As Days Go By... - Part 1
He was such a gentle soul… he was so genuine…. And so compassionate…. And so…
“HIKARU! STOP daydreaming!” The stern voice shouted from the kitchen.
“Hai hai……” Hikaru had been working at the small ramen shop for a while now, the money he made was enough to get him by comfortably, but he had always figured there was something missing from his life. That is until, he saw…. Him.
One day while he was absent mindedly cleaning up a table, trying desperately hard not to look at the mess the kids that were eating there had left. Hikaru let his eyes wander out through the store’s small windows and into the nearby park that sat next to a small daycare for little kids. There, standing in the small wooden enclosure was a single boy, dressed all in white, with a small black band around his wrist. He smiled happily as he watched the kids all dance around him and call his name. Try as he might though, Hikaru never could hear anymore more than “….-nii chan.”
This went on for days…. Every time, at the same time, the boy would appear in the park, and the kids would hurriedly rush to hold his hand and skip or jump with him. All the while, all Hikaru could do was stand idle in the confines of the restaurant walls, watching. There was just a certain….. quality about the boy, and it called to him. He had wanted so badly to sneak out, but at the risk of being fired, and losing the job he needed he never once stepped out of line. Watching the boy dressed in white always helped carry him through the day, he was so cute, and yet so gentle with the kids….
Hikaru watched, this particular day, as the boy knelt down next to a crying little boy, who had just fallen and scraped his knee a few minutes before. With his head propped in his hands, Hikaru smiled goofily as the boy spoke in soft tones and the once wailing boy calmed and the tears evaporated from his face. Even as he spoke, a cool and gentle wind wrapped around them, brushing the leaves mixed in the grass into a swirl of colors. The gust whipped around the pair before streaming off towards the restaurant. Bit by bit, the leaves fell out of the whirling winds, but as Hikaru watched, there was something else….. something he hadn’t seen in all the leaves.
“A… feather?” He questioned as the gentle breeze blew in a single white feather, it danced upon the invisible currents before laying softly in Hikaru’s hair. Gingerly, he pinched the feather out and off of his head and looked at it. The single feather glimmered and shined brightly as the sun streaming through the windows struck it. His eyes darted back to the boy and he noticed something he hadn’t before… the jacket that he always wore, it was lined with these feathers. Always with these feathers…
“Ah!” He jumped as he realized the boy was turning in his direction, without thinking he crouched down onto the ground, hoping he wouldn’t be seen through the window.
“Just what are you doing?” A voice asked him. Hikaru looked up to see the lady that owned the ramen shop looking at him, with a puzzled look on her face.
“N-Nothing! I was just uh… making sure… the floor was clean….” He quickly turned his attention to a particular spot on the floor.
“Uh huh…” She smiled wryly as she looked up in the direction where Hikaru had been gazing all afternoon. Immediately, she knew what he must have been looking at and chuckled.
“S-Stop that! What if he sees you just oogling at him!?” Hikaru snapped as he grabbed her hand and pulled her down with him.
“Oh boy…. Haha you like him don’t you?”
“N-No! Well.. uh maybe….” The boy nervously twiddled his fingers together, pouting slightly as he did.
“Well… I know he’s a very good boy….. the owner of the daycare eats over here sometimes, he’s always talking about this boy that comes to volunteer. I don’t quite recall his name….” The lady sighed and stood up, meeting Hikaru’s eyes as she did.
“If you find out what his name is…. Bring him over here for Ramen… My treat.” She smiled giving him a playful pat on the head before walking back into the kitchen.
“Mou…..” Hikaru whined to himself before he peaked over the edge of the window sill to see the boy in white guiding the kids back to the day care.
“He’s so…. beautiful….” He sighed. Reluctantly, he pried his eyes away and set back to his task of collecting the empty bowls and bringing them to the kitchen.
“OH! I forgot! You’re working part of the night shift tonight!” The lady called as he entered the kitchen
“E-Eh!? No I’m not….. It’s not on the schedule….” Hikaru scratched his head as he looked at the small calendar that was changed every month and posted on the small bulletin board in the kitchen.
“I just changed it….” Came the reply
“W-Wh-“ He was about to question before the lady turned around
“Because, I forgot, that the owner of the day care is coming here tonight with his employees for their appreciation dinner… this is your chance isn’t it?” She smiled broadly
“B-B-But… he’ll see me in… this uniform! I can’t dress up!?” Hikaru worriedly rubbed the small uniform polo and khaki pants that he wore.
“You’re an employee here aren’t you? Wear your uniform with pride…… but…. I suppose I can let you go for a few minutes…… to go home and wash that uniform of yours……” The lady sighed as she noticed the worried way that Hikaru was rubbing stains that he had acquired that day.
“T-Thanks! I’ll go right now!” He ran out of the kitchen and dropped his apron on his way out. With a wave to the other waiter that was working with him, he darted out the door and down the street towards his house.
Eagerly he tore off his shirt and pants, throwing them into the wash, his mind was such a jumble he hadn’t even thought to put on clothes as he was waiting for his old ones to wash and dry. Nervously he sat in his room, clad only in his boxers, his eyes stared straight ahead.
“Don’t screw up…..” He cursed himself. After a few more minutes of sitting and thinking, he decided it would be best to take a shower, maybe it would help to calm his nerves….. maybe.
After setting his clothes into the dryer, he turned it on with a flick of his wrist and walked back upstairs and into his bathroom.
