Chapter Text
Time wasn’t something Haru Okumura had a lot of. As the third and final semester of her year of University drew near, she found herself busy with her studies. With exams on the horizon, her textbooks and coffee appeared to be her only companions. Even now, on the train, surrounded by people, her nose was buried deep in a book. She tuned everyone out, the world around her nothing but a blur.
It wasn’t until her stop at Shibuya Station that she realized she hadn’t absorbed a single text, her mind too unfocused. Sighing in defeat, she closed her book, placing it into her bag. Stepping off the train, try as she might, her mind couldn't help but wander off without her permission. Next year, if her school and studies were to go as planned, Haru would be graduating. What would be considered liberating for some, was simply a reminder that Haru’s life was never hers to begin with. Graduating wasn’t a reason to celebrate. For her, it was a life sentence. Haru wondered if she could get away with intentionally failing her classes just to bide more time. But her father was no fool; she knew all too well. Eventually, her father would figure it out. He’d pull her out of school, and, just to further punish her, he'd force her to move in with him. And moving in—let alone, being alone with Sugim—him was the last thing she wanted to do with her time. She was already damned to live the rest of her life with him. She wanted to enjoy these last few years of freedom. Best to not do anything stupid that may anger her father.
Haru hadn’t realized she made it to the flower shop until she heard someone clear their throat. Just how long had she stood there, staring at nothing with a solemn look?
Looking up, she momentarily froze. The person in front of her had the fluffiest black hair she had ever seen on a man. Gray eyes so intense, she had to look away for fear he’d turn her to stone. Despite his almost cold gaze, nothing about him seemed uninviting. In fact, he simply seemed tired.
“May I help you?” He asked. Haru couldn’t pick up the tone in his voice. He didn’t sound angry, so perhaps that was a good sign.
“Yes. Sorry.” Hand clutching her bag, she racked her brain, trying to remember what she was here to buy. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts; she had left herself in a trance.
“Were you the one who ordered Bio Nutrients?” The young man asked.
“Yes!” Haru exclaimed, before lowering her voice, “That’s what I came to pick up!” She bit back the apology that tried to sneak its way out of her mouth. He didn’t seem to mind or care, but she couldn’t help but think that he thought of her as a ditz. Shaking that idea from her head, Haru said, “Also, would you happen to have any seeds for buttercups? I’d like to pick some up while they’re still in season.”
Giving a hum in thought, the young man went to the back, sorting through seed packets. Once he found what he was searching for, he held two packets in each hand.
“What color?”
Tilting her head, she studied the packets. On another occasion, she might have picked white. But, with her mood not being the brightest, her eyes gravitated toward the yellow. Something that could brighten up her garden would be nice. Perhaps, once they’re fully bloomed, she could put them in a vase to add color to her apartment. Like bringing in a small bouquet of sunshine to lighten her day.
“The yellow ones please.”
The young man gave an almost cat-like smile, but it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. She swore she saw a sparkle in his eye, but that could have been her imagination. “Good choice.”
She pulled out her cash, placing it in a tray on the counter. The young man handed her a bag full of the Bio Nutrients and seed packets she had bought, before giving her a slight bow.
“Thank you for shopping with us.” He said.
Haru simply smiled, giving a small bow of her own. As she walked away, she allowed her eyes to linger on the stranger a second longer than she should have. She couldn’t remember ever thinking a stranger to be so handsome. In recent memory anyway. She had her small crushes in high school, but every time, once the person learned of her status, the dynamic would change. No longer were they interested in Haru Okumura, their soft-spoken classmate. No, instead they grew more interested in Haru Okumura, the heiress to Okumura Foods. This very reason was why she had never been in a serious relationship.
Wait. Why was she thinking about relationships? Was she truly so deprived of romance that simply looking at a handsome man who didn’t look at her like a piece of meat caused her mind to drift to such topics? And even so, it wasn’t like any relationship would go anywhere. Not with her circumstance. Besides, she didn’t even know Handsome Flower Shop Guy (was that nickname even appropriate for an engaged woman to think?), so why would she be thinking about crushes?
She was engaged to marry the son of a politician. By this time next year, she’d be arranged to move in with her fiancé. And after that… well, she didn’t want to think about it too much. She knew her thoughts would race if she allowed herself to do so. Taking in a deep breath, she calmed herself. She needed to get back to her apartment while there was still light out.
That weekend, Haru made her way through Yongen Jaya. According to her friend, Makoto Niijima—or just Mako-chan as a nickname—there was a quaint little café in the area. With finals near, she could use the quiet atmosphere—and coffee—to her advantage to study. There was even a bathhouse across the alleyway. Haru had never been to a public bathhouse before. Perhaps she and Makoto could stop by once exams were over. After all, it never hurt to relax. It might be the last time she could freely spend time with one of her few friends. Shaking that solemn thought away, Haru opened the door to the café. Lablanc was the name if she remembered correctly. Immediately she was charmed by the antiquated décor. The sweet smells of coffee soothed her, almost blanketing her in a warm embrace of nostalgia. She half expected her grandfather to be on the other side of the counter, a kind and welcoming expression decorating his face.
