Coffee Date

A week have passed but Nozomi-san didn’t come back to the cafe ever since. I even asked Sunohara-san, the manager who is in charge of the cafe during evenings about him.

“Sunohara-san, do you know someone called Nozomi Hikaru in your regular customers?”

“Are you referring to the sunshine Hikaru?”

“What sunshine?”

“Because of his bright and cheerful personality with his shining smile and together with his golden eyes, you can almost imagine the warmth of the morning sun so everyone decided to call him as the sunshine.” I almost got blind by the over the top brightness description he gave me.

“Thanks for that very detailed explanation.” I did my best to try remember all the details he said, especially the part where he mentioned that Hikaru's eyes were golden, which I seem to forget or maybe I didn't give much attention back then.

“So why are you asking about him?”

“Have you seen him for the past few days?”

“Now that you mention him, I think I haven’t seen him since last week when he came all worn out after his meeting with a client. Are you two close with each other?”

“No, it is not like what you are thinking, just forget that I ask about him.” And then I walk away to avoid any further questions.

*sigh*

Another day has passed....

“Mizuki-san are you alright? You keep making deep sighs these days.” Miyoshi curiously asked when he pass in front of the counter after serving a dessert for a customer.

“I’m just a little tired so you don’t have to worry.”

“Oh we thought that you are thinking about that guy last time who never comes back since then.” Nino, our only female employee suddenly sneaked in to our conversation.

“Nino-chan, please stop imagining things. I know what you are thinking right now so please stop shipping me and that guy.” For all I know, Nino is a certified fujoshi who likes to ship boys whenever she has a chance.

“Ehhh why not, you two look so good together when you are having a conversation that day and if I heard it correctly, didn’t that guy just asked you out?”

“What?! Really? I didn’t hear that.” Miyoshi is starting to get into it as his eyes shines with interest after hearing Nino’s gossips.

“Hey! You two please stop and go back to your jobs or else, I will make you work overtime in the nightshift later.”

“No, we will do anything except working overtime with Sunohara-san.” They both run away from me and went back to the kitchen.

I walk around the cafe to make sure that everything is going smoothly and to make myself busy. I decided to go out for a while when I noticed that we haven’t change the list of special menu available for the day in the sign board outside. I squat down on the board and started writing down the menu when I caught something interesting reflected through the glass window of the cafe.

It is Nozomi Hikaru in disguise, if that is what he is trying to do.

Unlike his smart looking business attire the last time I met him, he is now wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap covering his head and the funny part is he is also wearing a black facemask and a huge sunglasses.

He slowly approaches the door of the cafe but then he stops before entering and look inside as if he is searching for someone. He is too focused in what he is doing that he didn’t even notice me when I stand up and sneak behind me.

“Excuse me stranger, but do you need some help?” I asked him and I tried my best to stop myself from laughing too hard when he almost jump out when he looked at me.

“No, I am just an ordinary passerby, don’t mind me.” He pulled his cap downward trying to cover his whole face away from me.

“Are you sure about that Nozomi-san?” I smirked as I make the final blow to his disguise.

“Yes. Wait what? No I’m not Nozomi—I mean yes, hahaha” he nervously laugh as he slowly pull down his hood and took off his cap as continue to stare at him with a teasing smile.

“Are you looking for me inside the cafe?”

“Yes, actually I feel a little embarrassed about what happened last time and so I am still hesitant to meet you.” his ears are burning red as he try to explain.

“So you came here looking like a wanted criminal and calling himself as an ordinary passerby because you are too shy to see me?”

“How did you figure out that it was me? I thought that my disguise is perfect to deceive even my family.”

“Ahahaha are you kidding me? Do you think no one will recognize you with your lame attire that you are wearing now?"

“Ohh is that so?” finally he take off the glasses and the mask after realizing how dumb his disguise was.

