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yuuji shouldnt have come here, he shouldnt even have stepped inside. the overpriced coffee ads were everywhere, although the shop seemed cozy and family-like it didnt excuse the exaggerated price for a singular beverage.
he didnt bother visiting cafe’s and mostly threw excuses to not go into one; most important reason out of them all was that he is a broke college student. yuuji barely survived on cup noodles and cheap sweets.
dont get him wrong– he likes to support businesses! he recently got a CD from a small family store, costed around 4-5 bucks.
thats all he could ever give, honestly.
besides that itadori liked trying out new places, he was an adventurer. he liked to explore, save stray cats and people. he was just broke and he didnt have enough funds to help people.
he shuffled his way to the counter, gazing at the price table. he didnt even appreciate the taste of coffee. he has just seen a weird green looking drink on social media and yes he was a literal over-consumptioner. curse him with trend following sheep life.
his eyes couldnt actually catch the drink that he has seen before, he knew he could ask the barista– it was a bit embarrassing but who cared, you only get to live once.
iced vanilla latte, caramel macchiato, iced mocha, oat milked shaken espresso, none of them rang a bell. the weird green drink wasnt on sight.
thats when he noticed the barista behind the counter.
a guy.
a very cute guy.
yuuji blinked, he didnt expect this and moreover he didnt have any crushes on men before, only junpei, tobey maguire and some claw machine guy– yeah maybe he was more queer than he thought.
the black spiky haired angel who had a messy hair. he looked effortlessly cool and as soon as he realized yuuji was approaching the register, he locked his phone.
”what can i get for you?’’
he didnt want to seem weird but yuuji almost gasped to the voice tone of the mysterious barista guy. the tag on his apron spelt out ‘megumi’ .
his brain gone complete blank.
”huh? oh– yeah! hello.’’ yuuji started, immediately regretting every word.
the barista was out of yuujis league, if he had to be honest.
megumi blinked curiously, mostly patient like this sort of event happened to him everyday.
”i saw this drink online and like–’’ yuuji vaguely waved his hands, eyes searching the specific drink again on the menu ‘“it was…green? and fluffy in a way, i dont know my memory is vivid at the moment.’’ he scratched his neck awkwardly.
megumi raised an eyebrow “matcha?’’ clicking the screen infront of him
yuujis eyes lit up in excitement “yep! pretty sure thats the one… unless there are other drinks that are green.’’ laughing nervously to his own joke.
the card scanner device showed 11 dollars and jesus, yuuji was going to be starving tonight it seemed.
megumi shrugged and got a cup, starting the espresso machine “not really, matcha is popular nowadays so im sure its what you asked for.’’
scooping the green powder, his expression was stoic, pouring milk over the green thing. it seemed that he had practice with this particular drink.
”so…’’ yuuji started, leaning against the counter and try to strike a casual conversation “you seem pretty cool doing that.’’
megumi didnt look up “it is literally just powder and drink.’’
”yeah but well– aesthetic powder and milk! you get what im saying?’’ yuuji continued to humiliate himself infront of the barista. “your aura is totally giving off the barista vibes.’’
that earned him a side glance, not a big thing but enough for yuuji.
”barista vibes?’’
”uh-huh’’ he nodded “mysterious, calm, probably knows how to beat up a group of people and maybe name their white cat something ironic like fluff’’
theres a beat of silence, yuuji knows he messed it up. he made a fool of himself and now the man of his dreams were going to shoo him off with the overpriced green beverage.
”i do not have a cat.’’
looking bewildered, yuuji replied “you seem like you do.’’
another pause happened then again megumi spoke;
”I have dogs.’’
yuuji dramatically gasped like he just learnt that dogs exist.
“dogs! as in plural? thats so cool,” he gushed, already halfway leaning over the counter like they were best friends. “i want a pet, but with this economy? no way. plus, i can’t even keep a cactus alive.”
megumi looked rather amused, trying not to betray his cold expression..
”ive got two,’’ he said, tone even. ‘’theyre actually with my teacher right now.’’
megumi was good with pets.
the universe didnt need to spell it out anymore– megumi was an angel, a whole giant neon green flag. yuuji tried his best to not spiral right there.
megumi took his finished drink to his left hand, a pen on his right hand.
