Friday - Kobe

Arthit's POV

After dinner we walked around for a little bit more to digest all the food we ate. We came upon a little food stall that had a lot of people waiting in line. The sign said "Pablo" with nothing else. I was really curious about what they were selling, but the crowd had completely covered up the display case.

Kongpob stopped, and looked at me, "Arthit, do you want one?"

"I don't even know what it is?" I tried to stand on my tiptoes to see better, but to no avail.

"Why don't you sit down by the benches over there. I'll buy you some, and we can have it as dessert."

"It's dessert?" I perked up at the prospect of having more delicious food. Especially sweets.

Kongpob chuckles at me, and I elbowed him for laughing.

"Yes. It's quite popular. Why don't you go sit, and I'll get some."

Kongpob gave me his boyish smile, and I couldn't help but stare at him.

"Arthit! Arthit! Go sit, okay?" Kongpob waved his hand in front of me.

"Oh, okay. Are you sure you don't want me to wait with you? The line looks pretty long."

"No, you can sit down, and save me a seat too." Kongpob said and jogged over to the stall.

I walked over to the said bench, and sat down watching Kongpob get in that ridiculously long line. Close to the front of the line was a lady carrying a little girl with a pink balloon in her hand. The little girl was playing happily until the balloon flew away. She started crying immediately. The mother tried to console her, but the little girl kept crying. I felt bad for the mother and the child.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere Kongpob walked up to the mother and daughter pair, and gave the little girl another pink balloon. I looked around, and apparently there was a guy selling balloons around the corner. I didn't even see him walk over there. The mother kept thanking Kongpob, and bowing. Kongpob smiled, and got back to the end of the line.

I smiled watching the scene in front of me. Why is he so perfect? His charm affects three years old to eighty all the same. Internally sighing, I took out my phone to check my emails.

After what couldn't have been more than ten minutes, Kongpob plopped right down next to me. I looked up at him, and he had on a great big smile, and he held up a paper bag proudly.

"Kongpob, how did you get it so fast?"

"Actually, I didn't. There was a lady near the front of the line that bought them for me. Her daughter was crying because her balloon flew away, but the lady said she was already in line for almost an hour, so she didn't want to get out of the line. I saw her all flustered, so I went ahead, and bought a new balloon. As a reward, she gave me these."

"Yeah, I saw that. That was really nice of you. So, what's in the bag?" I was eager to know what all the fuss was about.

Kongpob took a delicious looking tart out of the bag.

"It's a cheese tart. It originated from Hokkaido. This Pablo is a popular chain for it, but I actually like the ones from Kinotoya Bake better. Their soft-serve ice cream is to die for."

"Where can we get that?"

"Kinotoya Bake is only available in Sapporo, Hokkaido."

"Oh, maybe someday." I doubt it will taste better than this though, because I'm eating it with you.

Kongpob smiled. He took the tart, and put it against my lips. I took a bite not minding that he is feeding me in public, and I tried not to see if there were any onlookers.

I closed my eyes enjoying the amazingly decadent delight in my mouth. It's warm, gooey, creamy, cheesy filling and it's buttery cookie crust was perfectly sweetened. I think I moaned. Oops.

I opened my eyes, and Kongpob is wide-eyed staring at me with a glint of amusement. I'm a little embarrassed about my reactions to a damn delicious cheese tart, so I looked away for a second.

I turned back, and he was still staring at me. So, I took the cheese tart from his hand, and put it in front of his mouth. He smiled, and opened his mouth. I shoved the rest of it in his mouth while laughing.

"Stop staring at me. You are making me feel awkward." Or really hot.

Kongpob's mouth was full, and was quickly chewing away. After he finally swallowed, and took a sip of water. He turned back to look at me.

"I'm just happy to see you be yourself for a moment. I like seeing you smile." Kongpob says with a gentle smile.

That's it. If I wasn't doomed before, I am now. What is this guy made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice?

"There's one more in the bag. Here, have it." Kongpob hands the cheese tart to me.

"We can share it."

"No. I've had enough for today. You can eat it." Kongpob said as he slightly shakes his head.

After I polished off the last tart, we got up to leave. Kongpob didn't offer me his hand this time, and I had this odd feeling. Can you suddenly get used to something in just one day? Why do I feel like I'm missing something?

I walked along side of him, and I even brushed my hand next to his a couple of times, but still he didn't grab my hand. After walking for a while in silence, he takes out his phone.

"Aki, we should be there in ten minutes. Yes, see you soon." Kongpob ends the call.

"Are we heading back now?"

"Yes, it's already past 10 o'clock. By the time we get back to Tokyo, it'll be close to midnight." Kongpob said a matter-of-factly, and continued walking.

