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kaicubus · 10 months

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Our Evening Coffee | Hakuji x Koyuki

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warnings ✩° : fluff, meet cute, so many warm things, crushing, NOT x reader.

pairing ✩° : hakuji soyama x koyuki (modern au) characters are in high school.

premise ✩° : hajuki is the apprentice of a local coffee shop’s owner and scores a job there, little does he know the owner has a daughter who already seems fond of him upon meeting him for the first time. conversation ensues.

word count ✩° : 3.7k

authors note ✩° : my babies deserve a good ending idc RAAAAAA. also if you for whatever reason order the drink i made i would love for you to reblog this fic with a pic of it...eheh...but no i had to ask my sister who works at starbucks of what koyuki would drink and that’s what she said so i promise im not like poisoning you or anything. i personally have never ordered anything peppermint so maybe ill try it too!!

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Hakuji never really cared for coffee. He didn’t care for a lot of things, especially after his father had passed due to an incurable sickness. But even before then, coffee was never something he even liked being around. To him, coffee was bitter, the warm, roasted aroma was like smelling hot garbage, it was off and always made him uncomfortable. Just the thought of drinking what he always called, ‘hot brown bean water’ made him queasy, the taste was hard to get out of his mouth if it ever made its way in.

He was more of a green tea kind of person, anyways.

It was no surprise that when he was looking for jobs that Hakuji crossed off any coffee shops from his list, or any food centered occupations for that matter. What Hakuji was looking for was something to get his mind off of the fact he had nothing to wake up to, something with heavy lifting that would really get him sweating. He needed discipline, but of course, he wouldn’t say.

On a day where he took a break from job hunting, Hakuji happened to pass by a man who stood tall compared to him, with long charcoal black hair slicked back into a small ponytail that bounced as he walked. His eyes were closed, for some reason, arched with happiness accompanied by a wide, proud smile. Hakuji wouldn't have paid any mind to said stranger if it weren’t for the man’s careless action of walking towards the street with nothing but his hands behind his back, and the same smile strung across his face.

That’s when Hakuji decided to step in and catch the man by his wrist and pull him back into the safety of the sidewalk. The man introduced himself as Keizo, an owner of a coffee shop just down the road, looking for ‘fresh meat’ to hire and help around since the cafe was relatively new and no one really knew about it yet.

“I’ll let you handle grounding the beans. Maybe after a while I’ll let you work with the customers. You’ve got a scary face, boy, so it won’t be for a while.” Keizo laughed, “But you’ve got spirit, maybe not the taste to be here, but no one else has taken you in, right?”

At that point, all Hakuji could do was nod.

Ever since then, he trained hard to ground and pound as many coffee beans into fine dust, creating what the store demanded and getting paid a reasonably good amount to do so. For a while, Hakuji had worked in the back, away from anyone, even if no one hardly visited the cafe in the first place. It was a quaint shop, decorated with soothing, atmospheric furniture and warm lighting that made the place feel like walking into someone’s home. It reeked of coffee though, which is something Hakuji couldn’t avoid even if he tried. After all, he was the only barista on staff other than Keizo, but he was hardly ever working, just making conversation with Hakuji to spend the hours of the day.

On a particularly mellow evening, that’s when he heard the bell from the front door chime, and for some reason, it was different. usually, when a customer pops in, the door opens and slams back into place and hurried footsteps clatter in, then all that happens next is a blur of placing orders of frantic business men or cheerful teens looking to grab their fix and leave. Never once has Hakuji heard the door open so gently before.

As he perks his head up, Hakuji looks over to the sound, seeing a pair of delicate fingers clamped onto the wide, wooden door, and a small, gentle face emerge slowly from the opening. As he stared closer, Hakuji notices the paleness of the person’s hands as well as a set of pink to white ombre nails adorned with small, silver snowflake jewels, a combination he couldn’t take his eyes off of. The door opens wider and soon, a girl steps into the cafe.

Wearing a white, surgical face mask along with a baby pink sweater that appears to be too big for her size and a small, pleated denim skirt that hugs her hips, the girl with pitch black hair stands in the door way with the golden bell swaying above her head softly. For a moment, she looks around nervously, hugging her chest with hands folded, as if she’s looking for someone in particular. Everything about her disrupted the peace Hakuji once thought he had, causing him to nearly fall over as they lock eyes.

His shoulders fall and his hands loosen their grip he had on the cash register, causing a loud clanging noise to shoot from out of the machine, money flinging out of the carrier. Instantly, Hakuji turns red, and so does the noirette, and he bends down to collect all the scattered coins still spinning on the gray tile.

Just another customer, he reminds himself, she’s probably on a date or something, she looks like the type to come here for a date.

