21.
chapter twenty-one
the bond flared?!

The café was perfect. Peaceful. Soothing. The atmosphere was warm, with a little chatter running around-nothing more, thank you.

Until it wasn't.

I was gently sipping at my cup of steaming vanilla latte when I noticed Ash stirring his cup of black coffee as if it held all the answers to what we were seeking.

That wasn't the tragedy, you see. It started when I shifted in my seat subtly to adjust my angle. Why, that wasn't the problem either. The problem was how Ash mirrored the entire thing-a little harsher-so that his chair creaked, and heads turned.

"Ash," I called out slowly, placing my cup down. To my surprise, he did the same, intensity and all. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he mumbled, but I could note a trace of puzzlement flitting across his features. That was... very suspicious.

I straightened, tilting my head. He mirrored me, jerking his head the other way before he started groaning. Was this what I thought it is-?

"Ash!" I hissed, leaning closer. But then he did too, his body almost falling forward. My heart skipped a beat, seeing his brown eyes so close. "What are you doing?!" I hissed again, straightening back in my seat.

He ran a hand through his impossible locks, further making it messy. "I've got no clue. This keeps happening ever since that night. Funny how you noticed this just now, you know?"

Embarrassment shot to my cheeks at the mention of our first kiss. My lips started tingling with the same warmth I felt every time the memory resurfaced.

"Is it because you ingested-" I couldn't complete my sentence. I couldn't help it, really. The barista who passed by us held a tray of eye-catching delicacies, but what was most attractive was the single chocolate éclair facing us, lush and flowing with a lava of chocolate-

"I WANT THAT!"

I flinched. He flinched. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I grabbed the hem of my frock, gritting my teeth. My voice was nothing more than an embarrassed squeak. Like a mouse caught stealing cheese. "Ash!"

"I didn't say that!" he retorted, eyes wide with alarm and humiliation.

"You shouted it!"

"You know the bond did!"

Our counters were briefly paused when my ears perked at the not-so-subtle diners beside us. "They look so young," a lady clad in a long dress whispered to another. "Do you think they, you know, did that to be bonded this way?"

"Kids these days," said the other, apprehension laced in her nosiness. My embarrassment skyrocketed, but that wasn't the end of it. Especially when Ash's hand came to rest on mine. I quickly withdrew, cupping them to my cheeks.

"What do you think you're doing? They're thinking we did something, and you're the damned reason!" I hissed, hiding my face with my hair instead. Ash's eyebrow shot up in confusion, and he shrugged, although I could see a hint of a smirk gracing his lips.

Then, without any warning-blush attack! And he turned so crimson that I thought it was impossible for his sun-kissed skin to achieve. Like, what?

"Serena, stop being embarrassed!" he shot back, scratching his head and flailing his hands around clumsily. "I'm blushing!"

"What the heck?" I cursed, hiding into my cup. I didn't care if the steam was directly scorching my face. It was already scorched.

I could feel several pairs of eyes on me. Correction, on us. Straightening, I looked around.

"Serena!" came Ash's pleading voice, and I snapped back to him. His face was scrunched with extreme concentration. "Tone down your movements, please."

I nodded, then winced when he did the same with a groan. "I'm sorry!"

"Why is it-" he complained, gripping his cup just below his lips, "that I'm always crowded with problems?"

"Maybe because you're hot," I remarked, beating down the alarm going off in my mind. Ash made a strange expression before I continued. "Enough to attract them."

"You know, you aren't exactly helping my situation," he managed. "And why do I feel insanely happy? Like wanting to skip around half-naked-"

"That, oh my God-!"

"Serena, what are you imagining about me-?"

If it were humanly possible, both of our faces turned crimson. I could feel the heat vibrate off me and seep into my palms covering my cheeks. This was it!

Our chairs screeched back when we stood up in unison. I trotted to the cashier awkwardly and paid the bill, while Ash, being Ash, chugged down both the black coffee as well as the latte before we exited the café.

As soon as the fresh winter air pinched our noses, I felt the tension from inside the café subside tremendously. Ash wore his hood, covering his unruly hair, before reaching out to take my hand.

"Where to next, Koibito?" he smirked, pocketing my hand with his. The heat that had subsided a little then threatened to rush back at full force when my heart started racing.

"H-home!" I managed to squeal peculiarly, my voice pitched higher than I intended. Great, more eyes. "And listen up, Ash Ketchum! I'm never going on another date with you without a chaperone!"

- 🫧 -

The lighter chapters
are here... for
a while. You'll
get a basic
understanding
of how the
soulmate
bonds work, so
keep your eyes
open!

How does the
cover above look?
Kinda like TIY,
but I love
how I drew
Ash and Serena
there. Would love
to hear your
thoughts!

Thank you for
reading!

Miyoko x