Chapter IV – Anonymous, Nicknames and a Birthday! PART II

|| Mall ||

Harumi walked pass through the aisles, with Inami trailing behind her. Inami was requested by Harumi to go with her earlier and she agreed, since she was also in her break. Inami wondered what Harumi had to buy; she could see that Harumi was having a hard time.

"Do you need any help, Takukega-san?" Inami inquired, a bit afraid. Harumi turned around to look at Inami, who was fidgeting, a bit unsettled by the guys around her. Now, Harumi was guilty, she didn't request Harumi, she forced her, in a way that she was possible through girls. But she also wondered why Inami was so desperate in not going with her. Harumi sighed and ripped the paper she held in two and gave the other part to Inami.

"I would like you to find these items, if you're willing." Harumi said. Inami nodded and took the paper from Harumi. Inami's eyes widened.

"These are a lot…what are they all for?" Inami asked, with Harumi sighing in return.

"Those are the list of items Taneshima-san wanted me to buy, some of the items there are of my choice." Harumi replied, continuing in her search.

"What's the big occasion?" Inami asked. This time, it was Harumi's turn to widen her eyes.

"Are you not informed of Takanashi-san's birthday tomorrow?" Inami froze in place, seemingly shocked at the news. It was Takanashi's birthday tomorrow! She knew his birthday was at January thirteen but she didn't keep track on time; today was twelve?! She slowly trembled in place, with Harumi watching. Harumi thought for a while and through this, she thought of a brilliant idea.

"Inami-san," Harumi called out…but it didn't seem to have an effect on her; she was still processing the fact that his birthday was tomorrow. Harumi called out again, but it still didn't work. With no way to call her out, she thought of doing her last resort.

"Souta," This snapped Inami out of her trembling state and looked around to see if there was anyone or rather, who called his first name out of the blue.

"Finally I caught your attention," Harumi muttered, but was audible to hear for Inami. Inami lowered her head, muttering an apology.

"First of all, do you have a gift prepared for Takanashi-san?" Harumi asked, Inami frowned and shook her head. Harumi made a look at Inami, sighing, before proceeding to stand in front of her.

"I will help you look for one." Harumi said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Inami's vision on Harumi sparkled and she shed drops of tears. Harumi flinched, she wasn't expecting that. Why was she tearing up?

"Are you ok, Inami-san?" Harumi asked the worry in her voice quite obvious. Inami nodded.

"Thank you Takukega-san," Inami smiled at Harumi. Harumi sighed.

"So, let me get straight to the point-" Harumi's phone buzzed in her bag. She sighed and took a look at it to see; who's the annoying person that dared to interrupt her important discussion with Inami. Inami tilted her head, confused, but she let Harumi check the message.

Sender: (5*-*7*-*9*)
To: Takoharu-san

Having fun making Inami-san tear up? I didn't know you were this sketchy to get what you want Harumi-chan. :3

Anonymous

A vein popped up in Harumi's temple. She didn't know that Souma would go this far to make her snap and torture him more (later) in their workplace. She sighed and turned to Inami.

"Do you mind if I ask who the sender is?" Inami asked, curious, but also afraid at the same time. It didn't look like Harumi was angry, but she could see that she was annoyed at the sender.

"It's someone you don't need to take heed of knowing." Harumi replied. Inami sweat dropped, she didn't know who it was but she could take a guess. If it was someone that annoyed her so easily, then it would have to be Souma. Inami awkwardly smiled at Harumi and muttered an 'Ok' to Harumi.

"Anyway, can you wait for me in the food court? I need to talk with someone for a bit." Harumi asked while typing in her phone.

"Of course, I'll wait there then. Take your time." Inami smiled, but deep inside, she was afraid to encounter boys and accidentally punch them. She could control it, yes, but she was far from being safe of punching other men. Harumi stared at Inami at she fidgeted in place.

