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„Should we put one more table over there?”
„Yes, that would be good.”
Horikita and others are finalizing the room layout. In an hour, we will be starting our trial run.
The girls are putting on their maid costumes and getting ready. I am going to stay here for a bit and see how they do, but after that, Kei and I plan to go check the other class’ spots.
Amids the final preparations, the seconds ticked by. We are now open for business.
The doors opened and our first customers flooded in, occupying all the seats in less than a minute. A huge crowd of boys is still waiting outside, yet there are no more vacant spots for them. I guess they’ll have to go try their luck at Ryuuen’s class.
The students who managed to grab a seat are, curiously enough, about equally of both genders. Our expectations were that mainly boys will be interested, so this is a miscalculation, but it is not a bad thing. At least maids are not going to be intimidated that much. Several of them have already taken first step and are currently taking orders from customers. But something is wrong.
It is somehow quiet. Not at all what you would expect from excitement that we want to induce.
„This is bad…” Mii-chan returned with worried expression after speaking to a few tables.
„What is it?”
„Everyone we spoke to said that they will not order anything.” Mii-chan bit her lip anxiously.
„What nonsense is that?” Horikita, who overheard our conversation seems annoyed. It is certainly strange behavioral pattern to go to limited time maid-cafe only to stall orders. But, looking at the students occupying seats more carefully, it is not that difficult to guess what is happening.
Horikita also seems to have caught onto situation.
As if confirming our suspicion, a lone student walked through the door and headed towards one of the tables. Students occupying said table all got up and left. Nagumo then proceeded to sit at the now empty table. Leaning back comfortably, he began looking over the menu.
Student council president is trying to sabotage our class‘ trial run. The question is why?
Well, I guess there is only one person present who can move in this situation, and she is already headed towards intimidating president.
„Nagumo-senpai, what is the meaning of this?”
„Hello Suzune, whatever are you talking about?”
„I believe you know answer to that, senpai. I’m talking about all the 3rd years sitting here without ordering anything. If you do not wish to buy anything, then please leave.”
Seemingly ignoring her warning, Nagumo laughed out loud.
„I want to speak to your manager.”
„What are you talking about now. I am-”
„I’m not talking about your Class‘ manager. I want to speak with the cafe manager. We are in a cafe, yes?”
Horikita breathed in deeply. Her face has hardly changed but I can tell she is getting angry. Not that it has much impact while combined with the maid costume. Really, I imagine most people would still describe her as cute. But, knowing the magnitude of her wrath, I decided to step in as to avoid facing consequences later on.
„Is there any problem?” I approached while saying so.
Nagumo looked in my direction, then slid his gaze down my figure. But he does that every other day, so I’m not too put off by it. It’s probably an intimidation tactic.
„And what are you doing here?” he asked haughily
„You wanted to speak with the manager, right? Well, here I am.”
„Then shouldn’t you look the part?”
Certainly, I am still in the school uniform as opposed to my classmates. Afterall, I plan to leave in a bit and don’t desire unnecessary attention when moving about.
„Does it make any difference what clothes am I in?”
„I refuse to be served in anything but professional settings.”
„Served?” I tilted my head to the side a little. What is this about? The lack of service isn’t a problem here, unwillingness to order is.
„There are plenty people in costumes ready, stop making trouble and order.”
Nagumo flashed sharp grin at those words.
„Okay, I will. But only on the condition that you will be my personal server for the day.”
„Don’t be ridiculous, he is not ment to be a waiter in this event. All the maids had to go through the specialized training to get hang of the moves, he will not even fit into our predetermined system.” Horikita joined the conversation once more, trying to spare me of this troublesome task.
Nagumo just shrugged „Well, take it or leave it. But it would be a shame to not utilize this rare opportunity for a trial run, no? All the other classes are getting ahead.”
Sigh, I guess class reconaistance will have to be postponed for now.
The room was still in deadlock. No customer ordered food, maids were standing a little uncertainly at the sides of the room. The boys waiting outside were making ruckus for a bit but then were escorted away by the teacher.
Only perpetrator of this drama was louging carefreely at the table, legs crossed and looking out the window.
The back door opened, and Nagumo’s gaze slid away from glass, focusing solely on Ayanokoji, who walked with leisure but confident step through the door. He had work uniform on, neat fabric wrapping around his lean form. The suit really did bring out all his selling points, placing them right under the observer‘s appreciative eyes.
Of course, the most intent gaze was Nagumo’s, but he was not about to let it show so easily.
„Would you like to order?” Kiyotaka asked respectfully, with the same impassive voice as ever. His face, the usual nonplussed one, looked rather handsome in the buttler‘s uniform. Had he been real servant, no master could possibly resist attempting to break that composure into pieces. He was just asking for it.