Instead stood an older gentleman, perhaps in his 50s, standing behind the counter, eyes on the tv. The sound of the bell from the door alerted him to Haru’s presence. Eyes locked with hers, he said, “Welcome. How can I help you?”
Stuttering through her words, Haru tried to regain her composure. She knew her grandfather wouldn’t be there, but she couldn't fight back the pitiful tug at her heart when she realized that. “Hello, sir. I’d just like a simple cup of coffee please.”
The older gentlemen gave a nod, “Coming up. Make yourself comfortable.” He gestured to one of the booths. She did so without hesitation, placing her bag beside her. Unzipping it, she pulled out a few textbooks, a notebook, and a highlighter. Opening her notebook, she flipped the pages of her neatly written notes, before landing on the most recent date. The bell to the front café door rang, signaling someone’s appearance.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Said a deep voice from behind Haru. She didn’t turn around to look, too focused on her work.
“Took you long enough.” Said the café owner, voice stern but not at all unfriendly, “I could use a break. Watch over the store while I take a smoke, would you?”
Haru didn’t listen to the rest of the conversation after that, completely tuning the world around her out. It wasn’t until the welcoming aroma of coffee was placed before her, in a cute yet simple cup atop a small plate. Something about its plain design was a charming sight.
Right as she was about to thank her server, he spoke up, “I remember you.”
Taken aback, Haru finally looked up, meeting the familiar eyes of Handsome Flower Shop Guy. Except today, he was Handsome Coffee Shop Guy! His hair was as messy as it was last she saw him, but his expression seemed more alert. Perhaps he had a long hard day at work when they had met at the flower shop. She could sympathize.
“Oh! Hello. It’s nice to see you again.” She clasped her hands in her lap, “Thank you again for the buttercups.”
He simply nodded, hands in his pocket. “Could I get you anything else?”
With a soft shake of her head, she said, “No, thank you. I’ll be just fine for now.”
“You sure? I wouldn’t recommend studying on an empty stomach.”
She opened her mouth to say something before closing it again. Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten much that day. Perhaps a real meal could do her some good. Smiling, she said, “Alright. I’m not too familiar with the menu. Is there anything you’d recommend?”
A small smile tugged at his lips, “Lablanc’s famous curry. It’ll pair great with your coffee.”
Curry and coffee huh? She had never heard of this combination before. But she was willing to give it a try. She did love taking in the unique flavors of different cafes around the city. She knew, once she was married, she couldn’t do that anymore. They would expect her to be a proper wife, not just for her husband, but for the media. Just a pretty proper poppet.
Pushing that thought away, Haru smiled, “That sounds lovely. I’ll give it a try.”
He gave a simple nod before leaving for the kitchen. Haru kept her eyes on her textbooks and notes, the hum of the television in the distance—the only reminder that time was moving at all. Soon, the savory smells of, what she assumed to be the curry, filled the café, and Haru had to stop herself from drooling. She’d sneak a peek at Handsome Coffee Shop Guy, silently admiring how he swiftly cut through vegetables like it was easy. There was just something attractive about a guy who knew his way around the kitchen. She bit her lip at that thought as if punishing herself. Just focus on studying, she thought to herself.
The curry the young man brought to her looked just as divine as it smelled. He stood there, hands in his pockets as if waiting on her approval. Slowly, as if to savor the moment, she lifted her spoon, taking a small bite. Immediately, the sweet yet savory flavors coated her taste buds. Despite the unfamiliar taste, its warmth reminded her of her grandfather’s old café. Something about it felt like home. Like eating a hot meal over a fire in the middle of winter, freezing snow dusting the outdoors, but the fire and food kept the inside cozy and inviting.
“It’s delicious!” Haru exclaimed.
Handsome Coffee Shop Guy gave a smile, “Glad to hear it. Enjoy your meal.” And with that, he set off, collecting the dishes from the other booths. A part of her wished he’d stayed, if only for a little chat. About what exactly? She wasn’t sure. Something about his aura was so alluring. Everything about him was tall dark and mysterious. He seemed to be around her age. Sugim—her fiance wasn’t that much older than her now, but she had been engaged to him since she was 17. Perhaps, because of that, it never felt like they were close in age, despite him being four years her senior.
She bit her lip again, forcing herself to focus on her notes. Perhaps she was lonely. That could be the only explanation for why she was so interested in this mysterious stranger. Her only friend was Makoto, but they never talked about romance or relationships. Truthfully, despite being a hopeless romantic at heart, love was a subject Haru purposefully avoided. She wasn’t going to get her ending with Prince Charming. Happily ever afters existed only in books. This was no fairy tale; this was real life. And real life seldom ended the way one excepted.