Sujin Cafe - Chapter 03
Author: Riyu-sama
Pairing/s: Manabu/Jin, Manabu/Kazuki
Band/s: SCREW, The GazettE, BORN and more to come
Genre/Warning: AU - High School, Angst, Psychological Trauma, Depression, Self-harm, Bullying (NC-17 and more in later chapters)
Synopsis: A nice cafe at your favourite park is all you need to cure a broken heart.
Disclaimer: I really wouldn't be wasting my time/life writing fanfics, if I owned them actually..
Notes:Heeeeyy! So, I updated this one first cuz, I haven't been able to write Beyond the Pale's chapter 3 yet and since this one was almost finished anyways so yeah...
Anyways, warning for this is probably a more clear sight of depression and hints of self harm.
Also to be honest, I thought this was gonna be the shortest chapter but so far, I was wrong. It got to the minimum 6k so yeah, idk if this is gonna end u like Beyond the Pale since by chapter that fic's word count goes up and up. Anyways! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
To be honest, I actually had a hard time writing this for some odd reason lol. But luckily! It's summer vacation here sooo, I have more time to focus on my stories ouo
This is un-beta btw... Don't have anyone to proofread my fics for me anymore ;w;
Visit 03: The Parfait of my Dreams[To Wonderland]
Manabu couldn't believe his luck. The raven felt as though he was in a dream and he never ever wanted to wake up again. In front of him was Kazuki, all smiles and cuteness as he looked at Manabu with those bright brown eyes of his that were so alluring and beautiful that he felt as though he might just fall into those deep depths and would be very happy to do so.
Manabu could stay like this forever.
"Manabu, ahh~" Kazuki said as he held in his hand a spoonful of parfait.The raven could literally see pretty little sparkles behind and around Kazuki as he held the spoon to Manabu; he looked to alluring, like an angel to Manabu's eyes and he still can't believe hi luck that this is actually, literally happening.
If he was dreaming, nobody dare pinch him or else Manabu would probably kill the person.
The raven grinned from ear to ear like a cheshire cat "ahh,"Manabu copied as he opened his mouth and in came the sweet sugary delight that the brunet had fed him. He heard Kazuki giggle and Manabu then and there knew that his heart could stop beating right this moment and he wouldn't complain at all.The raven could die a happy man now; there was nothing in this world that he would rather be at than, right here, right now with the person he loves.
Kazuki laughs "Manabu! You have parfait on your lips!"
He blinked a few times, unconsciously darting his tongue out to wipe away the evidences of sweets on him "Where? Is there more?" He chuckles, tongue swiping from his bottom to top lip.
The brunette takes upon another fits of little laughter "Mou, you're like a kid!" Kazuki grinned as he moved in closer to Manabu.
Manabu felt his cheeks burn hot, Kazuki was close to him. The proximity was too close for comfort yet, Manabu didn't mind--wouldn't mind at all anyways. The heat that radiated from Kazuki, it as warm and the raven himself was wishing the warmth itself was like a blanket he could cover himself up. Totally engulfed in the presence and aura that was uniquely Kazuki himself. The brunette had inched even closer, started to diminish the spaces between them until there was only so little of it, almost leaning to no space anymore. His breath caught up on his throat and Manabu was frozen in his place.
He felt the tip of the brunet's index finger lightly tap on the side of his lips, he felt the skin brush against his own flesh. The action light and leaving the raven begging more for Kazuki's physical contact.The finger easily swiped away the said parfait on him; Kazuki bringing his finger to his own mouth to lick then, suck at his finger.
Manabu gulped, Kazuki looked at him with innocent eyes, tip of his index still on his lips. Manabu felt like fainting right on his spot.
"What's wrong?" Kazuki asked this time as he seemed to have noticed the raven staring at him for a long period of time.
The raven could only clear his throat and avert his eyes away from Kazuki's own, feeling himself flush to deeper shades of red on his cheeks "I...You're just..." He took up the courage to say his words before softly mumbling "I love you..." Manabu felt as though his heart was beating a mile per minute; he wouldn't be surprised at all if it suddenly leaped out from his chest then, down to Kazuki's own lap from how much it was beating and seemed to be breaking through his rib cage.
It felt as though the raven was in a shoujo manga, was he really that in love with Kazuki or were those honest to god sparkles and illuminating little lights that danced around behind Kazuki making him look like he was a god given gift, or the chosen one or maybe even this was one of those scenes in shoujo mangas where the perfect lighting and such was given to the characters and to make the moment even more magical and romantic.
Did Kazuki see him in that way too? Were there currently sparkles and twinkles of light fluttering about around him? Manabu honestly wishes he looks normal or at least look half decent in these sparkles around them... Hopefully, his paleness doesn't look too evident in them.
Chocolate brown eyes stared into Manabu's own purple contact lensed orbs as Kazuki leaned in closer and closer. He could almost feel the brunette's breath ghost against his, those soft alluring lips that just seemed to be calling out to touch against Manabu's seemed to be screaming and begging to be pressed against his. He gazed back to Kazuki, the other seemed to be waiting--just waiting for the raven to make the first move. Manabu gulped in his own saliva, blinking a few times in both uncertainty and want.
'This is it,' he muttered internally 'Kazuki's...'
He decided to screw it, he'd been waiting so long for this and finally... Finally,. Manabu closes his eyes as well, wanting to savour and make the moment seem all the more magical, all the more romantic. Slowly, he inches in closer to the brunette, his lips readying themselves to press against Kazuki's own.
He leans in some more, Kazuki's seems to be much farther than, Manabu had initially anticipated. This was kinda frustrating him; his lips hadn't met Kazuki's yet... Had he somehow misjudged the distance between them? Manabu inches closer, moving further and further for the awaited kiss and yet he still hasn't met Kazuki's lips.
Manabu grows frustrated and he leans in and suddenly, it seemed all too fast when a short moment of falling was there and all of a sudden---
His face is collided with the cold hard ground.
"Aw! Fuck!" Manabu cursed loudly as he sat up from the floor and touched his lips. He felt the warmly smooth trail of blood leaking from his lips that were cut open. His nose and forehead hurt like a bitch and now, thanks to the pain the raven was having a splitting headache.
"Shit," he cursed again, looking to his hands to see finely painted cruor on his palms. Manabu grunts, one hand abruptly shoving away the blanket that had clung incessantly on his waist and standing up out of ire.The sudden action made Manabu feel even more dizzier, his sight spinning in front of him as everything from his furniture to the floor had started moving about in his eyes.
His legs wobbled, hand stretching out to grasp support on the walls. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, blinking a couple of times to try and wash away the little black dots and patches that he saw roaming around in his sight. Manabu looked to his side, seeing that he had accidentally tainted his walls with the red in his hands.
Another groan left the raven's lips, eyes rolling to the side in disbelief at himself "Great." he sarcastically said to himself.
Manabu then started walking his way to the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror, grimancing at the sight before him. He looked like a haggard mess as per usual, except for the split lip that was still bleeding a tad. Manabu examined himself, leaning in close as his eyes squinted at the wound. It wasn't anything too serious, it'll probably bruise later which will be hell to handle... he'd have difficulties eating later.