The head of this school’s Student council pretended to look over menu once more while actually sliding his gaze over Kiyotaka’s legs.
One satisfied nod later, the esteemed leader looked back up.
„A Strawberry cake with ice cream.”.
Nagumo wasn't going to eat the cake (he didn't like cakes), but be wasn't about to let this chance slip either...
„Right away, but first, lift the prohibition on the 3rd years.”
„I will do so once I have my order.”
Kiyotaka was probably troubled by so many people watching him, but Nagumo was not about to let him off so easily. He was still angry because of the Island exam.
The brown haired boy looked hot like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just spun around and headed towards the counter. Nagumo had a chance to aprreciate the view of his back…among other body parts. Really, whoever chose this suit had great fashion sense.
Kiyotaka, of course, didn’t notice the pair of groping eyes hidden in the sea of exasparated or worried ones.
Since the room was very quiet, Nagumo’s order was heard by everyone, so Horikita immediately started preparing the cake on the plate. Miyabi did not appreciate the side help, but he could just order another cake when the maids were busy. He had all time in the world.
Once the cake was ready, Kiyotaka put it on the tray and carefully lifted it up, paying attention to balancing it on one hand. Clearly, he was doing something like this for the first time, meaning he really wasn’t supposed to serve anyone.
But he was serving Nagumo now. Because in this moment, Nagumo held power over the whole room. This thought brought immense satisfaction to the blond.
The plate touched the table and the spell on the 3rd years was undone. As if a switch was flipped, the room suddenly filled with warm conversations and cheerful laughter. The maids got to work right away, trying their hardest to make up for the lost time. It was fascinating shift in atmosphere, but Kiyotaka did not have time to marvel about it for long. A slight pull on his forearm yanked him out of his pondering.
Nagumo was gripping his wrist, hint of irritation on his face.
„Were you not listening?” he asked in a cold voice.
Oh, was he saying something? Kiyotaka didn’t hear it over the sudden increase of volume in the room, his sensitive ears picking up on every clinking of the fork, splash of the water and even different sets of footsteps. It seems that girls were starting to get confident in their roles. Good.
Now if he could just get rid of Nagumo, everything would be perfect.
„Pardon my inattentiveness, could you repeat what you were saying, sir?”
Nagumo’s look soured even more, but Kiyotaka had no way of knowing that it was because of the way he adressed him. Really, the word sir, comming from Kiyotaka’s mouth gave off the sense of absolute detachment. (It had probably something to do with how Kiyotaka mainly used the title to adress various people from his childhood). So, no. Nagumo was not happy.
The grip on his wrist tightened, but it was not the worst that Kiyotaka experienced, so he paid it little attention.
„I said,” the voice was even colder now. Maybe it was the side effect of the ice cream on the plate „that I want Blueberry lemonade.”
„Are you sure that you would not rather like something hot?” Kiyotaka asked, confused. If he’s cold he could reccomend the amazing Darjeeling tea.
„What?” Now it was Nagumo’s turn to get confused. Yes, Kiyotaka was hot and Miyabi wanted him, but this was rather bold offer.
„Nothing, I will get you your drink.” The server took adventage of the situation and slipped his hand from troublesome customer’s grasp. Out of reach but not hearing distance, he added „Sir.”
Of course, Kiyotaka noticed that the other man seems to have problem with the word. Ayanokoji didn’t know what the problem could be, but that wasn’t terribly important. He just needed to annoy Nagumo enough so he would leave earlier.
It was one of those rare moments where Horikita Class‘ mastermind miscalculated.
Because Nagumo wasn’t annoyed, he was simply irritated. Kiyotaka was definitely playing with him (he wasn’t). A good buttler isn’t supposed to do that, right? It seems like he will have to teach him a lesson or two.
Of course, the blond’s hidden outrage was overlooked in the now busy Cafe.
Kiyotaka meanwhile grabbed the tray with lemonade that another maid prepared and was now heading back to his only customer. He came to the side of a table and was just about to deliver the drink.
„Your lemonade, sir.”
A hand suddenly reached for his waist and pulled him over as he was leaning forward. The drink spilled onto the tray. Ayanokoji had barely managed to ascertain that none of the liquid splashed Nagumo.
Although he would deserve it, considering that it was his hand on Kiyotaka’s waist, effectively sticking him to his side. Kiyotaka missed his step, and almost stepped on speckless shoes of his counterpart. The calf hidden behind fabric of buttler’s uniform brushed across shin wrapped in more fancy version of school uniform. At the same time Kiyotaka managed to get rid of the object occupying his hands by placing it on the table. Said table was also used as a support for his outer hand, since the pull knocked him from his balance, and he was now leaning forward a bit. His inner hand was stuck between himself and Nagumo. The angle wasn’t too bad, he could pull his arm away had he wanted to. Kiyotaka tilted his head to the side a little, peering through his slightly messed up bangs at the source of all of his today‘s trouble. He only managed to spot blond hair, since the other boy was already leaning gently to server’s ear.
