Chapter Text
If you asked anyone in MANKAI company about where the best cafe spots are in Veludo, you’d find that everyone has a decent answer. However, if you’re really serious— really keen— about where the best spots are, then everyone would direct you to ask two members in particular.
It’s no secret to everyone around them that Banri and Tsumugi love cafes. Most were surprised when they first learned that Banri was the one who was very particular about coffee. He didn’t look the type; delinquents don’t usually make themselves obvious in such calm settings. Tsumugi was less of a surprise, though in contrast to Banri’s tastes, he enjoyed the sweeter types of coffee. But his meticulous nature still comes up once he starts picking out the details of a cafe's interior, down to the comfort of the seat cushion.
It was that connection for cafes that, despite their seemingly incompatible personalities, that made them bond so well. Or perhaps it’s precisely because of the differences that they have an interesting time together.
Who can say, really?
With all the cafe dates that they invite each other to, it seemed an amicable relationship. Yet, for all the softness that Banri shows to Tsumugi alone, for the proximity that Tsumugi allows for Banri, despite what they say, some of the members have wondered if it’s really as simple as it seemed.
………
“They always sit next to each other whenever we have leader meetings,” Tenma pointed out. “I mean, not that I’ve always noticed, but I have a feeling it hasn’t always been like that… Right?”
“Really!?” The spring leader beside him gasped. “I didn’t pay attention to that… Oh, but I’ve noticed they’d always get the exact same matching mugs whenever Banri-kun prepared drinks for all of us.”
“But you can notice that?!” Tenma sighed, paused, then continued. “Actually, I’ve also seen Banri-san hovering around the garden whenever Tsumugi-san was helping me out with my bonsai. He was always waiting for Tsumugi-san and I to finish— I only realized it when he came up to him after I walked away.”
“Hehe, that reminds me,” Sakuya added, “there was one time back during high school, on our way home, when we passed by the florist’s, and he asked me what would be good flowers to plant for the garden. Maybe Banri-kun’s getting more interested in plants since then?”
“Huh. Maybe.”
“Although, now that I’m thinking about it, that was a little bit before Tsumugi-san’s birthday…”
“Hmm. Well, Tsumugi-san would appreciate that.”
“Yeah!”
Tenma crossed his arms, as if in thought. “You said high school, right? That’s like, our first year in MANKAI, isn’t it?”
“Mh-hmm,” Sakuya beamed, “I guess it showed that the two of them have always been much closer than we thought.”
“Guess so.” Tenma looked at the clock. “Oh, by the way, our leaders' meeting is at 7 pm tonight, isn’t it?”
“Oh! Yes! Tsumugi-san reminded me earlier before he went out today.”
“Huh. Talk about coincidence; Banri-san reminded me before he left for an errand ‘round noon, too.”
Sakuya blinks. “That’s odd… But Tsumugi-san told me he was going out to meet with Banri-kun.”
………
“Tsukioka-san and Banri? Yeah, I’ve kinda noticed they’re pretty close. I was told they always went to cafes together since our first year in the dorms, so it made sense to me.”
“They totally hit it off,” Kazunari chimed in, “and I don’t think anyone would’ve expected it!”
“They’re such opposites, you’re right about that. But I think the more you spend time with a person, the more you realize that the difference in personalities doesn’t really make that… much of a… difference—” Tsuzuru gruntled at his own sentence. “Sorry, did that make sense?”
“You’re all good, Tsuzuroon!!” Kazunari patted his back with a laugh. “But he’s a good point! After all, look at the two of us!” He was about to cling to Tsuzuru’s arm before the scriptwriter lightly shoved a distance between them again.
“You think of us as close?”
“WHAT!! That’s so cold of you!!” Kazunari pouted. “You were the one who called for me when MANKAI needed a designer, y’know!”
“In the first place, you were the one who forced your number on me.” Tsuzuru sighed as he recalled a few unfortunate moments that came with the memory. “... But, I suppose I’m glad you did. Having you in MANKAI allowed me to learn more about you, Miyoshi-san.”
“...Tsuzuroon!!”
“Actually,” Tsuzuru turned his head from Kazunari, quickly moving the topic away from their own relationship, “that’s probably the same for those two, huh? They wouldn’t have known each other at all if not for MANKAI.”
“Ohh, you’re so right!” Kazunari straightened up. “Tsumu-tsumu’s a tutor, but Settsuar’s grades are too good to need one, so I doubt they’d meet that way either. You could say it was theatre that brought the two of them together.”
“Theatre brought everyone here together,” Tsuzuru chuckles. “But just because everyone has shared passions, I don’t think that makes a relationship any less special.”
“Wow! I didn’t think of you as a romantic!”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Look who’s blushing~” Kazunari poked at Tsuzuru’s side. “Oh! Speaking of, have I got some tea on them!”
“You say it like they did something bad.”