As Hakuji collects a few coins, nickles, dimes, quarters, he’s able to calm himself and revert back to his customer service mode, completely voided of any nervous feelings and becoming a husk, only meant to serve and make coffee to the customer. Hakuji turns his head up to see a hand enter his peripheral, the same hand with nails washed with pink and decorated in snowflakes.

He jumps back instantly, scattering the coins again all over the floor, stuttering with an open hanging mouth to say something when all of a sudden the girl looks at him and smiles nervously.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She apologizes, her voice soft and airy, like whipped cream and sugar. Just listening to her voice could rot Hakuji’s teeth, and he’d let it. “Here, let me help you with that.” She reaches her hand out again but Hakuji quickly stops her, placing his calloused hand on top of her smooth one.

“That’s ok,” He smiles back, looking at her through his lashes, “You shouldn’t be back here though, it’s policy that customers stay on the other side of the counter.”

Suddenly, he realized how close he was to the girl, only so many inches apart that he could faintly smell her floral scent. The gears inside his thick skull started to turn. Why did she look so familiar? Hakuji had never seen this person ever in his life before, he hardly knows any girls in the first place, so why was he second guessing himself? She was certainly younger than him, but her face was familiar, round and sharp at the same time with thin eyebrows. The only thing Hakuji could place confidently was the color of her deep, black hair that shined a reddish hue underneath the warm light and her face shape. But who doesn’t have looks like those?

He only had a few seconds of staring left before the double doors from the kitchen swung open and Keizo walked out, dressed in a coffee colored apron tied around his waist as well as a shining golden pin, presenting his name along with his manager title proudly. Hakuji jolts back and goes to explain to his manager what happened, but before he can even get a word out, Keizo smiles at him and turns towards the girl with an even bigger smile. His strong arm flies out from behind him and wraps around the girl’s small, dainty waist, managing to pull her in his embrace with a swift pull.

“Koyuki! What a nice surprise.” Keizo says, “Hakuji, I realize I never got the chance to introduce you two. This is my daughter, Koyuki. Koyuki, this is the boy I was talking to you about? The boy I took in? He’s a hard worker and really gets the business off the ground!”

“Ah! It’s nice to meet you, Hakuji!” The girl springs to her feet as well and bows her head, revealing the bun she has in her hair that Hakuji never really caught eye before. He could feel the same heat creep up onto his face as he bowed his head similarly.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Hakuji bows his head, a token of his respect. Up until that point, Hakuji hadn’t realized that there were only three people in the cafe. The silence was never an issue, as there was always something to be doing to keep busy, but now more than ever, Hakuji found himself awkwardly shifting around, tucking his hands in his pockets, anything to occupy himself from looking too long at the noirette in front of him. Keizo looks at his daughter as she does the same.

“Why don’t you both grab a seat to get to know each other? I’ll bring you something to drink, the both of you! Go, go, sit!” Keizo shoves the two urgently, sitting them both down at an empty table and pushing them both in with an unintended, strong force. “Koyuki I’ll get your regular and Hakuki...?” He glances at his apprentice with half slit eyes.

“Oh uh...” Hakuji had barely any time to register what little coffee knowledge he had, or even just about the menu itself. He had never once stopped to think of what he preferred drinking other than tea he made at home; he realized that all he did at the cafe was work, so he never actually got the chance to give their coffee a try despite making it everyday.

Koyuki smiles at the boy and waves her father over, cupping the side of his face once he bends down to hear his soft spoken daughter. She whispers something and gives Hakuji a side glance before nodding at her father’s puzzled look, followed by a hearty shrug.

“Looks like Hakuji’s trying from Koyuki’s secret menu.” Her father teases, “I’ll bring those out for you in just a second. I won’t take too long, but get to know each other while I’m making your drinks, alright?”

And with that, the cozy atmosphere filled the silence between them. Though, it didn’t feel as awkward anymore knowing that Koyuki thought of Hakuji well enough to order him a drink even he didn’t know he wanted. Still, he had more questions to ask, and so did she, they both just didn’t know how to ask them without fear of overstepping in any way. As if Hakuji had suddenly become possessed, he opens his mouth to say something but quickly stops himself, leaning forward to bow his head to the table, now regretting his decision to act so hastily. Mustering up enough courage, he raises his head and locks eyes with Koyuki’s for what seemed so floral and elegant up close, pink and yet still so dull. That’s when he opens his mouth again.

“Are you sick?” Hakuji asks, hesitantly, “I-I mean, the mask, and everything. Isn’t it allergy season?” To ask a question so forward as that surprised Koyuki, but seeing as she was wearing a surgical mask, it was only natural she’d answer. Still, her cheeks flushed pink and she looks down at her lap, rubbing her hands together.

