The second both teachers stepped inside the chosen cafeteria, they noticed it was impossible to sit and chat, much less relax. It was so crowded that there was a queue to - at least - sit at the table.
Not giving up, Mine dragged the grumbling teacher around the Magical Center. They walked through the streets, alleys, and even the main avenue, looking for an open café – since the university didn't open on weekends, especially because of the rumors about that well. But no matter how hard they searched, the suitable place couldn’t be found. At first, they found a good place, but the establishment was unexpectedly closed that day; later, they found an adorable cafe, but it was an early Valentine's special - and only couples were allowed. Addai wanted to pretend because he was tired of searching, but Mine wasn't willing to do it.
So, they walked more.
Addai even took his umbrella and pulled the reluctant Mine closer so he wouldn't be soaked wet under the drizzle. They passed through more cobblestone streets and leafy trees that showed new foliage among the older, darkened ones. It was a residential neighborhood, but there were small businesses open, such as fruit shops, a coconut water stand, crepe shops, and another shop selling crochet items, of which Addai spent a long time in the window observing which items seemed interesting while Mine was looking for something in the landscape.
When Addai was about to enter the store, Mine yanked him in a certain direction.
He had found the perfect place!
The café seemed to be new around there and had a different vibe. When you enter the shop, it looks like an ordinary house. It not only seemed to be an ordinary house, but it was, indeed, one! Well, it was a home once, which turned into a cozy café. The walls were painted in a light green tone with touches of yellow, and vibrant plants were hanging on the walls, with shy-colored flowers among the foliage. Also, two sofas were displayed there, decorated with cozy sheets, and a fuzzy cat with a bow elegantly looked at them.
“Welcome!” a smiley girl came, and the cat jumped on her shoulder. “A table for two, right?”
“Yes,” Mine grinned.
"Then, follow me," she happily showed the way while the cat purred.
Going through a long decorated corridor, they reached the main room whose decorations matched the entrance room. Also, there was an area with books on the corner of the café - like a small library; the two shelves were filled with used books, and occasionally, someone approached and took one of them to read at the table.
The smell of coffee powder whipped milk, and essences added to the barista's exclusive drinks filled the air and even overcame the smell of bread, and pies sold at the main counter. Outside, the drizzle subsided and soon the sun would pay a visit among the clouds, tainted with orange, pink and ashy purple.
"Give me a call if you need me," the waitress beamed, and the cat jumped off her shoulder. "This is Babette, our beloved pet. She is lovely, and I think she took a liking to you two," chuckled and gave them the menu.
“Thank you, Mrs.” Addai smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Babette," Mine grinned, and the cat nuzzled on his hand.
“Why do cats like you that much?” Addai pondered, gently scratching Babette’s back.
“I’m lovely, that’s it,” said proudly.
“… really?” raised an eyebrow.
“Give me some credits," crossed arms. "Umbra also likes me,” said, even prouder.
“I can’t deny it. But don’t argue if she gifts you dead things,” chuckled. “Ah, I brought a book to you. Hold up a sec.”
“You? Giving me freebies?”
“It's a bribe, so you don't rip my skin off today,” handed an exquisite book to Mine, who took it with curious eyes.
“I knew it wasn’t freebies,” chuckled. “Let’s see it- !!!!!” he widened his eyes in surprise.
Mine's eyes filled with life, vigor, and hues. The euphoria quickly filled his heart and caused the blood to flow more and more throughout his body, leaving his cheeks slightly flushed. On his face, a smile appeared at the same speed as he read the title, subtitle, and author of the given book.
Curiously, the book was the one Mine was endlessly searching for. The hardcover with a gold finish and leather binding gave the charm that its contents deserved. He stroked the cover and its spines, feeling everything from the smoothness of the leather, the imperfections of the gilding, and the embossed designs to the pages with a slightly harder weight.
The book was perfect, and Mine couldn't stop smiling while flipping the pages.
"Thank you so much!" he beamed, causing his eyelashes to become the protagonist of his smile.
His smile was crystal clear as always, translating his feelings into the literal contours of his lips, which curved upwards and widened into a big, warm smile in an almost poetic way.
...?
Since when did Mine get so bright?
“It was nothing,” coughed, not pondering too much about that throbbing sensation on his chest.
