Love, On Read (MxM)

Chapter 26: Oolong and Matcha

A/N: Some fluff <3

Ollie's POV

The following morning, I ran late to the cafe and slept past the twelve alarms I had set in my half-awake state. Then again, I couldn't really call it running late, as it's not like I worked there or had any specific reason to be there aside from just wanting to sit down and enjoy my coffee at my usual place watching Haruto work.

But as I pulled open the doors to the cafe, Haruto wasn't behind the counter, only Janice and Mi-young. Their heads turned to me before both pointed to my table simultaneously.

Haruto was, in fact, here, but not in his usual uniform or apron, and not in his seat, but my seat. There was an aloof smile as he looked at me with his head rested on his arms that rested on the table. It vaguely reminded me of the mischievous look the girls would give me when they had tea to spill.

As I approached the table, I asked, "what's all this about?"

"The cafe's closing early today. We've got inventory, and the girls wanna do a deep clean of the place." He gestured to the seat where he normally sat. "You can sit if you'd like."

Pulling out the chair and sitting, I eyed him warily. "Shouldn't you be helping out with that, then? You're not even in uniform."

He smirked. "I made plans for today. I'm helping them to clean after they close at six."

"Oh." I tilted my head. "Well, shouldn't you be going out, then? I wouldn't want to be late."

His smile was unnerving, and mirrored what any villain in a movie wore. If he had plans to go out with friends or even a date, as much as I didn't like that idea, sitting here in a cafe wasn't adding up.

"I won't be late," he said. "There isn't a set time."

"Well, have fun," I said slowly, enunciating the words slowly in hopes it didn't come off as rude as it sounded in my head.

"Well," he drawled. "Those plans actually involve you. If you'd like, of course."

"Me?" I wanted to facepalm; who else would he have meant, Ollie? "Where..."

He smiled. "There's a shop I think you'd like. A boba tea place. Just a couple of blocks away, actually."

"Boba?"

Haruto nodded. "Usually milk or herbal teas with tapioca pearls?"

"I've seen and heard about them but haven't really tried it. Maybe those canned ones?"

He shook his head. "Those are the worst representation of boba. Guess you really should join me if you'd like."

I narrowed my eyes at him but nodded slowly; there wasn't any reason I would turn down an opportunity to hang out with Haruto.

"Sure, I'd love that."

"Let's get out of here." He grinned before standing, getting Janice's attention.

"Have fun!" she said from behind the espresso machine.

I looked at him with a knowing look before heading out the door. "You already told her?"

He smirked. "Of course. Once she knew about my plan to take you to this boba shop, she immediately told me to strip out of my uniform and go; she said the deep cleaning could wait till after I return."

"You're ridiculous," I said.

"Maybe I am, but I thought that's what you like about me."

I made a face as he led the way to his car, glad he couldn't see the blush that was working its way to my face. "Maybe."