A/N: Full note at the end. Just wanted to take a sec to thank you all for your patience and I hope that you enjoy the second installment as much as the first!
On the first day back to school, Kimiko makes a point to stop in at the coffee shop early. The morning is still cool, and the shop is pretty quiet. Clay is leaning on the counter, chatting to a young man she's never seen before, and Raimundo is filling the coffee machines as he listens to their conversation. "Oh, oh! This must be her!" the young man exclaims as Kimiko wanders toward the counter. He turns to beam up at her. "You are the friend they talk so often of. I am Omi."
She shakes his offered hand, startled. "Uh, Kimiko…" she answers slowly, wracking her brain in an attempt to identify the person in front of her. It takes a moment, but judging by the grin on the boys' faces, she realizes that this must be their friend, the other one who rents an apartment with them. When she had first started coming to the shop, Clay would talk about both his friends, and how one would often take extended trips to China. Raimundo had mentioned him a couple times over the last semester as well, with a bit of feigned dislike. "Oh, Omi, it's nice to finally meet you!" she manages at last, relief flooding her voice.
He narrows his eyes a bit, but before he can ask her what he obviously wants to, Clay cuts in with, "Back to school already?"
Kimiko sighs dramatically. "The breaks are never long enough," she answers and digs in her bag for her wallet. "Surprise me. I need a good kickstart. Keiko was super nervous because she's taking a new class this semester and she just would not stop texting me last night. I'm running low on sleep, which is never a good way to start the semester." She looks back up at Clay, wallet in hand. "When do you guys go back?"
Clay glances back at Raimundo, who seems to be more engrossed with the task of making coffee than the conversation, and answers, "We have another few days."
"I am here for a few months!" Omi chimes in happily.
"Where do you go when you're not here? I think Clay said you've been in China, right?" Kimiko inquires, turning partially to include him in the conversation.
Omi nods. "Yes, in Shandong," he answers solemnly. "It is a very vast and beautiful place. I go there to visit family, and study."
Kimiko considers his answer for a moment, before saying, "I spent some time in Beijing when I was twelve. My papa owns a big business and we had to stay there for a few months one summer. The city is really amazing. We would go on trips sometimes, and we got to see outside the city… There are some really pretty places in China."
The young man beams up at her, obviously thrilled. "If you go back, I will show you Shandong! It is marvelous!"
She smiles at him. "Sure thing. I'll keep you to that." Raimundo slides the drink across the counter at that point, giving her a brief smile before going back to the machines to finish filling coffee beans. In a lower voice, she asks, "Is he okay? I don't think he's ever been this quiet since I met him."
Omi opens his mouth but Clay beats him to the answer, "Tired, mostly. I told ya - he doesn't stop. Don't take it personal or nothing. He'll be right as rain in another day or so."
She's not sure that she buys that answer, but doesn't push it as she pays for her coffee. "Thanks, guys! I'll see you tomorrow!" She waves over her shoulder at them as she steps out into the street. It's a bright day, full of optimism and, as she reaches the corner of the street and looks at her coffee cup, hope. She can't read the message right away, because it's in Portuguese, but the length of it intrigues her - coupled with the fact that there's something that looks a lot like a phone number beneath it. Her heart leaps into her throat and she hurries to school.
Gostaria de sair comigo esta semana?
It's later than he was hoping for when he finally gets the restaurant closed down for the night. He and a few of his coworkers all exchange brief thanks before they part ways. Raimundo makes sure the doors are locked and then starts his walk home. It's his favorite part of any day, the time he gets just to wind down and be with himself. He puts his earbuds in and plugs them into his phone, finding a playlist to listen to as he walks. There's a message that's been there for a few hours that he's afraid to open. It's probably Omi or Clay, but the hope that it's someone else is a little overwhelming.
He hasn't dated in a couple years, after his last girlfriend blindsided and devastated him. It doesn't help that he now has to work with her quite often at the restaurant. She's said so many things about him to their boss, he's been afraid of losing his job at least twice. There's something daunting in the idea that he might be ready to try the dating game again. He'd been delaying it as long as possible. But this feeling had shown up a few weeks ago, this feeling that if he didn't do something that he'd miss his chance. He'd tried brushing it off, ignoring it, talking himself out of it. All of that only served to make the feeling grow and he thought he'd be sick with it. Now that he'd actually taken a step towards resolving the feeling, his doubts are kicking in.
What if he's wrong about the whole thing? He might have been imagining Kimiko's interest. If it was a step too far, the whole coffee shop could be in jeopardy - never mind his job. His chest tightens. Not that he'll have that job much longer anyway. The owner of the coffee shop is threatening to cut back again. He'll have to try to find something else.
With this thought in mind, he pulls his phone out and unlocks it. He might as well see what it says. It's not going to go away just because he's ignoring it. He opens the message from an unknown number, his heart pounding louder than his music at this point. Hey, this is Kimiko! Name the day and I'm game! He's more than a little startled and can't help the short bark of laughter he lets out at the message. After a brief moment of contemplation, he decides on Wednesday of the following week and replies to her.
He pauses his walk and looks at the sky. The only time there has ever been such a warring of excitement and dread in him was the first time he had gone surfing alone in the dark. He had known that if he hurt himself, there would be no one to help him. But to go surfing alone at night had sounded so wonderful - away from all the other people, with nothing but him and the water and the few sea creatures that also liked the moon. After the first time, with no damage to himself, he had gone back again and again and loved it every time. To compare a person with surfing the ocean might seem odd to some. But the waves were his first love, and the idea that he might have found a second damn near stalls his brain.
Kimiko's father is in town for the week. Tomoko, her older sister, invites them to dinner on Sunday night. "It's the best restaurant in town, I swear it," she declares as they get out of the car. Kimiko isn't particularly close to her sister; they don't agree on a lot of things. But they always celebrate each other's successes and can always agree to be there for their father. So while Kimiko has barely given the restaurant a second glance before, she relents and lets her sister insist that they go. "And the staff - just wait." She winks at Kimiko and she rolls her eyes.