"Actually, can I wait in the restroom? It might not be safe for me…to roam around." Inami requested, quite shyly. Harumi looked at Inami, quite suspicious of why she would want to wait there. She sighed and nodded in confirmation.

"Then you go there, I'll be here in the usual spot." Harumi replied, with Inami internally grateful for Harumi's consideration. Inami nodded happily and went ahead.

"Thank you Harumi-san!" Inami's voice trailed away as she got farther away. Harumi took one last look at Inami's disappearing figure. For a while, she processed that Inami just called her by her first name; wasn't that reassuring? She wasn't sure, but for now, she had to talk with this guy.

Sender: Takoharu-san
To: Bakaroomi-san

You're the one whose sketchy, where the heck did you get my phone number? I didn't know that you were that interested in me Hiroomi-chan. (-_-)

PS. You're annoying.

Souma snickered as he read the message; though he was quite offended by the nickname Harumi gave to him and he was quite bewildered when his first name was attached to "chan", now that was the one that is offensive. He replied immediately.

Sender: Bakaroomi-san

To: Takoharu-san

Awwww, what's with the nickname? And when I thought I gave you a cute one. Btw, can you remove the chan in my first name? It's quite…disturbing, I say. Or else I will continue to call you Harumi-chan until you retire from work. :D Actually, don't call me Hiroomi; I don't really do well with other people calling me by my first name.

Harumi furrowed her eye brows; how ironic was it to call him by his first name when he was the one who started it in the first place? Harumi sighed, but this time, she dialed his number and called it; and where she got his phone number, will be discovered sometime soon. Or never.

Souma widened his eyes; he didn't give his number to Harumi-san. He made sure that his address was the only one that he gave. He snickered, maybe she had her ways. It was amusing to say. He answered the call.

"Hello Harumi-chan~, can I ask how you got my phone number?" Souma replied, quite amused by Harumi.

Harumi's eye brows twitched.

"I can ask the same question for you Hiroomi-kun." Harumi replied, calmly as much as she could.

"Heeeh~ "Hiroomi-kun?". I thank you for considering my request, but that doesn't stop me from calling you Harumi-chan." Harumi could feel that Souma was smirking on the other side of the phone and it was tempting her to throw her phone away to ease her irritation.

"Well then, Hiroomi-kun, I also won't stop. It is quite amusing to call your name like this." Harumi smirked in triumph as she heard a small choke on the other side of the phone.

"Since when did the two of us have a close relationship?" Souma asked, they weren't close, but he guessed that it was because he provoked it. He heard Harumi sigh.

"Don't even suggest that Hiroomi-kun, it'd be a disaster if that happened." Harumi inquired. Souma snickered.

"Do you want to, Harumi-chan~?" Souma's suggestive voice made veins pop up on Harumi's temple, and after a moment of thinking it through, she decided that it was a waste of time to talk to this guy. Why did she even call him in the first place? At least, she got a small weak point from him; he hated to be called by his first name by someone who's not that close to him. Or actually, by anyone, but that would be impossible; his parents had to call him by his first name. After a bit of thorough thinking, she decided to play Souma's game.

"Where to start then, Hiroomi-kun?" After Harumi uttered these words, she could hear Souma choking loudly on the other side of the phone. She started to chuckle lightly, happy that she was able to set him off. Souma on the other hand, was more surprised than scared now. Where was the pissed off Harumi? Did she have a few loose screws? Wait, not her, maybe him-no! Not him. Ugh, Harumi had really set him off so bad. Well, he wasn't going to get played by Harumi; he would make sure of it. He's unknowingly amused and excited with this, his smirk and black sparkles explains it all.

