Ryou
He walked briskly on the wet pavement, taking a lengthy stride so he could reach the bakery soon. Ryou didn't have to check his watch to know that he was late.
Kai's going to be pissed.
It wasn't his fault, really. As the president of the Creative Writing club, he simply didn't have time to take a break especially since the annual school festival was coming up, and they were planning to do something about it. And dammit, he had tried to wrap the meeting and rush to his part time job.
Bursting through the doors and ignoring some curious looks thrown his way, Ryou smiled apologetically at some of his co-workers who looked at him in amusement. He immediately saw his mother in a deep discussion with one of the bakers, nodding to whatever they said but when she caught Ryou trying to stay off her radar, she narrowed her eyes at him.
He smiled at her – though he knew it must have looked like a grimace to others.
The middle aged woman sighed whilst shaking her head, giving her son the stern look of a reprimand but also a knowing one that he didn't come to work late on purpose.
Relieved coursed through him at the understanding look his mother gave him and he smiled genuinely at her. Being half Japanese, he had been instilled to always be punctual, which he had upholstered – except for the times when he couldn't help it. Ryou went to the staff room and quickly changed into his work clothes, tying a black apron with the family bakery's name embroidered elegantly on it.
He walked through the busy employees in the kitchen and peeped a look from the long curtain that divided the kitchen and the front area, scanning for his brother. He saw Kai talking to a couple of customers at the counter and breathed a sigh of relief that his brother was occupied. He told his brother the day before that he'd be on time but knowing how his school schedule worked, Kai would surely understand.
He hoped.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of Kai." an amused voice said. Ryou glanced back and grinned when he saw his best friend since middle school, Mercy.
"Me? You wish. He's gonna want to make a trade for making him do all the work. You know I can't part with my video games." He snorted before turning to see Kai looking a bit flushed. He raised an eyebrow. Now what is up with that?
He heard Mercy chuckled. "Right. Because one week is too long for you. I don't know how you manage being an upstanding and control freak in a club and a game addict at the same time."
This time, he turned around and faced his grinning friend. Ryou smirked. "Practice makes perfect. Heard of that before?"
Before either of them can say anything, a man in mid-forties interjected with a tired sigh, "I know you kids are best friends and all that and Mercy's a regular here but could you please take this somewhere else? The kitchen's already crowded enough." before storming off.
"Right, sorry Keenan." Ryou called back before turning his attention to Mercy. "Well, I don't know what's gotten into him. He's usually not that biting and grumpy but you heard him."
Mercy sighed and rolled her eyes, muttering, "Nice to know I'm so loved here."
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Merce." He ruffled her hair which earned him a glare and a swat at the hand before adding, "I'll see you later on my break, yeah? After all, I can't let you leave after you drove two miles here."
She started to walk away to the back door, giving a half wave while grumbling, "Yeah, yeah. You should be thankful that I'm still coming to see you even though I don't live here anymore."
"Don't be like that. You know I love you!"
She gave him the finger and ignored his laughter, along with the other employees' chuckles.
Ryou watched the retreating back of his friend out of the door before turning to focus on his target. Kai was now talking to the same customer but somehow he looked even flustered. Highly curious, he decided to get closer to them. As he neared them, he heard bits and pieces of their conversation, one of which made him raised his eyebrows up.
When the girl and an elderly companion with her left, he slung an arm over his brother's shoulders and mused out, "Huh. Since when do we do deliveries, Kai?"
The look on his brother's face was priceless and he would have laughed right then and there if he hadn't any pressing matters. Kai had said he would deliver their order to them…which wasn't part of the business deal. Ryou wondered if their mum even knew about it.
"When the hell did you get here?"
He waved a hand offhandedly. "Besides the point. Does mom know what you just did?"
Kai's expression of embarrassment and guilt flooded his features and Ryou had his answer. "You gotta tell her. She's the boss here. Come to think about it, what possessed you to even say that?" Ryou asked, aghast. Ryou knew Kai was familiar with the rules and regulations of the bakery yet he made that mistake.
His brother muttered, "I don't really know why." before adding with a sigh, "I'll tell her later. Now," Ryou saw Kai's expression morphed into one of an evil grin. "About the deal we made. This time you gotta lend me Assassin's Creed and Fatal Frame."
Ryou frowned. "Which one? I've got a lot."
Kai smirked nonchalantly. "Your favourites."
Ryou sighed heavily. So much in hoping for an understanding from his older brother.
"Stop sighing. Thanks to me, you've only got three hours of shift today. Chop chop." Kai patted on Ryou's shoulder with a victorious grin on his face.
Ryou slumped as he walked towards the counter and willed himself not to grimace when he had to greet a customer. "And chop chop? What are we in, some Food Network competition?" He grumbled to himself before spotting a customer coming his way.