The raven washed his hands, fingers digging into his skin to to clean away the somewhat drying blood. He cupped the water in his palms then, raised them up to his lips. The water stung his wound, making Manabu wince at the sudden pain. Yet, he tried to shrug it off, fingers lightly caressing his lip to wipe away the traces of sanguine on them.A groan then, a sigh escaped from him as Manabu winced couple more time at the pain.
'Not enough pain,' was the sudden thought that crossed to his mind.
He was paralyzed for a moment, shocked by the sudden voice in his head. The raven blinked a few times, eyes wandering over to the mirror to watch himself as his index finger went back to poking at his wound.A small shudder crawled up from his spine, making his body quake at the sudden rush of pain. Manabu turned his gaze to the side, unable to watch himself do the same thing over and over again. He wanted to bite his lips, or maybe to poke at his wound more and maybe peel off some of the skin on his lips.
The staring he had done finally grabbed him back to reality as Manabu's eyes widened and he quickly shook off all the bad vibes his head was trying to tell him.
"Pull yourself together!"He scolded himself, looking down on the sink as his hands gripped tight on the edge of the bathroom sink.His breathing was ragged and he panted in exhaustion; the raven felt as though he had been running for miles even when he had really only woke up from sleep. Manabu gritted his teeth in anger, hands balling into a fist as his own ire was directed to no one other than, himself.
He shook his head again, looking up to his own reflection as Manabu pointed an index finger to himself "We talked about this," Manabu scolded, glaring at himself at the mirror "Get your shit together man."
"Yes yes, I know. It's just--"
"Hm! Manabu!" He cut himself off with a look.
The raven then gave himself a firm nod as Manabu directed himself to the shower.
Peeling off his clothes, Manabu turned on the shower, setting the temperature a little above normal heat as he still needed to wake himself up. Although, if he were to be truly honest he just needed to get those bad thoughts away from him again. A soft sigh left his lips, his body trembling under the harsh paps of water.He shook his head, hurrying up in getting himself clean as Manabu organized his thoughts for the day.
'Park, need to get to Kousaku Park asap.' he listed internally whilst washing his hair 'Don't forget to bring your book and glasses this time.' Manabu added off again as he washed his body with soap then, proceeded to rinse all of it off.
'Ah, which book should I bring?'the raven asked himself, coming to a halt 'Murakami-san's IQ 40? Or maybe Lily Franky's Tokyo Tower?' he had a hard time choosing, those were two books he had bought last month and hadn't had a chance to read as of yet when--
"Ah! Banana Yoshimoto's Goodbye Tsugumi."he said in sudden realization and a grin spread across Manabu's lips. It was one of the romance books their librarian back at school had suggested to him and Manabu had totally forgotten about the said book. He had bought it somewhere around 3 months ago and is now probably buried somewhere in his pile of books... Though, if Manabu remembers specifically-- if his memory isn't betraying him then "It should be at my study desk." he whispered to himself before he turned off the water shower and walked out of the bathroom.
Manabu made sure to properly dry himself off, getting himself clothes first before heading to his desk. His precious books were far more treasured for him to just randomly hold, so he needs to make sure that he's dry to avoid getting his valuables ruined.
"Goodbye, goodbye." the raven muttered as he held in his hands book after book trying to find the one he wanted to start reading for this week.
"There you are!" he exclaimed with a beaming smile as Manabu stared at book in his hands. He had bought a hardbound copy of the said book; it being the only copy he could find at that time.Not that the raven was complaining about the amount he had spent on it anyways "Now, for my glasses." he said to himself, so he wouldn't forget anything, saying word per word the list in his head. Manabu put on his glasses, grabbed his wallet, phone,earphones, house keys and was out of his apartment in an instant.
It was an easy walk to the park as usual. Summer was when people normally went out with their family and friends to go to beaches and such but, Manabu had been coped up inside his apartment. Reading his precious books, playing guitar and going on strolls in his favourite park. Manabu couldn't think of an even better way to spend his summer than, what he was currently doing at the moment.
The fresh air that hit him as soon as the raven had entered the park was heavenly. He adored the way the greeneries always seemed to be inviting him, alluring the raven to always visit them as Manabu would spend hours upon hours just wasting his time relaxing at Kousaku Park. He doesn't regret ever wasting away his time at his favourite place because for the most part, Manabu can't say what he's doing is time wasting when it helps me come back to his own senses. He decided to venture once more into the area, retracing his steps on familiar grounds as Manabu walked the same pathways he had come to love. He could walk around the park with his eyes closed from the amount of time the raven had spent on the place. Manabu would very much like to move his place to the park if he could; he wouldn't mind living in the area at all.
Once the raven had finished his little stroll along the park... And by little, that means Manabu had spent the better 1 and half hour of his morning just walking around the said place.He decided to finally take a rest at one of the benches and read his book in peace... That is, his original plan until his stomach started growling.
"Eh..." was the first word to escape Manabu's lips before "Don't tell me I forgot to eat breakfast again?"he asked himself, eyes closing for a moment as he retrieved his memories from earlier and "Shit, I did forget." the raven said with a sigh of defeat, head lowering in dismay. "I really need to take better care of myself." he mumbled out, one hand massaging his forehead. 'But, I really don't want to leave the park just to get some breakfast--' and in that instant thought, Manabu's head shot up at sudden realization "Sujin Cafe." he told himself before a wide grin placed itself upon the raven's lips.
Though, Manabu did have to wince in pain at his smile. The wound he had acquired earlier today had been forgotten but, smiling that widely was a sure way to remind Manabu of how much of an idiot he is. He needs to stop smiling for today... Not that, that'd be much of a chore to do.
"Heh, can't believe I'm this thankful for that cafe opening here," he continues to talk to himself, taking the familiar route of walking to the cafe.
By this time around, the raven had somewhat memorized his way to the cafe. Sure on the first time, he had wandered around aimlessly in search of the said paid place. Getting frustrated at himself because how on earth can he not find a small little restaurant located in the one area that Manabu has been to everyday? The mere idea of that happening still bugs Manabu at the back of his head, leaving him to wonder how the hell something like that could happen.
He took one turn on the path, a left then straight a head to where he could now see an outline of Sujin Cafe.He already started brainstorming on what he should order "Definitely parfait," were the words that came out from his lips. 'Hopefully, they have those.' he continued off in his thoughts. Manabu does remember if his mind isn't playing tricks on him that the cafe did offer parfait at their menu. But, the idea of having parfait brought about another question and problem to Manabu's current predicament.
'Will parfait even go great with coffee?' the sudden query brought a scowl to scrunch up to the raven's face.He hadn't been much of a sweet tooth to be honest; if Manabu were to be honest he'd say the waiter back at the cafe would be the one who could chug down sweets like a champ.The raven prefers his hot bitter cups of coffee accompanied by the usual meals... Though, usual meals in the cafe are things like croissant and pasta; and that would be deemed unusual for Manabu since his usual meals consist of rice.
He entered the carefully designed double doors of the cafe, a not so happy look on his face as the raven was contemplating is whether he really should have parfait with the cost of not getting his bitter cup of coffee.
Manabu scanned the area around, there were a lot more people than, usual. Manabu really didn't mind them that much, except for the fact that there was a dirty disgustingly sweet and goey affectionate couple sitting on his territory-- place... No table.
