Work Text:
A violet-coloured dress.
Long black hair.
Pink lipstick.
A branded handbag.
5 inches heels.
Harua knows he attract a lot attention with just walking down the street. Even if he wears his casual manly fit, he still got stares by people but whenever he crossdress, the looks doubled.
It's only been a year since he started crossdressing on public, before this, he only crossdress to take photos for his private Instagram. Now, with his close friend’s encouragement and a building self-confidence, he finally wears it on public.
It was awkward and hard the first time, he was cautious whenever he feels eyes on him. Afraid if someone realized that he is a man dresses as woman and calls him out for it.
You know, it was hard for crossdresser like him. Some people acknowledge it and some people don't. He still remembers how terrified he is when he read that a crossdresser got beaten up by group of people; well, that man deserved it actually because he was being a pervert to lure women. But still, it makes other fellow crossdresser who did it for fun got lots of backlash.
He definitely is a bit scared to be recognized on public.
The only public places he dares to go is a mini mart, library, book stores and cafés. He usually chooses quieter place, not wanting people to notice him. Harua always have a face mask ready in his handbag if he recognized anyone.
He doesn’t have to particularly change his talking voice, though, it was a bit on the rough side (not exactly high pitch tone or soft like most women) people found his talking voice to be cute (?), yeah anyway— that's what Yuma says so he really doesn’t know if it's right.
Usually, it was either Yuma, Taki or Jo who will accompany him in his crossdressing adventures. Many times, people mistaken any of them as his boyfriends, saying how lucky they were having a beautiful ‘girlfriend’.
It was fun though, going out with them. But deep down, Harua knows that he can't always depends on his friends— he needs to be brave too. After all, he isn't embarrassed in crossdressing, he took pride in it… It just, he is afraid of the judgemental people.
Today, Harua challenge himself to go out alone. He has made it his mission to go to the café nearby, get a drink, sit and read for few hours there, then walk home. It was perfect.
“Please pray for me not to throw up” Harua says, obviously still nervous on being in public alone wearing a dress.
“Just be cool, Rua… Do you need me there?” Taki on the other line says,
Harua sigh, “It's fine… I still can manage this…” he can practically see Taki rolling his eyes at that very unconvincing tone.
“If anyone says bad thing, just flipped them— that's what Yuma want me to tell you” Taki says,
Harua laugh at that, feeling a little less nervous. Then he hears a bit of arguing over Taki's phone, then it back to normal.
“Seriously, if anyone say bad things, you can just kick them in the ass and show them how strong you are!” Yuma interrupt,
“I am wearing dress, that will be hard for me to kick them”
“Slap and punch them Rua— I know you have tiny hands but that knuckles could actually knock up someone or two”
Then he hears Jo on the back, “If it didn't work, just call us” then hears Taki “Why call us? it's not like we can fight?”
After a little quarrel going over there, Harua shakes his head. Already familiar with their antics, doing all of this to make sure Harua is comfortable even if they are apart, his friends just know how to calm his nerve down.
“Guys, I arrived at the cafe already… Will update later” Harua says, and all his friends give him the encouragement to be confident.
He let out a deep breath, walking inside the quiet café around the corner of his house. It was located a building away from his apartment, and it newly open. Harua assumes they still didn't get that many customers, thus, he can feel more comfortable.
“Welcome,” A warm voice greeted him.
Harua smiles at the man behind the counter; tall, handsome yet also pretty… Would be a great crossdresser if he tried.
He then focuses on the menu board right by the counter, looking for any interesting drinks to try. There's also dessert sections and he for sure going to order that too.
“May I help you?” The counter guy says warmly, smiles on his face. Harua scans his nametag quickly, Yudai, it read.
“Ah yes… Can I please get the matcha latte, two dango and 1 mango mochi to dine in?”
Yudai quickly taps the machine, nodding his head then Harua pays for the orders. He finally gets the time to look around the café as he sits down. He chooses a table a bit far away from the public eye (the massive glass window). The interior is simple yet eye catching.
It as a moon café themed. There's also lots of cool stuffs hanging and displayed, all seems to have connections with spaces and the moons. They also have random facts about it hanging on their walls. It was cute.
There are few other customers, sitting with their friends talking about whatever. Time like this really make him missed his friends, even though they can be a bit too loud, Harua still miss the noise.
