Chance encounter
Kazuya strolled along the bustling streets, his eyes occasionally glancing at the reflection of a shop's window beside him.
He had carefully chosen this ensemble—a light blue button-up shirt paired with dark jeans and white sneakers.
It was an outfit he had purchased some time ago, hoping it would give him a touch of confidence and style.
As he continued his walk, thoughts of the latest fashion trends and what would suit him best swirled in his mind.
Ever since he tried improving himself, he somehow became conscious of his appearance, wanting to make a good impression on others and feel comfortable in his own skin.
Lost in his thoughts, he was jolted out of his reverie when he noticed a familiar face on the other side of the glass window.
It took a moment for recognition to set in, but when it did, a mix of surprise and curiosity washed over him.
"Sumi?" he murmured to himself, wondering if he was mistaken. But as he looked closer, there was no denying it—it was indeed Sumi.
He recalled meeting her just a week ago when he had unintentionally stumbled upon a situation where she needed help.
He had felt a strong instinct to step in and assist her, playing the role of a knight in shining armor without even realizing it.
It was a side of himself that he hadn't seen before, and he couldn't help but wonder if his subconscious desire to protect Sumi had spurred that newfound confidence.
On the other side of the glass, Sumi became flustered as she noticed Kazuya. Though she didn't hear him, she was able to read his lips as he called her name.
Kazuya noticed her reaction and smiled warmly, using some hand gestures to assure her that everything was alright.
He then decided to seize the opportunity and entered the shop.
The small bell above the door chimed as Kazuya stepped inside, and Sumi couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness.
She watched him gesture that he's just going to order something real quick, and she nodded cutely, her heart racing with excitement and anxiety.
Kazuya saw her reaction and couldn't help but find it endearing. He made his way to the glass shelf, scanning the array of freshly made and delicious-looking donuts.
Among them, he spotted a divine creation—the French Angel Donut. It was a fluffy French cruller filled with heavenly whipped cream that melted in one's mouth with each delightful bite.
Based on how it looks, it was evident it had just been freshly made and placed on display moments ago.
Not able to resist the temptation, Kazuya decided to treat himself and bought two of the delectable donuts.
He figured it was the perfect post-workout indulgence and got himself a sparkling water as well. With his order in hand, he made his way back to where Sumi was seated.
"Hey, what's up?" Kazuya greeted her with a warm smile as he took a seat beside her.
Sumi couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and nervousness at his presence. The sight of the French Angel Donut made her heart skip a beat, and she couldn't help but gaze at it with puppy eyes.
"Do you want one?" Kazuya asked, picking up on her longing stare.
Sumi nodded cutely, unable to form the words to express her desire.
"Here you go." Kazuya used his utensil to transfer one of the donuts to Sumi's plate.
'My fluffy sweet love....' Sumi said inwardly as she took a bite of the heavenly treat.
The taste was pure bliss, and a radiant smile spread across her face. It was a simple joy, but for someone like Sumi, it meant the world.
"Sumi..? Are you okay?" Kazuya asked, concerned by the tears welling up in her eyes.
Sumi's emotions overwhelmed her, but she managed to nod and wipe away the happy tears. "I'm... I'm fine.. It's just... Thank you..i-its.. amazing!"
"I'm glad you like it." Kazuya chuckled warmly, relieved to see Sumi enjoying herself.
"I forgot to introduce myself last time. I'm Kazuya by the way."
His kindness and willingness to help her had left a lasting impression, and knowing his name made her feel closer to him somehow.
"So what are you up to after this?". Seeing that she's having a hard time communicating, Kazuya made the initiative.
"K-Kazuya," she stammered softly, a shy smile gracing her lips. "I'm... Sumi."
"Didn't you tell me already last time. Haha." Kazuya smiled
"Anyway, It's nice to officially meet you, Sumi. You have a beautiful name."
The compliment sent a blush creeping across Sumi's cheeks, and she lowered her gaze, feeling her heart race with a mixture of happiness and bashfulness.
She had never been very good at handling compliments, but coming from Kazuya, it felt different—sincere and heartwarming.
At the same time, she's feeling a bit embarrassed because she misinterpreted the question, which is likely due to the mixed feelings overwhelming her at the moment.
They continued their conversation, talking about their respective schools and the courses they were taking.
As they sat there, savoring the moment and enjoying each other's company, Sumi felt a sense of comfort she had rarely experienced around others.
There was something about Kazuya that put her at ease, making her forget her anxieties for a while.
However, as more people entered the shop, the atmosphere began to feel crowded, and someone even occupied the other side of Sumi's seat.
Kazuya noticed her growing discomfort and decided to take the lead, suggesting that they go somewhere else.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Ye-yeah. Sorry," Sumi replied apologetically.
"Don't worry. It's been really nice talking to you, Sumi. I know you still have places to go today, so how about we meet again next time?"
"Uhm..Ye-yes!"
"Here, let's share contact information," Kazuya said with a chuckle as he exchanged contact details with Sumi.
"See you," Kazuya said, walking away while raising his hand in a casual wave.
Sumi watched the back of Kazuya, feeling grateful for his kindness and wishing she could express her gratitude more. Gathering her courage, she decided to call out to him.
"Kazuya!"
Kazuya turned back, seemingly surprised by the sudden call of his name.
"See you again." Sumi waved back, her smile radiant like an angel's.
'She's so cute...' Kazuya thought, feeling a warmth spread across his cheeks. He controlled his emotions and smiled warmly back at Sumi.
"will do, Sumi," he replied, his cheeks blushing as he couldn't help but find Sumi incredibly cute.
After a while, Kazuya was almost at the mall where he had planned to go that day.
'Dad's gonna kill me if I wasted my allowance just like this. I also got to look for some ways to earn.'
At the stoplight crosswalk, he patiently waited for the red signal to turn green, giving him a moment to reminisce about his encounter with Sumi.
'Oh man, she's so cute. I wonder what made her so shy in public? Is it introvertness? Maybe it could be something else?'
'Whatever it is, there's a unique charm to her shyness that's absolutely endearing. I should learn more about her, find out what she likes and dislikes.'
As the red light turned green, he crossed the street, but his mind was still preoccupied.
'I want to see her smile more often; she deserves to be happy. But I should also be patient and understanding, not push her too hard. It's clear she's been through some struggles, and I want to be someone she can trust and rely on. Maybe we can help each other grow, who knows?'
Lost in contemplation, he continued to walk, his heart feeling lighter than ever before. This chance encounter had brought something special into his life, and he couldn't wait to see where it would lead.
Author Notes:
(I apologize for the delayed updates. A lot has been going on in my life, dealing with COVID, financial challenges, getting married, and making plans to migrate to Canada. Along with my work commitments, I've been swamped with various things, and it caused me to forget some details of the story.
In this fanfic, I want to portray Kazuya's maturity shining through earlier on, unlike the original canon. I also aim to show his character growth before he meets Chizuru.
Sumi, on the other hand, has more social struggles than Kazuya, and through his natural kindness, he will help her overcome her fears bit by bit while unknowingly building his own confidence.
Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you'll enjoy the journey of the characters as they evolve.)