Mute

27 | Popular

I hummed almost silently as I worked, ignoring the customer who was flirting with my coworkers. I never actually had to speak to them, just prepare the drinks. My boss had made sure of that after hearing about my exceptions. But I was already the second best at making the drinks.

I smiled to the crowd as I tossed the drinks into the air, easily catching them and flipping so the drinks wouldn't flow out of the cup. I flipped the main bottle onto the table, smiling as it landed right side up. If living in america had taught me one thing, it was how to bottle flip. And that proved to be an invaluable skill every day at work.

"Satoshi, we need a double twist with extra whipped cream and a cherry."

I nodded and began preparing the second drink, sprayed cream into the first one while flipping the second. Originally this shop had just been for drinks, but my time spent playing around had quickly made this place popular, so I'd taught everyone my tricks. All they had to do was practice until they could get it right every time.

I'd gotten this job only weeks after moving up here, and I was pleased to say I already had a reputation here. All the workers loved me, and I'd had very few creepy customers.

I continued playing with the drinks as the door opened once again, not worried about my hair getting in my way as it was tied back in a ponytail. Work was one of the few times it was up, I preferred it down.

I flipped a bottle and caught it behind my back, grinning as the customers gasped.

"Yo Satoshi! We need another special!"

I nodded and switched out the ingredients easily. Many of the drinks were made by the regular workers, I was mainly just here for show. In America, if you didn't know most tricks you were dull and out of the loop. Here in Japan, knowing any tricks made you a god.

I pretended to fumble a jar, listening as the ground gasped, though I impressed them by instead popping open the lid and pouring some cream in before flipping the bottle and catching one that was falling, presenting the finished drink with a bow.

I was presented with immediate applause, and slipped to the back of the room to silently prepare drinks. I could only perform tricks for so long before I got tired, so I only performed 10 minutes every half hour.

"Hey Satoshi, you did a good job today!" A coworker patted my shoulder and I flashed a smile at him before turning my gaze back to my work. "No seriously! You must practice every day or something!"

Again I smiled, but I was beginning to get a little annoyed. Every day I worked he found something to flatter me about. While it was deeply flattering and highly uplifting, it very quickly became obvious what he wanted from me, and what I did not want to give.

"Oh, I have some customers. I'll check you later." He finger gunned me before slipping away, and I relaxed.

And so my day went a lot like that. By the time I got home late that night I was exhausted, but waved to my uncle who was busy chatting with Akito. At least tomorrow was a weekend and I could sleep in until 9. As I walked up to my room I wondered how it was Shouto had not come to see me on a day that I was working. Was that bad luck or good luck?