[Haikyuu!!] Eternal Enticement Eloquent II

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Third Person's Point of View

Ethan

Is there something wrong?

Amelia

I-I don't know! I went to brew the espresso but…. It's not working.

Something seemed to stop at that moment.

Can this day get any worse?

Well, Ethan was just rejected yesterday by the girl he was deeply infatuated with.

And then, he woke up--his eyes puffy, of course.

His morning would've been better if he had coffee at home, but his infuriating luck said no.

So here he is, getting coffee from a coffee shop which was few walks away from his apartment.

And sadly, the coffee machine seemed to be broken.

The lady went inside the inner kitchen to get some tools.

Ethan sighed.

He felt like crying again--whether it was because he can't have his coffee or maybe because he remembers the rejection--

His gaze lifted in surprise to find a short boy smiling at the lady barista and with his hands clapped together in front of him.

Yuu

Please, please, please, Amelia--! Just one month!

Yuu

I swear, I will come back!

Yuu

That's all! I will even fix the espresso machine for you!

Amelia

What is so important in Japan Noya?

Amelia

A wedding is just one day. There's no need for you to stay there for a whole month.

The few strands of bleached hair, which was so distracting, was the only thing that Ethan stared at.

'He's somewhat familiar...' Ethan thought.

The short boy went on and on about something-or-another thing to do with his family, distracting Amelia from the espresso machine—Ethan's current concern.

Yuu

Please, please? Pretty pleaseeee?

Amelia

Noya, I can't have you leave me alone with all of this work.

Amelia

I can't do all of this alone.

Amelia

You can't stay away that long.

Yuu

I will give you Shirabu-san's phone number and email and everything!

And that seemed to do the trick.

Ethan could see Amelia's annoyance dissipate into something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

But she did seem to be struggling with something.

Yuu

I'll even work this shift, and you can go home and sleep some more!

Amelia gave in with a scratch on her nape.

Amelia

Fine.

Amelia

But you have to fix the espresso machine.

Amelia

The customer's been waiting patiently for his drink.

Without even glancing over to Ethan, Nishinoya set to work on moving the machine and fiddling with it, while explaining what was wrong on it.

Before Ethan, and seemingly Amelia, could notice, Nishinoya was already making the drink.

Yuu

How many shots?

Amelia

Three. Extra sugar. Hazelnut.

While the milk heated, Ethan caught Nishinoya looking at him.

With that gaze on him, he felt... uncomfortable?

Just who did this guy think he was?

That look in his eyes was a little too fierce for Ethan's liking, but then Nishinoya's eyes widened and he jumped.

Yuu

You're the customer yesterday!

'Yesterday...?'

'I didn't come here yesterday.'

'I was rejected yesterday---oh.'

'He's the guy from the flower shop!'

Yuu

How was the confession?

Ethan suddenly looked down and Nishinoya grimaced--realizing that he stepped on a landmine.

Conflicted on what he should do, Nishinoya quickly finished the drink and cleared his throat.

Yuu

Anyway, here you go. A special drink made with my love and effort for your enjoyment and consumption!

The drink was served towards him, and Ethan eyed it warily, looking between it and Nishinoya.

Nishinoya was grinning, trying to ease away the bad atmosphere.

Ethan

Suddenly I don't think I want to drink it.

Yuu

Rude! I make amazing drinks!

Ethan

I'm sure you do! But you look suspicious!

Nevertheless, he took the drink, and brought it to his lips being careful to mind the heat.

Yuu

There's nothing suspicious about me!

Ethan

I highly doubt that….

Finally, Ethan let himself take a sip of the drink, and once the heat settled down, the taste settled in.

It was sweet, but not in a bad way, and there was the hazelnut he asked for but it was more inviting than he had expected.

The drink wasn't thick yet it offered a richness that combatted the bitterness of the espresso.

Ethan

It… it's really good….

Yuu

I told you I made a good drink!

Nishinoya flashed a proud smile, snickering.

Ethan

The flowers you gave me was kinda unlucky though.

Yuu

Hey, don't blame your misfortune to my flowers.

Well, Ethan knew that it was all of his fault for misreading the girl's intentions.

He assumed that she felt the same way--so there it was, the tingling pain.

Behind him, Ethan heard the door open and a loud rumble of talking accompanying it.

That was his cue to go, and so he sighed.

Ethan

Thanks for the drink.

Ethan turned on his heel after paying, taking another sip of the drink, almost angry that he was enjoying it as much as he was.

And he didn't want to admit it, but … it was a really good coffee.

Ethan

I guess I will come back to this place tomorrow.

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