“Finally, you look like a normal person and by the way, did you get a haircut? It suits you well.” His hair is now cleanly cut compared to his hairstyle from the last time where he looks like an overworked salary man in his 40's, he now looks like a fresh college student.

“Tt--tthhank you for the compliment.” And now he looks like a tall high school student blushing after getting a compliment from his crush.

“Do you want to have some coffee?” I push the door open and let myself in while waiting for him to come in.

“Sure, let me have the same coffee I have that day.”

“Ok sure, but this time it is not for free.” I led him to an empty seat before going to the counter to brew his coffee request.

“Oh my, look who’s here? Isn’t that guy your top Mizuki-chan?” I almost spilled the coffee when Nino appeared in the scene again while blurting out her BL fantasy.

“Nino-chan please stop playing too much with your imagination. And wait, who told you that I will be a bottom for that guy?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Take a closer look at him! Imagine all the muscles and abs hidden inside that jacket and with his height, I’m sure that it will be a piece of cake for him to carry you like a princess. He is a perfect that every bottom in this world dreamed of.” We both stare at him while imagining what Nino-chan is saying.

“I think you are right.” I unconsciously respond to her while still staring at him from afar.

“See, I told you that a fujoshi’s radar will never be wrong. And on the other hand, you don’t have to feel insecure because looking closely, you are also the most ideal uke that every seme wants to have.” She leaned closely to me and looked deeply to my eyes as if she is sucking my soul out.

“Hey what do you mean by that?” I am starting to feel self conscious thinking that I am an uke.

“Your height, your silky hair, your cute face and the way you act cute because of being an airhead sometimes, isn’t that everything a seme wanted? Mizuki-san be grateful that you finally find the perfect one for you. I am so happy for you.” She wipes her fake tears as she continues to tease me.

“Nino-san please stop teasing manager.” I feel a little relief when Miyoshi comes running to pull Nino away from me after serving a coffee to a customer.

“Oh hohoho, look Mizuki-chan, take a look of another uke right in front of us.” She grabs Miyoshi as she present him to me.

“Uke? What is that? Mizuki-san please help me, Nino-san is going crazy again.” He struggles as he tries to get away from her grasps.

“Miyoshi-chan, what I mean is that if you are going to be in a relationship with a guy, you will definitely be a bottom.”

“You mean, if sensei and I---- wahhhhhhh” her grasps tightened when she heard Miyoshi’s tongue slips.

“Sensei? So you are really into guys? Oh tell me, please tell me about your forbidden love with your beloved teacher.”

“No, please let me go! Manager please help me! Hel—“and that was his last words before Nino drag him inside the staff room for an interrogation.

The coffee I am preparing is finally done and it was a good timing that Nino-chan is no longer around.

'Thank you Miyoshi, your sacrifice will not be in vain.' I whispered while praying.

I served the coffee to Nozomi who is awkwardly making himself busy while waiting for me to come back.

“Here is your coffee sir.” I put down his cup in front of him and then put mine on the opposite side before sitting down.

“Aren’t you busy with your work? Is it alright for you to sit here with me?”

“It’s fine and besides, it is part of my job to entertain the customers, especially--the –lonely--ones.” I try to wink at him to tease him further and it turned out perfect that he almost choke from his first sip.

“Mizuki-san please stop teasing me, my heart can no longer take it.” His face is burning red.

“Sorry, I cannot help it, I just feel a certain joy whenever I see you all flustered.”

“Is that so—“

“By the way, you did ask me to have a chat with you while having a coffee and cakes right?”

“Yes, I did mention that.”

“So can I order whatever I like?”

“Yes, feel free to eat whatever you want and I will pay for it.”

“Then this will be a perfect timing because I’ve been craving for the desserts we are serving here. Orihara-kun please take our order here.” I called out one of our waiters.

“Please prepare for us the special dessert complete menu.” I whispered to him and then he winks at me after picking up my order.

“Okay, please wait for your order after a few minutes.” And then Orihara-kun walks back to the kitchen.

