Of Childhood Sweethearts and Coffee

Of Childhood Sweethearts and Coffee

•Green Tea•

"Thank you for taking me home, Kiku-san," a meek voice gently cooed, drawing the silent boy's attention to the petite form beside him. She had her head raised up at Kiku, wide eyes blinking owlishly at him. 

He let a minute drift by before hesitantly moving his lips in a reply. 

"Think nothing of it," he responded, briskly pushing his glasses further up the frail bridge of his nose. Despite the carefully hollow reply, the girl was drawn to him, coyly sneaking glances at him whenever she thought he wasn't looking. 

In the fading embers of sunlight, the elegant curves of his angular face were further enhanced, patches of red and gold painting the pale, almost translucent tone of his skin an explosion of colors. Colors danced and clung on the black canvas of his dark hair, streaks of orange and yellow blending harmoniously with black; he looked like one of the deities she has so reverently learned about back in school.  Kami, he was majestic.  

Then, in the most inopportune of moments, Kiku swiveled his in her direction, an inky brow raised. 

The girl ducked her head, wisps of loose tendrils tickling her flushed cheeks. 

"Is something the matter, Sakura-chan?" He queried, face crinkled in mild concern. 

Sakura hastily shook her head, busing herself with the wonderful view of her glossy black shoes; noisily crunching on the crisp dead leaves. 

 "N-nothing, Kiku-san." Came her meek reply, muffled by the curtain of hair shielding her beet face. 

 The pair walked a bit more, silence reigning them like a familiar blanket and none dared disturb it. 

 And finally, the euphoria Sakura was basking in by walking in the same breathing space as Kiku came to an abrupt stop in the form of her house, a tiny silhouette further ahead. 

 "I guess this is where we say-"

 Then, in a burst of uncharacteristic boldness, Sakura launched herself into his arms, winding her own around his neck as she pulled him down into a brief kiss, putting all her pent up emotions into that short liplock, a blush marring her usually pale pallor.

  Kiku's face was priceless; his eyes bulged out of their sockets and his face had turned an interesting magenta. His mind ran a thousand thoughts a minute, words blurry and incoherent but a single thought rang clearly amongst the others; Sakura sure did have soft lips a-and did she taste like green tea? 

 But before he could ponder on that, she pulled back, cheeks as red as ever and eyes downcast. "Arigato, Kiku-san." With that, she bolted from his arms, and ran straight down the walkway to her home, giving him a tiny wave as she paused before continuing her trek. 

 Kiku froze, unsure of what to do, then, steeling his resolve, he jogged after her and caught the darting little waif by the arm, planting a hesitant peck on her forehead. "Goodnight, Saku-chan," he mumbled shyly, brushing his fingers through hers. 

 With a bow of his glossy head, Kiku was gone.