Chapter Text
It was the first time in a while that Hikari decided to walk home instead of taking a ride, and of course, given his luck, today was the day an unexpected pouring rain started. He pulled his hood up and hurried inside the first cafe he found, feeling lucky there was no one inside to see him look like a wet puppy. There wasn’t even a barista at the counter. Was this a type of self-service cafe?
He sat down, feeling a bit guilty that he had water drip off him all over the floor, when someone finally appeared from the storage room, startled to see there was someone inside. He had this deer-in-headlights look to him, which Hikari found both amusing and somewhat endearing.
‘Oh, hello!’ The boy greeted Hikari clumsily. ‘I wasn't expecting clients given the storm that was announced. Sorry! What can I get for you?’ he asked with a warm smile.
‘Hm, I don’t know, actually. I just hurried inside to take shelter from the rain. What do you recommend?’
‘I’m good at vanilla lattes.. I think.’
This earned a short laugh from Hikari. ‘Okay then. Vanilla latte it is.’
The boy went behind the counter and started preparing his coffee. He could tell his moves were a bit clumsy and that he was nervous. He must be new to this job. When the coffee was ready, he brought it to Hikari’s table.
'Enjoy! If you need anything, I’ll be over there,’ he signaled to the counter.
‘Thank you. How about you sit down with me?’
The boy was taken aback at the request, and Hikari could've sworn he saw his cheeks redden a little. Even he was surprised at his boldness. He’s usually a reserved, introverted person, so it’s unlike him to strike up a conversation with a stranger, but there was something about this boy that even at first glance intrigued Hikari.
‘O-okay. Why, though?’
‘Do you have anything better to do?’
The boy looked around the cafe – no clients, everything was clean. ‘I guess I don’t.’ He pulled the chair back and took a seat across Hikari.
Hikari took a sip of the coffee, which had way more vanilla syrup than it should, but it was fine, Hikari liked sweet things. ‘You haven't worked here long, have you?’
‘Huh? You could tell?’
‘Yeah, you look quite nervous. Aaand this might be the sweetest latte I’ve ever had.’
‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry!! I can remake it for you.’
Hikari giggled. ‘It’s fine, I don’t mind. Do you work here full time?’
‘Ah, no. I’m a uni student! I just needed to save up some money.’
‘There must be something important in your life that you want to save up money for it, right?’ The other boy got shy, seemingly embarrassed. ‘Sorry, was that rude of me to say?’
‘No, no, it’s fine!! I just… don’t really talk about it I guess.’
Hikari could tell from his face that this thing, whatever it was, meant a lot to this boy. After a short pause, the barista added ‘It’s this… virtual band called F4irytale. I really love their music and they’re gonna go on tour soon. I just wanna be able to go to as many stops as I can!’
Hikari’s heart stopped for a second, surprised at the reason. What were the chances he would stumble upon a faeluv out of nowhere? He wasn’t about to blow his cover. I mean, there’s a reason he’s a virtual singer in the first place, so he just settled for a ‘Wow, you’re a really dedicated fan!’
‘Yeah… they’re really important to me. Their music always helps me when I have a hard time. And their avatars are so cute I have to wonder if they match the people behind them. But I respect their privacy of course! I’m really thankful I discovered them.’
Hikari just listened to the boy ramble about his band and it made him both embarrassed and grateful. He could feel a smile forming on his lips, taking in every word. The other boy stopped his discourse suddenly, averting his gaze from Hikari, cheeks visibly flushed red.
‘Sorry for that… I talk too much, don’t I?’
‘No!! I loved hearing you talk about them. I might have to check them out.’
‘Wow, you would do that?’ The boy’s eyes sparkled so brightly.
'You have no idea…’ he replied quietly.
‘What was that?’
‘Sorry! I said yeah, I’d love to. Umm, what do you study in uni?’ he asked, trying to escape the awkwardness of the situation.
‘I’m a classical music major! Music has always been everything to me… What about you? Are you a student?’
‘Oh, no, uni is not for me. I’m… um… an accountant!’ Really, that's all you could come up with? An accountant? he scolded himself.
‘Wow, you must be so smart! You didn’t even need uni!’
‘It’s not all that, really.’ He took a look at the time so he’d find a reason to leave before he sank deeper into the awkwardness. 'I think I have to go.’
‘Already? But it’s still raining.’
‘That’s fine. I was heading home anyway.’
‘Please take my umbrella, at least.’ The boy hurried to the staff room and brought Hikari his umbrella.
‘I can’t. You’ll need it too.’
‘I have a raincoat. I’m always prepared!’ the boy smiled brightly. ‘Just take it!!’
‘Okay, okay!!!’ Hikari smiled back, taking the umbrella from him. When their fingers brushed briefly, it felt like a tiny electric shock. ‘I’ll return it as soon as I can,’ Hikari added quickly.
‘You know where to find me!’ the boy replied.
Hikari headed towards the door, looking back once to see the boy smiling and waving him goodbye, and he returned the gesture. He felt his heart fluttering for a second, but he quickly ignored it. He wasn’t about to catch feelings for a stranger, especially one who also happened to be his fan. He didn’t even know his name, dammit.
~
‘What took you so long? And whose umbrella is that?’
Hikari got home to his apartment that he shared with Hanbin, his bandmate and best friend, so he expected to be questioned.
‘I stopped by a cafe to wait for the rain to stop, but it didn’t. And the barista gave me his umbrella.’
‘Why do you always get into the most random situations?’
‘And get this — the barista was a faeluv. He worked there to save up for our concerts. I felt crazy.’
‘Oh my god. I’ve never met a faeluv!!! I’m so jealous... I wish we could meet our fans like normal idols.’
‘It was so cute…’
‘Wait. Your eyes are doing the thing.’
‘What thing?’
‘You know, the thing, your pupils dilated just now. Are you in love with that guy or something?’
‘Are you crazy?! I don’t even know his name. Why do you always assume stupid shit?’
‘Hey!! It’s not nice to talk like that to your best friend!!!’
‘Whatever. Let’s eat, I’m starving.’
~
Hikari went to bed that night still thinking about the interaction he had. He couldn’t deny, the barista was cute. How shy, but excited he was to talk about f4irytale. He probably had the biggest eyes Hikari had ever seen. Should he give him his number when he returns his umbrella? But the power imbalance between idol and fan… But the boy didn’t know who he was after all, did he? He slowly drifted to sleep, lots of questions wandering around in his mind.