#screamssss

"Nothing's going to come of it… Just a random thing." She reassured herself out loud. "Stuff like that doesn't happen to me. I had a brief moment of luck. Gotta keep going."

Twisting her hair up into a claw clip, she tied on her apron with the store branding and pulled the music up for the morning, flooding the shop with chill lofi for the early risers.

Most of the morning patrons were there to just grab coffee and sweets or quiche and head out for work. The real crowd would start closer to work hours when people used the rental work booths in the back as a remote office.

Ari worked hard to make sure the shop was a good blend of accessible, fun, and relaxing. Comfy chairs for the book readers or gamers. Spacious but comfortable dining tables with bigger tables for the gamers. And the individual cubicles for work off the side.

Being a space the community could come to was one of her proudest achievements (all the art on the corkboard walls from patrons was proof enough).

Other back-of-house employees would be there in a few hours for the rush, but for now it was just the smell of fresh baked goods and the cool summer breeze from the open windows.

Walking to the front window, Ari clicked on the pink and turquoise neon open sign, complete with a heart (it wouldn't be Sweet Hearts Cafe without the aesthetic).

A few usuals got out of their cars as soon as the sign lit up, and she rushed back to the counter, opening the computer system and starting the usual routine.

Order. Pay. Collect items. Receipt.

With the rush of customers and focus on steps, she didn't even notice when Ryuu and Ansesagi walked into the shop, the front bell ringing as they stepped inside.

"Welcome in! What can I get you--?" Finally focusing on who had walked in, her words faltered, realizing it was actually Ryunosuke. Eyes widening in surprise, her breath caught, forgetting what she was supposed to do or how to interact after the night before.

"Hi!" Ryuu grinned, carrying a bag and walking towards her. "Do you have a minute?"

Ari glanced back at the kitchen, calling one of the part-timers to manage the desk, then nodding back. "Here, we can use my office." She motioned over, leading him to a door marked "private" and ushering him in.

The whole office was pastel vaporwave themed, continuing the theme of the shop, and Ryuu chuckled, glancing at all the shelves and computer setup.

"You really have everything coordinated, huh?"

"I like what I like~" She grinned, sitting in the hot pink gaming chair that served as her desk chair. "I didn't think I'd see you again after last night…"

Ryuu sat down on the aqua blue couch with the vaporwave dolphin themed blanket and cd-shaped accent pillows and nodded. "Last night. I should apologize."

"No no no, it's okay." Ari stammered, cheeks flushing. "I should have brought your shirt back too, I just didn't know you'd be here!"

"Wait you have it??"

She nodded, cheeks burning. "You tossed it at me and then Anesagi-san sped off and I didn't know what to do, so I took it home…"

Laughing warmly, Ryuu waved his hand. "Don't worry, keep it. I'll get another when I get home."

"Mmmh. Okay." A moment of silence passed between them, somewhere just between the realm awkward and comfortable. "Was. There a reason you--?"

"Ah! Yeah, this is for you. I wanted to apologize and... It's usually done best with a gift in our line of business so. We went to the local chocolate shop and got something. A 'please forgive us for inconveniencing you' apology gift."

Bowing, Ryuu presented the box of truffles to her with both hands. "On behalf of all of TRIGGER and Yaotome Productions. Please forgive our behavior last night."

Carefully taking the box with both hands as well, Ari received the gift, bowing back.

"You don't have anything to worry about. I won't leak any pictures or anything."

"Did you take some??" Ryuu sat up, relaxing back into the couch and smiling.

"Yeah!! You wanna see em?"

He nodded and waited as she walked over to the couch. Sitting next to him, Ari flicked open photos and showed him the ones from dinner. Ryuu leaned in close to get a better look, his arm instinctively wrapping over her shoulder. Sucking in a breath quietly, Ari hoped he didn't feel her heart pounding or notice the small tremor in her hand.

How does he smell so good?? It's not fair.

The last picture was a selfie with a very drunk Ryuu and she blushed again, flicking away from the image. "I can send any of them to you on rabbichat, but I won't post them online. Promise."

"We took one together?" Ryuu moved his hand, resting it on the back of the couch.

"Y-yeah. I was taking a few for everyone and you asked if we could…"

"Ah." The tension in the air was thick now, close to breaking.

Ari looked up at him, lips pursed. "I--I don't know what this is. And I don't want you to feel obligated. But when you go home, would you still rabbichat me?? I feel like we have some chemistry and I don't want to miss this connection."

Ryuu grinned, the air now clear, and nodded his assent. "I don't know either, but I feel comfortable with you. We both have our own lives, oceans away. But I want to keep getting to know you."

Giggling, Ari sighed, leaning back into his chest for a moment and closing her eyes. Ryuu reached down, grabbing onto one of her hands and playing with her fingers.

"Long distance anything is complicated but we can figure it out, right?"

She nodded, wiggling her fingers. "Time zones will be hard, but we'll make it work."

Ryuu's phone screen lit up with a text from Anesagi: ♡"Did you get lost?? How did it go??"♡

Grinning, he used his free hand to type a reply. ♡"All good, I'll be back out in a minute. Did you order brunch?"♡

♡"Yes. It's here waiting. And so am I."♡

Ryuu chuckled, closing his phone and glancing down at Ari, who was nestled securely into his chest. Leaning down, he rested his chin onto the top of her head and sighed.

"I know you have to get back to work…"

"Don'twannagoyet. This is nice."