“It’s bad because they’re keeping it! But I know what I saw!” Kazunari cupped his mouth under one hand, but his volume remained almost the same, like sharing a not-so-secret secret.
“On my way home last night, I saw them, and I promise you it wasn’t just the crowd or rainy mist, ‘cause I swear—” he paused for effect, “they were holding hands!”
………
“Banri got jealous of me once, I think.”
Tasuku scrunched his brows. “You think?”
“He didn’t say it out loud,” Hisoka leaned into a more comfortable position against the couch. “But I could tell from the way he stared. I can’t really blame him, though. Tsumugi’s lap is a great pillow.”
“And here I thought it was about something serious.”
“It is serious, Tasuku,” Hisoka huffed. “Imagine if someone else stole your favorite nap spot without permission.”
Tasuku rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately, I can’t imagine.”
“Even if it’s Tsumugi stealing it?”
“I don’t get upset over ‘napping spots’—” Tasuku paused, remembering a few childish, mischievous moments Tsumugi did to him on occasion. “If anything, it’s always the other way around.”
“Hmm…” Hisoka was voicing out how he wasn’t interested in another flashback story from the childhood friends. “But, you know, I think you get the brunt of Banri’s jealousy the most.”
“Huh? Why would Settsu be jealous of me?”
Hisoka shot him a look, as if saying, ‘Are you serious?’
“... Because of Tsumugi?” Tasuku's puzzled face slowly relaxed to its neutral state, now that he’s been reminded of the original topic. “Now that you mention it, Settsu’s come up to me a couple of times asking about him.”
“... Like what?”
Tasuku held up his hand and started enumerating. “What Tsumugi was like before high school; if he had always been an honor student; if he actually only ever ate eggs growing up; if I had any pictures of him as a kid—”
“Creep,” Hisoka whispered under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing,” He closed his eyes, like he was getting ready to settle into Slumberland. “Is this going to be a long list?”
“Don’t just sleep in the middle of the conversation— weren’t you the one who asked?”
“How did Banri react when you answered?” Hisoka dodged the question with a question.
Tasuku sighed. “That’s the thing; I couldn’t tell if he was satisfied with my answers or what. Every time I was honest about it, he gave me this slightly annoyed tone, even though he was thanking me.” He scratched his head. “That was a couple of years ago, though. He seemed to have mellowed out in those kinds of reactions.”
“Except for the time I showed him our yearbook, I suppose,” Tasuku continued. “He immediately took a picture with his phone when I showed him Tsumugi’s shot and proceeded to give me ‘a thousand praises’— exactly how he worded it”
Hisoka snorted. “Banri’s a funny guy.”
………
“What do I think about Ban-chan and Tsumugi-san!? Oh man, where do I even begin— they’re both such inspirations!”
“The question’s ‘bout their relationship, though.”
“Eh—” Taichi’s voice raised unintentionally. “You mean they’re in a relationship!?!”
“Ah– no, I don’t think like that…” Juza’s voice, in turn, shrank purposefully. “Maybe.”
“Oh… OH!!” Taichi put a fist over his open palm— an A-HA! moment. “Riiiiight, gotchu. Anyway, yeah. Ban-chan and Tsumugi-san being close isn’t that surprising, I think? ‘Cause Tsumugi-san gets along so well with everyone! Not to mention really kind.”
Juza nods. “He’s always helped us out durin’ high school. Woulda never gotten good grades without Tsumugi-san’s help.”
“For real for real! He was always soooo patient with us. Like, if you were being treated by someone as kind as him, then of course you’d wanna do your best to get his praises! And Tsumugi-san just has this… This way with words, y’know? So I can totally see Ban-chan being charmed the same way too~”
“... That damn Settsu,” Juza tried to hold back his impatience while saying his roommate’s name. “There was one time he joined in the tutorin’ sesh but only to keep an eye on us. But rather than bein’ helpful, he was bein’ a nuisance.”
“I remember that! Ban-chan wasn’t even being taught by Tsumugi-san; he acted like he was a tutor too! Sure, he’s always had better grades, but it was lowkey frustratiiiing!”
“If it weren’t for Tsumugi-san callin’ him out, he probably would’ve kept at it.”
Taichi snapped his fingers. “That’s true! Yeah… Maybe Ban-chan does have a crush on Tsumugi-san, then?”
Juza looked at Taichi, like he was processing his words. “What?”
“What?”
“No, I mean, Settsu has a crush on…?”
Taichi’s eyes widened. “Wait– HUH?! Was that not what we’re talking about!?”
There wasn’t another follow-up from either of them for a while. But before it was decided to close this conversation altogether, Juza spoke up again. “... Tsumugi-san’s a mature person. Someone who I’d say is an ideal adult.” Taichi nodded beside him, acknowledging every word. “That’s why I’ve been wondering ‘bout what. Tsumugi-san said that night, after Settsu left.”
“Wait, there was more!? What did he say?”
