Makishima loathed how desperate he was for money sometimes, and how it really kept him from doing what he wanted. It was true that his family was rather well off, enough for them to send his older brother to London without any problems, but Makishima didn't feel right buying any of his cycling equipment off of their savings. There was something about buying the gear to success with your own money that made victory taste even sweeter.

That being said, he wasn't that fond of working in general. It sounded rather nice in concept, doing so much work, earning money, and profit. Though he didn't care for labor, the cycle was one he could respect, and Makishima had fewer problems working if that profit was guaranteed. What no one ever included was the struggle it took to actually find a job, and one he could manage doing with little experience. Or could even stand doing. As soon as he was of age to begin job hunting Makishima had started, though it took until his second year of high school to find one. Even then it wasn't anything nice or exciting. For the first few months he'd been sentenced to stock, cleaning, and odd jobs around a coffee shop chain.

There were quite a few other rookies that worked alongside him only to drop out quickly upon realizing they were far from the "dream job" they'd imagine they were picking up. Unable to be phased as he wasn't fond of any job in general, Makishima was one of the only few who lasted long enough to be promoted to barista.

Immediately, he wanted to return to his time cleaning off tables and fixing equipment, as dealing with the customers proved to be more difficult. He was already troubled by social situations in general, and having to deal with such stubborn, unnervingly serious people ("I asked for three different layers of shots, not for them to be mixed with the rest!") was a great struggle. His coworkers on the other hand, couldn't seem more grateful for his presence at the counter. For some reason, he appeared to be one of the only able to keep customers from complaining for what reason he could only assume to be his intimidating, naturally displeased face. At least his lack of expression was finally good for something.

If only it worked for all customers.

"Good morning, Maki!"

He visibly cringed, slowly turning back to the counter. Every day consistently for two years now, that "morning ritual" burst right through the doors, not failing today as usual.

"Oh, you put your hair up today! You should put it up more often, it looks really cute! Do you ever put it in different hairstyles? You totally should!" The excited boy gushed with too much gusto to be human at this hour, trotting right up to the counter where thankfully (only for him) there was no line.

"Good morning," Makishima sighed, leaning against the glass display case and speaking out of courtesy. He ignored everything else he was saying. "The usual again today?"

Toudou crossed one of his arms over his chest, grabbing his chin and humming loudly as if in deep thought. Watching the other's eyes scan over the boards above him and sway back on his feet, Makishima couldn't help but roll his eyes-as if he ever got anything different. "Yeah, but maybe another shot of espresso; I'm pretty tired today!" Irony was Makishima's greatest enemy.

Taking only a few steps back, he grabbed the drink already packaged and opened the lid to make the changes Toudou had given. Usually he would take the time to prepare his drink each day, but today, Makishima had different plans in mind. Worrisome ones, at that. He slid the cardboard cover over the middle of the cup after replacing the lid (casually removing a sharpie from sight) and returned to the counter. Upon seeing his order pre-made, Toudou grinned widely.

"Maki, don't tell me you were looking forward to seeing me today too!"

"I was trying to get you out of here faster."

The rude remark only earned him a loud laugh as he set the usual amount of money on the counter with a bit more for the extra shot. "You're cruel, Maki. If only you'd give me your number, I'd forgive you. But, unfortunately, I actually do have to go early. My bike's chain broke so I have to take the bus to school instead; totally sad, right?" Makishima hummed a half-hearted response, staring at Toudou expectantly. "But I'll be here tomorrow and able to stay longer, so don't worry about it! If you ever change your mind, we can totally race starting tomorrow!"

"Shouldn't you be leaving then, Toudou?" Makishima cut him off just as he opened his mouth to continue. If he let him keep going, he was sure they'd be here until the end of his shift. Appearing surprised, Toudou laughed and shook his head, giving the barista a charming look with the intent to kill, he was sure. He lingered for just a moment to express a few more ritual words ("I keep seeing your bike, we should race sometime," "Take care of yourself," "Be here tomorrow!") before skipping his way out the door.

And finally, Makishima could breathe a sigh of relief. Toudou wasn't the only one to have learned a number of the other's habits in the years they'd met at the counter. The only problem was that bit about the bus-would it work in time, he wondered? Usually Toudou would sit in the cafe studying, waiting until his cup was cool enough to take the sleeve off his drink and only then actually enjoy it. He wouldn't leave until he was entirely finished, either. But if he never took the sleeve off his cup… all of his worrying would be for naught, and then he'd just be a fool.

Makishima's shift only ended an hour after, just a few minutes before he had to be at class (though it was never a problem, seeing as university was closer on his bike). As soon as he picked up his bag he could feel his phone vibrating continuously from a contact he'd saved a while ago and never communicated with.

[(06:30) toudou jinpachi] maki! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ
[(06:31) toudou jinpachi] i can't believe u finally gave me your #, im so happy!
[(06:31) toudou jinpachi] does this mean you want to race? u cant hide anything from me! (´ω｀ )
[(06:33) toudou jinpachi] why ddidnt you just text me 1st? i gave you my # like a MILLION times?
[(06:34) toudou jinpachi] i dont mind, maki giving me his contact in such a sly manner is super cute ヾ(◍'౪`◍)ﾉﾞ
[(06:40) toudou jinpachi] hey maki, answer me already
[(06:45) toudou jinpachi] makiiiii im texting in class for you, ill get caught and youll feel really bad!
[(06:57) toudou jinpachi] MAKI! ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡
[(07:03) toudou jinpachi] did i make u mad already? ur too mean if u gave me ur # just to ignore me! (´；ω；`)
[(07:11) toudou jinpachi] cruel! SO cruel! i'll start ignoring you now!

Makishima couldn't help but smile, running his fingers through his hair in exasperation. Typical Toudou after all. Somehow after two years of small chat at the counter, this didn't feel too odd.

[(07:17) makishima yuusuke] stop texting me so much already, you should learn some manners. i had to get off work
[(07:18) toudou jinpachi] maki!

The next day when Toudou burst through the door without reservation and all but jumped up to hug Makishima over the counter, he almost regretted his decision to give him his number in the first place-thankfully it was only Toudou's drink he spilled.