Francis’ apron had no name tag, but that was fine. He was confident he’d get one soon. When they were done introducing themselves to each other, Lala showed him the ropes of the coffee shop. After that, he was stationed behind the counter with both of them. You handled the cashier, while he and Lala made the drinks and prepared the sandwiches. Easy, right? Yet, somehow…

“You, don’t start an argument with the customers!” Lala scolded him by the sideline after a customer paid for their drink and left them be.

He only rolled his eyes at that. “Not my fault they keep asking for Matcha.”

“Well, people probably really like Matcha, okay?”

“Whatever.”

This amused Francis, like You has been doing this everyday since they opened. Thankfully, they had no customers by the cashier right now, else they’d be witnessing such a spectacle. Would that even attract customers? Next time, maybe Francis should ask if he can man the cashier just in case. You spat fire like a dragon to anyone and everyone, not caring who they were. While that was something to behold, it might make customers leave. But still, what was up with Matcha? Francis had to know.

“What’s wrong with Matcha?” He intervened between the two.

“Nothing.” You shrugged his shoulders. “We just don’t have it on our menu. Some people really are blind, because why are they asking for something that’s not there?”

“Come on, You! No arguing with anyone, and that’s that.” Lala said with such a final tone, though it seemed to have no effect on him. Then again, her voice was too sweet and caring. She may be a bear, but she was a Paddington bear.

“Does it look like we have matcha written on there?” He pointed up at the menu. “No, for Pete’s sake!”

“That doesn’t mean you have to be mean!”

“Ask a stupid question, and you’ll get a sarcastic answer.”

Francis laughed at that. “I don’t think matcha is coffee either.”

“Finally, someone who speaks sense.” You patted his shoulder. “It’s tea, and we’re a coffee shop. Speaking of, have you read and memorized the menu properly?”

Whoops.

“Currently doing that, sir.”

“Like I said, don’t call me that.”

Just then, another customer appeared and You went back to work. When the order was made, a copy was given to Francis for him to make it. He could feel You’s eyes on him as he worked his way on it, preparing the drink as Lala coached him through it. However, when it was made clear that he knew what he was doing, Lala took a step back and watched him alongside You. And when Francis placed the finished drink on the counter, Lala clapped for him.

“Is it fine if I serve the drink instead of announcing it?” Francis looked at them, eyes sparkling with how proud he was of himself.

“I don’t see why not.” Lala smiled.

He beamed at that and moved his way around, putting the cappuccino on a table with a couple there. “Your Cappuccino, ma’am, sir!”

“Wrong table!” You called out, and pointed to the table at the other end. “That girl over there ordered it!”

“My bad!”

After serving it on the right table, Francis gave them a thumbs up. Lala returned it while You only stared at him. He eventually gave him one too when Lala elbowed his side. Just then, the bell on the door jingled and in came Aki once again. He had a different hoodie on this time, but he still wore his mushroom beanie. What was he doing back here? Still, Francis walked towards him with a smile. A paying customer is still a paying customer after all.

“What’s up?” Francis greeted him.

Aki looked at him with defeated eyes, his shoulders dropping as he heaved a sigh. “Just… Can you refill my drink with ice?”

“Sure thing!”

“I’m so sorry to bother you guys.”

“Don’t be. We’re here at your service.”

They were by the counter now, and Francis motioned for Lala to come forward. However, she slightly shook her head as her face went red. This was definitely a sure sign that she had a crush on the guy. Francis could sense it a mile away. You watched all this unfold, and pushed Lala forward. Tried as she might to get away, it was useless. Aki, meanwhile, missed all this with his head hung low.

“Here it is.” He then placed his drink on the counter. It was half full-ish, and barely had any ice left. The cover was nowhere to be seen, but that was fine. They could always put a new one on it.

Francis gestured for Lala to take it, and she finally did when You glared at her. Now, how could he make the two talk to each other? His mind went through the various tropes he knew when it came to writing, but stopped himself short. This was real life, not fiction! Maybe he could probe on the guy to say something, and this might prompt Lala to comment on it. Whether it would work or not, it was worth a shot.

