Hello everyone. Sorry for the delayed update again. I think I'm going to have to update every 2 days instead of everyday as I just do not have enough time. I'm sorry if this chapter disappoints anyone, but I feel we need to focus on Sasuke a little too, or else we'll only learn about Naruto. Anyway, thank you all so much for the reviews! I didn't expect anyone to read this so yeah, thank you! Please keep reviewing as I love to read what you think.
The tape rolls to a stop and I'm about to take my headphones off when I receive a gentle tap on the shoulder. I slide them off and turn round to find the Librarian looking at me nervously.
"I'm sorry but we'll be closing in 5 minutes. If I could ask you to be leaving soon..." she says, pushing her glasses up her nose and fiddling with the sleeves of her blouse.
"Of course. Thank you for letting me stay." I reply, hanging the headphones around my neck and picking up my bag before slinging it over my shoulder and walking out. It's a lot colder now, and the sun isn't visible, the only light coming from windows and street-lights. I retrieve my scarf from my bag and tie it snugly round my neck. The walk to the centre of town isn't far, only about 10 minutes or so, but the wind starts to pick up and I can feel it biting at my face. I didn't bring a hat or coat, so I'll be thankful by the time I get there.
I finally get to the alley described and make my way down, coming out the other side in a little circle of small shops I didn't know existed. Most of them are closed, but I can see a pub with light still in it's windows and at the far side, a little old coffee shop with a rusty sign spelling out 'Kohi Coffee'. I walk slowly across the space, my mind still processing all that has happened today. I feel like I'm somehow involved in something secret; something special.
My heart beats a little faster as I push open the coffee shop door, a bell ringing above my head to let the owners know someone has entered. I look around, and notice that the boy on the tapes is right. Although it's dark out, and the weather is cold, there are two customers, each sat at their own table. They're both young as well, a little older than me maybe but still under 20. I drop my bag at a small table in the corner and make my way up to the counter.
"Excuse me." I call quietly. There's nobody at the counter, but I can here noise in the room behind.
A couple of seconds later and a man comes out of the door carrying a stack of coffee mugs. He's got long brown hair and a large scar across his nose, though the rest of his features are pretty young. He's probably in his late 20s.
"Ah sorry, I was just doing some cleaning." he says cheerily, despite the late hour. "What would you like?"
"A mocha please, with cream."
"Certainly! It'll just be a minute. I'll bring it over when it's ready." he replies, putting the cups into a cupboard under the till and getting to work on my drink. I'm about to ask about the tapes but I decide to wait until after I've had my drink. I could do with it now anyway, my hands are freezing from the walk here.
I take a seat at my table and take off my scarf, again. I rummage in my bag for a bit, finally retrieving my phone and write a quick text to my brother informing him I'll be late home tonight. Itachi and I never used to be close, but things have changed recently and I'm glad. It was a little lonely being in a house with someone you tried to ignore.
"A mocha with cream." a voice says and I look round to see the serving man, who I realise to be Iruka, with my drink. He places the saucer on the table with a smile and is about to turn away when I speak.
"I've actually come here for a reason...I need the next spiral."
His face loses it's brightness almost immediately, but he tries to cover it up with a false smile. "Oh. I see. Sure, I'll be right back."
I wait for a little, sipping at my mocha. The spiral boy is right, it's one of the best I've had. The coffee is blended perfectly with the milk and the cream just adds a little needed sweetness. I'm not a sweet kind of person, but a mocha without cream is just a little too bitter.
Iruka appears again, making his way slowly through the café until he reaches my table. "Here." he says, sliding a cassette onto my table. It's almost identical to the last one, apart from their are two spirals on this one. The previous tape had an orange spiral on it, where as this one has one red spiral on the left, and a yellow one on the right.
I thank him and turn back to my mocha, picking up the tape and putting it in my pocket.
"Um.." Iruka speaks again, his voice sounding a little cautious. "I just want you to know, I'm glad you finally came for the tape. I've been holding onto it for almost two years now. I don't know what it's about but I know when he gave it to me, he just had this look. And then he never came back here. I know it's something important, so just, thank you."
I just sit there as he turns and walks back to the counter, picking up a stack of dirty mugs and carrying them into the back room once more. I wonder what he means; what it all means. I tug at my sleeve unconsciously, a habit I've picked up over the years.
I finish my mocha and lick the cream from my lips. If things turn out okay, I might come here again; that really was a good coffee. I push my chair back a little and lean into it, relishing the warmth on the indoors. I slip the new tape out of my pocket and turn it over in my hands, wondering what could be on it. I could just play it and find out, but I feel like this should take time. I put it back in my pocket and zip it up all the way to make sure I don't lose it.
I leave $5 on the counter for the mocha. It was only $1.20 but I feel the need to tip him for his help. Wrapping my scarf round my neck once more and pulling my hood over my head, I slip my bag on my shoulder and head out of the door. I'm greeted by a wave of freezing air and I regret not bringing a coat. It's almost 9:30pm as I walk along the side alley and onto the main street, the street-lights showing me the way home and the next cassette tucked safely in my pocket.