“It’s nothing contagious, so you really don’t have to worry about me getting you sick too.” She waves her hands away from her face, “I was born sick, but I wear the mask so people don’t think I’m purposefully trying to get them sick as well. I guess I didn’t get the proper nutrients when my mother was pregnant with me, and I ended up being born super frail and...weak."

Hakuji’s shoulders fall at the weight of the sudden guilt ringing all throughout his body. Just looking at her face prompted a sense of urgency to protect her, even though he hardly even knows her. “I shouldn’t have asked, I’m sorry.”

“No, no! I’m glad you did. It’d be weird if I kept this on for the whole time,” she points at the mask, “Ah, do you think you’d be comfortable if I don’t wear it?”

“Go ahead, whatever makes you most comfortable.” Hakuji didn’t want to admit that secretly, he wanted to see what she looked like under the mask. She kept it on because of her sickness and considerateness for others around her, but there was no telling if she was secretly hiding more. It seemed like the girls Hakuji were around always wanted to hide something about themselves and in passing conversations he’d always hear one or another complain about something on their face, or something they’d lack that made them less of who they were as a person. He never really got that.

He stares at Koyuki as she removes her mask, looking at the tops of her dainty, separated lashes, watching how delicately she moved in unhooking the elastic bands from around her ears, carefully peeling back the thin sheet and revealing the lower half of her face. In that moment, Hakuji only thought of one thing. Koyuki was beautiful. Maybe beautiful was an understatement. Or maybe there was no word to express what she looked like or how much Hakuji felt in that moment. The way her black hair swooped down past her ears after losing the structure of the mask’s bands made his heart melt upon exposure.

Hakuji cuts his thoughts off and blinks, trying to not stare too much at her rounded cheeks, or her button like nose, or even the slight arch her cupids bow peaked at or even just the color of them. In fact, the color most of all was the single indicator for Hakuji that told him that Koyuki likes cute things. If it weren’t for the blooming, glittering sakura color reflecting against her lips or the decorated nail art she had, Hakuji would brush away any details that made her unique, and especially wouldn’t have focused as hard as he is now. He didn’t even notice her pink colored eyes until now, met with his icy blue ones.

“Hakuji, do you like sweet things?” She asks, trying to make conversation.

Hakuji looks into Koyuki’s eyes, tilting his head down, “Well, every once in a while. Why?”

“Maybe today can be your once in a while.” She smiles at him warmly, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the table, “I ordered you one of my favorite drinks. I actually made it for myself when my dad asked what should be on the menu. It’s a peppermint white mocha with whipped cream made with soy milk, and my dad named it after me so I think it’s—”

“Two Koyuki’s Frozen Stardust!” Keizo laughs behind Koyuki, causing his daughter to jump from her seat and bump her knees into the table.

“Are you ok?” Hakuji stands up from his chair only to be stopped by a seething Koyuki, who’s face is flushed in a beet red color.

“I-I’m fine! Please don’t worry! I just get really excited sometimes, and hurt myself...please don’t think I’m clumsy though...” Keizo sets down the two cups in front of both Hakuji and Koyuki and tends to his daughter, rubbing the top of her head affectionately and reassuring her that she’ll be just fine. Once he leaves, Hakuji glances at Koyuki again, now met with the nauseating smell of the aromatic drink in front of him, trying desperately not to pay too much mind to it. He’d begun to think about ways to prolong consuming the pungent liquid, but he knew it was inevitable and would happen sooner or later.

“How often do you get your coffee from here?” Hakuji leans forward, sliding his hands over his thighs. He needed a reason to keep the conversation going, but what would he talk about? Hakuji knew next to nothing about how to hold conversations, he could. He could ask something about school, but he would seem like he’s prying, and if he chose to ask something about her appearance, it would appear he was looking too much about her. He was, but he wasn’t going to admit that. So, coffee was his safest bet.

Koyuki smiles cheerfully, “I drink it whenever I come by, usually just too say hi to my dad but, sometimes I find myself crave it. What about you? Do you drink coffee much?”

He badly wanted to say no, no he hates it and hates the thought of drinking it, but instead, he nods, “Not often, I usually like drinking green tea. It’s simple and healthier than coffee.”

“O-Oh, that’s right! It’s very good for the heart and the skin and everything really. I keep telling myself, Koyuki you need to start drinking green tea!” She laughs, “But it’s so bitter and tastes like grass...”

“It’s not all that bad.” He reassures her softly, “I’m sure next time, I can make you a green tea here. And I’ll make sure it doesn’t taste like grass.” She seems to like his answer, smiling at the idea of seeing him again.

