XLII.

Kinomi.

"When are you planning to get married?" I asked Tora as I was busy looking over her bookshelf, finding a good book to read. I paid her a visit because I can. "My brother is even getting married ahead of you."

"We still have our priorities straight, Kinomi. Marriage is out of the option yet." Tora answered, still busy with her documents.

"What priorities?"

"Our own shops, jobs, responsibilities?" She said it as if she's unsure about the answer herself.

"What difference will it make if you tie the knot now or later?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows, peering over my shoulder to her direction to show my confusion.

Tora shrugged. "You said it before, we shouldn't be in a rush." I picked up a good book whose title piqued my interest then I took a seat on the couch, Tora watching me do so. "And the tables have finally turned, huh? I have a boyfriend now and you don't." There was a smirk evident in her tone.

I rolled my eyes, giving her a deadpanned stare. "Ha-ha-ha."

"It's my turn to ask you now. When are you planning to get a boyfriend? How many years has it been since your last? Six?"

"Maybe when your boyfriend proposed to you, I might reconsider." I said with a dismissive wave of my hand, my focus still on my book.

"Have you moved on from your high school sweetheart?"

"Yeah." I said, trying to make it sound nonchalant.

There was a knock on the door and it opened right after. I didn't mind the intruder and just took my cup of black tea on the coffee table to take a sip on it. I almost spat it out when Tora exclaimed. "Kei! Hi, honey!"

My neck hurt when I immediately snapped my head to the back to see a man who looked to be in the same age as Tora. He had blonde hair—which was obviously dyed and his hair was swept backwards by a headband. He also has brown eyes and piercings. He can really pull off the gangster look without much effort. But more importantly, he looked familiar... and the most imporant thing rather, he shares the same first name as Tsukishima?

"Yeah, Kinomi. You've moved on, alright." Tora broke into a fit of laughter, amused at my reaction. I flitted a menacing glare at her because she did it on purpose. She called him Kei on purpose!

"Honey, I brought your favorite meat buns." 'Kei'-san said warmly.

"Thank you!" She beamed at him, making me roll my eyes.

He smiled before his gaze shifted to me. "Oh, hi there." 'Kei'-san greeted me.

I stood up, nodding my head as a greeting. "Hello. You must be Tora's boyfriend."

"I guess that would be me, yes." He chuckled, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

I squinted my eyes at him, trying to remember where on earth have I seen him. The intense stare made him feel awkward and uncomfortable.

"Have we met before?" I asked.

"Ah, you might not remember me because it's been years but I coach the boys volleyball team in Karasuno."

"Oh..." I nodded in acknowledgement. "So your name... is really Kei?"

"A part of it. Tora calls me that. My full name is Ukai Keishin." He introduced himself, and I nodded again, taking his outstretched hand for a handshake.

"Kuroo Kinomi."

"Could you be somehow related to a Kuroo Tetsurou?"

"He's my brother." I shrugged.

Tora walked up to us and took the paper bag of meat buns from Ukai-san's hands. She pulled one out and took a huge bite out of it, chewing with a big smile plastered on her face. Ukai-san just chuckled then patted her head affectionately. She offered me some, and I took one just to be polite.

"So what are you doing in here, Kei?" Tora asked merrily. Is it just me or is she getting more annoying than usual?

"I just wanted to stop by and give you some meat buns because you've been working really hard lately." Ukai-san said.

"Really? Then let's go out on a date, Kei! We deserve a break at least." Tora grinned then held her boyfriend's hands. She's really saying his name often on purpose, it's pissing me off.

Mikazuki Tora is a consistent workaholic and that's one of the reasons why Moon of the Third Night is still thriving in the industry for almost twelve years and counting. She even recently introduced mild alcoholic drinks in the menu for the older customers. I still remember that one time I got sick and she chose to fill in her paperworks instead of taking care of her only niece. She even left me under Tsukishima's care when she barely even know him then. And for her to take a break to be with Ukai-san just proves how much she loves him.

"Hey, now. But what about your work?" Ukai-san asked with a worried tone.

"Oh, that's why my niece is here! She'll fill in for me. Won't you, Kinomi?" She looked at me with a sparkling glint of hope in her eyes.

"You don't have to burden her with your responsibilities, you know." He scolded, making her pout. "Sorry about that, Kinomi-san."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "I mean, if it's just only for today... then I guess I can watch over the café until you return." I shrugged.

