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“Seriously, Yue, this Ash guy is fucking gorgeous and charming and– I’d never win against him.”
Yut-Lung groaned. “You don’t even know if there’s a contest , Eiji. Maybe you should chill out on the rampant insecurity.”
“Like it’s that easy,” Eiji scoffed, taking another sip of alcohol, “You don’t get how distant Lucas has been, and that Ash guy makes sure to have us seated in his section every time we come in for dinner. I know they’re buddies in lit class, but still.”
“Maybe consider not eating out three times a goddamn week, then. And all in the same fucking restaurant, no less.” Yut-Lung downed a huge gulp of his drink, “Maybe you’re right and they’re fucking already.”
Oh, Eiji certainly had noticed long ago how testy his friend was getting, but still wasn’t able to stop himself from continuing on about Ash. Eiji would’ve blamed the alcohol if they both weren’t well aware that he’d be worrying about this while completely sober, too.
But even if Eiji was the one to bring up the topic of his suspicions, he couldn’t help getting defensive hearing it from Yut-Lung’s mouth.
“You know Lucas has a sensitive stomach,” Eiji crossed his arms, “He doesn’t trust the cooks anywhere else.”
“Look, I asked you to karaoke to have a good time,” Yut-Lung drunkenly leapt to his feet and grabbed a microphone, “I’ve got a song that’s perfect for your situation.”
Eiji furrowed his brow. The few seconds of guitar that played seemed vaguely familiar, but it was only once Yut-Lung started singing that Eiji recognized the song as “Jolene” by Dolly Parton… only with Yut-Lung exchanging the name “Jolene” for “Ash” – the damn brat probably thought himself clever for that one.
As much as Eiji tried to keep a scowling expression, though, he simply couldn’t in the face of Yut-Lung’s over-dramatic performance. Afterwards, Eiji’s stomach hurt from laughing hysterically for two minutes straight.
“But y’know,” Yut-Lung sat down, casually slinging an arm around Eiji’s shoulders, “Maybe you should confront him like the lady in the song. At least confirm whether or not Lucas is a cheating bastard.”
“He’d never cheat on me,” Eiji said, “...But he might leave me for someone better.”
“Christ, if this Ash is really that great, maybe you should just date him.”
Eiji rolled his eyes. “You’re not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be,” Yut-Lung’s voice took on a bitter edge, “You could do so much better than Lucas.”
“I thought you were past all this ‘Lucas doesn’t deserve you’ crap.”
“Nope, never. You guys could spend your entire lives together, get buried next to each other, and I’d still be bitching about it as I visited your grave.”
“Why do you always go straight to death?”
“Because you clearly don’t appreciate life if you’re wanting to spend it with Lucas .”
“God, you’re an ass.”
“Only to people I don’t like,” Yut-Lung grinned impishly, “Which just happens to be quite a few.”
A few days later, Eiji found himself at the restaurant.
How did Eiji allow himself to think this was a good idea? This was the first time he’s come to this restaurant without Lucas, and it’s for such a pathetic reason. He can already feel the staff staring, but at least the hostess he’s faced with doesn’t mention how odd it is for Eiji to come in alone.
“Ah, can you please seat me in Ash’s section?”
The hostess – Jenny – smiled knowingly, “Oh don’t worry, I was already going to.”
Eiji nearly balked at that, but managed to retain his composure. This was going to be just lunch and a simple conversation. It would go fine. He hoped.
He was also prepared for the slight possibility that there really was something going on between Ash and Lucas.
Fiddling with the menu that he already had memorized, Eiji didn’t have to wait long before Ash showed up with a glass of water and a smile.
“Hey there, Eiji. Good to see you,” Ash’s smile appeared genuine, rather than being a customer service smile. “Are you ready to order?”
Eiji followed the script that he had already prepared, “I’ll have a chickpea salad sandwich with a side of fries, thanks.”
“Got it,” Ash jotted down the order and started to leave.
“W-wait! Um…” Eiji nearly lost his nerve, but powered through, “Do you have a break coming up? I’d really like to talk to you about something.”
Ash’s eyes widened a bit at the unexpected request, “Oh. Sure. I can take a break soon.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Eiji sighed in relief as Ash left. Well, he got the first part done. Now he just needed to steel himself for the actual conversation. Eiji started bouncing his leg nervously.
Several minutes later, Ash returned, Eiji’s order in hand. Ash set the plate down in front of Eiji, “There you go.”
“Thank you.”
“And now I’m officially on break,” Ash seated himself across from Eiji at the table, “What is it you wanted to discuss?”
