Ding!
Atem made his way to the usual spot, adjusting the new scarf that rested around his neck. The seasons were getting warmer, sure, but he still felt cold and was curious of becoming ill.
He basked in the silent atmosphere, the quiet cafe. Cute counters, tiny tables and nearly-potted succulents all meshed into Atem's personal heaven. He never had much else to do or any place to go, back at home he was forced to study and work until he passed out due to exhaustion. Anything to keep the family company stable.
The cafe served as a small escape, and Yuugi's visits greatly helped him - even if he had only been seeing him for a few days.
Atem realised. Yuugi was rather late. Worried that he may be ill or something, he anxiously picked up the menu and fiddled with the pages. The cafe had a large menu, despite it being nothing more than a small cafe.
Ding!
The bell. No one else really passed through so the bell got Atem quite happy. He perked up and placed the menu down. He had to be cool and composed so the conversation with his new friend could be easy for both parties.
"Oi Yuug's , ya sure it's a good spot? " Instead of a sweet, gentle greeting he received a loud, obnoxious voice coveted in a thick accent.
"Ah!" There. The voice he could recognise, "It's a great spot - G'afternoon Atem!"
"Good afternoon." Atem felt at peace again. He wanted to look back at who else was there but realised that it might break the unspoken rule of not looking at Yuugi's appearance.
Yuugi quietly explained to the people with him their whole friendship dynamic and in return the loud voice proudly remarked,
" A'ter noon. I'm Jounouchi. " Atem made an exception and peered back to the person, Jounouchi as he was called. He had scruffy blonde hair, deep Hazel eyes and a blank expression, one which had changed to a cheeky grin as soon as Yuugi spoke. Next to him were a pretty brunette, delicate in both figure and face. Atem wasn't very interested in girls but still could appreciate her flower-like beauty.
"I'm Anzu. It's good to meet you!" She looked back at him, who was still looking at the new people and hoping that Yuugi didn't look back to see him curiously looking.
"Oh wow, it's unusual to see someone with fuchsia eyes here!" She giggled softly, sitting down and Atem immediately facing away and blocking his face away in embarrassment - he never liked his eyes, people said they looked too unusual for his social class.
" W.. Why don't we order now? " Yuugi spoke up, Atem hearing the noise of Jounouchi sitting down and excitedly thinking of what to order.
"Have you looked into any more teas recently?" Atem smiled, playing with his hands. Yuugi nodded,
"I kinda wanna try a fruit tea!"
"Oh, good choice." Atem mused, "They aren't too sweet, but still as beneficial as the base fruits!"
"Wow!" Yuugi let out a small chuckle.
Atem continued, "Technically Chamomile tea can be classed as a fruit tea, as it's usually mixed up with apples and such."
The girl, who Yuugi had introduced as Anzu, joined in,
"I'm more of a coffee person myself."
"Really?" Atem smiled, "I personally dislike coffee, however I am expected to drink it at times."
"Why??" Yuugi curiously inquired, hoping that it wouldn't be offensive to ask.
"My status.." Atem sighed, "Just because I live in a more 'richer' environment, I have to be mature and stuff. Drinking tea in my area is seen as feminine, so me drinking it is looked down upon."
"I don' think anyone should dictate what ya drink." Jounouchi commented, then declaring that he'd order a Cola.
"Which fruit tea would you like today, Yuugi?"
"The cranberry tea seems interesting!"
"Cranberry tea is super good!" Atem gleamed, "Not too sweet, not too bland.. And it's good for you too!"
"I've had that one before!" Anzu gleamed, "It's nice."
"I agree." Atem put his hand up and vales out to the old man at the counter, ordering two Cranberry Teas, an Expresso and a Cola.
Atem and the others sat in silence for a moment before he spoke up.
"Cranberry tea is usually good for detox's. Though it has its downsides..!"
"Hm?" Yuugi always enjoyed listening to his new friend's tea rants,he always seemed to know everything about the drink.
Atem sighed, "Drinking excessive amounts of cranberry juice could increase chances of kidney stones.. Obviously, the tea contains a lot of juice, so drinking too much has the same effect."
Yuugi and Anzu stated their surprise. Jounouchi, however, mainly stayed quiet, as he didn't know what to say.
The old man soon came with the orders, placing the drinks down quietly and giving Atem a bow of respect before returning to his usual spot behind the counter.
"Would you like the first sip, Yuugi?"
"Sure!"
Atem mused at the sound of Yuugi delicately sipping his drink. A little gasp escaped Yuugi's mouth as he thought.
"Hmm… I wouldn't go crazy over it." He had concluded, "I don't really like the aftertaste, still pretty good though!"
"It is one of the more mature Fruit teas." Atem picked the cup up and sipped gently, "Though not nearly as mature as your friend's expresso."
He glanced out of the window, the awkward chuckle from Yuugi's friend breaking his focus from the tea for a moment.
"Ye sure do know a lot 'bout tea."
"I don't have much else to do with my spare time." Atem laughed, taking another gull of red liquid and dreamily smiling at the taste.
Yuugi thought for a moment then asked, "If you added sugar to this, would it be sweeter?"
"I personally wouldn't. However, it would make it a little sweeter, sure."
Atem spent the quickly passing 20 minutes talking to Yuugi about tea, only briefly conversing with his friends. He felt awkward and out of place when they were there, but shouldered the feeling as to not seem annoyed to Yuugi .
" Me and Jou have to get going. Yuugi, make it home safe, alright?"
"Yep!"
Anzu took the blonde and they both left, the bell signalling the cue for Atem to let out a heavy sigh.
Yuugi said quietly, "Sorry if I bothered you by bringing them.."
"Ah! No, you didn't! Sorry if I seemed off today, I'm very tired with all that studying and work.." Atem lied in response, he didn't mind lying. It was true that he had a lot of work to do.
"Okay then!" Yuugi smiled. Atem finished off his tea and politely wiped his mouth using a napkin. He could hear Yuugi gulping down the final bit of tea as well.
"We didn't have snacks today!" Atem remembered, how could he forget such an important custom!
Yuugi chuckled, "It's not like we need snacks every time, right?"
"True! I can't think of what this form of tea goes with, anyway!"
After a small chat, and a brisk check of the time, Atem groaned.
"I'm gonna have to head off early.."
"How come?"
Atem peered down to his phone, "Family problems. I'm probably going to get scolded tonight."
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry."
"It's fine!" Atem laughed it off, "Hopefully by tomorrow it'll be solved!"
"Hmm-hmm!"
Atem tightened the scarf around his neck and picked himself up. He gave a small goodbye to Yuugi, placed a few notes of cash on the counter for the old man and left in a hurry, running through the cool breeze as he systematically made his way back home.
'It's selfish but… I hope Yuugi' s alone tomorrow. It's easier to talk..'
Atem thought, opening the doors and hopping into the elevator all the way up to the top floor.
' Can't wait to drink tea with him some more! '