The Exotic Flower (Kita Shinsuke x City/Cool Girl Reader) Part 2
a/n: I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE fahh. But here I am! Enjoy, and I hope this lives up to your req, anya!
“You knew I fucking liked him, Y/N. How dare you flirt with him!?”
Yumi’s shrill voice echoed throughout the club, the loud pop music in the background washing her cries out. Thud, thud, thud, thud. Your rising heartbeat seemed to match the beat of the music as you tried to stay calm and reasonable.
“Yumi, I wasn’t flirting with Tetsuro-san. He came up to me to say hi. Because we’re friends.”
“Friends, huh? You seemed really fucking cozy with him just now.”
“What? I promise, I wasn-”
A small shot glass glided past you, the colorful lights passing through the clear glass, blinding you with a kaleidoscope of bright hues reflected across its surface. It smashed against the wall on your right, and the tiny, jagged pieces flew in different directions. Unfortunately, the glass seemed to hate you just as much as Yumi because a particularly sharp piece zoomed across your face, creating a shallow but very obvious cut.
“YUMI!” One of your other friends shrieked. “Are you okay?” Another asked, and it took you a minute to realise the question was directed at you. With a grimace, you swiped the blood on your face.
“Maybe you should ask the mentally ill one in front of us.”
Run, your mind yelled. Run until your body is as exhausted as your heart. Run away.
And so you did. You shoved people out of your way, an ocean rushing in your ears as you pushed past the entrance of the club. I don’t care anymore. They aren’t my friends. They never were. And you collapsed on a bus stop, finally taking in the environment in front of you; you shivered, the air seemingly colder, and you felt goosebumps rise across your skin.
The moment you saw a bus, you, without any hesitation, got on. The elderly man driving the bus paid no attention to your pitiful state as you tapped in and slumped against a seat.
Maybe I’ll just close my eyes for a second…
You immediately shot up, eyes filled with alarm and body on full alert until you remembered where you were- Kita’s farm.
What a terrible dream to wake up to.
Rubbing your arms, you checked your phone and realised it was only 5 in the morning, and the alarm had come from another room. Cautiously, you pulled open the door and stepped out, finding Kita drinking a cup of water, his hair somehow not disheveled and clothes not wrinkled.
Is he so disciplined that even his clothes and hair don’t mess up?
“Good morning L/N-san. I’m sorry to have woken you up so early.” He said, his voice a bit gravelly and deeper than usual.
GOD DAMN, the morning voice…
Clearing your throat, you smiled and responded, “Morning Kita-san. Don’t be sorry- I’m the one who promised to wake up and help you afterall, so I’m the one who should be following your routine. What are we doing first?” You were ready to get going after a good night's sleep.
“Breakfast,” Kita said simply as he grabbed a tupperware of frozen rice from the freezer and popped it into the microwave. A low hum followed the beeps of the machine as the rice defrosted, and Kita continued grabbing side dishes from the fridge.
“O-oh of course. Right. Breakfast. How can I help?” You replied, realising that it had been ages since you last had a proper meal after basically passing out last night after only eating some of Osamu’s onigiri, not even bothering to shampoo your hair. Speaking of which, you felt kind of disgusting after not properly washing up for quite a while.
Kita seemed to somehow notice because he told you to go and take a shower, explaining how to use the faucet and which bottles were which. Although you protested, desperately wanting to pull your weight with Kita being so generous, he just stoically said that he liked preparing food a certain way and that he didn’t like people messing around in his kitchen anyway. Reluctantly, you entered the shower, careful to not waste a single drop of water.
It was lovely- the cool water against your aching bones and matted hair, and you could physically feel yourself getting refreshed with the shower.
As you dried yourself with a towel that Kita had lent you, you noticed a sticky note on top of a bundle on the toilet counter. In neat handwriting, the sticky note read, “I acquired some clothes for you yesterday. The clothes are clean hand-me-downs and should roughly fit you, and the underwear and socks are new and washed.”
Underwear? You blushed at how nonchalantly and logically Kita treated the topic while you were here, not even remembering to get your own clothes.
After putting on the simple gray T-shirt and stiff long pants, you exited the bathroom, hoping you hadn’t taken too long. On the table was a bowl of rice with a fried egg on top and some side dishes next to it with another sticky note that said, “I’ll be at the rice paddy next to the wheat field on the right of the road. Enjoy your breakfast.”
You smiled to yourself, heart warming at his thoughtfulness as you devoured your breakfast and thought of yesterday’s events.
“Thank you for such a wonderful day Kita-san!” You exclaimed, tired and aching but joyful. “And I guess I already said it, but thank you for taking care of me when I passed out on the road. That was… really embarrassing.”
Kita turned toward you, hands still on the steering wheel but eyes on yours. “I just did what anybody would do. I would’ve taken you to a police station or hospital, but they are so far away from here because it’s a rural village. Oh, you should stay over tonight since the bus will only be here tomorrow at 11.”
