The train ride back towards Leblanc, which was usually quite quiet, was filled with Yusuke telling him all about the art pieces he was working on and other aspects of his life. Akira had to admit, it was nice to listen to someone talk and add in things here and there instead of the usual silence. He smiled at each thing he said which seemed to ignite a hint of blush in Yusuke's cheeks.
"I'm the one saying the most, but it seems as though your smile is saying more than enough for you."
"You always say such corny things?" Akira countered with a sly smirk.
He was always witty when he needed to be. It was something that usually took people by surprise when they were first talking to him. Akira usually came off as the quiet type, which he saw as a major advantage. People never knew what to expect from him.
"Hmm, you're surprisingly witty," he chuckled.
"Most people find my quiet nature a bit intimidating. Guess they don't know what's going to come out of my mouth," he said with a shrug.
Once the train came to a stop at Yongen, he lead the way out of the station and into the neighborhood. It was around dusk by the time they arrived there though the backstreets were still very much alive and lit up by the various shops.
"This town is quite charming. I'm a bit jealous you get to be here nearly every day. I'm stuck at the student dorms by the campus downtown. It's always noisy day and night."
"I thought about the dorms or rooming with someone at a place nearby, but I don't mind taking the train every day. It's what I had to do when I was in high school anyway. Staying here reminds me of those days which is bittersweet in a way," Akira remarked, kicking an empty soda can out of their way.
"How so? Well, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'm just curious. I think this is the most you've talked since we first met today. Your voice..I think it's nice," Yusuke said with a bit of a cough at the last part.
"Well, most of my close friends from Shujin have gone off to schools or careers farther away. I was used to seeing them pretty much every day. Now, it's maybe once a month if I'm lucky, but I'm happy for them. They're pursuing things they love. Now, I have to figure out what I want to do, but enough of that. I don't want to bum you out or anything."
Akira stopped and turned to face a little café tucked away in the backstreets. He knelt down when he noticed the familiar black cat sitting by the door and meowing up at them.
"Hey, Morgana. I'm home," he said, patting his head.
"Oh, so you have a cat. He's lovely."
Yusuke knelt down as well and offered his hand to Morgana. He curiously sniffed at the hand, glancing up at him with sharp, blue eyes. There was a slight moment of tension before Morgana rubbed his face against his hand in a sign of welcome then pawed at the door as he waited for Akira to open it.
"Oh, hey, welcome back," Sojiro called from the counter as he was cleaning a few cups.
He raised an eyebrow and wore a slight smirk when he saw Akira accompanied by another.
"Well, well, well, you actually brought someone with you. You did mention something about the center hosting some kind of blind date thing. Is he your date?"
"Something like that," he joked, petting Morgana who had jumped onto his shoulders.
"Oh, I'm Yusuke Kitagawa. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir!" Yusuke bowed politely and followed Akira to sit at a stool next to him.
He noted the warm, relaxing atmosphere of the café, taking all of the aura of the place in. It was something he always did when going somewhere new. As an artist, it was beneficial to go to new places and take in the unique aesthetics.
"Sojiro Sakura or 'Boss' if you prefer. Nice to meet you. You're one of the first new people this guy's brought over. Eventually, I just always expected him to come home alone. That's why seeing you caught me off guard. And is it going to be the usual for you?" Sojiro asked, directing it at Akira.
With a nod from him, Sojiro was already making him a cup of coffee.
"It's a good brew I have going today. Would you like some as well?" He looked to Yusuke as he slid a cup over to Akira.
"Oh, if it's no trouble, I'd love some. It smells wonderful."
"How about you make him one, then? Your coffee brewing has gotten my seal of approval after all," he suggested to Akira.
"Oh, sure. I'll just put my apron on real quick." He gave his best wink to Yusuke, hoping he didn't look like a total dork while doing so.
