13. Misfortune (Mikoshiba x Reader)

“Manager, I’m here! Sorry for being late!” You huffed and leaned against a bookshelf for support.

“(Name)!” He snapped, clearly pronouncing every syllable of your name like your mother does whenever she’s ticked off with you. “This is the third time this month! I hope you know that this will be docked off your paycheck.”

“Yes, I know. I am very sorry sir…” You trailed off and turned around to drop your bag off in the staff room as you rolled your eyes at the old man.

“Two hours and thirty seven minutes late…tch, you kids are always trying cheat your way into my money.” You heard his raspy voice mutter under his breath and you tightened your hold on the (f/c) strap of your favorite bag.

“Damn old geezer, shut up already.”

It’s not like you were late on purpose…

It’s not your fault that the faucet broke this morning…

It’s not your fault that your toast burnt to a crisp…

It’s not your fault that the old lady next door dropped all of her oranges on her way home and you helped her pick it up…

…And were you really at fault for helping that cat get down from that tree? You even had the scratch on your cheek to prove it too.

“Thank you for shopping at Sunshine Books, will this be all for you today?” The corner of your perfectly fake smile twitched. Sunshine, my ass.

You rang up the customer and resisted the urge to throw the hardbound book at his face. It was obvious that those disgusting eyes of his stared at you with not so innocent intentions.

“Here you go, sir. Have a nice day.” And please trip on your way out, you perverted ass.

It seems that the cursing in your head did the trick. The glass door opened and the tiny bell jingled, announcing the presence of a new customer, and the previous man got his hideous face smashed in as he took a few steps backwards from the impact before he lost his footing and fell on the ground.

You turned around to hide your giggles. Serves him right…

“Ah, my bad! Are you okay?”

Your heart skipped a beat. This voice…

“Jeez, I’m fine. Leave me alone!”

You looked back to see the old perv rushing out the store and…

“Oh (Name)-chan, fancy seeing you here. What are you doing over there? Little girls shouldn’t be playing behind the cash register, you know~”

“Go die in a hole, Mikoshiba. I work here.”

The redhead, Mikoshiba Seijuurou, was a family friend of yours. Tall, handsome, muscular, and a total butthead are the words that you would use to describe him. Despite being only a year older, he would always tease you about your age.

“You sure don’t look too happy today.” He pointed out as he stood in front of the counter and ruffled your hair with his signature shit-eating grin.

“Of course; because I have the misfortune of meeting you here of all places.”

“You look cute when you pout like that.” He stared at you with the most serious expression on, completely waving off your previous comment.

“E-eh!? S-so? What are you doing here anyways?” You blurted out and busied yourself with the receipts scattered across the counter to avoid his intense stare.

“Oh, right! I need the new issue of the Monthly Muscle Magazine!”

“That weird magazine that you always read? What’s so good about it anyways… Either way, it’s over there next to the travel books.” You pointed in the general direction towards the corner farthest from the register.

“Will you take me there?”

“Hah? What do you think I am? A mom escorting her kid to preschool? I don’t have time for that!”

“But it would be a shame if your boss were to hear me complaining about the employees here, right?” He whispered and glanced at where the manager stood, watching your exchange.

“You can be really evil sometimes.” You grunted and stepped out from behind the counter.

“Hold my hand, mommy?” He teased and offered his hand when your boss was out of sight.

“Shut up, Mikoshiba.” You slapped his hand away.
---
“Your magazine, sir.” You tossed the item into his arms and pushed him towards the register. “Now please leave as soon as possible.”

“Are you mad at me or something? Why do you want me to leave so quickly?”

You stopped pushing and stared at him blankly.
“I’m always mad at you. You annoy me, that’s why.” You spat out in a perfect monotone as if it was the most obvious.

He tapped his finger against his chin, deep in concentration.

“Hey, are you even listening anymore? Mikoshibaaaaa?”

“Aha! I know how to bring us closer, (Name)-chan!”

“What.” The things that come out of this swimmer’s mouth was really beyond your level of comprehension sometimes.

“You dislike me because you don't know me well enough so I just have to do something to improve our relationship!”

“No, that’s not how it works…”

“Let’s go!” He grabbed your wrist and you sighed. It was impossible to stop him now.
---
“What are we doing here…exactly?” You asked him while he browsed through the various cover arts of the shoujo manga section.

“You know these are all lovey dovey books, right?”

He wasn’t listening at all. The redhead only mumbled to himself as he inspected each on put on display, his magazine long forgotten.

“You know I’m in the middle of my shift…I don’t have all day to put up with your antics.”

“Wait. I got it. Come here, (Name)-chan!”

“What now?” You groaned and peeked over at the book he was holding.

“Let’s do something like this!” He held it up and pointed to the cover.

“W-w-what!? W-we can’t!” You covered your face as your cheeks brightened. The couple on the cover was kissing! Was he crazy!?

“Why not?” He whispered. Since when did his voice sound so deep and…and…se…”I like you and I want you to like me so it’s fine, isn’t it?”

He placed the book back where it belonged and removed my hands to reveal my bright red face.

“Haha, your face looks cute like that too.” He breathed huskily into my ear.

“M-Mikoshiba, you can’t do that here!” You pushed against his broad shoulders but he pulled you closer by your waist. “W-wait!”

His mouth captured yours and you could practically feel the pride in his little victory over you. He was surprisingly gentle though, despite his hotheaded ways. Kisses were repeatedly pressed against your lips until he decided to linger a little while longer and coax your mouth open with a tiny nip to your bottom lip.

“(Name)! I didn’t pay you to flirt with boys!” Your boss screeched out in distress while you helplessly flailed your arms around as Mikoshiba refused to release you.

“Oi.” He finally separated and glared at the manager. You shuddered and knew what this glare meant. It was one that he reserved specifically for people who pissed him off, and it takes a lot to piss Mikoshiba off. “Don’t mess with my girlfriend.”

“(N-Name)! Y-You’re fired!” He squeaked.

“Since when did I become your girlfriend!?”

Unfortunately for you, you had lost the job that day and somehow gained Mikoshiba as a boyfriend.
---
“So…can I come over for dinner tonight?” He asked you while you were fuming on your way home, hand linked with his.

“Go die in a hole.”