They were pressed against one another, Tamaki nearly towering over her 5’4 frame with his approximately 5’11 height. Honey barked happily looking up at the two and Sakura could feel her face burn. 

“It’s like a romantic comedy,” Tamaki remarked, chuckling. 

He was clearly trying to diffuse the situation but Sakura wasn’t having it. This was ridiculous. This was stupid. 

And he was far too close to her! 

“I suggest you remedy this situation before I start screaming for help.” 

Tamaki looked alarmed but nodded, quickly looking down at their entanglement and trying to calm Honey as he unwound the leash around them. 

“Please, Tsurugi-san, I am terribly sorry. I-I really, I just I’m in the middle of my game—err book! And when you said your name it just, it sparked inspiration in me! I had to expound upon it!”

Sakura stepped away from him the moment she was able to.

“Uh-huh. Sounds to me like you’re just some creep.” 

“No! I uh, completely understand and respect why you would think that…I just tend to act before I think.”

There was someone else Sakura knew who was the same. Her brother. She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.

“So you’re an idiot?”

“Um…perhaps? Though that may be a tad bit harsh. But please! Be assured, I mean you no harm. I really would like to repay you in any way possible for all the inconveniences I’ve caused you today.” 

Sakura stared at him. She should honestly just walk away. This was far too much stupid for one day. But then, her stomach betrayed her.

Letting out a soft growl she was immediately reminded of the fact there had been no food at home—other than the bento Saku had prepared the night before for her lunch—and she hadn’t wanted to wake her brother up to make anything for breakfast. 

“At least, allow me to purchase your meal and then I swear, I will leave you be Tsurugi-san.” 

She was starving. And she very well couldn’t focus on an empty stomach. Plus the money she could save not buying her own breakfast could be used on laminating her cards to avoid another incident like this from occurring. 

But he was so weird! 

Honey barked, standing up to paw at her legs.

But she was so cute! How could she resist that sweet little face?

Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed, “Fine. You can buy my breakfast and my notecards but then you need to leave me the hell alone.” 

Tamaki nodded, “Absolutely. Of course.”

“And you need to stand, like, at least a foot away from me.”

He did as requested, making Sakura feel a little better. 

They finished the distance to the café in silence, which was hard to do because Honey kept whining as if missing the rapport between Sakura and Tamaki. 

It was late enough in the morning that the place wasn’t as busy as usual. Which was good, Sakura was losing time and her midterm was at 2:00. That meant only she only had three and a half hours left to prepare! 

As promised, Sakura’s meal was covered. And yes, she absolutely ordered extra food. But that didn’t seem to bother Tamaki. In fact, he asked if she wanted to get anything to go, just in case!

“Perhaps an extra coffee or tea so you can feel perfectly caffeinated for your exam?”

It was…thoughtful. Possibly even sweet. 

And she hated that. If this guy thought he could make up for his insanely high creep factor, he had another thing coming. 

“I suppose…a matcha latte to-go wouldn’t be the worst idea.”

Yet, she couldn’t resist giving in. She blamed Saku for this behavior. 

“Tsurugi-san, the bookstore is just over in the next building. I will gladly go purchase new notecards but…do you mind watching my sweet Honey? Since she’s not a service dog, they won’t allow her inside.” 

Sakura wanted to act like this was a major inconvenience. Like him daring to ask anything of her was a major offense. 

But Honey was precious. And Sakura wasn’t about to say no to more time with this cutie. 

“Fine. But don’t take forever or else she’s coming with me to the library.” 

Tamaki nodded, a small smile on his face. Carefully, he tied Honey’s leash to the table Sakura chose on the porch and then, after a slight bow, hurried to the bookstore. 

She watched him go before looking down at Honey.

“Your owner is weird.”

Honey barked in response. She knew he was.