𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 streamed through the large front windows of the café, casting a warm, golden hue across the wooden floors. The Sweet Bean Café had always felt like a sanctuary, with its cozy, mismatched chairs and shelves lined with potted plants. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet aroma of pastries, making it impossible not to feel at ease here. I had only been working part-time for a couple of weeks, but already, the café felt like a second home.
I wiped down the counter for the third time, more out of habit than necessity. It was a slow morning, with just the occasional customer dropping by for a quick coffee before heading out to enjoy the weekend. I didn't mind the quiet—after all, that was one of the reasons I had taken this job in the first place. It was a nice change from the constant buzz of school, and it gave me something to focus on besides my own thoughts.
Honestly, I hadn't planned on working here initially. But money had been tight at home for a while now. My mom worked long hours, doing her best to keep things together, but I could see the strain it put on her. I wanted to help out, even if it was just in a small way. So, when my aunt offered me a part-time position at her café, I jumped at the chance. It wasn't much, but it gave me a sense of purpose, and every little bit I earned felt like a step toward making things easier for my mom.
As I folded a fresh stack of napkins, the bell above the door chimed softly, drawing my attention. I looked up, expecting to see one of our regulars—maybe Mrs. Nakamura, who always ordered a green tea, or Mr. Akisada, who preferred his coffee black with two sugars. Instead, I was surprised to see Kageyama Tobio and a raven-haired girl step inside.
I recognized Kageyama immediately—he was hard to miss at school. He was the tall, serious guy on the volleyball team, always focused and intense during matches. A lot of girls had a crush on him, but I'd never really see him that way. Sure, he was talented, quite handsome and had a certain presence about him, but we'd never really spoken, so he was just another face in the crowd to me.
Still, it was a little strange to see him outside of school, in a setting as ordinary as my aunt's café. I wasn't nervous, exactly, but I did feel a bit more alert. It was always interesting when someone from school crossed into the 'real world' outside those familiar hallways.
"Good morning! Welcome to Sweet Bean Café," I greeted them with a friendly smile. "What can I get for you today?"
The girl stepped forward, her bright smile putting me at ease. She seemed excited as she took in the display of pastries. "Everything looks so good," she said, her eyes lighting up. "What do you recommend?"
I was more than happy to help. "The chocolate croissants are really popular, and we just made a fresh batch of strawberry tarts," I replied, keeping my tone casual.
Her smile widened. "Okay, so I'll take both of them then," she said, before turning to Kageyama. "And Tobio, what about you?"
Kageyama, who had been quietly studying the menu, glanced at the girl before giving me a brief look. "Just... a cappucino," he said, then paused as if something clicked in his mind. He looked at me a little more closely, his brow furrowing slightly. "Hey, um, aren't you in the class across from mine?"
His question caught me off guard. I hadn't expected him to recognize me, much less mention it. "Yeah, that's right," I replied, nodding. "We're in the same year, but different classes."
Kageyama nodded once, his expression neutral, but there was a hint of recognition in his eyes. "Thought so," he said simply, as if confirming something to himself.
"Alright," I said, recovering quickly as I rang up their order. "One chocolate croissant, one strawberry tart, and a cappucino. Anything else?"
Kageyama shook his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine for just a moment before he looked away again. The exchange was brief and straightforward, but it lingered with me as I prepared their order. It was a bit surprising—Kageyama had never seemed like the type to notice people outside of his volleyball circle. The fact that he recognized me made me rethink my assumptions about him, even if just a little.
After handing over their items, the raven-haired girl thanked me cheerfully, and I responded with a smile. They chose a table by the window, and I watched them briefly as they settled in. She seemed so comfortable with Kageyama, chatting animatedly as he listened with a calm expression. For a moment, I wondered if she was his girlfriend. But the way she called him "Tobio" with that familiar ease made me think otherwise. Maybe they were siblings, or close relatives? There was definitely a resemblance between them.
I shrugged off the thought, realizing I was being nosy. It didn't really matter who she was, but I couldn't help but be curious. Kageyama was usually so reserved at school, and seeing him in a more relaxed setting, with someone who seemed to bring out a different side of him, was intriguing.
I turned my attention back to the counter, wiping it down once more. Kageyama was just another customer, after all. This was just another Saturday morning at the café. But there was something about the calm, ordinary nature of the day that made me feel like it might be the start of something a little different.
