The buzzing of the overhead lights filled the silence of the deserted grocery store. Tsuki sighed as she reached for the handheld fan resting on the counter. With a delicate motion, she fanned herself, her hair cascading gracefully off her shoulders and down her back.
"I should cut my hair again," she mused as she sank back into the cashier's chair. "It's so hot this year."
Her elbow rested on the register counter of the small convenience store where she worked, and she propped her cheek on her fist while her feet dangled from the stool's edge. Just then, the door creaked open, and the attached bell chimed.
"Ah, welcome,"she said softly.
A petite woman entered, lifting her sunglasses to reveal a bright smile. "Thank you," she replied.
Tsuki glanced toward the cluttered corner behind the counter and frowned. "Manager Jinshi is so messy." With a dramatic, melting slouch, she rose and shuffled over to the disarray to begin tidying up. As the bell rang again, Tsuki struggled to lift a box without letting the stack of items collapse. She raised her hand in greeting.
"Welcome in!" she called out. With a frustrated huff, she dropped the box to the ground, tugged at her sleeve, and hunched over to cradle the box from both sides. She struggled with the box for a bit and sighed. She placed her hands on her lower back and sighed. "My back." She groaned hunching over again.
"You moron—lift with your legs," a voice chided.
Tsuki's body froze. Slowly, she turned her head until her eyes met his. He was leaned casually over the counter, dressed in a black T-shirt emblazoned with a white skull, his damp hair still clinging to the tips. His expression remained impassive.
"Katsuki—" she began, the name slipping from her lips and sending her heart plunging to her stomach. Her forearm twitched. "No way—"
He raised his hand behind his head, his face flushing slightly. Before she could react further, Tsuki practically kicked open the door behind the register and took a single step before—almost comically—colliding with Bakugo's body.
"Ouf—" Bakugo exclaimed, his voice betraying the awkward impact as her body pressed against his. A flush raced up his neck to his nose and ears. Tsuki instinctively wrapped her arms around him. Bakugo's arm twitched. "Crap—I forgot how annoying she can be," he thought, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. "Always throwing me off my game." With a reluctant pat on her head, he tried to regain his composure. Tsuki, in response, leaped up and wrapped her arms around his neck once more. Bringing his face into her neck.
"Oh, my!" the petite woman from earlier exclaimed, placing her hands to her mouth. "Look at you two."
Bakugo froze, steam practically protruding from his head. Tsuki's grip loosened as she turned to the lady, shyly grabbing the lower half of her face. She laughed softly.
"Sorry."
The lady smiled warmly. "No, no. It's no trouble at all."
Tsuki then circled the counter to check out the ladies groceries, while Bakugo watched Tsuki bag the items observingly. "She's not wearing most her rings." His gaze drifted to her wrist, noticing that she had added a few handmade bracelets. He found himself staring, thinking, "Her hair's getting long again." It flowed freely down her back.
The lady flashed Bakugo a smile before leaving, the bell announcing her departure.
"Switch the sign to closed."
Tsuki, leaning both elbows on the counter, stared at him. Bakugo scoffed, looking down his nose at her. "Don't tell me what to do." Tsuki giggled, glancing up at him, and his stomach fluttered with a overbearing wave of nervousness. "This is exactly what I mean," he thought, feeling his chest swell. The nerves in his fingers twitched. "I can't believe I used to see her every day."
"Thank youuuu," she sang out cheerfully. Bakugo furrowed his brows as he flipped the sign to closed. He then walked over to the counter, standing over Tsuki as she sat on her stool. Placing his hands on the counter, he leaned forward, mere inches away from her nose.
"Quite the downfall, Ms. Akai," Bakugo remarked, his voice low and smooth as it brushed against her skin, seeping into her very being.
"Hm," she responded with a playful glare and a smile, "That's quite the observation, Mr. Bakugo."
His teeth flashed in a confident smile. "Mmhm." His gaze became intense, and he seemed to devour her confidence. Her flirtatious demeanor wavered under his imposing presence as he leaned in even closer; Tsuki's head tilted upward slowly, in attempt to meet his lips.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Bakugo froze mid-movement, his eyes wide with shock. His neck flushed in embarrassment; his face a shade of red. Tsuki jumped back at the sudden noise, stumbling on her stool before scrambling to her feet.
"Crap," she thought, as she hurried around the counter toward the door.
Jinshi-san stood behind the glass, arms crossed and expression unamused, his foot tapping impatiently.
...
Authors note: Guys don't even. I'm so sorry for the lack of updating. I've been procrastinating the ending real bad.