Warm waters cascaded down upon the boy’s body and he shook with anticipation. He felt as if he were a nervous girl going out to meet her boyfriend for the first time, and well…. He was right wasn't he? This would be the first time he’d meet him… the…. Something-nii chan, that the kids always played around, the something-nii chan that he always watched from that small window in the shop.
“Ahhh!” HIkaru groaned as he scrubbed himself head to toe, making sure to get rid of any small spot of dirt. He climbed out of the shower, toweling dry his hair and making sure that it laid perfectly on his head but in a casual way…. Of course.
Throwing on his uniform, he grabbed a jacket and ran out the house again, back to the restaurant. Just as he turned the corner, he noticed the door of the daycare was opening, and he dashed the last few feet to the restaurant, getting there in time to hold the door open for the employees to walk in. One by one he bowed to them, uttering the customary welcome that he had learned to say with “feeling” as the lady put it. He bowed to what seemed to be dozens of people before he realized, the last person in the line….. was him.
“Welcome….” Hikaru nearly stuttered as he bowed to him, he stared at the boy’s white shoes, and when he rose, the boy smiled at him and he felt his knees melt as his grip on the door tightened, if it were not there, he feared he would have collapsed right then and there.
“Ah, Hikaru-chan! You haven’t met him yet right!?” The man who owned the daycare walked up to him giving him a hearty pat on the back.
“N-No, Kazama-san…” Hikaru shyly looked at the boy.
“Well, this boy here, is Keito Okamoto…. He’s been volunteering at the day care lately…. He’s I think three years younger than you….. Keito! This is Hikaru Yaotome! He’s been working here for a bit now…. A rather smart young boy like yourself! You two should become good friends! Maybe Hikaru here will give us discounts on Ramen eh?” The man chuckled playfully as he walked off to join the other adults at the table.
“Hajimemashite….yoroshiku onegaishimasu……” Keito bowed politely.
“H-Hajume…mashite…” Hikaru returned the gesture, Keito’s voice was so soft…. And up close he was even more beautiful…. Even more… pure…
“W-Welcome… to our restaurant…. Please…” Hikaru gestured to a chair as Keito sat down. Quickly, he darted into the kitchen and braced himself against the giant refrigerator. His heart was pounding so fast and he couldn’t control himself…. What was this feeling…. ?
“Soooo….. you’ve met…… Keito-san is it?” The lady asked as she absent mindedly chopped vegetables. Hikaru nodded
“Well…. Don’t be shy…. Go out and take their order…..” She nudged him, with her elbow and set back to chopping…
“B-But…” He tried to think of a good reason NOT to go back out just yet, but he knew he was defeated.
“W-What would you like…tonight?” He asked shakily as Keito read through the menu. A thoughtful look appeared on his face as he pondered each item that piqued his interest.
“I… don’t know…. What do you recommend? Yaotome-kun?” Keito smiled brightly as he looked up, startling Hikaru slightly.
“U-Uh… I think.. our house…. Ramen is de-delicious…” He stuttered as Keito nodded.
“I think I’ll take one of those….. thank you…” Keito replied as Hikaru scribbled furiously and walked off as the other waiter had taken the other orders in the time it had taken him to just take Keito’s.
“De-delicious!” The lady stuttered as Hikaru walked in.
“Hush….” He hissed as he set his order pad on the table.
“Oh calm down…. Why are you so nervous….”
“I don't know!” Hikaru plopped himself down on a stool beside the center table in the kitchen and sighed. His mind floated back to just a few moments ago when the boy….. Keito…. Had smiled and looked at him, directly in the eyes….. just thinking about it sent warmth through his body… he had smiled at him, and asked in that cute… soft voice….. what he had recommended…
“Ah to be love struck again……” The lady smiled as she put the vegetables into the broth that would soon flavor the ramen.
The night progressed as usual….. except Hikaru took to staying in the kitchen, stepping out only to take a bowl out, or to refill someone’s water or tea. Every once in a while he’d look out to see Keito, eagerly slurping up the noodles, whining cutely as the occasional splash of soup would land on his cheek. Hikaru smiled as he watched the cute boy use his wrist to wipe away the liquid, just like a cute kitten would…
After what seemed to be an eternity in the kitchen, Hikaru heard the sounds of chairs shuffling and looked out to see the daycare employees getting up and leaving.
“So you’ll just be going home then? Keito?” Kazama asked
“Yes…. I didn’t bring anything with me today, so I’ll go directly home from here, thank you for dinner.” Keito bowed as all the other employees left, leaving him alone in the restaurant. He turned to pick up his jacket and as he did, Hikaru felt himself shoved out into the main floor of the small ramen shop.
“Heeeeeey!” He called as he felt the hands push him towards Keito.
“H-Hm? Yaotome-san?” Keito looked puzzled
‘God he’s so cute with that look on his face….’ Hikaru thought as he stuttered and stood rigidly at attention.
“I uh… was…… just going to see if I could….. get to know you better…..?” Hikaru sounded uncertain about what he had just said.
“Sure….. what would you like to know?” Keito smiled as he let go of his jacket and took his place at the table again.
“Well boys! Tonight’s your lucky night! This is a new ramen that I’ve been developing, and I want you two to be the first to try it out!” The lady had barged into the center of the shop and laid down two large bowls of noodles. She swept away the other dishes and walked back into the kitchen, giving Hikaru a wink as she did.
“Wow…” Keito’s eyes widened as he looked at the bowl’s contents.
