Ch 3: Like Father, Like Son - Pt 3: The Same Mistake

"So, what's next?" Yuuna stood and swung around in front of me.

I swallowed the last bit of sandwich and blinked at her. "Huh?"

"What's next? What did you come into town to do?" Her eyes were expectant.

"I, uh... Just to check it out, I guess." I never really had a plan. I had no clue what I would even find once I got here.

"Is that so?" Yuuna tapped her finger to her chin with a hum. "Then, how about dessert?!"

"Dessert?" That fruit sandwich kind of tasted more like a dessert than anything else.

"Yeah! There's an awesome shop in the center of town I'm absolutely sure you'll love!" Every time she smiled, it was like a breath of fresh air.

I just could not get myself to say no to this young woman. "All right." And besides, my only chance to explore might be with this girl by my side.

"Great! Let's go!" With a skip in her step, Yuuna did not even wait for me to stand up.

I jogged to catch up to the cheery young lady. Once I slowed to her pace, I noticed Yuuna was carrying the basket with both hands in front of her. "I'll carry that for you if you like."

"Why aren't you a gentleman." Yuuna giggled with one hand hiding her mouth.

I was not sure if she was teasing me, but in either case, Yuuna accepted my offer and passed the basket to me. It was surprisingly heavy. All this for a picnic by herself? Just how much was she planning to eat on her own?

We had barely entered the central hub before the murmurs returned. "What is Yuuna doing with the man?" "He must be taking advantage of her. Yuuna is too kind-hearted for her own good." "Yeah, I bet you're right."

"Yuuna's walking with a man? I've never seen her show any interest in anyone before." "Eh, don't worry about it. Yuuna's nice to everyone." "True. What was I thinking? She'd never go for someone like--"

The young man shut right up when Yuuna wrapped her arms around my left arm. I was just as surprised as they were. Is this her way of defending me?

I snuck a glance Yuuna, but she caught me. She was already peeking through the corner of her eye and winked when I met her gaze. My heart skipped a beat with another thud. Crap. She's dangerous.

"Here we are. The best crepes you will ever have in the Kingdom of Rustig. No, that's not right. In the entire world!" Yuuna stopped in front of a large window cut out of the side of one of the box-shaped buildings, and an elderly woman was sitting on the other side.

"Oh, Yuuna. You flatter little old me way too much." The grandmother-like woman turned to me. "And who might this be?"

"Koharu, this is Aoi. He's new to town, and I simply had to take him to your shop." Yuuna's smile was as radiant as ever. It was just like everyone was saying. Yuuna's kindness shined just as brightly all around her. So much so that, if only for an instant, I thought I saw a glow in the space she filled.

"Oh?" The old woman looked me up and down, pausing at the sight of Yuuna's arm hooked in mine. Once she reached my eyes, she squinted her already squinty, wrinkled eyes at me. "Aoi, you say? I can't say I don't have my suspicions, but if Yuuna approves of you, then that is enough for me."

I let go of my breath that stopped as she stared. "Thank you, Koharu. I appreciate it." I bowed slightly with my head.

"Yes, of course." Koharu looked back at Yuuna. "Which flavor will you have this time?"

"I'll go with my all-time fave. What will you have, Aoi?"

"Right, um--" Apparently that was all Yuuna had to say for Koharu to know what she wanted. I scanned the menu as quickly as I could, and one word popped out over all the others -- manzana. "I'd like to try the Manzana Spice, please."

"Excellent choice. My personal favorite if I had to choose." With an agreeable nod, Koharu rose from her chair, then she disappeared around the wall behind her.

Yuuna squeezed my arm tighter against her body. "You won't be disappointed, Aoi. I promise."

With a shy laugh, I avoided looking at Yuuna. "Haha. I believe you."

"One Ichigo Banani and one Manzana Spice." Koharu returned with the healthy helpings of sweetness as masterfully crafted as the one I ate when I studied abroad in Sapporo.

"Perfect! How much do I owe you today?" Yuuna gestured toward the basket at my other side, and I held it up.

"It's on me today. You two please enjoy your date." The grandmother gave us a sly grin.

D-d-d-date!

"Are you sure? Thank you so much, Koharu!" Yuuna gleefully reached for the two crepes.

She's not denying it?!

After watching Yuuna excitedly hand me my crepe, Koharu chuckled. "Take care, Yuuna. It was a pleasure to meet you, Aoi."

"Likewise." I lowered my head with a slight bend to my back.

The two of us walked a little further to sit on a nearby bench. My Manzana Spice crepe had slices of apples that appeared to have been baked with a powdery spice that reminded me of cinnamon if it were green and cream much like what was on the sandwich Yuuna shared with me. To no one's surprise, the first bite was absolutely delicious.

Yuuna was humming a little tune and wiggling around beside me savoring the sight of her Ichigo Banani crepe before it was gone. I took a good, hard look at the fruit poking out of the top. Purple strawberries... Called ichigo... "You're kidding..."

Digging in, Yuuna cocked her head with the crepe in her mouth. "Hm?"

* * * * *

"See you soon, Aoi! Please come visit again!" Standing in the center of the road just outside of the village, Yuuna was emphatically waving goodbye.

"Will do! Thank you for today! It meant a lot to me!" I gave her a thumbs up and went on my way.

At first, I was fully prepared to admit to my father that he was right about keeping from going into town once I made it back home. If Yuuna had not found me on that bench -- if she was not so kind -- it would have been a miserable experience. Honestly, that girl is just too sweet for her own good.

I was all tickled thinking about Yuuna while I walked. "I can't wait to tell Mom about this. Although, I suppose I should talk to Dad first and apolo...gize..." But the smile I was wearing my whole way home vanished when I climbed out from the thicket and saw the state of the house. "What... happened?"