Work Text:
8:45am.
The smell of fresh coffee beans and cinnamon, the leather beige seats and wooden tables. The sunlight perfectly fitting with the scenery. EXILE’s hit ballad “Ti Amo” played softly on speakers mixed with sounds of brewing coffee.
It was a small cafe, average number of customers. The cafe was on a street somewhere in Tokyo.
I have been a barista at this cafe for about a year now. The calm atmosphere that I like and will remember, each customer ordering and passing by has a place in my heart. My uncle owns this place and I also work as a cashier sometimes.
It was quite a busy day. I was quickly preparing espresso as my co-worker, also my best-friend Itsuki, was taking all the orders on the counter. He was proudly flirting with each girl customer, failing to get a smile back every time. “ Hey! Can you stop flirting with girls who, not surprisingly, find you nauseating.” I shouted while passing the espresso on his side. He snickered and answered “Why should i? Girls are pleased when they see my charming face, also i haven't heard an exquisite word like nauseating since fifth grade! I'm turning 27 next year.” He said while looking at me. He was totally using his advantage being 7 months younger than me. He was “kind-of” attractive, i mean he looked like the bad-boy in tenth grade. But he is a good friend, my only friend actually. So I am very grateful for him, even if sometimes he makes me want to throw a handful of coffee beans at him. “Nauseating” I whispered while he was taking an order for an attractive young girl. It seems like she heard it since she gave him a disgusted look. I chuckled quietly as he glared at me.
20-ish minutes later, Itsuki shouted “Hoku-chan! It's your time to shine.” while wiping sweat off his forehead with a white handkerchief. I nodded my head and took over the counter. The prime time was over so the customers fewered. I decided to take a break since all of the customers were seated and the line was over. I sat down on a small chair scratching my hair as Itsuki was preparing his last coffee. When he was done, He leaned on the wall and looked at me, Preparing a conversation-worthy sentence. “So.. Are you free tomorrow? It's a Saturday after all.” He said patiently waiting for a short answer like yes or no. “Yo, are you guys a couple or something?” said Makoto, a waiter who was a bit younger than us. “What?” I said, actually concerned for my 25 year old co-worker. Me and Itsuki were close, but not that close, plus we never talked about romantic feelings nor such. We were simply like a pair of old socks. “Well, Itsuki, aren't you taking this fine man on a date?” said Makoto with a slight smirk on his face. “You know what, just mind your own business and serve this coffee already! It's getting cold, you know?” said Itsuki with an irritated look. Makoto rolled his eyes annoyed, grabbing the coffee and walking away. I never thought about Itsuki having real romantic affection for me. More so taking me on a date? Maybe Makoto was just in a teasing mood. It wasn't uncommon.
“I'm free tomorrow.” I said. “Okay, cool. Let's go get ramen tomorrow, 7:00? I'll pick you up” Itsuki said, smiling brightly. “Sure.” I said, I have been craving ramen since last week, so I was very happy.
Break was over, 3 customers were coming in. It was my turn on the counter. First, a teen boy in a high-school uniform went in and ordered a cappuccino. Then a middle aged woman who ordered a large coffee, And then –
“An espresso please” said a man with a deep voice. It was familiar.
Espresso? wait. “Okay, name?” I said , focusing my eyes on the paper I will write his name on.
“Kazuma”
Kazuma? I looked up and saw his face. It was Kazuma. My past friend, partner, and most of all, lover. I must be dreaming.
“Oh, Hokuto, How have you been?”
At this point I was begging for Itsuki or Makoto, even a customer wake me up from this nightmare.
But no, It was real, very real. I had to have a conversation with my ex-lover after not talking for 6 whole years.
“Good.. you?” i said
“Great, I have a stable job now at least.” he answered.
“That's good.”. following an awkward silence with me writing the order and name and him staring at me with those eyes.
Itsuki came from making a standard coffee and stood beside me, “What's taking you so long? What's his order?” Itsuki said, slightly sarcastic. “Oh, an espresso.”, my voice cutting off at the last word. “Uhm, Hokuto, by any chance, are you available this saturday?” Kazuma said with a kinda happier tone. “He’s not actually.” Itsuki said, he sounded mad this time. More aggressive than having a bickering fest with me. Huh? I thought. “Oh okay, Espresso, don't forget.” Kazuma said, his voice suddenly changing into a sad– no, disappointed voice. He walked away and sat on a chair beside a window. I kind of felt- sad. I missed Kazuma. I really did. Is my mind playing games on me? Itsuki seemed to have noticed my distress and said “Who is that?”.
“Kazuma,”I answered, walking slowly to the espresso maker and making it instead. “Wait, Kazuma? You mean that Kazuma?”
I didn't answer and just quickly started making the espresso. “Oh, sorry.” Itsuki said, sounded worried even. “No, it's okay, dont worry about it,” I said, trying to comfort Itsuki. “If Kazuma wanted to stay, he would.” I said, trying to move on from the conversation and continue working.
After I was done making it. I put it on the counter Makoto was supposed to get it from. I saw him, Kazuma. He looked the same, tan-ish skin, silk black hair, his small masculine face. He didn't change at all. Wait, do i? Do I still– love him?