“Thank you so much for the offer, but I already overstayed my welcome. I was planning to find a motel nearby.”
Kita nearly seemed amused at your words. “Y/N-san, the closest motel or hotel from here may basically be just as far away as your home. Almost no outsiders come here, and when they do, they usually stay with family.”
“Oh…” You looked down, fists bunching the baggy pants Kita lent you as you blushed. “Well then, if it’s not too much trouble… I promise to pay you back. With labour. Or money. Whatever you want.”
Kita gave an almost dry smile. “That won’t be necessary, Y/N-san. You already helped out today, and I’m the one offering.” “But I want to pay you back. I need to.” You protested, and Kita fixed his gaze on the road in front of him. “If that’s what you want, then I will gladly accept your gratitude.”
“It’s settled then,” you announced, eyes bright, “I promise to help you as much as I can before I leave tomorrow.”
You hummed as you put your dishes in the sink, filling the bowl with water before scrubbing them down and putting them on the drying rack.
Oh shit, wait. Kita-san said he doesn’t like other people messing up his kitchen. Shit shit shit.
You hastily tried to make sure everything was in the same place as before and used a rag you saw him use before to wipe down the table and the sink.
Hopefully, he’s not too annoyed by this…
You carefully slid on a pair of boots and shut the door before walking over to where Kita was. He was carefully adding some fertilizer to his crops, skin glistening under the summer heat and hat hanging off his neck.
“Kita-san!” You waved. “Thank you so much for the food and, uh, clothes…” (You blushed) “What can I do to help?”
“Well, I’m just about done here. You could open the shed door for me?” Kita responded, wiping some sweat from his face. You nodded, eager to help, and bounced over to the shed where you carefully undid the padlock and pushed the heavy metal door open. The door creaked as it swung, and Kita appeared soon to put away some of his tools.
You two went around town that day, fulfilling different chores as you learned more and more about Kita and his work.
You also talked about your life-
“I… ended up like that yesterday because of a fight with a “friend” from college. She was always a bit problematic and jealous, but I didn’t think she was so crazy and dangerous…”
“Dangerous? Did she leave that scratch on your face?” Kita asked. You nodded, sighing as you spilled more about your problems and about the nightmare/flashback that you had last night, not noticing Kita grip the steering wheel harder.
“You probably think it’s a bit silly, right? Just another privileged rich, city girl ranting about her nonsensical “problems.” You laughed at yourself.
Kita had a thoughtful look as he responded. “Not at all actually. I believe that you were brave to leave and that this Yumi needs to mature and apologise to you. Clearly there have been underlying problems, and you seem to be the logical one in the situation as you tried to communicate and recognise your issues. Everyone has issues, and one person's doesn't matter any less.”
You balled your hands into your pants and smiled.
How could someone be this empathetic and robotic at the same time?
“Thank you Kita-san. Really. Thank you.”
“Haa, it’s so hot. How do you deal with this?” You asked, not necessarily pointing out the heat, but the hard work in general. It was currently 9:46 AM, meaning that you two had been working for approximately a little over 4 hours.
Kita set a basket down next to you. “It was difficult at first, but after a while, it became easier as I built habits and routines.”
“You’re so cool, Kita-san,” You said with admiration in your voice.
Kita paused at your comment, flattered in a way that no other compliment made him feel. All his life, peers, team-mates, and adults all told him he was smart or talented or mature, but never cool. He tilted his head down, feeling a blush creep up his neck and claw up to his face and ears. He coughed and resisted the sudden itch to rub his neck.
What is this woman doing to me? Considering my rise in temperature and sudden redness, I must be either suffering from the heat or… Or what? I keep feeling certain emotional changes after interacting with L/N-san.
“You good?” You asked, quirking a brow as you bent down and looked up at Kita, who was hiding his face by looking down.
Kita jolted back as he smoothed his linen shirt with a gloved hand. “Yes, thank you for your concern. Let’s proceed to the deliveries.” He stalked off, grabbing two rice sacks effortlessly and loading them into his truck. You watched him, amused and enjoying Kita’s flustered side.
“WHAT? THERE’S NO BUSES UNTIL MONDAY!?” You exclaimed, gaping at the receptionist at the bus terminal.
“Yes ma’am, that’s just what I just said.” The snappy lady drawled.
You turned away, but not before throwing a look at her. “Oh my gosh. I’m stranded here until Monday…”
You had gone to the bus stop, arriving 20 minutes early after helping Kita in the morning. You had thought that there was a bus to your neighborhood everyday at 11 AM, but it turned out that there was a fine print that read that there were no buses on weekends, and you had arrived here on Friday, yesterday morning. It was Saturday morning now, meaning that you would have to wait 2 more days until you could go home.
What in the freaking K-drama?
