Work Text:
It was a quiet day at the coffee shop Toge worked at. Granted it was a very hole-in-the wall café, but being located on a main street gets its visitors sometimes. They only had a couple sitting at a booth to the far right of the café, so Toge decided it wouldn't hurt to scroll on his phone for a little.
He hoisted himself onto the back counter that was empty since they had no customers and unlocked his phone. He sat there idly checking his social medias while soft piano music played in the background (if it was up to him there would definitely be some sort of hip hop song playing, but one of his coworkers had dibs on the speakers today).
He didn't know how much time went by before he was rudely snapped out of his relaxing trance of the internet, “Inumaki-senpai, if anyone else found you like this, they’d tell Gojo for sure.”
Toge peered up from his phone to give his coworker, Megumi Fushiguro who happened to be the owners god-son, a blank stare.
Megumi rolled his eyes, “There’s apparently an event happening down the street, we might get an influx of customers.”
It was Toge’s turn to roll his eyes, this place would be the last choice for an event goer, especially if there are chain cafes just right down the block. Megumi shook his head, “You’re lucky you're my favorite coworker.”
Toge grinned from behind his mask and hopped down from the counter. He walked over to Megumi and patted his shoulder, when the other turned to look at him Toge raised his eyebrows suggestively.
It took him a minute to figure out what he was implying, and when he landed on the answer he flushed immediately, “Nevermind! You're the worst!”
Toge’s shoulders shook with quiet laughter as Megumi stormed off to the back, teasing the boy about his crush on a certain someone never got old. Toge recovered from his laughing fit and assumed his position by the cash register.
It seemed like the couple from earlier left while the two were talking, so the cafe was left empty again. Toge sighed bordely as he grabbed some cleaning supplies to wipe down their table.
In the middle of his cleaning, he noticed how loud things had gotten outside and turned to look out the shop's windows. There was surprisingly a bustling crowd walking down the main road, the event Megumi mentioned must have been over. He shrugged it off, most of them were piling into other shops or leaving back to their cars, so like he assumed earlier, they would be getting no customers.
Until that godforsaken bell hung on the door proved him wrong. He jumped at the noise and looked at who had entered. They were wearing dark sunglasses, a black baseball hat and a surgical mask, much like the one he was wearing. If he was totally honest, the get up was suspicious to say the least, but he worked at a hole in the wall coffee shop, what did he care?
He quickly jogged up to the ordering counter and stood behind the cash register once again. Apparently the person was too busy taking in the place to notice Toge run over, perfect, that leaves one question left unasked.
The customer took their time looking at their menu and bakery counter. Toge understood if they were a brand new customer they should have time to look over their options, but he was getting a little bored. He took the chance when the customer had his head turned away from the register to hide himself behind the drink machines, if he was going to take that long, might as well check his phone again.
He skimmed through all the trending pages to see if the event nearby was a popular one and turns out it was. A surprise pop-up event for a few actors and singers, Toge was only a little familiar with the names listed, but nothing that caught his eye.
He was startled once again by the counter bell ringing, the customer must have been finally ready. He pocketed his phone and tried to put on his best customer service smile even if it was hidden behind his mask.
The customer made a small “oh” upon seeing Toge, probably not expecting him to be so close by, and shifting nervously. Toge decided to ignore it and nodded politely.
“Hello, could I get a…uhm, matcha iced latte?” He said more as a question.
Toge punched in the order and nodded again, he looked up from the register and tilted his head to ask if that was all.
Luckily, the customer caught on, “Oh! And one chocolate filled croissant, please.”
He added one croissant and gestured to the card reader. As the customer paid for his order, he grabbed a cup from the side and took out his sharpie. When he looked up from the reader, Toge motioned to the cup for his name, “Uh, Yuu! Yuu is fine.”
Ignoring how odd his own name delivery was, he jotted down his name and gave a thumbs up as the register chimed that his order was paid for. The man nodded and walked to the end of the counter where he could grab his items.
Toge busied himself behind the drink machines, matcha lattes were ingrained in his muscular memory by now, so he didn’t need to concentrate all that much on making it.
