There’s always time for Starbucks! - Takumi (open

[fryn]

He hadn’t seen Izzy at school now for a couple of days and Takumi had to admit he was missing her terribly. They’d already arranged to go to the Prom together (naturally) and he’d ordered her wrist flowers as was called for by tradition. A tradition he was very unaware of as nothing like this happened in Osaka. Google was most useful, though, and in this instance it had helped him find a site that told him everything he needed to know. Even better, he’d been able to translate it into Japanese. No room for errors... He hoped!

He only had one issue with it all...

No way in hell was he going to put on one of those outfits that resembled a penguin.

Not a chance!

Takumi had taken a long time in finding the right outfit and had liked it so much he’d bought it, knowing he’d get the chance to wear it again in the future. No traditional black tuxedo or white shirt. No red. Instead he’d opted for a short black tailored jacket over matching pants. His shirt was of the brightest neon pink, covered by an light dove-grey waistcoat and then the jacket with its long lapels. The shirt would be loose and no tucked in, of course. And sunglasses. Takumi didn’t really feel dressed properly without sunglasses. Big sunglasses. He’d take them off inside the building, though. He’d stand out too much otherwise!

He’d checked over the clothes one last time, coming to a decision. It needed the last accessory that he’d almost bought the previous week... The long scarf coloured the same pink as his shirt. Black background with shocking pink skulls all over it.

“I am running out to the shopping centre!” he called out to his mother and she replied with something muffled... Probably telling hi to be back for supper. Takumi grabbed his red crash helmet and leaped onto his equally red Vespa. Within minutes he was at the store and buying the scarf.

Satisfied finally he wandered out and into the mall. Maybe he had time for a Starbucks before he set off for home.....

[June Griffin]

June was walking through the mall, finding something new of Belle from 'Beauty and the Beast' to add to her already growing collection. This had started when she was 3 and saw the movie and had fallen instantly in love with it.

She heard her phone ring with the song 'Belle' and knew who it was. "Hey Mom, I'm fine. Everything is going well..." She started talking to her not really paying attention and nearly plowed into the young Asian man.

"Let me call you back later, I nearly hit someone in the mall." June didn't think how cryptic that sounded to her mother.

"I didn't actually run into you did I? I'm sorry if I did." She smiled at him.

[fryn]

White mocha... iced Americano... maybe a coffee jelly frappuccino? Or an iced matcha...? “Bet they don’t even have those last two here in America,” he mumbled to himself. A shame as the jelly frappuccino was something else. Takumi pondered what to go for... just as soon as he found the Starbucks he knew to be somewhere on this floor. There was always a Starbucks within spitting distance, it seemed... Not that he’d ever contemplate spitting to test out that theory...

A pretty brunette was heading his way, her cell phone pressed to her left ear. He knew the inevitable was about to happen and so Takumi drew to a standstill and braced himself, ready smile already forming.

She spotted him just in time and quickly ended her call.

“No, not at all,” he assured her. “And even had that happened I doubt you would have caused any damage,” he added with an even broader smile. “I am looking for Starbucks. If you can help me find it I will return your kindness with a drink. Oh, I am Takumi,” he belatedly added with a curt dipping motion of his head. “I have noticed you at school buuut... we haven’t spoken until now.”

[June Griffin]

"Oh that's a relief, I always feel clumsy when I do that." June replied with a tender smile on her face. The boy was sweet in his own nature, and, for being L.A. well mannered.

"I was on my way to Starbucks!" Great minds were thinking alike. "Please, I don't mind helping someone out, no payment necessary." That was how things were in Kansas, neighbors helped each other out when they could. "That is sweet of you though."

"I'm June." She introduced herself. "Its a pleasure Takumi." She pushed her sleeves up slightly. "I may have seen you I'm still getting used to the size of the school."

"If I'm not mistaken the Starbucks is over by the food court, which is over this way. Let's go, I hate to sit alone."

[fryn]

"Aaah... so you are new to school! I didn't think I had seen you around before. I am honoured to meet you, June," he added, grasping her hand between both of his and smiling warmly. He glanced over to where she indicated Starbucks to be possibly located. "Then let's see if we can find it together, hai?"

They set off in search of the elusive coffee shop, stumbling across it by accident. "As a welcome to town I would like to buy you your drink," he stated. Takumi had scanned the board and - not surprisingly, yet disappointingly, not finding iced matcha. Yes, they had green tea but it came in those terrible little packets. No way was he going to try that! No, mocha frappuccino instead.

"What would you like, June-chan?" he asked with a polite dip of his head. "And maybe one of those pieces of lemon cake? It is very good! I tried that last week!"