“So, what do you want to chat about?”I face Nozomi-san again to continue our coffee date.

“Uhmm, I just want to know you better. How about we talk about each other’s likes and dislikes?” his face is still burning red as he speaks.

“Let me start then, I am the manager of this cafe during day operations. Well I cannot tell much more about myself especially my childhood so you can limit your questions about me during the past 8 years which is nothing much.” That is the most precise self introduction I can ever make.

“Are you working here for that long?”

“Yes, Yanagi-san, I mean the owner of this cafe offered me this job after I was discharged in the hospital back then.”

“Hospitalized? Do you have some kind of chronic illness or are you involved in an accident? I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer it if it is something sensitive and personal.”

“No, it is fine to tell you about it but all I can share are what other people have told me when I woke up that day.” I take a sip of my coffee before continuing my story.

 “The doctor said that I was in a state of coma for six months after having a severe injury from falling down the stairs. I also got a panic attack when I realized that I cannot remember anything and beg them to let me see anyone from my family but the nurses accidentally told me that I don’t have any remaining family members. I feel so desperate that moment and even ask what is the point of living if I don’t have anyone and don’t even know myself but a miracle happened when Yanagi-san came in to my room and introduced himself as my mother’s little brother and promised to take care of me until I recovered.”

“I’m sorry to hear what you have been through. Errr.. by the way, you doing fine now, right?” maybe he felt a little guilty for asking and tries to lighten the mood.

“Don’t worry, I am doing fine living on my own. How about you? I heard that you always overwork whenever you have a new client, are you badly in need of cash?”

“No, it is not like that, I just enjoy doing my work too much that I always push myself to finish everything in a short period of time so I can see the outcome immediately. “ I can see how happy and passionate he is as he started talking about his job as an interior designer.

“It sounds so nice to do something you really like I guess, I wish I that I can also have some dream and passion like yours.”

“It is not too late to have a dream, just trust in yourself and one day, you will find it too.” He smiles towards me and again, I can feel my heart beating so fast that I cannot breath.

“Here is your order. Summer berry parfait, banana custard scrunch, panna cotta, soufflé, crème brulee, profiterole, blue berry muffin, macaroons, a slice of red velvet cake, fruitcake, castellan, cassata, opera cake and our classic chocolate cake and for the dessert of the month, here is your toffee apple.” Orihara-kun suddenly interrupted us when he came with the serving table with all the desserts we ordered.

“Mizuki-san I think you have ordered too much, can you really finish eating that?” Nozomi-san looks surprised to see our table filled with desserts.

“Actually this menu is for couple so this is really not all for me. We have to finish it together.”

“Cou—couples? But aren’t we just-“ his face turns redder the longer we keep talking to each other.

“Just having a simple coffee date right? Don’t worry, that is just what are menu is called.” I wink at him as a take a bite on my muffin.

“Mizuki-san please stop teasing me, what if I can’t hold it any longer.” He slammed the table and slowly rise from his seat to lean forward towards me.

I raise the muffin and use it to block his lips which are approaching my face.”Why don’t you have a bite of this delicious muffin?”

“Uhmmm... nmmmmmhhh...” it take some time before he can chew and swallow the half eaten muffin I forced into his lips and it is sort of cute watching him eat everything up.

Maybe I am getting a little out of line when I am making fun of him and so I decided to just shut my mouth before saying any unnecessary suggestive things.

“By the way Mizuki-san you are single right?” And yes I get a little too suggestive that he is starting to stir our conversation about relationships.

“Well yes, why are you asking? Is it about what you have told me when we first met?”

“I wanted to be honest with you and stop pretending so I think I have to tell it to you properly this time.” He stands up straight and then made a formal bow in front of me.”Mizuki-san I like you from the moment I first set my eyes on you. Please go out with me!”

Everyone inside the cafe heard him and so all of their attention points towards me as they all wait for my answer.