“Yeah… looks like she spent a bit of time on this…..” Hikaru chuckled as he looked up from his bowl, and for a split second, his and Keito’s eyes met..
“Uhh… Itadakimasu!” Hikaru quickly jerked his head downwards and began to eat the noodles, doing anything to prevent from looking at the boy opposite him.
‘Embarassing….. my cheeks are probably all red….’ Hikaru thought. While slurping noisly, he noticed that Keito wasn’t making a sound….. daring a small peek up, he looked to see the other boy gently stirring up pieces of noodles into nice balls and placing them on the spoon, he ate it.
‘Sophisticated……’
“It was delicious…” Keito smiled as he finished the last of his soup and set down his spoon. The two boys were the only two in the restaurant, and the lady had taken to cleaning up around them.
“Ja…. Yaotome-kun… I must be going now…… maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?” Keito asked as he stood up.
“M-Maybe…” Hikaru nodded shyly, willing himself to meet the boy’s gaze. Luckily for him, Keito seemed to be satisfied by that answer, and turned and left.
“Oh you dolt! You shoulda been more confident!” The lady immediately scurried up to her employee and gave him a whack on the head with a washcloth.
“W-What!?”
“M-M-M-May-bee…” She teased.
“S-Shush!”
While he was walking home that night, Hikaru’s mind kept wandering to him….. Keito. So that was his name… and what a beautiful name it was….
“I finally know your name….” Hikaru whispered, smiling happily to himself as he looked up at the clear starlit night.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The next day things were as usual, Hikaru awoke to the sound of his three alarms… groggily he got out of bed to shut off the third alarm he had placed upon his dresser, across the room.
“I hate mornings…..” Hikaru muttered to himself, expecting his mirror self to reply.
As usual… Hikaru showered, changed, went to school…… changed….. and began his walk towards the ramen shop. This part of the day….. wasn’t “as usual” was it? Before he stepped into the store, he turned his head towards the small park where he had seen… Keito….. He sighed and turned his head back to the way before him, and walked through the door.
“Heyyyy! Hika-Chan! You look happier today! Good job!” One of the regular customers nodded in his direction.
“Eh? Really? Well thanks! Come again!” Hikaru smiled cheerfully as he picked up the plates.
“He’s right….. you are….. bouncier than usual…..”
“You’re imagining things again boss lady…..” Hikaru shrugged.
“It’s because you finally met Keeeeeeeiiiiitoooo isn’t it?”
“Shhhhhhh No!” Hikaru shushed urgently
“Then why are you whispering?”
“I’m… I’m not….. I just…. don't want to disturb the customers while their eating…..” The boy looked away, ending their conversation before she could retort.
Hikaru spent the day as usual, staring out at “The boy in white” and absent mindedly picking up the dishes and bowls before him. He barely even noticed the slimy residue one particularly nasty kid had laid aside for him, and with a careless wipe on his apron, continued to pick up the bowls.
“Keito…….” He said thoughtfully… He was love-stricken….. and he knew it.
“Aaaaaaarg why does this have to be so difficult!” He asked no one in particular, squeezing the dish in his hand so hard, it felt as if it were merely clay, ready to crumble.
“It’s only hard because you make it hard….. I really don’t see why you’re so shy…. You’re a fine looking young man….. just go for it….. get some confidence!” Hikaru turned to see the lady out of the kitchen, holding a spatula in one hand, while the other rested on the counter that held the cash register.
“Yeah…. Easier said…..”
Everything was fine, that is…. Until the night came…. Just as the shop was getting close to closing hours…. Loud sounds of laughter came from the daycare across the way, boisterous laughs and giddy cackling rang across the streets, causing Hikaru and the lady to look up from their work. Watching the door intently, they felt someone approach and push the door open. In barged Kazama, the man who owned the daycare, and beside him, stumbled…..
“Keito!” Hikaru squeaked, blushing as he realized his sudden change of tone.
“I…Im…..sorwwway…. we gots…. A lil…… carrieddd awayyyeee…birthdays….. you knoow?” The man slurred his speech.
“Kazama-san…. Are you drunk?”
“NOT REALLY……” the man yelled, unaware of his own volume.
“Ke-Keito? Are you okay?” Hikaru asked as he pulled the boy out from the older man’s arm.
“J-Just… a little….. tipsy? Is that the…..word?” The boy dropped into a chair thankfully
“He-He’s a light weight! We offered him just a little……. Just a tinsy…. Little…..tiny…sm….” Kazama’s voice drifted off into nothingness as he seemed to have suddenly remembered something back at the daycare and walked off.
“K-Keito? Will you be alright?” Hikaru asked worriedly as he sat down next to the boy and patted his back.
“A-Alright….” Keito repeated, his eyes already drooping.
“Here, feed him this, the warmth will do him good…..” The lady offered a small bowl of pure broth, the very stuff the soup of the ramen was taken from.
Gingerly, spoonful by spoonful, Hikaru fed Keito… making sure that he didn't drip any of the liquid on his clothes.
“C’mon Keito, I’ll take you home…. Where do you live….?” Hikaru stood up,
“I jus…. I don…remember…”Keito shook his head, making his head ache even worse.
By now, they were already out on the street, and Hikaru had unconsciously began walking towards his house, just as if it were any other day…..except this time…. Keito was with him……
“A-Ah! W-What are we doing here……? I’m sorry…. I just…. I wasn’t thinking and…. And…..” Hikaru tried to explain as he suddenly realized that Keito had never answers his question, but he had somehow brought them to the small courtyard outside his house…….