Beams of light seem to emmit right off of her as Koyuki’s eyes fall closed, “Hakuji, you’re a very kind person. Even now, it feels like I can really be honest with you and talk to you like a friend. I’m really glad I get to share coffee with such a wonderful person.”

Hakuji stares at Koyuki for what must’ve been lifetimes, but what was really only a couple of seconds, completely captivated by her unwavering beauty. He couldn’t even believe how lucky he was, meeting the prettiest girl ever or being introduced to her by a chance of pure luck. That’s what it must’ve been. Otherwise, Hakuji thought, there was no other way someone like her would’ve been interested in him.

Koyuki gently picks up the ceramic cup and brings it to her sakura colored lips, hooking the rounded edge to her mouth and blowing air onto the steaming drink gradually. With his finger in the handle of the small cup, Hakuji mimics her movements and goes to blow on it too, only he isn’t looking at the drink like she is, rather he’s fully immersed in her. Just looking at the way Koyuki holds the bottom of the cup with her fingers, not her palms, begged for her to spill her drink, yet she swears she has never before. It was strange, Hakuji had never seen someone so happy drinking something before.

That was, until the liquid actually made contact with his pallet, to which his face immediately scrunched upon impact. Now, the question on his mind remained, ‘How could anyone in their right mind enjoy this?’

The taste could only be described in one word: sweet. Not the kind of sweet that rolls onto your tongue in gradual sips, but the kind that assaults your taste buds like an instant shot of piping hot, liquid sugar directly into your mouth. Hakuji instantly put his cup down as he struggles to smile back reassuringly at the wide eyed Koyuki.

“I-It’s great.” He manages to choke out, swallowing the beverage down, already thinking about gagging at the coffee and peppermint taste, ��I like it. It definitely tastes like peppermint..! Mmm...so good.” Anyone can see he’s faking it, but for some reason, Koyuki doesn’t.

That was all Koyuki wanted to hear. As soon as she hears those three words come out of his mouth, she lights up instantly. Even moving just an inch forward from her seat, Koyuki gasps and shakes the table a bit from her excitement, but quickly gathers herself and clears her throat. “You really like it!?” She asks, fingers tapping on her arm, “Like, seriously?”

Seeing Koyuki’s happiness somehow manages to make the unbearable sweetness turn mild, more enjoyable for Hakuji’s taste buds to savor, so he picks his cup up again and sips once more. It’s still gross to him, but it was almost like magic that her brilliance had made the drink tolerable, but Hakuji couldn’t wrap his head around why. “Yeah, it’s good! It’s strange, but not bad. I like it.” He hides his confusion and sips from it again, only this time being able to look at her at the same time without fear of suppressing his lips from curling in disgust.

Koyuki hugs her plush cardigan and takes a big gulp of her drink, “Hearing that from someone who doesn’t like coffee makes me so happy...thank you Hakuji. It’s definitely something I know gets used to, especially for someone who doesn’t drink sweet things often.”

After a while, Hakuji notices Koyuki’s drink getting lesser and lesser, until finally it’s all gone, meanwhile his is still nearly full. But that didn’t matter, he was too invested in listening to the girl talk about her life, sometimes catching herself if she talked too much and asked about him, moving in ways where she’d get distracted and use her hands lots. It isn’t until she looks down does she realize how long she’s actually been talking.

For a split second it’d completely slipped Hakuji’s mind that he had been actually drinking the coffee every time Koyuki paused to look at him; he even found himself enjoying it. That was the weird part of it all. He had never cared for coffee until Koyuki came along.

“I have to get going, Hakuji! I promised my friend I’d meet up with her in 10 minutes.” Koyuki sits up from her seat and tucks it under, rendering Hakuji speechless as he watches her sling her bag over her shoulder, dusting herself off. He can feel himself leaning forward, wanting to ask if he could get her number or even schedule a time where they can meet again, but Hakuji bites his tongue and looks down solemnly.

“Thank you for trying my drink, Hakuji. And for talking with me. I had fun.” Koyuki’s smile alone sends Hakuji’s heart ablaze. To make it even worse, she grabs his hands in hers and gently brings them up, holding him in place and tilting her head down, “I’ll stop by every now and then to see you. I hope we can do this again and share a coffee!”

He nods and before he’s able to respond, Koyuki sets down his hands and waves goodbye, skipping off and leaving behind a soft mix of her floral perfume and peppermint coffee scent, and Hakuji alone.

The door chimes as she closes the door behind her and Keizo makes his way from out of the back and laughs, “Have a good time, Hakuji?” but he can’t hear him. He can only hear the thoughts in his head, and taste the overbearing sweetness in his mouth.

Maybe Hakuji liked coffee more than he thought.

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