Her particular taste in coffee

Hoshishiro Hospital was bustling as usual, the sterile white walls and the faint scent of antiseptic filling the air. Hotaru Tachibana stood in the lobby, her arms crossed as she waited for her classmate, Hiroshi Tsukaba, to finish filling out his paperwork. He had injured his arm during a gym class, and Hotaru, being the responsible head of the student council and caring person she was, had insisted on bringing him to the hospital. “Thanks again for coming with me, Tachibana,” Hiroshi said, rubbing the back of his neck with his good arm. “I really appreciate it.” Hotaru shrugged, her expression as stoic as ever. “It’s no big deal. You shouldn’t practice alone those jumps. It’s dangerous.” Hiroshi chuckled nervously. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Still, it’s nice of you to care.” Hotaru’s cheeks flushed slightly, though she tried to hide it. “I’m just being practical.” Unbeknownst to her, Nagamasa Midori was standing a few feet away, leaning casually against the reception desk. He had just finished his rounds and was about to head to his office when he spotted Hotaru. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the scene—Hotaru, standing close to a guy he didn’t recognize, her face slightly pink as they talked. Midori’s jaw tightened, though he kept his expression neutral. He told himself he was just being protective, but deep down, he knew it was more than that. The thought of Hotaru being close to someone else—someone her own age—was driving him crazy. As he watched, Hiroshi leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. “Hey, Tachibana… I was wondering if you’d like to grab some coffee sometime. You know, to thank you for today.” Hotaru blinked, caught off guard. “Coffee? I… I guess that’s fine.” Midori’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had heard enough. Pushing off the desk, he strode over to them, his usual smirk plastered on his face but his eyes sharp. “Tachibana-kun,” he said, his voice smooth but with an edge to it. “Fancy seeing you here.” Hotaru turned, her eyes widening in surprise. “Midori-san? What are you doing here?” He raised an eyebrow. “I work here, remember? The better question is, what are *you* doing here?” Hotaru gestured to Hiroshi. “My classmate injured his arm during our gym class. I brought him here to get it checked.” Midori’s gaze flicked to Hiroshi, his smile never wavering but his eyes cold. “Ah, I see. Well, you’re in good hands. Hoshishiro Hospital has some of the best doctors in the city.” Hiroshi nodded, looking slightly intimidated. “Uh, yeah. Thanks.” Midori turned back to Hotaru, his tone light but his words pointed. “You’re always so responsible, Tachibana-kun. But you shouldn’t overwork yourself. You’re not a nurse, after all.” Hotaru frowned. “I’m fine. I can handle it.” “Of course you can,” Midori said, his smirk widening. “But you don’t always have to.” Before Hotaru could respond, a nurse called Hiroshi’s name, signaling that it was his turn to see the doctor. He glanced at Hotaru, then at Midori, before nodding awkwardly and heading off. Once he was gone, Midori turned to Hotaru, his expression unreadable. “So, coffee, huh?” Hotaru’s cheeks flushed. “It’s not a big deal. He just wanted to thank me.” “Is that so?” Midori said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “You know, Tachibana-kun, your beauty is most evident when you’re flustered.” Hotaru’s face turned bright red. “W-what are you saying?!” Midori stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, playful tone. “I’m saying that I don’t like the idea of someone else taking you out. Especially not for coffee.” Hotaru’s heart raced, her mind struggling to process his words. “Midori-san, you’re being ridiculous. He’s just a classmate.” “Maybe,” Midori said, his smirk returning. “But I’m not taking any chances.” Before she could respond, Hiroshi returned, his arm now bandaged. He glanced between Hotaru and Midori, clearly sensing the tension. “Uh, Tachibana, I’m all set. Ready to go?” Midori’s eyes gleamed with mischief as he stepped forward, extending a hand to Hiroshi. “You must be Tachibana-kun’s classmate. I’m Dr. Nagamasa Midori. It’s a pleasure.” Hiroshi shook his hand, looking slightly confused. “Uh, nice to meet you. I’m Hiroshi Tsukaba.” Midori’s grip tightened just enough to make Hiroshi wince, though his smile remained perfectly polite. “So, Tsukaba-kun, I couldn’t help but overhear you inviting Tachibana-kun for coffee. That’s very kind of you.” Hiroshi blinked, clearly unsure how to respond. “Uh, yeah. Just to thank her, you know?” “Of course,” Midori said, his tone dripping with faux sincerity. “But I should warn you. Tachibana-kun has a very… particular taste in coffee. She only drinks the finest blends, and I happen to know all her favorite spots. Isn’t that right, Tachibana-kun?” Hotaru stared at him in disbelief, her mouth slightly open. “W-what are you—?” Midori cut her off with a Cheshire smile. “In fact, we were just discussing trying a new café downtown. Weren’t we, Tachibana-kun?” Hotaru’s face turned bright red. “We were not!” Midori ignored her, turning back to Hiroshi with a smile that was equal parts charming and threatening. “So, I’m afraid you’ll have to find someone else to thank. Tachibana-kun’s schedule is… quite full.” Hiroshi looked between Midori and Hotaru, clearly realizing he was out of his depth. “Uh, right. I’ll, uh, just be going then. Thanks again, Tachibana.” With that, he hurried off, leaving Hotaru glaring at Midori. “What was that?!” Midori shrugged, his smirk returning. “Just helping you avoid an awkward coffee date.” “I didn’t need your help! And it wasn't a date!” she snapped, crossing her arms. “And since when do you know my ‘particular taste in coffee’?” Midori leaned in, his voice low and teasing. “I don’t. But I’d love to find out.” Hotaru’s face burned, and she turned away, muttering under her breath. “Sadistic bastard.” “Hehe,” he replied, his grin widening, “thank you.” "It wasn't a compliment!"   Later that day, as Hotaru left the hospital, Midori watched her go from the hospital window, a satisfied smirk on his face. He had made his intentions clear, and he was content to wait. After all, when it came to Hotaru Tachibana, Nagamasa Midori was all in.