They're led to a table in the back by a petite redhead with a bright smile and a syrup-sweet customer service voice. The restaurant isn't as busy as Kimiko would have expected for "best in town", but the place is buzzing with conversations. Most of the people, she notices, appear wealthy and she realizes why Tomoko likes it here so much. While Kimiko doesn't like flaunting her wealth, Tomoko relishes in it. The only favor Kimiko had ever asked her father where money is concerned was help with school so that she could make it on her own when she graduated. Of course, her father went above and beyond - made sure she had a good apartment and an "allowance" for food and clothes. She's grateful for it because it means she can focus on school and not have to work, too. Tomoko, however, never minds asking for favors. Kimiko will admit that she's not as annoyed with that since Tomoko started working with their father remotely from home and is good with their finances.
They're handed a menu and the girl flounces away. Kimiko glances over her menu, marvelling at the choices. Had it been that long since she'd eaten at a fine restaurant? Most of the dishes were traditional Thai, but there were a few with American twists that intrigued her. She isn't much of a chef herself, really, and had spent too much money in her first year of college eating out. She's recently managed to downsize the amount of times she eats out by using food kits that get delivered to her door every week. Still, getting a meal that's properly cooked is definitely a treat and she's a little grateful that her sister suggested going out.
"Good evening," a familiar, yet strained, voice greets beside her and she looks up in surprise to see Raimundo. His face flushes immediately and he shifts his weight, uneasiness rolling off of him in waves. "Oh… Uh, hey, Kimiko…"
Kimiko smiles, confused. "I didn't know you worked here." She gets an elbow to her ribs and throws Tomoko a nasty look before continuing, "Rai, this is my papa, and my sister, Tomoko." She gestures to each of them and then says, "This is Raimundo; we met at a coffee shop he works at that I frequent." She hasn't actually told her family about Raimundo, and since they hadn't gone on their date yet, she hadn't seen a need to say anything. Part of her regrets that now as Tomoko smiles smugly at him.
Shifting self-consciously, Raimundo does his best to give a genuine smile. "Hello," he manages to say with relative enthusiasm. "It's good to meet you." He hesitates, obviously wanting to say something more, but decides against it and goes full customer service instead. "What can I get you to drink tonight?" Kimiko has to say, she's rather amazed at how different Raimundo is here compared to the coffee shop. Here, dressed in a white button down and slacks, his posture is stiff, the air about him is on edge, and he comes off as drained. It's all a stark contrast from his laidback attitude, relaxed posture, and tired yet friendly vibe he usually gives off at his other job. She purses her lips but orders water for the entire table. He gives the usual answer about how he'll be right back with their drinks and to take their orders before stepping away.
"Spill it," Tomoko demands when he's out of earshot. She's smiling widely, a mischievous glint in her eye. "A guy you met at a coffee shop you frequent? I thought you were dating someone - Jack?"
Kimiko blushes slightly. "Yeah, that didn't pan out," she tells her sister defensively. "He wasn't as quality as I thought." She tucks her hair behind her ear and continues, "I met Raimundo at the coffee shop but we've gotten along fairly well. He asked me out last week."
Her father is frowning across the table but Tomoko is definitely intrigued. "I'm going to need more info, Kimiko."
Before she can answer, Raimundo is back, setting glasses down for everyone. His guard is still up, but she can sense that he's trying to be a little more relaxed. "Got any idea what you'd like?" he asks, voice lighter than before.
"Got any recommendations?" Tomoko inquires, scanning her menu. Kimiko can tell that she's in recon mode, not flirtatious mode.
Raimundo makes a face, glancing over his shoulders discreetly before leaning in slightly. "Look, I usually give people the top seller as a recommendation, but, honestly, it's not even the best dish." He shrugs. "The secret dish is the tom kha soup. Never hear anything bad about it and I enjoy it, even though I don't like Thai food." Kimiko smiles at the odd way his accent sounds against Thai words.
"You work at a Thai restaurant," Tomoko reminds him, baffled.
"It helps pay the bills," Raimundo mutters, losing some of his confidence. "But, uh, yeah, that's what I'd recommend." Someone taps a glass at another table and he glances over his shoulder at them with a frown.
"I'll try it," Kimiko declares, folding her menu. Her father and Tomoko order chicken pad thai and thai green mango salad respectively. After scribbling the orders down, he collects their menus and disappears into the back.
"He's kinda…" Tomoko frowns, attempting to figure out the right word. "Flat, if you get what I mean."
Kimiko opens her mouth to defend him when her father beats her to it. "I do not believe that that is what you are sensing. He is definitely not happy here."
"I got that, too," Kimiko agrees quietly. "He's usually pretty lighthearted and funny. He's definitely uncomfortable here." She's a little bothered by the fact that she didn't even know he worked here. He'd mentioned another job in the evenings, but Clay had made it sound like waiting tables was a job he didn't have anymore.
They keep their conversation light after that, and Kimiko makes a point to no longer talk about their waiter. They talk about school and their father's business between being served and receiving their bill. Raimundo is attentive and polite, but uneasy throughout the entire meal. And then chaos erupts. He's waiting on a table across the room when the shouting starts. A woman at the table is scolding Raimundo about her food; he tries to console her, apologise, and when he reaches to take her plate back, she tosses her glass of wine into his face. Tomoko gasps audibly. The restaurant goes quiet as the woman berates him further.
Kimiko decides that Raimundo must have some sort of godlike ability to stay level headed because she would have gone off at that point, but he doesn't say a word. He stands there, ridgid, and listens until she's apparently satisfied and he takes her plate from the table. He passes Kimiko's table and she can see how much effort it's taking to stay silent. He's biting his lower lip so hard, she's surprised there's no blood. Her father grumbles something under his breath as he pays the bill. Clearly, he's upset. Tomoko and Kimiko glance at each other nervously.
This should be it. This should be the sole reason Raimundo quits. He could walk away and have a hundred reasons why to back him up. But he won't. He can't. He thinks of his family back in Brazil; thinks of his little brother, Davi. He takes a few deep breaths. Only a half hour left on shift. He nods, trying to get his bearings together.
"Raimundo!"
He groans internally. It's his boss, Wuya. Whatever had happened out there is about to get worse back here. He turns to face her. "Present," he calls weakly.
"A customer just complained about your attire and now I see why…" She looks him over disdainfully. He knows she knows the real story and doesn't bother to defend himself. "Go home. You cannot wait tables looking like that."
Raimundo frowns at her, his chest filling with bitterness. He wants to argue for his last half hour - every penny counts - but he knows she's right. And he has no spare shirts to change into. "Fine," he spits, glaring at her.