Why do you have to say it out loud? Do you think that I am like one of those dense people I see in the novels and movies that will just pretend not to hear properly something important like this crappy confession.

Nozomi Hikari, you are really an idiot!

*sigh*

“Nozomi-san please sit down first so we can talk a little more.”

“Yes, sorry.” He immediately sit back and look at me.

“So you are really confessing your feelings to a person you barely even know huh? You don’t even know my last name so you keep calling me Mizuki as if we know each other for a very long time. Nozomi-san you are really a strange guy.”

“I’m very sorry! It was my fault for not even asking your full name.”

“Hahahaha you don’t have to apologize so formally over that, I’m just kidding.”

“Then can I ask more about you? “

“My name is Mamoru Mizuki, 25 years old and single.”

“I’m glad to know you, Mamoru-san, so about my confession, what is your answer?”

“I’ll think about it for a while so you have to please me first.”

“And what should I do to please you?”

“Finish up all the food on our table.”

“What?! But what about you? I thought that you wanted to taste all desserts here but now you are asking me to eat everything.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, there is always a chance for me to try out this menu and besides, I already got the thing I like the most, my toffee apple. So hurry up and show me your determination.” I smile as I made the ‘do your best' sign with my hand while holding the candy apple

“Then I’ll do my best if this will make you happy.”

He starts off with the cakes and it is amazing how fast he eats. After that, he picked up two macaroons and shoved it in his mouth.

“Pffttttt, you really look like a hamster, ahahaha, it is so cute.” I can’t stop myself from laughing at him every time he makes his cheeks expand after putting a lot of macaroons.

“Mamoru-san, you are much cuter when you smile like that.”

“Hey, stop the flirting and just continue eating there.” He almost got me there.

Half an hour later, he finally finishes up everything, including my coffee which he has forgotten that it was mine.

“I think I consumed a month worth of sugar for my body. Do you think I will have cavities after having too much sugar?”

“No, I think you are just exaggerating things.”

“But I think my stomach is having a hard time right now.”

“Just relax for a while; I’ll make a special tea to help your feel comfortable.”

I never thought that he is weak when it comes to sweet things. Now it feels like my guilt will come hunting me if he really get sick after this.

I walk inside the kitchen to get some tea leaves but apparently, Nino with her weird grin in her face is blocking the supply cabinet where the tea ingredients are kept.

“So are you officially dating with that guy? Tell me all the details.”

“Nino please step aside, you are interrupting my work.”

“Ohh hohohoho, is the name of your work called ‘Nozomi Hikaru?’ “

“Hey stop it, you are distracting me right now.”

“Then just tell, did you say yes?”

“No, I don’t.”

“EEEhhhhh! Why?! Did you reject him? Oh my, poor Nozomi-san.”

“Hey stop with that fake drama you are having in your head, I said no to him but it doesn’t mean that I have already rejected him okay.”

“Then what are you planning to do?”

“Nothing. Besides, I don’t want to be some kind of easy to get person.”

“Ohhh I see, so you want to play as a hard to get huh? Wait don’t tell me you are just a tsundere?”

“Who said that I am a tsundere? I’m not and will never be so Nino-chan can you please step aside the cabinet before I turn into a yandere here?” I make a creepy smile and stares down at her.

“Eekkkkk! Okay fine, keep up the good work, bye!” and she run off.

Playing hard to get huh? Well I guess she is basically right but I have my reasons. First of all, loving a first just because you are attracted to them at first sight is a little irresponsible. How can you even love a person without knowing them personally? This is the main reason why a lot of people are being a victim of scammers and con artist nowadays.

Second reason is that I consider myself as someone who is incapable of loving someone. I admit that I am flirtatious but when the other person started to take things seriously and eventually confess their love towards me, I automatically back away and reject the person. My friends told me that maybe I am just afraid of having a commitment in a relationship but I still believe that it is my fear of love that made me like this.

