Caffeinated Love - ShirabuxReader

Chapter 2

"Shirabu-kun," I nudged him awake, "you're drooling." I suppressed my laughter as he slowly raised his head from the table. It was now 2.30am and as expected, he was already out of juice for the night. "(Y/N), could I have another cup of coffee?" He rubbed his eye and slapped his cheeks to wake himself up.

I folded my arms and replied, "you already drank one at 11pm. Any more and you won't be able to get a good night's rest later. Just pack up and return to your dorm." I began to clear his table and collect the fallen notes on the floor. "It's fine, I need to study anyway," he bent down to collect the notes with me.

We bumped our heads and I immediately scolded him, "and sleep is important too! You're dazed enough to bump heads with me. You. Need. Proper rest! It's not even the exam period. Now pack up and return to your dorm." I rolled the notes up and hit him in the head. He didn't say anything to retort.

Obediently, he stuffed all his homework and textbooks into his backpack. Before turning towards the door, he spent a few seconds just staring at me. "Something wrong?" I placed my hands on my hips, looking like a housewife sending her husband off at the front door. He pondered for a bit.

"...It seems like you know me best. Thanks," with that, he opened the door and left. I was taken by surprise at his random statement. My heartbeat weirdly as I watched him disappear into the night. Did I know him best? No way, does that make me look like a total stalker? Damn it.

-JW-

It was the following evening, I had a good day's rest while the rest of the campus was up and running about their classes. Being on a totally different sleep schedule from them felt so weird at the start. Now, it just feels like I have all the time in the world. As I got ready for my shift, I spotted Shirabu earlier than usual.

"It's not even 10pm and you're here? Is there a special test tomorrow? Or you're just being an overzealous med student?" I walked up to the cashier, the counter separating both of us. He only had a laptop in his hand today. My guess was probably way off course.

"Nothing of the sort. I just wanted to take it easy today. Some light reading of lecture notes. I'll get a cup of caramel macchiato," he looked down to get his card from his laptop sleeve. I eyed his every movement, everything was in slow motion. His fringe, his eyelashes. Oh, so perfect.

"(Y/N)?" He called my name and my heart gave a happy squeeze. "Yes! Caramel macchiato, coming right up," I took his card and accidentally grazed against his fingers. I squealed internally, trying not to make a mess of myself. I quickly turned away to prepare his drink, just in case my cheeks were red.

I drizzled extra caramel syrup for him and returned to the counter. He was looking at his phone, something I rarely see him do. "You're acting strange today. Something happening in school?" I slid his drink over and raised my eyebrow questioningly. Weirdly, he flipped his phone behind his back and smiled awkwardly.

I was instantly surprised to see him behave this way. I've never seen him like this before. My heart ached slightly, thinking he might have gotten himself a girlfriend. But quickly washed away the thought when I remembered that all he ever does was study. "Nothing. Just replying to some texts," he took his drink and made a beeline to his usual seat.

Weird... I didn't have much time to think about it when the next few customers lined up. The night went by normally. Shirabu was seen scrolling through lines and lines of information on his laptop screen. Occasionally reaching for his drink to take a sip. We'd make awkward eye contact sometimes when he looked up.

Which gave me all sorts of false hope that he might have the slightest interest in me. And his actions from just now sent me on edge. What if he really had gotten himself a girlfriend. Or maybe even a crush in his class? I couldn't let that happen, I want to try my luck too.

Which totally explains why I'm being so impulsive tonight. I went over to him with a vanilla chiffon cake in my hand. Sat down and said, "you normally get this with your caramel macchiato. I guess you forgot about it tonight. Here, it's on the house." He looked up from the slice of cake, his eyes showed signs of panic.

"Are you sure you're okay? You're a little... edgy?" I was more perplexed seeing his reaction. "I'm fine. Stress, maybe?" He avoided eye contact with me and started to munch on the cake. "Heh? You should find a day to relax. Maybe hang out with your classmates or play some games. Studying is good, but you need to take a break sometime," I sunk further back into the seat and nagged.

"Mhm, I do. It'll be pretty ironic if a medical student passes out because they weren't taking care of their health," he seemed to regain his normal composure and started to have a decent conversation with me. I smiled, seeing he had returned to normal. We continued to have a lovely chat about his lectures and me about my work.

Time seemed to fly by when talking to him. We finally broke our conversation when Gina-chan came in on the clock, and I had to take her order. She teased me slightly before wishing me all the best to make improvements with Shirabu. I told her to knock it off when walking back to him.

But he was already packed up and ready to leave. I was a little sad, but it was reassuring to see him taking care of his body now. "I'll see you later. Goodnight, (Y/N)," he waved and exited the cafe. I waved back and started clearing his table. A small piece of paper fluttered onto the floor just as I was wiping it down.

I picked it up, thinking it was a school note Shirabu had left behind. But it wasn't. I gasped way too loud when I read what it said. "Could I have some of your time on your off-day for a midnight movie? I mean, that is if you want to. I'll be waiting for you nonetheless at the campus front gate, 11pm. Hopefully, this doesn't freak you out? -Kenjiro"

I was freaking out. Not in a disgusting way, but an excited, jubilant way. I ran straight to Gina-chan, doubting myself for a second that the note wasn't meant for me. Maybe it was a draft for him to ask another person out. I don't know, I was having a meltdown. "What are you talking about?! Of course, it's you! Oh my god," Gina-chan exclaimed together with me.

Right, right. That makes sense. All his fidgeting and awkwardness all lead up to this note. I couldn't be overthinking this. He actually asked me out! In such a shy and cute way. It was so unexpected of him, but totally cool either way. How'd he know when my day off was? Does that mean he also knows about me? And my schedule?

- JW.lazrendo