A soft sigh escaped the raven's lips, eyes rolling as he looked to the table behind the couple. It was still near the window and Manabu would still be able to catch a glimpse of the sceneries outside. The only downside to it would be that the raven would be sitting close to a couple that had no shame and is proudly showing off too much PDA for anyone's liking at all. He screwed it, nothing Manabu can do but to endure the suffering of this couple and just sit... With his back to them so he doesn't have to see all the disgusting things they're doing.
He waits for a waiter to assist him; opening his book in the meantime to start his reading whilst waiting for a waiter. Manabu skeptically flipped through the pages, noting it piece by piece before he briefly came upon a bookmark at the near middle of the book. A brow arched up in curiosity, had he read this book before? Manabu doesn't recall ever starting Goodbye Tsugumi yet, but there's one of his favourite bookmarks right there. And if the raven remembers clearly, he's been looking for this bookmark for months.
"Oi, back so soon?" A familiar voice breaks through his train thoughts as Manabu looks up to see Jin staring at him haughtily; one hand on his hip whilst the other held onto a menu "What happened to your face?" his features suddenly changed to one of worry as he leaned in close.
"Excuse me?" Manabu asks offended.
Jin points to his own lips repeatedly as a message, making Manabu realize that what Jin was referring to was his new found injury "Did you get into a fight?"
"No, why do you ask?" Manabu replies back with an inquiry.
"Because you have a large bruise on your lip not to mention a cut. Are you alright?" the blond waiter asks in concern.
Manabu could only shrug his shoulders at Jin's questions "Nothing to get worked up about, I just fell from bed while I was sleeping." he explained off.
"Wow, that sounds like such a lie." Jin countered back but, let the topic slide anyways as he placed the menu on the table "What'll you be having this time?"
The raven didn't know if he should feel offended by Jin's statement. Did he look like someone who would get into a fight? Manabu couldn't even remember the last time he had been in a physical fight--alright, just this school year he did get into some trouble but, the raven is not some dangerous wild animal that randomly looks to trouble. Manabu takes the menu and scans the food that are offered in the cafe; though he briefly checks the dessert part of it first.
His eyes widen in surprise "Coffee flavoured parfait?" Manabu says as he looks up to Jin as soon as the words leave him.
"Alright, coffee flavoured parfait." Jin echoes back as he writes it off on his pad "And?"
"I didn't even know you guys served that here," the raven admits happily, a grin forming on his lips though, as soon as he attempts to do so, his injury forbid him by a stinging pain "Aw," Manabu mouths above a whisper.
"You must've really pissed that guy off to give you a cut on the lip huh?" Jin says as a matter of fact.
Manabu sighs "I told you, I just fell off the bed."he replies back, not amused by how Jin is assuming he's lying.
"I believe you, I believe you." the blond waiter retorts, both hands raising up in what seemed like defeat "So, anything else you wanna order?"
"Well, black coffee as usual and --"
"Ugh, seriously? I don't know why you like that bitter tasting caffeine. You already have sweets too, not too mention parfait and hot beverage?" Jin whines out, one brow arching up in question to the raven haired customer.
"Can I please finish my order chibi?"Manabu asks in a teasing tone to the other.
Jin rolls his eyes in irritation "Fine, whatever."
"Thank you." Manabu replies off as he checks the menu one more time before saying "Chicken Alfredo pasta please. That's all." he continued off before giving the menu back to Jin.
"Alright, so that's one coffee flavoured parfait and chicken Alfredo pasta right?" the blond waiter repeats Manabu's order.
"And don't forget the black coffee." Manabu reminds.
"Yes sir, won't forget your precious black coffee." Jin replies back, tongue darting out in disgust at Manabu's choice of beverage as the raven just laughs off Jin's remark.
"Okay I'm good."
"Be back with your order in less than, 10 minutes."The waiter said lastly before he was shooed off by Manabu.
The raven watched Jin go, cleaning up a few tables on his way before entering the kitchen area of the cafe. Manabu sighed, eyes gazing at the window beside him and trying to enjoy the view from the park outside if it wasn't for the lovey-dovey couple behind him that were too disgustingly sweet with each other in public. The raven sighed for the nth time today, he was losing track of the times he would sigh in just one day. He'd probably drop down dead one of these days from the amount of sighing he does.
Is there a limit to how much a person should sigh a day? Manabu should look into that.
Manabu rummages one hand into the pocket of his pants, feeling in his phone and a tangle of wires in them. He pulls out both items, placing his phone on the table whilst he tries to unknot his earphones. He grumbles at the nuisance of having wired earphones.
'Note to self, buy bluetooth headset next time.' he muses.
Once the wires have been untangled, he plugged his earphones to his phone and ears then, started searching for good music to listen to. "Luna Sea maybe?" he inquired in a soft tone of voice as Manabu scanned through his song list "But, not too rock-ish." he mumbled out again before finding the perfect song, Gravity.
Manabu smiled in delight, shucking his phone to the side as his hands took hold of the book he bought with him today. He started from the start at first, obviously skipping the foreword for the first chapter. It was a first person point of view with the speaker being Maria, Tsugumi's cousin. The raven scans the the few pages of the first chapter and surprisingly, he starts to remember the story quite vividly now. He checks the other chapters, peeking through them and his booked marked page repeatedly. His memory is pretty much telling him that he can skip rereading all of these chapters and go on with where he last left off.
He flips off to his original chapter, a part wherein Tsugumi and Kyoichi are together in the woods having a date. Manabu happily reads off the chapter, the two lovers talking about their childhood and their dreams in life, the future that they'll conquer together and how Tsugumi is happy, hope nestling in her that one day she'll beat her illness.
Yet, Manabu only gets to read a few paragraphs of the book since his food arrived quickly.
"Sorry for the wait!" Jin apologizes to the raven as he sets Manabu's orders on the table.
Manabu takes off his earphones, pauses his repeated song and puts his materials off to the side for a moment "You didn't take that long though," Manabu counters.
"That's because you're busy reading this."Jin replies back, one finger pointing to Manabu's book before he finishes off placing his customer's meal.
"Well, aren't you happy that I'm being a good quiet customer for once?" The raven tells as he strains his smile t a small one, not wanting to experience another painful reminder from his lip on how he fell down from bed earlier this morning.
"I guess I do like you better when you're quiet." Jin retorts with a grin as he seats down to the vacant chair in front of Manabu.
The action makes the raven quirk up one inquisitive brow. He was in the process of putting his earphones back after Jin had was finished giving him his food but, the younger sitting at his chair and looking as though he was waiting for something made some unnerving feelings erupt from Manabu. Jin was acting weird today... Shouldn't the blond waiter be mad at him and playing not-so playful banters with Manabu, not smiling and looking at the raven like he was anticipating something? Jin is totally acting weird today.
"Uhm... Jin?" Manabu started with caution.
"Hm?" was the waiter's reply.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?"
"Oh, I'm on break."
Jin answer proved to be more confusing than, ever. The puzzled look on Manabu's features are more evident than earlier, the raven staring at Jin with oddness and queer to his actions.
"Alright, did you hit your head or something?"
"Why are you asking me if I hit my head? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"Why would you even ask me if I hit my head?"
The blond waiter's laugh was confusing, Manabu has for sure concluded that this day was weird.
"Look at your face! You obviously got into a fight! You look like shit!" Jin explained off.
Manabu winced at the other's choice of words "How many times do I have to tell you that I did not get into a fight?" Manabu sighed wearily.
