Star Cafe.

I found this old story in my documents when I was bored and browsing my school projects.. xD This is a year old story soo.. yeah. Maybe not going to discontinue, I just wanna share my old story to this blog. XD Will update one more short story later. :D

TITTLE: Star Cafe. 

GENRE: Mostly romance, comedy. I thought I want to put angst but since this is a discontinue story.. So.. MEH. :P

“New part time worker today?” The brunette asked her boss, her amber eyes blinked while she tied her long-grown brunette hair to a ponytail and wearing a white apron after that. Her boss- a middle age woman that stood outside of the staff room nodded while crossing her arms, “He’s a high school student and had the same case as you, Kumiko-chan.” She said with a small smile and continued, “The poor boy need money to pay the school’s finance and he lives alone at his own apartment.” 

Kumiko- the brunette girl cringed at that, “Wow, at such a young age, what’s his name Mrs. Stella?” The brunette asked. 

Mrs. Stella sighed slowly, “His name is Adam. 17 years old and I’ve heard he had 3 part time jobs to cover his school finance as well his rent.” 

Kumiko gave sideway pity glance. She would never think there’s another person out there who had the same case as her- but this was worst! 3 part time? Heck, she doesn’t even have spared time for her to finish her assignments! Being a college student was a tough life for her- and most of all when you only lived alone in the apartment. 

The brunette looked up at the distressed woman and smiled, “I got it. You just want me to take care of him and give him a little of tutorial for him while you away right? I’ll do it.” 

“Thanks a lot, Kumiko-chan. I’ll double up your pay this end of the month.” She smiled warmly and walked away from the staff room and outside of the coffee shop. Kumiko smiled and walked outside of the shop to begin her shift. 

It was a slow day, Kumiko have to admit that. She sighed slowly and stretched her back after she just gave a simple order of cappuccino from the previous customer. With a final moment, she took the damp towel to wipe the counter clean. Her amber eyes flickered back to the wall clock.

  It’s just an hour passed. 2.30 p.m 

He’ll be here soon enough. She thought and next cleaning the espresso machine behind the counter. While she doing so, she didn’t realized the shop’s door opened with a ding of the bell and a young man not less than 18 walked towards the counter. Hearing the soft steps and thinking it was the customer- she turned away from the espresso machine and faced forward with her professional smile kept on her face, “Welcome to the Star Cafe,” She gestured with enthusiasm in her voice but then blinked at the young man’s looks.   

His spiky dark silver hint gray haired adored his head as well his bangs, dark emerald eyes was astonished and he had such build-worker shape on his body. With that kind of appearances, Kumiko can tell that this person will be very popular among females population. 

But his voice was just to spice up more of his looks- who never thought he would look this good?

“I’m here for my part time. I just had a call from this owner of the cafe that I can start my work this noon.” He said simply and looked around the cafe. Kumiko smiled, “So you must be Adam? It’s nice meeting of you, my name is Kumiko and I’ll be your co-worker. You see, Mrs. Stella had an important errand to attend so she leave it to me how this work done. It’ll be a pleasure to work with you.” She said, amber eyes flickered in happiness for the company and stretch her hand out with a smile. Adam blinked his emerald eyes before smiled and took her hand with a firm, “The pleasure is all mine, Kumiko-san. Thank you so much for taking me in.” He said politely. 

“Just call me, Kumiko. Or better, nee-chan.” She said with a grin before beginning Adam’s little tutorial around.

-      -      -      -      -

“See? It’s not that bad! And leave the baking to me! I can teach you how to that if I got the time- or Mrs. Stella will teach you.” The brunette said with a sigh but smile again nonetheless. Adam chuckled at her, “Yes, it’s quite simple. I can do that.” 

“Great! Now try to do one pumpkin latte for a try.” Kumiko put her hands on her hips as she watched Adam walked back the counter and he begin. He poured in the coffee base and pumpkin mix, adding the cinnamon and nutmeg and finally served it to the counter with a grin. 

Kumiko clapped her hands with a small laughter, “Great! You can have that.” She waved and walked to the door, “I need to get some stocks ready-“ 

“Is it really ok for me to have this?” Adam asked with a blinked of surprised. Kumiko smiled, “Its fine, after you finished that lattes just don’t forget to wash it. Oh, and man the counter for me ok?” 