After a few awkward moments, he looked over at Keito to see the boy’s eyes fluttering, he was tired….
“W-What…. do I do?” Hikaru asked himself… but his time was short-lived, it seemed mother nature had other plans….. as a gentle sprinkle began to fall upon them, the distant clanging of heavy rain began to get closer and closer.
“Ahh!” Hikaru quickly pulled them both into his house and shut the door securely.
“I suppose….. you can stay here with me tonight…..” He sighed as he helped Keito to the his bedroom and laying him on the small bedding. Quickly, he stripped off his own wet clothes and threw on new ones before he turned his attention to the boy that was sprawled on his bed. By now, Keito had completely passed out, his clothes were wet, and yet he still looked so happy…
“You’re so… cute….” Hikaru whispered, noticing the slight blush in Keito’s rosy cheeks.
“Guess that wine must have done a number on you huh…..” he chuckled.
For quite the while he debated between just covering Keito with a blanket, or……
“It can’t be helped…. Besides….. we….. we’re both… guys…right?” He asked himself as his hands already moved to take off Keito’s shirt, slowly, he unbuttoned it, revealing the boy’s silky white smooth chest, occasionally, his fingers would brush against the cool skin that slowly crept into view, and he blushed profusely. He managed to pull Keito into one of his older shirts, and throw him into a pair of sweats that he thought would keep him warm. Through all this, Keito never stirred, and never woke.
As he tucked Keito into his bed, Hikaru smiled broadly as despite being soaked just a few minutes before…. He began to feel a little bit of warmth inside….. For a brief few moments, he looked that the sleeping angel in his bed, and wanted so much to hug him… to hold him…. But his shyness would not allow it…..
Dejected by a sleeping Keito, Hikaru trudged into the living room and pulled a blanket over himself as he laid on the couch. The last thing he saw in his mind, was the image of the beautiful boy laying in the room just next door. Keito’s soft expression as he slept, the way he looked… so at peace….. everything…. Lulled him to sleep.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The next morning, Hikaru awoke early to the sound of his alarms in the next room and scrambled to turn them off. Quickly he turned his attention to the boy in the bed, but the alarms had already done their job….
“Mmnnh…” Keito groaned
“K-Keito?” Hikaru managed a slight whisper
“Mnnh oh… my head….” Keito’s eyes opened to find himself in strange surroundings. Immediately he jumped to attention as his back straightened and his eyes became alert.
“No nono! It’s okay! It’s okay… “ Hikaru rushed to the boy’s side and calmed him down.
“You’re with me…. you…. Showed up at the shop kinda… drunk and I brought you home since you couldn’t tell me where you lived…” He explained rather quickly.
“I-uh…t-thank you…” Keito tried his best to bow but his head kept pounding.
“Ahh hey just.. uh… keep resting…. Don’t stress yourself….”
After making sure that Keito was comfortable in the bed, and staying there….. Hikaru went off into the kitchen and began to cook breakfast. He worried whether Keito liked scrambled eggs or Sunny-side up…. He worried whether he liked his soup with or without the seaweed…. He worried about the toast, the vegetables….
“H-Hikaru?” A sudden jolt brought him back into reality.
“Keito! You shouldn’t be up…. !”
“I feel…. A little better…. Its just you took so long making breakfast…. I was worried..” The younger boy explained as he hobbled over to the kitchen table and sat down.
“Ah… here….sorry… I don't know what you like….” Hikaru blushed as he offered the beautiful boy in his kitchen the fruits of his labor. He watched carefully as Keito ate, and smiled when the boy nodded his liking.
“W-What about you? You aren’t eating? Here….” Keito offered a small ball of rice between his outstretched chopsticks.
“Ah I-“
“No excuses… just eat…” Keito interrupted
“A…Okay…” The older boy gave in and accepted. He blushed even more as Keito continued to feed him small amounts of everything. He blushed even more as he realized that some of what he had cooked, may have been a little OVERcooked…. But Keito kept smiling all the while.
When breakfast was finished, he and Keito cleaned up, he had tried to get Keito back to rest, but to no avail..
“All I needed was some food… I feel better…. Really…” He claimed, and Hikaru couldn’t protest….
Together they finished washing and drying the dishes, neither speaking a word. Hikaru was too shy…. And Keito was too focused on drying the dishes…
Like all things, the task ended, and the pair were left standing in the kitchen, staring at each other awkwardly.
“Listen… Yaotome-kun… thank you for…taking care of me…”
“Mm? Oh…it.. it was nothing….” Hikaru scratched his head shyly.
“M-Maybe…. After today…. When you get off… you could… let me treat you to dinner?” Keito blushed slightly as he asked.
“Y-You don’t have to! Really… I mean…”
“No… I insist….. “ Keito grabbed Hikaru’s hand and the older boy couldn’t refuse.
Keito assured him that he was fine, before he decided that he had better head home.
“See you tonight! Or maybe even today for lunch!” He called as he walked out of Hikaru’s house, carrying only the bag that contained his now slightly damp clothes. Nervously Hikaru closed the door and leaned against it… his head beat so fast he thought it might have jumped out of his body..
“I… have a……………date?” He asked himself
“With…. Keito….”
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
Wheeee~ Minna! Hallo! Its been a while ne!? So here’s my Hikato fic.. I think I’m liking this pairing too…. Haha so once again…. Please let me know what you think!
