By Kimione (Yootip Amino)

"It's okay. Thanks for the ride."

His eyes narrowed at her dismissive tone and he couldn't help the raising suspicion that she was lying. He always had a remarkable talent of detecting lies and this intuition had never failed him so far. His eyes followed her receding back, that stubborn set of shoulders, the disheavled hair but the girl didn't even spare him a backward glance.

Kousuke's eyes narrowed to a slit. She was a stubborn person but he wasn't someone who easily gives up either. He wasn't a force to be underestimated. If one thing is true about Kousuke Hirahara, it is that he gets his way once he sets his mind to it.

With a firmer resolve, he swerved the car towards a nearby parking slot and killed the engine. Within moments, he found himself inside the hospital lobby and it didn't take him long to determine that the girl in question was nowhere in sight. He slowly made his way to the reception counter in the rear part of the room where a nursing staff was engaged in a deep conversation with the receptionist, his eyes still scanning the area for a silhouette in black dress.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me where Mr Yoo is currently posted? I've been told that he works the night shift in the capacity of a nursing staff of this hospital." Kousuke queried.

He was momentarily taken aback by the brief gasp that ensued from the man in green scrubs.

"You.. You.. I mean.. How on earth..?!" he sputtered incoherently.

Kousuke frowned. Has he seen this man somewhere? The face did look vaguely familiar but he couldn't quite place it. His patience was already growing thin at his sluggish response. For all he knew, he was wasting valuable time over some incompetent employee.

Thankfully, the receptionist chose that moment to intercede on the nurse's behalf.

"I'm afraid Mr Yoo is on a leave of absence in light of his recent medical condition. It is difficult to say when he'll report back for duty"

Kousuke took a sharp breath.

So he was right all along. The girl is a terrible liar.

He couldn't help the momentary disappointment that surged inside him. She really didn't trust him enough. But again, he couldn't exactly blame her after what had ensued in the hospital hours earlier.

"Can you at least tell me where he's been admitted?" he inquired.

The lady raised an eyebrow at his presumption but smoothly denied the request since it's against the hospital policy.

"That's alright. I understand", Kousuke nodded briefly. Frustration and impatience was waging a war inside him. If only he had managed to convince her in the car. He should have known better. Her pride is like a double edged sword.

Sparing a transitory glance at the other person in the vicinity (who was slowly getting redder with some kind of indignant expression), Kousuke directed his attention to the visual sign board to the right. And his breath caught in his throat. He could have sworn that he saw a trail of black skirt disappearing around the corner.

"If you'll excuse me", he hastily murmured before chasing that brief glimpse. Shin ae still must be feeling quite sluggish to still be around. He rounded the corner to find a stark white corridor paving the way to a set of private rooms. His mind raced, quickly assessing his options as he made his way down the passage in a near frenzy. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him. That girl wasn't Shin ae afterall. Frustration engulfed him at the thought of hitting a dead end. He was nearly at the end of the aisle when he heard a familiar voice seeping out through the door ahead. He probably wouldn't even have caught it if it wasn't for the near complete pin drop silence in the vicinity.

To his surprise, the door was partially ajar, letting some light seep in while the rest of the room was plunged in darkness. The girl he was seeking had not even bothered to turn on the lights. Her back was facing the doorway and Kousuke had never seen a more defeated silhouette as Shin ae cried inconsolably over her father's supine profile.

"Who am I kidding? I should have never gone. Everything was supposed to be fine after yesterday night but nothing is! I should have been truthful to you from the start instead of trying to handle things on my own! I should have never gone behind your back to work! You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me! " her cries pierced the still air with a heart wrenching pitch.

"I'm so sorry."

She looked so small and so completely, utterly defeated as her tiny frame rocked with tears and despite Kousuke's every attempt to remain detached and clinical, his heart couldn't help but ache at such a despondent sight. . He clenched his fist as it almost defied logic and wished to reach out to her.

Behind that carefully preserved strong facade, lied a lonely girl who could also crumble easily to pieces. The shoulders that defied even gravity itself were forced to droop down. Hopelessness, despair and loss engulfed her in a tight vice like hold. It's a sad sight to see anyone break, but one as headstrong as Shin ae who faces every challenge head on? The sight is borderline tragic. It felt like a cruel mockery by fate.