“... That it’d be nice to be a student again. To be our age.” Juza crossed his arms. “Wonder what he meant by that.”
………
“...You’re asking me?”
“Yes?”
“About Tsumugi and Banri,” Itaru repeated. “You’re asking me?”
“I mean… I know you’re the closest to both of them,” Izumi awkwardly laughed. “Is there anything wrong with that?”
“Well, there are two things I wanna ask; first: how come I’m the only one you’re asking here?”
“No, you’re not the only one—”
“I mean, on this couch, right now.” Itaru gestured with a finger, pointing down to emphasize his point. “Weren’t you asking the others in pairs?”
“Oh!” Izumi brightened up. “I figured you’d have enough to tell for two people’s sake. Plus, it’d be more comfortable for you this way, right?”
Itaru sighed. She knew him too well. “Don’t get me too comfortable, Director-san. I’m gonna end up making this a whole rant.” He flickered his fingers quickly, finishing up whatever he was doing on his mobile game. “I mean, where do you want me to start? From the very top? ‘Cause if I’m allowed to rat one of them out, I can say who came to me for advice first.”
Izumi held her breath, itching for the information. “A-Advice for what?”
“Oops, actually, I’d get in trouble if I said it.”
“Itaru-san!”
The salaryman laughed. “It’s fascinating to see you so serious about this.”
He then sank into the couch and lightly tapped his phone on his chin. “There were a few obvious moments when I thought something was going on between them. I mean, you know Banri and I have gaming sessions together, and you know those two have their own cafe dates— well, ‘dates’—” He aired quotation marks with his fingers. “But based on what I hear from those two, their idea of bonding is a lil’ different from us gamers. So, there was one time Banri had gotten a text from Tsumugi, and we were in the middle of our raid— er, game. And then, he decided that his cafe invitation was more important than our event— an event that, may I emphasize, we had planned for a whole week beforehand. Then he says priorities shifted, even though that invitation was impromptu. And I know it was, ‘cause I asked Tsumugi the day after.”
Izumi nodded. “That does sound suspicious.”
“But Tsumugi isn’t off the hook either.” Itaru waved his pointer finger around. “He had asked me to meet him for drinks. It was Friday, so I indulged in it; I needed to drown down some work stress of my own, too. Fast forward two beer orders later, though, rather than going off about theatre as I’d always expect him to whenever he got tipsy, he started whining about being ‘plain’. Which, you know, is a fair thing to be insecure about— even though I’d argue against it— but after he whined about his lack of ‘trendiness’, he started comparing himself to Banri. Said he felt bad that he had to stand next to ‘plain ol’ him’. But when I asked why it was Banri that he was bringing up in the first place, he shoved me off my seat and proceeded to act like I had just enacted a serious offense to him and his whole being. All because I reminded him who he brought up.”
“That sounds so suspicious!”
“Right? Also, I recovered from the fall just fine, but thanks for asking,” he mumbled.
“Eh?”
“Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “But if you want another funny drunk story, then I’ll tell you about one rare time I managed to get Banri to drink with me in our room. So, I had heard about Banri being a laughing drunk, but I hadn’t seen it up close before that. I thought that’d be a funny little prank on him, to record him privately so I can blackmail him into a game session when I needed it—”
“What?!”
“It’s harmless blackmail,” he waved his hand, “he did a similar thing to me once, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, I couldn’t tell if I was lucky or not for being exposed to what came next, ‘cause the next thing I knew, he started going on all sorts of compliments about Tsumugi. Sure, I prompted him, but did I really need to be sitting down and sober for a lovestruck teen’s spiel? —Wait, sorry, he’s not a teen anymore, is he? He sure sounded like one, though.”
“Fufu, even though Banri’s all grown up, he’ll always be younger to us. I get it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Still, it’s a miracle they’re not even dating after all these years.”
Itaru halted. “I just remembered. I never asked you my second question from earlier; what made you want to ask about them anyway?”
Izumi took her own time thinking about it.
Banri and Tsumugi came up to her three days ago, asking if they could have permission to take a couple of days off. There was a coffee fair happening next weekend, but it was in a different prefecture. She recognized their enthusiasm, and they had an upcoming performance to get ready for, so she gave them her OK. But since then, she started wondering about the nature of their relationship. They were close, that much was certain to her. Were they more than friends? It wasn’t like she was waiting for them to confirm it for her, nor were they kids who needed permission from her to become a thing. Maybe she just wasn’t sure if she was just over-assuming or otherwise. Or maybe, because of how long she’s known the two, she couldn’t help but be curious about how others saw them, too.
And as she’s learned from the people she’s asked today, maybe the answer can’t come as simply in a single label.
“I guess I was just curious about the troupe’s cafe buds,” she parroted out her thoughts.
“‘Cafe buds, ’” Itaru scoffed with jest. “Wonder if Tsumugi thought of that nickname for them.”