After getting all dolled up and making sure that she used her perfume with a light tropical scent and just a hint of sweet pineapple, Popuri was ready to go.
A white box in her hands, she hummed all the way to the shack. The pinkette worked extremely hard to bake something nice for Kai. She baked all morning until she made the perfect cake for him. Deep down she hoped that no other girls went to spend time with him yet. But then she stopped because thinking like that made her feel silly and childish.
Walking inside of the building, she called out in a sweet voice. “Kai? Are ya busy? I have something for you! Something sweet~” Stopping at the counter, she waited for a second before Kai walked out from the kitchen with a smile on his face.
Popuri could feel the butterflies in her stomach already. “Hola Popi~ What’s this sweet thing? You, maybe?” Kai asked, smiling teasingly.
"Hehe, nooo…" She blushed, opening up the box to reveal a cake big enough for two with the words ‘Happy Birthday Kai!’ written in purple icing on the top. "Happy Birthday! I made it all by myself~"
"Wow!" Kai smiled at the sight of the cake and then back at the pinkette. "I’ll get a knife and forks, si?"
"Si!" Popuri nodded, giggling lightly. Taking a deep breath, she announced proudly while Kai went to get the silverware and began cutting into the cake. "I’ve also been practicing a little something. A-hem… Feliz cumpleaños!"
"Very good, Popi!" Kai placed a plate with a piece of cake on it in front of her before praising her simple phrase. "You’re pronunciation was muy beuno."
“Gracias~” She let out a bubbly giggle before taking a bite of her piece. “Ah, I think I did well! What do you think, Kai?”
The tall male nodded with his own forkful of cake in his mouth. After swallowing he licked his lips enjoying the light sugary taste of the frosting. “I really like it, Popi. I was actually just starting to get a little hungry, too.”
"I have good timing then." Popuri held her fork in her mouth for a moment before noticing a bit of frosting at the corner of Kai’s mouth. Giggling lightly, she reached up to wipe it away. "You missed some frosting! I’ll get it.. See?" After showing it to him, she licked it off of her finger with a smile.
"Heh, you have some frosting on your face too." Kai murmured, putting some frosting on his finger and wiping it on the pinkette’s nose. Laughing, he took another bite of cake before Popuri wiping some frosting on his cheek.
"Aw, you got some there too!" She laughed along with him and before they knew it their faces were covered with cake and frosting. When they were finally out of places to put frosting and Popuri even saw some in her hair, they figured it was time to clean up. "Can I come in the back to wash up?" She asked, a bit embarrassed although Kai looked just as frosted as her.
"Si, of course!" He opened the counter for her to walk through, but before she walked passed him, he grabbed onto her hand gently and pulled her towards him. "Wait. Let me help you out."
"Huh?" Popuri looked up at Kai, her cheeks turning pink under the frosting. Then Kai kissed her on the forehead, kissing off some of the frosting before pulling away. "Oh… I can help you too…" Popuri murmured, going up on her tiptoes and kissing Kai on the cheek to take off some of the frosting there.
Before she could get too far from his face, Kai cupped her frosting covered cheeks in his hands and leaned in to get off the frosting that was on her lips. Backing away, he brought his hands back down and she had to try not to smile so much.
After a long silence, Popuri grabbed his hand and swung it gently back and forth. “So… did you enjoy your present?” She asked, looking up at him sheepishly.
Kai nodded, a bit embarrassed to look at her too. “Si, I did. It was very sweet.” He kissed her once more on the forehead before holding her close. “Thank you, Popi.”
Trying not to press her face against his chest too much, she giggled sweetly in reply. “De nada, Kai.”
"Yes~ It’s finally summer!!” Popuri cheered, running towards the beach. If you asked her what her favorite season was, she’d say summer. It’d always be summer. The sun, the sky, the beach! Popuri loved it all. Of course, there was another little detail that made summer her favorite.
As she stood at the top of the beach, she stared out at the ocean with her binoculars. Aside from enjoying the sight of the waves coming in from out at sea, and also possibly seeing a few dolphins— she swears! —there was another reason. The reason why summer was so dear to her now more than ever.
It was only a year ago that she had met him. His perfectly tanned skin, his striking brown eyes, and his darling purple bandana… Popuri was so intrigued at his appearance and ultimately fell for him. At first it was just his looks and also from how he spoke so flirtatiously. But then they got closer and Popuri started falling for a different reason.
He was a traveler and had been all over. He’d been to more places than Popuri and that made her ask him so many questions. Usually when she would ramble on about how she’d like to get away, people here would tell her it’s not a good idea or ask if her mother and brother knew. But not him… he would be happy for her to have such a dream and loved to talk with her about it.
She also loved his cooking and his passion for the things that he did. Although he didn’t go into much detail about himself, Popuri was okay with that. She simply enjoyed being with him everyday. However her older brother Rick didn’t enjoy that so much. Even after he forbade her to continue spending time with the stranger, her attraction only grew stronger.
At the end of that summer, she was met with terrible heart break, though. As he was a traveler, he didn’t stay in one place all too long. Mineral Town was no exception for him even if Popuri was there. He said he couldn’t stand the cold seasons but he would be back every summer to open up the shack. That promise alone was enough to keep Popuri happy and awaiting the next summer season more than ever.
So here she was, one year later and watching for a ship to dock. But then she began to doze off and ended up falling asleep in the warmth of the summer sun. It was nearly sundown when she started to wake up again and realized where she was. Shooting up, she felt around for the binoculars. Once she finally found them, she looked out to the ocean and then at the dock. Had he arrived and she missed him? Or had he not come around yet? Popuri was starting to panic until she saw the lights go on inside the shack.
Gathering her things up, she quickly ran over and walked through the door. From the sight of him, a bright smile spread across her face and she ran over to give him a big hug. He lifted her up and spun her around happily returning her gesture.
"Hi Kai~" She giggled sweetly, stepping away from him after he placed her down and curling her hair around her finger. Not even five minutes and her heart was pounding more than when she was running.
"Aye chica you have sand in your hair!" He laughed, helping to dust most of it out. "Were you waiting for me, Popi?" He smiled playfully at the pinkette and it took everything in Popuri not to break into giggles.
Her cheeks were pink from embarrassment, yet she was still the happiest girl in Mineral Town that second. “Maybe,” she teased, flashing him back the same playful smile.
Although she never confessed to him, she could never deny the feelings she had for Kai. As every summer rolled by, it was the same, yet even better than the last. Popuri wished for the next one to begin as soon as the last would end. Summertime would always be her favorite time. As long as she was able to see him every time~
((Literally had the BEST time writing this. KaixPopi feels I’m sorry. But not really ‘cause THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE. I love young Popi jeez))