He was done in about three minutes flat and topped it with its lid with a loud snap. He placed it on the counter and looked up for the Yuu who ordered it, he almost recoiled in shock when blue eyes locked onto his, he wasn’t expecting him to take off the sunglasses (even though they were inside).
The man shuffled up to the counter to take his drink and Toge had to shake off his shock to get him his croissant. He bagged the pastry and slid it across the pick-up counter as well.
He met his eyes one last time when he took his pastry and he saw them crinkle up a little, like he smiled underneath his mask, “Thank you!”
Toge nodded slowly and offered a smile as well, hoping it got across to him like his did for Toge. He watched the man walk up to the door and peer out of it for a second, like he was looking for something.
He heaved a sigh of relief and turned his head, “Have a good day!”
Like that, the strange customer was gone. Toge sighed at the whole encounter and returned to his phone.
The next time he saw the strange customer, Yuu, it was a rainy day. Now, Toge wasn’t someone to remember customers' faces or orders, but with how slow the café runs, he picks up on a few. Especially if they were weird enough to wear sunglasses and a baseball cap inside.
The door chimed for the fourth time that afternoon and the café was flooded with the sound of rushing rain for the moment it was open.
Fortunately, Megumi had to work the floor today with Toge instead of taking inventory in the back, so Toge didn’t have to deal with the register (he’ll forever thank Megumi for that).
He idly placed fresh baked pastries into the display case while Megumi dealt with the customer who just entered.
“Inumaki-senpai,” Megumi called over and handed him the cup with the written order.
Toge flashed him a thumbs up and began the order, taking note that it was an iced matcha latte again (but people ordered those all the time).
He made it with ease and placed it on the order counter, “Oh, one more thing too,” Megumi said coming up behind him. He ducked out of Toge’s way and grabbed a pastry bag, “You just finished the croissants, right?”
Toge paused for a moment, then nodded. Megumi fished out a chocolate croissant and passed Toge to get to the order counter, “For Yuu.”
Toge didn’t know why he instinctively froze from Megumi calling the customer's name. His coworker gave him a look, “Are you ok?” Toge nodded quickly.
Megumi shrugged and went back to the register. With him out of the way he could now see the customer grab his order.
They locked eyes, with his hat discarded from being drenched in the rain, he was able to see them clearer. Toge could’ve sworn he saw them light up, “I didn’t know you were working today!”
Toge’s mouth hung open in surprise, not that it could be seen, “Wait! Wait, that sounded wrong. I didn’t mean—!”
Toge furrowed his brow, but he was kind of amused by his fussing, “I just didn’t think anyone else worked here, it’s a small place!” He laughed awkwardly.
Toge nodded in a sarcastic way and the man scratched the back of his neck, “Your pastries…are really good too!”
Toge eyed him up and down, but dipped his head in thanks, “Well, uh, have a good day!”
With that, Yuu sped out of the cafe and back into the pouring rain. Megumi gave him a questioning look, Toge could only shrug helplessly in response.
With Toge still being in college, he had asked his boss for some time off so he could finish his group project he was working on (luckily with friends so he didn't have to do all the work).
The day he was returning to work, Megumi approached his group's table during study hall, “Uh, Inumaki-senpai?”
Toge turned in his chair and waved with a questioning tilt to his head, “We have a shift this afternoon right?”
Toge nodded suspiciously, “Good, because a customer asked for you.”
Toge just stared, “I don’t know either.” Megumi held his hands up in defense.
Toge thanked Megumi for telling him and he left with a small “see you later”.
“A customer asked for you? At that run-down place?” Maki questioned from next to him.
He swatted her arm and typed on his computer, It’s not run-down, it’s just…un-busy.
Maki scoffed, “You’re just trying to keep a job that’ll pay well with barely any effort put towards it.”
Ok, she got him there.
Maki cackled at his scoff and told him to get back to work.
Study hall passed as quickly as it could when you’re working on a project, Toge packed up and headed for work.