~Emmie
“HIKARU! STOP daydreaming!” The stern voice shouted from the kitchen.
“Hai hai……” Hikaru had been working at the small ramen shop for a while now, the money he made was enough to get him by comfortably, but he had always figured there was something missing from his life. That is until, he saw…. Him.
One day while he was absent mindedly cleaning up a table, trying desperately hard not to look at the mess the kids that were eating there had left. Hikaru let his eyes wander out through the store’s small windows and into the nearby park that sat next to a small daycare for little kids. There, standing in the small wooden enclosure was a single boy, dressed all in white, with a small black band around his wrist. He smiled happily as he watched the kids all dance around him and call his name. Try as he might though, Hikaru never could hear anymore more than “….-nii chan.”
This went on for days…. Every time, at the same time, the boy would appear in the park, and the kids would hurriedly rush to hold his hand and skip or jump with him. All the while, all Hikaru could do was stand idle in the confines of the restaurant walls, watching. There was just a certain….. quality about the boy, and it called to him. He had wanted so badly to sneak out, but at the risk of being fired, and losing the job he needed he never once stepped out of line. Watching the boy dressed in white always helped carry him through the day, he was so cute, and yet so gentle with the kids….
Hikaru watched, this particular day, as the boy knelt down next to a crying little boy, who had just fallen and scraped his knee a few minutes before. With his head propped in his hands, Hikaru smiled goofily as the boy spoke in soft tones and the once wailing boy calmed and the tears evaporated from his face. Even as he spoke, a cool and gentle wind wrapped around them, brushing the leaves mixed in the grass into a swirl of colors. The gust whipped around the pair before streaming off towards the restaurant. Bit by bit, the leaves fell out of the whirling winds, but as Hikaru watched, there was something else….. something he hadn’t seen in all the leaves.
“A… feather?” He questioned as the gentle breeze blew in a single white feather, it danced upon the invisible currents before laying softly in Hikaru’s hair. Gingerly, he pinched the feather out and off of his head and looked at it. The single feather glimmered and shined brightly as the sun streaming through the windows struck it. His eyes darted back to the boy and he noticed something he hadn’t before… the jacket that he always wore, it was lined with these feathers. Always with these feathers…
“Ah!” He jumped as he realized the boy was turning in his direction, without thinking he crouched down onto the ground, hoping he wouldn’t be seen through the window.
“Just what are you doing?” A voice asked him. Hikaru looked up to see the lady that owned the ramen shop looking at him, with a puzzled look on her face.
“N-Nothing! I was just uh… making sure… the floor was clean….” He quickly turned his attention to a particular spot on the floor.
“Uh huh…” She smiled wryly as she looked up in the direction where Hikaru had been gazing all afternoon. Immediately, she knew what he must have been looking at and chuckled.
“S-Stop that! What if he sees you just oogling at him!?” Hikaru snapped as he grabbed her hand and pulled her down with him.
“Oh boy…. Haha you like him don’t you?”
“N-No! Well.. uh maybe….” The boy nervously twiddled his fingers together, pouting slightly as he did.
“Well… I know he’s a very good boy….. the owner of the daycare eats over here sometimes, he’s always talking about this boy that comes to volunteer. I don’t quite recall his name….” The lady sighed and stood up, meeting Hikaru’s eyes as she did.
“If you find out what his name is…. Bring him over here for Ramen… My treat.” She smiled giving him a playful pat on the head before walking back into the kitchen.
“Mou…..” Hikaru whined to himself before he peaked over the edge of the window sill to see the boy in white guiding the kids back to the day care.
“He’s so…. beautiful….” He sighed. Reluctantly, he pried his eyes away and set back to his task of collecting the empty bowls and bringing them to the kitchen.
“OH! I forgot! You’re working part of the night shift tonight!” The lady called as he entered the kitchen
“E-Eh!? No I’m not….. It’s not on the schedule….” Hikaru scratched his head as he looked at the small calendar that was changed every month and posted on the small bulletin board in the kitchen.
“I just changed it….” Came the reply
“W-Wh-“ He was about to question before the lady turned around
“Because, I forgot, that the owner of the day care is coming here tonight with his employees for their appreciation dinner… this is your chance isn’t it?” She smiled broadly
“B-B-But… he’ll see me in… this uniform! I can’t dress up!?” Hikaru worriedly rubbed the small uniform polo and khaki pants that he wore.
“You’re an employee here aren’t you? Wear your uniform with pride…… but…. I suppose I can let you go for a few minutes…… to go home and wash that uniform of yours……” The lady sighed as she noticed the worried way that Hikaru was rubbing stains that he had acquired that day.
“T-Thanks! I’ll go right now!” He ran out of the kitchen and dropped his apron on his way out. With a wave to the other waiter that was working with him, he darted out the door and down the street towards his house.
Eagerly he tore off his shirt and pants, throwing them into the wash, his mind was such a jumble he hadn’t even thought to put on clothes as he was waiting for his old ones to wash and dry. Nervously he sat in his room, clad only in his boxers, his eyes stared straight ahead.
“Don’t screw up…..” He cursed himself. After a few more minutes of sitting and thinking, he decided it would be best to take a shower, maybe it would help to calm his nerves….. maybe.
After setting his clothes into the dryer, he turned it on with a flick of his wrist and walked back upstairs and into his bathroom.
