You're Pretty Cute

Takahiro held a basket full of alcohol. Kahoru was baffled. "Wow, I never thought you'd drink all of this."

"No, It's to compensate you."

"But you already did with the snacks."

"Those were just snacks. This is alcohol."

Kahoru loudly sighed and walked to the front counter. "If you say so."

Takahiro smiled in delight. He helped Kahoru put the items on the counter. As the items were being scanned, he spotted a freezer with an ice-cream sign. He walked up to it and observed the types of ice-creams and ice lollies there were. Takahiro couldn't help but take an ice lolly out of the freezer.

He walked back to the counter and added the ice lolly into the pile of items that were being scanned. Kahoru watched the whole ordeal with a face full of confusion. "Apart from pudding, you still really like your sweets."

"It's a good energy booster for when you're tired. Is it not?"

"Of course you would say that. I don't really like sweet things anymore. They make me feel nauseous."

Hearing Kahoru's words upset Takahiro. He glared at her as if she had done something horrible. "Don't talk about sweets like that."

"If you think about it, Me not liking sweets is good for you. You get to have it all to yourself."

Takahiro pondered for a moment until the realisation hit his face. "I suppose so," He then responded to Kahoru in a sarcastic tone, "Wow, you're smart."

"I'm not as dumb as you think I am," Kahoru grumbled as she gave Takahiro a pinched expression.

Takahiro smirked. "You're pretty cute with that look on your face."

Kahoru became flustered. She stammered as her face grew warmer. Her cheeks were a rosy red and she turned away as she fidgeted with her fingers. Kahoru decided to run outside to cool off her face.

The poor cashier behind the counter had witnessed it all, even his cheeks were rosy. He quickly scanned the last of the items and placed them in the bag, "It comes to sixty-three dollars."

"I'll pay by card," Takahiro said in a raspy tone.

"No problem sir."

...

Kahoru stood outside watching the cars and bicycles pass by. She felt strange as if she discovered a new side of her. She never felt so giddy when she dated Keiichi. As she began to slowly space out, Kahoru a hand rub against her head. She turned around to see that Takahiro was frowning. Takahiro handed Kahoru a bag of groceries and started to walk towards the apartment, "Why do you keep ditching me as I'm about to pay?"

Kahoru started to follow him, "If you stop teasing me, then I wouldn't have to ditch you." She grumbled.

"Oh, do you want me to stop?"

"Of course I do."

Takahiro stopped walking and turned his head around. He gazed at Kahoru which made Kahoru stop in her tracks. Takahiro smirked and walked backwards. He stopped next to Kahoru and leaned into her ear, "Well that's not going to happen." He whispered in a seductive tone and started walking again.

Kahoru was speechless. Her shock had become angry. "H-Hey you idiot!" Kahoru yelled at Takahiro.

Kahoru started to run after Takahiro, who was speed walking away from her. Kahoru tried to slap his back which Takahiro effortlessly dodged. "You can't catch me." Takahiro started to jog away as Kahoru tried to keep up.

"W-wait for me!" Kahoru started to run to try and keep up with Takahiro, but she constantly slowed down as the bag of groceries moved around if they were going to fall out. They finally got to Kahoru's apartment. While the elevator was going up, Takahiro smiled as Kahoru was panting. "Why did you have to run so fast?"

"You're just slow."

"I am not! I have groceries to carry."

"I do too."

"The beer you bought is going to explode when you open it."

"It won't."

"We shall see." As soon as the door opened, Kahoru ran to her apartment room and unlocked the door. Takahiro ran after her wondering why she ran to her room.

"Why are you running?"

"No reason."

They walked into the house and took their shoes off. They rushed to the kitchen and cleaned their hands. Kahoru started chopping up the food whilst Takahiro was cooking the chicken. He was making chicken katsu. Kahoru was impressed by his cooking skills. "You're not bad at cooking."

"Thanks, I used to cook for myself when I was abroad."

"Didn't your parents cook?"

"They did until I went to University."

"Ah."

After forty minutes of cooking, the pair finally finished cooking. They sat at the table with their meal and cans of beer. "Thank you for the meal." They both said and started to chomp down on their food.

Kahoru took a bite of the chicken katsu and her eyes sparkled. "This is really good."

Takahiro's heart started to race. He gazed at Kahoru who was enjoying his food. He felt warm inside. "I'm glad you liked it."

Kahoru quickly ate the rest of the food and drank a few cans of the beer Takahiro bought. "The beer is really good with today's meal.

"It really is," His cheeks turned pink as he quietly mumbled, "It tastes better cause you are here."

"What?"

"Nothing." After Takahiro cleaned his plate, he gathered up the plates. Kahoru was impressed, "Don't worry, I'll clean up. You can go and take a shower."

"But-"

"Just go."

"Okay." Takahiro put the plates back down on the table and walked towards the bathroom. He stopped and looked back at Kahoru. He felt his cheeks heat up and he quickly went into the bathroom.

As Kahoru cleaned, her phone started to ring. Kahoru quickly answered the phone and put it on loudspeaker, "Hello?"

"Kahoru! Why didn't you tell me your place burnt down?"

"Oh, Kanna? What's up?"

"Don't what's up me! Tell me where you are living right now."

"A new apartment."

"Give me the address. I'll come over and visit you when I come."

"Okay, I'll text you later."

As they chatted, Takahiro had finally finished his bath. He walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. "Kahoru, where is the hairdryer?"

Kahoru turned her head around and her eyes widened. Her face became a scarlet red and she immediately turned around and covered her face, "Takahiro put some clothes on!" She shouted.