He was lucky enough it was only a few streets away from his college, so he didn’t have to spend any money on transportation, plus a good walk wouldn’t kill him if all he did was sit around on his phone or playing games all day at home.
As expected, when he arrived there was no one at the café, maybe except Megumi in the employees room getting ready for his shift. He hopped the counter to get around faster and started getting ready for his as well.
The beginning of his shift went by slowly, but half way through it suddenly sped up.
They actually had an influx of customers, and with one worker on the cashier and one making drinks, it got a little frazzled, for the first time in forever they had a lunch rush.
Toge had overheard some customers' conversations while they were waiting for their drinks, something along the lines of “why do you think he likes it here so much?” and “do you think he’ll show up!?”
Toge, to say the least, was bewildered. Maybe they had the wrong café? There was literally no one of importance who came by this café, but Toge was too exhausted to think right now as he kept getting orders.
Soon, and it couldn't come quick enough, the crowd died down and the shop was left empty again. Both workers were slumped in chairs reeling from what had happened.
“I thought…the most customers we would get today was your favorite one and Itadori..” Megumi wheezed out.
Toge kicked his coworker from under the table and glared at him, “Ow, ok, not your favorite customer…”
Toge huffed at him and shook his head.
The bell on the door chimed and both shot upright in their seats, they were put at ease though when they saw familiar pink hair, “Yo?”
Itadori, Megumi’s classmate and café regular (also may or may not be Megumi's crush), waved at them and tilted his head, “Are you both on break?”
“No, we just had the strangest lunch rush, you couldn't have come at the worst time,” Megumi drawled as he sluggishly pulled himself from the chair.
Itadori chuckled, “My bad! I just missed the hot chocolates you make me!”
Toge ignored how Megumi's ears burned red for now, he put the information in the corner of his mind to tease about later.
Toge decided to get up from his chair too, when Itadori was around you couldn't pull Megumi away from him, and Toge wasn't allowed to make the college freshmens chocolate.
He placed himself behind the register and offered a smile and nod to Itadori as he paid, “Good afternoon, Inumaki-senpai! Hope you’re still alive after that rush.” Toge rolled his eyes and shooed him away to get his drink.
After Itadori walked away and sat with Megumi to chat, the doorbell rang again.
He couldn't wait to go home.
And none other than Toge’s appointed favorite customer walked through that door, but this time he wasn't wearing anything to obscure his face.
Toge wasn’t astonished at all, he wasn't, he just had a nice face. A nice face with deep blue eyes and parted black hair that framed his face.
Ok, maybe he was a little his type.
Toge cleared his throat and bit his lip nervously from behind his mask, sure he thought he was interesting before, the first customer to speak up to him when he didn't utter a word, but seeing his face now made his fingers buzz a little with anticipation.
When he walked up to the register, Toge saw how his eyes were shining, literally, “Ah! Uh–you’re here again!”
Toge nodded slowly, lifting his eyebrows, sure he found him handsome and he was unreasonably nervous right now, but it was fun to tease him.
“Wait, again, that sounded wrong, I just–I’m not stalking you!” He visibly flushed, embarrassed.
Toge silently laughed, shoulders shaking, and he waved a hand in front of him to say it didn't matter and he was fine.
“Still…it’s quite rude to say that and my friends always tell me I'm too quick to speak my mind.” He apologized earnestly.
Toge sighed fondly and tapped the register screen, through his fumbling, Toge took it upon himself to punch in his order, the one he always ordered. And if he wanted to order something different, Toge would scream into his pillow later.
Yuu followed his finger down and read the screen carefully, “Oh wow! Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted!”
Toge smiled and motioned to the blinking card reader, if he wasn't such a broke college student he would've paid for his drink in an instant, but he needed to buy groceries tonight.
After the transaction was finished, the barista bowed his head in thanks and motioned to the pick-up counter, Yuu smiled and nodded then made his way over.
Toge made his drink the same as ever, but when he went to write his name, he added something more.
“You’re funny and a little interesting, here’s my number so we can actually have a conversation instead of gestures.”
As he finished up the order, Toge paused. All the nerves washed away as he was working and he only now realized something.
