Putting out the first chapter of this to force myself to release it - I literally have all these stories I've been writing that I just put down when I reach their halfway points because I've made it a goal to finish stories before releasing them anymore (to prevent leaving them in hiatus). I've written quite a bit of this one since I started playing the game but keep leaving it on the back burner as it's been a while since I released a fic. Hopefully, this pushes me to finish writing it and release it! Consider it a gift to go into the new year with! Cheers to 2024!

Also, this story will reference my other Star Ocean fic "Expectations" so it's worth a read if you have the time!

In all fairness, Albaird really hadn't known. When he'd agreed to handle administrative matters for his family friend's coffee shop, he hadn't known one of their merchant partners was the Lawrence family.

Had he known that, he wouldn't have stomped over to their brick-and-mortar with a demand to cease whatever packages were being sent to the Divine Force coffee shop on his first day. To Albaird, the logo donning the Lawrence emblem signified a quality below the one he expected his family friend's business to accept. Laetecia Aucerius, who he considered the sister he never had, was quick to inform him of the premium coffee beans that the Lawrence family shipped into town just for her business…but not before he'd already traded words with the first person he encountered in the merchant's shop.

Embarrassed didn't even begin to describe how he'd felt upon realization. If anything, shame better suited his current state. Laetecia had apologized to Antonio Lawrence, the man he'd yelled at, who just happened to be the current owner of the company with a well-established name across the galaxy. To his credit, Antonio had been understanding and waved off the matter. Albaird knew Laetecia wouldn't let it go that easily and inwardly winced when she offered, over the phone, to pay more for the next shipment to make up for what happened. Antonio had refused, citing the family history between the Lawrence's and the Aucerius' being stronger than a small misunderstanding.

Still, Laetecia gave Albaird a (well-deserved) scolding when they returned to the Divine Force and made him promise to make it up to the Lawrence family as soon as possible. Even if their standing with the family remained intact, the Aucerius' had always tried to maintain amicable relationships with their partners. This tiny blip could lead to bigger issues down the line if it wasn't addressed properly. Childhood friends or not, Laetecia was expecting him to make up for what he did - especially if he wanted to keep his job.

It was with this in mind that he marched stiffly down the cobblestone streets of the small town they all lived in. Seeing the Lawrence Family shop sign swaying in the summer breeze seemed to tighten the knot already forming in his stomach, but he tried to ignore it as he entered the establishment.

While its exterior blended well with the surrounding homes in the town, anyone who had been inside the shop knew better. It was inconspicuous upon entry, with there only being a hallway on the left, a wood sculpted front desk to the right and a couple of woven chairs for those waiting to be served. However, there were subtle signs of the ultramodern technology kept for trade within the shop. There were security cameras in the ceiling corners, virtual keyboards that seemed to appear at a whim (Albaird still wasn't used to those), and a distinct metal smell that periodically floated through the space.

Not seeing anyone as he peered down the hallway, Albaird cleared his throat and tapped on the front desk.

"Um, hello?"

When he didn't get an immediate response, he huffed impatiently. It was bad enough that he'd made the mistake and had to make amends, but it would be even worse if there was nobody around to accept his apology.

After a couple of seconds of silence, he turned to leave with the intention of returning another time. It was only when he was almost at the door did he hear the sound of footsteps coming from the back.

"Yo! Sorry about that," he heard as the person came into view.

A tall, young, blonde man with a confident stride approached from the hallway. He was wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt with matching trousers and boots that were large and covered in neon stripes. Said stripes matched the ones on his fingerless-gloves and the bulky, futuristic utility belt around his waist that carried equipment Albaird had never seen before.

With all that being said, the strangest thing about him had to be his hair. It was like a mullet, but puffier at the top and sides. Albaird couldn't help but squint at it, since it was quite striking. Still, it had a way of framing the man's face in a way that was almost cute. Almost.

Nevertheless, this wasn't Antonio Lawrence.

"And who, pray tell, are you?" Albaird asked, trying to keep the irritation in his voice to a minimum.

"I'm Raymond, Raymond Lawrence. Everyone calls me Ray, though," the young man explained, jabbing a thumb at his chest.

"Well, Raymond," Albaird gritted out. "I'm looking for Antonio Lawrence. Is he here?"

"Did you have an appointment?" Raymond asked, looking down at the space behind the front desk at what was presumably a schedule of sorts.

"I-I," Albaird stammered out. "W-well, not exactly but-"

"Just kidding," Raymond responded with an easy smile. "My brother's just left to take care of a shipment on another planet. You wouldn't have been able to speak with him anyway."

Albaird's heart dropped.

"What?!" he exclaimed, causing Raymond to raise an eyebrow. "Y-you can't be serious! I need to speak with him right now."

"About what?" Raymond asked curiously. "I'm in charge while he's gone and he didn't inform me that anyone was coming this morning."

Albaird resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. This was not going the way he'd planned.

Still, he had made a promise to rectify the matter and Laetecia would not be pleased if he came back with said promise unfulfilled.

So, mustering the maximum amount of humility he could manage in front of this brute of a man, he took a deep breath and placed a hand across his chest.

