Summary: Your new customer in the coffee shop , Oikawa Tooru, is completely lovestruck with you. However, he doesn't know how to ask you out. Therefore, he makes the perfect coffee shop romance. Though, it doesn't go as planned.
A/N: Finally! I was able to finish my first ever collab event I participated in. This is for the Konoha Simps collab event @konoblog-simps . Did not expect that this will be long, but I guess that what happens when you are a sucker for coffee shop aus hahahaha
Sighs.
Oikawa Tooru sighs for the fifth time. A sigh of admiration. Who would have thought that the most charismatic man that men and women alike fall for ends up falling all over heels to one girl - you. You, the owner and barista of a coffee shop.
Sigh.
And it's the sixth time. Iwa is the next one to sighs afterwards. With a scrunch up nose, he finally puts his head down and looks at his weirdo friend.
"Just talk to her will ya rather than looking at her like a creep,"
Tooru doesn't budge to look at his friend as he just admiringly watches you work behind the counter. He never would have thought that he would one day feel thankful listening to his junior's suggestions of where to eat. They have been fussing about this new coffee shop in town. Out of boredom, he thought of going there as well. He definitely made the right choice.
"Won't it be creepy as well if I just ask for her number? Also, it's not as romantic,"
"Romantic? You know what's not romantic? Staring until your eyes fall off," Iwa drinks from his cup.
Don't get him wrong. It's not that he wants a very romantic story with you, that's why he's not approaching you. There have been several cases ever since he went to the cafe that you two stumble upon each other. It'll either be the grocery story, the mall, park, and other places. Though, no matter what, he can't seem to have a friendly chat with you. The nervousness sinks for some reasons. Can you believe that? Oikawa Tooru, the most confident man, is nervous.
He finally looks at his friend and drinks his last sip of coffee. "Fine. I won't stare starting now,"
"Just talk to her if you really like her," Iwa spoke.
Tooru glances at you again. Though, when he sees you smiling at a customer as you serve her order, he may have blushed and looked away.
Iwa laughs. "That's unlike you. What are you nervous about?"
"I...I don't know," Tooru rubs the back of his head. He does know. It's for a simple reason. It's because he likes you. He has never liked someone else. He's so used to being confessed to, not the other way around. Now, it seems all his confidence of talking to people just vanished. The feeling of not wanting to mess up the first impression is getting to her.
How can I make her notice me?
He looks out the window just right beside their table and lets his mind wander for a moment. It did not last long before he snapped his gaze back to his friend. He looks at Iwa with wide eyes as if a light bulb just popped up.
"I...think I may have an idea," Tooru leans forward. Iwa frowns in confusion.
"You heard of the coffee shop romance, right?" He smiles.
How to attain your coffee shop romance by Oikawa Tooru:
Find the right time and the right spot.
Everyday, Tooru would go to the coffee shop where there are not many people. At exactly 3 pm, he would enter the coffee shop. Perhaps, he follows too much to the idea of arriving at the right time because he would check his phone and stop before the coffee shop is in view. The moment it strikes three pm, that is the only time he enters the coffee shop. He shows his presence with the door hitting the bell hanging from the ceiling.
Then, after ordering, he sits only on one perfect spot where he'll be a perfect view to you. So, he takes a table just directly across the counter and right beside the glass window. He may have taken into consideration the proper lighting and all that before deciding on the table.
2. Be extremely...good looking
This is probably an easy one for him. Though, he wants to make a much different expression. Someone who looks decent. He would definitely wear his casual polo paired with a cotton vest, then a blazer, casual pants, and his eyeglasses. The kind of look that is oozing with charm, but gentlemanly type. With the proper lighting, he would definitely be an angel in the coffee shop.
3. Be consistent
He makes sure that he’s right on time. He’s always on that spot. He’ll dress nicely everyday. He’ll make sure to be as consistent as possible for you to notice him. If he is to be noticeable, he’ll do everything to do the same thing over and over again.
Though, little does he know that it's absolutely working. You’ve been watching him closely ever since he kept going back to the coffee shop. He’ll order the same thing. Cappuccino and milk bread. You always note that he’ll sit at that specific table across the counter. He doesn’t know, but you’ll always put a reserve sign on the table just to make sure that no one else chooses to sit on that seat. Then, before 3 pm strikes, you’ll remove it before he arrives. You are not quite sure what he likes doing or what made him decide to go to your cafe daily, but you definitely like it. If only, you two have the courage to strike the conversation first.
However, it seems some sort of higher being is making that first conversation happen.
It was one day when you ended up being convinced by your friend to sign up in some online dating app to get in the game as your friend said. It didn’t take long before you matched with someone and ended up talking to this person through messages. You’ve never done it before and it's honestly building up that certain anxiety in you. So far, it’s doing good. However, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed or nervous whenever this person texts you back especially when he starts to become a bit more sweet in words.
It’s honestly just stressing you out as the days go on and now the man wants to meet with you - and you haven’t honestly answered him about it. So, here you are staying behind the coffee shop’s counter contemplating all this. You reread the message repeatedly as if trying to find some loophole in it. You want to go on the date. You haven’t been to one honestly. You want to at least try; however, you really just don’t know how to go about it.
