Hello all! Welcome to my new story: Café Latte. This is my first time writing a Hyotei story so I do apologize if I make a few mistakes here and there. Anyhow, please do enjoy and review soon!

Angelus S-R Dragomir


Café Latte

Episode 1: Cappuccino

"Reika-chan, another Latte please!"

I glanced at the order that appeared on the computer screen. Afternoons were known to be the busiest time of the day as students and businessmen all hurried through the glass doors and waited in line for a coffee. I usually didn't take the afternoon shift as it overlapped with school, but since one of the other girl's grandma recently passed away in Chiba, I volunteered as a fill in.

"Hai! Two hot chocolates with additional milk!" I announced to the awaiting crowd before placing the paper cups on the pick up bench.

Two girls dressed in their respective school uniform hurried forward to retrieve their drinks, "Thank you!"

I smiled, "No problem, enjoy your drink."

"No problem, enjoy your drink," a figure imitated in an attempted girlish voice, "That's how you just sounded."

Turning around, I gave Kiyoshi a slap across the shoulder, "Quit teasing me," I mumbled, "I hate it."

"Hate is a very emotional word," he argued, pulling a goofy grin, "How about strongly dislike?"

Kiyoshi was one of those people who liked to mess with your brain. As a promising literature student in his senior class and an unbelievably good kendo player, he appealed to people as a nerdy, but at the same time cool genius. Yet, little did people know that Kiyoshi earned his pocket money by working at the downtown Starbucks coffee shop.

"Careful with that Latte there," Kiyoshi nudged me against the arm, "I had a feeling you might spill it."

Shooting the boy a glare, I quickly unhooked the metal jug from the nozzle, "If you nudge me, then I'll spill it," I muttered, pouring the hot mixture into a paper cup.

Kiyoshi gave a simple chuckle before moving onto his order.

~Cappuccino~

"Thank you all for your hard work today!" Emiko-san, the middle-aged petite store manger called out as we gathered our belongs at the locker bay, "It's being a long day so go home and get some rest!"

A tired sigh was heard, "I can't wait for the weekend," Kikyo-chan, the cute store cashier who spent all her time and money buying makeup and listening to gossiped, mumbled.

"So she can buy makeup and chase after guys again," Kiyoshi whispered to me while slipping on his coat.

I managed a slight chuckle before closing my locker door and picking up my bags. Following the rest of the store crew, we soon found ourselves standing outside in the cool autumn night. Kikyo with her cute handbag and diamond decorated phone declared she'll be taking the subway home while Kiyoshi swung his kendo sword across his back and jumped on his bicycle.

"See you tomorrow then, Reika-chan" Kiyoshi grinned before pushing off into a steady speed.

Giving Kiyoshi a final wave, I turned around and started making my own way home. My parents were relatively busy parents. Otou-san works in the military, meaning he spent most of his time up in the office while Okaa-san was an university lecturer, spending a lot of her time marking exams and papers. So, as per usual, I walked home myself.

Normally I would take the short route home by crossing through the neighborhood playground and down the local park. But today, I took the longer route instead. Joining the wide road flashing with headlights and buzzing with the evening traffic jam, I strolled down the busy street before turning onto a narrow alleyway. Otou-san, being the military father he was, hated me walking through allies. Yet, on some occasional, I really liked walking these small passageways that were painted with graffiti, littered in rust and smelt of the nearby Chinese restaurant.

~Cappuccino~

"I'm home!"

Taking off my shoes and stepping onto the freshly polished wood, I first greeted my younger brother who as per usual, sat in the lounge room and hogged the TV with his video games.

"Reika nee-san!" he waved at me, "You're home early!"

I grinned at the boy, "Are you just saying that, Satoru?" I walked up behind the couch and ruffled his black hair, "Am I really that early?"

Satoru turned around and smiled, "Of course I mean it," he glanced back at his game, "You're earlier than Otou-san."

Just as I was about to open my mouth to reply, a pair of yellow headlights suddenly shone through the white curtains before disappearing into the garage. A second later, Okaa-san was heard hurrying down the corridor.

"Kids, your father is home," she announced, hands on her hips, "Satoru! Close that video game before your father steps in! Reika, put your bag away!"

A groan was heard from Satoru as he reluctantly got up from the couch and ejected the CD before rolling up his controller. I on the other hand, dragged my bag upstairs into my room before turning around and slumping back down the stairs again. Yet, just as I reached the last step- the front door clicked and a moment later, Otou-san's green military coat was seen wafting in.

"Welcome home, Otou-san," I greeted

My father glanced at me, "Ah, Reika," he sat down and began taking off his black boots.