"I…wanted to come and apologize to your brother. There was a misunderstanding yesterday and I came to ask him for forgiveness," he stated earnestly.

Raymond stared at him with his head tilted before a look of understanding spread across his face.

"Oh, he did mention something like that," the blonde pondered, looking towards the ceiling.

Turning back to Albaird, he shrugged and shook his head.

"Don't worry about it, mistakes happen."

Albaird was sure he'd heard him wrong.

"Excuse me? It wasn't just a mistake, it was a major blunder that should not have happened," Albaird retorted. "The delicate relationship between the Aucerius' and the Lawrence's must be maintained. We can't afford for it-"

"Well, first of all," Raymond interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's not that delicate and my brother saw it as a simple mistake so it's nothing to worry your pretty little head over."

"Pretty little-" Albaird stammered, feeling his cheeks burn. "Preposterous! I have to make amends for this or it could have a negative effect on Laetecia's business."

"It won't, so you should relax," Raymond recommended with a nod. "Maybe change your coffee order while you're at it. Caffeine can make one real jittery."

Deciding to ignore both the recommendations and the young man's previous compliment, Albaird sighed and tried a different approach.

"...when will your brother return from his trip?"

"Next month," Raymond shared.

Holding back an expletive, Albaird shook his head. This was really getting nowhere.

"Would it be possible to contact him virtually?" he tried.

"No can do, bud," Raymond replied, failing to notice the growing dread taking over Albaird's body. "He's going through a couple of asteroid fields so communication is spotty and limited to emergencies. You'll have to wait until he gets back."

"Is there nothing that can be done?" Albaird asked weakly. He was quickly losing hope that he could rectify the matter or keep his job.

"Is it that serious?" Raymond asked, reaching up to rub the back of his neck.

Albaird only nodded sadly, resorting to staring at the floor to avoid showing how crestfallen he'd become.

"Wellllll…" Raymond started. "There might be one way to fix this."

"Really?!" Albaird shot up, moving towards the counter. "P-please! If there's any way at all…"

"My brother promised to check-in with me two weeks into his trip," Raymond explained. "I could let him know that we spoke and that you feel pretty bad about it. That should be enough proof for Laetecia, right?"

"That should…help," Albaird frowned, pulling himself away from the counter slightly.

It wasn't the perfect solution, but Raymond was right. If Laetecia knew he was working towards apologizing, she'd find a way to forgive him.

"Sorry, that's the best I can do," Raymond added, looking like he genuinely felt bad. His expression resembled that of a dog feeling sad for its owner, Albaird noted.

It was almost…cute.

"N-no, no, that's perfect," he stammered again, trying to erase that thought from his mind. "I'll come back in a fortnight's time."

"Sounds good," Raymond replied with a nod. Albaird returned the gesture and turned to leave the shop.

"My thanks," he managed to get out.

He was halfway out the door when Raymond called after him.

"Wait! Uh…"

"Albaird," he replied, feeling rude for not introducing himself initially. "Albaird Bergholm."

"Ah, well Albaird," Raymond said happily, as if he'd won a prize. "I have one condition."

Albaird again resisted the urge to swear at the world in general.

"And what would that be?" he huffed.

"The thing is," Raymond started, smirking slightly. "I'll only have a few minutes to speak with him due to the poor connection. I'll have to share an entire report with him explaining what's been happening in the shop plus your apology."

"To make it worth my while, I was thinking you could bring me coffee every morning? Just until I speak to him."

Albaird blinked slowly. Was this simpleton serious? Why would he expect Albaird of all people to deliver him coffee? Albaird had half a mind to tell him that he was not one of the people in-charge of delivery at the Divine Force.

…but he did need that apology to reach Antonio.

And he did work at a coffee shop. It wasn't the most egregious request, even if it did seem silly.

His silence seemed to deter Raymond, whose eyes widened as he held up his hands in surrender.

"Y-you know what? Nevermind, don't worry-"

"I'll do it," Albaird declared.

"You will?" Raymond asked, seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes," Albaird confirmed. "This is but a simple request for such a grave mistake on my part."

"It really wasn't…okay, fine," Raymond acquiesced. "Coffee. Tomorrow morning."

"How do you take it?" Albaird asked pragmatically.

"Good question," Raymond asked, looking up in thought. Albaird's patience was growing thin.

"You can just call and request-"

"Oh, I know!" Raymond exclaimed. "You have that new peach latte, right? The one based on peach dessert soup?"

Albaired vaguely remembered the new advertisement for the drink in question and nodded.

"I'll have it here first thing tomorrow," he said flatly.

"Don't rush over," Raymond warned sheepishly. "Unlike my brother, I tend to sleep in."

"I'm sure," Albaird replied, turning on his heel and heading out of the shop before Raymond could stop him again.

Feeling the summer air as he stepped out, he took a deep breath and shook his head.

How had he gone from one promise to two? And to some brute who wasn't even the head of the Lawrence family business, at that?

At the very least, he'd be able to rid himself of this matter in two weeks. It could have been worse.

And with that, he made his way back to the Divine Force with a mix of hope and dread in his stride.