Soft hair tickled Kiyotaka’s cheeks. Warm breath fell on his neck.
A hand around his waist tightened even more. The angle making it impossible to pull his arm out now. He was stuck unless Nagumo let him go. Or he could knock the needy customer away, but that would only cause a scene, and the intended victim would no doubt use that as a leverage.
„Don’t provoke me.” The voice that whispered into his ear was low and almost growling.
They didn’t attract any attention, since there was no loud crash and the Cafe was quite busy with all the new orders. It also meant that no one would be comming to help Ayanokoji deal with suddenly-agressive Student cluncil president.
The man continued.
„I can drag your sales down for the real event, you definitely realize that, don’t you? It’s as simple as placing my people in front of the store and disrupting your propaganda.”
„You would let go of the opportunity to gain as many classpoints as possible while you have so many people waiting for the ticket to A Class?
Nagumo didn’t bother answering that question.
Kiyotaka’s joke (he knew just as well as the leader of 3rd years himself what tactic was the man using to keep his soldiers obedient and working) didn’t register with intended recipient so he had slight urge to pout. Being around highschoolers is leaving traces on him. (He didn’t pout, of course).
Sigh
Kiyotaka took his hand of the table, placing it instead on Nagumo’s shoulder. Blue eyes widened, the hand’s grip on Kiyotaka’s waist loosened before it immediately gained strengh again. But it was enough time for Ayanokoji to straighten his spine and move his other hand.
Two could play this game. Nagumo restricted his movement by taking hold of his core center. Ayanokoji levelled the field by posing possible threat near the other’s throat. He placed his other hand on blond’s upper arm. No squeezing, only light brush. It was the opposite of the iron clasp on his waist but it was working just as good. Plus he didn’t need to strain his muscle as much.
Now having height-intimidation advantage, he lowered his head minutely, looking into empty space with calculating eyes, and gently asked.
„Then what do you want?”
Nagumo stiffened, proof that his intimidation tactic was working as intended (it wasn’t).
The blond raised his head, soft hair tickling Kiyotaka’s chin for a change. They made eye contact. Kiyotaka’s impossibly deep browns stared intenly, searching for the answers in the blues. Thousand thoughts passed in the ocean pupils. Kiyotaka could not quite put the finger on the meaning behind, though. (Only a couple of people looked at him like that).
„Just—” Nagumo started, but whatever thoughts ran amok in his mind couldn’t make it past his vocal cords. So instead, he broke eye contact and said „Just get me two more lemonades. Simultaneously. You pick the flavour for the other one.”
Kiyotaka almost raised an eyebrow, 90% sure that the other man was just messing with him. But, thinking about it more carefully, combining two different drinks could lead to some rather interesting possibilities. So, maybe, the actual task was not to simply get two random lemonades, but to pick the flavours that complement each other. Let’s see…if he added the cake into equation, he would have to get something less sweet. Maybe even a bit spicy. But the menu had limited offer, so he would have to improvise. Seeing as all the girls in costumes had their hands full with other guests, Kiyotaka decided to prepare the drink himself. His very own mix. He slipped into backdoor and looked for ginger, then compressed the ingredient and scooped it into carafe. After that, he walked back to the room full of people and added water and mint, cut some lemon slices and added few into the carafe. He may have over done it with lemon syrup but Nagumo should be able to balance it with sweet cake and other lemonade. This whole waiter thing was getting rather enjoyable.
As immersed as Ayanokoji was in preparing his first mixed drink, he failed to notice a shift occuring in his surroundings.
There is something unexplainably attractive about a guy preparing any type of meal or beverage, and this wasn’t exception. The only male server’s movement drew quite a few pairs of eyes from the opposite gender. Even some maids slowed down their work to sneak a peak. Most boys were oblivious towards this, but there were two people staring daggers at the general girl population. Nagumo was on the verge of telling all the 3rd year sinners to get the fuck out, when Kiyotaka returned to his table.
„Here is your order.” Two glasses were placed in front of Nagumo. Feeling that he had done enough, Kiyotaka was looking forward to being dismissed and finally going to spy on gather intel about other classes. Kei was waiting outside for 10 minutes already. She was the other person that was mentally gouging eyes of everyone ogling Kiyotaka.
Under combined effort of the infamously-temperamental-leader-of -original-D class‘-girls and unexpectedly-annoyed-student-council-president, most ’watchers‘ had been scared from continuing their activity.
„Would that be all?” Ayanokoji tried, hoping for affirmative answer.
„No, I would like you to sit with me.”
„…Pardon?”
