Coffee Effect
Summary: He was a handsome but very grumpy waiter. She was a young aspiring author. They were a pair of young adults who longed for someone special.
Characters: Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rukia Kuchiki
Rating: T
Genre: Romance and Humor
Author: Yukinax
A very tired Rukia Kuchiki made her way up to her small one bedroomed apartment deep in the middle of Karakura town. The sound of her high heeled shoes echoed throughout the empty building as she climbed up the many stairs. The petite raven haired girl stole a glance at her cheap, beaten up watch. 9:23
She paused, her foot in mid-air and spun around, making her way down the steps she had just touched a few moments ago. I'm so tired. But I don't feel like going to sleep. She exited by the fire escape and felt the cold winter air blow into her face. The violet eyed girl adjusted her scarf so that only her eyes and nose was visible and made her way to a café she knew was close.
Of course, there was no guarantee that the shop was actually open but Rukia would take that chance. Karakura was a small town. The newspaper company she worked at rarely had any real news. That didn't matter since Rukia only took the job in the first place to further her understanding of creative writing. One day, she hoped, she would be able to publish her very own book that would hopefully be read by millions.
"Ah, it is open.," she murmured, pleasantly surprised.
Rukia stopped outside a Victorian style café that looked very out of place standing in between two office buildings. The café was a small two storey building that gave off a very friendly feel. Outside were rows of brightly coloured daisies that brought a smile to the ebony haired girl.
She rang the doorbell twice before stepping in. The inside of the café was very warm so Rukia took off her scarf and hanged it on a hat stand near the door. Mahogany tables and dark maroon armchairs were scattered around the room almost carelessly. There were bookcases and a roaring fireplace with a few antique lounges in front of it. Paintings of trees and flowers were on one wall while on the parallel wall there were paintings of clear blue skies and fluffy clouds.
"Irasshaimase," a monotone voice called out from behind the counter.
Rukia came to a standstill and turned to the origin of the voice. A short (but taller than her), white haired man stood, leaning behind a dark brown counter, lazily cleaning a mug with a rag. He wore a pristine white shirt with black pants and a black apron.
"Konbanwa," Rukia replied while bowing, a habit she had yet to get rid of.
The man nodded and handed her a menu which she took, smiling gratefully. She took a seat near the window, absently admiring the white embroidered curtains and quickly skimmed over the menu.
After a few minutes the man walked over with a notepad and pen. Rukia tore her eyes away from the menu and looked up into the man's turquoise eyes.
I think they look nice..
"What's your order," he asked briskly. Though it sounded much more like a command.
Rukia didn't like his tone. For some reason he sounded like a senpai ordering his kohai around.
"I want a Flat White. Five sugars," she handed the menu back to him and scowled.
He didn't make any comment on the abnormal number of sugar she wanted but snatched the menu from her and sneered.
"Of course, Hime-sama."
She thought his face looked really ugly for a moment.
"Hurry up with my drink then old man."
He growled dangerously and stormed towards the coffee machine behind the counter. She sunk back into the chair with a satisfied smirk on her face. A few other people were in the café. A brunette with a rather large bosom chatting animatedly to a bored looking dark haired boy with extremely pale skin and green face paint in the shape of tears sat a few seats in front of her.
A number of seats to her right sat another woman with unbelievably large breasts. The woman was in her late twenties and had strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. There was an enormous strawberry smoothie in front of her. Rukia gulped, feeling self-conscious, tugged her plum jacket tighter around her and quickly zipped it up until it was up to her neck.
"Ulqui-kun, do you think Kurosaki-kun will like his present?"
Kurosaki?
Rukia stiffened and edged closer towards the couple in front of her. Subtly. Yes. Never mind the fact that her tote had fallen off the table and onto the ground.
"How should I know what that piece of trash thinks," came the blunt response.
The brunette sweat drops and emits a forced laughter. She picks up her cup and takes a sip of what Rukia assumes by smell is Earl Grey Tea. The man accompanying her is drinking sparkling water.
"Quite the eaves dropper, aren't you?"
Rukia jumps and the chair falls backwards. The other customers throw her questioning looks and she quickly mutters 'gomen'. The white haired waiter sighs and effortlessly picks up the armchair and puts it back in place.
"Arigato…," muttered the blushing raven head as she sits back in the comfortable chair.
She turns around to see that the man has already returned to the counter.
Like a ninja…her mind trails off as she let herself enter a state of meditation.
"Here is your Flat White," a disinterested voice brings Rukia out of her daze.
She nods and gently sips at the steaming coffee. This amazing feat is awarded with Rukia screaming muffled curse words and trying to cool the burning sensation in her mouth.
The female swears she hears someone mutter 'idiot' before the mug is taken out of her hands. Kuchiki ogles at the waiter as he softly blows on her beverage. Her face heats up and she freezes.
"There. You should know better," he gives her a chastising look.
Her eyes widen and she seized the mug from him, "Sh..shut up!"
Rukia turns from him and put the mug to her slightly bruised lips. The drink is heavenly and warm and she smiles, trying to ignore the lovely shade of tomato red her face was at the moment.
…
She walks up to the cash register and places a ten dollar note on the surface. He looks at her in mild confusion.
"I'll be here tomorrow night," Rukia whispers.
He nods and turns back to the coffee machine, leaving the money unattended.
Before she left she turns around a final time, "My name is Rukia."
The waiter doesn't turn around so she can't see the smirk that is gracing his face at that moment.
"Toshiro."
A/N And that concludes the first chapter of Coffee Effect. Yeah, weird title. Anyway, I plan on making this fanfic least twenty chapters :3 If there are any grammatical errors please point them out ^.^ No flames please, my weak heart can't handle them. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. Thank you for reading C:
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. The picture used as the book cover does not belong to me either. I own nothing. Not even an apple. T^T
Vocabulary:
Irasshaimase: Welcome to our shop/restaurant.
Konbanwa: Good Evening.
Hime: Princess.