You spent almost every day working in a small cafe on a corner in a not-so-busy area. You had been working there ever since you moved to the area when you were 15. You needed some extra cash to buy a pair of shoes you wanted badly. And once you got the money, you never quit.
Admittedly, there was something keeping you there. The quiet boy who sat in the corner every afternoon to study. He had wild hair, but it was always styled perfectly. His monochromatic eyes scanned the tiny room around him while he waited for you to make him his coffee. He hardly talked, for you already knew what he wanted. He ordered the same thing every day, and at some point you would just have it ready for him so he could go straight to his corner booth.
The black coffee he ordered fit well with his personality. No nonsense, plain, but appealing to most. Most of the time, you tried to crack a joke when he came up to the counter, but he usually didn't laugh, only smiled gently, then walked back to his usual spot.
But over the years, the more you realized how much he had changed. He got taller, his arms got wider, and his face grew more handsome than before. Eventually, you would blush when his hand brushed yours while you handed off his coffee, or when he smiled at your corny jokes. And you only knew his first name. It bounced back and forth through your mind. You wished you knew his whole name, or more about him. But you only knew he was quiet, his first name, and his coffee preferences.
One week you visited family far away. It was your first real vacation in years. You would be gone from your work for five days, and your coworker, a gruff Russian man, filled in. You were concerned if Shoto would notice, if he would be upset that his coffee wasn't right, if he would miss you. You knew he would probably notice, but wouldn't care.
That week was near torture. While you were happy to get away from it all, to be on the countryside for a while, and see some family, you missed Shoto. His presence was calming, and you had fallen for him somewhat. You wouldn't die for him or anything, but you wanted to get to know him more. You wished he would talk back and invite you to sit with him. But you knew it wouldn't happen.
On your first day back from your vacation, you had to start working to make up for all that you had missed. So you came in a little earlier than you usually did, around 3, and started mopping the tile floor and cleaning tables. You looked over to see your coworker who had filled in for you, standing behind the counter. You smiled at him and he merely huffed back.
"The little two-tone kid kept asking about you," he said in his thick accent. Heat rushed to your face in embarrassment.
"What do you mean?" You asked.
"I mean he asked me why you were gone. Every day he asked when you come back. I just tell him I don't know. He's odd. Always come at same time of day. He looked surprised that I didn't already have a cup ready. You must spoil him," he snarled. "Barely ever speak. Just ask about you, get coffee, then sit down. He drove me crazy."
You ignored his broken English and tried to make sure you were hearing the truth before you lost your mind. "He was worried about me?" You blurted. The huge man took out a rag and started wiping the counter.
"I wouldn't say worried. Just seemed to miss you. Or at least wish you could make coffee again. He never seemed satisfied with me. Picky little brat," he scoffed.
"He's not a brat. He just likes things to be the same I guess. And with me gone that made things different," you explained.
"Well. Good thing you're back. He can't complain now," he said as he walked into the back room, signaling for you to start your shift behind the counter. You gingerly walked back and stood behind the counter, serving customers as they came and went.
The day was long and tiring. It was full of over-complicated coffee orders, rude people complaining that you didn't add enough milk or it wasn't strong enough, smug guys asking you for your number, and meager tips. The hours went by slowly, and the minute hand hardly seemed to move.
Shoto always came in at 6 sharp. It was 5:58 and you were starting to get anxious. He clearly noticed your absence and missed you. Maybe it was because he was used to it and wanted things in an even pattern. Maybe it was something different, you hoped. You stared into the surface of the plain black coffee you had just prepared for him. It rippled as the door opened and the little bell jingled. You shot straight up, nearly spilling the cup.
Shoto's hair bounced as he walked up to the counter. A small smile crossed his lips briefly, but he wiped it off before you could admire it. "You're back. How was your trip?" He said confidently. Your jaw dropped.
"Uhh. It was good. I mean, it was great. Good to get away. Good," you mumbled awkwardly as you handed him his coffee.
"Got any of your jokes again today?" He said as he took a sip. "Ah, perfect," he whispered about his coffee.
"Yeah, I actually have a new one. What's brown and sticky?" You asked.
"A stick. You've told me that one before. Step up your game, Miss." You laughed and shook your head.
