Monotonous | Nanami Kento x Reader

2 | Kento | The Monotonous Customer

Kento Nanami was a tired man. 

Tired of everything. Tired of waking up. Tired of going to sleep. Tired of his work as a salaryman, tired of his background as a sorcerer, and especially tired with his daily routine.

He was tired of everything.

Actually, scratch that. That statement was a lie.

If there was one thing he wasn't tired of, it was food.

Hot, cold, savory, sweet, salty, it didn't matter. No matter what he claimed, that he only ate for nutritional sustenance and that's it, he always had a weak spot for food. It was a luxury of life he actually enjoyed and partake in willingly. 

Despite the monotonous of life, the one tedious part of his routine was one he didn't dread as much as he did as the others. Something as easily overlooked as a bakery was enough to ease up his stress. 

Finish work at exactly the same time every day, walk a few blocks and take a turn at the bodega, and there he was.

Standing outside of the local bakery, 

For some reason, his eyes were always drawn to the glass casing where all the pastries of his desires were kept. They were all tempting, the aesthetics were appetiting, but that wasn't what he looked for. Rather, he craved the smell of baked goods because appearances of a bad apple can be easily fixed, but the smell can't be disguised.

At least, that was what he rationalized. Even then, he always only ordered the bread. Another part of his repetitive life, he thought ironically. 

Still, he mulled over the array of goodies, his body slightly leaning down to get a better look since it wasn't accommodated for his tall stature.

He felt eyes on him, but it wasn't piercing or burning. It was softer, like a hot syrup poured onto snow, pliable and sweet. Kento's eyes drifted up to look into E/C ones, the same ones that widened by a fraction as he caught them looking.

The salaryman knew her name. How could he not? After frequenting this store for months, that woman was the same one that tended to his order over and over, and he caught her name from a snippet of conversation from her coworkers. The name came easily to his mind. Y/N L/N. But that wasn't the part that hooked his attention the most.

It was the curse slung around her shoulders.

Small, with an ugly coating of brown on it's scrawny worm-like body. Weak, Kento concluded. He wouldn't interfere. It likely wasn't even bothering with her life anyways. Besides, he left that world a long time ago.

Despite rationalizing it out, he found himself scanning over her features to look for any symptoms of fatigue. When he realized he was doing that, he snapped out of it, deciding to give his order.

"Of course!" How could one be so cheerful after the long hours of the day chip away at one's energy, a waning of the soul?

She was gentle with the way she placed the delicious smelling bread into the bag. Oh so careful, as if it would crumble at a single touch. Before he knew it, her hand was outstretched over the counter, the paper bag with the tantalizing bread hanging from her fingertips.

Breaking out of his thoughts, Kento murmured a low "thank you". He took out a few crisp bills from his wallet, setting them on the counter before he took out the bag.

Warmth. He wasn't expecting that, and his eyes flickered down where he had accidentally brushed his fingers against hers. It wasn't a big deal. Y/N reeled back normally, as if it just another ordinary exchange. So it wasn't a big deal, right? 

Either way, Kento wasn't going to mention it. Only he would know of the small shiver he suppressed.

"Have a good one!" Y/Ns soft voice chirped as he turned to leave.

She always said that. Not the exact sentence, but rather the notion of an ending remark. To be fair, this wasn't just limited to him; every customer having the same privilege as him to hear the sweet words uttered from the woman.

Usually, he gave her a nod, but this time, he almost sped away, the jolt from his fingers spreading a sort of heat that had him feel uncomfortable in his three-piece suit.

Why didn't he cast a glance back this time? He scolded himself mentally. However, his feet had already directed him to the door, and by the time he reached, the baker was already taking another customers order.

It was fine. He would see her again tomorrow-- no need to say goodbye. 

So why did his hand hesitate when turning the doorknob? Kento wasn't a man who hesitated. He planned logically. There was a difference. This time, it wasn't logical planning, it was hesitance. 

Just do it.

Why was it so hard to say words for once? 

"Goodbye." He sighs softly under his breath.

God, he regretted how quietly he said that. But he couldn't take it back, and thus he left, going back to his monotonous life.