”what was your name?’’
”oh! its yuuji.’’
writing the name to the cup megumi handed the drink over yuuji. there were barely any customers so megumi waited for yuuji’s reaction silently.
sipping from the drinık, yuuji regretted getting it instantly.
he forced a smile.
“mmm. so… green,” he said, as if that was a real flavor.
megumi blinked at him. slowly. the silence between them was absolutely judging yuuji with full force.
“you don’t like it.”
“what? no! i love it,” yuuji lied, voice cracking halfway through. “its like…salmon in a way and also grassy?’’
he immediately regretted saying "salmon." after seeing the baristas expression
megumi tilted his head slightly, that tiny smirk threatening to return.
“you have barely swallowed any.”
“im savoring it!” yuuji bickered, clearly offended
megumi raised an eyebrow. “youve been ‘savoring’ the same sip for two minutes.”
yuuji looked at his cup. betrayed. “okay fine. i dislike it. it tastes like raw salmon.”
it wasnt even his fault– social media made it seem like this drink was a gift from heaven above, like they had been spiritually awakened by this drink. he fell for it. just like he did with monster looking keychain plushies.
nobara told him this drink was “absolute shit,” but he insisted.
and now, here he was. eleven dollars poorer, pride evaporated, drinking raw salmon in front of a hot barista.
he held the sip in his mouth like a hostage. he hated to admit that nobara was right.
megumi leaned in just a little, arms crossed now, clearly enjoying this far too much.
“so you came all the way here… for a drink you don’t like… just because you saw it online?”
yuujis ears turned red. “no,” he said quickly. “i came here because… uh…” clutching to the cursed matcha closer to his chest.
megumi waited for him to reply.
yuuji panicked. what the hell was he supposed to say now?
“…the lighting looked nice.”
megumi gave him a look. a mocking one. “the lighting?”
“yeah. like. very warm. like ‘oh wow i could fall in love here’ kind of lighting.”
megumis eyes widened, yuuji could see his green eyes far more better now.
abort! he needed to abort this plan!
the pause stretched until megumi begun once again “you trying to fall inlove, here? a coffe shop?’’
yuuji nearly choked on absolutely nothing. “what? no! i mean—maybe? im just saying, if someone were to fall in love, this would be a perfect place.”
megumis smirk finally broke through “youre horrible at this.”
“what?! im doing amazing,” yuuji insisted, pretending to be offended. “ive only embarrassed myself three times today.’’
megumi took a moment, then leaned forward a little more, chin tilted just slightly.
“youre lucky youre kind of cute.”
yuuji blinked and gulped down, coming to the realization that the black spiky absolutely hot barista was hitting on him.
“did you just—was that—did you just flirt with me?”
megumi shrugged, casually turning to the espresso machine like he didnt just fry yuujis entire brain.
he was seriously hot, if megumi actually let yuuji. he could maybe. suck his dick or whatever. shaming thoughts were interrupting his agony, he wasnt really a pervert but it wasnt his fault. he was a human with needs. he liked to think about how megumi’s hands might feel like on his waist, or how his name would sound whispered against his ear.
nobara said ‘love at first sight’ and she was right. god help him, maybe she was so right.
”i might have, figure it out.’’
seriously, he was maybe cursed. yuuji was agreeing with nobara a lot today, the beverage tasted absolute ass, love at first sight was real. he despised the idea of actually saying to his friend and make her get more egoistical then she already is.
”you okay?’’ megumi asked over his shoulder, not properly glancing to his side.
yuuji froze “yeah!’ he muttered out immediately “im more than okay– splendid, even!’’
he was not splendid.
he needed to leave this instant.
“im gonna go,” yuuji said, gripping the cup tighter. “but im definitely coming back. for the… uh… lighting.” shaking his head anxiously.
megumi rolled his eyes “sure,’’ he said “drop by later and ill make you something that doesnt taste like raw salmon.’’
yuujis head snapped, he nodded quickly “yeah, haha, raw salmon drink… cool!’’
making a fool of himself again, he made his way to the exit pouting.
he almost tripped on the way out.