"I expect a clean uniform tomorrow night," Wuya states with a hint of cruel satisfaction. She doesn't provide uniforms; he'll have to buy a new shirt. "And do try not to upset our loyal customers." She smiles smugly and leaves the kitchen.
Raimundo takes his apron off, crumbling it into a ball as he goes to clock out. The nerve of that woman! He heads out the back, wanting to avoid Kimiko's table. His heart sinks a little bit.
Kimiko. She must think terribly of him now. He must look so pathetic in her eyes.
He's only a little surprised that she'd never been to the restaurant while he was on shift before now. She doesn't exactly flaunt her wealth, but Raimundo has been around so many rich people over the years, waiting tables for people who toss hundred dollar bills around like they're loose change - he can tell she comes from a wealthy family. And, if his frazzled brain had absorbed the credit card information correctly, her father was a video game tycoon, one of the wealthiest men in Japan. He's never really thought much of her wealth, despite his own prejudice against wealthy people, because he likes what he sees despite it. She's real, not one of those ritzy ladies who flashes all their wealth in jewelry and fake smiles. But tonight just shows him how different they are and he feels inadequate.
He sighs, walking around the building toward the front. He reaches for his earbuds when he hears Kimiko's sister say, "I completely agree, Papa. I'll never step foot in here again."
Raimundo stops dead. He is not ready to talk to Kimiko, get sucker punched in the gut by rejection. Just as he makes up his mind to turn and go the long way home, Kimiko catches sight of him and hurries over, telling her family that she'll be just a minute. His stomach fills with ice. "Rai!" she cries when she approaches. "Are you alright?"
He gives a half-hearted shrug of his shoulders. "It's fine. Not the first time a customer took their bad day out on me," he answers, skirting around her questiona bit. It isn't a downright lie. Granted, this is the first time he's had someone throw a drink on him, but it's not the first time someone has yelled at him using their food as a pretense. He is, however, still a little miffed about his shirt.
"That woman was downright awful," Kimiko remarks, her fiery temper showing slightly. It's kinda refreshing to think that it's in his defense. She hesitates and then offers, "Can we take you home?"
Raimundo gives her a blank stare. He isn't quite sure how to react, since she isn't reacting the way he thought she would. After a moment, envisioning an awkward ride with her father glancing at him disapprovingly in the rearview mirror, he shakes his head. "No, thanks. I think I need to walk this off," he tells her calmly. Kimiko frowns reproachfully. She's obviously not a fan of the idea. He smiles at her. "I walk this every night. It's only six - not even dark yet. I appreciate the offer, though."
With a little bit of obvious effort, she relents. "Okay…" She bites her lip and then says, "Text me when you get home, yeah?"
Unable to conceal his surprise, he blurts, "You still want to talk to me?"
"What?" Kimiko's brow furrows in obvious confusion. "Why wouldn't I?"
Twisting his apron in his hands, he glances down. "I dunno… I guess I just see the gap between our social classes more right now… I figured I looked more like a loser than before." He actually hadn't had any intention of telling her about his insecurities over this. It feels like one of those conversations you just don't have - or put off until much later, at least. He knows it makes him look like he thinks she's shallow, which isn't the case. But he can't take the words back now.
Kimiko doesn't answer right away, and he resists the urge to look up at her. "I'll be right back." Startled, he watches her go back to her car and talk to her sister through the passenger's window. A moment later, she comes back and the car drives away. "Let me walk with you." Now that her ride has left, he doesn't see how there's much of a choice on the matter. He nods and they start walking side by side. "Ya know, I haven't paid much attention to our social classes," she says after a while, weighing each word carefully. "I know it's there, and you probably do notice it more. But I've never thought you look like a loser… I've admired how hard you work. What little I understand of your background makes me think of your work ethic as inspiring. And, frankly, after tonight, you've shown me just how much patience you have - which is admirable."
Raimundo flushes slightly. "I don't mean to imply that you're shallow enough to care only about money or where we come from," he tells her carefully. "Sometimes, our backgrounds just feel glaringly obvious." Kimiko hums thoughtfully and Raimundo sucks in a sharp breath, making a snap decision. "I don't work two jobs for me. I mean, I work because I need the money, yeah. But a lot of it goes back home, to my family." He watches their feet as they walk along. "My father doesn't make a lot of money - he's just a fisherman. His money goes to food and keeping the roof over my family's head. I went to work with him when I was ten. My older brother was busy with school but he picked up a little work at a bakery after classes." He twists his lips disdainfully. "I learned to work hard when I was younger because we didn't have much of a choice.
"When I left Brazil, I was thirteen and I knew that it would help the burden a little to have two less people to feed. I got a job as soon as I could, working after school. I wanted to show that I could help; that they didn't make a mistake in sending me away. And then, a few years ago, my baby brother - Davi…" He pauses, unsure he can continue. But this is the whole point of why he does what he does. If they were going to go anywhere, he should tell her. "He got sick. Bad. My parents wouldn't say it outright, but they were struggling more with bills because they had to take care of him. I picked up the coffee shop job more recently so that I had more money to send home…"
All the pieces start clicking into place for Kimiko - how Raimundo always gives simple answers about his jobs, his family; why he works so hard all the time; the odd conversations she hears him have over the phone in Portugese in the early mornings when she stops in for coffee. She doesn't believe that he's ashamed, per se, but definitely insecure about how others might perceive him. His family is obviously his first priority. She's uncertain what to say. Cautiously, she slips her hand into his and is relieved when he wraps his securely around hers. "Is Davi doing better?" she decides to ask, because that feels important.
Raimundo grimaces. "Not really. My mom went to work - translating papers for a university, as I understand it. Three of my younger siblings are working, too."
"I'm sorry," Kimiko murmurs, trying to picture how she would react if she found out her sister was unwell and declining. She has to say, even though she sometimes wants to knock Tomoko's teeth out, she wouldn't be able to act as gracefully or diligently as Raimundo has.
Raimundo glances at her out of the corner of his eye. "This is going to sound super dorky and you'll probably laugh, but I'm really glad I met you. Going to work and school every day has kinda been a chore this last year. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have and to be able to help my family - don't get me wrong. But I've been waking up every day now with more hope than before, a little more enthusiasm for life…" He feels his face flush again and turns his attention to pushing the button to cross the street.
Despite the events of the night, thinking back to the rocky road they took to get to this point, and considering how many walls Raimundo kicked down for her, she smiles widely. "I'm really glad I met you, too," she says gently. "I've never looked forward to getting up in the morning as much as I do now."