Not long after, another worker come by and give his order. This guy also looks handsome and pretty; Euijoo the nametag read.
“Enjoy your orders! Do tell us if there's anything wrong” Euijoo says, smiling politely.
“Ah yes, thank you” Harua smiles back, watching as Euijoo walk towards the counter.
Then, he saw another man. Equally handsome as Yudai and Euijoo, but this guy looks more mature than them. There's this certain aura Harua gets from him; Harua belatedly realized that this cafe only hires good looking people.
Harua take a sip of his drink after his little observation. His eyes widen, truly surprised by how good it is, he has no expectation whatsoever but this probably the best matcha latte he had tried in his life.
Then he put his glass down, pouting as he forgot to take photos before drinking it. This is his first outing in dress alone, he should document it and the drink is good as hell.
Harua then take a bite of the dango and immediately from the first bite, the flavors burst in his mouth. It was so good that it makes him think of bringing his parents and friends to come to this café.
It takes him less than 15 minutes to devour all of it, well, it's not like he orders a lot in the first place but he already think of spending hours here to read… Might as well order another, or try different things.
After making sure no one is at the counter, Harua quickly walk there. Eyeing the dessert sections, now even the cakes look appetizing, he kind of regret not eating much lunch earlier.
“Do you need help?” The other man, who Harua still didn't know the name, ask.
“Ah yeah— Actually, I will like to order 2 strawberry mochi and a slice of this cheesecake? And 1 iced americano”
Harua take a peek on the nametag; Fuma.
“Is that all?”
He nods, the after few seconds standing awkwardly at the counter, he paid for his second order. He gives Fuma a smile as he walks back to his sit.
3 idiots (+Jo)
HARUA
guys
this cafe is so good
i ended up ordered two times
that's how insane it was
TAKI
where?
which café?
HARUA
idk the name
but it's the one near my apartment building
the one that just open
YUMA
oh?
is it the place with the handsome staff?
and it got moons and stuff like that
HARUA
omg yes!!!
how do u know?
YUMA
saw one of my friends posted a story promoting it
and also
of course i know
whenever there's handsome men, there's me 😚
JO
???
YUMA
babe
don't get jealous
of course in my eyes,
no one else is more handsome than you
HARUA
EW
but yeah
everyone i saw by far is all good looking
fr guys, you have to come here
everything is delicious
TAKI
uhm i just want to clarify
is one of the staff named Yudai?
HARUA
bro
how do you know
you know him
TAKI
that's my senior
apparently, they open the cafe for their final project or something
y knows, since theyre business major
and they collab with the culinary students
probably that
HARUA
OHHH MAKE SENSE
YUMA
is it that good?
HARUA
yeah
im sure u will like their dango
YUMA
@JO baby
when are we going
JO
whenever you want
i always have time for you
TAKI
GOD PLS HAVE A PRIVATE CHAT
HARUA
BYE
“Excuse me, here's your order” Another unfamiliar voice greet him,
Harua put his phone down, looking up to see the man and yeah, he confirmed that this café only hired good looking people. Harua then timidly mumble a thanks, feeling a bit shy as their eyes meet.
“Hope you enjoy it,” The man says, a dimple was shown as the latter smile and Harua felt himself melting.
He tries to look for a nametag but there's none, so Harua only pout as the man make his way back to the counter and then disappear behind the staff's only door.
He sighs as he fails to get the man’s name. Then, he looks at his new ordered bakes; this time, he takes a photo first. Carefully, he takes a spoonful of the cheesecake. First impression, the cake itself is soft and smooth. Then, he takes a bite.
It is delicious. If Taki was right that everything here is done by the culinary students, then they must have some crazy skills because everything is so delicious.
He ended up spending almost 3 hours sitting there, actually reading a good part of the novel. His matcha latte and iced americano long gone, same with dango, mochi and the cheesecake. All the 3 hours he sits there, he hasn't seen that dimple waiter guy.
He definitely saw Euijoo, Fuma and Yudai walk around doing their jobs. But he didn't see the nameless man.
Harua put his novel in his handbag, getting ready to leave. After making sure nothing left behind, he prepares himself once again, to be walking out in public to go home.
“Thank you, do come again” Fuma says and he only nods, smiling politely. He will definitely come again, and this time he will drag his friends along.
