First Confession (ReaderxIzumi)
Roses are bread Violets are bloop. Sugar is sweet. So is gloop.
—-
The cafe was starting to pick up now that the 3rd years were getting into their schedules for the new school year. This morning in particular was especially busy. You were starting to work up a sweat, running from the coffee machine to the tables, the kitchen to the counter, wiping down each surface as soon as it was cleared of patrons, stacking the empty mugs in the back to clean when you had a free minute.
You were so busy cleaning up after the last student had left for class, you almost missed the pale yellow envelope that sat on one of the tables. The elegant cursive of your name caught your eye and you paused, setting down the rag on the tabletop to look it over.
The parchment felt heavy in your hands and you could tell that it was expensive just by looking at it. The flap was sealed with red wax but had no stamp, leaving you curious about the contents.
You tried to remember who had been sitting in that spot today, but the morning was all a blur. Tucking the envelope gently in your apron pocket, you quickly finished setting up the cafe for lunch before sitting at the counter and pulling it back out.
You admired the handwriting one last time before turning it over. You grabbed a knife from the utensils you had by the register and gently popped the seal open. The waft of air blew the scent of old books and dust into your nostrils and you felt the tickle of a sneeze rise up. You took a deep breath and willed it away, scrunching your nose until the urge left.
The letter on the inside was made of the same thick parchment, causing the paper to snag as you inched it from the tight grip of the envelope. The page was folded in half and you gently smoothed it open on the counter, the same elegant handwriting welcoming you.
Stories of love are everywhere you look, All you must do is read a good book. But all the books and stories of lore, Have left me wanting and aching for more.
A beauty so perfect has entered my sight, When I behold her my heart squeezes tight. I think she may be the one I desire, For love is the word that sets me afire.
Tacked on the bottom of the page was an additional message.
Please meet me on the school rooftop at lunch today.
You felt a blush rise to your cheeks at the love poem. You had never received a letter like this before. You weren’t sure how to react. But as much as the prospect of a confession excited you, you grounded yourself with the knowledge that you wouldn’t be able to accept the feelings of this boy.
You sighed and carefully tucked the paper back into the envelope, placing it by the register. Lunchtime was so soon yet you wished it would take eternity. You stepped to the back and hung up your apron, grabbing the keys to lock up while you went to class.
—-
Your lunch period was slightly different than most. The faculty allowed you extra time to get the cafe ready for the rush of students and teachers that would flood the small building during the hour. However, today would be different.
You opened the cafe and got it ready as usual, handing out a few to-go cups to some of the staff that came by early. It was just a few minutes until the 3rd years would be released from classes. You tucked your apron away and flipped the sign on the door to “Closed”, locking up with trembling fingers.
It was time.
Not wanting to be caught up in any conversation with the senpai, you took the long way around the building instead of taking a more direct approach through the hallways. Finally reaching the top of the emergency stairwell, you stepped through the heavy metal door, wiping the slight sweat on your brow with the back of your hand before turning up the final steps to the school’s rooftop.
A slight breeze cooled the last of the sweat on your face as you opened the door. Across the way you saw a blonde figure looking through the fence that wound around the roof. Hearing the door creak open, the boy turned to face you. It was Izumi.
The boy met your gaze for only a moment before a blush blossomed across his cheeks, looking down at his feet in embarrassment as you walked over to him.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said once you were standing close enough to hear him. His voice was light and breathy, dancing in the air around you.
You tucked a stray hair behind your ear as you asked, “You wanted to see me, senpai?”
“I-I need to tell you something.”
You could tell what was coming but at the rate Izumi was going, he would need much longer than the lunch period to get to the point.
You were about to break the silence when he took a deep breath and looked up, meeting your eyes with his as he pushed his glasses up with his fingertips. A determined expression crossed his face and you were slightly taken aback. This wasn’t a look you had ever seen before on the gentle book reader.
“Ever since I met you, my world started to change. I used to keep to myself a lot, spending time alone in the library. I really thought that living in my head was better than talking to other people.” He paused for a moment to take another breath before continuing, “But you changed all of that. You asked how I was everyday and slowly, I opened up my world to you. I realized that spending time with you was more interesting than any story I could read.” He faltered, looking down at his hands, clenching them together. Lifting his head, he finished quickly, “I like you. Won’t you let me write my own story with you?“
You felt tears pricking your eyes at the sincerity in his words, a smile touching your mouth. Even though you knew what you had to do well before this moment, it didn’t make the words you said next any easier.
“I am so thankful that you think of me so highly, Izumi-senpai. But I’m afraid I can’t accept what you’re proposing.”
The hopeful look in his eyes faded, his shoulders slumping. “I understand,” he murmured.
“Ah!” You took a step closer and reached out to brush your fingers against his hands. “Please don’t misunderstand, I am very flattered and I care for you a lot. The only reason I can’t say yes is that I have a stipulation in my scholarship. I’m not allowed to enter a romantic relationship with any of the male students here. I don’t understand all of the reasons why, but I’m afraid I can’t risk the chance to lose my position here.”
Izumi bobbed his head slowly, wrapping his brain around what you were saying. “So hypothetically, if you were able to d-date a student here, you would say yes?”
A grin spread across your face and you gave him an almost imperceptible nod. His expression brightened immediately.
“I have to get back to the cafe before lunch is over. Would you like to walk me there? I’ll make you some green tea.” You shot him a wink.
The blush crept back onto his cheeks at the gesture and he gripped his hand around your own for a moment before letting go and pushing his glasses up again. “It would be my pleasure.”
---
First Chapter | Next Chapter -->