"Yay! You're the best niece ever." She went over and hugged me, to which I only rolled my eyes with a small smile.

"Do you even have a choice? I'm your only niece, idiot."

I stayed and did most of Tora's paperwork for the day until 4 pm. Noah would splurge a text and send pictures of his escapades all over Tokyo. I shook my head then let out a snort. He wanted to discover the beauty of Japan on his own. He wanted to experience the thrill of getting lost and then finding himself in a foreign land. Indeed, the experience was surreal and overwhelming when I also explored England.

But then... I left my heart in here. Nothing could ever compare the smell and feeling of home. How can I find myself again in another land when I lost it in a place I know so well?

I stretched and shut down Tora's laptop, the black screen reflecting the sparkle of the moon and star ring chained around my neck. My hand went up to roll it between my two fingers, feeling the heaviness in my chest again.

Thank God, he didn't see it because I was wearing a turtleneck that time. I lost the right to wear this a long time ago but seeing it with me brings an amount of comfort that got me through the years. He never really left me. I always had him with me throughout the years. Or at least that's what I'd like to think... even if we're not together anymore. Maybe that's why I can't let him go... because I still want to hold him close.

I shook my head as if to purify my thoughts. There's no more paperwork pending and I still have a few more hours to spare until Tora comes back. And I'm bored so I guess I'll become a waitress again today just for old time's sake.

After a few hours of generous work in the café, the sound of the chime attracted my attention and... there he was... again. Tsukishima Kei and Yamaguchi Tadashi just walked in and stopped short on their tracks when they saw me.

Tsukishima and I locked gazes as if we're stuck in our own little bubble once again. It felt like we came back to our first encounter at the museum a few days ago.

"M-mikazuki-san!" Yamaguchi was the first one to react. He looked like he was panicking as his head moved back and forth to Tsukishima and I.

"Good evening." I plastered on my signature polite smile.

"Good evening." Tsukishima matched my smile as well.

Yamaguchi only blinked as he looked at the both of us smiling at each other. I led them to a vacant table right by the window in which used to be Tsukishima's favorite spot. We chatted for a moment as I waited for them to choose their orders.

"Mikazuki-san... so when did you return from England?" Yamaguchi asked in a small voice. He must have been feeling the tension building up around us.

"Just a few days ago. I'm only staying here until after my brother's wedding." I answered. Then I noticed his attire. "What's your job, Yamaguchi?"

"Oh, I work at a home electronics company." He said sheepishly. Then he looked at me as if he was expecting me to ask something else. "Uh... Tsukki works at the Sendai City Museum."

"I know." I smiled. "I already went there the day after I arrived here."

"Really? Why didn't you tell me, Tsukki?" Yamaguchi looked over Tsukishima who wasn't attentive in our conversation.

"I don't know." Tsukishima shrugged. "Maybe I just didn't feel the need to tell you about trivial things." He said, his gaze still focused on the menu in front of him. That stung but I did my best not to let it reflect on my face. Instead, my smile only got wider.

"You're working as a waitress in here again?" Yamaguchi asked after a few moments of silence.

"No, I actually have a job in England. I'm just a waitress in here today for old time's sake."

"Ah, yes... for old time's sake." Tsukishima nodded with a rather sarcastic chuckle. "Serving us again must have brought you a whiplash of nostalgia, right, Mikazuki-san?"

"Yes, of course." I said that rather enthusiastically. "You were my consistent customer after all."

Although inconspicuous, I saw Tsukishima's jaw clench before he looked up at me with a smile. "I'll have a kahlua and milk."

I jotted that down on my notepad then turned to Yamaguchi, who was still dumbfounded by the both of us. "I... uh... I'll have a caffe latte instead."

I nodded, turned on my heels to proceed to prepare their orders. I also took a slice of strawberry shortcake for Tsukishima and a slice of matcha cake for Yamaguchi and placed them in small individual boxes. I took a deep exhale as I collected them all on a tray and walked back to their table.

"I didn't order this." Tsukishima said with an arched brow.

I lightly shook my head, getting a bit tired of smiling. "It's on the house."

“Why?”

“For old timeʼs sake.” I smiled at him.

Tsukishima looked down at the slice of strawberry shortcake encased in a small box before his gaze back at me turned sharp... and there I succeeded in bringing out an emotion from him.

“Uh... thank you!” Yamaguchi interjected the heated staring contest.