Jin could only lean back and cross his arms against his chest "Why are you being so secretive all of a sudden?" Jin asked before he leaned in close, hands resting on the table and his eyes glinted in both mischief and interest "Are you some sort of delinquent?!"
"Aw!" And all of a sudden, Jin was smacked in the head by Ryoga.
"Quit being rude to our customers!" the silveret scolded before bowing to Manabu "Please excuse Jin." he said before sending a glare to the other waiter.
"Ryoga-chan can be so mean sometimes." Jin says with a pout.
"And you're being weird. Why are you suddenly making conversations with me? I thought you..." Manabu was trying to be honest here, he glanced from left to right at first, then to Jin as if he was trying to decipher the emotions featured in the blond waiter's face before he sighed and said "hated me?" Manabu said reluctantly.
"Hate is such a strong word," Jin answered "I prefer annoyed." he nods.
"Wow, that make me feel at least a bit better." Manabu answers sarcastically.
"Also, Kai-san said if you ever come back here, which he scolded me for hours saying you might not come back. That I should apologize properly if I see you again." the waiter explains off, finally getting rid of that curious nagging voice at the back of Manabu's head screaming how weird Jin was being today.
So, the blond was only being forced to hang out with Manabu today. Great.
"Well, apology accepted. I was being mean to you first anyways." Manabu said as he started to eat his pasta.
"And!" Jin suddenly said, catching Manabu's attention again "Can't you tell me what happened to your fight?" He asked innocently, giving off cute puppy dog eyes and Manabu swears, anyone would have probably fallen to that trap and told the truth.
Sucks to be Jin though, Manabu's been telling the truth from the start.
"I told you, I fell of the bed." the raven said before sipping at his coffee.
"Why are you so stubborn on not telling me!" Jin grumbles for a second before his face lights up immediately with an idea and Manabu is feeling rather scared of the way the blond's mood and ideas suddenly change "Let's do Quid Pro Quo then!"
Manabu looks at Jin in question "Quid Pro Quo?"
"Yeah! It's like a game where you answer a question to get--"
"I know what Quid Pro Quo is, I'm just surprised you even know that word." Manabu smirks.
"Hey! I may not look like it," Jin says before trying to pose and arrange his hair like a cool kid "But, I'm actually very smart."
"Don't look like one though," the raven chuckles.
"Just shut up and play with me."
"Alright, alright." Manabu chuckles, taking a bite from his pasta first as he thought of which question to ask first.He already knows that the blond is an incoming first year so "Which school are you entering for high school?"
"Not sure yet but, Seikoku High School is catching my attention." Jin answers non-chalantly and Manabu hums in reply, trying to multi-task in eating whilst playing with Jin.
"My turn, what happened to your face?" Jin asked giddily, leaning in close to Manabu.
"I fell off my bed." Manabu answered quickly, not even looking up at to Jin before saying "Your age?"he says then, continues eating.
"Why are you so stubborn and still lying? Don't you even know how to play this game?" Jin exasperates before sighing and answering "fifteen, turning sixteen this year though. And--"
"I can be stubborn sometimes but, I'm not lying. Birthday?" Manabu said, not letting Jin finish his sentence as he smiled up at the blond.
"Hey no fair! That wasn't my question!"
"Question is a question now, Quid Pro Quo."
Jin groans rather loudly, quite like a child before he answers "July 22. Now, why is an annoying guy like you continually visiting our cafe?"
"Wow, rude Jin." Manabu laughs "I'm at this park everyday because I love it here. It just so happens that I forget to eat breakfast a lot so, I have no choice but to eat here often." He says with a smile before asking "What's your height?"
"Oi! Are you trying to insult me here?" Jin was quick to go defensive, almost growling at Manabu.
"Ah, so you're really that sensitive about your height." The raven states as a matter of fact with an amused chuckle.
"Quit making fun of me you delinquent!"
Manabu eats a few fork full of his pasta before saying"How many times should I tell you I'm no delinquent? I can't believe an annoying squirt like you might enter into my school,"he continues off with a fake weary sigh "Good-bye peaceful high school life, it was fun while it lasted."he smiled teasingly at the blond.
"Who you calling squirt you bully! How about you? You're paler than, a dead person!" Jin exasperates with a hiss.
"Oh, I recall being called that a lot of times." he only nods in agreement before taking another sip from his coffee "But, at least I'm not as short and clumsy as you Jin-chan." Manabu adds off before finishing his pasta.
Jin groans in defeat, hands raising up as though he was surrendering "You are impossible," the blond waiter says as he catches Manabu laughing at him "You're actually having fun are you? Tsk, you'd probably even be happy if I go there so you have someone to bully." Jin says with a pout.
"Like I said, why would I be happy seeing a blond munchkin roaming around my school's halls?" The raven chortles "Also, call me senpai. You rude kouhai."
"Like, I'll be calling some like you--"
"By the way, can you serve my parfait now?" Manabu cuts Jin off.
It seemed as though Jin wasn't phased by Manabu's sudden request, his eyes seemed to light up. Those caramel brown eyes that are obviously contact lenses had that glint of light in them that showed how happy Jin was with Manabu's request. How the waiter was able to radiate that kind of effect from his features was a total mystery to the raven but, he wouldn't mind seeing it over and over again... He wouldn't admit it vocally but, Jin was rather adorable.
"Gimme a sec!" And in a flash, Jin was out of his sight and running to the kitchen to get Manabu's order.
It only took a second for Jin to come back to Manabu, setting the raven's parfait in front of him as Jin seated himself back in front of Manabu. Jin watched with hopeful eyes, a wide smile on his lips as his chin rested on top of two palms, the blond's elbows sitting on the table.
For some odd reason, Manabu is weirdly reminded of something. This scene happening in front of him right now felt like Deja vu, did this happen to him already? Why did the raven vaguely feel like this had happened to him somewhere... Like in a dream--
Oh yeah, dream with Kazuki and parfait.
He was starting to feel a little bitter when, Jin snapped him out of his dark trance.
"Oi! Hurry up and eat your parfait! I wanna see your reaction." the blond said impatiently, body moving about like a child who couldn't stay put on his seat.
Manabu gazed at the other at first, curious as to why Jin loved to see his first reactions to eating sweets. He shrugged off the idea, taking a spoonful of his coffee parfait and---
The taste is simply amazing. It was bitter like coffee yet, Manabu could taste the mixture of sugar in it. The parfait was creamy that seemed to melt in his tongue, flavours molding onto each other to create a different kind of flavour, something tangly sweet with milk that blended in perfectly with the coffee.
It even has a great aftertaste that's somewhat similar to a caramel creamer?
"Oh, it's good." Manabu says with a smile, not caring if his lip stings from it.
"Really?!" Jin replies back excitedly, making Manabu's heart skip a beat for a second.
"Yeah? What're you so excited about?"
Jin bit on his lower lip, a somewhat shy demeanor suddenly evident in his aura as the blond fidgeted in his seat and smiled at Manabu "I made that coffee parfait, we just recently added it on the menu. You're the first one to order it... I'm glad you liked it."
Manabu couldn't quite pin point properly how he felt, but it was a mixture of invigorating and happiness and something else that made Manabu nervous and somewhat sweaty like he couldn't stay put on his seat yet, at the same time he can't move. That smile on Jin had to be the most adorable smile he'd seen and Manabu will admit -just to himself of course-, that his cheeks really did blush into a light tint of pink at the sight of Jin.