Had this customer been understanding him through his gestures?
He always replied normally to his waves and nods, it felt like he was talking to an old friend, but that couldn't be it, they only had like four encounters. Toge decided to keep this dilemma to himself and pass his order to the receiving customer.
He made sure to pass the written part towards him so he wouldn't miss the writing. Yuu smiled wide at him, “Thank you!”
He looked down at the drink and pastry bag and paused. Toge shrunk away in embarrassment back behind the drink machines and to the register, he was lucky the machines blocked the pick-up counter from there.
It took a few moments (moments too long) for Yuu to round back to the order counter and towards the door.
Before he left he turned his head, Toge saw how red he had gotten, “Um, thank you again! S-see you later.” After that he rushed out of the café, hastily putting on his weird get up again.
Toge slumped all the way to the floor and deflated in embarrassment, he was going to pass out when he got home, too much stress today.
“Hey, Inumaki-senpai?”
Toge groaned from the floor, but heaved himself up with the counter. Itadori was hovering over the register to look at him on the ground, “Did you know him?”
The barista made a so-so gesture with his hand and tilted his head, “He just looked familiar, that's all.”
Toge shrugged and Itadori returned it, “Well! I’m off now, I’ve got practice. Take care of Megumi for me!” Itadori grinned.
Toge gave him a thumbs up and he was gone just like that.
Megumi came behind the counter a little bit later, face completely flushed.
Toge grinned and waggled his eyebrows at him.
“Please, shut up.”
After that long hard day, Toge decided he was too tired to shop for groceries and headed straight home.
He immediately flopped onto the couch after turning the TV on for background noise and unlocked his phone.
While he works, he always leaves it on do not disturb, even when he’s on it on the clock. He swiped the notification center down and all the embarrassment from this afternoon rushed back to him.
He saw several text from an unknown number, which he quickly changed the contact name.
[favorite customer] 3:42pm
Hello! This is Yuu, the customer who frequents your café a lot, who is definitely not a stalker!
[favorite customer] 3:43pm
I think saying that really doesn't help my case
[favorite customer] 3:43pm
But anyways, I saw you left your number on the cup and I hope it wasn't a mistake…
[favorite customer] 3:45pm
And if this isn't strange to say either…I think you're really interesting too!
Toge quietly laughed at all his texts, he was one of the few who texted just how they talked.
[Toge] 5:48pm
LOL what a way to start out messages
[Toge] 5:48pm
and no it wasnt a mistake
[Toge] 5:48pm
How do you mistakenly give someone a number?www
[Toge] 5:49pm
but …im glad you find me interesting as well, if that doesnt make me weird
Toge struggled what to type next, does he immediately confess his attraction? Ask him out on a date? Try to get to know him first?
A small typing bubble popped up before he could think anymore.
[favorite customer] 5:52pm
No! No not at all! I would say I’m glad too! We can both be weird if that’s what you think
[favorite customer] 5:52pm
I apologize about my first messages as well, my friends tell me I'm always too straight forward.
[Toge] 5:53pm
www Dont worry abt it man, if i thought it was anyway creepy i definitely wouldnt have written my number on that cup
[favorite customer] 5:54pm
Oh…oh! I guess that would make sense haha.
The dilemma of what to type next was back and there was no typing bubble from the other. Sighing, he almost gave up and went to bed, but he got another notification.
[favorite customer] 6:01pm
So…we both find each other interesting…would it be weird of me to ask you to dinner? Or lunch? It might be obvious, but I’m not too savvy on technology.
Toge stared at his phone, seriously, how could he know what he was thinking all the time.
He responded quickly (and he will look back on what he said and scream about it later), accepting and choosing a place. The place Yuu offered wasn’t one Toge heard of, but he accepted graciously, a free meal is a free meal.
They decided on the next day he had off, which was conveniently this weekend, and bid each other goodnight. Toge had to go to bed that night with butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
To say the wait for his date was agonizing is an understatement. It was the night before and Toge had asked Megumi and his group over to hang out with, totally not to steal Kugisaki Nobara’s fashion advice.