"Perhaps a lovely date would be enough?" Souma asked flirtatiously. Harumi's face flushed a deep shade of red, not believing what Souma replied to her. He was slowly toying with her, but, Harumi refused to give up. Gulping and calming herself down, she relaxed her stiff shoulders. No, she had to think this carefully, last time he played with her, she was defeated horribly. The last thing she wants is him having another blackmail to give to her-wait. Speaking of blackmails…

Harumi's face turned blue, realizing that she didn't think of the fact that he might have recorded their whole conversation in the cell. Harumi face palmed; it was going to be hard to keep her composure when he makes everyone hear it.

"You know what? I give up. Last thing I want to happen is us literally going on a date." Harumi shivered as she thought of the idea. Souma chuckled in response, and he happily replied.

"Awwww, just when we were going to the best part. You really are a kill joy Harumi-chan." Harumi deadpanned as she sighed at the thought.

"I am a born kill joy, as what they told me. You don't need to make me hear that all the time." Harumi sighed. She massaged her temples while waiting for Souma to reply.

"I know, you were called the 'Queen Kill Joy' in your high school life when you were younger and Oooh! You got the longest record of talking to me Harumi-chan! No one could tolerate me longer than you did when I teased them on the phone, they would last for thirty seconds and you lasted for one minute. Haha." Souma happily said, with Harumi paling on the other side of the cell. He did record their conversation and he knew of her past. What could this man not know? Without waiting for a reply, Harumi ended the call, and went to the rest room, where she found Inami fidgeting in front of a mirror. Harumi typed quickly in her cell and sent a message to Bakaroomi.

Souma smiled sadly at his phone but shrugged nonetheless. He got her this time. He stopped walking when his phone vibrated in his hand.

Sender: Takoharu-san
To: Bakaroomi-san

I would like to congratulate you for successfully recording our conversation. Even so, I've wasted so much time with you. Also, just to let you know, good luck with blackmailing me through that record. You're also wasting your time with that. And, who cares if I was Queen Kill Joy? To be honest, I kind of liked the nickname. Don't judge.

Souma's eye brows widened, Harumi was sharp. He smirked and replied quickly. He had to go back to work now, his break was now over and he guessed that Takanashi would scold him badly for being late; if he could, Souma thought. He laughed cheerfully and went on ahead back to the restaurant.

Sender: Bakaroomi-san
To: Takoharu-san

Well, I knew you would find out, but not this soon. I was looking forward to surprising you tomorrow! Anyway, see you soon Harumi-chan, I hope I get to tease you again. :3

Inami saw Harumi on the mirror and turned around to face her. Inami saw Harumi read her cell quickly before turning her attention from her cell to Inami.

"T-Takukega-san! Sorry, um, I wanted to say sorry if I offended you in any way earlier." Inami said, all the while looking down at her shoes. Harumi tilted her head, asking what's wrong.

"Well, I called you by your first name." Inami said, quite embarrassed. Harumi blinked, and smiled a little, but careful not to show Inami. She patted Inami's left shoulder, making Inami look directly at Harumi's emerald eyes.

"It's fine. I didn't mind earlier." Harumi said, her face relaxed, seeming to forget her horrible experience with Souma earlier. Inami blinked in surprise, her face contorting into a bright aura, her smile shining. Harumi stared at Inami; she was stunning when she smiled like that. Harumi took her cell and took a picture of Inami's smiling face. She doesn't want to admit, but Souma was rubbing off on her, she could use this to bribe Takanashi.

…What? No one said that she was a completely nice person; she had her guilty pleasures, and this was one of them.

"Thanks Takukega-san." Inami said at last, her face still retaining the joy and relief-ness she felt when Harumi said it was okay. She had a few confrontations with her and none of them were this nice. She could almost tear up. Harumi coughed a few times to get Inami's attention, as much as she wanted to see Inami smile like this often, she wanted to get to business right now; this was going to make Inami and Takanashi happy like idiots tomorrow.

"Inami-san, I know that you like Takanashi-san." Harumi said, not having the idea how to start their conversation a little less blunt, but Harumi didn't know how to be not too forward with these confrontations, but nonetheless, she had to do this. Inami flushed from head to her toes, and steam came out from her ears as she desperately tried to calm herself down.