With an inward sigh, he mustered all he could and plastered a smile on his face. "Welcome to Cav'naugh. How may I help you?"
Mercy
She stepped into the café, relief and grateful washed over her when she felt the cool air conditioning soothed her warm skin. Even on a damp and cool November, the sun was unforgiving that day. Mercy nodded and smiled at the workers greeting her by the counter and went to the dessert display. She briefly glanced at her watch, noting that she had a long wait before Ryou's break. Looking around, she noted in silent appreciation at the café's décor.
The place was divided into two different sections of setting, the main one being the smoothie front which had beige-painted bricks for a wall, lined with framed vintage photographs and inspirational quotes making it looked stylishly modern yet very comfortable. The other setting at the end of the corner had maroon and navy blue walls that had some music posters or album covers hanging on a side. There was a small stage facing the seating areas with stools and chairs around them, though in Mercy's opinion, the area seemed quite spacious enough to house at least 30 people. She grinned to herself when the words that crossed her mind described the whole thing adequately. Business in the front, party in the back.
While she was mulling over what kind of smoothie flavor she wanted, she heard a conversation behind her.
"Kids these days. Look at what they're wearing! Back in my day, we would get ridiculed for even wearing such…such atrocity!"
Mercy held a smirk. They weren't even trying to be inconspicuous.
The moment she was born and named Mercy, not Mercedes or something else but just Mercy, she already had a reputation to live up to – though mostly a good one. She wasn't always a temperamental, ill-mannered teenager whatsoever, in fact, Mercy was generally a sweetheart, especially to old people. Her parents had taught her well and she was liked enough by everyone.
But when something ticked her, well she could be quite, for the lack of a better word, merciless.
She'd seen many looks thrown at her by the way she dressed - mostly negative reactions. Her outfit of chains dangling by her black skinny jeans, the studded leather jacket, tattered baggy shirt, spiky bracelets and crimson red hair with a bob haircut tend to leave the old fashioned speechless. It had been amusing until they opened their mouth.
To her credit, she tried to be patient, although on a supposedly cool but actually hot November, did anyone really expect her to let the opportunity to tell someone off pass?
Clearly they didn't know her.
Besides, what's a little dose of their own medicine? Someone needed to put them in their place and Mercy thought she was the best person to do it.
With a smile at the cashier who clearly had heard the conversation and was sending Mercy an apologetic look, Mercy turned around and faced two stout elderly women who was the epitome of innocent and hapless old people turned vicious and cunning.
Really, when someone came up with the definition of 'looks can be deceiving', they must be basing it on them.
Clearing her throat, she smiled cynically at the startled and guilty look on their faces.
In a mocking sympathy, she said, "Well, it must sucked living in the past, huh? It's okay, though. I know how frustrating it must have been to restrain yourself from going crazy with style once upon a time. I suppose that explains why you're so bitter at us millennials for the freedom to express ourselves," and sighed before raising an eyebrow at the jaw slacked women. "It's a mean cycle, ain't it? I'm so glad I'm living in my time now."
Finished, she turned around with a sweet smile and placed her orders, sharing a laughing look with the cashier who had to bite down on her lip from laughing.
It was petty, she knew but one she could not resist from.
She paid for her drink and went in search for a suitable place to sit. She chose a booth by the window glass so she could watch people going about their day. It was also a good spot to see Ryou coming around since his family's bakery was just across the street.
Mercy took a sip of her mango smoothie and relished the cold sensation against her palate when she stuck her tongue against it. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a waitress coming her way with a grin. Mercy didn't doubt anyone who had been watching had seen what happened. There were only a handful of people during this time of the day.
The waitress brought a delicate looking dessert with her, and Mercy raised a confused eyebrow when the girl set it on her table.
"Complimentary dessert for the best thing that we've seen all day. Don't worry, it's on the house." The girl added with a wink when Mercy looked at her in doubt before walking away.
Huh, how generous of them, Mercy mused as she eyed the delicacy. She glanced around the sparse area except for some staff waiting on a couple of table. The generous waitress slash cashier was now taking orders by the counter. No one paid Mercy any attention.
Mercy turned her attention to the dessert which seemed to beckon her to have a taste. She was in a dilemma; should she or should she not? She felt guilty, not because of mouthing off to the elderly women but because she was tempted to try the dessert which she was not going to pay for, despite the waitress telling her that it was free.
She bit her lip in deep thought. She could walk away from it, avoiding to meet anyone's gaze but that would just make her look as though she just stole or ate something which she paid for.
Or you could just eat it, her mind reminded her pointedly.
She sighed to herself and looked at the food forlornly. She couldn't believe she was being hesitant about this when moments ago she was ready to fight two elderly women.
