Sweet as Honey (An OHSHC FanFic)

Part 41

"Uh." I stopped a few feet away from the store doors. Then I shook my head.

"Come on, Rika!" Mitsukuni said encouragingly. He tugged on my hand gently. "It's not often that Oji-san gets asked to be a teacher. I'm sure he's thought it over already."

"He thought it over yesterday, Mitsukuni," I replied. "He already said no. It's better not to bother him again." He raised an eyebrow. "Just give it another shot."
I shook my head, staring at the concrete sidewalk right beneath Mitsukuni's feet.

"Rika, come on," he said. When I still didn't budge, he seemed to sigh. "Trust me, Rika. Oji-san will have thought about it again. He might have changed his mind. I think... the last time he had an apprentice was like years and years ago!"

"But..." I closed my mouth. "I don't know."

"Just try again," he said softly.

"Fine," I said with a sigh. Then I pushed the door open. The chimes above tinkled, signaling our entrance.

Oji-san once again came shuffling to the counter from behind. He smiled. "Ah, hello, Mitsu-kun, Hayashi- san!"

I dipped my head down a bit in a shallow bow. "H-Hello."
"Hello!" Mitsukuni replied cheerily. Then he squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile. "Go on."

I frowned, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. "Um, Oji-san, c-could you... maybe rethink about... te-teaching me?" I stared at Oji-san's wrinkled face.

He sighed. "I did think about what you asked yesterday." I gulped. Here comes the rejection, again.

"You'll only be here for today and then three more days, right?" he asked. I nodded, determined to maintain eye contact and some amount of dignity. "Then I suppose it wouldn't be too bad."

"Huh?" I said.

Oji-san smiled. "I'll teach you, for the few days you're here. It means you won't be able to learn much though, you know?"

"Wa-Wait, really?" I leaned forward, gaping. "You'll teach me? Really?"
Oji-san nodded.
"Yes!" I jumped up in excitement and then turned to Mitsukuni. He was smiling. "Did you hear that? You

heard that right? Yay! I get to learn from Oji-san!" I hugged Mitsukuni briefly.

heard that right? Yay! I get to learn from Oji-san!" I hugged Mitsukuni briefly.

Oji-san chuckled. "Do you want to start now?"

"Really?" I asked.

He nodded. "Come with me." Then he began walking into the backroom. I was about to follow when I remembered I was still holding Mitsukuni's hand.