He soon emerged from the back kitchen area donning a green apron. A few pens had been placed in the pocket. Often, he ran the café for Sojiro when he could. Over the years he really had become a reliable employee for him. Giving Yusuke a warm smile, he picked out beans for the right kind of brew he wanted and started making it. Yusuke couldn't help but admire the way he worked. He worked the machines with such grace and skill. He couldn't help but feel somewhat inspired just by watching him.
"Geez, I remember when you first showed up here, and I first taught you how to brew a cup of coffee. You were very tentative and clumsy, but now, well, you're a pro at it," Sojiro chuckled then turned when he heard the bell chime as the door was opened.
"Sooojiro!" a girl's voice chimed as Futaba ran in. "Oh, welcome home, Akira!"
Without hesitation, she took a seat at the bar near Yusuke.
"Oh, hey, Futaba. Did you finish your homework already? Do you want some coffee?" Sojiro asked and patted Akira's shoulder. "I'll be back in a few. Gonna step outside for a quick smoke."
"I'd love a cup if you don't mind, Akira." She looked over at Yusuke curiously. "Hey, who is he?" she whispered even though Yusuke was clearly hear her.
"He's..my date for tonight. We hung out earlier on campus. His name is Yusuke," he chuckled and finished off the cup and handed it to Yusuke.
"Ohhh! Well, then it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Futaba Sakura. I guess since Sojiro is basically Akira and I's guardian, that would make us pretty much siblings."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Futaba. Seems I'm meeting all of your family today," he chuckled and eagerly sipped on the coffee.
As soon as the rich flavor and undertones of the brew hit his tongue, Yusuke found himself clutching at his chest due to the flavor alone. It was like no other coffee he had tasted so far. It had a flavor profile all of its own.
"My, I would have never expected to taste coffee like this in such a small town. I am truly honored that you made this just for me. It didn't taste like any specific coffee I know. It must've been your own mix, right?"
"Sojiro has finally let me start experimenting with different kinds of flavors and mixing them. It took a while, but I think he finally trusts me with them," he said with a nod.
"Ooh! Make me a special flavor next, Akira!" Futaba chirped with excitement.
Akira went ahead and made up a cup for Futaba. As soon as he handed it to her, a few customers walked in and sat in one of the nearby booths. Since Sojiro was out for now, he politely excused himself and went to serve them. Once he had everyone taken care of, he wiped his forehead and leaned against the bar.
"Sorry about that. I'll take over with serving customers. You should have fun with your date," Sojiro chuckled and took over for him.
Akira nodded and took off his apron, stashing in the back again. He walked back over and took the seat next to Yusuke.
"Well, it was nice meeting you. I don't want to butt in on your guys' first date, but can't make any promises that I won't butt in on other dates." She winked and gave a wave before heading out the door back to her house.
Night was fully set in now as street lights lit up the road. Right now, Akira didn't even want to think about the homework that he had to get done. Of course, most of it could be done in the morning before his afternoon classes anyway.
"I'm quite charmed to meet everyone here, and I'd love to stay longer, but I suppose I should get back and get some work done before my classes tomorrow. I'm guessing the same goes for you, but perhaps we could meet up somewhere on campus tomorrow if you'd like." Yusuke finished off the coffee and stretched as he stood up, grabbing his bag.
"I'd love to. Here, I'll walk you to the station."
The night air was cool and refreshing as the two of them walked over to the station. Akira couldn't help but glance down from time to time when he noticed how close their hands came sometimes to touching. The thought alone brought a bit of heat into his cheeks. He bit the inside of his cheek as they approached the gate and where they'd part ways for now.
"Um, safe travels back, Yusuke. I suppose I'll see you tomorrow," he said, feeling his cheeks heat up even more when they turned to face each other.
He noticed that Yusuke was standing awfully close. Yusuke suddenly took Akira's hand in his, and the other hoped that his little jump of surprise had gone unnoticed. His hand, which was usually a bit cold, felt warm in Yusuke's touch.
"Until tomorrow, then," he said softly and planted a light kiss on the top of his hand before slowly letting go.
He gave a wave before walking through the gates to get to the train. Akira could only wave back with a dumbfounded look on his face.