Megumi thought the invitation was suspicious, but accepted anyway, he was too respectful for his own good. When they arrived, Itadori was immediately attracted to his gaming console set up, Toge gave him permission and shoved the other two victims to his room.
“Senpai, this is a very odd way of asking us to your room.” Nobara chided.
Toge smacked her shoulder and pointed to his closet, “He has a date this weekend and needs help dressing up for it.”
Toge scowled and made an X with his arms, “Sure, sure not a date, whatever. He has dinner with one of his favorite customers.”
“You’re going to dinner with a customer?” Nobara accused.
Toge shrugged noncommittally.
“He says he’s cute.”
Toge was going to strangle his coworker.
“Normally, I don’t do work for free,” Nobara said while flipping her hair out of her face and crouching down into his closet, “but since I was your first pick for this, I’m a bit flattered.”
“You’re boosting her ego.” Megumi stage whispered to him.
Nobara lightly kicked him in the shin, Toge chuckled at their antics.
“What was the place you’re going to?” Nobara questioned, now head deep into his clothes shifting them around.
Toge held up a finger while he fished his phone out of his pocket and opened the tab he had about the restaurant. He turned it to face his underclassmen, it took them a second to read the name of the place, when they did their jaws dropped.
“Are you joking?!” Nobara screeched.
Toge shook his head with a questioning look, “That’s like, one of the top rated restaurants in town. Like, all the way up there.”
Toge stared at her blankly.
“How come someone who goes to Gojo’s café invite you to a place like that?” Megumi debated.
Their panic was interrupted by a knock on the open door, “I heard Nobara’s screech, something happen?”
The girl of the group marched over to Itadori and hit him over the head, he seemed used to it so Toge brushed it off.
“Inumaki-senpai got invited to a top notch restaurant.” Megumi supplied.
“By who?”
“His favorite customer.” Nobara added.
“Wait, that black haired dude when I was at the café?”
Toge nodded.
“Hold on,” Itadori left the room and the three leftover gave each other questioning stares.
Itadori returned with his phone in hand, “It was bothering me a lot, how familiar he looked, so I did a lot of digging,”
Megumi was about to lecture him on internet stalking, but the other cut him off by showing his phone, “Look! He looks just like top actor Yuuta Okkotsu!”
Toge stared at a picture pulled up on google images, he was right, he bared a lot of resemblance to the famous actor.
“And that’s not all! I took a look at his Instagram and,” he took his phone back to click a few buttons, “His drink posts! They’re from Gojo-sensei's café!”
Both Megumi and Toge’s eyes widened in surprise, sure enough they looked at a picture taken right outside of the cafe, store sign and all.
The three underclassmen fell into a heated conversation, trying to figure out if he was actually their beloved Inumaki-senpai’s favorite customer.
There was one problem with this though. Toge sighed and brought out his own phone, he opened his notes and and typed something down. He shook Itadori’s arm to get them to stop yelling at each other (even if it wasn’t meanly) and showed him his phone.
Itadori squinted at it, reading it over and over again, “Wait…what do you mean you don’t know Yuuta Okkotsu?!” He screeched much like Nobara did before.
The other two screamed in unison as well while Toge just shrugged.
Not much of a movie person? He supplied.
“He doesn’t just do movies! He’s got songs, he’s in tv shows, commercials, anything! You name it!” Nobara listed off.
Video games?
“I don’t think he stars in any video games,” Itadori said intelligently.
“Inumaki-senpai wouldn’t know him if he’s not in video games,” Megumi agreed.
Ok, I’m feeling judged right now.
“Good! Because I am judging you!” Nobara barked, “You have a date with the Yuuta Okkotsu! And you didn’t even know!”
Toge shrugged.
Nobara groaned loudly and resumed her assault on his poor closet, “I’m making you the best god damned outfit, so you better put in a good word for me! I’m not in the designer department for nothing!”
Toge rolled his eyes, but agreed in fear of her not continuing to help.
Their night went on just as chaotic as expected, but even with a lot of jabs at each other, they never complained about helping him out.
