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Oh, it's a pretty day.
Michael Kaiser was never the type to observe the weather. Though today, he seemed indifferent since it was his birthday.
Birthdays’ are just a pathetic reminder that you're getting old, anyway. No need for some celebration or anything. He had an important terminal tomorrow, so of course he should be studying.
He felt his stomach churn. Kaiser did not get any birthday wishes. To be fair though, neither did he expect any. Except for the computer-sent ‘happy birthday’ notifications you get for several apps, not really anyone contacted him.
Though, he sat on his study table unaffected. Now was definitely not the time to despair over life, he should be studying.
He did not make any friends at his University. Friends were more of a hassle than help. And he didn't.. have a family to wish for him, either. Not that it was important right now.
Water isn't wet.
This is because most scientists define wetness as a liquid’s ability to maintain contact with a solid surface, meaning that water itself is not wet, but can make other objects wet.
Kaiser was scrolling on his phone, scrolling through a random article about ‘101 Fun Science facts!’ Procrastinating can be universal, and he got quite distracted.
A quiet groan escaped him when he slammed down his phone. He didn't even realise he had picken up his phone and had been scrolling for 20 whole minutes. Studying was starting to become tiring however.
He needed a break. Debating on whether he should eat the cup noodles, which has been his ideal meal for 6 days straight, he decided to treat himself out today.
2:37 PM in bold, red letters flickered on the digital alarm clock. It was already noon, and that meant he forgot to eat anything in the morning. Except two slices of PBJ however.
Kaiser swiftly got up and went towards his jacket, it wasn't cold outside, but he still decided to put it on. Actually, it was really hot. He didn't think much and took the house keys and stormed outside.
Today the birds are chirping quite loud, don't you think?
He was walking through the streets, and it was quite crowded. Japan can be hustling sometimes. When he first arrived, he took some time to adjust to his new home. It was a new city, new state, new country, new atmosphere and new everything. And a new fresh start too, ofcourse.
Strolling through the city, it didn't seem bad. He saw a lot of shops, and even some looked awesome. Though, none of them really were eye-catching. He continued walking parallel, unamused.
Then, he saw a shop. Some would say that there wasn't anything interesting about it. But he could swear that a certain vibe emerged from inside that was attracting him inside.
Kaiser decided to give in, and go inside to see what it is. Before he was going to enter, he decided to observe a board put up outside. He lived in Japan for quite a while now, so he was able to read Japanese with ease.
Kitty-Cat Café!
SPECIAL SUNDAY
Drinks are half-priced!!
Do not be afraid, the quality is impressive!
Please do come!!!!!!
He sighed. Japanese people have a very interesting way of luring foreigners in. Maybe that's why he was attracted inside. Anyhow, he decided to go in.
A bell chimed as he walked inside. Apparently, the air was pleasantly cool in the café, despite it being blazing hot outside. He decided to take a seat and pull out his phone.
But then, he realised he had been studying and using his phone all day. He couldn't risk a headache, no matter what. He sighed while discarding his phone into his pockets.
It seemed that there was no one inside the café to take his order? And apparently there wasn't anyone else except for him either. He looked forward and saw a menu. It was cutely decorated, and it was kind of clear that the person who made it put a lot of effort into it.
Cliché.
The names were cutesy, ‘the princess pudding,’ ‘the jelly wrath,’ ‘the chocolate beauty,’ ‘bumkin’ pie,’ and ‘the magician,’ It seemed that it was definitely intended for attracting teenage girls, kids, or mothers’ who want to shut their children up by feeding them food.
As he skimmed through the menu, his eyes stopped for a second. A name really caught his attention. ‘The Blue Rose,’ It kind of caught him off guard, since he did have a blue rose tattoo encarved into his body.
Another name that caught his attention was, ‘The Emperor.’ These two names were definitely different from the others. He wonders if that is intentional.
Kaiser just kept repeatedly tapping his foot on the ground, he was getting impatient. He wonders if he had made a mistake in choosing this establishment, as hunger was making itself bold by growling in his stomach.
As he was almost ready to leave, a rushed voice greeted him in japanese, “Hellooo~ Wait—do not leave please!” a suspiciously too sweet voice urged him to stay.
“God, I was wondering if anyone even existed in this plac—” as much as Kaiser wanted to complete the sentence, he just couldn't find the right words to do so. Everything went in slow motions. Just like in the movies.
He was perfect. That's an interesting way to describe a stranger you just met..
Rosy pink lips, the most adorable face with the most perfect facial structure, eyes beaming with sparkle, and oh, how the hell were you supposed to describe his hair? It was so soft and pretty, he figured he would melt if he touched it.
“Hello….?” The waiter tried bringing Kaiser to reality, but to be honest, it was difficult bringing him to reality. Everything went blue.
“Oh—my apologies,” he said to the stupidly-pretty waiter. “Actually, there wasn't anyone, I was wondering if you had left.”
The magenta haired worker just giggled, and what business did his laugh have, being so cute and captivating?
“I was just feeding the stray cats backside, didn't think anyone would visit immediately after my lunch break..” he said, not meeting his eyes with Kaiser. He was definitely jealous of the floor tiles, how dare it be looked upon by such pretty eyes?
“Understandable,” He replied. He made a mental note that his lunch time was around 3:00pm. Maybe he could visit again.
“Sooo, you don't look from around here..?” He questioned the other individual, “Are you perhaps from a foreign country?”
His heart skipped a beat for a second. How could he have guessed? Maybe it was just a coincidence, or he's just good at that guessing-game stuff.
“You're apparently right,” he answered, “I'm from Germany.” He wanted to add something, but decided not to. The magenta haired waiter was probably saying that to make small talk. Not because he actually cared.