A nervous stare sent to Kumiko. Kumiko laughed, “Don’t worry, usually the customers ordered for beverages or latte, plus, I’ll be back for awhile.” She walked at the back of the shop where there’s a store filled with many coffee equipment. She clicked the switch on and the storeroom lighted up right away as she went to the furthest to get the boxes she needed for the day. She was scrabbled around- trying her best to get the highest point to reach the box on top of the shelf. 

Curse her short of height. She grumbled at that thought but continued tip toed up, trying her best to reach. 

That until she heard a child’s cry. She stopped with a blink of her hazel eyes and looked around. Where did that cry coming from? She retreat the thought of getting the equipments and looked for the source where she heard the cry from. 

Kumiko stared at the back door which it was lead to an alleyway.

What’s going on?

She opened the back door and saw a group of big boys crowding around at the dead end. Kumiko raised an eyebrow in question but when she heard another cry of despair- she snapped her eyes widen.

“P-please! I don’t have any more of my m-money!” The child’s cry resounded but it covered with those groups of bullies’ laughter, “Don’t lie to us! I know you have it, BRAT!” One of the tough looking boys yelled in anger making the pity whimper cried again. 

“HEY!” Kumiko yelled- snapped in anger as she ran to their direction. The group of bullies startled at first and quickly scrambled away with a few string of curses behind also leaving the poor boy that was kneeled down- trembled and scared. He already tears in his golden-brown eyes and was hugging his knees to this chest.

“You kids should pay for that!” Kumiko growled in anger at them but a tingle sense of pride swelled inside her chest knowing she managed to chase them away. The brunette sighed and muttered, “Kids these days,” She blinked then looked down at the poor boy before kneeling in the same height and patted the boy’s darker shade of brown hair of his, “Hey, it’s alright little one. They have gone now.” She smiled. Slowly the poor boy looked up and said- with a shaky voice, “T-t-thank you, m-miss...”

Kumiko’s amber eyes soften at the pity sight, “How do you caught into their mess?” She asked slowly. The little dark brunette just keep on clasping his shaky hands to each other, “I-I just got back f-from school- a-and they went after me. I-I was scared s-so I ran all the way h-here...” He said with a shiver. Kumiko looked at messy open beg beside the boy, “Is that yours?”

A curt nod from him. Kumiko gather his belongings with a frown, “Do they took anything from you?” She asked looking at him with soft hazel eyes this time. He shook his head which received a smile from her, “Come. I’ll walk you back home in case of anything- but before that, you won’t mind waiting for awhile? Because big sis over here, got to finish something before we go.” She stood up and stretched a hand over him- helping the kid to stand up. He took her hand and stood up but he nodded timidly. Kumiko have to admit this kid were too cute to be true.

Look at his adorable eyes! Kumiko cooed at that thought with a smile, “What’s your name? My name is Kumiko.”

The boy still sniffed over the remaining tears, “F-fenrir.” He said simply. Gently Kumiko held his stiffen shoulder, “Fenrir? What a unique name, wasn’t that the name of the great wolf in mythology of Greek I’ve heard of?” She smiled softly. Cue the soft blush on Fenrir’s face, “U-uhuh!” He chirped and wipe his tears away- Kumiko glad she manage to calm the boy down, “M-my father loved these kinds of myth a-and we always travel all around the country too,”

Kumiko ruffled his hair softly, “That’s really cool! I wish to travel too, your dad sounded knowledgeable about this kind of things.”

Fenrir looked up at her, “Yes! H-he loved animals too but mostly wolves!”

“Do you like wolves too, Fenrir?” She asked and Fenrir nodded twice, “Yeah! They so cool and strong! And sometimes they reminded me a lot of my dad!”

Kumiko chuckled, “You saying that your dad is cool and strong?” she asked and Kumiko saw some hint of emotion in his adorable eyes before he replied, “Of course! No one can beat him!” Kumiko giggled at those then she just smiled at him and held his hand, “Let’s go inside. I’ll prepare your hot chocolate if you want.”

 “Chocolate? Yay! I love chocolates and candies!” Fenrir’s face lighten up, his previous fear vaporised just like that. Kumiko nodded and went inside towards the back door, locked it and to the front.

“What took you so long? I thought you said-” Adam turned around looking impatient with a slight nervous- Kumiko noted maybe it was his first customer service while she was away -but stopped when he saw Fenrir tighten his hold on Kumiko’s hand and whimpered quietly back at Kumiko with a small fright at the sight of another big man in front of Kumiko.

“Your kid?” Adam asked- forgotten his first experience treating the customers just now and peeking behind the brunette girl. Kumiko coughed at that, “I’m too young for that and I’m still 23!”