Pairing/s: Manabu/Jin, Manabu/Kazuki
Band/s: SCREW, The GazettE, BORN and more to come
Genre/Warning: AU - High School, Angst, Psychological Trauma, Depression, Self-harm, Bullying (NC-17 and more in later chapters)
Synopsis: A nice cafe at your favourite park is all you need to cure a broken heart.
Disclaimer: I really wouldn't be wasting my time/life writing fanfics, if I owned them actually..
Notes:Heeeeyy! So, I updated this one first cuz, I haven't been able to write Beyond the Pale's chapter 3 yet and since this one was almost finished anyways so yeah...
Anyways, warning for this is probably a more clear sight of depression and hints of self harm.
Also to be honest, I thought this was gonna be the shortest chapter but so far, I was wrong. It got to the minimum 6k so yeah, idk if this is gonna end u like Beyond the Pale since by chapter that fic's word count goes up and up. Anyways! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
To be honest, I actually had a hard time writing this for some odd reason lol. But luckily! It's summer vacation here sooo, I have more time to focus on my stories ouo
This is un-beta btw... Don't have anyone to proofread my fics for me anymore ;w;
Visit 03: The Parfait of my Dreams[To Wonderland]
Manabu couldn't believe his luck. The raven felt as though he was in a dream and he never ever wanted to wake up again. In front of him was Kazuki, all smiles and cuteness as he looked at Manabu with those bright brown eyes of his that were so alluring and beautiful that he felt as though he might just fall into those deep depths and would be very happy to do so.
Manabu could stay like this forever.
"Manabu, ahh~" Kazuki said as he held in his hand a spoonful of parfait.The raven could literally see pretty little sparkles behind and around Kazuki as he held the spoon to Manabu; he looked to alluring, like an angel to Manabu's eyes and he still can't believe hi luck that this is actually, literally happening.
If he was dreaming, nobody dare pinch him or else Manabu would probably kill the person.
The raven grinned from ear to ear like a cheshire cat "ahh,"Manabu copied as he opened his mouth and in came the sweet sugary delight that the brunet had fed him. He heard Kazuki giggle and Manabu then and there knew that his heart could stop beating right this moment and he wouldn't complain at all.The raven could die a happy man now; there was nothing in this world that he would rather be at than, right here, right now with the person he loves.
Kazuki laughs "Manabu! You have parfait on your lips!"
He blinked a few times, unconsciously darting his tongue out to wipe away the evidences of sweets on him "Where? Is there more?" He chuckles, tongue swiping from his bottom to top lip.
The brunette takes upon another fits of little laughter "Mou, you're like a kid!" Kazuki grinned as he moved in closer to Manabu.
Manabu felt his cheeks burn hot, Kazuki was close to him. The proximity was too close for comfort yet, Manabu didn't mind--wouldn't mind at all anyways. The heat that radiated from Kazuki, it as warm and the raven himself was wishing the warmth itself was like a blanket he could cover himself up. Totally engulfed in the presence and aura that was uniquely Kazuki himself. The brunette had inched even closer, started to diminish the spaces between them until there was only so little of it, almost leaning to no space anymore. His breath caught up on his throat and Manabu was frozen in his place.
He felt the tip of the brunet's index finger lightly tap on the side of his lips, he felt the skin brush against his own flesh. The action light and leaving the raven begging more for Kazuki's physical contact.The finger easily swiped away the said parfait on him; Kazuki bringing his finger to his own mouth to lick then, suck at his finger.
Manabu gulped, Kazuki looked at him with innocent eyes, tip of his index still on his lips. Manabu felt like fainting right on his spot.
"What's wrong?" Kazuki asked this time as he seemed to have noticed the raven staring at him for a long period of time.
The raven could only clear his throat and avert his eyes away from Kazuki's own, feeling himself flush to deeper shades of red on his cheeks "I...You're just..." He took up the courage to say his words before softly mumbling "I love you..." Manabu felt as though his heart was beating a mile per minute; he wouldn't be surprised at all if it suddenly leaped out from his chest then, down to Kazuki's own lap from how much it was beating and seemed to be breaking through his rib cage.
It felt as though the raven was in a shoujo manga, was he really that in love with Kazuki or were those honest to god sparkles and illuminating little lights that danced around behind Kazuki making him look like he was a god given gift, or the chosen one or maybe even this was one of those scenes in shoujo mangas where the perfect lighting and such was given to the characters and to make the moment even more magical and romantic.
Did Kazuki see him in that way too? Were there currently sparkles and twinkles of light fluttering about around him? Manabu honestly wishes he looks normal or at least look half decent in these sparkles around them... Hopefully, his paleness doesn't look too evident in them.
Chocolate brown eyes stared into Manabu's own purple contact lensed orbs as Kazuki leaned in closer and closer. He could almost feel the brunette's breath ghost against his, those soft alluring lips that just seemed to be calling out to touch against Manabu's seemed to be screaming and begging to be pressed against his. He gazed back to Kazuki, the other seemed to be waiting--just waiting for the raven to make the first move. Manabu gulped in his own saliva, blinking a few times in both uncertainty and want.
'This is it,' he muttered internally 'Kazuki's...'
He decided to screw it, he'd been waiting so long for this and finally... Finally,. Manabu closes his eyes as well, wanting to savour and make the moment seem all the more magical, all the more romantic. Slowly, he inches in closer to the brunette, his lips readying themselves to press against Kazuki's own.
He leans in some more, Kazuki's seems to be much farther than, Manabu had initially anticipated. This was kinda frustrating him; his lips hadn't met Kazuki's yet... Had he somehow misjudged the distance between them? Manabu inches closer, moving further and further for the awaited kiss and yet he still hasn't met Kazuki's lips.
Manabu grows frustrated and he leans in and suddenly, it seemed all too fast when a short moment of falling was there and all of a sudden---
His face is collided with the cold hard ground.
"Aw! Fuck!" Manabu cursed loudly as he sat up from the floor and touched his lips. He felt the warmly smooth trail of blood leaking from his lips that were cut open. His nose and forehead hurt like a bitch and now, thanks to the pain the raven was having a splitting headache.
"Shit," he cursed again, looking to his hands to see finely painted cruor on his palms. Manabu grunts, one hand abruptly shoving away the blanket that had clung incessantly on his waist and standing up out of ire.The sudden action made Manabu feel even more dizzier, his sight spinning in front of him as everything from his furniture to the floor had started moving about in his eyes.
His legs wobbled, hand stretching out to grasp support on the walls. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, blinking a couple of times to try and wash away the little black dots and patches that he saw roaming around in his sight. Manabu looked to his side, seeing that he had accidentally tainted his walls with the red in his hands.
Another groan left the raven's lips, eyes rolling to the side in disbelief at himself "Great." he sarcastically said to himself.
Manabu then started walking his way to the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror, grimancing at the sight before him. He looked like a haggard mess as per usual, except for the split lip that was still bleeding a tad. Manabu examined himself, leaning in close as his eyes squinted at the wound. It wasn't anything too serious, it'll probably bruise later which will be hell to handle... he'd have difficulties eating later.
The raven washed his hands, fingers digging into his skin to to clean away the somewhat drying blood. He cupped the water in his palms then, raised them up to his lips. The water stung his wound, making Manabu wince at the sudden pain. Yet, he tried to shrug it off, fingers lightly caressing his lip to wipe away the traces of sanguine on them.A groan then, a sigh escaped from him as Manabu winced couple more time at the pain.