He stares at her in surprise and they miss their opportunity to cross the street as they stand there, holding hands and gazing at each other. A goofy grin spreads across his face. "Well, I do have a certain charm about me," he jokes and Kimiko uses her free hand to punch his arm. They laugh and it feels good. Raimundo feels light.
The days tumble and blur together a bit after that. Their date goes well, and Kimiko is thrilled to find that Raimundo doesn't keep as many defenses up as he had prior. She discovers that he's been working at the restaurant for almost five years and hates it; it helps her understand his uneasiness and tension that she'd sensed the night she'd gone to dinner with her family. They talk on a regular basis through text, even though Kimiko continues to frequent the coffee shop. Clay declares his full support of them as soon as he's certain he understands what's happening. A month passes with no real effort.
But one Wednesday morning, Kimiko walks into the coffee shop and finds that the atmosphere is rather cold. She hesitates as she approaches the counter. Clay tips his hat to her and greets, "Morning" in a sulky tone.
"Okay, what's wrong?" she asks, fearing the worst. If it was Raimundo's brother, there was little to be done except be there for him but she isn't sure how to support someone through that kind of devastation.
Clay huffs, obviously annoyed. "Chase is cutting back. Raimundo's last day here at the shop is next Wednesday." After a very brief pause, he continues, "I'm seriously considering lookin' for a new job myself, I hate to say it. But I'm getting sick and tired of the way Chase has been treatin' Rai and I."
Kimiko's initial reaction is surprise. Clay is always so calm and gentle that to hear him express such frustration and spite is a little unbalancing. Her second reaction is concern for Raimundo. Now that she knows about why he took this job to begin with, she knows that it will be difficult for him. "Where will you go instead?" She can't imagine this little shop without Clay and Raimundo.
Clay shrugs. "I dunno yet. I'm looking right now, though." He sighs and adds, "Didn't mean to drag ya into our misery here. Do you want your usual?"
Raimundo wanders from the back room, looking at a notepad and ticking things off with a pen. "Clay, we didn't get our order for cups. They shorted us." He glances up and frowns at Kimiko, seeming to sense that she knows something he probably wasn't going to tell her for a while yet. "Morning, Kimiko."
"Morning, Rai." She smiles at him and then answers Clay, "Yes. I will take my usual today." Raimundo sets down the notepad and pen and starts on her drink. His notes have never stopped, although they have gotten cuter. "It'll be a shame if both of you leave. I'll probably have to find a new coffee shop. This place won't be the same."
"Aw, it won't be that bad," Clay admonishes, punching in the codes at the register. "I think Jermaine would take over mornings and, in my opinion, he's a good guy."
"Omi certainly thinks so," Raimundo snickers, his spirits a little higher than Kimiko would have expected. "Ele quer ser mais que amigos. If you asked me, anyway." He grins at his own joke.
Judging by the glare Clay gives him, it's a joke that Raimundo has offered up one too many times. "He works afternoons right now, if you wanted to meet him," Clay continues, handing her the receipt.
"When is Omi due back to China anyway?" Kimiko asks, accepting the receipt. She vaguely recalls him saying that he was in the States for a few months but she's not sure she trusts her memory with everything that's happened since.
"He's here for another two months," Raimundo answers distractedly. "He's substituting some of his classes online right now so he doesn't fall too behind. They swing things differently over there but he's bright enough to keep ahead of the game - the online classes are nothing more than formality, really." There's a slight tone of pride in his voice and she smiles at how close the three of them are.
It does bring some doubts, though. Would she be welcome in such a tight-knit group of friends? Would Clay and Omi resent her for taking too much time from Raimundo? She's been doing her best not to add to any stress in Raimundo's life, letting him take the reins on how often they text during the week and never getting offended if he doesn't respond immediately, or if their date plans get unexpectedly moved or cancelled because of his restaurant job. "I bet you guys are gonna miss him."
Raimundo snorts and Clay grins sheepishly. "A little. But he's got more energy than a jack rabbit on six cans of Redbull. It'll be a little nice to have a break."
Kimiko laughs at that. "That's fair."
Raimundo passes her drink across the counter, leaning forward a bit as though he wants to say something. But the bell tings and an annoying voice purrs, "Oh, Raimundo!"
Instantly, all shields are up as he stands up and glares at the newcomer. Kimiko already knows who it is, but looks over anyway to see Ashley approach the counter, her hips swaying with every step. "What do you want?" he asks her coldly.
"Wuya has a favor to ask," Ashley informs him, looking at her nails. They're bright pink this week.
"I'm off the clock," he answers immediately. "No favors."
Unfazed, Ashley glances at him. "Then I have a favor to ask."
Raimundo narrows his eyes and repeats, "I'm off the clock. No favors."
"I'm going out tonight," she continues, as if she hadn't heard him. "I need you to pick up my shift." She digs in her purse and pulls out a nail file.
Clay scoffs and walks toward the back. "I can't," Raimundo tells her bitterly. "I have plans, too."
Ashley looks up from her nails and frowns at him. "Wuya switched our shifts already. If you don't show up at four, you'll be fired." She glances at Kimiko and smiles in her fake way. "Oh, hey, Kimmi. Long time, no see." Kimiko sneers at her. "Anyway. Thanks again, Raimundo. Bye!" She wiggles her fingers at him and heads out the door, pulling her cell phone out of her back pocket.
"Is she why your shifts at the restaurant are always changing?" Kimiko asks with more bite than she had intended.
Raimundo is flushed with anger and he can't meet her eyes. "Yeah, nine years of bad luck with that one."
"Nine?" Kimiko blinks, confused. "You've been working at the restaurant for five years?"
He sighs, eyes rolling so far back, it gives Kimiko a headache. "We started dating our junior year in high school, said it was going to be forever and all that stuff. It lasted five years and I got sick of being jerked around. Unfortunately for me, our lives were so tangled by that point, she's still got a way to torment me. She knows that I can't afford to leave the restaurant and uses it against me as often as she can."
While initially annoyed by Ashley's appearance and the story itself, Kimiko finds herself curious and a little sad for Raimundo. "She's an ex-friend of mine - the one Jack cheated on me with. What did she do to you?"
Raimundo hesitates, obviously unsure of whether or not it was a trick question. Finally, he answers, "Ashley is a taker - and she took a lot of things. I guess she still does." He meets her eyes and she sees the regret.