Warm waters cascaded down upon the boy’s body and he shook with anticipation. He felt as if he were a nervous girl going out to meet her boyfriend for the first time, and well…. He was right wasn't he? This would be the first time he’d meet him… the…. Something-nii chan, that the kids always played around, the something-nii chan that he always watched from that small window in the shop.
“Ahhh!” HIkaru groaned as he scrubbed himself head to toe, making sure to get rid of any small spot of dirt. He climbed out of the shower, toweling dry his hair and making sure that it laid perfectly on his head but in a casual way…. Of course.
Throwing on his uniform, he grabbed a jacket and ran out the house again, back to the restaurant. Just as he turned the corner, he noticed the door of the daycare was opening, and he dashed the last few feet to the restaurant, getting there in time to hold the door open for the employees to walk in. One by one he bowed to them, uttering the customary welcome that he had learned to say with “feeling” as the lady put it. He bowed to what seemed to be dozens of people before he realized, the last person in the line….. was him.
“Welcome….” Hikaru nearly stuttered as he bowed to him, he stared at the boy’s white shoes, and when he rose, the boy smiled at him and he felt his knees melt as his grip on the door tightened, if it were not there, he feared he would have collapsed right then and there.
“Ah, Hikaru-chan! You haven’t met him yet right!?” The man who owned the daycare walked up to him giving him a hearty pat on the back.
“N-No, Kazama-san…” Hikaru shyly looked at the boy.
“Well, this boy here, is Keito Okamoto…. He’s been volunteering at the day care lately…. He’s I think three years younger than you….. Keito! This is Hikaru Yaotome! He’s been working here for a bit now…. A rather smart young boy like yourself! You two should become good friends! Maybe Hikaru here will give us discounts on Ramen eh?” The man chuckled playfully as he walked off to join the other adults at the table.
“Hajimemashite….yoroshiku onegaishimasu……” Keito bowed politely.
“H-Hajume…mashite…” Hikaru returned the gesture, Keito’s voice was so soft…. And up close he was even more beautiful…. Even more… pure…
“W-Welcome… to our restaurant…. Please…” Hikaru gestured to a chair as Keito sat down. Quickly, he darted into the kitchen and braced himself against the giant refrigerator. His heart was pounding so fast and he couldn’t control himself…. What was this feeling…. ?
“Soooo….. you’ve met…… Keito-san is it?” The lady asked as she absent mindedly chopped vegetables. Hikaru nodded
“Well…. Don’t be shy…. Go out and take their order…..” She nudged him, with her elbow and set back to chopping…
“B-But…” He tried to think of a good reason NOT to go back out just yet, but he knew he was defeated.
“W-What would you like…tonight?” He asked shakily as Keito read through the menu. A thoughtful look appeared on his face as he pondered each item that piqued his interest.
“I… don’t know…. What do you recommend? Yaotome-kun?” Keito smiled brightly as he looked up, startling Hikaru slightly.
“U-Uh… I think.. our house…. Ramen is de-delicious…” He stuttered as Keito nodded.
“I think I’ll take one of those….. thank you…” Keito replied as Hikaru scribbled furiously and walked off as the other waiter had taken the other orders in the time it had taken him to just take Keito’s.
“De-delicious!” The lady stuttered as Hikaru walked in.
“Hush….” He hissed as he set his order pad on the table.
“Oh calm down…. Why are you so nervous….”
“I don't know!” Hikaru plopped himself down on a stool beside the center table in the kitchen and sighed. His mind floated back to just a few moments ago when the boy….. Keito…. Had smiled and looked at him, directly in the eyes….. just thinking about it sent warmth through his body… he had smiled at him, and asked in that cute… soft voice….. what he had recommended…
“Ah to be love struck again……” The lady smiled as she put the vegetables into the broth that would soon flavor the ramen.
The night progressed as usual….. except Hikaru took to staying in the kitchen, stepping out only to take a bowl out, or to refill someone’s water or tea. Every once in a while he’d look out to see Keito, eagerly slurping up the noodles, whining cutely as the occasional splash of soup would land on his cheek. Hikaru smiled as he watched the cute boy use his wrist to wipe away the liquid, just like a cute kitten would…
After what seemed to be an eternity in the kitchen, Hikaru heard the sounds of chairs shuffling and looked out to see the daycare employees getting up and leaving.
“So you’ll just be going home then? Keito?” Kazama asked
“Yes…. I didn’t bring anything with me today, so I’ll go directly home from here, thank you for dinner.” Keito bowed as all the other employees left, leaving him alone in the restaurant. He turned to pick up his jacket and as he did, Hikaru felt himself shoved out into the main floor of the small ramen shop.
“Heeeeeey!” He called as he felt the hands push him towards Keito.
“H-Hm? Yaotome-san?” Keito looked puzzled
‘God he’s so cute with that look on his face….’ Hikaru thought as he stuttered and stood rigidly at attention.
“I uh… was…… just going to see if I could….. get to know you better…..?” Hikaru sounded uncertain about what he had just said.
“Sure….. what would you like to know?” Keito smiled as he let go of his jacket and took his place at the table again.
“Well boys! Tonight’s your lucky night! This is a new ramen that I’ve been developing, and I want you two to be the first to try it out!” The lady had barged into the center of the shop and laid down two large bowls of noodles. She swept away the other dishes and walked back into the kitchen, giving Hikaru a wink as she did.
“Wow…” Keito’s eyes widened as he looked at the bowl’s contents.
