"Aw, how cute."

You're going to kill him.

Suo Hayato smiles and puts down the overly frilly menu, intertwining his fingers as he looks at your outfit happily. "I didn't think it would be so... short."

You wonder if he'll notice the poison in the tea.

"What are you doing here?" you ask, tugging at the hem of your admittedly short skirt. This café is nowhere near Bofurin territory, a fact you've made sure of while looking for a quick and easy way to make money. Not that it matters much since Hayato and his friends have graduated, but they still roam the streets guarded by Bofurin, so you figured you'd be safe from their overprotective vigilance here. Speaking of which...

"Shouldn't you be at work?" you add. Hayato's smile doesn't waver an inch. "Suo-kun, seriously?"

"How could I miss the café's special tea?", Hayato muses. "Especially when my girl would be working today?"

Your cheeks heat up at his casual words. It's been a few months since you finally realized you've been dating this whole time (you blame Hayato for being so vague whenever someone questions him about you), but he still manages to make your heart race with that casual statement.

"I'm on break," Hayato adds, when he notices you're at a loss for words. "It was a perfectly timed coincidence."

Somehow, you doubt that.

"Well, just... don't fight with anyone, okay? I need this job," you say, fiddling with your skirt a little more. You notice the slight squeeze of his clasped hands, wary. Okay, maybe you shouldn't have said that. "Would you like to propose?"

Hayato tilts his head to the side. The long tassel of your dangling earring brushes against your shoulder, the jewel glinting brightly in the sunlight. “I think you forgot something.”

You wonder if anyone other than your boyfriend will notice the halted movement of your hand.

Hayato smiles at you, that soft smile that sends shivers down your spine, the one he usually saves for when he’s behind closed doors. You clear your throat as heat rises up the back of your neck. “Would you like to ask… sir?”

“Let’s try something different,” Hayato says softly. So softly. “Since you’re wearing such a cute French maid uniform, what else would you call me?”

It would be really nice if a hole could open up and swallow you right now.

Well, whatever. Two people can play this game—your boyfriend might not mind teasing you in public, but at least you can do your best to return the favor.

“What would you like to ask, master?” Your voice barely shakes and you smile, pleased with yourself.

Hayato smiles—that wide, beaming smile he wears when he’s about to start something—and then says cheerfully, “Good girl. I’d like to try the International Deluxe Set, please.”

“Yes, master,” you say, mimicking his cheerful tone. You flash your customer service smile and turn to escape before he notices the heat burning your cheeks. You might turn a little too quickly and Hayato will probably catch a glimpse of bare skin between your white thigh-high stockings and panties as your skirt blows open with the movement, but you scurry to the relative safety behind the counter before he can find out.

— — — — ♡ — — — —

You’re careful with your tray as you make your way to the small round table tucked into the back corner, near the window. It’s a little busier than usual—the maid promotion looks like it’s going to be a success—but you manage to get back to your boyfriend easily.

Hayato’s smile is a little wry. He hadn’t lost your present before, so.

“Your skirt is really short,” he says calmly. You hold the tray firmly aloft and begin to set the table. Every soft, quiet clink of the delicate china on the rustic wooden table rings strangely loud in your ears, and the focus of your entire world is centered on this table with your boyfriend.