Kimiko is quiet for a moment, swirling her drink. She's been angry with Ashley for a while and this just fuels that fire. But she knows better than to take it out on Raimundo. "I'm sorry you have to deal with that furball, Rai. And don't worry about our date - we'll figure something else out."
Raimundo chuckles. "'Furball'... That's a good one." He grins at her and she finds that her annoyance with her former friend vanishes. "You better get a move on, girl, or you'll be late for class."
She glances at her phone and gasps. "Okay, yeah. I'll text you later! Bye!" She zips out the door and practically runs to class, making it just before the professor enters the room.
Keiko points to her cup with a wide smile when they're settled and the professor starts droning. "You are so lucky," she whispers. "Where can I find one like that?"
Kimiko spins her cup and smiles softly. "He has seven other brothers and sisters, you know…" Keiko gasps, shaking her head and muttering under her breath.
It'll all work itself out. 3
His last day at the coffee shop.
Raimundo frowns at the coffee bags he's collecting from the back. His chest tightens. When he had originally taken the job, he hadn't expected to like it so much. He'd applied because of Clay's insistence that he'd like it. And he did like it - a lot. He's sorry to go. This coffee shop has become a second home to him. He shuffles the bags as he wanders back to the counter, just in time for the bell to chime.
"Whoo-ee. You look like you feel lower than a tick hugging a gopher's belly," Clay comments as soon as he's within view.
Raimundo gives him an odd look but doesn't argue. Omi, who was apparently the first customer of the day, is sitting on the counter with a very focused frown on his face. "No remark - you really are dumping the downs."
"I think you were going for 'down in the dumps', and yeah," Raimundo answers him, filling the machines with a practiced routine. He sighs loudly. "I like this place. It's been refreshing."
Omi nods knowingly. "But do not fret! You still have your friends and now Kimiko, and you will soon find another job that will be just as fresh!"
Raimundo snorts. "I dunno. Maybe. My mom said that they're doing okay financially for a while. I guess Valentin was able to send a good amount recently and her job is helping."
"Well, that's good news," Clay comments genuinely. "Now we just need to hear that the little one is gettin' better."
"Yes, and I do believe he will be," Omi agrees with a grin and Raimundo manages to smile. "Does this mean you are not going to look for another job?"
Raimundo shakes his head. "No, I am. But not with as much urgency. Plus, it would be nice if I could get a job to replace two. That's what I really want to look for."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Clay says, unable to hide the relief in his voice. "Let us know if you need any help lookin'. We'll keep our eyes peeled."
"Thanks," Raimundo replies, trying to keep up with the good attitude his friends have.
"Have you told Kimiko all this?" Omi asks gravely, leaning forward.
With a nod, Raimundo answers, "Yeah, I told her last night. She thinks it's a good idea to not try to work two jobs right now and try to finish this semester first."
"At least one of ya has a good head on 'em," Clay mutters, ducking when Raimundo throws the nearest towel at him. "I'm just sayin' - Omi and I've been saying the same thing for years."
Raimundo rolls his eyes as the bell rings again and Kimiko walks in. "We were just talking about you!" Omi declares cheerfully and hops off the counter.
"Clay, gimme that towel so I can clean Omi's clock with it," Raimundo hisses loudly, glaring at his smaller friend, who only grins widely back.
"Only good things, I hope," Kimiko answers Omi, smiling despite herself. "Morning, guys. For nostalgia's sake, can you surprise me, Rai?"
Raimundo's chest swells slightly and he nods. "Yeah, for sure." He walks to the register and rings up an order. "But it's on me. For nostalgia's sake."
"Deal," Kimiko agrees, folding her arms on the counter. "How has the morning been?"
"Oh, most enlightening," Omi declares and both Clay and Raimundo snort. "What?"
"Play on words," Kimiko muses nonchalantly. "But what's made it so interesting?" She's gotten fairly used to listening to Omi, who almost always has something to say. There's something amusing about his naivety, and she's found that she's starting to develop an almost sisterly protectiveness over him.
Omi, unfazed, answers, "Raimundo has finally found a voice he will listen to - yours." Kimiko blushes, hiding her face behind one hand. "To which I am most grateful. I can return to China knowing that he has you to help guide him."
"Ya know, a 'thank-you' would be nice once in awhile," Clay huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Who made sure he was eating and sleeping while you were gone?"
"Well, yes," Omi concedes with a shrug. "But he will argue a lot less with Kimiko."
"Debatable," Kimiko interjects with a roll of her eyes. "But thanks for the vote of confidence, Omi."
Raimundo pops the lid onto the cup and slides it across the counter. "I listen to everyone. I just don't always take everyone's advice."
"Ain't that the truth!" Clay exclaims with a wide grin and a short chuckle as Raimundo glares at him. The comradery makes Kimiko smile, and she knows that the shop won't be the same when Raimundo leaves. Sure, Clay will still be there, but now that she's gotten so used to the two of them bickering and being in a rhythm, it'll be different. She catches Raimundo's eye and knows he feels the same. He's putting a good front up, but he'll miss it, too.
"I better head to class," Kimiko says, snagging her cup. "Catch you guys later!" She waves over her shoulder as she leaves. She glances at her cup when she reaches the corner and translates it on the spot.
Vou sentir falta dessas manhãs.
She smiles sadly, snapping a picture of the short message, and rushes to school.
His body wakes him far too early on Monday morning and he stretches himself out, cringing at how stiff his shoulders are. He'd had a late night the night before, closing the restaurant and then staying up to catch up on studying. His notes are still scattered across his bed and floor.
Raimundo lays back, staring at the ceiling blearily. He's too used to being busy by this point and he feels like he's wasting time sleeping. He glances at his phone to catch the time, frowning thoughtfully. He could get to the coffee shop just after Kimiko and walk her to school if he got ready now. With a yawn, he clambers out of bed and gets dressed without much thought. He's had so many mornings where he'd barely gotten any sleep, he could get through his entire morning routine blindfolded. It's probably not something to be proud of but he is.
He pulls on his shoes, grabs his keys and wallet, and slips out the door, locking it behind him. He checks the time again and hums to himself as he heads toward the shok. It would be nice to surprise Kimiko and spend a little more time with her before he has his classes.
Without a second job, he's considering picking up a couple classes that he'd put off until next year. He knows it'll expedite his graduation, and that'll feel good.