"Hehe~" Mine grinned again, his cheeks starting to feel a bit numb. "Thank you. I was struggling to find this troublesome book.”
Mine’s smile was simple yet comforting. It was a rare scene to witness – as rare as a shiny Pokémon. It was… sweet… and…
… so unfair.
His once confusing emotions were replaced by ugly ones, polluting his mind and heart with a murky river of red and unsettling colors, staining and distorting what was once pure.
"Why do you smile more at others than at me?" asked, trying to hide his face behind the menu. “I know I am rude sometimes, but it doesn’t mean I am not a good person.”
Bitter words, bitter reasons, and bitter jealousy.
Ugly things that every human possesses, sin, and cultivates – consciously or not.
“Eh? What do y-”
"Nothing, it's just nonsense," cut his speech.
Mine blinked a little, and Babette started purring, walking towards him.
What was that?
“Erm… hey,” he touched Addai’s knuckles. “You’re a >pain in the ass<, not a bad person, you hear it? It’s different.”
Addai slowly fixed his gaze on Mine, revealing his somewhat flushed face, perhaps due to realizing the content of the question or the tone used. Seeing him in such a way was foreign, a bit at that. The way Addai's eyes squinted was childish, trying his best to make his micro-expressions clear.
“Here I am, trying to comfort an asshole,” Mine chuckled. “Why are you blushin’? Ah! Could the Great Addai be… embarrassed?!” teased out loud.
“SHUSH!” argued, trying to shush Mine with his hands, but Mine perfectly avoided his tries, bursting into laughter.
“I didn’t know you could blush!” Mine laughed, wiping tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes.
“Oh wow, so it means I have feelings,” he said with a sarcastic tone, his cheeks still flushed while he surveyed the menu’s options. “Let’s order before we talk about work,” grumbled.
Even his ears were red, and his eyes turned to once squinted to a panicked one. Only this time Mine entered the “pretend-nothing-happened” thing and picked up the menu as well, already selecting something to eat, but he was stopped by Addai, who asked for something savory to eat before they started devouring the sweets Mine wanted to order.
While the order did not arrive, Mine tirelessly read a few lines of the new book, and Babette purred at Addai's affection as he stroked her back, ears, and chin.
“How are you doing with that subject?” Mine asked, placing the book aside. “Did you get to do things the right way?"
"Ah…” he deeply sighed before explaining, “I could understand it in the beginning, but when it comes to the manipulation of two different energies… I always end up getting burned," laughed uselessly, taking a sip of his bitter coffee that just arrived.
“Oh, so you're doing good.”
“Thanks for the compliments, Mr. Senior," as he lowered his upper body, Mine swiftly delivered a quick slap to his forehead, causing Babette to jump in surprise.
Following a few cups of coffee and a handful of pages flipped back and forth, Mine and Addai engaged in a lengthy exchange of information and teachings. Throughout their conversation, Mine began realizing that Addai was not only kind but also quite decent.
Sometimes childish? Yeah, of course. Sometimes a pain in the ass? Yes, of course. Sometimes a nuisance? Yes, yes, and yes. But among the sullen face, the wrinkled nose, and the somewhat bitter and acidic words that came out of his mouth, his eyes betrayed him and told otherwise every once in a while, just like the back of his neck and ears – the first to succumb to any change in color on his face.
"What?" Addai asked.
“Nothing special,” shrugged, “it's just that your face is ugly.”
“Hmpf, go tell that to those women right there. They're devouring me with their eyes,” grumbled, and Mine laughed – indeed, that kind of stare was a nuisance. So, Babette acted, distracting the group with her meowing and purring.
As Addai glanced over at Mine’s cup of coffee, he couldn't help but notice the state of his co-worker’s hands. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the fingertips were adorned with an array of band-aids, ranging from brightly colored ones to simple, plain ones. However, despite this attempt at covering up any injuries or bruises, some band-aids couldn't conceal the reddish-torn skin peeking out from beneath them. It was evident that Mine's hands had seen better days, and Addai couldn't help but wonder what had caused such damage.
"Why do your fingers have many band-aids?" Addai asked, taking the most bruised hand and carefully analyzing each finger.
"Ah… it's…" started to get tangled in the explanations and felt his neck turn red as well as his face.
