Mute

29 | Work Creep

I smiled as I flipped bottles. I was at work again, Shouto had relaxed after I explained my job last week. Right now Akito was in the back, playing games on my phone.

I hated bringing him to work like this, but he had lots of food and free wifi, he was fine this one time.

"Satoshi! Special number 13?"

I nodded and began flipping the bottles I would need onto the counter, relaxing slightly when they all landed perfectly. Bottle flipping wasn't an exact art, but it got easier the more you do it.

"How does she do that?" A customer asked loudly as I worked steadily. One of my coworkers grinned proudly.

"Satoshi is from America, things like this come naturally to her."

"How cool!"

I smiled in embarrassment, tilting my head slightly to hide my face as I worked. I glanced up in time to catch the cup, adding the little shot of cream before sliding it onto the counter. I held up three fingers to my coworkers and they nodded, merging to fill the space as I slipped to the back.

Akito grinned up at me. "Hi Emi!" I smiled and ruffled his hair, rummaging around one of the boxes. "The weather says it's supposed to snow next week!"

I nodded, pulling out a new box of tiny leaves on sticks and patting my brothers head once more before walking back to where I was working, switching the boxes easily. We liked to put the leaves in all of our drinks, because Autumn. When it was officially winter we would switch to the snowflakes. That's what I'd been told anyway.

I began taking the orders and making them, working quickly to clear the mess of people in front of us.

"Satoshi! Whats up!"

I sighed as the same male coworker grinned and slid beside me, preparing drinks. I didn't bother to greet him as I slid another cup on the counter for a customer to take. We usually had three people working at once. One person to take the orders, and 2 to make them.

"So I was thinking! Neither of us have work tomorrow, why don't we go hang out at the park? I'll buy you lunch."

I shook my head, prepping another drink.

"Why not? Don't tell me you have plans!"

The crowd laughed and I blushed slightly. Most of our regulars loved the idea of us getting together, but I heavily disliked the idea. Especially because I had Shouto. I grabbed a blank piece of paper and wrote quickly, shoving it into his hands before returning to my drink, finishing it as he finished reading.

"Aww, no fair I'm your friend too!"

My excuse for not hanging out with him? I was spending the day with people and I didn't want to. I noticed he ignored the second part. I shook my head. No, no he wasn't.

The crowd cheered as I did so, most of them laughing.

"C'mon Satoshi!" Someone yelled. "Give him a chance!"

"Bro, she said no." Someone else pointed out.

"But they'd be so cute!"

"She still said no already."

The coworker grinned at me. "Looks like it's 60/40 Satoshi, most people want us to go out together.

I shrugged, writing something in large lettering and sticking beside my tip jar. "Not dating him."

Most people ended up laughing and I flashed a victorious grin, finishing my shift in peace.

When my shift did finally end I went to the backroom and tapped Akito's shoulder, signalling it was time to go. He beamed up at me and handed back my phone as he began packing up. I slipped off my apron and hat, tucking them in my locker and locking it. Akito was already chatting about his scores and funny things that had happened while he was playing. I enjoyed listening to him, and I led him out the back door, steering us in the direction of home.