Chapter Text
What Once Was
☆Xoxokisseshugz☆
What did anything matter if you weren't by his side?
And what's 8 hours of underpaid work if it's for you? In Ichihaya's eyes, you were more than worth it. It's a favor well overdue, in his opinion. You were always there for him, even if you did treat him like a little sister sometimes...
But now the two of you were practically grown up, and he could finally be there for you like he'd always wanted.
And today, an opportunity arose. You'd just ran into the building, hair a mess, shirt untucked and skirt half-zipped. You hurriedly punched your timecard and set your purse down with an audible sigh.
It's not the first time you'd come in like this, or the second, or third. But he'd never done anything besides smoothing out your hair and the occasional collar-fixing, when he was feeling brave. But it shouldn'tve been like that! He should be helping you, and if he could just get the courage to...
"Y/N? Did you sleep in again?" He teased, but this time you didn't smile.
"Yeah...I had a lot of work to do last night." You raked your fingers over your sloppily tied ponytail, a failed attempt to smooth the knotted frizz caught on the hair tie.
With a swift motion, your skirt was zipped, and your shirt was tucked into the band.
"Do you...need help?" He asked.
"Sure?" You said, and before you could take your hair down he was already pulling it into a bun. You cringed at the partial pain, but didn't say anything as he worked. The feeling of his fingers delicately smoothing everything back made your eyes flutter shut, and the discomfort of your morning rush went away for a moment.
"And...done!" He smiled, patting your shoulders. Your eyes snapped open, and you looked at yourself through your phone camera. Strangely, not a hair was put of place. Even if you weren't rushed, you weren't sure you could do that. You looked like a school boy, but it would be better than having your hair in your face all day.
Unbeknownst to you, Ichihaya had done it on purpose. While they were out putting up posters, you'd become the topic of their small talk. Nika'd mentioned how much better you looked with your hair down, and that if you wore it that way you'd get more customers. So out of spite, and a hope that he'd stop thinking of you like that, he put your hair as 'up' as it could be. It made you look like a real boss, minus any threatening aura.
You turned to thank him, and as you looked up you noticed his expression. Cheeks flushed a baby pink, eyes looking anywhere but at you.
"Ichihaya, are you okay? Do you have a fever?"
You were always one to worry about your 'employees', letting them take breaks whenever you thought they looked overworked (Which Nika used to his advantage a lot more than you would've liked)
He felt his forehead with the back of his hand, and shook his head 'no'.
"Well, thanks for the help. I don't know how you got it so smooth..." You shoved your phone into your purse, hanging it on a nearby hook.
"Do you really think I didn't pick anything up from the years you used to do my hair?" He joked, and this time, you smiled.
"Maybe you did, this is actually impressive. But don't think you're better than me! I think my ponytails looked good on you."
He snickered, remembering the times you used to tie up his hair and pretend he was your sister. It was embarrassing to talk about, but it was with you, so in his eyes, it was worth it.
You looked at the clock, and immediately headed for the cafés.
"We'll miss customers, come on!"