“Sorry! He just, looked a lot like you, Kumi-nee.”

Kumiko raised an eyebrow at him.

“What? You said you wanted me to call you big sis right?”

Kumiko laughed in amused, “I know I just didn’t expect you to call me by that name in the sudden- but oh well.” She patted the timid child, “This kid over here, named Fenrir. Some bullies cornered him at the back of the alley. So then, yeah, you know what happen after that.” Kumiko sighed. Adam frowned, “Kids these days- immature.” He shook his head with a sigh.

“You’re telling me.” She put Fenrir’s bag on the other side of the counter then looked at him, “Hey, get Fenrir hot chocolate will you?”

Instantly Fenrir’s face brightened up by that. Adam’s crook an eyebrow, “He’ll pay?”

“I’ll pay,” Kumiko said emphasize the word with a smile, “Get him the cookies too- The brave boy deserves it after all the trouble right?” She looked down at the smiling Fenrir, “Yeah!” He chirped.

Adam snorted, “He’ll get fat. By the looks of it, you spoiled him, Kumi-nee.”  The older brunette can sense some tease in that voice.

Fenrir pouted in anger manner way, “I will not get fat! You don’t know me!” His fear towards the dark silver haired instantly gone and he was pouting all the way and trying his best to glare at the older male- such adorableness on him.

Adam snickered, “Yeah sure.” He said sarcastically with a hint of amusement in his expressions and went inside the kitchen to get the cookies that Kumiko mentioned. Fenrir puffed his cheek in anger- Kumiko noted maybe that’s his habit- and the little child ran to catch Adam to repay back of what Adam just said.

And who can’t resist that cute little dark brunette? His parents must be so proud to have that really, REALLY adorable son. Kumiko don’t know why she suddenly and randomly thought of that. 

“Youngsters...” She muttered with a smile and prepared the hot chocolate as she promised. She heard the little childish argument between Adam and Fenrir’s at the kitchen- and the brunette couldn’t help but laughed softly, “Yup, they’ll get along.”

A pout again from Fenrir and another sarcastic remark from Adam. Which in result- Fenrir’s pleading and anger voice cue in around the kitchen.

Kumiko laughed out loud, “Adam! Enough of teasing Fenrir.” She said while stirring the chocolate mixture in the cup. Adam chuckled from the back in the kitchen, “I can’t help it- This little chibi over here amused me a lot.”

“I TOLD YOU I’M NOT CHIBI FOR THE THIRD TIME, ADAM-NII!” He was calling Adam big brother already? Nice, but scary at the same time, Kumiko thought quietly. This kid already attached to both of them already.

That makes me wonder, does Fenrir have any friends? Kumiko thought with a small frown. Why she suddenly thought that way?

A smack heard from the back snapping the brown haired girl from her little world.

“OUCH!”                                          

Kumiko snickered at that voice, “Told you so, Adam.”

“THIS KID GOT STRENGTH!” Adam’s wailed echoed.   

“I’ll guess you two REALLY get along then!” The girl nodded to herself. After she done making hot chocolate in the cup, she faced forward the counter to put the cup and her phone rang in the apron’s pocket. She picked it up, “Hello?”

“Hey Kumi-chan. How are you?” A female’s voice greeted her. Her amber eyes blinked then smiled brightly, “Mizu-chan! I’m fine! In fact, I’m in work here. I just got a new co-worker by the way. And before you asked anything- don’t worry! He’s a nice and polite kid.”

A sigh of relief came from the owner named Mizu- full name was Mizuki, “Great. I’m going to stop by at your work for a break. I’ll have the usual.”

“Alright! Another hot chocolate with extra crème coming right up in a jiffy!” Kumiko twirled back in a degree with a chirped.

A chuckle from Mizuki, “I’ll see you later, then Kumi-chan.”

Noises from the kitchen erupted. Fenrir’s laughter and Adam’s grunt managed to grab Mizuki’s attention through the line. 

“What was that?” Mizuki asked, curious. Kumiko chuckled nervously, “The new worker. I’ll explain everything later.” Kumiko promised and hung up the phone before quickly ran to the kitchen to check them out but only to get her face plant to the tiled floor from the wet kitchen. 

Oh, this will be a very long day indeed.