"H-h-h-how do you know, Takukega-san?!" Inami asked, clearly not calm about the situation and making it plain obvious that she loves or like Takanashi. Inami was shocked, it had only been two weeks since Harumi had worked in their restaurant; their first meeting was yesterday and she had known already?! She was sharper than Yamada!

"Okay, calm down. I won't bite you just because I know you have feelings for that guy. Take a deep breath." Harumi instructed; kind of worried for Inami. Had she been too blunt? She sighed. Inami took heed in her instructions and took a deep breath. Harumi watched as Inami inhaled and exhaled, all the while rubbing her back to soothe her. After a moment of shock, Inami awkwardly smiled at Harumi. Inami wanted to kill herself for being so vulnerable around Harumi; they weren't that close and she was already acting like this in front of her, and to know that Harumi already knew of her love towards Takanashi? This was so embarrassing!

"I-I'm sorry Takukega-san, I'm calm now. What is it about me l-loving Takanashi-kun?" Harumi's left eye glinted, and Inami flinched in return.

"I think you have to confess to him tomorrow."

Silence reigned in the bathroom as Inami processed what Harumi just told her to do tomorrow. What…tomorrow? Wait, what was it about tomorrow again…? Oh, Takanashi-kun's birthday…and confessconfessconfessconfess-

It was obvious how Inami couldn't function properly anymore at this point; the steam coming out from her ears were very convincing. Harumi sighed as she shook her head in disappointment, she couldn't get Inami to confess after all.

|| Inami's Street ||

After buying all of the things they needed from the market, Inami and Harumi walked back to the restaurant. Harumi glanced often at Inami, who was still fidgeting and thinking about what Harumi had suggested earlier. Harumi kind of knew what Inami was thinking. Harumi sighed once again as she regretted forcing the poor girl to confess tomorrow to Takanashi-san.

"Um, I'm sorry that I'm kind of forcing you to confess tomorrow… Just think about it Inami-san." Harumi said as she scratched her left temple. She was kind of being forceful-actually-why did she even agree with Souma's game? Harumi sighed as she realized how stupid she was. Well, she did realize it earlier but now that she thought more of it, she was really retarded into thinking she could win against-

"A-ah, it's alright Takukega-san, I just need more time. Thank you for suggesting it though." Inami smiled. Ah, Harumi wondered within her thoughts again. She glanced at Inami. She was sweating and fidgeting. Inami sighed. What can she do? She only bought a leather wallet. It was kind of a last minute decision. She hoped he would like it.

"It's alright if you don't manage to confess to him by tomorrow. Or else, just be yourself while talking to him." Takukega reassured Inami, whose eyes sparkled.

"T-thank you very much Takukega-san…! I really appreciate it; just be myself. Okay!" Inami beamed once again. Harumi was wondering how much she could last with Inami's blinding smiles- it was too much. It was too cute and pure.

Harumi nodded in acknowledgement. Inami happily trudged along with Harumi, when suddenly, a question popped in her head.

"Ah, speaking of which Takukega-san, what are you planning to give to Takanashi-kun?" Inami asked. Harumi pondered whether she should tell her or not. It was better for it to be a surprise.

Harumi shrugged in response in the end. Inami laughed, uncomfortable with the indifference of Harumi towards the gift. Why do I feel the need to know what it is…it's not like she is a bad person or anything- right? Inami laughed once again to ease her thoughts. She mustn't jump to conclusions.

|| Wagnaria Restaurant ||

"We're back." Inami announced as they entered the back door of the shop. Immediately, Yamada pops up out of nowhere.

