It Was Worth The Wait?

[15:29 P.M.] They had arrived at café Kako right on time for Connie to start her afternoon shift.

She truly enjoyed getting to work at such a reputable place. This was the first building of the Kako brand to pop up in such a bland and basic town.

From the face of the café, you could tell there was something unique about it. Café Kako was fresh and pristine, lots of glass, a sleek black design with the brand bold in gold and stylish font. A few comfortable seats and tables awaiting customers to relish in the full outdoor experience; the delicate foliage and beautiful blossoms about the terrace.

It's lavish look made it really stand out amongst the drab buildings next to it. The majority of other shops surrounding the new build looked tatty and outdated in comparison.

It's popularity was nothing short of grand - probably because the townsfolk had never witnessed such a modern and fashionable place in the mostly dismal area. By word of mouth, the café was described as a beacon of utopia in the small city because it sparked so much joy into those that visited.

The interior was just as exquisite as the exterior. The décor was exuberant, but not too outlandish. The atmosphere was welcoming and anyone would feel a sense of relief as soon as they stepped foot through the doors.

Anyone could tell that the company seemed to favour the bonsai plant. It was the only style of greenery on the inside and the range of different types of tree added to the ornate look the place embellished. Some would be higher up on shelves and others would be on counters.

Zak leisurely took a seat in a far corner - so that Hiro wouldn't easily notice him, but close enough so he could still depict what was going on via facial expressions. Connie checked herself in for the day, put on an apron over her clothes as uniform and got to work as usual.

It was quieter than normal today. In the time Connie wasn't going around clearing used cups or plates off tables or bringing ordered food and drinks to people, she found herself immersed in whatever Hiro was up to.

"Someone's staring a lot more than usual today~" Michaela, Connie's co-worker, had been standing beside her for some time now whilst she goggled at Hiro.

"H-huh!?"

"I can't blame you for crushing hard though... he's so awesome..." Michaela also began to gaze at Hiro serving customers at the main counter.

"Why does everyone try to read me like I'm that much of an open book!?" Connie muttered under her breath, in frustration. "I never said I'm crushing on him!"

"But you are~" Michaela poked Connie, teasingly.

"....Am not... anyways, aren't you supposed to be working!?"

"Touché, sister." After that, the two girls got back to doing their 'work'.

It was quite evident that neither were fully focusing on doing what they were supposed to. Connie was still enveloped in her thoughts of finding a right moment to talk to Hiro. Once he was in work mode, she knew he wasn't going to stop for a small chat of any kind.

Last time Connie tried, he threatened to tell the café manager that she was being a bother to both him and the customers. He knew that Connie wouldn't dare speak to him if it involved the possibility of getting onto the wrong terms with the boss, but she really needed to know what's been going on with him.

Michaela gave Connie a smug look from afar as she thought that the constant fixation on Hiro was because of some sort of admiration for him. Well... that was partially true; however, Connie was mainly waiting for the perfect opportunity to start a conversation.

Hiro was a completely different guy to all the customers compared to how he would talk to Connie's friends or other employees, such as Michaela — who is always fawning over him.

Whenever Michaela tried to flirt with him, Hiro would simply pretend she didn't exist. He was an expert at easily making people feel ghosted. Not that it would ever stop Michaela.

Towards customers he was extremely polite and professional. Always making sure to greet the next person with a amiable smile and a fun, little chat to make their day. Connie would always question why he was nicer to strangers than he was to his own friends.

At one point Connie was so focused on Hiro having a good laugh with an exceedingly jolly customer, that she wasn't looking where she was going with a tray full of drinks in her hand - which ended up on no other than herself after colliding into a table.

"Connie!" Both Michaela and Zak ran to assist her as she just stood, frozen in shock.

Some nearby customers complained that their orders were already taking too long to arrive at their tables in the first place and now they'd have to wait longer for another. Others were just sniggering at Connie's stupidity.

"Don't worry Zak, I'll get her sorted out in a jiffy." Michaela guided Connie towards the restrooms.

Whilst they were walking away from the now noisy café, Connie and Hiro exchanged glances at each other. It was as if time slowed down for a moment.

Again she stared at him without purpose and he gave that typical cold look in return - which somehow infuriated her.

[15:46 P.M] Connie was now in some spare clothes Michaela had lying around in case of emergencies like these. For some reason, this whole situation ignited a sort of anger inside of Connie.

Maybe it was the fact her lovely outfit has been completely ruined and she'll probably not be able to get the stains out of that particular material.

Maybe it was the fact her day was already not going well and she was so happy this morning to make a fresh start.

Maybe it was the fact her ex best friend didn't give a damn when she had spilt all of those drinks on herself and all of those people were making a mockery of it.

"You okay, Connie? You seem very tense..." Michaela said in an anxious manner.

Connie just left the room, without a single word, and stormed straight passed Zak - who was patiently waiting for her return.

"Woah, woah, woah! Hold up, Connie! We don't need to make a scene!" He rushed to stop her, but she swiftly made her approach on Hiro.