The bell above the door chimes as he arrives and Kimiko flounces out, pausing in surprise when she sees Raimundo. "You're up awfully early, considering you don't have to work," she says, smiling up at him.
He shrugs. "Couldn't sleep anymore," he replies nonchalantly. "Thought maybe I'd walk you to school." He takes her free hand.
"I haven't had that offer since I was a freshman in high school," she says with a giggle. "Want to carry my books, too?"
Raimundo grins. "I could…" He glances at her backpack. "But I don't think that your bag will fit over my shoulder." Kimiko rolls her eyes. "What's your first class today?" With all the classes she takes, he never can quite remember what she starts with.
"English," she tells him. "I picked it so that I don't have to think much so early in the morning."
He frowns thoughtfully. "Hey, this actually hadn't occurred to me before, but how long have you lived in the States? You're from Japan, right?"
She nods. "Tokyo, Japan; yes, sir. My papa owns a big business and we travelled a lot, so he made sure I learned English at an early age. It's useful most of the time; most representatives can speak English or have translators. But I moved here when I turned nineteen. I wanted the experience and the subjects that I wanted to take were available here."
"Wouldn't the schools in Japan have been better for what you wanted to learn?" Raimundo asks tentatively.
"There was one I was considering, yeah," she concedes with a half-shrug. "But, like I said, the experience was the other reason I chose to come out here. Turns out, I got quite the experience."
He grins at her. "Fair enough. I'm glad you decided to come out here after all." He likes their casual conversations as much as the deep ones they have over late night dates. He wishes he had more time to do things other than short dinner dates or late walks around town. One of these days, maybe over their next school break, he'll figure something out. It's a short walk, full of mindless chatter that brightens his day a little. When they reach the school, he kisses her softly and she beams at him before going inside. Things are looking up, he thinks.
Raimundo is miserable, standing on uncertainty and doubt.
He swirls his coffee, sitting on the end of his bed and staring out his bedroom window. A pink hue filters through the glass of his window, casting eerie shadows across his room. He's tired, and thinks of crawling back under the covers. But he knows the thoughts dancing in his head will keep him awake until he can come to some sort of conclusion. He wants to call Kimiko, but his pride is keeping him from reaching for his cell.
Three hours ago, Raimundo had woken up to a text from his sister, Juliana. It wasn't good news about his brother, Davi. He wants to go back to Brazil, help his family and just be there. At the same time, he knows that he doesn't have enough money to come back if he does go. With a sigh, he sets his cup onto the window sill and reaches back to his bedside table for his phone. He needs to talk to his older brother. Settling back into his spot on the end of his bed, he calls Valentin.
"Hello?" Valentin's voice is a bit slurred, obviously either waking up or having just woken up.
"Morning," Raimundo mutters, smiling to himself. He doesn't talk to his brother as much as he should; it's always nice to hear him. "Do you have a minute?"
Valentin yawns. "Yeah. I've got a bit before I have to get ready for work. What's up?"
"Did you get a text from Juliana?" he asks, slumping forward over his crossed legs.
"Yeah. I'd just finished reading it when you called," he answers calmly. "I'm probably going to fly to Brazil later this week or early next week, whenever I can get work settled and Annabelle and the kids set up." Valentin had married when he was twenty-three, after Raimundo had turned eighteen and started college. His wife, Annabelle, had just had their third child early this year. "Are you able to go?"
Raimundo sighs, resting his forehead in his hand. "I could… but I don't have enough money to come back after. I don't know what to do…"
Valentin hums thoughtfully. "You don't have to go. Davi doesn't know you, really. It's not like he'd be crushed if you couldn't be there."
He knows this. Davi and his twin, Sevastian, had barely been born when he and Valentin left. He has a brother, Henrique, that's seven years old and he's never met him. That's just the way it is at this point in his life. He's been focused on school and making ends meet and trying to help his family from a distance. He's never made enough money to go home again. "Okay, but I'd like to be there for Mom and Dad, at least, if things go the way Juliana made it sound like they would."
"They would also understand," Valentin reminds him reasonably. "But how much are you short for a round trip ticket? Maybe you could ask your friends to help you out?"
Raimundo shakes his head. "I couldn't ask them for help. I've never had to ask for help." The idea makes his stomach knot with guilt. Valentin of all people should understand that. "It's not like you ever asked."
Valentin is quiet for so long, Raimundo checks to make sure they're still connected. "That's...not true at all…" He makes a sound somewhere between a sigh and a groan. "Rai. Come on, dude. I couldn't have made it without all the help my friends gave me."
"I never heard you ask…" Raimundo scrunches his nose, trying to come up with some memory of his brother expressing that he'd have to ask someone for help or maybe an overheard conversation in which he'd had to ask - but nothing comes to mind.
"I never wanted you to have to hear me ask," he tells him nonchalantly. "Which, I guess in retrospect, was probably a mistake… But the friends I left behind in Brazil had called family that lived in the States - they helped us get an apartment. The friends I made when we moved here were lifesavers. There were too many times when rent and my work visa landed on the same payday and my friends would pitch in to make sure I had enough money to get them both taken care of. You know how many of those 'homemade meals' were actually from Annabelle? Almost all of them."
Raimundo scoffs. "You said they were all your doing."
Valentin snorts. "Like I had time? I was working two full-time jobs, Rai. I barely had time to help you with your homework. Annabelle got mad when she realized my grocery list was just microwave meals and she started making extra food for us. The point is, sometimes it feels like a sucker punch to the gut when I had to ask for help, but I did ask anyway. And the friends that stuck around were the ones who helped with no expectation of receiving anything in return. I've been blessed enough to be able to return the favor on several occasions since… Sometimes, swallowing my pride was just something I had to do to get by."
"I didn't know any of that…" Valentin has always been someone Raimundo looked up to. His older brother had inspired his work ethic; he never wanted him to feel like it was a mistake to have brought him along. But he had also believed that Valentin was stronger than him; had believed he'd done everything on his own. "I've always turned down help, because I don't want anyone to think poorly of me. I don't want anyone to think I can't do it all on my own…"
"Raimundo, I am immensely proud of you," Valentin says firmly. "You made it through high school with honors, scholarships, and grants. You've been amazing to balance school with two jobs, to send money home and still be able to take care of yourself. Anyone who knows you knows that you're more than capable of doing all of it alone. Look at it this way, though. You'd make sure to help any of your friends if you were able, if they asked, right?" Raimundo makes a sound of agreement. "So why do you not expect that they'd do the same? Don't they know you well enough by now to understand that if you're asking, you really do need the help?"