“Yeah… looks like she spent a bit of time on this…..” Hikaru chuckled as he looked up from his bowl, and for a split second, his and Keito’s eyes met..
“Uhh… Itadakimasu!” Hikaru quickly jerked his head downwards and began to eat the noodles, doing anything to prevent from looking at the boy opposite him.
‘Embarassing….. my cheeks are probably all red….’ Hikaru thought. While slurping noisly, he noticed that Keito wasn’t making a sound….. daring a small peek up, he looked to see the other boy gently stirring up pieces of noodles into nice balls and placing them on the spoon, he ate it.
‘Sophisticated……’
“It was delicious…” Keito smiled as he finished the last of his soup and set down his spoon. The two boys were the only two in the restaurant, and the lady had taken to cleaning up around them.
“Ja…. Yaotome-kun… I must be going now…… maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?” Keito asked as he stood up.
“M-Maybe…” Hikaru nodded shyly, willing himself to meet the boy’s gaze. Luckily for him, Keito seemed to be satisfied by that answer, and turned and left.
“Oh you dolt! You shoulda been more confident!” The lady immediately scurried up to her employee and gave him a whack on the head with a washcloth.
“W-What!?”
“M-M-M-May-bee…” She teased.
“S-Shush!”
While he was walking home that night, Hikaru’s mind kept wandering to him….. Keito. So that was his name… and what a beautiful name it was….
“I finally know your name….” Hikaru whispered, smiling happily to himself as he looked up at the clear starlit night.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The next day things were as usual, Hikaru awoke to the sound of his three alarms… groggily he got out of bed to shut off the third alarm he had placed upon his dresser, across the room.
“I hate mornings…..” Hikaru muttered to himself, expecting his mirror self to reply.
As usual… Hikaru showered, changed, went to school…… changed….. and began his walk towards the ramen shop. This part of the day….. wasn’t “as usual” was it? Before he stepped into the store, he turned his head towards the small park where he had seen… Keito….. He sighed and turned his head back to the way before him, and walked through the door.
“Heyyyy! Hika-Chan! You look happier today! Good job!” One of the regular customers nodded in his direction.
“Eh? Really? Well thanks! Come again!” Hikaru smiled cheerfully as he picked up the plates.
“He’s right….. you are….. bouncier than usual…..”
“You’re imagining things again boss lady…..” Hikaru shrugged.
“It’s because you finally met Keeeeeeeiiiiitoooo isn’t it?”
“Shhhhhhh No!” Hikaru shushed urgently
“Then why are you whispering?”
“I’m… I’m not….. I just…. don't want to disturb the customers while their eating…..” The boy looked away, ending their conversation before she could retort.
Hikaru spent the day as usual, staring out at “The boy in white” and absent mindedly picking up the dishes and bowls before him. He barely even noticed the slimy residue one particularly nasty kid had laid aside for him, and with a careless wipe on his apron, continued to pick up the bowls.
“Keito…….” He said thoughtfully… He was love-stricken….. and he knew it.
“Aaaaaaarg why does this have to be so difficult!” He asked no one in particular, squeezing the dish in his hand so hard, it felt as if it were merely clay, ready to crumble.
“It’s only hard because you make it hard….. I really don’t see why you’re so shy…. You’re a fine looking young man….. just go for it….. get some confidence!” Hikaru turned to see the lady out of the kitchen, holding a spatula in one hand, while the other rested on the counter that held the cash register.
“Yeah…. Easier said…..”
Everything was fine, that is…. Until the night came…. Just as the shop was getting close to closing hours…. Loud sounds of laughter came from the daycare across the way, boisterous laughs and giddy cackling rang across the streets, causing Hikaru and the lady to look up from their work. Watching the door intently, they felt someone approach and push the door open. In barged Kazama, the man who owned the daycare, and beside him, stumbled…..
“Keito!” Hikaru squeaked, blushing as he realized his sudden change of tone.
“I…Im…..sorwwway…. we gots…. A lil…… carrieddd awayyyeee…birthdays….. you knoow?” The man slurred his speech.
“Kazama-san…. Are you drunk?”
“NOT REALLY……” the man yelled, unaware of his own volume.
“Ke-Keito? Are you okay?” Hikaru asked as he pulled the boy out from the older man’s arm.
“J-Just… a little….. tipsy? Is that the…..word?” The boy dropped into a chair thankfully
“He-He’s a light weight! We offered him just a little……. Just a tinsy…. Little…..tiny…sm….” Kazama’s voice drifted off into nothingness as he seemed to have suddenly remembered something back at the daycare and walked off.
“K-Keito? Will you be alright?” Hikaru asked worriedly as he sat down next to the boy and patted his back.
“A-Alright….” Keito repeated, his eyes already drooping.
“Here, feed him this, the warmth will do him good…..” The lady offered a small bowl of pure broth, the very stuff the soup of the ramen was taken from.
Gingerly, spoonful by spoonful, Hikaru fed Keito… making sure that he didn't drip any of the liquid on his clothes.
“C’mon Keito, I’ll take you home…. Where do you live….?” Hikaru stood up,
“I jus…. I don…remember…”Keito shook his head, making his head ache even worse.
By now, they were already out on the street, and Hikaru had unconsciously began walking towards his house, just as if it were any other day…..except this time…. Keito was with him……
“A-Ah! W-What are we doing here……? I’m sorry…. I just…. I wasn’t thinking and…. And…..” Hikaru tried to explain as he suddenly realized that Keito had never answers his question, but he had somehow brought them to the small courtyard outside his house…….
