Work Text:
The Sasamaki Café was a small coffee shop in one of the southern neighbourhoods of Miyagi. Its warm, cozy sofas, accompanied by soft, jazz music and the bright smiles of the employees, made it be one of the most famous locals for hang-outs. Whether it was a tired man coming from work and searching for a break, or a group of students looking for a quiet place to do their projects, the café was the perfect choice for anyone.
The ringing of the door's bell announced another customer's arrival, as your sihlouette was swaying behind the counter, putting some freshly-baked cupcakes on the glass shelves.
-Good morning! Welcome to Sasamaki Café! How can I help you today?you heard your uncle's regular greeting, suprisingly cheerful for such an early hour.
-Morning, sir. We'd like-
-WHOAH! Those muffins smell delicious!
Two highschoolers have entered, one with a blank expression on his face, the other gawking at the sweets on the counter.
-Can you NOT shout for a second? There are other people in here.the boy tried scolding his friend, recieving a light chuckle from the barista.
-So, how many cupcakes shall I add?
-Two, please. Oh! And a cup of macha tea. the turnip-headed male spoke excidetly, and you started packing his order.
-All right! That would be 1200yen.declared the middle-aged man, as the brunette was taking out his wallet.
-Hold on, you are not going to ask him for his order?wondered Kindaichi aloud, a confused hum escaping his lips.
-No need for that. A salted caramel latte coming right up! you interfered, while prepearing the second drink.
Indeed, Kunimi was a regular at the Sasamaki's. It was only a ten-minute walk from Aoba Johsai High, so he could stop by and have a warm drink on his way to classes. The caramel lattes here were the best, so it was no wonder that it became his favourite (and usual) order.
The duo left after recieving the delicious snaks from you, a glipmse of content radiating on their features!
-Mmmm...You were right, dude! These are amazing!stated the middle-blocker, munching on his pastries.
-Yup.his teammate only nodded, savouring his own drink.
Huh? This is odd. The latte today feels...different. But in a good way.
[...]
-Ugh. And now I only survive thanks to caffeine. I think I started to drink, like...three cups of dark coffee every night-just to keep myself awake and finish the project!
The brunette was scrolling through his phone, ignoring his sister's complaining. Being older than him, Keikō has already started her courses at University, and she was completely overwhelmed by the amount of assignments she had to do.
-Oi, Akira! Are you even listening to me?!
No, actually, I don't want to hear you vent about your difficult assignments. You decided to become a lawyer, not me. these are the thoughts Kunimi kept for himself, since he didn't want to add more fuel to his sibling's discontent.
-Wanna grab a drink?
The girl was surprised by his proposal. Apparently, he did pick on something that she's told him: her need for coffee.
Some time later and they were sitting at one of the Sasamaki's tables, enjoying some warm cups of cofee. Well, at least Keikō was pleased with her order. The younger male scrunched his nose slightly, since the caramel latte didn't taste as good as the last time he has visited the shop.
Maybe I've just gotten used to its taste. It's not like they've changed the recipe over night, right?
-Are you feeling well?his sister's worried tone woke him up from his daydreaming, his shoulders jolting a little.
-Mhm. I just zoned out for a bit. he brushed it off, his elder sibling giving him an unimpressed look. She knew something was wrong, but she chose not to pry further.
[...]
An entire week has passed, and yet every time Kunimi visited Sasamaki Café, he couldn't find the pleasure in his caramel lattes. None of them was as delicious as the one he had ordered that Friday morning.
He was satrting to loose hope, until the next evening. It was Friday again, but this time, instead of hanging out with Kindaichi, the whole volleyball club decided to tag along. The chaotic bickering between Oikawa and Iwaizumi has announced the team's arrival at the shop, and you could only smile to yourself.
Sometimes I wonder how these childish guys are third- years. shaking your head, you made your way to the cash register.
-Welcome to Sasamaki Café! What can I get for you?you greeted them brightly, and thankfully, the teenagers stopped with their banter.
-Good evening, beautiful! Could you recommend us something?spoke a light-brown haired guy, in a flirting manner.
You managed to calm down the urge to roll your eyes. Yahaba had quite a reputation at Sejioh for chasing after girls (and getting rejected every time).
-Well, our special today is pumkin pie. We've just taken one out of the oven. I would definitly go with that.you suggested, murmurs of approval rising from the group.