"Hey!" She raised her voice a bit and a few customers began to look in their direction.

"Oh." Hiromasa let out an exhausted sigh. "You... again. Don't you think you've caused enough trouble today? With your little debacle just now."

His words were enough to make Connie blow a fuse. Even just his mannerisms, always disregarding anybody's feelings, always focused on himself, always so blunt. Despite this, she tried to retain her cool as best as possible.

"I'm fed up of this. We need to talk." Her tone of voice was normal; however her face was scowling.

"I need to serve these customers, so if you would excuse m-"

"We. Need. To. Talk." This time Connie slammed her hands on the counter and gave him a sarcastic smile.

"No. You WANT to talk to me. Us talking isn't a necessity." He brushed off her aggression, which did leave him rattled, and exaggerated the fact that it was just a want and not a need.

"Hello! Anyone here actually serving anybody today!?" An obtrusive customer called.

"Yeah, I've been waiting ages for my meal!" Said another.

"I'll be right with you!" Hiro went took his chance to get away from Connie, but she grabbed his hand.

"Please... can we just talk, Everyone's so worried about you. I'm worried about you. I just want to know why you've been acting so weird these past few months." For a second, Connie could see an extremely saddened look in his hazel-green eyes. He quickly pulled away from her and almost bumped into Zak, who was now towering over him, arms crossed.

"And... of course you're here too." Hiro groaned. "You guys really are persistent, I'll give you that."

"If there's something bothering you this much, you need to get it off your chest. Just..." Zak put his hand on Hiro's shoulder. "Come back to us when you're ready. We miss you, man."

"I... I-I gotta get back to work so... bye." He scurried away from his two friends and reverted back to work mode.

"So what now?" Connie asked.

"He'll change his mind. Don't you worry." Zak nodded to himself as if he had noticed some kind of sudden change.

"If you say so..." And with that, she got back to work as well.

[17:25 P.M] It was a quiet evening and Connie was on her way home from café Kako after finishing her shift. Zak had already left a few minutes after their supposed 'talk' with Hiro.

She felt awful. Nothing today was going the way she had planned and just when she thought it couldn't get any worse... she walked straight into a lamppost.

"Ouchies! WHY ME!?" When was this put here!? I swear it wasn't here before!" She kicked it, only causing her foot to hurt more and she shrieked from the pain.

"That's always been there. You're just dumb. And maybe don't kick the metal pole."

"EXCUSE ME!? WHO DO YOU THINK-!?" Connie quickly realised who it was. I mean, there could only be one ice cold, cruel person who talks down to her in such a careless way.

He was casually standing there, one hand in his pocket, the other indicating Connie to take the packet of CinniBunz he had bought for her.

"For me? Why are you-?"

"Well!? Take it! I don't see any other dumbass here kicking street lights!" He tossed it at her and she caught it. She looked at the packaging with teary eyes and back at Hiro, who looked pretty unbothered still.

"B-b-but-!" Overcome by rampaging emotions, Connie hugged Hiro and began to cry.

"Sheesh. Why are you crying, silly? I thought you liked this ridiculous snack."

"I-I thought that... that you hated us... and you hated me!" She sniffed every now and then between her speech.

"Oh, I hate you alright. You're a real pain, you know? Always bothering me. You all get on my god damn nerves." He smirked, knowing it would annoy her to no ends hearing that.

"WHY YOU-! YOU STUPID JERK FACE JERK! DUMB, STUPID, STUPID BRAIN JERK! YOU'RE LUCKY I'M A NICE PRESON ELSE I WOULD'VE LEFT YOU AND YOUR DUMB, STUPID, JERK EVIL SELF!" Connie kept hitting him as she said it.

"Alright. Alright. I get it. I was a bit of a jerk..."

"JUST A BIT!?"

"Yeah." He shrugged. "Can't believe you're throwing such a hissy fit over some stupid snack."

"YOU KNOW IT'S NOT EVEN THAT!" Connie yelled.

"I guess you really missed those CinnaBunz... you're such a mess. You should see your face. And those mood swings. Priceless. Hmmm... I do suppose it was long overdue, though..." Walking away from Connie, he chuckled to himself.

"THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE CINNABUNZ! Hey, Hiro, wait! W-where are you going!?"

Hiro clearly wasn't listening to a single word coming out of Connie's mouth on purpose just to see her reactions.

"Well I have to keep an eye on you since you have a dangerous tendency to bump into things. Maybe take this as an opportunity to, I dunno, chat about stuff." Hiro just kept walking as Connie was left in utter confusion. "You just gonna stand there or what? Let's go."

"If this is your version of an apology... you absolutely suck." Connie sighed and strolled together with Hiro at her side.

There was silence between the two, as Connie munched on her CinniBunz. Hiro knew that she'd be more likely to calm down after coaxing her with a favoured snack.

"I'm really sorry about all this." Hiro said out of the blue, refusing to look at the astonished glare Connie gave him.