Work Text:
Ei is working the counter the first time she comes in. She is certainly a vision with long pink hair and a white dress that hugs her hips. She walks as if she knows every set of eyes is immediately glued to her, and she seems to relish in the attention.
She makes eye contact with Ei, glances at the empty seats at the counter, and seats herself at a table by the window.
Ei shakes herself out of her small daze and returns to work.
She is interrupted in the middle of making a customer his coffee by Sara, who is supposed to be working the floor.
“Is there a problem?”
Sara looks like she’s been forced to swallow a lemon. “A customer wishes to speak to my manager.”
That is certainly a surprise. Sara is the most diligent employee Ei has ever worked with, always precise and deliberate with her work. She has never had a complaint about her in the long years they’ve worked together.
Sara points out the customer. It’s the woman by the window.
Ei makes her way over. “I am the manager. What seems to be the problem?”
The woman smiles up at her. There is a trace of mischief in her eyes, although Ei cannot fathom why. “My milkshake was made wrong,” she says.
Sara has never made a milkshake incorrectly in her life. Even if she could have, it’s a vanilla milkshake, the most simple of any of the store’s favors. Still, Ei knows protocol. “I apologize. May I make you a new one?”
“Of course,” the woman almost purrs.
“What was the issue?” Ei asks as she takes the glass back.
“It wasn’t made by you.”
Ei freezes in place and stares, the woman never flinching from her piercing gaze, lips pulling into a smirk.
“You heard me,” she says. She glances down. “Raiden Ei,” she reads off Ei's apron. Her eyes return to Ei’s. “And I’m Yae Miko. Absolutely lovely to meet you.”
“Indeed,” Ei replies, and it is only through years of discipline that she doesn’t lose her composure.
Before things can get worse she leaves to remake the milkshake, exactly as it had been made before.
Thankfully, Miko doesn’t say anything upon her return outside of a smug thanks.
Ei returns to her duties, only to be distracted by a quietly furious Sara.
“She took the glass,” she says, and drops a crumpled slip of paper onto the counter. Ei uncrumples it. It’s a phone number.
She isn’t sure what to make of the situation, so she crumples up the paper once again and drops it in the recycling bin, hoping to put the event behind her.
Ei is not lucky in this regard. Some days later, the next time she’s working, she’s cut off in the middle of calculating a customer’s change by a tinkling laugh. She can’t help but look for the source, and, of course, it’s Miko. Who is sitting at a table in the middle of the shop, this time. Staring right at her.
For the first time in her life, Ei has to restart her count.
She thinks she’s safe as Sara is once again working the floor, but all too soon Sara is by her side. Her subordinate is composed and seems unphased, but the tenseness of her shoulders and clenched fists show Ei that Sara is enraged.
“She wants to speak to my manager,” the girl says without preamble.
Ei generously allows her to take over at the register and goes to see what Miko is on about this time.
“I never got your text,” Miko says, sucking on her milkshake. It makes a disgusting squelching noise.
“I did not text,” Ei replies.
Miko covers her mouth and raises her eyebrows with feigned shock. “I left you my number and everything!”
“You stole my glass and frightened my subordinate.”
Ei knows she’s said the wrong thing when Miko’s eyes light up. “O- ho. Frightening? Little old me?”
Ei doesn’t engage. “If you want to speak to me, then speak to me.”
Miko lets out a laugh. “And how am I supposed to get your attention? You’re always so hard-working. There’s no other way!”
“I am doing my job,” Ei replies, lost.
Miko sighs, defeated. “So rigid. Regardless.” She glances up, false pleading in her eyes. “My milkshake was made wrong again. Would you be so kind as to remake it?”
“No,” Ei says shortly. She leaves.
Back at the register, her heart is pounding. She cannot believe she had just done that, and to a customer no less.
One part of her is glad she hadn’t fallen for the woman’s games. Another part of her wonders what Miko will do next.
Sara finds her some time later to complain yet again about a missing glass and a slip of paper with a phone number.
This time, Ei considers it. Then, feeling mischievous herself, in a way she hadn’t in some time, she throws it into the recycle bin.
Your move, Miko.
Some time passes, and Ei thinks Miko may have gotten tired of their game. She tells herself she’s glad it’s over, but she knows she’s lying. When had she begun to anticipate Miko’s visits?
She begins to regret tossing Miko’s number. Now she has no way of finding her again. She surprises herself with how much she wants another encounter, looking up with excitement rather than resignation whenever a customer enters the shop.
It is a slow day when the door of the back suddenly bursts open, causing Ei to lose count of the packets she’s trying to inventory. She turns with a sharp sigh, but inside her heart quickens with anticipation.
As expected, Sara is standing in the doorway, fists clenched and her face carefully blank.
“Is it her again?” Ei asks.
Sara takes this as an opportunity to release her frustrations. “I can’t stand her. I know nothing I’m doing is against regulation. And yet again, she asked me for my manager. I am perfectly capable of correcting any mistake!”
Ei hands the girl her clipboard. “You are, and I’m grateful for your efforts. Take over for me while I deal with her.”
Sara doesn’t show it, but Ei knows she’s grateful for the respite.
Ei leaves the back to face the object of aggravation. Miko is sitting at the counter, swirling the straw of her milkshake with one long, slender finger. She glances up directly into Ei’s eyes and smirks.
She knows exactly what she’s doing. Shameless.
Ei comes up to tower above her, crossing her arms. “May I help you?”
“You certainly may.” Miko’s smirk grows into a full wicked grin. “It’s been so frighteningly dull without you reprimanding me.” She glances behind Ei. “I take it I’ve scared your little bird off?”
“Stop harassing my subordinates if you mean to talk to me,” Ei replies.
Miko lets out a breath of laughter. “Oh, have I gone too far this time? What a shame.” She sighs dramatically and peels herself off of her chair. “I guess I have to leave now. I know when I’m not wanted.”
Ei watches the show with a blank expression. She notes how Miko takes the glass that holds her remaining milkshake with her as she leaves. She says nothing.
On the table where she had been is a slip of paper with a phone number on it.
“Is she finally gone?” Sara asks. She comes out of the back to resume her duties, allowing Ei to return to her own.
Later, Sara cries out when she notices the missing glass. Ei glances up from her phone, allowing herself a small smile.
She noticed, she texts.
The reply is instantaneous. Good. Same time tomorrow?
For the first time since taking on this job, Ei looks forward to her next shift.