She slowly quietened down to incomprehensible sobs as she laid her head on the only family she had in the world, the only person she could count on. Unknowingly to her, there was a shadow enveloping her from behind. A shadow that noticed her in her weakest moment, when she poured out her real self. A shadow that symbolically had her back when she cried herself to sleep, that slowly receded from the room to do some tinkering with the fate itself, for her.

Kousuke drove away that night but his mind was buzzing with words and memories.

"He still has feelings."

"You had me think your son would face backlash from everyone. I couldn't let that happen. Especially if it was due to me in the first place."

"Can't you see your son is uncomfortable?!"

"You took advantage of my situation."

"All this time I thought your son will lose his job because of me."

"But you should talk to him about these things. Let him have a say."

"Would you have given me a job as a favour?"

She had reached out to him in her moment of need and he had proved that her hope was misplaced.

Her words replayed in his mind. She had subjected herself to utter misery so that he could keep his job. She had fought for him, stood up for him when he never even asked her to, when the thought of someone caring for him never even crossed his mind. He had thought that every person has to look out for himself for so long that he himself had forgotten how deeply impactful it is to realise someone cares. No one ever thought he needed that, least of all he himself. Until she came along.

She had tried to shield him in her own way. And it was time that he returned the favour. He could make sure that she's shielded from harm as long as he's out there looking after her from the shadows.

His mind started formulating possible steps to achieve the goal.

A phone just for her. A post right under him. A social help organization.

The rational part of him reasoned that he owed her that much at the least and a small, unreasonable part of him cared enough too.

And knowing Kousuke, he always gets his way when he sets his mind to it.

Fin.

Kousuke and I walk into the store as he guides me through the maze of clothing racks all in rows with neatly hung clothes dangling from them. The whole store was decorated as to match the brand.

I looked amazed at the whole rooms aesthetic was somewhat overwhelming for me. This whole ‘rich people’ stuff is still fairly new to me even though I have been submerged in it for a couple of months now. I look at even the clothing hangers I estimated cost more than my own shirt. 

Kousuke and I finally arrived to the aisle on which Kousuke so eagerly dragged me too. I look at what he was motioning towards. I see a beige colored coat that looked almost identical to the one the dark haired male was wearing currently. The only main difference was the size and the fact is was more fitted compared to the one he was wearing. Kousuke looked at me with excitement

“I thought that since we were out shopping today I could get you a new coat since your current one is rather questionable.” An odd enfisie on questionable 

“So, you decided for us to wear matching jackets?” I ask accusingly.

“Well, I thought it would look as people say ‘cute’.” he said rataning a straight face.

I couldn’t help but muster a smile and began to snicker.

“What?” he asked brow raised.

I looked at him still giggling “You are such a big dork sometimes Kousuke.”

His pale face then gained some slight color “Whatever, do you want the jacket or not?”

I put my hands up reassuring him smiling “Yes, yes I do sorry Kou you just really are cute.”

His blush then intensifies and he turns away and rummages through the rack to find my size. After some time he finds the appropriate size and hands me the coat.

“Try it on.” he says sharply as if he is demanding me to do so. 

I proceed to take off the current jacket I am wearing and set it down on a chair accompanying a table in the corner of the aisle. I then put on the jacket feeling around in it trying to find the most comfortable way to set down my arms in it while straightening it out. Finally, being happy with the position of the coat I turn around and face Kousuke. 

“What do you think?” I ask inquisetly with a smile.

He looks at me for a moment staring, his azure orbs looking me up and down. I can’t help but notice his dark rich brown hair glow with the lighting of the room. Highlights of golden rod dance on the rim of his head. Then a sudden smile crept on his face and he exclaims.

“You look sensational Shin ae, purely sensational.”

I can feel my cheeks heat up a bit most likely way surpassing the light pink on his.

“Thanks Kousuke.” I smile.

He smiles back which is a rather rare reaction from him “Of course Shin ae anytime. However, shall we head to checkout?” he asks tilting open his hand hoping mine would join his.

