latte ☕️ ᵖ. ˢᵘⁿᵍʰᵒᵒⁿ

01

( aeri's pov )

today was yet another busy day at the cafe. i heave a sigh at the incoming crowds as i take my place at the cashier.

"why the long face, hm?" ryujin calls out, hands preoccupied with a white and blue gingham cloth as she wiped the freshly-washed mugs dry and placed them on the counter.

"nothing, looks like today will be just another long day of standing. that's all." i continue, "thankfully i've got you though."

i glance over at ryujin and smile, she returns with a wide grin and walks past me, lightly pecking me on the cheek.

"we've got this!" she whispered in my ear lightheartedly.

the door chimes, customers start queueing up at the cashier placing their orders.

"one mocha frappucino, more whipped cream please."

"sure, that'll be eight dollars. payment by?"

"cash please."

i scan the customer's credit card and there's that.

"may i get a vanilla cold brew with cold foam?"
"i would like to have a ice blended mocha to go."
"could i have a hot cappuccino?"

and the cycle repeats itself.

"hi, welcome to kreams cafe. how may i help you?" i look up again, after resetting the screen to a new order into the cashier.

stood before me was a decently well dressed guy, who looked about my age. i first noticed his distinctive mole on the left of his nose bridge, and his jet black hair parted nearly down the centre. he wore a coffee-coloured pullover, with the collar of his slightly off white top peeking through slightly, and long slacks that seem slightly tapered and mocha jordan 1s. he was also impressively tall, and wore a black mask over his face.

i must say, whoever he is, he had a really good eye for fashion.

"i'd like a regular latte please." he spoke.

"sure, would you like it hot or iced?" i replied, tapping the screen on the register.

"hot please, thanks. i'll pay in card, try this." he held out his hand and handed me (presumably his) membership card at our cafe. i swiped it across the machine, and as it beeps the signal that payment's been accepted, i hand the card back over to him, along with his receipt.

he didn't say a thank you, but looked at me and flashed a subtle eye smile beneath his mask, nodding his head slightly before walking off to an empty table.

—

after finishing taking orders for all the customers, my legs almost cramped up again. standing a 3 hour shift on a monday wasn't great, but it's what i had to do to earn a little for myself, i guess.

ryujin finished preparing the first batch of coffees to be served out to the people instore, and i handed out the drinks to the customers seated inside our little humble abode.

"sir, your vanilla cold brew is served. enjoy."

"ma'am, here's your iced mocha frappucino, enjoy."

i walked over to the table with the well dressed boy, and served his order. he sat upright over the wooden countertop of the high stools, with papers spaced across his chair's allotted area.

"um, here's your hot regular latte, enjoy," i spoke, carefully placing his drink on the wooden countertop.

"thanks," he simply responded, without glancing up to look at me, and continued to work on his papers on the table.

after serving all the drinks, i walked back to the cashier and took a brief seat.

ding!

for not longer than a minute, more customers came waltzing in. ah, today's really gonna be a long day.

—

"ahh good job aeri!" ryujin exclaimed as she cleans up her work station of any slight spills of milk or drink add-ons.

"you too ryu, i can't imagine working here without you or your company, ever." i replied, shutting down the cashier machine and counting the bills in the cash box to be stowed away.

as we worked the closing shift that day, we were the only ones left in the store. as the sky dusked, everyone slowly departed one by one, including that well-dressed boy from earlier.

( 688 words )

a/n: sorry this chapter was kinda short! this was kinda like a prologue ngl, next chapter will be kinda long :^]