Chapter Text
Shuichi sighs- a deep and heavy one that causes his small cat to look over at him, while his own eyes are fixed on the ceiling above him.
He stretches his arms, yawning. It’s already four a.m, and his deadline is approaching quickly. Not to mention, his heater broke a few days ago, so he’s huddled in blankets to shield himself from the bitter chill that runs through the apartment.
He needs coffee, and soon, he decides. So, in a sluggish manner, he dragged his feet towards the small kitchen and opened the cabinet. Sugar, honey, tea … he looked through the different containers, but found no coffee.
Shuchi bit the insides of his cheeks- both a nervous and frustrated habit of his. He needed his coffee! Otherwise, he’d never finish this dang novel! So, he desperately turned to the internet.
Nearby cafe
Cafes ⋮ Ratings▾ Hours▾
Mooncoins
4.3 ★★★★☆ (486) • $$ • Coffee shop
3696 Ommokaun Ave
Closed • Opens 6:30 a.m.
Dine-in • Takeout
Parfum Espresso Bar
3.9 ★★★★☆ (275) • $$ • Cafe
3740 Ommokaun Ave
Closed • Opens 9 a.m.
Dine-in • Takeout • Delivery
Nobilitea Coffee
4.9 ★★★★★ (105) • Coffee Store
7593 Nomeihas Rd
Closed • Opens 6 a.m.
Dine-in • Takeout
Cheshire Cafe
4.8 ★★★★★ (127) • $$ • Cafe
3802 Ommokaun Ave
Closed • Opens 4:30 a.m.
Dine-in • Takeout
Shuchi checks the time by the top of the screen- 4:19 AM . He’s never heard of this so-called Cheshire Cafe , but he’s not waiting another two hours for his coffee.
He places his laptop, notebook and small pencil case in his bag, slips on his boots, coat and haphazardly-wrapped scarf, and heads out to find the coffee shop. He’s slightly skeptical of the place- because what cafe opens at four in the morning , but coffee is coffee, he supposes.
The walk is short- but his fingers and toes are bitten raw by the cold nonetheless. Along the way, snow falls from the sky, and as his hair dampens, he’s slightly bitter that he didn’t bring his hat along with him.
It’s around 4:30 when he spots it less than a block away. It’s a relatively small rectangular, two story building. From what he can see, one of the walls has been spray-painted to look like a giant keyhole with Alice- from Alice in Wonderland, the presumed inspiration of the shop- and the famed Cheshire Cat walking. The art is beautifully done, and both Alice and the Cat manage to stick out against the red and white background of the keyhole.
And Shuichi’s admiration only grows when he sees the small, colourful mushrooms and vines that have been added to the cafe’s walls (or, at least the two he can see). He wonders just how he’s never noticed a place quite as unique as this one- until he remembers that he only really goes outside to buy food and, very rarely, see family.
By the time he gets there, the neon purple OPEN sign has been lit up and from outside he can hear the slight hum of jazz music. He opens the door, and the familiar ringing of a bell sounds overhead.
He sees a short guy with purple hair looking up from a notebook. The stranger, who is most definitely the unlucky barista tasked with the 4 a.m. shift, smiles at him.
Shuichi (nervously) smiles back.