Soon, they've all made up their mind and you started preparing their orders.
-The barista is kinda cute, don't you think? the second-year wondered aloud, as you moved swiftly behind the counter.
-Don't get your hopes too high. You're only going to scare her with your flirting skills.responded Hanamaki, and the other third-years snickered at his comment.
-Aw, c'mon guys! I'm not THAT bad!the setter tried to defend himself, recieving only a light pat on his shoulder from the captain.
-My, my...keep telling yourself that Yahaba-kun. You know, not everyone is blessed with charms like mine~
-*Pfft* Charms? You're still single, Shittykawa.stated the ace, Oikawa's lips forming o pout.
-You're so mean, Iwa-chan~ he whined, but then added in a whisper: At least I got fangirls, unlike you.
The boys' teasing reached Kunimi's ears, as he glanced up from his phone and took a glimpse of your figure. Hair tied in a messy bun, petite visage, pretty eyes...
Wait. Pretty eyes? What are you thinking, idiot!
He turned his gaze back to the screen, heat rising to his cheeks.
[...]
A few minutes went by and you came back with their orders. Everyone was delighted by the sweet taste of the pumkin pie and, moreover, a certain brunette's face lit up.
This is it! This is the exact flavour I was looking for! Could it be...?
He stole a glance at you once again, as you were taking off your apron, chatting with another employee.
Why does she seem so familiar?
If his thoughts weren't interrupted by his teammates' laughter, maybe he would've seen your Seijoh uniform, or at least he would've remembered you from the last week when he came by with Kindaichi for his latte.
-Bye, uncle Kenji! See you next Friday~ you waved to the middle-aged man, leaving the shop.
-Take care, munchkin!
You were a first-year at Aoba Johsai High, but you weren't quite the brightest in your class. Your uncle, Kenji Sasamaki, the owner of the café, was an expert in finances, before taking over the family's business. He agreed on helping you out with your math classes, in exchange, you had to lend him a hand at the coffee store each friday. It was a great deal, since you gained both help with your homework and working experience. Besides, it was nice to see people hanging out at the shop: their smiles after tasting their order were irreplaceable.
[...]
The café was buzzing with customers this morning- many people came by to pick up their usual drinks before heading to work.
-Y/N, could you please take care of the next order? I got some stuff to do back in the kitchen.you uncle gave you a pleading look, and you nodded in reassurance.
-Good morning! How may I...you glanced up from the cash register, only to be met by a familiar pair of brown eyes.
-Let me guess, a salted caramel latte?you questioned, a tint of amusement hidden in your voice.
-Not really. I wanted to try something else this time.the brunette responded, a small smile tugging his lips.
-Oh! you let out a suprised sigh, before adding: Then what shall I prepare for you?
-Hmm..what is your favourite drink?
-Well, I guess that fav/drink is my favourite from our menu.you stated, a little taken aback by his demand.
-Great! I'll have one of those then...and a caramel latte.he murmured the last part, realizing that he still couldn't give up on his usual order.
You chuckled, then turned back to the register.
[...]
-Okay, one latte and one fav/drink for you!you announced cheerfully, placing the drinks on the counter.
-Thanks! the boy thanked you, then took a sip out of his latte.
Yup. This is the taste. I don't know what she adds to the recipe, but it tastes delicious!
-What did you add to the latte?
-Huh? What do you mean? Do you not like it?you asked, hoping that you didn't mess up the order.
-No, no, that's not it. Actually, I like it a lot better this way.he shook his head softly.
-*Sigh* I'm glad to hear that! I usually add cinemmon. I think it gives the latte an unique taste.you confessed,feeling relieved to hear that Kunimi is satisfied with the drink and you won't get in trouble with your uncle.
-It really does. Thank you for the drink! See you around!
Kunimi waved at you, taking his leave.
-But wait! What about the fav/drink?
-Oh, that one is for you. he answered over his shoulder, then exited the shop.
For a hot second, your body froze, a shade of pink corrupting your face.
This is for me? That's so nice of him.
You blush only deepend when you moved your gaze to the cup, noticing a note with Kunimi's number.
-Are you okay, munchkin?you uncle came back from the kitchen, a worried expression plastered on his visage.
-Y-yeah, I'm fine. I think I stood too close to the oven earlier. I'll go to the restroom to freshen up.