I nodded, and followed along. I'm a little sad that the day is ending so soon.
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Aki was waiting for us with the helicopter running. We walked up to him, and shook hands again. Upon climbing the steps up the helicopter, Kongpob offered his hand to me, and I excitedly grabbed it. However, this time after he buckled me in, he didn't hold my hand during the flight like earlier. He just smiled, and went to buckle himself in. Did I do something wrong?

I looked out the window as we took off. Kobe's lights slowly looking further by the minute. Soon it will be a distant memory.
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Aki: Good evening gentleman. I hope you enjoyed Kobe. Flight time will be approximately 70 minutes. Your rooms at Ritz Carlton is ready, and I will have the room cards for you upon arrival. Now, please sit back, and relax.

Rooms? So, I guess we aren't sharing one then. I turned to look at Kongpob, and he was looking out the window. I don't know what he is thinking, but he seems to be in deep thoughts. So, I turned back to look out my window.
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Aki: Gentlemen, we have arrived. You may now unbuckle your seatbelts.

I opened my eyes to find a blanket over me. I don't even know when I fell asleep. Kongpob must have placed it on me. He got out of his seat, and came over to unbuckle me. He looked straight into my eyes, and gave me that soft smile again.

"Kongpob, I can unbuckle myself."

He shakes his head. "No, just let me help you."

For a second, I thought he was okay again, but then he got up after unbuckling me without doing anything. There were no hugs, no kisses, no hand holding, and not even teasing. So, I got up and just followed him out of the helicopter.

We got the room keys from Aki, and headed for the elevator. I'm a little sad, because I don't want the day to end yet, and I really don't want it to end like this.

"Kongpob, is something bothering you?"

"No, why? Is something wrong? Do you need anything?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"No, you just seem so quiet. Are you tired?"

The elevator arrived before Kongpob could respond, so we got in. He pressed the button for the penthouse, and the lobby.

"No, I'm not. I feel like going down to the lounge for a drink."

"Care if I join you?" I really don't want to see you go yet.

"Sure. If you're not too tired. Look, I'm sorry I made you feel uncomfortable today. I really shouldn't have pressured you so much. It wasn't until I saw you really smile, that I realized how uncomfortable you probably felt all day."

Is that why he was acting like that? Just as I was about to tell him that I was really okay. That I even liked all his attention, the elevator doors opened to the penthouse floor.

Kongpob pressed the close button on the elevator since neither of us were getting off. So, back to what I was about to tell him. I opened my mouth just to be interrupted again by two people getting in the elevator on the next floor.

I moved a little closer to Kongpob, making room for the two people that just entered. I stood there a little annoyed that I would need to work up my courage again. The two people got off shortly at the fitness center level.

Once, the doors closed, I turned around, and pulled him by his collar, and planted a kiss on him. Fuck words! I can't get them right anyway. I pulled away quickly.

"Kongpob, I had a great time today. Don't apologize for it." I looked everywhere, but him. But, I can see him grinning from ear to ear through the faint reflection of the elevator glass windows. I'm happy that I put that smile there.

We walked into a swanky lounge with a great skyline view. There was a nice crowd, mostly foreigners like us. We were shown to a table, but we opted for the bar.

Kongpob ordered two Japanese whiskey on the rocks for us. The bartender was a very pretty and sexy girl with very short hair. She had on heels at least five inches high, and even then she is still petite. Kongpob and her we're making casual conversation in Japanese. So, I just looked around. Then I excused myself to the restroom.

When I came back, I found someone in my seat. I leave this man for a minute, and the bees start swarming. It was a woman with long blonde hair in a black minidress. She had her long legs crossed brushing up against Kongpob's outer thigh. They clinked their drinks together, and continued chatting.

I stood there debating if I should just leave, or should I walk up to him.

"Arthit!" I looked up, and saw Kongpob waving a hand for me. So, I guess it's too late to leave. I hesitantly walked over to his side.

When I came up to him, he suddenly put his arm around my waist, and pulled me against him into a side hug. I was so surprised that I stumbled a little. Kongpob's hold was quite firm, so I didn't push back.

"Arthit, this is Katherine. She is from London." Kongpob introduced with a smile looking from me to Katherine.

I'm still trying to recover from my shock, but I looked at the woman in front of me and  awkwardly smiled.

"You're kidding me, right? You said you're here with a date. If you want to reject me, you can just say it. There's no need to lie." The woman looked at Kongpob accusingly, and then got up and left.

I wiggled my way out of Kongpob's hold.

"What was all that about?" I asked curiously.

"She was interested, I wasn't. I told her I already have a date, and she clearly didn't believe me." Kongpob shrugged, and interlaced our hands.

I can't believe he just goes around telling people he has a date with a man. So, all this really doesn't bother him?

"Kongpob, let's go back to our room."