Chapter 17: Coffee and Coversation

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"We spend so much looking forward that we often forget what's right in front of us. Taking it one day at a time is the best way to live" -ClarenceTrece

5:59pm
Hazawa Coffee, Downtown
Kita, Tokyo

(Y/N) sat at a table in Hazawa Coffee and looked outside as the sky grew darker, he was the only one in the coffee shop but Tsugumi always allowed him to stay after hours. She cleaned tables and hummed an Afterglow song as she went about her chores, after wiping the tables and sweeping the floor she walked over to the register and counted the money. As she finished counting the day's profit she looked over at (Y/N) with worry, he's normally in a good mood but today he's feeling a little down. She decided to go and talk to him and cheer him up, she poured herself a cup of coffee and set it across from (Y/N), she then proceeded to softly kiss (Y/N) on the cheek which caught him off guard, she giggled and winked in response

Tsugumi: Did you order a Tsugu Special?

(Y/N): Do you give out a lot of those?

Tsugumi: Only to very special customers, one yen for your thoughts?

(Y/N): I dunno Tsugu, I just feel like I'm a little useless lately... when your surrounded by successful people, you start to feel small in comparison

Tsugumi: I felt the same way when we started Afterglow

(Y/N): Really?

Tsugumi: Yeah, I did

(Y/N): I never would have guessed, your such a hard worker

Tsugumi: When your surrounded by peculiar members and your just normal looking, I doesn't feel right

(Y/N): I bet Misaki and Arisa would disagree with you, but you do realize that your contributions to Afterglow don't go unnoticed right?

Tsugumi: I guess...

(Y/N): Also, aren't you the one who came up with the idea of Afterglow?

Tsugumi: Yeah, I did

(Y/N): See? I wouldn't have existed if it weren't for you

Tsugumi blushed after (Y/N) gave her words  of encouragement, this is a testament to his strengths as a person, he has the ability to say the right thing at the right time. But his tendency to put others before himself was still a problem he needs to overcome. He looked at Tsugumi and offered her a sad smile before we laid money on the table and got up. Tsugumi quivered as thoughts ran through her head but she mustered up the courage to speak

Tsugumi: Uh! Would you like to spend the night here?

(Y/N): In Hazawa Coffee?

Tsugumi: My family lives above in the apartment, its nice but you'll have to sleep in my room

(Y/N): Yeah? You make it sound like its a bad thing

Tsugumi: You want in or not?

(Y/N): Sure, why not?

(Y/N) was kind of excited since he gets to share a room with a cute girl, he walked up the stairs and greeted Tsugumi's parents. (Y/N) and the Hazawa are well acquainted by this point and they were quite open to the idea of him and Tsugumi sharing a room, they also seemed to bring up the idea of marriage quite often as well. He chatted with Tsugumi's father for a while Tsugu and her mother cooked dinner, they talked various things such as the bands, Tokyo news, international news, and (Y/N)'s relationship with his daughter. After laughing over a joke, they both where called to the dining area for dinner. (Y/N) smiled as it was Chicken Kaarage with Miso Soup and Rice, he thanked the food and began to chow down. He smiled at the vivid flavours in his mouth, Unknown to him Tsugumi was blushing since (Y/N) was enjoying the food she made. After helping out with the dishes and having some after dinner coffee, (Y/N) and Tsugumi retreated back upstairs to her room where they can get some much needed rest.

Tsugumi plopped onto her bed and yawned audibly as (Y/N) plopped down on a beanbag chair, he rubbed his eyes as the sun retreated behind the skyscrapers which caused the sky to turn from a vibrant orange to a calm navy. He stared off into space until his gaze was broken by Tsugumi, she giggled and sat on the edge of her bed and watched (Y/N), though she can tell something was on his mind.

Tsugumi: (Y/N)? Everything okay?

(Y/N): Its just, I don't know... I just feel this melancholy vibe these days

Tsugumi: I can relate, maybe it's because you feel like you should be so much more but you just can't

(Y/N): What do you mean?

Tsugumi: I often feel like Afterglow is too peculiar for someone ordinary like me, my contributions are outshine by the girls around me. But I realized that even if your not the most heralded of the band members, if your band needs and wants you then that's more important then any review.

(Y/N): Is that you feel Tsugu?

Tsugumi: I do, I constantly have to remind myself thats the reality of my situation

(Y/N): I just feel defeated...

Tsugumi: We're all destined for greatness, (Y/N). But it's our responsibility to find out how we attain it

(Y/N): Yeah...

(Y/N) and Tsugumi chatted about being a "great ordinary" and preventing the onset of an existential crisis, they stayed up all night speaking from the heart and soul instead of the mind. It's moments like these that restores (Y/N)'s faith in humanity, there's good people like Tsugumi who take pride in helping others and inspiring them with their stories that anyone can relate too. (Y/N) found that people like Tsugumi who's hard work and struggles are not publicly broadcasted are often the ones who are anchors for their friends, an important cog in the machine. You don't need recognition from all to feel good about oneself, the gratitude of your friends is all one needs to live a relaxed life.

Hard work and determination will reward all those who are willing to push forward in their name, the unsung hero will get their due reward once all regrets are naught and words have been spoken.

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