It's free food, a tiny part of her whispered eagerly.
…
…
…
…
Oh, fuck it. Who in their right mind would turn down a free food that's delicious looking like that anyway? Not me. She thought gleefully, and discarding the last shred of hesitancy within her, she shrugged and scoop a bit of the soft cake pudding. If she was given a complimentary dessert for standing up to herself and being a little bit petty to the sour elderly, then she would roll with it.
At the first melt on her tongue, she rolled her eyes and moaned quietly in bliss.
When she ate it all with no speck of crumbs and leftovers to spare, Mercy sighed in disappointment at the empty plate before her. Wondering what she was going to do until Ryou's break, she glanced around mindlessly and took in her surroundings.
The place would have looked deserted if it weren't for some workers who were busy either preparing for a customer's order or wiping the empty tables clean. Mercy saw a waiter mopping the area around him. After a while, he stopped what he was doing and left when a co-worker called his attention.
Besides the understaffed employees and her, there were about two more people sitting in a booth and at a table nearby, and one of them was a girl who looked to be around her age, her face twisted into a look of concentration at what Mercy assumed was a book. Occasionally, her eyes would dart towards something outside the window.
Mercy was curious enough to discreetly look out and see what it was that piqued her interest, not sure what it was she was looking at. It wasn't until she saw Ryou's older brother coming out from an alley beside the bakery with a trash bag – and her turning her attention to the girl that she saw where her staring was fixated at. Raising an eyebrow, she glanced at the oblivious boy and the transfixed girl back and forth.
The longer she looked at them, the more certain Mercy was that something interesting was happening before her.
She only hummed softly to herself, a small smirk tugging at her lips as she shook her head at the obvious look of attraction from the girl. Although she tried not to be swept away into the world of romance much, witnessing that was actually an endearing thing. She couldn't wait to tell Ryou later and wondered what he'll think of it. And interesting enough, she couldn't wait to see how Kai would react on him possibly being a love interest to some girl, whom Mercy had to admit was really gorgeous. Ryou's brother had never shown any outward interest towards the opposite gender that it sometimes made them both wonder if he swings the other team.
They liked seeing Kai getting all flustered and red faced, though whenever he was flocked around by girls or even asking them out.
She chuckled quietly; Kai had been dealing with his younger brother and her since they were all in grade school, and like annoying little siblings, Mercy and Ryou liked to tease him and they had no intention in stopping anytime soon.
The sound of a squeaking shoe sliding across the floor and a small, startled scream followed by a thud beside her snapped Mercy out of her reverie.
Surprised, she saw the same girl who sat across from her – now sprawled on the floor, her face red as she tried to quickly collect her books that was scattered across. A few workers nearby looked alarmed as they went to her.
Mercy got up and knelt down, helping her to gather her books and earned herself a quiet thank you with a small yet sheepish smile.
One of the employees spoke and Mercy looked up to see the same waiter who was mopping the floor earlier. He looked at the girl with a furious flush on his face as he stammered. "Are-are you alright, miss? I'm so sorry, I should have put a sign on the floor while I was mopping."
She gave him a small smile and said, "I guess I should have realized the floor's wet because I saw you mop earlier. At least I didn't break my bones or something."
The girl tried to joke, and Mercy could tell she did that so the boy wouldn't beat himself up more over this. The waiter who looked a couple of years younger than Mercy was so nervous, she thought he'd bolt out of here at the slightest touch. The translation was lost on him, however. If anything, his face paled and he looked like he was going to burst into tears. Mercy admit she was surprised at her show of concern, and one that seemed genuine at that. She hadn't known many people who would shrug off their shoulders if things like these happened to them. Heck, she loathe to admit it but she would probably be one of those people who'd make a scene if this happened to her. After all, she could have broken a bone.
The girl was a saint compared to her really.
One of his co-workers nudged him aside and apologized to her. "We're really sorry, miss-"
The girl put her hand up, her face looking really uncomfortable. "Look, it's fine. I'm alright. It's also my fault and I'm not gonna press charges or anything. No harm done here."
After realizing that the girl were really not going to jeopardize their business because of their fellow colleague, they both thanked her profusely and even insisted that she receive a dessert as a token of gratitude for allowing them to keep their jobs.
With a shy smile, she reluctantly accept the paper bag of dessert from them before looking at Mercy who still had some of her things with her.
Mercy held out a couple of books and some papers to the girl, who took it from her with a sheepish grin. "Thanks for helping me. It was embarrassing to have people witness that fall actually."
Mercy returned her smile but shrugged, "Nah, having an audience of five is a lot more preferable then twenty people in a room."
