"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Takashi sang, renetering the room. Thankfully, the few minutes the two had disappeared were enough for your deep red flush to subside and for you to calm your racing heartbeat.
"It's fine, don't worry about it! ... Uh, w-where's Ozo..?" The taxi driver was nowhere to be seen, which made you raise a brow. Takashi sat down in Ozo's seat, humming thoughtfully.
"I think he said he's going to the bathroom? I'm not sure though, I wasn't paying attention to him," he smiled casually. You laughed awkwardly, hoping deep down that he was joking. "So? How's the food?"
"Oh! It's delicious!" You gushed. "You're dad must be an amazing baker!" Takashi's smile faltered slightly, his eyes averting down to the table.
"Yeah.. He was..." his eyes clouded over with old memories, getting lost in them for a split moment before he straightened up. "But now it's my job to look after his cafe, so I have to make sure I'm always on his level, y'know? Even if this place barely has anyone coming down.." he grumbled, glaring at the doorway.
"I've noticed that even in Akatsuka Village, it's really quiet. There's hardly any people around," you mused.
"That's how it's always been. People here tend to keep to themselves a lot. They don't know how to let loose and have a little fun!" He complained. "It's like everybody knows everybody, but at the same time, we don't. Does that make sense?"
You thought about it before nodding slowly. In a way, it did.
"I just thought that it would be like a close knit community, seeing how small the village itself is," you shrugged. Takashi agreed, nodding along.
Just then, you both heard a shuffling from behind the back door before it swung open, revealing a slightly disheveled Ozo. He was breathing quite heavy for someone who just walked down a corridor. His shirt looked ruffled, with his tie undone and hanging around his neck.
Your eyes met briefly before snapping away, a heated flush painting itself back onto your cheeks. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Takashi grimace at his brother, scooting away from him as he moved to sit down across from you.
"So... What have I missed?" Ozo started casually, his grin wobbling at the corners.
"You didn't even bother to look half decent after that?" Takashi chastised, groaning as Ozo shrugged in response.
"Hey, at least I didn't take as long as Jyushimatsu!" Ozo crossed his arms over his chest, his rolled up sleeves pulling taught against his lightly defined arms.
"As if that makes things any better!" Takashi ran a hand down his face. "Now I'm gonna have to burn my bathroom because of you..."
"Uh, what are you guys talking about?" You asked, feeling left out of the loop. Ozo's grin slipped back onto his lips, widening as he met your gaze confidently enough to hold it.
"We're just talkin' about how I—"
"NOTHING!!" Takashi screeched. You jumped at the sudden outburst, even more confused at the fact that Ozo burst out laughing. "It's absolutely nothing! Don't worry about it okay? In fact, just forget you heard anything!"
Your curiosity was begging you to ask more, but Takashi looked as if he was fit to burst, so you reluctantly nodded along with him.
"Aww, are you sure you don't wanna know?" Ozo leaned forward across the table. "I have a feeling you'd really like it if you knew what we're talking—"
"You know what?!" Takashi slammed his hands on the table top, standing up far too quickly than any human was able to. He grabbed Ozo by the scuff of his neck, dragging him without mercy to the cafe's entrance. You watched in shock as Ozo was flung out the door, tumbling onto the pavement outside with a yelp.
"I don't want to see your face here again, shitty eldest!" With a crude hand gesture, Takashi swivelled on his heel, taking a deep breath as he stood in front of you with a plain smile. "Now that he's gone, what are your other plans for today?"
You blinked, glancing at the doorway, then back to Takashi. You gulped.
"A-Actually... Ozo is supposed to be like my escort... I can't go anywhere without him driving me around..."
He stared at you, his large eyes blank. Eventually, he sighed heavily, shoulder sagging in disappointment.
"I guess if that's case, then I can't keep you here. But before you go, can we exchange numbers?" He asked hopefully, already clutching his phone in hand. "It's not everyday I get to make a new friend!"
"Oh, of course!" The prospect of making a new friend made you beam, eagerly handing over your phone so he could put in his contact details. After a few taps, he handed your phone back, smiling cutely.
"I can't wait to chat more with you, [Y/N]-chan!" He winked. You giggled, smiling wider at the name he had given himself.
"Oh, and one more thing.." he stopped you as you stood up, ready to leave. He placed a hand on your shoulder, eyes firm. "If that asshole tries anything with you, just say the word and I'll kill him. I promise." With a final pat, he ushered you out with a wave, disappearing back inside to attend to his cafe.
"[Y/N]!" Ozo whined, leaning against his car on the ground. The grimace on his face made you rush over in worry.
"Are you okay? You're not badly hurt, are you?" You brushed his hair away from his eyes, looking for scratches or bumps. He had a little bit of dust on his face, and you quickly swiped it off with your hand.
"I'm fine.. My head hurts a little though.." his eyes were wide and pouting, staring up at you as he searched for sympathy. You huffed, a small smile creeping onto your face.
"Does this help?" You began gently rubbing at his scalp, massaging through his soft tresses to remove the 'pain.' Ozo hummed, eyes closing, looking very similar to a happy cat.
"Very much.." he purred, leaning into your hand. You laughed out loud, moving your hand away despite his hum of confusion.
"I think we should go before Takashi throws something at you," you whispered with a grin, standing up and walking over to your side of the car. Ozo sighed, standing up and dusting himself off before joining you. As you both settled in, you made the bold choice of addressing the elephant in the room.
"Uh.. About before..." you started awkwardly, twirling a strand of hair around your finger. "I-I'm really sorry... I don't know w-why I did that..."
"Hmm? Oh, that!" Ozo rubbed a finger under his nose, grinning with a small blush on his cheeks. "Don't worry about it! I enjoyed it a lot more than you think." He winked at you, inserting the keys and starting up the car again.
His words left you flustered, affecting you a lot more than you liked to admit. You began to wonder what would have happened if you hadn't been interrupted... What his lips would feel like... Where his hands would go... How he would say your name in that same, breathless and addicting way...
"Uh, [Y/N]?" A hand waved in front of your face, making you jump.
"Huh?" You whipped your head to him, biting your lip sheepishly. "Sorry, I-I wasn't paying attention.."
Ozo watched the way your lips caught itself between your teeth before smirking.
"You weren't paying attention to me? That's not polite of you to do.." he leaned closer to you, backing you up against the car door. "Do I have to make you pay attention?"
You stammered, unable to string together coherent words. His lidded eyes surveyed your glowing cheeks before he spoke.
"Where are we going now?"
"I was asking, where are we going now?" He moved away, face casual as if nothing had happened. "Unless you want me to take you somewhere instead, since I don't think you know any places around here, right?"
"Oh, I got it! Let's go pay someone a visit!" He snapped his fingers, putting the car into gear and driving back onto the road, heading back towards Akatsuka Village.
You sat in silence once more, breaths slightly jagged and face as red as it could go. Your mind was full of fuzzy static, slowly clearing away as you straightened up in your seat, locking your gaze pointedly out the window as your hands clenched to your dress.