☾
“Oh, you come again!” Yudai greet warmly, smiling at him.
Harua come again, still in his crossdressing state. He smiles, walking to the counter as he scans around for the particular staff.
“What would you like to order today?”
“Uhm… Iced matcha latte and I would take three of this chocolate eclairs”
“Is that all?”
He nods and after paying, he makes his way to the seat he sits last time; thankful that no one sits there. Harua now feels a lot calmer and comfortable going out crossdressing, there's still stares, but he tries to ignore it; he doesn’t want to acknowledge it.
His eyes then wander around the counter area, still looking for that dimple boy. He didn't know what he will do and say if he actually meets the guy, but at this point, Harua just wants to know the name.
“Here's your order,”
Harua looks up, yet meeting with another pair of eyes he never saw before. This guy is not here the last time he came, or maybe he did but he only stay at the back…?
“Ah, yeah thanks” Harua manage to reply,
“Yah Nicholas! Take this order for me, I need to go and handle the bakes!” Euijoo scream from the counter, just then Harua realizes there's already a line forming at the counter.
Maybe the words have gotten out that this café has hot staff.
The man in front of him, Nicholas, shouted an ‘Okay’, then he smiles as at Harua as he walks back to the counter. After that, Harua mostly only focus on reading his book, afraid that if he held his head up, he might see his college friends.
Yuma and Jo supposedly to come with him today while Taki is having a group meeting for one of his classes. He come first because he knows well that the lovebirds (Yuma and Jo) need a lot of time to even get ready because they are playful like that.
3 idiots (+ Jo)
YUMA
rua my baby bunny
i dont think me and jo can make it today
:(
HARUA
whyyyyy
im already at the café
YUMA
we were getting ready
and jo was chasing me down
cause i took his shirt
and he slipped…
it seems like we need to go to the clinic
HARUA
oh my god
is it serious???
YUMA
don't know…
but jo said his ankle is hurt :<
im really sorry rua
we will make it to you next time
HARUA
hm its fine
just take care of jo first
tell him get well soon
YUMA
sorry again rua
:(((
we love you
take care!
TAKI
WHAT
OMG THIS IS WHY I TOLD YALL TO NOT RUN IN THE HOUSE
get well soon @JO
and harua
if my meeting end early then i will be there
i dont know how long it will take
:/
HARUA
its okay guys
i don't plan on staying long either
we can hang out another day
“Excuse me?”
Harua look up, face to face with the dimple boy he has been looking for.
“Yeah?” he replies, make a quick scan and notice that he still didn't has his nametag on.
The man fidget, looking anywhere but at Harua. Though, still confuse, Harua stares at him, waiting.
“You're so pretty… And I was thinking if I can get your number?” The man says, a blush crept on his cheeks.
Harua stuns, brain freeze. This is his first getting ask on public and he almost laugh, because, what? Pretty? How can he be pretty when— Oh.
Oh.
He is crossdressing right now.
There's a churn in his stomach, he starting to have a cold sweat thinking on how to reply to this poor man.
Honestly, this man is his taste. Tall, handsome yet cute, charming voice, a bit bulky but not too much, nice smiles.
But again, this man asked him out thinking Harua is a woman. That's fact alone make he want crawl into a hole and never see the sun ever again. Will this man be weirded out if Harua come clean about his real self? Will Harua never get the chance to eat here again?
The man clears his throat as Harua still didn't answer, he looks a bit disappointed now. His shoulder slump, the wide smiles turn into a timid one.
“I am sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?” the man ask,
Harua immediately shake his head, “No… It's not that— I don't know how to tell you this…”
“Oh… Are you taken? If so, I am so sorry” the latter says, panicking.
“I— Uhm…” Harua take a deep breath, then he looks straight at the man in front of him, “I am a guy.”
The latter stare at him in silent, as if he tries to see whether Harua is joking just to reject him or probably to properly see either if he is indeed a guy.
“For real?” The dimple boy asks,
Harua look sheepish now, his face is probably red. He takes a moment to nod, getting ready for any string of insult or bad things (because that's what the crossdressers always got in public).
“Holy shit— You don't look like a guy! You are so pretty; I really think you are a woman”
Harua really want to hide somewhere, afraid if anyone can hear it. The man, who then stands is now sitting across of Harua without a care to everyone else in the café.