Maybe they saw how nervous and excited their upperclassman was about this date, and they knew it wasn’t about the newly found out fame either.
Nobara settled on a turtle neck with high waisted jeans paired with some Doc Martens he had in there collecting dust. It got pretty late, so she gave pointers on how to accessorize while she got ready to head back.
He humored her and nodded along, he wasn’t sure if he could accessorize himself all that well, but for her he would try. He bid them a goodbye and thank you for coming by, he shut the door and immediately went to get ready for bed.
The night of the dinner was finally upon him. He wore the stuffy turtleneck and skinny jeans supplied for him as he stood in front of the aforementioned restaurant. He took an Uber here when they both agreed upon meeting just at the restaurant (Toge now self conscious of his living arrangements after finding out who he was).
He took a deep breath in and stepped towards the double doors, when he entered inside he nearly collapsed at how expensive everything looked. He's pretty sure the lobby was bigger than his apartment.
He nervously fumbled with a necklace he paired with his outfit and scanned the area, he saw the host podium where you were supposed to tell your reservation. Only he had forgotten one thing, how he couldn’t ask.
Toge hadn’t utter a word in years and he sure as hell couldn’t here of all places. He felt panic heat crawl up the back of his neck and his breath shorten. Great, was he going to nervously panic his way out of a hot date?
His thoughts were broken apart from something so warm touching his shoulder. He turned sharply and looked into deep blue eyes, “Hey,” he spoke just as softly as his eyes looked.
Toge blinked a couple of times to get rid of the burning tears and nodded in return, “I’m glad you could find yourself safe here, I was waiting just over in those booths.”
He was waiting for him. He waited for him because he knew Toge couldn’t talk. He bowed deeply upon coming to that realization.
“Oh, please! There’s no need to do that, I just wanted to be the first to greet you.” He smiled genuinely at him.
Toge’s stomach butterflies were back all at once, he blushed immensely and smiled back.
“And don’t worry, I picked us a private room too!” He exclaimed.
Toge raised his eyebrow at him, full on teasing him, “Wait—ok that sounded bad too, this restaurant just offers VIP rooms! That’s all it is!”
Toge felt out of place again, sure his friends said he was the top actor, but that meant he was this rich? The poor barista really couldn’t fathom it.
“Let’s check in?” Yuu (well Yuuta) offered.
Toge nodded. Yuuta held out his arm for the other to wrap his own around, very gentlemanly, another point on Toge’s attraction scale.
They walked up to the hostess, who seemed to pause before putting on her customer service smile (Toge could tell), “Reservation?”
“For,” Yuuta glanced down to Toge, he innocently tilted his head, “For Yuuta.”
The hostess’ hands visibly paused this time, she looked through her booklet (like she needed to if he was this famous), “Ah, yes! I see you right here, just on time! Please follow me.”
She grabbed two menus and led them to the far back of the restaurant.
If Toge was completely honest, these VIP rooms were like the ones he saw when he turned twenty, but he wouldn’t dare tell Yuuta that.
“Right in here, the server will be with you shortly.”
Yuuta thanked her while Toge dipped his head. They entered the room and the door shut with a soft click.
“Here,” Yuuta ever so graciously walked over to a chair and pulled it out, another point to the gentleman.
Toge batted his eyelashes obnoxiously and placed a hand on his chest, Yuuta laughed wholeheartedly, “I’m just trying to be the perfect date.”
Toge made note to tell him this is already definitely up there. He took the seat gratefully.
Yuuta rounded the table and sat in his own, “What were you thinking of ordering?”
What were you supposed to even eat at a top end restaurant? Caviar?
Toge tapped the menu, “Oh, right! Of course, let’s look through it first.”
Again, he fully understood Toge’s gesture, oh no he thinks he’s falling deeper.
A couple minutes passed by in comfortable silence, them both reading the menus.
A knock came from the door and the waiter walked in, Toge didn’t say anything but he for sure noticed how giddy the waiter was, “Good evening, I’ll be your server for today. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have water to start out,” Yuuta trailed off, eyeing Toge. He quickly nodded, “Two waters.” Yuuta smiled
“Were we ready to order?”