„Sit. Drink.” He repeated patiently. Nagumo tapped the seat opposite him and pushed one beverage towards the same spot.
„Why?”
„I just want some company.” came light hearted answer.
Kiyotwaka sighed (again) and looked at Kei to signal her that he won’t make it today. She looked a bit upset but nodded, turned on her heel and left.
Nagumo used this time to glare down any remaining watchers (at least the ones that made it obvious). He smirked when Kiyotaka sat across from him.
Nagumo took a sip from his drink, but kept his eyes on the other boy. Kiyotaka looked quite eager to try his own mix. Not that it showed on his face. That seemingly nonexistent excitement died when he tasted the lemonade. His expression stayed the same, but he visibly stilled. After a few seconds, he pushed drink slightly back.
„What’s wrong?” the self-centered-troublemaker showed some concern for a change.
„...It’s too sour.” Kiyotaka did not look at Miyabi while saying that.
„Why would you make it that sour?” If it was supposed to be some kind of trap Nagumo would make sure to-
„I thought you will drink both of them.” Kiyotaka confessed rather easily. Before the customer could start planning revenge on waiter for trying to poison him with drink, the younger boy continued.
„It was supposed to balance out the other two items.”
Oh. That was quite thoughtful. All the anger was suddenly gone, replaced by clear (not blank!) mind. Then an idea bubbled to the surface.
„Oh, in that case, let’s share drinks.” Miyabi offered cleverly.
Kiyotaka gave pause to that. He was not that socially unaware loner anymore, he had had a few friends already and he made great strides in subject of Common sense. Sharing drinks was (according to certain blond ponytailed girl) something that you do only with someone you are very close to. Nagumo and he did not fulfill that condition.
But. The lemonade was so sour. It felt as if little pins were jumping on his tongue. The cake that was cast to the side would be perfect ointment for his hurt taste buds. Besides, Nagumo and Kiyotaka weren’t exactly strangers, were they? Sure, one couldn’t call them friends either, and they definitely weren’t rivals (since both of them believed they could crush the other easily should they wish to), but they were definitely something. The amount of attention they paid to each other was almost unnaturally high, and whenever they talked, there was some…some spark in the air. Nagumo usually chased after that energy, keeping the tention, while Kiyotaka habitually avoided that build up, since it was leading to uncertainity, to an unexplored territory. Between trying to stay low-profile and the whole acting-director fiasco, he didn’t really have a time to pay that much attention to the new student council president. However, he came to this school with purpose to learn, didn’t he?
Kiyotaka wordlessly pushed his lemonade forward and snatched the other drink. The relief was immediate but not quite enough. Therefore, he proceeded his taste-buds-recovery-mission with few bites of the cake.
Nagumo froze for a bit. Honestly, he wasn‘t sure if he was joking or not, but he didn’t expect Ayanokoji, of all people, to so readilly partake in couple-activities with Miyabi. Oh well, he wasn’t going to complain.
Kiyotaka was so lost in relishing the sweet taste filling his mouth that he once again didn’t notice Nagumo talking to him (it recently became Kiyotaka’s habbit to ignore all the 3rd years due to certain someone). Instead, what tore him from his daydreaming session was a warm touch on his right hand. Nagumo was trying to take the fork. Kiyotaka lessened his hold on the cutlery. The warm seeping into his body stayed for a little longer, but then it moved away from him, leaving only lingering heat.
Kiyotaka thought that Nagumo must also be daydreaming, since the blond brought the fork to his mouth without any cake on it.
(In truth, Nagumo really, really didn’t like cakes. There’s no way he was going to eat it. But the fork suddenly looked very tasty.)
After that, Nagumo took a big gulp from the Special-mix lemonade, and bent in a coughing fit the very next moment. The sourness was just otherwordly. What did Kiyotaka do to make it this painful to drink? The coughs didn’t stop yet, and there were already some tears in his eyes. His throat burned, itched and stung all at once. With still blurred vision he reached for the previously rejected cake and separated a big piece from it. It was little better, but he drank half of the Non-lethal lemonade to get rid of the taste completely.
It took a few moments to get it back together, and then Nagumo watched, partly horrified, partly intrigued, as Kiyotaka leisurely sipped from both drinks and cake, alternating between (hellish) sourness and sweet bliss with unchanging face.
He looked quite content, and somehow, that feeling infected Miyabi as well. As they conversed about various topics, it became clear to Kiyotaka that he won’t be doing any sort of class reconnaissance today. But, strangely, he didn’t mind – their strategy was solid no matter what other classes did (and, just maybe, he was having fun chatting with Nagumo, be it playful conversations or teasing arguments).
They ended up ordering a few more drinks (with Ayanokoji switching between roles of server and guest), but Nagumo made sure to choose all flavours himself.