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Your younger sister, Kumiko, pointed at the various shaved ice combinations on the menu, talking about how she and her friend’s parents brought their volleyball youth group out for a birthday celebration. Which made sense, the shaved ice options that they had were all large portions and you weren’t sure if you’d be able to finish it with her. But she was really craving it, and you wanted to treat her out since you’ve come back from university.
Honestly, with how long your sister was taking to pick which shaved ice option she wanted, you were thankful that the cashier was so patient. And that there was no line.
“Oh! This one, the pudding and Q mochi milk! That one’s really good. What are you gonna get?” Kumiko asked, staring up at you with wide eyes. You knew she’d feel bad if you only went to get something for her.
“Uhmm, I’m not sure, maybe a drink,” you stated, though it was more a question since there were also way too many drinks for you to choose from.
“If you’d like a suggestion-” you glance up towards the orange-haired cashier who somehow never lets his smile disappear “-the mango and orange green tea is pretty good!”
You hum to yourself, staring down at the menu before settling in. It was kinda funny how he suggested something with orange, considering his hair color. If you were close to him, you’d make some comment about that, but you weren’t about to say that.
“Yeah, I’ll try that then, along with the pudding and Q mochi milk shaved ice.” You smiled at him as you ruffled your sister’s hair. As he tapped in the order, your eyes brushed over his arms, almost alarmed that someone who was something akin to a ray of sunshine could be as built as he was. Heat rushed up to your face as you looked away from his arms and up to his face instead, who, at the same time,e met your eyes to tell you the price.
You quickly give him your card, and he hands you a buzzer that tells you when your order is ready.
“It’ll be out soon, thanks!” He grins and you can’t help but smile back, but before you know it, Kumiko’s already tugging you towards a table and grabbing the buzzer herself.
Your sister continues to update you on what’s happened since you’ve been off to college, and you listen intently, waiting patiently. It doesn’t take long for the buzzer to go off, and Kumiko dashed to grab it. True to Hinata Shoyo’s word, as you figured out his name since it was printed on the receipt next to ‘Cashier.’ At least, you hope that was his name since you knew that sometimes coworkers would just use the same register with a different name.
But it’d be kinda cute if that was his name, it did mean sun, and his hair was bright orange, and his smile might as well be as bright as the sun, and the way he talked to you and your sister and his employees-
“Come on! The food’s here!!” Kumiko interrupted your thoughts, dashing towards her seat. You arched a brow at where the food (dessert, really) was, and Hinata appeared, holding the tray. You flushed, embarrassed that he had to go out of his way to help. You really should have gotten the tray yourself but Kumiko insisted to do it herself.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” you stand up and dash towards him, grabbing the tray out of his hands before giving him a slight bow. “Kumiko, why didn’t you call me over?” You send her a slight glare, but Hinata’s laughter caught your attention instead.
“It’s alright, I’m off the clock now!” He grinned. “Besides, Kumiko-chan reminds me of my little sister when she was her age.”
“Hinata’s so cool! He watched Sailor Moon, too!” She beams as you went to set the tray down in front of her, the young girl impatiently digs into the shaved ice, even grabbing a bit of mochi to place into her smaller bowl.
“Kumiko, you know you can’t talk to everyone about Sailor Moon, that’s why I’m here,” you pout jokingly. The spoon in your hand grabs the ice cream at the top to place in her bowl. “Also you should call him Hinata-san.”
“No, it’s fine! You can just call me Hinata, I already told her that.” Hinata waved you off, to not let you worry anymore. Turning back to Hinata, you find that he’s holding your drink in his hand, already handing you it. Kumiko interrupts you, introducing you to Hinata.
“Sorry, I feel like such a bother, is there any way I can make it up to you?” you ask sheepishly, grabbing the drink from him. Before he can answer, Kumiko does it for you.
“Come eat, the shaved ice is going to melt! Hinata, who’s your favorite Sailor Guardian?” Kumiko asked before going off about who her favorite was (it’s Sailor Jupiter). You glance over at Hinata sheepishly, but he almost pays you no mind as he immediately sits down across from Kumiko. You’re sure to take the spot between them on the side of the four-seated table.
Honestly, part of you was surprised at how well Hinata was able to keep up with Kumiko’s conversation. Sometimes it felt like he was just as much a child as she was. With Hinata even giving her different anime recommendations she’d like (Like Cardcaptor Sakura) and how he’d describe things using sound effects. It felt easy and natural talking to him and your sister. You were just thankful that he was able to indulge in her obsession with Sailor Moon.
After the three of you finished the shaved ice, since it was very obvious that you and Kumiko could not finish it and you insisted that he’d have some if he was sitting with them, Kumiko declared that she wanted to return the tray and bowls. So you let her, also being sure to keep a watchful eye on her.
“I’m so sorry you got roped in like that,” you rub the back of your neck.
“No, it’s alright! Really, I didn’t have anything to do. It was fun talking to you and Kumiko-chan.” Hinata reassured. “Plus, you let me have some of the shaved ice.”
You chuckled, “It’s nothing, you’ve been more than helpful. A-plus customer service-" you gave him a thumbs up and an awkward grin "-but please, if there’s anything I could do just let me know.”
Hinata looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought, before the light in his head went off. “You could stop by one of my volleyball games for support! Wait, here, put your number in my phone and I’ll text you everything.” He quickly takes out his phone to hand to you, and you’re suddenly shocked at how you’re putting your number into this really cute guy’s phone. And this was honestly thanks to your sister.
“Hey, Hinata!” Kumiko skipped back to the table. “Can we talk about Sailor Moon more next time?”
“Only if you come to my volleyball game!”
Kumiko gasped, jumping excitedly. So much so that you had to grab her close to you before she could get in the way of any other MeetFresh patrons.
“I play volleyball too! Did you hear that!” Kumiko asks, staring up at you with bright, round eyes.
Hinata was sure to walk you and Kumiko back to your car, letting her further indulge him about what she liked about volleyball. At this point, Kumiko talked more to Hinata than you were able to, but the orange-haired boy was sure to give you glances, grateful for the fact that through your sister, he was able to spend some time around you.
Later that night, as you’re settling into bed with the lights off and checking your phone one last time, before you truly go to sleep, your phone vibrated with a text.
𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚢, 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗!