Leiko Hamada: Warakuma Shopping District
At Shirohane's shy reply and confirming nod, Leiko immediately started thinking of an appropriate place for the two of them to sit down and talk more about literature. There were plenty of cafes and restaurants scattered around the district, and there was only one that Leiko normally went to. But she wanted somewhere quiet...
Shirohane's following question mirrored Leiko's own thoughts, and she merely mumbled softly in approval as she looked at the areas around them. Well, there was only one place worth going...
"I was going to meet up with her later anyway, I suppose..." Leiko muttered to herself, turning around and gesturing to Shirohane with a click of her fingers. "Come, I'll purchase you some lunch."
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Leiko Hamada and Kotori Shirohane: Ueno Restaurant
The Ueno's were a part of Warakuma's history, or so Leiko had understood from Saya's exasperated rants when on the subject of her workplace. The exterior, with its polished oak doors and vibrant red, untarnished walls, looked classier and a cut above the other establishments in the district. It was a popular place, although not the exactly cheapest, which made it an ideal place for dating and business meetings.
Of course, in Leiko's eyes, the prices were mere peanuts compared to her weekly allowance. Besides, she would be paying for Shirohane's share as well, so no objection would satisfy.
Entering the building with a meek classmate in tow, Leiko thanked the waiter as he designated them towards a cosy booth near the corner, where a single wax candle emanated a warm orange glow. After sitting down, Leiko shifted herself to get more comfortable before opening her mouth purposefully. "So..."
"Hama-channnnn!!"
A loud, high pitched squeal interrupted the two of them as Leiko turned her head with a pained expression. She knew this was a bad idea...
The sound of wheels scratching against wood followed as the mobile girl gracefully skidded to a halt before their table, a plate of beverages balancing on her splayed hand. "Hama-chan! You visited me in work?!" She let out another squeal, bouncing on the wheels of her rollerblades as the glasses on her tray clattered dangerously. Some people would certainly question why a formally dressed waitress would be allowed to wheel across the vicinity in the first place, but it was a quirk that Saya had harboured since she was young. Plus, as Saya had described it, it added to her 'cute and youthful appeal'.
"I thought you were coming over later! You thought of me, wasting away in work..." Saya lifted a hand dramatically against her brow, as her eyes slowly travelled to the girl opposite Leiko. "Hmm?" Puzzlement crossed Saya's face as she leaned down and studied Shirohane's face closely. "Hmm...you look familiar..."
Kotori Shirohane," Leiko supplied calmly. "Family owns the flower store."
"Oh! Oh my gosh, now I know!" Saya nodded her head exuberantly, shooting Saya a bright smile. "You're pretty quiet whenever I see you in school. Honestly, I'm kinda surprised to see you with Hama-chan though. You have more guts than I realized!"
"Thank you for that, Saya..." Leiko muttered under her breath, looking fairly unamused as she focused back on Shirohane. "Now, unless you intend to take our order, Shirohane-san and I were discussing something."
"You were?!" The tray slammed on the table, startling the both of them as Saya leaned in intently. "What about? Is it boys?" She fixed Shirohane with an intense look. "Ooh, do you have someone you like, Kotori-chan?"