"Yamada is here to ask questions! Takukega-san would you like to seat with me?" Yamada said as she eagerly stared at Harumi, who was getting uncomfortable, but inspired nonetheless. Wait what; inspired- when the heck did she-

"Sorry Aoi-chan, but I have to go to work immediately, would it be alright for us to have this after work? After all, you still visit occasionally here, right?" That would be the longest sentence she'd ever uttered in the presence of two people but whatever. Yamada and Inami blinked in surprise as they finished listening to Harumi. That was one long sentence. Both of them thought.

"Oh, okay! Please hurry up Takukega-san!" Yamada grinned as she went away for work; or not. Harumi turned to Inami.

"Thank you for accompanying me Inami-san." Harumi smiled a little, but it was gone before Inami could even see it. Inami blinked in surprise once again.

"It was no problem. Thank you for reminding me too." Inami smiled back.

"Let's go change now; they must be wondering what took us so long." Harumi said as she put all the things she bought from the market. Inami nodded and also put the things she bought on the table.

Inami was so thankful that Harumi wasn't that scary. Her first impression of Harumi was not quite pretty, seeing as she destroyed a wall, not a fatal one like hers but still; it wasn't the best timing to meet her. Now, she just needed to prepare Takanashi's gift for tomorrow.

Harumi, on the other hand was in her thoughts while changing. Normally, when she was at her previous part-times or at school, she was always passive and rarely talked. Now, that she was here at Wagnaria, everyone here seemed to have a knack for making her talk like nothing. She would find herself replying without worry. She grimaced, maybe it also had to do with their weirdness; she was already influenced. Well, it's not like she had something against them but still, they were all interesting people: especially that annoying pest; Souma.

Once she thought of the dreaded name, she immediately shuddered in disgust. Although he was annoying, dangerous and concerning, she had fun during their spat at the phone a while ago. She thought, maybe he wasn't that bad. Besides, she didn't have that long time to fully register their characters. Also, she just talked when she was asked about something. Harumi thought, when at school or her previous part time jobs, everyone was ignoring her for some reason, so maybe it backfired and she ignored them instead. Gah, it was so weird thinking about these things, Harumi concluded. She just had to see it for herself whether this restaurants' workers would make a big impact on her or not.

Annoyingly so, Harumi thought they already had.

Author's Note:

…

I have no excuses; except for my bitchy school, awful family problems, my health condition, and most of all; my laziness. Sorry for making others wait for a long time, and by that I mean long, just for this update to happen. But I thank the viewers and readers that read this and left a comment for my story even though it was quite a long time since I have updated. I intended for this chapter to be long and precise so I could satisfy you guys, but it seems I have no ideas what to put for now, and I don't want to give a miserable update, so here for now. I will do my best to update regularly; once a week I guess, but don't expect for the chapters to be long. It is going to be short, but I guarantee you that I will make it satisfying. Anyways, for my deepest replies to my awesome reviewers:

Kurome Akira: Thank you so so so so so so so much for being loyal to my story. And yes! It had been more than two months so I am very sorry for making you wait for this long. I appreciate the thought of pointing out the mistakes I make. I appreciate your efforts and I love you so much for continuing the support. Labyu much dear.

Random Review: Thanks for pointing out my mistake in Yamada. And I'm really sorry that you also had to wait for almost one year for this upload; I swear I will one day murder myself. Haha. Thank you again.

Riouchi: Thank you for thinking that my OC is odd (and I intend for her to be that way), and yes, I also don't like stories that suddenly make the character go jelly once they see the girl. I love how detailed your review is. I'm sorry if you also had to wait for many, many months for this update to happen. I hope you will still seek out updates from me, haha.

Humi x anime: Heya there! Oh my gosh, I'm so glad someone finds my opinion the same too! Thank you for the support Humi!

Loki-Roki: *cries* I love you so much- Thank you for being patient. And I appreciate how you find this story entertaining. Once you get to read this again, I hope you will like this update.

And that's all for now. I won't make any promises, but I guarantee that I will update; just short ones. Sorry about that. Anyway, look forward to the next chapter! I love ya'all! ^_^