Dazatsu one shots~

Aroma of Coffee

Atsushi sits in his usual seat.

In a table not too close to the cafe counter but in view of the dimly lit stage. He brings his bag to his lap and opens the zipper. Reaching in to take out his worn-out sketch book and several pencils. He had a blue container of art pencils ranging from 6B to 4H. The smell of the coffee making his throat tingle with the desire for a drink.

His bag plops gently onto the dark brown oak floor, pushed gently in front of his feet. The sketch book draws him in, almost luring him into taking it into his pale hands. He smooths the rough texture of the cover before opening it to a clean page. He does that motion almost as a good luck charm.

Swiping away invisible dust particles from the blank page, Atsushi opens his pencil case. Taking out both a 3H and 4H pencil to start with a soft layout. Today would be Tanizaki's group performance, they were truly amazing with their music, wonderful. Atsushi was hoping to finally finish drawing the guitarist's portrait. He wouldn't give any of his drawings, he deems them too bad for that. Self confidence still dwindled in this particular factor. Yet he promised to give the siblings a portrait.

Akutagawa comes forth, his small black notepad in hand, "Same thing as usual, weretiger?"

"You know it." Atsushi smiles up at the man. He watches as Akutagawa jots something down.

"You're gonna show me your drawings this time or not?" He jokes.

"Ah...you know how I feel about them." Atsushi stares down at the white page.

"Your drawings are good, trust me. You just need to believe in yourself." Ryuunosuke states before disappearing into the kitchen. Atsushi sighs. It's not like he doesn't believe Akutagawa. The man rarely gives compliments and when he does, he means them.

One of the many things Atsushi likes about his friend. Both males met in an art university, Akutagawa a photography major while he an art one. The school decided to host a display on all the creations from the departments. Atsushi's art brought them together.

At first, Akutagawa seemed frightening, but through communication Atsushi realized he was mostly misunderstood. He was thankful to befriend Ryuunosuke, after all, he wouldn't have been introduced to this cafe after their graduation.

Picking his 3H pencil, he shakes it between his thumb and pointer finger. Performances on stage took a while to set up, so Atsushi gets his phone from his pocket. Seeing the picture of his sister on the Lock Screen, he smiles. Akutagawa captured the exact moment Kyouka's eyes shone and she was grinning. He was thankful to have this memory safe in his phone.

He puts one earbud in his ear, clicking his instrumental music playlist.

"Here you are." A pale hand placed his mug of steaming cappuccino in front of him. Akutagawa's pointer finger taps the blank page. "Who are you drawing this time?"

"Tachihara. Thanks for bringing this." Atsushi motions to the cup.

"No problem, good luck. Oh, that's right." Akutagawa hits his fisted hand on top his palm. "Tanizaki's group isn't performing tonight."

"What? Then who is?" Atsushi frowns up at him.

"You'll see." Akutagawa places his hand over his mouth. Atsushi thinks he saw a small smirk playing on his lips. "Talk later."

"Bye." Atsushi looks to the stage. Noting the different equipment laying out. A single stool with a microphone in front of it. The stool was a light wood, and in a high placement. The stage wasn't lit at the moment, the other costumers just chatted about, in their own worlds.

"Hey kid." Atsushi looked up to the red-head. Taking out his earbud.

"Hi, Chuuya. How are you?" Atsushi smiles. Chuuya flops down on the chair in front of him. Sighing loudly and throwing a small rag on the table.