The waiter’s eyes widened. “Oh my god,” the other exclaimed in German, “Me too!”
What a coincidence, Though Kaiser did have a suspicion that the other wasn't from Japan too, as he did have a bit of an foreign accent to his voice. Who could have guessed it was German?
“That's pretty neat,” Kaiser tried to keep his calm, he didn't need to act really happy, even though he was.
“I'm so glad to have found someone similar!” the other replied, though, he actually forgot the purpose of the blue-haired individual’s visit. He was obviously hungry. “I'm so sorry! Also, what may be your order?”
He seemed so happy to be talking in German. It seemed way more comfortable for him. Kaiser did wonder why he transferred all the way to Japan though.
Though, to not dig into a random stranger's personal life, he decided to not say anything. The way he gets all smiling and giddy whenever he's happy makes Kaiser a little weak.
“Hm, I'm actually a little curious.” He said innovatively, “What exactly do you mean by ‘The Emperor,’ and ‘The Blue Rose,’ I've been wondering ever since I laid my eyes upon the words..” he said.
“Ah, it's really nothing deep!” He said, “All of the names are certainly aspects of the owners’ favourite video game. And those two, are the nicknames of a character. Now that I think about it, he kinda looks like you!” He giggled a while probably thinking about the said character in his mind.
“I see.” He said, amused. He wanted to just fall down and crumble. How can someone actually be so cute and innocent? Kaiser's heart may go into cardiac arrest because of how cute this guy is.
“I'll take both of them, then.” He said. The other just nodded, smiled and then went to the kitchen, probably to go prepare his order.
Shoot, now thinking about it, he should have probably asked what the ingredients for both of them were. He hated milk. For just the fact that he was lactose intolerant.
He decided to look outside the glass. It was busy outside, like Japan always is. He saw a toddler running while his mother was chasing him. He just wondered, what would it be like, to have a normal childhood?
All of the thoughts cleared in his mind though, when the waiter brought out his order. The drinks looked magnificent. They were so pretty, the colours really blended well together. “I'm sorry if it took a bit!” He exclaimed.
Kaiser stared at the drink. But he averted his gaze to notice the waiter's nails. They were painted black. It is nice. He would himself paint them if it weren't for.. wait, there's literally nothing or nobody stopping him. He should. He just might.
“Is there any milk in any of the drinks?” He sighed, “I'm lactose.. Intolerant.”
“Oh, I'm so relieved you asked!” He said, “Actually, no, these both are dairy free. We don't use milk in any of our products!”
“Hm? A café that doesn't put milk in any of their drinks?” he winced an eyebrow. “Not that I'm complaining, however.”
“Yeah! It's because most cats can't digest lactose!” He smiled, “I guess the owner really put some thought into it.”
“So? What about the drinks that necessarily need milk?”
“Then there's almond milk!”
“Oh.”
“Anyways, since I guess we've been talking for a while. My name is Alexis Ness. May I know yours, pretty please?” He tried the puppy eyes, and oh god, it worked.
adorable, alluring, angelic, appealing, beautiful, gorgeous, ravishing, stunning, and none of these words were enough to describe how pretty his name was.
“Alexis.” Kaiser wanted to say it through his own voice. God, the way it just bounces off his tongue. He could say it forever.
“Mhm.” Ness said, “Even though we're in Japan, you can still call me by my first name, because that's what's common in Germany, haha,”
“Yeah, that's true.” He said amusingly, “I'm Michael Kaiser,” he wanted to say, ‘though you can call me yours’, but it just wouldn't slip off his tongue. No matter how much he tried it.
Ness’ lips curled up into a smile. “That's such a beautiful name, Michael.” and oh god, the way that he says it, Kaiser is going to melt. No doubt. None.
Everything about Alexis Ness is magical. The way that he talks, the way that he walks, the way looks, the way that he is— Nah, there's just not enough words in the dictionary that could describe how mesmerising and lovely he is.
He wonders, God must have definitely put extra efforts into making Alexis Ness look pretty. He must have taken some time to design and calibrate every aspect of him, and into making it perfect.
“I'll put your drinks down,” he says politely, “if you don't mind?” He gently places the drinks, and their skin brushes Kaiser's. Soft.
The bell chimed again. It seemed that a few more customers had come. This time, it seemed an elderly couple had come by.
“I'll go attend them, have a nice time, Michael!” Ness said sweetly, and then rushed over to seating the guests. Kaiser was definitely sad to see that he couldn't hoard all of Ness’ attention.
He sipped on the drink through the straw. It was tangy and sweet. It was nice, something you could really use on a harsh day. Some day when life doesn't do you any good. Kaiser was glad that today wasn't that day.
After some time which you could say, a while later, Kaiser got up, ready to pay. Maybe I should leave a tip. But then, you can't tip in Japan. But, he's German. He's sure Ness wouldn't mind.
Kaiser did make some money online. He had been making some cash from Fiverr. It was not a lot, but good enough to get through a month. The money making process repeated every 30 days, almost like a cycle.
“The total is 2108¥!” Ness smiled at the blond haired boy.
“Can I tip you?” He said genuinely, taking out his credit card. “Erm, I don't think I can accept that.. but if you really want, you can..” he looked away while saying that.
“Okay,”
The sky looked radiant today. You may wonder, if the sun ever felt happy to shine so brightly. It does it elegantly everyday. Without fail. Everyone expects it to.
“Thank you so much for visiting!” Ness smiled genuinely, “I'd be really happy if you could visit again..”
“Yeah. Your service felt nice.”
They waved each other goodbye. Kaiser knew he'd come again, there's no doubt. As he turned around, his lips curled up and the smile came itself without any effort.