“My name is Maki by the way, I mostly stay behind in the kitchen and bakes”
Harua nods at the introduction, finally making sense why he has never seen Maki at the counter or walking around cleaning tables.
“Harua…” He replies, didn't know what else to say.
“Wow… I can't believe that you're a guy— No offense by the way, I didn't mean it in a mean way. I am just awestruck by how can someone look this pretty” Maki says, eyes practically sparkling as he looks at Harua.
He blushes at the compliments, he knows he look pretty. His friends always says that to him, but hearing from a stranger really does boost his confident.
“You… You don't find it to be weird? For me to wear women clothes?” Harua bravely ask, Maki blinks his eyes few times, probably not expected to be ask that question.
Maki shrug, “I don't know, you do you… I am not one to judge,”
Harua take a sip of his drinks, then he looks at Maki (who still has his eyes fully focus on Harua, almost like studying everything he did).
“I don't know what desserts you made but as far as what I ordered, everything is delicious” Harua says to break the silence.
The latter grins, “I am glad! I made almost 70% of the desserts here… The other 30% is from Euijoo”
“Uhm… Aren't you supposed to be working right now?” Harua ask cautiously, because now, there's still a long line at the counter and everyone else is busy moving around.
“I already put my last batch of the day in the oven, then it was Nicholas's works to put it out on display once it done… So, my job is technically done.”
“Also, I just want to sit and relax for a bit, I am still tired from working all morning… And most of the orders are for the drinks, I can't help with that.” Maki continues.
Harua nods at Maki's explanation.
“My friend said that this café is open for the seniors’ final?” Harua ask, remember the thing Taki said before.
“Ah yeah— Mainly it was for Yudai and Fuma, Euijoo and Nicholas joined to help and I joined to gain extra credits… But it was fun, to be doing this with my friends— I gain experience, got something to write in my resume and I got paid too”
Harua chuckles, “Then will the café still continue even after they were done with the finals?” he asks, because really, he think he will be sad because he no longer can taste these delicious delicacies.
“Yudai said he want to continue doing it, after all, this café's lot is owned by his parents. For others, it was up to us either to continue working here or not”
He hums thoughtfully, “That's really cool… To be working with your friends”
Maki nods, agree.
“Maki! We need you at the kitchen!” Fuma scream from the counter, looking towards Harua's table.
“Yeah, coming!” He replies back, reluctantly standing up. He looks for a while at Harua, eyes staring right into him.
“Uhm… I still want to exchange numbers with you” Maki says, now he looks even more shy than before.
Harua blush, smiling.
“If you don't mind?” Harua reply, now equally shy.
The latter then give his phone towards Harua, wanting him to put in his numbers. After making sure he put in the correct number, Harua hand the phone back.
Maki chuckles as he shoved the phone back in his pocket, then he smiles, showing his dimple, “I really don't care if you are a man or a woman—”
“Oh.”
They awkwardly look at each other, both too shy about this whole exchange. In the end, Maki laugh, “I go first? See you when I see you?”
Harua smiles, “Sure,”
☾
They ended up texting each other almost every day. From the very awkward conversation now it flows more naturally, asking about each other's day and comfortable enough to joke around.
Harua's day is now much more happier and content than before. His friends is still his strength, but having Maki just added more foundation into it. It feels like Maki gets him without having the need for Harua to explain.
He shared about his crossdressing stories. Which, for him is not really a big of a deal. It just he likes pretty dresses since he was little kid and his mom had bought him a dress once when he is 10 years old; he like it so much he wears it for a month.
Then during high school, he gets to know the term ‘crossdress’, then he reads and watch lot of things regarding that. From there, he started to purchase pretty dresses just for himself to wear; never wear it on public or even out of his own bedroom.
After all, he still didn't know how people will think of him wearing a dress.
Then, come his friends…
How his friends found out was really by accident. Taki found a box of women's clothes and it freak him out so much because he knows Harua didn't have any siblings, let alone another girl living with him. The latter then accused Harua of keeping a girl in his bedroom just because of that and it brings a lot of chaos.
Harua then come clean to them. Then, once in a while, Harua, Taki and Yuma will crossdress for fun in the bedroom and make their own runway shows with Jo as the audience. (Jo has never worn one and Harua and Yuma has secretly plan on making him wear it at least once in the future).
