
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPZKJM5vRl
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lGk59F78j
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qM5DUt0WP
“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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9njLbJMcs
Anna forgot about the older male quickly and moved her attention on the youngest.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVGgnvHa4g
“Indeed. It was just an abandoned place before. It really looks amazing.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgMe48qLp
Kyoya nodded happily.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznvwqjf8Mx
“And do you know who’s responsible?” The young male pointed at Nao even though he was not paying attention. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc31t8BFVFG
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGXdTrOsR5
“Him? But I brought him here just once; 4 years ago. Did he come by often after I left?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE99prAErRJ
“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?” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoly1YUMtOE
Nao sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t know how to explain himself with the reason being right there.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4QWBSVwCM
“She’s a busy person.” His response was vague. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLDvbmWgad
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9439qQauH
“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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2bUZ3czTY
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7aAFRgGkE
“Well, well, look who came to visit my humble home,” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RPwEZiJB4
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJnTwCue65
“I honor you with my presence, Ayumu. Like always.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGEwEATR0G
They let go but Ayumu still had a tight grip on her shoulder.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fXyIFYwwj
“Old habits die hard, little princess?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SFKehxowv
She stuck her tongue at him and pouted.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r26DJ375R
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVployrr3Ly
“How do you know each other, boss?”900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqXrKbVmLn
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofuiuZiDx9
“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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrhJdpM0Ei
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xuSiQDxpd
Brushing off his possessiveness, he remembered what he wanted to ask the café boss in the first place.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbEg7ajvSf
“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?” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMyCZNzm9G
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiz1xvZs7G
“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.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWIhMHBd9G
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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68CewvRYcq
“Girls are not allowed up here without my approval.” 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQbFxkSXlm
The older man nodded and Ayumu let his hand go.
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