After a few awkward moments, he looked over at Keito to see the boy’s eyes fluttering, he was tired….
“W-What…. do I do?” Hikaru asked himself… but his time was short-lived, it seemed mother nature had other plans….. as a gentle sprinkle began to fall upon them, the distant clanging of heavy rain began to get closer and closer.
“Ahh!” Hikaru quickly pulled them both into his house and shut the door securely.
“I suppose….. you can stay here with me tonight…..” He sighed as he helped Keito to the his bedroom and laying him on the small bedding. Quickly, he stripped off his own wet clothes and threw on new ones before he turned his attention to the boy that was sprawled on his bed. By now, Keito had completely passed out, his clothes were wet, and yet he still looked so happy…
“You’re so… cute….” Hikaru whispered, noticing the slight blush in Keito’s rosy cheeks.
“Guess that wine must have done a number on you huh…..” he chuckled.
For quite the while he debated between just covering Keito with a blanket, or……
“It can’t be helped…. Besides….. we….. we’re both… guys…right?” He asked himself as his hands already moved to take off Keito’s shirt, slowly, he unbuttoned it, revealing the boy’s silky white smooth chest, occasionally, his fingers would brush against the cool skin that slowly crept into view, and he blushed profusely. He managed to pull Keito into one of his older shirts, and throw him into a pair of sweats that he thought would keep him warm. Through all this, Keito never stirred, and never woke.
As he tucked Keito into his bed, Hikaru smiled broadly as despite being soaked just a few minutes before…. He began to feel a little bit of warmth inside….. For a brief few moments, he looked that the sleeping angel in his bed, and wanted so much to hug him… to hold him…. But his shyness would not allow it…..
Dejected by a sleeping Keito, Hikaru trudged into the living room and pulled a blanket over himself as he laid on the couch. The last thing he saw in his mind, was the image of the beautiful boy laying in the room just next door. Keito’s soft expression as he slept, the way he looked… so at peace….. everything…. Lulled him to sleep.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The next morning, Hikaru awoke early to the sound of his alarms in the next room and scrambled to turn them off. Quickly he turned his attention to the boy in the bed, but the alarms had already done their job….
“Mmnnh…” Keito groaned
“K-Keito?” Hikaru managed a slight whisper
“Mnnh oh… my head….” Keito’s eyes opened to find himself in strange surroundings. Immediately he jumped to attention as his back straightened and his eyes became alert.
“No nono! It’s okay! It’s okay… “ Hikaru rushed to the boy’s side and calmed him down.
“You’re with me…. you…. Showed up at the shop kinda… drunk and I brought you home since you couldn’t tell me where you lived…” He explained rather quickly.
“I-uh…t-thank you…” Keito tried his best to bow but his head kept pounding.
“Ahh hey just.. uh… keep resting…. Don’t stress yourself….”
After making sure that Keito was comfortable in the bed, and staying there….. Hikaru went off into the kitchen and began to cook breakfast. He worried whether Keito liked scrambled eggs or Sunny-side up…. He worried whether he liked his soup with or without the seaweed…. He worried about the toast, the vegetables….
“H-Hikaru?” A sudden jolt brought him back into reality.
“Keito! You shouldn’t be up…. !”
“I feel…. A little better…. Its just you took so long making breakfast…. I was worried..” The younger boy explained as he hobbled over to the kitchen table and sat down.
“Ah… here….sorry… I don't know what you like….” Hikaru blushed as he offered the beautiful boy in his kitchen the fruits of his labor. He watched carefully as Keito ate, and smiled when the boy nodded his liking.
“W-What about you? You aren’t eating? Here….” Keito offered a small ball of rice between his outstretched chopsticks.
“Ah I-“
“No excuses… just eat…” Keito interrupted
“A…Okay…” The older boy gave in and accepted. He blushed even more as Keito continued to feed him small amounts of everything. He blushed even more as he realized that some of what he had cooked, may have been a little OVERcooked…. But Keito kept smiling all the while.
When breakfast was finished, he and Keito cleaned up, he had tried to get Keito back to rest, but to no avail..
“All I needed was some food… I feel better…. Really…” He claimed, and Hikaru couldn’t protest….
Together they finished washing and drying the dishes, neither speaking a word. Hikaru was too shy…. And Keito was too focused on drying the dishes…
Like all things, the task ended, and the pair were left standing in the kitchen, staring at each other awkwardly.
“Listen… Yaotome-kun… thank you for…taking care of me…”
“Mm? Oh…it.. it was nothing….” Hikaru scratched his head shyly.
“M-Maybe…. After today…. When you get off… you could… let me treat you to dinner?” Keito blushed slightly as he asked.
“Y-You don’t have to! Really… I mean…”
“No… I insist….. “ Keito grabbed Hikaru’s hand and the older boy couldn’t refuse.
Keito assured him that he was fine, before he decided that he had better head home.
“See you tonight! Or maybe even today for lunch!” He called as he walked out of Hikaru’s house, carrying only the bag that contained his now slightly damp clothes. Nervously Hikaru closed the door and leaned against it… his head beat so fast he thought it might have jumped out of his body..
“I… have a……………date?” He asked himself
“With…. Keito….”
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
Wheeee~ Minna! Hallo! Its been a while ne!? So here’s my Hikato fic.. I think I’m liking this pairing too…. Haha so once again…. Please let me know what you think!
~Emmie