But it was only him that was serious in crossdressing and for a while, he did consider wearing it on public. After making his concerns known to his friends, they all supported him and even accompanied him in public while crossdress.
With his friends, he feels safe. He knows that they will do anything to protect Harua from any bad things and without a doubt, he too will do the same for his friends.
But with Maki, he feels accepted. It was a bit weird, in a sense that he knows his friends also accepted him but Maki is just different.
Maki makes him feel like anything else didn't matter. If Harua think it's the right thing, then it is the right thing. He doesn't have to complicate things, it was easy.
HARUA
im going to the cafe today
with my friends
MAKI
yeay!
been a while since i saw you
oooh i can finally meet them
i still in the middle of doing some works
but i will be out at your table as soon as i can ><
HARUA
okie
see u later
MAKI
can't wait to see u
As usual, Harua arrive first by himself. Taki is on his way, and Yuma and Jo will be joining later. (Jo's ankle is doing fine, Yuma is just over dramatic and feel so guilty he did not tease Jo for a whole week).
There aren't a lot of customers on Tuesday’s afternoon, it seems like only 2 tables are occupied and Harua make a quick scan to make sure no one sit at his usual table.
“Welcome— Oh wow, you come again!” Yudai enthusiastically greets,
“Of course,” Harua reply, finally getting more comfortable to talk with the workers here on his third visit. As he gets along with Maki, might as well he get along with Maki's friends.
Harua easily give his orders and after he paid that he just realized that he is in his man ‘form’ today. No dresses, no makeup, no heels, no wigs. Just him in a black coloured hoodie with a pair of jeans and a sneaker.
“Wait— You recognize me?” He asks confusedly, and Yudai laugh.
“Of course, I am great at recognizing and remembering my customers… Besides, you look just the same— Just without the long hair and dress”
Harua gape, thinking it was possible for someone to recognize in both forms.
“Don't worry, I don't care of those things” Yudai says softly to reassures him, and Harua smiles in reply.
He sits at his usual spot, scrolling through his phone as he waits for his friends to arrive. As he was deep into reading a celebrity gossip article, he hears Yudai and Taki excited voice; he almost forgot that these two knew each other.
Yuma and Jo follow closely behind, looking at the display for the desserts to order. As Yudai and Taki is catching up, Fuma take the couple's order. It wasn't that long before all his friends finally seated on the table.
“What did you guys’ order?” Harua ask,
“I don't know… Anything Yuma want to try?” Jo says, looking lovingly at his boyfriend.
Harua roll his eyes, still didn't understand how it was possible for his two close friends to fall in love with each other; it was crazy to think about how it happened (but it was a story for another day).
“I don't even remember what I ordered, too many” Yuma says, smiling widely.
“I only ordered drinks, because I know Yuma will buy too much desserts which will ended up with me being the person who gonna eat them” Taki says, making Yuma shove the latter playfully.
“Excuse me, here's your order” Nicholas says, putting a bunch of different plates and drinks on the table.
“Thank you” they all say in unison, making Nicholas smiles.
As soon as Nicholas walk away, Yuma immediately, “Damn, they all are good looking!”
Harua snort as he saw Jo squint his eyes, making Yuma panic, “Of course no one can beat the apple of my eye” he replies, giving a kissy face to Jo which make the latter break into a smile.
“I am honestly so tired of you two” Taki roll his eyes, taking a sip of his drinks.
As they started to dig in, they all hum in acknowledgement. Finding everything to be delicious that it makes Taki upset he didn't come sooner. Harua somehow feel proud seeing his friends enjoying it, taking pride on recommending it in the first place.
“Hi guys, I— Uh… Holy fuc—”
Harua's eyes widen, looking intently at the shock Maki standing next to their table. His other friends was surprised cause this is their first time meeting Maki and has no idea who this guy was to come to their table and started dropping a curse word.
“Harua??? Oh my god!?” Maki says, didn't even care to look at Harua's friends on the table. He really has his eyes glued on Harua.
“Hi Maki, are you done with your work?” Harua says calmly. To be fair, he never mentioned Maki to his friends before, so he kind of curios to see how this will go.
“I… Yeah? Oh my God, you still look pretty like this…” Maki says, still awestruck.
