Chapter Text
These events really make you think that the rent should've dropped by now. Cafe jobs should be easy. Sure, it's mainly part-time, and it's not the best paying job, but it's a cafe. One of the easiest jobs ever, right?
Not in Yokohama. Mafia, criminals lurking in the alleys, kidnappings every other week, teeth on the street from jaws being kicked against the curb, explosions around the area regularly.
And of course, The Candied Apple. A slightly old café with not too many customers- just few enough for workers to recognize regulars.
Unfortunately, one of those occasional regulars happened to have some sort of negative connection to the Port Mafia. Like, mega negative.
Atleast they didn't kick the door open. That'd be like the cherry on top. Except you're allergic to cherries, and the ice cream is melting because the bowl is on fire and that's setting the entire counter on fire and also the spoon is actually a singular chopstick. And there's an old-ass man with a monocle and people holding guns behind him. Except only the last part is happening, and you have no ice cream. Great. You started your shift half an hour ago, so you can't use it as an excuse to get out of work a bit early. Plus, common sense knows you need the paycheck. Just because half of the city lacks basic sense doesn't mean you're part of it, alright?
Must've been something heinous that this supposed traitor leaked, especially for them to send a guy that looks like he oughta be in a nursing home. (He doesn't, he actually looks like he aged quite gracefully and handsomely. But he's messing with your schedule.)
That, and the fact that they didn't even wait for the customer to leave the cafe. Man, I can't believe the Port Mafia doesn't have common manners or morals. Surprising, really. Oh great, he's talking now. Really doesn't help that your only co-worker is Joseph, and he's too much of an asshole- Sorry, no, he's a bit hard-headed and tends to commit to unwise decisions.
"Sorry to bother you in such a peaceful café, folks. We've heard rumors that a regular here is under some.... specific interest of the Port Mafia." Oh, his voice is... alright. Hm. Well, atleast it's just a regular, not a staff member. As much as you despise- err, don't mix with Joseph very well, you'd prefer to not have to add that to the report. Or deal with the cops today. You'll probably get questioned if anyone calls them, but that would be better than the café closing, even temporarily.
"From our information, they seem to be right in that left seating area. So we'll take them outside, and you can all go on with your day. We're simply looking for evidence, after all." The old guy- Horitsu, if memory and rumors serve?- said, not so much as batting an eye at the stares. Alright, let them get the customer, and then all business is done and you can go back to making drinks or serving a few baked goods. Easy as-
"Hold it!"
...There's no way Joseph is that stupid, right? Is he really challenging the actual Port Mafia, when they have guns and he has... a tea strainer? You're not cleaning up this mess. Obviously the sensible thing to do was to move slightly closer to him as he seemed to be reveling in the stunned silence- Then kick the back of his knees and trip his feet fast enough to get him to not be visible behind the counter. And yet they're still staring. Y'know, the average five year old would fall for that, but they're neither average nor five.
"...Wow, who said that. That's crazy." Yeah, that's the only response they're getting out of you. Well, as much as Joseph can be irritating, there could be worse co-workers. Like a discord user under the name of 'Juice', who someone has nicknamed as 'this FREAK (affectionate)'. Things could always be worse. And they're leaving anyway, so it works out fine, I guess. One regular customer is out of the picture now, though. There's no way the Port Mafia would let someone get away, especially if they went into a public café to get him. Good luck with that.
Well, it's been a few hours. That's fine. Almost closing time, too, so no one else is here. You're busy cleaning up the counter and almost ready to start with the tables- Joseph left early, saying that he was going to leave a complaint about you kicking him- when the bell on the door rings. You turn around, starting the whole welcoming speech. "Hello, welcome to The Candied Apple, what can I get you-"
Ah, the old guy is back. That's fine. No, it really isn't. You can just serve him- Oh shit, is he back for Joseph? That sucks. You don't know his address. And also, it'd be rude to give the Port Mafia his address. That'd be like giving a Stray Dog a Bungee cord. Bungee Stray Dogs, y'know? ".....Joseph left already."
"I already observed that. I came to formally apologize for causing a ruckus in the café previously.... And possibly order a drink." The man replied, his monocle reflecting the fruit-themed lights placed in the middle of each table.
"...Uh, Yeah, I can do that. No need to apologize though, nobody got shot. Even Joseph. Somehow. Anyway, can I get a name for that order-? And also the drink?" You replied, after a short moment of silence, before reaching for your notepad. This is fine. Even if this guy is a dangerous important person from the literal Port Mafia.
"Matcha, under the name Hirotsu."
...Huh. Okay, so you were pretty close. The worst part about someone entering late is that there's no one else in the café, so it's dead quiet. Other than the calming hum of electricity as you make the tea, setting it in front of him with a slight *tink* noise against the fancy wood counter, with the drink practically glowing under the soft lighting.
"That'll be ¥700, please." You said, your voice breaking the surprisingly comfortable silence. Thank goodness you have experience in customer service, because you really feel like collapsing on your cheap couch right now, after a day this stressful.
There was hardly any reply, just the quiet noise of the money being put on the counter as Hirotsu took a sip of his drink.
.
.
.
Well, that interaction ended quickly. Hardly even an ominous warning, actually. Which was a surprise. But atleast you're finally walking home. It feels more calming and peaceful than the usual walk home, now that you think of it. You don't currently have the fear of being followed or stabbed or shot. Which is a natural reaction to being in Yokohama's general area, but not tonight. Maybe you ate something off. But either way, you feel nice and peaceful, and that mixes in with your exhaustion of the day. But atleast it didn't go too wrong- you didn't leave your keys behind, you didn't step in a puddle and get mud on your shoes or get your socks uncomfortably damp, so it's all around a good day. Even after the guns and the mafia and such. And the fact you're down one regular. You flop onto your couch, consciousness fading slowly.
.....
Damnit, you forgot to write in the paperwork about the Mafia being in the café.