Takuma Okamoto

"'m fine," he answered lowly. Ryo stands there awkwardly, seemingly looming over the younger man like a creep. Ugh. He takes the open seat beside his companion quickly to avoid being accused by any well-meaning passersby and angles his phone to show Takuma the screen. The phone showcases the selfie of a young woman and what seemed to be her boyfriend posing for the camera. A run-of-the-mill carefree couple.

The suggestion was a nice gesture but depending how this encounter goes, Takuma may change his mind in the exchange of emails. So he ignores it and offers over his phone.

Takuma misunderstands and takes the phone from Ryo. Nodding, "I worked with her on a couple shifts, but her boyfriend doesn't like me." He types in his email and contact names himself as 'the stray'. "She never said much and kept to herself most of the time."

"I didn't mind it." The recommendations actually became a favourite late breakfast meal.

"Come on, let's go sit down for your questions. I'm exhausted." Takuma takes the lead and sits on a street bench. "How've you been since the cafe?" He starts digging in his bag for his bottled water. Talking mindlessly while taking a sip of water.

The older man had been standing out there for a while, seemingly minding his own business with his phone out. It was a quiet evening, about the time shift workers switch out and when smaller businesses close up for the day.

It was only when someone stepped out into the street, Ryo followed after and fell into step with them.

Turning, his eyes grow wide and he laughs in relief. "Oh, it's you. Um... we never got to finish that meal." He does look guilty and rubs the back of his neck. "Was my recommendations good at least?" Takuma starts to dig in his bag for the lighter.

"Hey, I'm lucky you even said yes. I would've forgiven you if you stood me up," he lied. Maybe. The guy allowed him to mix a drink, drank it and invited him home after- That was trust. Dumb as hell on Takuma's part but had Numa feeling... a lot. In a nice way.

"Y'know," he starts. Grin forms and he leans against the register counter, arms crossed. "These next three hours are going to suck."

Anxiously, he waits for his date to come out from the 7/11. Takuma already deciding he's going to pick up his meal from McDonalds. It's quick, easy, and mindless food. If he had to think on what he wants, he'll get snappish. Takuma knows how to avoid anything that will set him off.

Numa smiled, brow quirked. "Are you telling me you can be nice?" he laughed.

"I'm kidding. I can understand having a long day. I just happen to like to be snapped and scolded by people with cute faces."

Was he being too much? It was hard to not get carried away with someone so responsive and not dumb. Numa didn't know if he was toeing the line or not.

"Oof. I wouldn't count on that tasting any good," he warned with a grin. His eyes were alight with delight, even through his little grimace of sympathy.

"Ah ha. No." He said emphatically and daintily took the cup out of Takuma's hand. "A mouthful is enough to wake- well, not an elephant, but something big, i guess," Numa shrugged. "Wait a few minutes and eat some crackers. It was dumb of me to let you have that on an empty stomach."

"That was so gross. And, did you really make an attempt on my life and continue to hit on me?" There was something about Numa. Laughing, Takuma could feel his face starting to ache. "You're dumb. I like that."

He lets Numa take the cup from him. "I have some snacks in my bag." He walks back behind the counter for his bag and digs in the side pocket for a protein bar.

"Sure, you can make it up to me."

Returning to his original spot on the floor behind the registers. He smiles a genuine smile since starting the shift. "I like sea food and street food. The more savory the better." If they were going to go on a date, he should share that much information.

His stomach finally feels settled and Takuma can feel the caffein rush coming on. He felt this before. Damn, he was going to be bitchy all morning because he won't be able to sleep.

Sounds like he's going to be taking his weekend early.

Numa grins openly and nearly skips his way around the counter to the coffee station. The caffeine monstrosity he offered to make barely did anything for him anymore, but it never failed to keep a normal person going for a day or two. His own roommate unable to sleep for longer than two hours at a time for four days. Fun times.

"Not a regular. I got the shop manager to keep me in mind when he's desperate and we've kept this up for about two years." If Numa hadn't been such a high-minded dick in the first place, he may have been on a better and more permanent basis. Probably getting overtime or time and a half at least.

"Never seen you before though.." Heavily implying that he'd definitely remember Takuma.

"New hire?" He asked, coming back to the counter, drink in hand and wishing this was over a bar table and soft music in the background. Numa finished stirring the concoction within a paper coffee cup with some flair and placed it before Takuma.

"Luckily for you; a mouthful of this would only cost you your first born or a date," he joked, leaning on the counter with his chin in hand. Waiting.

But, Numa is really cute. Oh no. 𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐎𝐇𝐍𝐎. Does he like Numa? Does he like the attention? Yeah. Numa is insanely attractive, and from the last couple hours he's been charming; witty even.

No. This is just harmless flirting. Takuma could do flirting.

"Yeah, this is my third time picking up a shift here. Usually I take evenings. I prefer to work nights, I like the city lights and sleeping until the afternoon."

He's about to dig into his wallet for one of his cards and paused. Oh no... Numa just asked him out. The delivery was so smooth like he does this all the time. Maybe he does?

"Who knows, if this turns out good you'll have both." Takuma surrenders. It's been almost a few months since he's been on a date. No harm in getting to know someone.

He almost forgot about the cup in his grasp. Bringing it up to his nose and nothing smelled off, but isn't that just so? He's had his share of gas station crack before, but each experience was different.

Gross, that tasted nothing like he anticipated. The caffeine hit him like a train and it caught him off guard.

"That was awful." He closed his eyes tightly and tried to tough out the liquid attempting to settle in his stomach. "Do I have to drink it all for anything to feel good?"

Sigh. The service industry was rough in too many ways. Coming from a guy that looked like he belonged in a club in Shin juku? Shameful.

Numa nods, agreeing that his coworker's circumstances suck (and privately agreeing that he was acting like a child). "I never had a cat. I'm sure you can bribe it for forgiveness with some food, though."

"I don't know, what if he forgets about me and takes over my apartment?" His heart aches a little. He can't live without Mochii. The black mainecoon was Takuma's world. Even his instagram had more pictures of his cat than his own pictures.

He turns to look in the direction Numa was gesturing to and he nods. "Sure. We just need to make it through 3 more hours, right?" He's moving back up on his feet. "So... how long you been working here? Are you a regular worker?" Why not get to know Numa. The activity in the store was little to none.

"Gee, and leave you up here alone to get gawked at for the millionth time?" He moves to sit on the floor behind the counter. "The freezer is full, pretty boy. You're stuck with me."

He hates how tall Numa is. Stupid.

Looking back at Numa, he felt bad. His shitty mood shouldn't ruin both their work shift. Just as fast he looks away, still moody.

Free lunch? His luck has really been on his side today. It's not often he runs into lonely loners with cash.

"Yeah, let's eat together." Typing the order on the tablet and give the stranger his privacy for payment. He's thinking of ways to convince his coworker to give him an early lunch.