Mercy had meant that to be a light joke just to ease the girl's embarrassing incident earlier, although what she said had actually happened to her before. Sometimes, her friendly streak and need to make others comfortable would get her into uncomfortable situations – especially when the things she said to them to make them feel better, stranger or not backfired. But Mercy was glad that wasn't the case when the girl in front of her lost her sheepish look and instead was grinning widely at her.
"I take it that was from a personal experience?"
Mercy shrug with a nod, though there's a glint of mirth in her eyes. "Hurts like hell."
"I didn't mean to laugh, but I gotta say that did make me feel a bit better. So thanks." She chuckled and adjusted her bag and things in her arms before holding her hand out. "My name's Lavender, by the way."
Mercy raised an eyebrow. She had never heard of anyone with that name before, but interestingly enough, the name did suit the girl in front of her. It was very…feminine and graceful – unlike hers which sounded like some fallen or avenging angel. Nonetheless, she wouldn't trade her name for anything.
She clasped her hand in hers and shook it. "Mercy. And it's no problem."
Lavender raised her eyebrow a little when she heard Mercy's name but then she had a big smile on her face. "Mercy, huh? That's one interesting name."
"Likewise." Mercy chuckled. In her pocket, she felt her phone vibrated once and couldn't help but wondered briefly if it was a text from Ryou.
She shook her head and laughed. "Well, aren't we a pair." Lavender adjusted her bag once more before her eyes landed briefly on the café's clock. She smiled at Mercy, her expression sheepish again. "I have to go now. If we do meet again later, don't be a stranger and say hi."
Mercy laughed. "Sure."
After waving slightly, Mercy watched as Lavender walked down the street and out from her view. Feeling good about herself, she sat down in the booth again and opened up her text, noticing that it was indeed from Ryou. She scanned the words which quickly put a frown on her face.
Sry Merce but I can't make it. Apparently 3 hrs of shift doesn't include a break now :(
Unless u wanna wait til im done? :/
Mercy sighed. She wanted to be mad at him for making her wait for so long but knew it was pointless. Besides, Ryou rarely pulled stunts like this and she knew how hectic the bakery could be at this time of the day. Mercy wasn't too bummed about not seeing him, she knew Ryou would make it up to her. She sent him a reply back:
Might as well since im here =_=
Im at the smoothies store in front of ur shop
They texted a little bit, her phone vibrating every few seconds.
Ryou: Sweet n thx! I'll make it up to u later dw :D
Mercy: U better! Hw r u gonna make up 4 this?
Ryou: Ive got ur fav donuts n cheesy rolls wit me ;D
Mercy couldn't help but chuckled. Trust Ryou to solve things with food – one of the things she loved to indulge in. While he knew of her love affair with food, he didn't use the card too often. That was one of the things why she love him as a best friend. Unfortunately for her, Ryou knew just how much she loved Cav'naugh's pastries and delicacies and this time he had that weapon against her. Cheeky idiot, she thought with a small laugh.
Mercy: smart man im letting u off this time
Ryou: :D
After a few more texts, she sat back against the leather-covered seat, sighing as she glanced at the clock. It would be another two more hours until Ryou got off work. She supposed she would have to buy another round of smoothie and find something on the menu that wasn't a dessert to sustain herself till then. She went to do just that.
As she thought of what happened at the café moments ago, she found herself wondering if she'll meet Lavender somewhere in the near future. In comparison, people like Mercy and Lavender would probably never cross paths in high school; she was what people deemed as a punk chick and Lavender would be in the popular clique. Still, her demeanor didn't give Mercy any insinuation that she was like any of the bitchy girls Mercy had the unfortunate encounter to share school with. Lavender seemed like a pretty cool person that she wouldn't mind hanging out with in general.
This revelation also led her to think about Ryou; ever since in grade school, he was a geek in some sense but also popular enough to grant some acknowledge and respect from the majority of their schoolmates. And that sort of thing became more noticeable as they went to the same high school until last year. She didn't know how he did it but she was far from jealous of him – if anything, Mercy was glad he chose her to be his friend.
She sighed to herself. Sometimes, her insecurity on the friendships she'd had over the years made her a bitter and insecure person, one that she truly hate but couldn't quite get herself over with. Of all the friends she had, only Ryou had managed to thaw the ice in her and she hoped their relationship would never break off and only continue to grow from here onwards. She'd hate to lose a great friend like him.
At the thought of him and what she had planned to do earlier, she realized that maybe she didn't want to tell him about the slight observation she'd made over Lavender's transfixed stare over his brother after all.
As much as the idea of making Kai flustered around a girl was tempting, she didn't think that would be fair to the newly found acquaintance she'd made of Lavender. Perhaps it would be better to see where these things will go between them.
And besides, she wasn't ready to play Cupid yet.
ns 15.158.61.23da2
