"Dazai-san?!" I awoke with a start and shot straight up in bed. Looking around I wonder why I'm so shocked, why am I so confused? What's going on? Then I remember and groan.
I make my way out of bed and head to the kitchen where I find his stupid note on the fridge, even his writing looks smug.
"Atsushi-kun! I'm going on an adventure.
I will be back in a few days, don't miss me too much!
Dazai."
I groan again. It's been 3 days since I woke up and found that note. He's done this before, just up and left, but not for this long. I'm getting slightly worried but I don't really want to admit it. Every time I get worried he ends up coming back with some grand story and makes me feel stupid for even worrying in the first place. But I guess I can't help myself.
Slightly annoyed, I get ready quick and head to work. I'm a barista at a shop called Crema's with Dazai as well as two of our other friends from college. We're almost known around town and it's embarrassing to say the least. Customers come to our shop because 'it's where the cute college boys work', I cringe at this while Dazai just smirks and makes the most tips out of all of us with his charm.
I'm the one opening the shop today, so when I arrive it's completely empty. It's such a weird feeling being here when there's no one but I take advantage of the calm while it lasts, which isn't long. Within 5 minutes I hear something falling in the back-store room so I run as fast as I can to check out the commotion. I sigh when I arrive on the scene of fallen boxes and persons.
"Good morning Ranpo-san," I say as I offer a hand to help him up. He takes my hand with a smile and jumps to his feet, "Atsushi-kun, good morning."
"I see you're on the opening shift, did you sleep?"
"What do you think? I don't do mornings, why am I always put on mornings. I specifically ask for afternoons and this is what I get. I receive no respect here," I laugh as he rambles and we both head to get changed and set up shop.
Ranpo is the oldest of our little coffee shop quartet and he definitely thinks he deserves the title of seniority to say the least. Although he is brilliant, he cannot do simple tasks. We wonder how he is still employed here considering the man can't even brew the coffee and this is a coffee shop but the answer is simple; he brings in the most customers with his awkward charm, though Dazai won't admit that, and he's great with numbers and technicality. He practically works as the accountant for the place and a barista on the side, and the boss loves it because he gets one employee for two jobs at one rate. We still don't know why Ranpo works for as little as he does, or why he works here at all considering he's graduated college, but we just don't ask anymore.
When it's Ranpo and I opening, I do pretty much everything so it's a good thing I got here earlier than usual. I start brewing different flavours of coffee while Ranpo cleans up the place. Once it's time to open he opens the doors and greets customers with his well-known smile and a snide remark, making them all blush. It takes everything within me to not roll my eyes. I don't know how people find his blunt remarks charming but they do.
The morning goes quickly and it isn't long before the afternoon staff comes in, though we are one short due to Dazai's truancy. I'm in the middle of making a latte when Junichiro joins me and I am beyond thankful because the afternoon rush has started.
"Hey Atsushi, how's business today? Look's busy," he asks as he starts taking orders. I survey the shop and agree that it is busy. Ranpo is slouched in a chair by the door greeting customers and I scoff. "It wouldn't be so bad if someone would actually work around here."
"Yeah, no kidding, what is he good for," Junichiro states rather than questions with a smirk.
"I heard that!" Ranpo yells from across the shop, "and I'll have you know I'm good for a lot of things! I provide the brilliance and good looks that this shop needs."
"Well -and-Good-Looks, come over here and serve orders like you were hired for," I yell back and he sticks his tongue out but actually does like I ask. I am surprised. A group of girls sitting at a booth nearby laugh and wink at me. I almost choke as I blush in response.
Once the rush calms down I take a moment to breathe.
"So, have you heard from Dazai-san?" Junichiro asks with a worried expression. He worries too much for his own good, I try to tell him not to but he can't help it. He's a caring guy.
"Nope, I'm sure he's fine though."
"I hope so. I'm worried that one of these days one of his suicide attempts will actually be successful." This thought makes me a bit anxious, I hadn't really thought about it before. Dazai has a bit of an obsession with suicide, maybe more than a bit if I'm being honest. He tends to attempt suicide frequently, and on his little 'adventures' as he calls them in the past he has tried it. Thankfully he always comes home but then I have to deal with him sulking for the next while and I'm a nervous wreck until I know he won't try anything again any time soon.
"I really hope not," I say quietly.
"You guys, he's fine. I would know if he wasn't," Ranpo states with a wink as he comes up to grab a tray.
"He's right, but still. I can't help but worry," Junichiro says and I nod, trying to agree and stay positive. "Maybe we should see if Chuuya-san has heard from him."
My heart races when his name is brought up and I try as hard as I can to stop the blush I feel rushing to my cheeks. Chuuya is Dazai's ex, though they still talk it isn't because they get along per say. They have a really dynamic relationship, they hate each other but I'm not sure how strong that hate really is. They still talk because Chuuya's shop, Viñedo's, is right down the strip from ours and Dazai likes to go over and drive him crazy. I almost feel bad for him.
"Yeah maybe," I practically stutter out, "if he isn't back in a day or two we will."
"Sounds like a plan," he replies with a smile that looks slightly forced, he's worried like I am, but I'm thankful he's talking instead of me trying to. "Hey, wanna hangout tonight? Your place must be pretty quiet with Dazai gone."
"Sure! When are you done?"
"Not until 9, I have to close. But you open with me tomorrow right? Wanna just stay over and we'll head in together?" I agree to the invitation and we continue our work shift which seems to drag on forever.
By the time 5 o'clock rolls around I couldn't be more thankful to be free. Normally I love my job but today I feel so distracted I just want to get out of there and try not to think for a little while. Just as I'm getting ready to leave though I realize Junichiro is going to be left alone since Dazai isn't here, I can't just leave him for the last 4 hours.
"Hey, are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?" I ask concerned and just as he's about to answer Ranpo jumps into our conversation.
"Actually, I'm staying late. Bosses orders, he wants me to update the computer systems. But if dear Juju here needs any help I will assist," he says as he hugs Junichiro's chest from behind, giving him a heart attack and eliciting giggles from the girls sitting at a table nearby. I internally facepalm.
"Okay, if you need anything just text me. I don't live far," I offer with a smile that Junichiro returns. Although I offered to help if needed, I pray I don't receive a text so I don't have to come back, I really need a break from this place even if it is only a night.
I get changed and pack up my things quickly, I always have to run after work to catch my bus home. They are scheduled horribly, if I miss this one I have to wait 45 minutes for the next and that is the last thing I want to do. So, sprinting out of the shop I almost fall flat on my face but am caught in midair… by nothing. As I float, I look up and almost choke when I see Chuuya standing in front of his shop, leaning against the wall and looking as smug as ever.