Raimundo hesitates, knowing that his brother is absolutely right. "Yeah, they probably do…" He sighs, rolling his eyes. "Why do you have to be so…"
"Right?" Valentin asks with a laugh. "I guess it's because I know you so well. Little known secret - a couple nights before we left, Mom and Dad warned me that you were a handful, absolutely stubborn. I remember thinking that you couldn't have been that bad. But you very much proved me wrong. Luckily for you, in the best of ways."
Raimundo grins, running a hand through his hair and sitting up properly again. The sun is almost above the horizon now. "Hey, I know that this is a super serious thing with Davi and all but… When we get back, do you think I could invite myself and my girl to your place? She definitely deserves Annabelle's cooking."
Valentin makes a loud whistling sound. "You got a girl? You didn't start with that? She must be something to be putting up with you! How long have you guys been dating? How did you meet her?"
"Ei. Você também não é fácil de lidar!" Raimundo says with a huff. "I broke your 'no dating customers' rule… It's been a few months. I met her when I was covering Clay for vacation at the coffee shop. She's absolutely something else, Val."
"Well…" Valentin pauses, apparently struggling with finding something to say. "I better get a wedding invite." He laughs as Raimundo swears at him in Portuguese. "Lemme know what happens and if you're flying out or not. Maybe we could meet at the airport. But I better get going. Charlotte's crying and it's not fair for me to leave to work with Annabelle already overwhelmed."
"Yeah, okay," Raimundo mutters reluctantly. Even though they live only a few towns away from each other, he misses his brother now and again. "Obrigado, Valentin…"
"De nada," Valentin replies and Raimundo can hear the smile in his voice. "Oh, I'll text you when I talk to Annabelle about you and your girl - what's her name?"
"Kimiko…" Raimundo sighs; he'd sort of been hoping his brother forgot already.
Valentin hums thoughtfully. "Kimiko, huh? I'll let you guys know when to come for dinner. Annabelle's gonna be thrilled - she was starting to worry that you'd be alone forever."
"Ya know, why does everyone keep saying that?" Raimundo huffs indignantly. "Twenty-five isn't that old!"
"Nah, I knew you'd make the right choices for you," Valentin reassures, a laugh still in his words. "I'll talk to you later. Tenha um bom dia!"
He mumbles it back and they hang up. With a loud sigh, he flings himself back onto his bed. He can hear Clay in the kitchen, getting ready for his shift at the coffee shop. He imagines that Omi is in his room, probably meditating. The morning continues on. Slowly blinking at the ceiling, he comes to his decision and scrambles to get dressed.
It's a chilly morning, the crispness of the air hinting hopefully at autumn's arrival. Kimiko wanders into the coffee shop, expecting her usual quiet and calm but is instead met with enthusiastic shouting.
"You are out of your head, I know it!" Omi cries, jumping onto the countertop and reaching over to press the back of his hand to Raimundo's forehead. Judging by the scowl and deep blush, she knows something is up.
"It's outta your mind, Omi," Raimundo corrects impatiently. "See, here I am, acting all humble and trusting and you make fun of me."
Omi shakes his head. "Oh no. I am just surprised. This is most serious, no mistake."
Clay nods his agreement. "And of course we'll help ya out, partner. No questions asked."
"Uh, I have questions," Kimiko chimes in, walking up to the counter. "What's going on?"
Raimundo fidgets and glances at the ceiling briefly. "My sister messaged me this morning to tell me that Davi's struggling a bit and she wanted my brother and I to come home - just in case. But I only have enough for a one-way ticket." Kimiko's heart sinks a bit. "So I was asking Clay and Omi if they could help me get a round trip ticket." She's honestly surprised. She's been under the impression that his pride would stop him from asking for any help whatsoever - and this is a lot. "It'll only be for the weekend, maybe through Monday," he tells Kimiko quickly. "And Valentin invited us over next week, for dinner."
Kimiko blinks owlishly at him, running over it all once more in her head. "Okay," is all she manages after a moment.
Clay howls with laughter. "That's about the size of it, alright. Thinkin' Rai hit his head in his sleep last night."
Raimundo scowls, crossing his arms. "Believe me, asking for help is at the bottom of my list of things I want to do - like, it's in the negatives. If I wasn't so desperate to be able to come back, I wouldn't have.""
"What did change your mind?" Omi asks skeptically, scrunching his brow in confusion. "You have never changed your stance in all the years we have known each other."
Raimundo's eyes hover on Kimiko a moment too long before he addresses Omi's question. "I talked to Valentin this morning… I've always been under the impression that he did everything on his own. I found out that that's never really been the case." He rolls his eyes in an exaggerated way. "So, I guess that I don't have to do it all on my own either."
Kimiko catches the awed look that Clay gives her but chooses to ignore it. She can't have made that much of an impact on him, could she? "Well, we're glad to help ya, partner," Clay says and turns toward the coffee machines. "Do ya want your regular, Kimiko?"
She hums absentmindedly and agrees. There's a plan formulating in her mind, and she's already just trying to work out the kinks of it. Raimundo eyes her quietly, as though they're somehow on the same wavelength and he's not sure he's a fan of what she's thinking. "You're leaving Friday then?"
He nods. "After classes end," he clarifies, leaning on the countertop. "I'll pack tonight so I can just go."
Before she can answer, the bell chimes and an older gentleman walks in, a smile behind his moustache. Kimiko moves to get out of the way but he waves her off. "Good morning, Clay, Raimundo. I have good news," he says by way of greeting as he approaches the group. Clay is walking back to the counter with a coffee cup.
Raimundo raises his eyebrows at the man. "You're late in today," he remarks in surprise. "Did you meet with Young today? Clay was talking about it last night."
"Indeed," the man says with a nod.
"Did he finally sell?" Clay asks, attempting, in vain, to hide his enthusiasm and hope.
The man's smile widens and Raimundo gives a whoop of celebration. "Clay, congratulations on your promotion. You're now manager here."
Clay tips his hat over his eyes with a blush. "Shucks… thanks, Mister Fung…"
Omi, Kimiko, and Raimundo all congratulate their friend with gusto. But the man isn't finished and turns to face Raimundo. "I am in need of a manager at my other coffee shop… It's the one across town. I would greatly appreciate it if you put an application in, Raimundo."