Eiji stalled for a moment by eating a french fry. To someone less familiar with Ash, the man would have appeared relaxed, but Eiji could tell that Ash’s smile was his “dealing with customers smile” rather than a genuine one like earlier. Ash was on guard for whatever it was that Eiji wanted to say to him. Eiji definitely didn’t blame him.
“Okay,” Eiji began, “So I know that you can probably easily get anyone you want. You’re gorgeous and have a great personality…”
Ash blinked at that, but Eiji didn’t miss Ash’s slight flush at being complimented.
“...A-and, well, um,” Eiji forced himself to meet Ash’s gaze, “I just wanted to ask you to please not go after Lucas. Or to at least tell me if you already have.”
Ash looked absolutely stunned, “Wait, you think I want Lucas ?”
Now Eiji was the one surprised, “Don’t you? Isn’t that why you always serve us?”
“At first, it was just because Lucas I know each other from class, but–” Ash cut himself off, “You don’t think I’m sleeping with him, do you?”
Eiji sighed, “Honestly, I’m not sure. I thought Lucas would never cheat, but… with you…”
“I’d never do that, especially to you.”
“What do you mean?”
Ash looked like he was debating something with himself, “Okay, look, it’s true that Lucas propositioned me, but I’m not into him like that… and I wouldn’t want to hurt you .”
Eiji felt his heart crack, “He propositioned you? When?”
“I don’t know,” Ash looked away, “It’s been several times. But I always say no.”
Eiji’s eyes watered up, but he willed the tears away, “Then why do you always serve us? Wouldn’t you want to avoid him?”
Again, Ash had that look of debating something.
“Ash?”
“All right,” Ash sighed, “I’ll just tell you the truth, I guess.”
Eiji braced himself.
“Lucas isn’t the one I like being around. It’s you .”
That was the last thing Eiji expected, “What?”
“At first, I just thought you were cute, but then we kept having these little chats, and… before I knew it, I had feelings for you.”
“Really?” Eiji pointed to himself, “Me?”
Ash nearly laughed at Eiji’s expression, “Yes, you, Eiji. Though I wasn’t planning on telling you. Especially not like this.”
Eiji thought about all of their previous encounters in this new light, and it made sense, “...Huh.”
This time, Ash did laugh, if a little uncomfortably, “Yeah.”
“Well, I… I don’t really know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.”
“It’s just a lot…” Eiji looked down at his plate, “So, several times, huh?”
Ash gave a sympathetic smile, “Yeah.”
“And you aren’t just saying that?”
“No, it’s true.”
“Well, thank you for telling me,” Eiji sighed heavily, “I have a lot to think about.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Ash stood, “I’ll leave you to your thoughts.”
Eiji nodded numbly. He believed Ash. Which meant that Lucas had tried to cheat on him, several times.
Eiji definitely had a lot to think about.
A couple of weeks later, Eiji was back at the restaurant, this time for dinner. Unless Ash changed his schedule, he should be working.
The host gave Eiji a knowing look, “Want to be seated in Ash’s section?”
Eiji’s ears burned. Every staff member knew him too well, “Yes, please.”
Eiji bounced his leg nervously as he awaited his server.
When Ash arrived, he seemed a bit taken aback, “Eiji? I didn’t think you’d be back.”
“Well, I am,” Eiji gave Ash a small smile, “And I’d like to ask if you will have a break soon?”
“S-sure. Let me just get your order first.”
Ash left after taking Eiji’s order. Just as Eiji expected, Ash returned several minutes later with the dish in hand and sat down across from Eiji like the last time Eiji was here.
Eiji completely ignored the food, deciding to get to the point, “I broke up with Lucas. That same day you and I talked.”
“Oh… I don’t know if I should say sorry or congratulations.”
Eiji laughed, “My friend said congratulations, and you can, too.”
Ash chuckled, “Well, then, congratulations. A guy who would cheat didn’t deserve you.”
“I agree. Thank you for being honest with me that day.”
“No problem,” Ash’s smile was soft and genuine.
“So, I came here to say thank you, but also to ask you a question,” Eiji pressed on, before he could lose his nerve, “Would you like to go out with me?”
Ash’s face reddened at that, “Really?”
“Yes,” Eiji could feel his own face getting hot, “I realized that I thought you were so great because I had feelings for you, too. I’ve really enjoyed all our interactions these past several months, and I’d like to get to know you better.”
Ash grinned, “Then just let me know the time and place and I’d be happy to go out with you.”
After exchanging phone numbers, Ash went back to work.
Eiji was still replaying Ash’s smile in his head. He had never seen Ash smile so fully before, and Eiji blushed when he thought about it being because of him. He hoped he could make Ash smile like that again in the future.