Chapter Text
He sees her sometimes, whether it’s stealing quick, fleeting glances at the window of Rengoku’s Cafe on his walk back to the office or just casually walking around downtown with her friends going about their day.
Sometimes, she sees him too, flashing him that all too bright smile, that leaves him feeling all warm and fuzzy until he remembers who he actually was and forces his face back into a neutral smile.
It’s been weeks since their last encounter, and work has been overwhelmingly stressful as of late, as their current CEO has just recently made an announcement of his inevitable retirement within the next few weeks causing some uproar within the higher ups. It has caused all sorts of problems between the departments, as the shift in leadership could lead to budget cuts in certain areas that could lead to underperforming departments shutting down and workers being let go.
And it wasn’t that Obanai’s department was doing terribly, per se. But Urokodai-buchō had started putting a lot of pressure on Giyuu to increase productivity which inevitably led to his entire team coming to work earlier than usual and staying much later than he would have preferred.
Honestly, he was just tired, Obanai thinks, as he pushes the door to cafe because to hell with his personal feelings and aversion towards a certain pink-haired beauty, he just needed coffee before he could willingly deal with anyone of those assholes he called co-workers.
The door to the cafe dings, signaling his arrival as he slowly makes his wake towards the counter, bleary tired eyes quickly scanning the menu, before his gaze shifts to the flame colored haired man with questionable red tips, who greets him from behind the counter.
He’s both relieved and disappointed that Mitsuri wasn’t working today.
Eyeing the barista as he gets closer to the counter, Obanai can’t help but note that there was something oddly familiar about him. He just couldn’t quite put a finger to it.
Obanai notices that the barista’s eyes widen slightly at him, eyes suddenly twinkling with familiarity that he doesn’t feel, as the other man’s loud voice shakes him out of his musing.
He finds himself frowning at how much energy the barista had at such an early hour.
God, he just wanted to die, Obanai thinks, as he orders a large dark roasts coffee and after a moment decides on a breakfast sandwich for take-out, when his stomach decides to let out a low growl.
He nods his head along to whatever the barista was saying to him, he taps his credit card on the machine, muttering a short “Thank you,” when he is handed the receipt. He shuffles along the end of the counter and waits patiently for his food.
Obanai pulls out his phone when he feels it vibrating, signaling a text message. Glancing at it, he rolls his eyes when he sees Sanemi’s name pops up and shoves it back in his pocket, not bothering to read it. When his name is called, he reaches forward, thanking the barista again for his service and wishing him a good day to which causes the other man to beam brightly at him.
Ugh, he hated morning people.
He takes a sip from one of his cups and sighs, welcoming the familiar thrum of caffeine flowing through his veins.
It was only when Obanai reaches his desk when he realizes that he never gave the barista his name.
—
Obanai heads towards the coffee shop for the second time that week, feet dragging across the pavement. He checks his watch and the times listed on the door then to the ‘OPEN’ sign on the window. He didn’t want to be that person banging on the door, forcing his way in when it was obvious that the shop still wasn’t open.
He wasn’t that rude.
Pushing the door, he takes note of the few people milling around the shop, minding their own business as he lets out an exhale, thankful that he had beaten the coffee rush.
Obanai was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the brightly colored Mitsuri, her pink hair a stark contrast to the darker ambiance of the shop. His chest suddenly feels warm as he tries to return her smile but it comes out more like a grimace.
Mitsuri looks at him worriedly as he makes his way over to the counter. “Are you alright?” she asks, looking down at him with those big green puppy dog eyes. Obanai just shrugs, saying that he’s fine, which he could tell that she doesn’t believe but lets it go, opting instead to ask for what he wanted to order.
He orders his usual, a single large dark roasted, which she rings up quickly, leaving him to slowly make his way to the pick-up counter. His eyes began to wander as he waits, staring absentmindedly at the displays of assorted coffee beans along on the wall.
Maybe he should buy one of those, he thinks, picking one up to read more about its contents. He only looks up at the sound of his name being called, as he puts the beans back, his other hand reaching for his coffee. He is mildly surprised when Mitsuri also hands him a small paper bag.
