Chapter Text
It wasn't unusual to see so many high school students in the cafe in late afternoon. Many came to study for upcoming finals, relaxing and procrastinating as they stir their coffee or finish off one their pastries. It was a locally well known cafe; not main stream, making the place a quiet and comforting joint.
But when a large group of relatively athletic boys walked in, Kenma thought that who place became chaotic and noisy. Usually small study groups came in and were respectful of others but this group seemed to energetic and too out of place in the rather empty cafe. Kenma could recognize that they were a high school sports club but couldn't exactly place what sport.
When one of the taller and broader boys walked up to the counter, he immediately recognized an orange and black volleyball uniform underneath his jacket.
Kenma inwardly cringed. He remembered being in a volleyball club when he was in high school and he wasn't particularly fond of how much time he had wasted in that club. He didn't hate volleyball, he just hates how the entire volleyball thing was just-
"So much work," a voice hissed in his ear beside him, pulling him from his thoughts. Kuroo stood watching the bunch of active and sweaty kids as they moved forward.Kenma was thankful Kuroo had come to help; he would have been overwhelmed with the large amount of people and energy.
Kuroo moved to the other cash register and waved at the students with a mocking grin. They all stepped forward and formed a messy line at Kuroo's register. Kenma sighed with relief when he realized that Kuroo would handle all the students, even chat with them for much too long. Kenma took it that he could handle it on his own, so he began to slip away until a voice made freeze.
"Excuse me, could I order something... Keema?" A small orange haired boy leaned over the counter towards where Kenma was, squinting at the name tag that Kenma had pinned to his apron.
He sighed and moved back towards the register, making the smaller boy move back as well. He thought he could get away from them all, but of course, there were too many of them to slip away unnoticed.
"What can I get you-?" Kenma began before a loud voice startled him, making him jump back from the second figure that had approached behind the smaller boy.
"Hinata you dumbass! His name is 'Kenma'," said a tall black haired boy to Hinata, "you can't even read what's right in front of you."
At this remark, Hinata blushed furiously and turned towards the tall boy.
"Shut up Kageyama! I couldn't see his name tag! How was I supposed to know I was wrong?" Hinata asked.
"Well, have you have heard the name, Keema anywhere in your life?" Kageyama retorted, turning to take a seat across the cafe.
Hinata spun around to the still shocked and frozen barista. "I'm very sorry for mispronouncing your name, please forgive me!" Hinata yelled, bowing in apology multiple times.
Kenma began to panic at this point, trying to turn to Kuroo for help. The other members had completely ignored the little scuffle, except for one tall blonde who snickered at the apologetic boy, and were chatting with Kuroo. He was too deep in conversation that Kenma knew he wasn't going to get the help he needed. He was only serving one person and he already felt like calling it quits for the day.Kenma moved back forward towards the counter, raising his arms as if in defense.
"Don't worry about it. Just let me take your order please," Kenma replied, trying to get the boy to stop apologizing. Hinata lifted his head, a light blush still evident on his face.
He nodded in agreement but continued to avoid Kenma's eyes. After ordering, Hinata shuffled away to sit at the overcrowded tables, still embarrassed at messing up a simple name, and Kenma spun around to work on the orders. Kuroo had taken to getting more chairs and helping push the tables together for the entire group to sit at. Basically, Kenma had to make and serve the entire group while Kuroo had taken a seat to continue talking to the volleyball players.
Kenma sighed as he grabbed a tray and placed multiple drinks on it. He balanced it on his hip as he grabbed multiple straws with his free hand and made his way over to the group. He called out the drinks one by one and quickly returned to finish off the rest. As he finally managed to make and serve the rest of the drinks, he returned to the back of the counter, leaning on the register as he pulled out his phone to waste time.
Knowing Kuroo and his continuous love for volleyball that had persisted even after high school, the captain and him would most likely be talking well into the evening, as Kuroo did with most people. Kenma sighed as he unlocked his phone, noticing that it was already 5 pm and opening a game to waste time.
Kenma was completely unaware of the glances that he kept receiving from a rather flustered Hinata.
*
At about 7 pm, the large group began to break off and take their leave. Eventually, only the captain and a silver haired boy were talking with Kuroo while the pair of Kageyama and Hinata chatted with each other, jumping in to the others conversation when appropriate.
Kenma caught bits and pieces of their conversation as he was cleaning around them and was able to figure out that the team was indeed a volleyball team who were quickly advancing and progressing. They came from Karasuno High School and the captain seemed rather particular on the younger boys skills and teamwork.
Kenma resumed his place behind the counter after sweeping and wiping down the tables, pushing some of the chairs to the side. He remembered how much his volleyball team relied on teamwork. They were a flexible and strong team, able to take their opponents by surprise. Their strategy and strength relied on Kenma, as he was the brain of their team. He even remembered his number and the uniform pattern and colors.
Hinata approached the blond haired boy, not wanting to startle him as he realized the barista was lost in thought. Kuroo was escorting the other members out of them shop as Hinata had been insistent on apologizing to Kenma yet again. Hinata reached out and nervously tapped Kenma on his shoulder, successfully making the boy look up with alertness and freeze. He relaxed when he realized it was only Hinata and resumed his posture and preparing to take another order before Hinata interrupted.
"Ah, no I'm not going to order anything. I mean, unless I should before I go because I was rude earlier and, uh, I'm still really sorry about that. I want to make it up to you, so uhm I guess I'll have-" Hinata stuttered.
"Really, it's alright Hinata. It was just an honest mistake, you don't have to buy something to make up for it," Kenma assured him, nervously fidgeting with one of the markers on the counter. He really didn't like it when people were this persistent on their apologies but Kenma did feel bad for the kid.
Hinata stared back, wide eyed with a gaping mouth before finally being able to speak, "uhm h-how do you know my name?"
This time, Kenma blushed as he realized his mistake.
"Ah, I just over heard your- your friend call you Hinata so I just- sorry, I should have asked first," Kenma replied, flustered.
Hinata returned a shy smile before pulling out a piece of paper and grabbing the marker from Kenma. He scribbled something on the paper before thrusting it in Kenma's face. Kenma grabbed the paper and realized that there were numbers scrawled across in a hurried fashion.
When he looked up again, Hinata was headed out the door and gave a small wave to Kenma; his face tinged red with embarrassment yet giving a confident smile at the barista. Kenma stood their frozen for a second before tentatively giving a small wave and a small smile before the boy walked out the door and into the darkness.
After about 10 minutes of stunned silence and Kuroo giving him a congratulatory pat on the back, Kenma pulled out his phone and began to punch in the numbers to save to his contacts. Kenma smiled to himself as he sent a text confirming that it was him and felt his chest pool with warmth when he received a message soon after.
Kenma was actually looking forward to having the cafe be lively with the boys energetic smile.