"Let's get going," she said with a smile, glancing back at him over her shoulder.
"Yeah, let's go," Ichigo replied, falling into step beside her.
The two of them left the mall, tossing all their shopping bags into the trunk of her car before sliding in and driving toward the restaurant. From the road, the silhouette of their apartment building stayed faintly visible in the distance, a quiet reminder of home.
When they arrived, Suzu stepped out of the car and immediately pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease.
"Hey, can you not light up the second you get out of the car?" Ichigo snapped, slamming his door shut. "I really hate that smoking habit of yours."
"Over my dead body," Suzu shot back, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.
"You'll be dead if you don't quit," Ichigo muttered, launching into a familiar lecture.
Suzu didn't even bother responding. She turned on her heel and headed toward the outdoor seating area, heels clicking against the pavement.
"Hey! Don't ignore me—hey!" Ichigo called after her, jogging to catch up.
A college student working part-time as a waiter spotted them from across the patio. His eyes locked onto Suzu, and he froze for a second, clearly smitten.
"I'm taking that table," he declared with a cocky smirk to his coworker.
"But… she's with a guy. Probably her boyfriend," the coworker protested.
"Tch. Didn't you see how he was yelling at her and she just ignored him? They're definitely not on good terms."
"B-but—"
"Stay out of it. Watch and learn—I'm making that woman mine tonight."
Ichigo and Suzu settled at a table beneath a sky full of stars. They'd barely sat down when the eager waiter appeared at their side, his gaze fixed solely on Suzu.
"Good evening, miss," the waiter said smoothly, voice dripping with charm. "What can I get for such a beautiful young lady tonight?"
"Another waiter," Suzu replied without even looking up from her phone, tone flat as a blade.
"Pffrrt—" Ichigo slapped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking as he tried (and failed) to stifle the sudden burst of laughter.
"W-what?" The waiter blinked, smile frozen on his face. "I… I didn't quite catch that, ma'am."
Suzu finally lifted her eyes, pinning him with a stare that could've frozen hell over. "I said, another waiter. Do you not get it boy," she sighed.
Ichigo lost it completely, burying his face in his arms on the table as muffled, wheezing laughter escaped him. The waiter's cheeks flushed crimson, his confident smirk shattered into awkward pieces.
"I-I'll… send another waiter.," he stammered, backing away like a kicked puppy.
Ichigo let go of his hand " Ah ha ha ... Moron he was trying to hit on you, even if you didnt like it there was no need to reject him that bad, he might lose the courage to ask other girls out because of you"
"Oh was i not supposed to do that" she said innocently
Ichigo stiffen his expression in an instant "don't do it.. that face doesn't suit on you, i might vomit blood next time you make that face" he said seriously, waving his hand in no.
"Huhh!" nerve visible on her forehead.
Another waiter arrived "may i take your order sir" the waiter said as he blinked his one eye to ichigo with a weird smile.