Maybe the other day was too dark, and Addai couldn't see nor feel the different texture on the fingertips contrasting to the predominant softness in the palm and back of Mine’s hands.
His fingers were slender, but some had calluses from writing so much, and his joints looked a little more battered. His palm had clear and precise drawings – a delight for palmistry practitioners – and in the corner, there was a fading scar. He turned his hand a little more and examined the back, identifying a solitary mole almost close to the wrist, which a faded, ragged bracelet insisted decorating it.
"Hey…? Is everything okay?” Mine called.
“Hm hm," Addai nodded and removed one of the band-aids from Mine's finger, who made an uncomfortable noise. “Ah, sorry.”
“That’s okay," said at ease. "It’s a little bit… well, a lot sore, so it’s normal to itch and sting a little.”
“Hm…,” hummed, “what had happened?” carefully touched the bruise.
The wounds had different shapes and textures; some had harder edges, and others had dried blood that stained the nails a little - which had certainly been bitten. In the biggest injury, the finger was a little swollen than the others, and a purplish-red area showed signs that the recovery would take a few more days.
“I’m used to it," Mine started, "I never know when it happens. All I see is blood and a bruise after some time dazing.”
“You should stop doing it,” blew the tip of the most bruised finger and cured it with a nonverbal spell. “Are the others just the same?” asked, taking off some more band-aid.
Both Mine's hands were covered in band-aids, and it took some time for Addai to carefully take all the curatives off and heal each finger.
"You… don't need to do it," Mine said, embarrassed.
“Just shush," grumbled and blew the remaining bruised fingers, healing them. “You must be grateful for my mercy.”
“Well… thanks Mr. humbleness, right Babette?” smiled, and the cat lazily meowed, approaching them again.
“Hm,” Addai hummed, finishing the last checkup. “Don’t bite them again, or else I’ll have to buy a tricky nail polish and apply it myself on your nails,” grumbled.
"Good luck, I tried those once and overcame the bitterness," grinned shamelessly.
While Addai discussed Mr. Shire and Abannak's assessment details with Mine, Babette went for a walk. She planned to go up to the counter and bribe the barista to give her some (more) cat food – like she always did.
The counter had a short line with about three to four people waiting to order or pay. Among these people, one in particular made her hair stand on end.
“Babette... I was about to get your sachet,” the barista laughed softly when she saw the cat.
“How adorable,” the woman who took her order smiled at the cat, who began to growl.
"Babette?" the cat's non-docile nature surprised the barista, as it behaved calmly around everyone.
"Ah, cats hate me. Thanks for the coffee," and Babette didn't take her eyes off her.
As the girl was heading towards the exit, she noticed someone familiar in the crowd, and their eyes locked.
“Bella!” Mine greeted her.
“Hello, late-night comrade,” Bella greeted him back.
Addai gave her a slow, scrutinizing once-over. The look in his eyes suggested that he had no intention of being kind to this stranger who had just appeared. Bella met his gaze and offered an useless smile instead.
“Oh! Nice to meet you, my name is-”
“I don't care,” he declined to shake her hand, locking his gaze in her eyes.
“You brute!” Mine slapped Addai on the forehead. “Greet her appropriately! Bella, this is Addai, my daily headache at university.”
"Um… nice to meet you, Mr. Addai," she smiled. "Erm... I'll go then. Otherwise, the cat over there will want to jump on me and scratch me all over."
"I wonder why," Addai still hadn't broken eye contact. "Have a good day," said in one breath once Mine gave him a painful pinch on the thigh.
“See you, Bella,” Mine smiled and waved.
Outside the cafe, Bella’s breathing turned heavy, and she began to feel her skin tighten. Shivers swarmed over the back of her legs, forcing her to stop walking, so she had to sit on the nearest bench. Her ashen face was fortunately half hidden by makeup, but her tight, tense shoulders could tell something was wrong. The must to hide. The must to run. The time seemed slow and fast at the same time, but she needed to ignore it.
“Who was that guy?” she muttered to herself. "I need to get out of here."
As she rose to her feet, a stunning ebony feline gazed upon her with a watchful eye. Its delicate whiskers quivered as it intently observed her every move, never once losing sight of her piercing gaze.
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