'Not enough pain,' was the sudden thought that crossed to his mind.
He was paralyzed for a moment, shocked by the sudden voice in his head. The raven blinked a few times, eyes wandering over to the mirror to watch himself as his index finger went back to poking at his wound.A small shudder crawled up from his spine, making his body quake at the sudden rush of pain. Manabu turned his gaze to the side, unable to watch himself do the same thing over and over again. He wanted to bite his lips, or maybe to poke at his wound more and maybe peel off some of the skin on his lips.
The staring he had done finally grabbed him back to reality as Manabu's eyes widened and he quickly shook off all the bad vibes his head was trying to tell him.
"Pull yourself together!"He scolded himself, looking down on the sink as his hands gripped tight on the edge of the bathroom sink.His breathing was ragged and he panted in exhaustion; the raven felt as though he had been running for miles even when he had really only woke up from sleep. Manabu gritted his teeth in anger, hands balling into a fist as his own ire was directed to no one other than, himself.
He shook his head again, looking up to his own reflection as Manabu pointed an index finger to himself "We talked about this," Manabu scolded, glaring at himself at the mirror "Get your shit together man."
"Yes yes, I know. It's just--"
"Hm! Manabu!" He cut himself off with a look.
The raven then gave himself a firm nod as Manabu directed himself to the shower.
Peeling off his clothes, Manabu turned on the shower, setting the temperature a little above normal heat as he still needed to wake himself up. Although, if he were to be truly honest he just needed to get those bad thoughts away from him again. A soft sigh left his lips, his body trembling under the harsh paps of water.He shook his head, hurrying up in getting himself clean as Manabu organized his thoughts for the day.
'Park, need to get to Kousaku Park asap.' he listed internally whilst washing his hair 'Don't forget to bring your book and glasses this time.' Manabu added off again as he washed his body with soap then, proceeded to rinse all of it off.
'Ah, which book should I bring?'the raven asked himself, coming to a halt 'Murakami-san's IQ 40? Or maybe Lily Franky's Tokyo Tower?' he had a hard time choosing, those were two books he had bought last month and hadn't had a chance to read as of yet when--
"Ah! Banana Yoshimoto's Goodbye Tsugumi."he said in sudden realization and a grin spread across Manabu's lips. It was one of the romance books their librarian back at school had suggested to him and Manabu had totally forgotten about the said book. He had bought it somewhere around 3 months ago and is now probably buried somewhere in his pile of books... Though, if Manabu remembers specifically-- if his memory isn't betraying him then "It should be at my study desk." he whispered to himself before he turned off the water shower and walked out of the bathroom.
Manabu made sure to properly dry himself off, getting himself clothes first before heading to his desk. His precious books were far more treasured for him to just randomly hold, so he needs to make sure that he's dry to avoid getting his valuables ruined.
"Goodbye, goodbye." the raven muttered as he held in his hands book after book trying to find the one he wanted to start reading for this week.
"There you are!" he exclaimed with a beaming smile as Manabu stared at book in his hands. He had bought a hardbound copy of the said book; it being the only copy he could find at that time.Not that the raven was complaining about the amount he had spent on it anyways "Now, for my glasses." he said to himself, so he wouldn't forget anything, saying word per word the list in his head. Manabu put on his glasses, grabbed his wallet, phone,earphones, house keys and was out of his apartment in an instant.
It was an easy walk to the park as usual. Summer was when people normally went out with their family and friends to go to beaches and such but, Manabu had been coped up inside his apartment. Reading his precious books, playing guitar and going on strolls in his favourite park. Manabu couldn't think of an even better way to spend his summer than, what he was currently doing at the moment.
The fresh air that hit him as soon as the raven had entered the park was heavenly. He adored the way the greeneries always seemed to be inviting him, alluring the raven to always visit them as Manabu would spend hours upon hours just wasting his time relaxing at Kousaku Park. He doesn't regret ever wasting away his time at his favourite place because for the most part, Manabu can't say what he's doing is time wasting when it helps me come back to his own senses. He decided to venture once more into the area, retracing his steps on familiar grounds as Manabu walked the same pathways he had come to love. He could walk around the park with his eyes closed from the amount of time the raven had spent on the place. Manabu would very much like to move his place to the park if he could; he wouldn't mind living in the area at all.
Once the raven had finished his little stroll along the park... And by little, that means Manabu had spent the better 1 and half hour of his morning just walking around the said place.He decided to finally take a rest at one of the benches and read his book in peace... That is, his original plan until his stomach started growling.
"Eh..." was the first word to escape Manabu's lips before "Don't tell me I forgot to eat breakfast again?"he asked himself, eyes closing for a moment as he retrieved his memories from earlier and "Shit, I did forget." the raven said with a sigh of defeat, head lowering in dismay. "I really need to take better care of myself." he mumbled out, one hand massaging his forehead. 'But, I really don't want to leave the park just to get some breakfast--' and in that instant thought, Manabu's head shot up at sudden realization "Sujin Cafe." he told himself before a wide grin placed itself upon the raven's lips.
Though, Manabu did have to wince in pain at his smile. The wound he had acquired earlier today had been forgotten but, smiling that widely was a sure way to remind Manabu of how much of an idiot he is. He needs to stop smiling for today... Not that, that'd be much of a chore to do.
"Heh, can't believe I'm this thankful for that cafe opening here," he continues to talk to himself, taking the familiar route of walking to the cafe.
By this time around, the raven had somewhat memorized his way to the cafe. Sure on the first time, he had wandered around aimlessly in search of the said paid place. Getting frustrated at himself because how on earth can he not find a small little restaurant located in the one area that Manabu has been to everyday? The mere idea of that happening still bugs Manabu at the back of his head, leaving him to wonder how the hell something like that could happen.
He took one turn on the path, a left then straight a head to where he could now see an outline of Sujin Cafe.He already started brainstorming on what he should order "Definitely parfait," were the words that came out from his lips. 'Hopefully, they have those.' he continued off in his thoughts. Manabu does remember if his mind isn't playing tricks on him that the cafe did offer parfait at their menu. But, the idea of having parfait brought about another question and problem to Manabu's current predicament.
'Will parfait even go great with coffee?' the sudden query brought a scowl to scrunch up to the raven's face.He hadn't been much of a sweet tooth to be honest; if Manabu were to be honest he'd say the waiter back at the cafe would be the one who could chug down sweets like a champ.The raven prefers his hot bitter cups of coffee accompanied by the usual meals... Though, usual meals in the cafe are things like croissant and pasta; and that would be deemed unusual for Manabu since his usual meals consist of rice.
He entered the carefully designed double doors of the cafe, a not so happy look on his face as the raven was contemplating is whether he really should have parfait with the cost of not getting his bitter cup of coffee.
Manabu scanned the area around, there were a lot more people than, usual. Manabu really didn't mind them that much, except for the fact that there was a dirty disgustingly sweet and goey affectionate couple sitting on his territory-- place... No table.
A soft sigh escaped the raven's lips, eyes rolling as he looked to the table behind the couple. It was still near the window and Manabu would still be able to catch a glimpse of the sceneries outside. The only downside to it would be that the raven would be sitting close to a couple that had no shame and is proudly showing off too much PDA for anyone's liking at all. He screwed it, nothing Manabu can do but to endure the suffering of this couple and just sit... With his back to them so he doesn't have to see all the disgusting things they're doing.