Harua chuckles, trying not to blush in front of his friends, “Do I? I didn't wear my dress today”
Maki roll his eyes, “Who cares? You still look just as pretty. I… I actually lost for words to describe you”
Yuma clear his throat, finally taking Maki's attention away from Harua.
“Who are you?” Yuma ask, straightforward.
“Ah— I am the baker for this café, my name is Maki” He introduce himself,
“How do you know Harua?” Taki ask this time, curious.
“I asked for his number before… Then we talked… And here we are”
Immediately, he feels his three friends’ eyes on him, wanting explanation. Harua feel his cheeks burn from the attention.
“Yeah… Uhm, this Taki, that's Yuma and next to him is his boyfriend, Jo” Harua introduced his friends in one go,
Maki look at the three, smiling widely, “Nice to meet you guys!”
They all exchange a smile, still waiting for Harua to explain more on how he even befriended Maki in the first place.
“No wonder Yudai said something about me not being ready to meet you— OMG you are so cute?” Maki says, definitely still awestruck.
Harua chuckles softly, he knows that his face is red right now from the nonstop compliments; this is his first time having someone to be so straightforward. He tries to ignore the way all his friends are looking at him questioningly.
“You're exaggerating! I am not—”
“Uhm… Is there anything going on between you two?” Taki ask, wiggling his eyebrows, ready to tease Harua.
“There's noth—”
“I like him”
WHAT
Harua's eyes widen, looking directly at Maki who just smiles proudly after he said that. He can hear his friends snickers behind him, enjoying this whole scenario.
“Oh… In that case— Babe, Taki… Let's move table and give them some space” Yuma says, tone teasing. Almost immediately everyone except Harua stand up, picking up the plates and glasses to move to the next table.
Harua only stares at them, still trying to process everything. Maki smiles, even help them move the plates. After all the moving, Harua was left alone at the table and within few seconds, Maki sit in front of him.
“You are single, right?” Maki ask,
He nods.
“You don't mind if I make a move on you?”
Harua take a few seconds to reply to that, cheeks blushing.
“I mean… Are you being serious about me…?”
Maki nod quickly, “Of course, never been more serious in my life”
“But… I dress as woman sometimes… You don't find it to be… weird?”
The latter squint his eyes, then sigh, “As I said before, I don't care… If that what makes you happy, then who am I to hold you back from doing it? And you look pretty doing it, I am not one to complaint”
“Look— Harua, I don't know how to explain it properly but yeah sure, I like you the first time I saw you; which, you wear dress that time. Then you told me that you are a guy, I like you still. We texted each other almost every day and I still like you. Then, you come here today not wearing dresses and I still like you…”
“No matter if you're wearing a dress or a hoodie, I still like you. It was you that I like, not what you wear or not wear”
Harua finally smiles, before this, his exes found him to be weird for wearing dresses and now, having someone like Maki, to affirm him that it didn't matter, does help a lot.
“You are being serious, right?” Harua ask again,
Maki firmly nod, “100%”
He then takes a look at his friends on the next table, who pretend like they just didn't hear anything Maki says. Then, his eyes meet with Yuma. It's his first time seeing Yuma look at him that earnestly, like he is proud and happy for Harua.
Yuma's eyes that tell him like ‘You deserved it. To be love by someone who see your worth.’
Harua sigh, looking back at Maki who is still waiting.
“Okay… You can try to wow me or something”
Maki grin, showing his dimples as Harua says that.
“Sure, be prepared cause I don't hold back when I like someone”
Harua laugh, “Yeah, you do seem like it”
From the corner of his eyes, he sees how his friends high-fiving each other. He smiles, knowing that everything will be alright as long as he has his friends with him.
Before he went home, Yudai and Fuma comes to meet him. Saying how they look forward to see Harua to come more frequently, even with a promise of discount for any purchase.
It also seems like Taki works his charms that Nicholas and Euijoo is now hanging out at their table. Talking and laughing, completely forget that they're supposed to work.
Maki gives him extra desserts, saying how he makes them extra for Harua to bring back home. He thinks, having a baker boyfriend is probably the best deal for his sweet tooth.
For now, Harua is happy with the way it is. It will take time for them to move to the next level in their relationship, Harua needs a lot of convincing before he fully opens his heart.
But Maki didn't give up and Harua hopes, maybe, the 10th time he walk inside the café, he will walk as Maki's boyfriend.