I didn't really like Otou-san's black military boots. They scared me- even when I was a child, I used to think only monsters wore black boots. It was only when I got older before eventually understanding why Otou-san wore boots instead of normal shoes all my friend's fathers would wear.

After Otou-san arrived home, dinner was served in the dining room as usual. Otou-san would sit at the front of the table, followed by Okaa-san, then me and lastly Satoru. The children (As Otou-san calls us) were to be served first, then the adults. Dinner for most families was a time to laugh, chat and share each other's thoughts. However for my family, Dinner was merely a formal time and the only things Otou-san would bring up was either politics or the military.

"It is truly a phenomenon," Otou-san would begin, take a bite of his food before continuing, "That the States are finally agreeing to support our military bases in Okinawa."

Then Okaa-san would say something like, "That's wonderful," or "Isn't that a relief for our government."

Satoru and I didn't usually participate in these conversations. I never really enjoyed politics, whether it was classes at school or at home. Satoru however, was constantly pushed to understand politics and how the government works. Otou-san tends to give him these long lectures about who governs who and how then the military fits in. I felt sorry for Satoru when these lectures happen as the boy was only eleven and was a fan for sports and video games. Okaa-san didn't seem to sense this and even said to me once that understanding politics would benefit Satoru in the future.

So as the topic about air forces arose on tonight's dinner table, Otou-san directly questioned Satoru on which military aircrafts Japan was to fly to the States soon. Satoru, being the quiet mouse of the whole conversation- immediately turned pale and scared.

"Not good en-"

"Boeing KC-767 isn't it?" I interrupted before Otou-san flared with anger

The whole table suddenly turned to stare at me, "Quite correct," Otou-san announced before moving onto a totally new topic. Turning towards me, Satoru mouthed a small 'thank you'.

After dinner, I usually helped Okaa-san do the dishes while Satoru hid in this room- hoping not to be the target of another long military lecture. Okaa-san would wash the dishes before passing them across for me to dry.

"Okaa-san, don't you think it's a little unfair that Satoru has to go through all those lectures?" I began

My mother eyed me, "It'll benefit Satoru when he gets older," she remarked, "And I thought we've been through this already."

I sighed, "I know, but his only eleven," I argued, gripping a slippery plate that was just passed to me, "I mean aren't eleven year olds meant to be enjoying what they do at school and have fun?"

Okaa-san was quiet for a second. When she spoke again, her tone was quite serious, "Your father always wanted his son to be in the military," she replies, "So not only will his son have a good future, but to also retire honorably himself."

Pulling a face, I stared at Okaa-san, "But is that what Satoru wants?" I rejected, "How can one pressure-"

"Reika!" Okaa-san cut me through, "That's enough nonsense. I don't want to hear another word from you."

I stared at my mother. Suddenly feeling a pit of anger bubble in my stomach, I threw the towel down and stomped out of the kitchen. Okaa-san, being the type of person she is, didn't even bother to turn around.

~Cappuccino~

That night, I laid in bed recapping the conversation with Okaa-san. She seemed completely oblivious to the world around her, and that annoyed me. It annoyed me how she follows whatever order has in placed in front of her. It's like me working at Starbucks, following orders that were being made.

A soft knock on the bedroom door brought me back to reality. Poking his small head around the door, Satoru appeared in this bear decorated pajamas. He took a few steps in.

"Reika nee-san, is it alright if I sleep with you tonight?" he asked

Clicking open my bed light, I nodded and gestured for Satoru to join me. Scurrying across the carpet before jumping on my bed, Satoru immediately nuzzled me. Turning the light off, I pulled the blanket around my younger brother.

"Thank you for saving me today nee-san," he mumbled, "I was really scared Otou-san was going to give me another lecture."

I gave the boy a pat on the forehead, "It's alright Satoru, I understand."

He looked up, "Why does Otou-san always wants me to understand these stuff?" he questioned, "I don't like this stuff."

"He want's you to grow up to be a strong, Satoru," I replied

Satoru squirmed, "But all the big boys at my school aren't like this," he whispered, "They don't have to learn these stuff."

I sighed, "Sometimes life can be sweet and bitter at the same time, just like a cappuccino," I glanced down at the boy, "Ever tasted a cappuccino before, Satoru?"

He shook his head, "What's it like?'

"One day, I'll make you one," I smiled, "And then you can tell me what it's like."

-To Be Continued…-

~Cappuccino~

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Sorry if it's a little short, I'll make the next one longer. Please do review, I'd love to hear what you thought or any suggestions or ideas.

Until next chapter!