Raimundo's jaw drops as he stares. "For real? You're not playing?"
Mister Fung nods. "I am not…'playing'." He turns back to Clay and says, "I'll take my usual."
"I'm buying" Raimundo says instantly and pulls his wallet out. "Chase Young isn't in charge of this place any more and Clay finally got a promotion. This is a celebratory coffee." He puts the money down and adds, "I got Kimiko's coffee, too." He grins, despite himself, as the odd man walks to the back of the seating area and sits with a novel. Under his breath, he tells Kimiko, "He's been a regular for as long as Clay has worked here. And he's been trying to get Young to sell for almost as long. I don't know what changed Young's mind, but I'm down for it."
Kimiko grins. "Looks like you have your job back," she says, and feels happy for him. He deserves good things to happen in his life. She tells him that she'll text him later, waves to Omi and Clay, and heads to school.
It's been two weeks since he got back from Brazil. Meeting his youngest brothers for the first time was an experience, and he was grateful for it - even more so when he arrived and heard that Davi would be alright in the end. The weekend was loud and, while he enjoyed seeing everyone for the first time in almost thirteen years, he's grateful to be home. He's been working at the other coffee shop for a week and a half and loves it. He misses the banter he'd had with Clay, but doesn't mind working with the people he's got - they're a high leap from working with Ashley. He only has a few days left at the restaurant, after getting full support from his friends to finally walk away. Wuya tried to convince him to stay, but he threatened to leave that night if she didn't stop bothering him about it. She hasn't spoken to him since and he's never been happier about receiving the silent treatment from someone.
The dinner with his brother's family went surprisingly well, and Valentin was thrilled to find that Kimiko was quick-witted enough to keep up with his playful banter. "You've managed to catch a fireball, Rai," he told him cheerfully at the end of the night. They've got plans to meet for dinner later this week - "double date", as Annabelle put it. He smiles at the thought, lost in the rhythm of making a latte for a customer.
The bell chimes merrily and Raimundo glances at the clock. He turns to greet Kimiko, calling out the order's name and sliding the drink across the counter. "Morning," he greets his girlfriend cheerfully. "What can I get ya?" He finds some satisfaction in knowing that she now goes out of her way to visit him at work in the mornings.
"Surprise me," she answers, smiling brightly. She pulls her wallet out and pays before leaning on the counter to watch him work. It's a little busier at this shop, being a little further in town than the previous one he'd worked at. He still gets plenty of college students that go out of their way to visit, and word of his work is spreading like wildfire.
He busies himself with making her coffee. "How many shots of espresso are you thinking?" he asks, although he's already dumped two in.
Kimiko hums and decides, "Three should get me through the morning. How's the morning been so far?"
Raimundo shrugs. "Pretty quiet so far, which is fine. It'll pick up here soon." She smiles to herself, content with watching him work. His phone goes off suddenly and he glances at the ID with a frown. Pausing in making her drink, he answers it immediately. "Olá? O que há de errado?" He pauses for the answer and then spins around, staring at Kimiko in surprise. "Você tem certeza? Você sabe como?" He listens carefully, emotion slowly overwhelming him. "Sim, mãe ... Ele nos abençoou." He hangs up shortly after, waits a beat, and then asks Kimiko, "How did you do it?"
Her smile turns soft as the realization dawns on her. Earlier in the week, she had called her father and asked for a favor. She's a little surprised that it took so long for Raimundo to find out, but she thinks that maybe his family doesn't watch Davi's medical account on a daily basis. "Computer genius, hello? Also, my papa liked the idea so he was able to help out."
He leans over the counter and kisses her gently. "Obrigado…" he whispers and goes back to her drink in a whirlwind of movement. She'd been worried that he'd be angry with her, but is pleased with the outcome. She'd seen so much change in him, and she thinks that it's definitely for the better. She's honestly looking forward to seeing what happens with them. He sets her drink down for her as the bell chimes. "Have a great day, Kimiko," he says, rubbing the back of his neck, a signature nervous tick of his that has her intrigued.
"You, too, Rai," she answers, snagging her cup and waving at him as she leaves. He blows a sigh of relief as he turns to the next customer.
Eu te amo.
Kimiko smiles at her cup, then the translation on her phone, her chin in her palm. Of course he'd say it on a coffee cup. She slides her phone's screen to her messages and pulls up a conversation with Raimundo. She quickly types up her message and sends it to him, before she loses her nerve. Now she understands why he'd been nervous earlier that morning. Keiko leans over and whispers, "So when's the wedding?" They giggle, struggling to contain it as the professor gives them a stern look.
Raimundo is between orders, waiting for his coworker to clock in for his shift, when his phone pings. He glances at it and grins widely. Yeah, he's really glad he broke the "no dating customers" rule - way worth it. His goofy smile still plastered on his face, he goes about the rest of his morning with a light heart full of hope.
I love you, too.
A/N: Yo, okay. I thought this was going to go a lot smoother than it ended up. I was going to ship Raimundo off to Brazil and then he was going to have his heartfelt convo with his brother, then I had to figure out how to get him home… It wasn't flowing. The characters kinda took the reins and Raimundo just wasn't going to get stranded in Brazil. So I'm sorry if any of this feels forced. With the track turning suddenly, I realized that it wasn't as light and fluffy as it had started and I needed to get back to it.
Thank you again to everyone who hung around to see how this ended! I'm sorry that it took so long. But it's been one of my favorite stories to write and I wanted to see it through. Hopefully, this doesn't disappoint. I hope that I didn't lose character anywhere.
Translations:
Gostaria de sair comigo esta semana? = Would you like to go out with me this week?
Ele quer ser mais que amigos. = He wants to be more than friends.
Ei. Você também não é fácil de lidar. = Hey. You are also not easy to deal with.
Obrigado, Valentin…= Thank you, Valentin…
De nada. = You're welcome.
Tenha um bom dia! = Have a nice day!
Olá? O que há de errado? = Hello? What's wrong?
Você tem certeza? Você sabe como? = Are you sure? You know how?
Sim, mãe ... Ele nos abençoou. = Yes, mother ... He blessed us.
Obrigado… = Thank you.
Eu te amo. = I love you.
Please leave your thoughts, if you would. I appreciate you all - you're the reason this got an ending at all! Much love!