One of their breakfast sandwiches, Obanai belatedly realizes once his hands unconsciously wraps around said item. Realizing what he's doing, he tries to push it back, saying that he didn’t order one.
But Mitsuri insists with a smile, “It’s on the house, Iguro-san!” refusing to accept it back.
“I…are you sure? I can pay for it” He says, hands going to his back pocket, reaching for his wallet.
But Mitsuri only puts a hand up in a no-nonsense way, “Don’t worry about it!” she says, smiling at him, a pinkish glow to her cheeks.
He feels his own cheeks growing warm as well, as he thanks her profusely for her kindness as he accepts his meal and drink, turning abruptly towards the direction of the exit, a little embarrassed. He can hear her giggle softly, like tiny bells chiming in the wind, as she bids him farewell, wishing him a wonderful day.
Maybe I will, he thinks, looking back at her to give her one last smile and a nod in goodbye.
His feet suddenly feeling lighter at every step.
__
Once the door closes, Mitsuri immediately ducks behind the counter, covering her face with her hands as she lets out a silent scream, embarrassed at her boldness. Kyojuro Rengoku, who had conveniently been in the back room during the encounter, suddenly reappears by her side, takes one good look at her and laughs at her misery.
Having seen the entire encounter, from the small window of the back room, Kyojuro playfully kicks at her shoes, as he works on wiping down and cleaning the espresso machine for its next use.
“Aw, you gave him the sandwich he ordered last time,” he teases good naturally, “So you do listen to me,” he sniffs bringing a hand up to wipe an imaginary tear from his eyes. He grins, as she suddenly slaps her cheeks, leaving twin red imprints as she attempts to calm her nerves.
The door to the shop dings, causing both workers looking up at the sound as they watch a familiar burly man ducks his head to avoid hitting the frame as he walks through the doors.
“Welcome back, Himejima-san!” Mitsuri says, quickly standing, perking up at the sight of him.
Gyomei Himejima was a sight to behold. He was a very large man, with a short clean cut brown hair and a distinct scar around his forehead, but even with all of that his most defining feature were the large prayer beads he always wore around his neck, that peeks through his reflective construction vest. The man nods at them in greeting, solemnly looking at both workers and wishing them a quiet good-morning.
“The usual?” Mitsuri asks, already inputting a large pumpkin spice latte on the screen, while Kyojuro starts making his drink while also making sure to grab two cakes from the display and putting it in two separate paper bags, for take-out.
“Ah, yes. Thank you,” Himejima murmurs, saying nothing more as he pays for his meal.
Mitsuri beams back at him, “It's my pleasure! And I'll see you tomorrow, Himejima-san! Have a wonderful day,” she says as he gives her a tentative smile, nodding at Kyojuro in thanks as he is given his order, before walking away.
She sighs dreamily at his retreating figure, “He’s my favorite,” she giggles, all smiles and dimples.
“Oh? Even more so than Iguro-san?” Kyojuro nudges at her letting out a laugh, as he reaches over to grab a rag to once again wipe down the counter.
Mitsuri just bats him away.
__
Towards the end of her shift, her best friend and roommate, Shinobu Kocho, walks in hauling a heavy looking backpack, her hands clutching at a bunch of notebooks. Mitsuri greets her at the counter, her eyes lighting up, absolutely delighted to see such a familiar face. Shinobu gives her a tired smile, before ordering a Frappuccino.
Mitsuri motions her over to one of the empty couches, already fussing; saying that those books look heavy and that she’ll bring the drink over and not to worry about a thing. She watches as the shorter girl nods her head, grateful, before making her way amongst the groups of both students and customers that were seated in the café.
Just as Mitsuri was finish up adding the whipped cream to the drink, a group of college student walked in, causing her to look at the drink then at Shinobu, who had already making herself comfortable in one of the couches, having taken out her laptop and was furiously highlighting at her notebook, then back to the counter. She feels a hand softly push her away from the counter, as Kyojuro leans in to whisper, “I got this, go get that to Kocho-san,” handing her a plate of the pastry, before facing the group.
Mitsuri gives him a grateful smile, placing both items on a tray as she makes her way to her friend. Lightly tapping at her shoulder as to not startle her, she places them on the table. Shinobu’s eyes widen slightly at the extra item, mouth opening, ready to protest but Mitsuri held up a hand.
