YES, PERFECT. He tried to hide how absolutely ECSTATIC he felt at the new situation, and merely nodded in agreement. Even the black coffee sounded HEAVENLY. Please, he hated coffee with sugar or cream on it. Give it to him black and strong.
“I don’t mind at all~ It sounds perfect even. It’ll sure wake me up” he smiled, now proceeding to make the division of the remaining food -bread and sandwiches here, and the muffin for Kyouhei to take. Then he started washing that last tray.
“Now we only have to turn off the electricity, throw the trash, put the sign and close the doors” he recounted on his head “If you can throw the trash outside I’ll do the rest myself~”
Well, that worked out rather easily! Kyouhei couldn’t help but be pleased with the development as a whole. It was always nice to have co-workers that didn’t sweat the small details.
“Yeah! I don’t drink too much because my sleep schedule is already a mess but for a black coffee, it sure is flavorful. Maybe it’s just the way “Holy Grounds” brews it?”
Kyouhei set his goods aside, next to the apron that was part of his uniform, and stretched his arms over his head.
“Sure, sure, I’ll leave the rest to you! Make sure to get the lights in the bathroom, I kept forgetting when I first worked here.” Much to his embarrassment, but his manager caught him until he remembered for himself.
He made sure the handles of the trash bags were double knotted before heaving them up, smiling softly when he realized it felt easier then it did a month back. Results were nearly as sweet as their matcha green tea iced coffee.
For what was likely the dozenth time that day, Jane found
themselves apologizing to a customer, taking back the improperly made order
with a polite but strained smile. The customer – a young woman with a gentle
expression and understanding eyes – spoke softly to reassure them, telling how
it wasn’t really any trouble.
The coffee shop, Holy Grounds, was a fine establishment
located in the city of Ouvara. Known for its friendly and competent staff
alongside its relaxing atmosphere of its rich colors and assorted tables,
individuals would find themselves able to sit back and for a moment forget the
stress of life with their favorite drinks and food of choice.
However, sadly just now, Jane was not the best
representation for the shop. Having fumbled several orders by giving them to
the wrong people, mixing them incorrectly, and even once calling someone by the
completely wrong name, they were having a rough day. This was mostly just due
to the fact that they were new, and this was their second shift ever at the
shop. At least when they did fumble, they were able to recover rather quickly
with a smile, apologizing and showing with genuine effort that they were
trying.
Running the day through their head up until this point, many
the customers had been very understanding as well, graceful and patient as their
situations were fixed as the current young woman was. Again, she offered a
smile as Jane returned with the correct drink and leaned across the counter to give
to the other. Imagine their surprise when the young woman reached for the
drink, but for a moment, slid her hands around Jane’s own so they couldn’t pull
away.
Startled, Jane looked up at the other, who’s previously warm
eyes had a glint of mischievousness in them.
“Do you think you might be working tomorrow…?”
The question, seemingly out of nowhere, confused the poor
frazzled Jane who merely gave a long, hard blink. Working…?
“A-Ah, well, yes I suppose so! I have another shift tomorrow.”
They responded cheerfully, attempting to tug at the hold somewhat, but gaining
no leverage. They were beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable, a flush brought
up in their cheeks at the lingering gaze of the woman. At last, satisfied, the
other offered a good-natured giggle and released the other, turning and beginning
to part with a small wink. “Then perhaps we’ll see each other again.”
“Um… perhaps! Have a nice day!”
Now thoroughly confused, Jane stood back and placed a hand
over their beating heart to catch their breath. Luckily, there was no immediate
need for another barista at the counter as the evening crowd had slowed to a
crawl and no one stood waiting. Smoothening stray strands of hair from their
face, they glanced to the side, where the other currently on staff was waiting
in the winds and likely had seen the entire ordeal.
Kyouhei, they believed his name was. They hadn’t had a chance
to properly talk or introduce themselves just yet, but now in the moment of
peace, Jane offered a nervous smile and attempted to release a pent-up breath.
“I hope I didn’t upset that woman,” They offered in an
attempt for small talk and to release some of their nervousness. The woman had been
acting quite odd there at the end and Jane hadn’t been altogether comfortable
with it. Usually so good at reading people, that one’s intentions were… a complete mystery.
Because of his experience at “Holy Grounds”, Kyouhei was often required to sit in on other shifts and supervise. It was actually a good excuse to hang around his workplace and do things like study and read in preparation for his Fall workload.
Really. He didn’t mind doing extra work. He was being paid, after all, plus, the better his coworkers were at their jobs the less work he had to do later. He did wish he could shoo off the odder customers they ended up having.
“Who can say?” He finished drying out a mug and set it back on the shelf, smiling wryly at first and then brightly.
“You aren’t in trouble, though, and that’s the good thing. You’ve been doing really, really well!”
If only he’d had someone at his back encouraging him his first few weeks. Kyouhei knew the trick to getting people to work hard and continuously was to support them and encourage them to keep trying.
The bell over the door rung, alerting him that there was a new customer, and he dusted imaginary dust off of his apron. Sometimes customers would come to the counter, sometimes they would sit down and expect to be served like this was a restaurant, not a coffee shop. Kyouhei leaned toward Jane smiling softly.
“Want me to get this one or do you think you can go without a break for a little while longer?”