“Of course.” I say smiling wide accepting his hand.

Kousuke proceeds to once again navigate us through the store to a granite counter top that was checkout. His hand is so warm as he holds my hand. His palms are so soft and delicate even though they have such an abnormally big size. Kousuke kindly converses with the lady behind the counter smiling and thanking her. 

We head out of the store both satisfied with our new purchase. 

“Thanks again Kousuke. For everything really.” I look up at him and grin wide.

“Again, anytime Shin ae. If you are ever in need of anything I will not wait and help.” 

My smile widens the fact knowing how much he truly cared about me making my insides warm. 

“I love you Kousuke.” I mutter under my breath looking away becoming flustered.

“What did you say?” he asked confused painted all over his face.

“Nothing, nothing! Don’t worry about it!”

By Kousuke (Yootip Amino)

Yootip Week 2019, Day 5 "Dessert"

Yootip Week 2019, Day 3 Prompt "Crossover"

By Lady Mal (Amino)

Kousuke dimmed the lights in the silence of the living room; once that task was complete he joined Shin-Ae on the couch. She had insisted that they watch a movie at his place because his television had high definition.

“What movie is it that we’re watching again?” Kousuke asked just as she hit the play button.

“It’s a classic. I remember really liking this as a kid. I’m surprised you never watched it yourself. Plus, it has chocolate in it!” She beamed just as the opening scene played.

Kousuke fixated his eyes on the screen. Not even ten minutes into the film, he clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Really? He invented a way to keep ice cream cold even if it’s left outside on a hot day? That’s preposterous.”

“That’s impossible.” The little boy on the screen voiced.

“Exactly! At least explain how he achieved such a feat.” Kousuke crossed his arms. “A chocolate factory. Interesting business venture.”

“Kousuke, shh!” Shin-Ae quieted the dark haired male. The brunette grabbed a bowl of caramel popcorn that was situated on the coffee table in front of them and brought it to her lap. She dipped her hand into the bowl and brought a few pieces of popcorn to her mouth and then offered some to Kousuke.

The male obliged and took some popcorn for himself. Although he didn’t particularly like popcorn kernel’s getting stuck between his teeth, he couldn’t deny his liking to the caramel popcorn Shin-Ae had introduced to him. They were sinfully sweet and he enjoyed them so.

“He can make ice cream that doesn’t melt but can’t prevent a chocolate palace from doing the same?!”

Shin-Ae playfully rolled her eyes. “Are you going to nitpick everything about the movie, Kousuke?” 

“If it doesn’t make sense then I’ll voice it.” He huffed. Kousuke dipped his hand into the bowl to feed himself more popcorn. “Well, at least the first candy bar he bought didn’t have the Golden Ticket. Very realistic.”

“I remember the first time I watched it, I was pretty bummed when he didn’t find it at first.” Shin-Ae voiced.

The two of them sat in silence once more as the flat screen flashed more scenes of the movie.

“I thought his grandfather was bedridden. Now he can miraculously dance around and walk? Tch." 

“C’mon Kousuke, the guy’s clearly happy. The news probably fired him up and renewed his soul.”

“Oh, now he’s well enough to carry Charlie to the factory.”

Shin-Ae wiped a hand down her face which was a mistake because now it became sticky with the caramel.

Kousuke was already making quick work of cleaning her face with wipes he had on hand, what with Shin-Ae being the messy eater that she was.

“I’m not a baby, you know, I can clean myself.” Shin-Ae murmured.

“Just hold still, Shin-Ae.”

Shin-Ae dipped her hands into the bowl again and tried to put a few pieces of popcorn into her mouth but they slipped out of her hold and fell onto the couch.

“Don’t mess up my couch, it was expensive.” 

“Well you were being rough with my face. If you were a bit more gentle, your couch wouldn’t get soiled.” She stuck her tongue out and ate the few pieces that spilled onto the couch.

“Oh, so Willy Wonka has daddy issues it seems.”

“Oh yes. You’d know.”

“I do not.”

“Sure you don’t.”

A few more minutes passed by and Kousuke let out a sigh. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse. Singing? Is this a musical?”

