SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

Tulips Are Better Than One (Cup of Coffee): Part 3

Arthit doesn't know what bad deed in his past life justifies what's happening to him.

It's been more than a week since Praepailin and Kongpob's scandalous but, unbeknownst to him, fake revelation. Kongpob hasn't stepped foot inside the shop after the incident. It's always Tew, Aim, or Oak who buys their daily coffee.

Despite that, Arthit still chose to be safe and skipped manning the counter during the morning. Not seeing Kongpob for days somehow made Arthit feel better.

But the peaceful days are over, for Kongpob is standing in front of him.

Right now.

As if nothing happened.

It's a Sunday afternoon, and he was sure Kongpob wouldn't come. He never went to their shop on a Sunday. Arthit figured it's his off day.

"It's my off day," Kongpob says, a tad shyly.

Arthit pretends he didn't hear anything and keeps his eyes on the cash register. He doesn't need to know whether it's his off day, why he's here, or whether he's sorry. He's still too mad at what happened.

The queue behind Kongpob starts building up, which requires Arthit to open his mouth and ask Kongpob to hurry his order.

"What can I get you?" he says flatly.

Kongpob turns around and apologizes to the people at his back for the delay he's causing. When he faces Arthit again, his breath gets stuck in his throat. It's obvious he wants to talk. But with the way the other is trying not to look at him, he's sure he wouldn't get it at this moment. However, still, he tries:

"P'Arthit, about last time, I'm rea—"

"I'm here to work. If you won't give me your order, I will serve the next customer."

Kongpob bites his lip. "I'm sorry." That's for taking too long to order.

He's not here for his morning coffee, so he decides he wants to get something different. Looking up at the menu, he thinks of what Em would order if he were here, something sweet, something too weird.

"Large iced tropical mango latté. Soy milk.

"That's 170 baht."

"And oh." Kongpob isn't done yet. "I want to eat. Uhm... Do you have..." He looks back up at the menu. "... crepes?"

Arthit slightly turns his head to the crepe bar, which is just right beside Kongpob, and nods at it.

"Oh. Yes. I'll take a crepe."

"220 baht."

"Three crepes, I mean." He needs that much time.

Arthit rolls his eyes and gives Kongpob his total. Then, Kongpob pays and goes to a table with a good view of the counter. He doesn't know how this day will end. He's just here to end the silence.

"Is Em here?" Prem, the only other barista on shift asks.

"What?" Arthit asks him while taking the order of a customer.

"Only Em orders things like this." Prem is referring to the mango latté.

"Oh. He's not here."

Who's here is the guy that embarrassed Arthit in front of everyone last week, which gives him an idea. He wouldn't miss the opportunity to get his revenge.

So before the next customer steps closer, Arthit pulls Prem's arm.

"Why?!" Prem exclaims.

"Let me do it."