I haven’t been involved in any love related relationship with anyone for the past 3 years and I planned to stay away from it for the rest of my life but now, what should I do with Nozomi-san who just randomly appeared out of nowhere. I should have just rejected him on the first day we met and push him away but why did I purposely played with him? Why does it feel different when I am flirting with him unlike my past experience where I am just having fun and not getting flustered when the other person flirt back with me?

“Mizuki-san? Mizuki-san! The water! The water is already at boiling point.” Miyoshi shake me off from my endless thoughts.

“Oh thanks. Miyoshi can you serve this cup of tea to Nozomi-san?”I poured the tea to a traditional tea cup and set it to a tray.

“Are you sure? I think he is expecting you to come back to him.”

“Just tell him that something came up and I won’t be back, and also tell him that I won’t be here next week so don’t bother to visit me.”

“Really? You won’t be here next week?”

“Just tell him that and don’t you ever give him any of my personal information especially my contact info and address. You got that?”

“Yes sir!”

“Then go and do your best. I’ll treat you something nice later so go along with me.”

He walks out with the tea and served it to Nozomi-san who is surprise to see that I am not the one who came to him. I just watch them interact with each other while I am just peaking from the kitchen door and I can clearly see how he is starting to make a long face when Miyoshi said something. Yosh! Good job Miyoshi, you are getting better talking with people now. After that, Nozomi gives something to Miyoshi before the kid walk away from him.

“Mizuki-san, he asked me to give this to you and tell you to contact him once you came back from your out of town trip.” He handed me a business card with the complete info.

“Out of town trip?”

“He asked me where are you going next week when I told him that you won’t be here and so I am forced to improvise a lie. I told him that Yanagi-san is sending you to a so-called dessert expo for a whole week.”

“You are quite a clever kid. Good job.” I pat his head and take a peek again and saw him taking with the last person I wanted to talk with him, Nino-chan.

Oh crap. Why of all people here is she the one to take his payment? Why?! What if he asks her about my imaginary expo next week? I have to do something and drag her away before she starts spouting things to him.

“Miyoshi, I have to ask you another favor. This time I’ll give you a coupon good for one month of the dessert of your choice if you manage to stop Nino from spilling our lie to Nozomi-san and drag her here. You have to hurry and silence her. Go!

It sounds like I am sending a Pokémon in battle when I throw Miyoshi out towards Nino and Nozomi-san.

Please, please let our lie be concealed completely until the end. I watch as my two employees pull each other until they reach me inside the kitchen. I think it really work out.

“Mizuki-san, I made it in time. You are really giving a coupon right?”

“Wait, let me confirm it first.”

“NINO let me ask you something.” I make the creepiest smile yet again to scare her.

“What is it Mizuki-san?”

“What did Nozomi-san and you talked about?”

“Nothing much, he just ask if you are okay because you didn’t come back.”

“Anything else?”

“I already said everything.”

“Really?”

“Oh actually he is asking about some kind of expo but I didn’t manage to hear the rest because Miyoshi-chan dragged me her.”

“Good job Miyoshi, I’ll give it to you later.” I gave him thumbs up before letting him go back to his work.

“Hey what is happening here? Mizuki did something happen?”

“Promise me first that you will go along with my plans from now on and never interfere.”

“Okay I promise so let me in with your secrets.”

“I wanted to hide from Nozomi-san for a whole week to see how much sincere in pleasing me.”

“What? So you want to play hide and seek with him? How about your work? What if he came in and see you walking around?”

“This is why I am telling you this; I am assigning you as the temporary in charge of managing the happenings inside the cafe while I work inside the kitchen completely hidden to our customers. I will also inform the others to go along with it.”

“So you are willing to go through such lengths just for Nozomi-san huh? I feel so excited! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure this will go well knowing that it is for your love life’s sake.” She grinned like an idiot and joins me peaking through the door to watch Nozomi-san walk out of the cafe.

This time, I wanted to try something different.

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