Toge was at a loss for what to order, all the food names were too fancy for him to read even with the descriptions.
“What do you think about sharing an order?” Yuuta inquired.
Toge took him up on his offer immediately, “Ok then, we’ll get the white truffle pizza, please.” Yuuta gave a polite smile. The barista wasn’t too sure what white truffle was, but he definitely knew pizza, he heaved a quiet sigh of relief.
“Absolutely, I’ll have that out right away.”
When the waiter was gone, Toge gave him appreciative eyes, “Don’t worry about it!”
Ok, Toge was falling hard.
About twenty minutes passed before their pizza was brought to them. They passed the time with idle chatter, mostly getting to know each other, Toge having to text a few of his questions and answers to him, he never seemed to mind.
The pizza looked absolutely delectable to Toge, the stress and nerves weighing in his stomach. He took a plate offered from the waiter and went to cut a slice, only to be interrupted.
“Excuse me…” the waiter surprisingly spoke, “may I…” he trailed off nervously.
Toge glanced at Yuuta, he had a polite smile on, but Toge saw how it didn’t reach his eyes, this was fun to watch.
“I’m sorry, I’m in the middle of an important dinner right now, perhaps later?” Yuuta respectfully declined.
He saw how quick the waiter's face turned red and he immediately apologized, speeding off.
Once the door to the room was closed, the actor sighed, “I’m sorry, I don’t know why people ask at such inappropriate times.” He scratched the back of his neck, definitely a nervous habit.
Toge shook his head dismissively and motioned to the pizza.
“Actually, there was something I’d like to tell you beforehand…” Yuuta trailed off.
Toge internally rolled his eyes, guessing what this was about. He brought him to the most expensive restaurant for god sake!
He held up his finger and brought his phone back out, Yuuta waited patiently until he finished typing.
Toge then showed him his phone screen with a deadpan expression,
What? That you’re the world renowned Yuuta Okkotsu?
Yuuta’s jaw dropped and Toge laughed, “You knew?”
The barista shrugged and shook his head,
My classmates recognized you at the café and told me. I honestly had no clue who you were.
“You…didn’t?”
Toge shook his head.
“But, you still went on a date with me?”
Well, yeah? You’re handsome, funny, and a little stupid but in an endearing way. Couldn’t pass you up tbh, knowing who you are wouldn’t change anything.
Yuuta’s eyes turned a little misty, he had to look away to wipe them, “Ah, ahah sorry, I didn’t—“
Toge nudged his foot under the table to get him to look up, when he did he leaned over the table as much as he could and cupped his face to wipe his eye. He smiled as gently as physically possible, then motioned to the pizza.
Yuuta snorted, “Yes, of course, please dig in. And, thank you.”
Toge gave him a thumbs up and took two slices for himself.
The night passed smoothly, so incredibly smoothly he forgot all about his butterflies in his stomach.
They stood in front of the restaurant ready to part ways (not that either of them wanted to), “I had an incredible time tonight.”
Toge nodded eagerly, trying to convey the same emotions, Yuuta laughed, “I would love to do this again.”
Toge grinned at him, he didn’t have to ask him twice.
Something buzzed from within Yuuta’s pocket, “Well, I guess I should really get back now, you have a ride back?”
Toge gave a thumbs up and flashed him the screen of his phone with Megumi's contact info, “Your coworker, that’s a relief.”
Toge giggled at him, “Then, I’ll see you at the cafe?”
The barista nodded eagerly again.
Before either of them turned away from each other, Yuuta suddenly leaned in. Toge was too surprised to do anything, not even close his eyes as soft lips barely brushed his own.
Yuuta slowly pulled back, face fully red as he covered his lips with the back of his hand (like he wasn't the one that kissed him), “Please get home safely.”
With that, Yuuta turned to where Toge assumed his ride was and left, leaving Toge a blushing mess now, he was definitely sending him multiple texts later.
But, if Toge went home that night surfing the internet and investing in streaming sites, that’s only for him to know.