"Sorry. Didn't have time to prepare. I'll have to have a good one for you tomorrow. You know, it's not as fun when you guess all the answers correctly," you huffed. He smiled and walked back to his corner silently. You let out a sigh. He didn't mention missing you. He did seem happy that you were back though. So it wasn't a terrible interaction.
You continued to serve people, and in between customers, you stared at the back of Shoto's head. He moved fluently, occasionally reaching down into his bag to pull out a book, writing something down, flipping a page. Your eyelids drooped and your lips smiled slightly. You were happy to be back.
"Excuse me, miss?" A voice called out. You nearly jumped out of your skin.
"How may I help you?" You said a little too loudly, still surprised.
"Can I have a peppermint latte?" You looked over to a small woman looking at you, concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yes ma'am, one peppermint latte," you said quietly. I need to pay attention or else I'll get fired. You thought as you made the drink. You finished, and handed it to her. She paid silently and gave you a five dollar tip. You shoved it into your apron, then looked back to see that Shoto had left already. It was only 7, he usually stayed longer. You sighed and leaned on the counter.
The time went by fast after that. You spent your whole day waiting to see Shoto, and even though you were ashamed of caring so much about someone you barely knew, you admitted it to yourself wholeheartedly. After your short time with him was over, time flew by. It was already 9, and time to close. You locked the front door and started to mop the floor. Most of the lights were off, and the shop was dim.
You hummed to yourself as you cleaned the table tops off. You were interrupted by a tapping on the front door. You looked over to see Shoto knocking on the glass door. You walked over calmly and unlocked it to let him in. "What are you doing here?" You asked.
"I was going for a walk to think for a bit. I walked by and saw you cleaning in here." He stood stiffly and didn't move as he talked.
"I see. Well I'm just closing up right now. If you want to wait a bit then I can walk you back," you said. He nodded and didn't respond. You both silently stood there, not knowing what to say to break the awkward silence.
"I'm glad you're back. I missed having you around," he said quietly, almost too fast for you to understand what he said. He blushed slightly and looked up at you, locking eyes.
"Really? I missed you too. I like having you around the shop. You're one of my nicer customers," you said back, trying to make it less awkward.
"I'm surprised they don't all love you. You treat customers very nicely. Well, at least me," he said as you walked back behind the counter to take off your apron.
"Thank you. Are you ready to go?" You asked. You were doing your best to hide your excitement.
He nodded and followed you out the door, locking it behind you. You both walked down the sidewalk in silence.
"How do you know where I live already?" He asked all of a sudden. Your face got hot and you started to panic. You always watched which direction he walked when he left, and sometimes ran up to the window to watch him walk even further down the street.
"You usually walk in this direction so I just assumed... sorry if that's creepy. It's the same way as my house so why not," you remarked quickly. You didn't want him to know you watched him every day.
"Are you sure that's why?" He said, halting. You were stopped under a street light. The industrial glow from above illuminated his soft features. You saw where his chin came to a point, his cheekbones, his sharp jaw, the outline of his lips.
"Uh, well, yes. Of course. I just like to obs—" you tried to say before he cut you off.
"I think you know that I know that you watch me. Every day. You have for years now. And yet you never say anything. When are you planning to take your chance with me?" He mused. You had to restrain yourself from gasping. You didn't think he would say anything like that, even if he did notice.
"I never really saw a good time to," you murmured. His hand met your chin and lifted it up.
"If you would have said something, this might have happened earlier. I really like you. It was nothing at first, but I'm starting to realize it's more than that. And I want to talk to you more." You froze. He leaned in to kiss you, gently but full of passion. His arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you into a deeper kiss. Your hands worked through his hair, gently rubbing his scalp. He hummed into your mouth quietly.
He broke off the kiss and ran his hand through your hair. "I didn't know you felt this way, Shoto," you whispered. He smiled slightly.
"I guess I'm good at hiding it." He said as he started to walk again, taking your hand in his. You walked side by side till he got back home, and ended the night with one last kiss.
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Hey y'all, thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this story, and as always, please leave suggestions for future stories! Have a great day :)
-Liv💙
This chapter has been edited.