“Courtesy of Kyojuro-san,” Mitsuri says, snickering, “It’s because you’re his favorite customer.”
Shinobu rolls her eyes at that, “Doubt it, but please give him my thanks,” she says, momentarily glancing up at Kyojuro.
Mitsuri beams, “No problem! Oh, I should be done in an hour or so.” She says after a quick glance at the clock, “Is that okay?”
“No, no, you’re fine. Take your time. I’ll just be here, dying.”
“Good luck!” Mitsuri says, making her way back to the counter just as the crowd of college students are walking out the door. She gives Kyojuro a confused look, to which he shrugs, “Only one of them wanted coffee and the rest took advantage of our free water.”
“Ah.”
Kyojuro looks towards Shinobu, worriedly, “How is she? She looks more stressed than usual.”
“Oh, just nursing kicking her ass.”
Kyojuro nods in understanding, as he starts cleaning up, putting ingredients back from where he got them, “I’m sure she’ll be fine, she’s tough.”
She hums in agreement.
“What about you, how’s classes coming along?” he asks after a moment.
“Oh! Not too bad, most of my classes are just prerequisites, so I’m not that busy,” came her reply.
Mitsuri Kanroji was a business major with a concentration in management and marketing. Her family owns a fairly popular restaurant specializing in both eastern and western cuisine back where she’s from and as the eldest of five siblings, it was expected of her to take over the family business. Long term, her parents had planned on expanding their restaurant, taking it to the big city. Mitsuri had originally wanted to go to culinary school but her parents had insisted that she finish with a business degree, to prepare her for when they would eventually turn over the restaurant to her. Although, they had promised her that she can pursue her dream after getting a degree if she still insisted on becoming a chef.
She had agreed, begrudgingly, but she had agreed nonetheless.
Working at Rengoku’s Café came completely by surprise. The Kanroji’s and the Rengoku’s were long time family friends, having come from the same city where everyone knows everyone. Mitsuri and Kyojuro, despite their slight age gap, had grown up playing together but had lost touch when Kyojuro moved away for college a few years back. When Shinjuro Rengoku, Kyuojuro’s father, had announced that they were planning on expanding their coffee chain just near her university, Shinjuro had reached out to her to offered her a position, along with flexible hours as a way to make some extra money while she was away from her family. Mitsuri had accepted immediately and was surprised to find out that Kyojuro, who was finishing up his last semester, was going to manage the whole café.
And Mitsuri was absolutely delighted to rekindle her friendship with Kyojuro.
__
When Mitsuri’s shift ends, she makes her way to Shinobu, who she notices was typing furiously away at her phone, brows furrowed.
Concerned, she asks if something had happened.
Shinobu only gives her a strained smile, brows twitching slightly, “It’s nothing,” came her soothing voice, “Just a friend being an idiot.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t worry, he’s always like this. No wonder no one likes him.”
Mitsuri frowns, “That’s kinda mean.” A pause. “Wait—him? Eh? Eh? You never told me you had a boyfriend, Shinobu-san!” She clasps her hands excitedly.
Shinobu eyes widened, before she scoffs. “Please, don’t misunderstand,” she says as she starts putting away her laptop and highlighters into her backpack. “I’ve known him since forever and he terrible at communicating and just everything in general.” She gets up from the table, shouldering her pack.
Mitsuri waggles her eyebrows, eyes twinkling, as they make their way towards the doors, both waving a quick goodbye towards Kyojuro.
“How lovely! I can’t wait to meet him,” Mitsuri says once they were outside, both girls falling into step with one another as they head towards the direction of the bus stop.
Shinobu makes a face, snorting indignantly, “Like I said, he’s an old friend and I just worry sometimes because he’s kind of an airhead and gets distracted easily.”
Mitsuri giggles, “Whatever you say~” she says in a sing-song voice.
Shinobu shoves at her playfully.
__
In the comfort of his office, Giyuu lets out a series of sneezes. Confused, he looks around his office in a daze wondering if he’s getting sick. Shaking his head, he figured it was probably due to the changing seasons.
He makes a mental note to stop by the nearest drug store to pick up some allergy medicine on his way home.