  -      -      -      -      -

“What happened to your face, Kumiko?” Mizuki’s red eyes frowned at the redden mark on the brunette’s face and putting down her backpack on the table and sat on the chair. The said girl chuckled nervously, “I slipped.” Her hand scratched at the back of her head in a habit. After the little incident and the brown eyed girl already gave them an earful of lecture to the two boys- which currently, those two naughty boys were cleaning the mess and wet kitchen now.

“Typical of you,” Mizuki shook her head and sighed, “Be careful next time. I don’t want you to get in some serious accident like last time.” She said with a serious tone, but Kumiko knew her best friend didn’t mean any treat to her. The brunette stared at the long silver haired girl with a smile, “Thanks, I won’t. Here though, enjoy.” She served the cup of hot chocolate on the table. Mizuki nodded then immediately took her file and few books out of her backpack with a sigh.

“Project again, huh?” The brown haired girl looked around the cafe- and seeing no customers yet to deal with, she sat a crossed the silver haired girl that was quickly opened her book and replied, “Yeah.” She grunt and continued, “And it was a summer project from Mr. Othniel.” She said the last part with a longing tone and looked up at Kumiko with a smirk of victory seeing the brunette’s face getting redder and redder.

“Mizuki-chan! Shush!” She looked around in insecure blush on her face. There was no one was out of sight and little Fenrir still spending time with Adam at the kitchen cleaning and it was a good thing they were also out of earshot. She semi-glared at Mizuki, “Don’t say it out loud! It’s embarrassing even so we’re out of campus!”

“God, Kumi-chan. I don’t even know why you even LIKE him. I mean really, he’s an adult, and we’re like... his students. Ah~ Such a nice “love” these days.” Mizuki teased- and spoke rather out loud making the brunette gap and scramble her own words out of embarrassment. Just in cue, Fenrir running to their direction from the kitchen and Adam trailed behind.

“Big Sis, you like someone!? Who?! Let me help you pair with him as a thank you!” Fenrir said with sparkle eyes for some reason. Kumiko gaped more, “How do you-“

“He was eavesdropping. Sorry.” Adam cut Kumiko and slightly bonked him on the child’s head making him pouted and winced at that contact, “But.. I want to make Big Sis feel relief just like how you did back then!” He said with a sudden attachment on the brunette after their little meeting back at the alley, and Kumiko couldn’t help but felt a warm feeling like- a mother should feel.

Odd thoughts.

“This must be the kid that you were mentioned right?” Mizuki leaned forward with her palm on her cheek and her elbow on the table, snapping Kumiko out of her thoughts and the silver head continued, “He looks a lot like you, Kumi-chan. I almost thought he was your son.”

Cue Adam’s snickered, “Told you so, Kumi-nee.” He said leaving the flushed brunette, “I’m still a college student! Dang it!”

“But I love having Big Sis as my mom!” Fenrir chirped in a sudden.

Silence dropped between them, making Fenrir blinked in confused.

Then the two silver heads laughed out loud, while Kumiko had a flabbergasted red face. Oh, it was priceless expression too.

“F-fenrir..” Kumiko put a hand on his shoulder, “W-what makes you suddenly talk like this? W-we’re just m-met..”

“But I like you! You different than any girl I met!” Fenrir pouted at her. Adam only laughed more. Kumiko glared at him and he quickly died down his laughter. Fenrir stared sadly at her.

“You don’t like me, Big Sis?” For some reason, Kumiko sworn she could have heard a hint of loneliness inside Fenrir’s little voice. It was supposed to be such an innocent question, but she felt like a hundred meaning behind it. Kumiko blinked her eyes in surprised at that thought, she took a moment of silence- but not too long after she smiled softly and ruffled his brown locks, “Of course, who won’t love such an adorable boy like you?” Fenrir smiled in relief and giggled at the contact. 

Mizuki stared at the scene, “Wow, you make such a great mother, Kumi-chi.”

“Mizu-chan! Enough already!” The girl turned to her with best of her will to glare. Mizuki returned to her work and said, “Hurry up and finish your work, after that I can tell you about your precious ‘crush’.”

‘Mizuki knew my weakness all along!’ was the brunette’s flustered thought before more of the customers coming in the shop. She fighting the urge to hear more of her ‘Mr. Othniel’ from the evil Mizuki.

Adam put a hand on her shoulder making Kumiko startle and looked at him, “Customers here, we should get back to work, Kumi-nee.”

The brunette sighed and looked at the little Fenrir, “Can you be a good boy while waiting for me to end my shift?” Fenrir nodded and Kumiko smiled, “Good boy,” She ruffled his hair and stood up beginning her work with the silver haired boy.