now and then | megumi & reader

01: city mouse and country mouse

November 4th 2018 

Osaka had lots to offer; endless amounts of shopping centers, cafes, and entertainment for miles to the naked eye. 

Not too far from your apartment in the busiest part of the city laid a brand new coffee shop. It was dainty and cute, filled with the latest new trendy flavors and colors. It was a magnet for teenagers to bring all their friends to take the cutest photos- and you were no exception. 

With 3,000 yen in your wallet, it could only get you a sweet drink and a small meal. It was your own personal treat for surviving a long week at school, the workload was growing heavier, along with the curses that were once easy to kill slowly started to grow stronger.

It wasn't shocking for curses to grow in power- it was becoming colder after all and stress does get to students easily. 

But that didn't mean it didn't get to you mentally and physically, the bandages on your knuckles not going unnoticed by teachers and classmates. You let out a quiet sigh as you brought the plastic straw to your lips letting the overly sweet drink fill your mouth. 

Your eyes wandered around the cafe, your gaze lingering on what people were wearing, how they spoke to each other, and even what they ordered. It was people-watching at its finest, perhaps odd to some but relatively normal for you. 

The phrase "lost in your thought" was an understatement as to how to describe you, it was almost as if you were viewing yourself in a third person. Was this what it felt like-

"Excuse me?"

Your eyes flicked up toward the voice speaking to you, it was a man who seemed to be in his mid to late twenties- a relevantly good-looking man to be frank. 

"All the seats in this cafe are full, is it alright if I sit with you?" 

His voice was smooth like ocean waves crashing against the sand, similar to a dreamy summer memory. You wouldn't be shocked if he was a vocalist of some sort, but his outfit resembled a Buddhist monk which conveyed something different. 

You didn't respond right away as you glanced around the cafe once more attempting to find an open seat you could direct him to, but he stood correct. All the booths and tables had groups of friends and or families sitting together, while you sat alone in the corner with a single empty chair in front of you. 

"I suppose..." 

The man smiled and pulled the chair out sitting before you, "Thank you, I was worried I would have to stand the whole time."  

You let out an awkward laugh as you nodded your head taking another sip of your drink, "New cafes are always busy..." 

He laughed as if what you said was truly humorous, "Everywhere in Osaka seems to be busy, it's my first time here in this city- it's rather nice." 

"Yeah, I suppose," you stayed silent for a brief moment, "But to be honest, I think Tokyo is more grand than Osaka."

"Tokyo?" the man hummed, "A very beautiful place indeed filled with opportunity and people, it makes you think about all that could've been." 

You hummed as you looked down at the table before reconnecting eye contact with the man, "I get that in a way, I sometimes wonder if I moved to a different area instead of here- you know?" 

"Do you wish you lived somewhere else?" The man asked sounding curious about what you had to say. 

You shrugged as you mixed your drink with your straw mindlessly, "Maybe Nara or Roppongi, perhaps even the countryside...what about you?"