“Yeah, thanks.” Tsukishima smirked again.

“Youʼre welcome.”

It was hatred... nothing but hatred for me. Even with that thought in mind, I still smiled then bowed my head before turning my heels to entertain other customers.

"Make sure my coffee is hot." A male customer demanded with a smirk. He reminded me of the Karen I encountered back in England.

I internally rolled my eyes. "Don't worry, sir. We don't serve lukewarm coffee in here." I smiled at him.

After a few moments, I came back to him with a cup of steaming hot espresso on a tray and a slice of chocolate cake.

"Here's your freshly brewed coffee and house-made chocolate cake." But then this asshole tipped the saucer plate, causing the cup of coffee to spill and splash on my hand.

"Ah, fuck..." I managed to tone down my voice as I back away, holding my burned hand. I blinked away the incoming tears as I heard the man chuckle.

"Kuroo-san!" Rin-san exclaimed. She's one of the part-time waitresses.

"What happened? Is she okay?" Shiori-san, the senior waitress, asked.

"Oops." The asshole said mockingly. "You should've been more careful. You almost ruined my shirt. You better be thankful you didn't spill any coffee on me. A waitress like you who earns minimum wage will never know how much my clothes cost." He stood up and marched to the restroom.

I don't have the time to think of any snarky remarks to throw back at him because my hand feels like it's being skinned. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Tsukishima stand up as well and march to the restroom.

"Kuroo-san, how's your hand?" Rin-san asked with a worried tone.

"I'm fine. The pain is bearable." I said nonchalantly. No fucking shit. I'm trying my best to not curse like a sailor in here. I forced out an exhale before bending down to pick up the broken pieces of the cup.

"Let me do that, Kuroo-san! You need to put your hand in running water first." Rin-san said, then went to get a broom and dustpan.

Tsukishima emerged from the restroom with a deadpanned look on his face then went back to his table with Yamaguchi. After a few moments, the asshole came out crying, shouting at Tsukishima. "We're not finished yet!"

"Sure." Tsukishima smiled at him. He even waved at him.

"Sir, wait. You didn't pay for your orders." Shiori-san said to the male version of Karen.

"I didn't even get to eat anything!"

I shook my head. "Just let him be..."

After the man left, Shiori-san approached me with a menacing smile on her face. "He better pray to his god every night and shower himself with holy water from now on because I will find a witch to curse his entire bloodline."

"Now, now. Calm down, Shiori-san..." Rin-san sweatdropped with a nervous smile.

I didn't mind the waitresses in front of me and just kept my gaze at Tsukishima who just pulled out money from his wallet to pay for his drink. What did he say to the rude customer? Did he defend me from him?

Then they stood up, preparing to leave the place. Yamaguchi spared me a worried glance as if asking me if I was alright. I went to them before I could think twice.

"How's your hand, Mikazuki-san?" Yamaguchi asked me.

"It hurts a little but I'm fine." I smiled at him. "Tsukishima..." I muttered.

"What is it?"

"I don't know what you did to that guy, but I just want to thank you for defending me." I said, bowing my head in embarrassment.

I heard him smirk. "I just put him in his place, that's all." He shrugged.

"What exactly did you tell him, Tsukki? He came out of the restroom crying..." Yamaguchi asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Nothing much. He's just overreacting."

"I'm sorry you guys had to see that..." I said.

Tsukishima let out a sigh. "Look, I didn't come here to defend you from that guy or anything. So don't apologize, Mikazuki-san." Then he took my wrist that was behind my back, bringing it in front of us. "And do something about your hand. It might get infected."

I almost flinched when he did that. I was tempted to run back and seal myself in his embrace because that was where I belong. There was this warm, comforting feeling of coming back home that washed over me. I miss him, his smile, his scent... the sensation of the warmth he brings to me.

But I couldn't come back home to him now. He hates me now like how I asked him to. The door to his heart is locked and guarded now and I know the reason why.

"Y-yes..." I stuttered, and before I could get greedy with the warm sensation, I retrieved my hand from his grasp, leaving me feeling empty once again.

"You really just can't stop getting hurt, can you? Just like old times." He smirked.

When the duo finally left, I received a text from Tora and attached to it was a picture of her hand with a diamond ring.

Tora:

OMGs! Keishin proposed to me!!! It's your turn to get your end of the bargain, my dear niece. ;)

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Ready for a glimpse of Tsukki's thoughts in the next chapter? :>