You dragged your feet back to a bench and started thinking. Your best bet was to go back to Kita, who had dropped you off at the terminal.
He’d done so much already. It would be just plain rude and selfish to ask for more now. Groaning, you buried your face in your hands. However, even as you panicked, all you could think about was the fact that you could maybe see Kita-san around. You didn’t have to leave right now. Well, you couldn’t, but anyway, Kita didn't have to remain as a kind stranger in your memories. Maybe… this was a sign to remain here?
Your conflicting feelings seemed to war against each other. It felt like you were on a drunken rollercoaster again.
Half of you thought practically- I need to go home and sort my things out, and figure shit out with Yumi and everyone else. Right now, I just need a place to stay for the next two days. The other half of you threw caution into the wind- What if I just ran back to Kita’s place? What if I just throw my dignity away and beg to stay with him forever for 2 nights?
You felt tears prick your eyes. What a stupid way to respond to your predicament…
You snapped your head up, finding yourself gazing at the kind, smart, cool boy that had been more caring to you in the past 24 hours than your “friends” had been to you through 4 years of college. You found yourself gazing at the boy who kept invading your heart. You found yourself gazing at Kita Shinsuke.
“L/N-san,” he repeated, “What are you doing here? You should be in line for the bus if you don’t want to miss it-” “Maybe I do want to miss it,” You laughed through your tears, “There is no bus anyway. Not until Monday.”
Kita paused. “No bus until Monday? You must sleep over for a couple days more then.” He said simply. Plainly. Like it was obvious.
“No, Kita-san, I will not be abusing your hospitality anymore. Thank you so much for the offer though.” You replied defiantly while a part of you wanted to be with Kita longer.
“Y/N-san.” You looked up at him in surprise. “Staying with me would be the most logical course of action as of your current situation. You have helped me a lot, and if it makes you feel better, your labour can continue to be payment for the next two days of a bed and meals.”
You felt caught between two sides that nagged at you. But one side seemed more persuasive…
“Okay, Kita-san. I will very gratefully accept your offer. However, I insist I pay you. If you don’t let me, I would rather sleep here, on this bench.”
How cute… Kita thought, before shoving the idea to the back of his head. He deliberated for a second before nodding. “If that is what you wish, L/N-san. Now, let’s go back to the field.”
Strange… I want him to call me Y/N again…
“So, why’d you come back here anyway?” You asked as Kita guided you back to the truck.
“I’d forgotten something…”
Timeskip :) Don’t be mad that I didn’t write the in between portion
“Shinsuke! Baby, look at this.” You exclaimed, holding a picture between your fingers as your fiance neared.
You handed the picture to him, and he smiled at it.
It was the first photo of the two of you together, taken by one of the other village residents on your first day in Hyogo. You two were caught mid-conversation- you in your skimpy tube top and tight skirt, hair crazy and eyes shining, and Kita slightly bending his neck down to look at you, dirt smeared on his work clothes.
“Do you remember when I realised when Minato-kun had taken the photo? I was so embarrassed because I looked like a complete freaking mess.” You laughed, reminiscing about your first encounters with Shinsuke.
“You were never a mess…” He murmured as he lazily wrapped his arms around you from behind.
You squeaked and swatted him. “Shinsuke! You’re dirty and sweaty. Get off! Get off!” Your fiance just smiled and squeezed you tighter and kissed the top of your head.
“I’m so happy I stayed here in the village. I can’t believe that I’d lived in the city for my whole life until then. The people were so inviting and sweet.” You thought of Watanabe-san, who treated you like her grand-daughter, treating you to sweet fruits and teaching you the secrets of fruit cultivation. You thought of Minato-kun, the playful college student that was the resident little brother, who had teamed up with Miya freaking Osamu to tease you two relentlessly. You thought of the kind shopkeepers, the sweet ladies who had taught you about village life, and the lively kids that brought an extra spark to life here in the rice paddies of Hyogo.
“Thank you… for not leaving the village. And me.”
The scent of the freshly cut leaves, and a gentle warmth clung in the air as you turned around to look into those amber eyes slightly covered by his two-toned hair.
“Thank the buses that never came.” You laughed. “And the fact that you forgot something at the bus stop that day when I was about to leave. What’d you leave though? Your gloves?”
Kita gently pressed a kiss to your head.
“Who?” You teased, catching on.
“The woman who called me cool…”
Your eyes shone with love and some emotional tears.
“I was trying to live up to it.”
a/n: FAHHH and done. Thank you so much for reading. I am so sorry that it was a bit redundant.
ALSO, I have an important question for my (like 5) readers: Would you prefer less frequent updates but longer ffs like this or more frequent but shorter drabbles? For context, the ffs I do rn are approximately 6 pages long on google docs (times new romans 12 pt), and I take a lot of time editing, revising, and asking AI for feedback (NO COPYPASTING THOUGH JUST GRAMMATICAL AND PLOT FEEDBACK).