“Stop complaining already.” Shin-Ae chided which was accompanied with snickers.

“Pause the movie.” He stood up.

Shin-Ae did as instructed. “What’s the matter, Q-tip?”

He stared at the paused screen and then looked into her eyes. “All that chocolate is making me begin to crave some too. I’m going to make myself a chocolate filled crêpe.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I will never joke about crêpe au chocolate.” The male walked off and made quick work of preparing his food.

A shiver went up Shin-Ae’s spine in reaction to the temperature of the living room. Damn it was cold.

She grabbed the grey-coloured wool blanket that was draped on the arm of the couch and tightly wrapped it around her person. She was almost instantaneously warmed by the fabric.

Some time later, Kousuke returned with his crêpe. “You’re cold?”

“Freezing.”

“I see.” He got comfortable on the couch once more and sliced piece of his crêpe with the fork. “Would you like to share?” Shin-Ae nodded her head and opened her mouth, waiting for Kousuke to feed her.

“Here comes the airplane.” He announced, steering the fork into her mouth. Shin-Ae bit into the thin pancake and chewed. “These are heaven.” She sighed.

“Of course they are. Its because I made them.” He said matter-of-factly as he took his own bite. 

“More.” The brunette demanded, opening her mouth. Kousuke complied and placed another piece into the female’s mouth. Of course, this could not be done without her mouth getting messy. Some chocolate was smudged at the corner of her mouth. This wouldn’t do.

Kousuke extended an arm and wiped his thumb at the corner of her mouth, ridding her of the chocolate stain and then licked his thumb.

“You could have just told me there was something on my face, you know.” She averted her gaze with a tint on her cheeks.

Kousuke picked up the remote and resumed the movie. “Let’s carry on with this.”

Shin-Ae leaned into Kousuke’s side and he wrapped an arm around her blanketed body.

“Ugh. Disgusting! Putting gum behind your ears? Unhygienic.” 

Shin-Ae felt her lips curl. Normally she’d be pissed every time someone commented on what was happening during a movie but with Kousuke, she found it adorable.

She felt herself getting tired and stifled a yawn. Her eyes began to droop and then everything went dark.

Shin-Ae was jostled awake by her head being shifted abruptly. She groggily squinted open her eyes just when her ears were attacked with Kousuke’s ranting.

The brunette realized that her head was now resting on Kousuke’s lap and she gazed up at his disgruntled face.

"I hope the parents file a lawsuit against him. Look at all the harm that befell those children, although they were brats. That Willy Wonka is really wonky in his head. To think he’d have warning signs and taken measures to prevent any unnecessary accidents.”

"And those midgets." 

 “Oompa loompas.” Shin-Ae interrupted, alerting him that she was awake.  

"Yes. That. He only pays them with chocolate? How Absurd! Gravely unethical. Don’t get me started on how he was calm when all those mishaps happened and those choreographed clean-ups when the..Oompa loompas escorted the victims out. Its like they trained for situations like that. Like it’s happened before."

“Kousuke.” Shin-Ae laughed out loud. “Chill, it’s not that deep.” She wiped at her eyes.

“Tch.”

“So does that mean you didn’t enjoy the movie?”

“It was entertaining, I must admit. My favourite part was when that British girl was attacked by the squirrels.”

“Oh yea. That was mine too. Okay, between the movie we watched last week and the movie we watched tonight. Which do you prefer?” 

“Darcy was too prideful for my taste. Don’t even get me started on the actor who played him, he made the character washed out. It wasn’t authentic, an abomination. He was a hairless, emotionless carcass.”

Shin-Ae slowly nodded her head as he rambled on.

“The actress who played Elizabeth, I like her but she was unfit for the role. That was a disaster. But that’s my humble opinion.”

“Wow. Tough crowd.” 

“To answer your question, I preferred this movie that we watched here tonight. The sight of sweets appeased me.”

“I’m not surprised.” She voiced, poking her finger at his stomach. “That’s why you’re turning into a fatass.”

“Ha. Ha.” He deadpanned.

“You want to watch another movie?” Shin-Ae offered.