He waits for a waiter to assist him; opening his book in the meantime to start his reading whilst waiting for a waiter. Manabu skeptically flipped through the pages, noting it piece by piece before he briefly came upon a bookmark at the near middle of the book. A brow arched up in curiosity, had he read this book before? Manabu doesn't recall ever starting Goodbye Tsugumi yet, but there's one of his favourite bookmarks right there. And if the raven remembers clearly, he's been looking for this bookmark for months.
"Oi, back so soon?" A familiar voice breaks through his train thoughts as Manabu looks up to see Jin staring at him haughtily; one hand on his hip whilst the other held onto a menu "What happened to your face?" his features suddenly changed to one of worry as he leaned in close.
"Excuse me?" Manabu asks offended.
Jin points to his own lips repeatedly as a message, making Manabu realize that what Jin was referring to was his new found injury "Did you get into a fight?"
"No, why do you ask?" Manabu replies back with an inquiry.
"Because you have a large bruise on your lip not to mention a cut. Are you alright?" the blond waiter asks in concern.
Manabu could only shrug his shoulders at Jin's questions "Nothing to get worked up about, I just fell from bed while I was sleeping." he explained off.
"Wow, that sounds like such a lie." Jin countered back but, let the topic slide anyways as he placed the menu on the table "What'll you be having this time?"
The raven didn't know if he should feel offended by Jin's statement. Did he look like someone who would get into a fight? Manabu couldn't even remember the last time he had been in a physical fight--alright, just this school year he did get into some trouble but, the raven is not some dangerous wild animal that randomly looks to trouble. Manabu takes the menu and scans the food that are offered in the cafe; though he briefly checks the dessert part of it first.
His eyes widen in surprise "Coffee flavoured parfait?" Manabu says as he looks up to Jin as soon as the words leave him.
"Alright, coffee flavoured parfait." Jin echoes back as he writes it off on his pad "And?"
"I didn't even know you guys served that here," the raven admits happily, a grin forming on his lips though, as soon as he attempts to do so, his injury forbid him by a stinging pain "Aw," Manabu mouths above a whisper.
"You must've really pissed that guy off to give you a cut on the lip huh?" Jin says as a matter of fact.
Manabu sighs "I told you, I just fell off the bed."he replies back, not amused by how Jin is assuming he's lying.
"I believe you, I believe you." the blond waiter retorts, both hands raising up in what seemed like defeat "So, anything else you wanna order?"
"Well, black coffee as usual and --"
"Ugh, seriously? I don't know why you like that bitter tasting caffeine. You already have sweets too, not too mention parfait and hot beverage?" Jin whines out, one brow arching up in question to the raven haired customer.
"Can I please finish my order chibi?"Manabu asks in a teasing tone to the other.
Jin rolls his eyes in irritation "Fine, whatever."
"Thank you." Manabu replies off as he checks the menu one more time before saying "Chicken Alfredo pasta please. That's all." he continued off before giving the menu back to Jin.
"Alright, so that's one coffee flavoured parfait and chicken Alfredo pasta right?" the blond waiter repeats Manabu's order.
"And don't forget the black coffee." Manabu reminds.
"Yes sir, won't forget your precious black coffee." Jin replies back, tongue darting out in disgust at Manabu's choice of beverage as the raven just laughs off Jin's remark.
"Okay I'm good."
"Be back with your order in less than, 10 minutes."The waiter said lastly before he was shooed off by Manabu.
The raven watched Jin go, cleaning up a few tables on his way before entering the kitchen area of the cafe. Manabu sighed, eyes gazing at the window beside him and trying to enjoy the view from the park outside if it wasn't for the lovey-dovey couple behind him that were too disgustingly sweet with each other in public. The raven sighed for the nth time today, he was losing track of the times he would sigh in just one day. He'd probably drop down dead one of these days from the amount of sighing he does.
Is there a limit to how much a person should sigh a day? Manabu should look into that.
Manabu rummages one hand into the pocket of his pants, feeling in his phone and a tangle of wires in them. He pulls out both items, placing his phone on the table whilst he tries to unknot his earphones. He grumbles at the nuisance of having wired earphones.
'Note to self, buy bluetooth headset next time.' he muses.
Once the wires have been untangled, he plugged his earphones to his phone and ears then, started searching for good music to listen to. "Luna Sea maybe?" he inquired in a soft tone of voice as Manabu scanned through his song list "But, not too rock-ish." he mumbled out again before finding the perfect song, Gravity.
Manabu smiled in delight, shucking his phone to the side as his hands took hold of the book he bought with him today. He started from the start at first, obviously skipping the foreword for the first chapter. It was a first person point of view with the speaker being Maria, Tsugumi's cousin. The raven scans the the few pages of the first chapter and surprisingly, he starts to remember the story quite vividly now. He checks the other chapters, peeking through them and his booked marked page repeatedly. His memory is pretty much telling him that he can skip rereading all of these chapters and go on with where he last left off.
He flips off to his original chapter, a part wherein Tsugumi and Kyoichi are together in the woods having a date. Manabu happily reads off the chapter, the two lovers talking about their childhood and their dreams in life, the future that they'll conquer together and how Tsugumi is happy, hope nestling in her that one day she'll beat her illness.
Yet, Manabu only gets to read a few paragraphs of the book since his food arrived quickly.
"Sorry for the wait!" Jin apologizes to the raven as he sets Manabu's orders on the table.
Manabu takes off his earphones, pauses his repeated song and puts his materials off to the side for a moment "You didn't take that long though," Manabu counters.
"That's because you're busy reading this."Jin replies back, one finger pointing to Manabu's book before he finishes off placing his customer's meal.
"Well, aren't you happy that I'm being a good quiet customer for once?" The raven tells as he strains his smile t a small one, not wanting to experience another painful reminder from his lip on how he fell down from bed earlier this morning.
"I guess I do like you better when you're quiet." Jin retorts with a grin as he seats down to the vacant chair in front of Manabu.
The action makes the raven quirk up one inquisitive brow. He was in the process of putting his earphones back after Jin had was finished giving him his food but, the younger sitting at his chair and looking as though he was waiting for something made some unnerving feelings erupt from Manabu. Jin was acting weird today... Shouldn't the blond waiter be mad at him and playing not-so playful banters with Manabu, not smiling and looking at the raven like he was anticipating something? Jin is totally acting weird today.
"Uhm... Jin?" Manabu started with caution.
"Hm?" was the waiter's reply.
"Aren't you supposed to be working?"
"Oh, I'm on break."
Jin answer proved to be more confusing than, ever. The puzzled look on Manabu's features are more evident than earlier, the raven staring at Jin with oddness and queer to his actions.
"Alright, did you hit your head or something?"
"Why are you asking me if I hit my head? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"Why would you even ask me if I hit my head?"
The blond waiter's laugh was confusing, Manabu has for sure concluded that this day was weird.
"Look at your face! You obviously got into a fight! You look like shit!" Jin explained off.
Manabu winced at the other's choice of words "How many times do I have to tell you that I did not get into a fight?" Manabu sighed wearily.