“Can I ask you something?” Francis spoke up after a moment of silence.

Aki looked at him then, and shrugged his shoulders. “Sure.”

“Why do you look so sad?”

“Oh, about that…” He sighed again, but it was heavier this time. “I slipped and spilled my drink all over my favorite hoodie. Don’t mind however much is left in my cup, I just need ice for it.”

“Do…” Lala muttered the rest of her words, and looked embarrassed of it. Francis took a step back so he was behind Aki, and encouraged her to try again with his hand gestures. “Do— do you want a refill of your drink?”

Aki quickly looked up at her, and sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. While Francis couldn’t see his face, the tone of his voice was a sure tell that he perked up from her question. “Oh! No need. I’ve used what I allocated for coffee spending already.”

“It’s, uhm, on the house!”

At that, You looked at Lala like she lost her mind. Francis had to stifle his laughter and cover his mouth. What was she saying now? He wanted to see how far this would go, and where it would go exactly.

“Really?” Aki asked, hopeful.

“Y-yes.” 

“Since when—” You started, but Francis let out a yell.

Everyone stared at him then. With the attention now on him, Francis gulped down his saliva and sang. “Doe! A deer! A female deer!”

It was quiet for a moment, until Lala let out a chuckle and everyone resumed back to their own business. Francis immediately rushed behind the counter and pulled You away from the scene, leaving Aki and Lala on their own. You was offended by this and pushed his arm away, but Francis was insistent.

“Can’t you see what’s happening?” He whispered urgently.

“I don’t care what’s happening!” You harrumphed, talking in the same hushed tone. “We are not giving out free refills!”

“Just for today, let her give him one!”

“You’re crazy.”

But You stayed where he stood, glaring at the whole scene with his arms crossed. Francis was relieved of this, and went back to Lala in case she needed back up, or any sort of help. So when he found the two in some sort of mental tug of war, he couldn’t help but listen in.

“No, I can’t just take it without paying.” Aki insisted.

“It’s fine! I promise, this refill is, well, on me.” Lala replied, pushing the now full cup of Spanish Latte towards him on the counter.

“Please, let me pay.”

“No need!”

“Are you absolutely sure? It feels wrong for me to just walk away though.”

With the way things were going, it sounded like this could go on forever. So Francis stepped in once again. “Why don’t you make up for it next time?” Aki and Lala looked at him then. “You know, get a free refill now, and pay her back whenever.”

“Oh, that doesn’t sound so bad…” Aki trailed off, deep in thought.

“We can go with that.” Lala looked thankful. “Is that, uhm, okay with you?”

“Hmm… alright. I give in.”

Just then, Aki reached out his hand to get his coffee, and Francis swore everything seemed to move in slow motion. The way his hand covered Lala’s, the skin contact that warmed her cheeks, and how Aki smiled at her all so sweetly. Well, well, well? What was going on? This felt like a cheesy romcom scene, and Francis was here for it!

“I was having a bad day after ruining my favorite hoodie, but I feel better now.” He gently took the cup from her, and this left Lala to hold her hand on her chest. “Thank you, miss.”

“Y-you’re welcome.” Lala shyly waved at him as he took his leave.

As soon as he was gone, her knees gave in and she was left rocking back and forth on the floor. Francis and You went over to her, checking to see if she was fine. Other than her muttering “Oh my god,” over and over again, nothing looked out of place. Francis had to laugh at that and reassuringly patted her back.

“How did you—” Lala asked him, though she couldn’t finish her question as her face flushed once again.

Francis seemed to get it though. “Well, it’s kinda obvious you have a crush on him.”

“We just met!”

“I have spidey senses.”

“This is ridiculous.” You rolled his eyes and helped Lala stand up. “Get back to work people, and no more free refills.”

Francis had to laugh at that as they resumed their stations.