Innocent | Sugawara Koushi

19.

"We are so sorry, even though he is an adult, he still acts like a child." The woman said.

I looked between the couple, still not sure what to say. But I shook myself quickly and stepped aside to let them sit at the table. "Please, don't worry about it. I'll be back with more cards in a minute." I smiled at them despite the loud beating of my heart.

There was no other option, they had to be Sugawara's parents.

But they seemed not to know me. I wasn't even sure if Koushi told them about our relationship. I took a deep breath before coming back to a table with two more cards. "Here you are."

They smiled at me politely. That's good.

"I will be back in a moment to take your orders. Do you want something to drink?" I asked, looking around the table. My eyes stopped at Souta, who was looking back at me curiously.

"Black tea for me and water for Souta." Kyo said, elbowing him under the table discreetly.

"But I wanted coke." He pouted, but closed his mouth shut as both Kyo and his mother looked at him disapprovingly.

"You'll have a stomachache again." Kyo said, eliciting a frown from a man. He nodded and looked at me like he was defeated.

"Okay, water for me."

"I can't decide. Would you be so nice and recommend me something?" I looked at Sugawara's mom and my eyes fell to the card as she asked me a question.

"Uhm, maybe jasmine tea?" I said the first thing that came to my mind, since my brain worked a little bit slower. I usually like surprises, but I would prefer to meet my boyfriend's parents in slightly different circumstances.

She nodded happily. "I've never drink it, but I'll depend on your taste." Her smile almost make my stomach churn nervously. But still, she had Koushi's smile. Or rather he had hers. And that was the main reason I could come to their table with a smile.

"I'll get the same." Sugawara's father also smiled and I nodded, scribbling the drink order on a small notepad I had.

"Okay then, let me know when you are ready to order the rest."

When I came back to the kitchen, I closed my eyes for a moment, leaning on the counter with my elbows.

"Rough clients?" One of the new waitresses asked when she passed by me. I think she was around eighteen and was still in high school.

"Ugh, no. It's not that." I smiled at her, showing that I was, indeed, alright. "I just kind of know those people and was a little surprised, that's all."

She sent me a quick smile before she disappeared in the dining area again. "Okay, let me know if you want to switch tables so I will be the one serving if something's wrong."

I nodded and thanked her, grateful for her concern and offer. But I wanted to be the one who serves them. I wanted to know them better, even if I was talking with them only about the order. Moreover, it would look a little impolite if I switched with another waiter now and that was the last thing I wanted to happen. Anyway, they are just customers. Just my boyfriend's parents who don't know me.

I braced myself with a smile and after a couple of minutes came back to the table with their drinks. I tried to act casual and Kyo probably knew that, so she acted clueless. But she didn't stop shooting me small smiles from time to time.

"Man, I wish Koushi came along. If only we waited for his work to be finished before we came here." He shook his head and acted like he was talking to himself before our eyes met. "Can I get a burger with French fries?"