Jin could only lean back and cross his arms against his chest "Why are you being so secretive all of a sudden?" Jin asked before he leaned in close, hands resting on the table and his eyes glinted in both mischief and interest "Are you some sort of delinquent?!"
"Aw!" And all of a sudden, Jin was smacked in the head by Ryoga.
"Quit being rude to our customers!" the silveret scolded before bowing to Manabu "Please excuse Jin." he said before sending a glare to the other waiter.
"Ryoga-chan can be so mean sometimes." Jin says with a pout.
"And you're being weird. Why are you suddenly making conversations with me? I thought you..." Manabu was trying to be honest here, he glanced from left to right at first, then to Jin as if he was trying to decipher the emotions featured in the blond waiter's face before he sighed and said "hated me?" Manabu said reluctantly.
"Hate is such a strong word," Jin answered "I prefer annoyed." he nods.
"Wow, that make me feel at least a bit better." Manabu answers sarcastically.
"Also, Kai-san said if you ever come back here, which he scolded me for hours saying you might not come back. That I should apologize properly if I see you again." the waiter explains off, finally getting rid of that curious nagging voice at the back of Manabu's head screaming how weird Jin was being today.
So, the blond was only being forced to hang out with Manabu today. Great.
"Well, apology accepted. I was being mean to you first anyways." Manabu said as he started to eat his pasta.
"And!" Jin suddenly said, catching Manabu's attention again "Can't you tell me what happened to your fight?" He asked innocently, giving off cute puppy dog eyes and Manabu swears, anyone would have probably fallen to that trap and told the truth.
Sucks to be Jin though, Manabu's been telling the truth from the start.
"I told you, I fell of the bed." the raven said before sipping at his coffee.
"Why are you so stubborn on not telling me!" Jin grumbles for a second before his face lights up immediately with an idea and Manabu is feeling rather scared of the way the blond's mood and ideas suddenly change "Let's do Quid Pro Quo then!"
Manabu looks at Jin in question "Quid Pro Quo?"
"Yeah! It's like a game where you answer a question to get--"
"I know what Quid Pro Quo is, I'm just surprised you even know that word." Manabu smirks.
"Hey! I may not look like it," Jin says before trying to pose and arrange his hair like a cool kid "But, I'm actually very smart."
"Don't look like one though," the raven chuckles.
"Just shut up and play with me."
"Alright, alright." Manabu chuckles, taking a bite from his pasta first as he thought of which question to ask first.He already knows that the blond is an incoming first year so "Which school are you entering for high school?"
"Not sure yet but, Seikoku High School is catching my attention." Jin answers non-chalantly and Manabu hums in reply, trying to multi-task in eating whilst playing with Jin.
"My turn, what happened to your face?" Jin asked giddily, leaning in close to Manabu.
"I fell off my bed." Manabu answered quickly, not even looking up at to Jin before saying "Your age?"he says then, continues eating.
"Why are you so stubborn and still lying? Don't you even know how to play this game?" Jin exasperates before sighing and answering "fifteen, turning sixteen this year though. And--"
"I can be stubborn sometimes but, I'm not lying. Birthday?" Manabu said, not letting Jin finish his sentence as he smiled up at the blond.
"Hey no fair! That wasn't my question!"
"Question is a question now, Quid Pro Quo."
Jin groans rather loudly, quite like a child before he answers "July 22. Now, why is an annoying guy like you continually visiting our cafe?"
"Wow, rude Jin." Manabu laughs "I'm at this park everyday because I love it here. It just so happens that I forget to eat breakfast a lot so, I have no choice but to eat here often." He says with a smile before asking "What's your height?"
"Oi! Are you trying to insult me here?" Jin was quick to go defensive, almost growling at Manabu.
"Ah, so you're really that sensitive about your height." The raven states as a matter of fact with an amused chuckle.
"Quit making fun of me you delinquent!"
Manabu eats a few fork full of his pasta before saying"How many times should I tell you I'm no delinquent? I can't believe an annoying squirt like you might enter into my school,"he continues off with a fake weary sigh "Good-bye peaceful high school life, it was fun while it lasted."he smiled teasingly at the blond.
"Who you calling squirt you bully! How about you? You're paler than, a dead person!" Jin exasperates with a hiss.
"Oh, I recall being called that a lot of times." he only nods in agreement before taking another sip from his coffee "But, at least I'm not as short and clumsy as you Jin-chan." Manabu adds off before finishing his pasta.
Jin groans in defeat, hands raising up as though he was surrendering "You are impossible," the blond waiter says as he catches Manabu laughing at him "You're actually having fun are you? Tsk, you'd probably even be happy if I go there so you have someone to bully." Jin says with a pout.
"Like I said, why would I be happy seeing a blond munchkin roaming around my school's halls?" The raven chortles "Also, call me senpai. You rude kouhai."
"Like, I'll be calling some like you--"
"By the way, can you serve my parfait now?" Manabu cuts Jin off.
It seemed as though Jin wasn't phased by Manabu's sudden request, his eyes seemed to light up. Those caramel brown eyes that are obviously contact lenses had that glint of light in them that showed how happy Jin was with Manabu's request. How the waiter was able to radiate that kind of effect from his features was a total mystery to the raven but, he wouldn't mind seeing it over and over again... He wouldn't admit it vocally but, Jin was rather adorable.
"Gimme a sec!" And in a flash, Jin was out of his sight and running to the kitchen to get Manabu's order.
It only took a second for Jin to come back to Manabu, setting the raven's parfait in front of him as Jin seated himself back in front of Manabu. Jin watched with hopeful eyes, a wide smile on his lips as his chin rested on top of two palms, the blond's elbows sitting on the table.
For some odd reason, Manabu is weirdly reminded of something. This scene happening in front of him right now felt like Deja vu, did this happen to him already? Why did the raven vaguely feel like this had happened to him somewhere... Like in a dream--
Oh yeah, dream with Kazuki and parfait.
He was starting to feel a little bitter when, Jin snapped him out of his dark trance.
"Oi! Hurry up and eat your parfait! I wanna see your reaction." the blond said impatiently, body moving about like a child who couldn't stay put on his seat.
Manabu gazed at the other at first, curious as to why Jin loved to see his first reactions to eating sweets. He shrugged off the idea, taking a spoonful of his coffee parfait and---
The taste is simply amazing. It was bitter like coffee yet, Manabu could taste the mixture of sugar in it. The parfait was creamy that seemed to melt in his tongue, flavours molding onto each other to create a different kind of flavour, something tangly sweet with milk that blended in perfectly with the coffee.
It even has a great aftertaste that's somewhat similar to a caramel creamer?
"Oh, it's good." Manabu says with a smile, not caring if his lip stings from it.
"Really?!" Jin replies back excitedly, making Manabu's heart skip a beat for a second.
"Yeah? What're you so excited about?"
Jin bit on his lower lip, a somewhat shy demeanor suddenly evident in his aura as the blond fidgeted in his seat and smiled at Manabu "I made that coffee parfait, we just recently added it on the menu. You're the first one to order it... I'm glad you liked it."
Manabu couldn't quite pin point properly how he felt, but it was a mixture of invigorating and happiness and something else that made Manabu nervous and somewhat sweaty like he couldn't stay put on his seat yet, at the same time he can't move. That smile on Jin had to be the most adorable smile he'd seen and Manabu will admit -just to himself of course-, that his cheeks really did blush into a light tint of pink at the sight of Jin.