"You look great."

Her words lingered in my ears as I picked up the empty bottles from the table. Tony was speaking to me but I was far away.

I look great? She's pulling my leg, right?

"Earth to Haruto!" Tony said, waving a hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I asked how your lunch went? Seems like it was bad, huh?"

"What? No. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all," I replied. "I need to get back to work."

"Talk soon?" Tony asked, but it sounded more like a statement.

"Yeah."

I passed by the washroom and splashed some water on my face and ran my fingers through my hair. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and lifted up my shirt. I had lost a lot of weight over winter but you could tell that I was still chubby. I dreamed of the day I would have rock-solid abs. At least once, unless...

"Gyoza Onegaishimasu!"

I reached for the last order of the day and called it out to Tony, who was at the back cleaning up before Jake and Candace start their shift.

I handed the order to Anita and proceeded to clean my station. Tony had been silent since he returned from lunch and it was worrying me.

"Always on point Haruto!" Jake said, walking in with his apron in hand. "Busy as usual?"

"Yeah," I replied. "Have fun!"

"You know I will!"

"Hi, Haruto," Candace said when I entered the locker room. I could see Rie from the corner of my eye, earphones on. "There's a party at Jake's this weekend if you'd like to come. With me."

Oh Lord, here we go again.

"I'll think about it, Candace," I replied. 

"Don't think too long," she said. "You look good today," She added, closing her locker and heading to the kitchen.

"Thanks."

Just then, Rie looked up from her backpack and smiled. I was glad she had not heard us. 

"See you tomorrow, Rie," Tony said, walking in.

"Have a nice evening," She replied as she walked by us, plugging in her earphones to her phone. I could see it in her eyes as she said goodbye. I could tell what she was thinking.

No! She had heard every word?!

"Dude, why do you look so pale?" Tony asked, taking off his shirt.

"I think I ruined my chances with her," I gasped.

"What do you mean ruined?" Tony asked, puzzled.

We could see Rie chatting with Candace and Jake before she waved and walked out into the busy street.

"Candace was just here and Rie heard everything," I replied, sighing.

"Oh God," Tony gasped.

"Yeah."