Looking too much at the phone you didn’t realize that Tooru arrived and was already standing in front of the counter. He watches in curiosity as to what you are too distracted about. He grabs your attention with a fake cough.
You jolt from the sound and immediately look up at Tooru.
“Shoot, sorry about. I-I was just-”
“No worries,” Tooru smiles.
“The usual?” You asked as you began to tap on the screen to punch his order. He nods.
“You seem a little troubled,” he said. He tries to do something for himself.
You focus on punching his order on the tablet. “Nothing. Not something...too grave,” you smiled. He hands you his card for payment. You swipe his card and immediately give it back to him.
Little do you know that his smile faded away at the thought that you may have ended the conversation too quickly. For a moment, he thought this is a way to have a much longer conversation with you. However, as you make his coffee, your thoughts wander through the message again. Your mind wanders off not noticing how Tooru is still there by the counter looking at your worried face.
You put his coffee on the tray and the milk bread on a plate as well. You blink and look up at Tooru already standing at the claiming counter. At that moment, your phone pings again with another message.
“Here’s your order, sir,” you said.
You immediately turn away a bit to look at the phone and see that it came from the person you are talking to. He’s asking you about the date. You sigh at this troublesome dilemma. You turn to see Tooru still standing there.
“Is there something else you need, sir?” you asked.
“Um...yeah….utensils,” he said.
“Oh, right. Sorry,” you turn to get a knife and fork.
“Really sorry about that,” you said again. “Just a bit too worked up to this whole talking to someone,” you chuckled as you hand over the knife and fork wrapped in a napkin.
“Talking to someone?” Tooru asked.
“Yeah. My friend told me it’s a good idea to sign up on a dating app. Then now, someone matched with me and...he wants to go on a date,” you chuckled awkwardly only to realize that you’re talking to a customer. For a moment you just felt a bit comfortable telling him. You guess it's something about seeing him almost everyday.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to take much of your time. I wasn’t-”
“No. No. It’s fine. I was the one who asked anyway,” he said with that smile that is masking what he truly feels.
A date. You’re going on a date. He repeated in his mind.
“You’re going on a date. Isn’t that like a good thing? What seems to be the problem? If you don’t mind me asking,” he asked with a little nervous smile.
“Well…I’ve never been on a date before,” you lower your gaze to the ground for a moment and look up at him to find the least composure from telling this to someone you just met. However, there’s just something about having to speak freely with him.
“This is probably not a problem with you. I’m sure you can easily talk to people,” you chuckled.
“What makes you say that?”
“Just a gut feeling. I am sure you’ve been on several dates before,” you said as you grabbed a towel.
“Why? Because of my charm and handsomeness?”
“Yeah,” You realize that you replied too quickly and open your mouth to reply something back. However, it was cut off with him laughing. You watch his laugh and immediately blink away when you realize that you’ve been quite admiring his laughter.
“I mean was-”
“Ey, no take backs,” he cuts you off again.
Silence lingers in for a moment. Though, it gave you the time for an idea to pop.
“Is it okay if I ask you something?” You just said. He’s been a regular in the coffee shop. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a small conversation with him. Something like acquaintances would probably do.
He nods at your question.
“You’ve been on dates before right?”
He nods again in anticipation.
“I bet you don’t get nervous at all. I was just wondering if you have any...tips on getting through it...alive?” you chuckled nervously.
“Oh,” Tooru’s hopes immediately melted away. He doesn’t know why he even thought you want to go out with him when he already knew from the start you’ve told him you are planning on going out on a date. He rubs the back of his head trying to hide that little bit of disappointment.
“Well…” he looked up at the anticipation in your eyes and he almost laughed at himself.
What was I thinking? He thought. He did the whole bit of making you notice him and it just ended with you going to another man. I was just a coward, afterall. He said.
He beams another smile at you. “Well, I can’t really give you tips,” However, if all is too late, maybe a conversation with you would make his heart content.
“But...I can give you some advice and maybe teach you a bit about it over a cup of coffee?” He added.
“Oh,” You aren’t supposed to sit with customers, but considering that around this time there really is no one who enters, maybe it’s not a bad idea.
“That would be great,”
If it weren’t for a customer arriving two hours after 3 pm, the two of you wouldn’t have stopped conversing at all. At start, he did give you tips on what to do on a date. Basically, his main tip is just for you to be yourself. Then eventually, you started doing some commonly asked questions during a date; however, that eventually ended with the two of you simply just conversing.
Oh yeah! I go to that bakery often as well.
You should try their croissants there. It’s really delicious.
You do not know what’s with him that just made talking to him easy. Yes, there may have been times where you find yourself blushing when he says a few compliments here and there or the way he smiles at you. However, you just blush. You never wanted to leave that spot at all. Unlike the person you are talking through on the online date, this unknown person really just makes you too anxious every second.
When a customer finally arrives to order, you immediately stand up from your seat.
“I got to get back to work,” you chuckled.
“I hope I was of...help,” Tooru said with a little hint of disappointment that you are still going on this date. If only he could just tell you to go on a date with him instead. However, his lips are always tight
“Definitely. You’re a big help. I just hope I don’t get nervous first and forget all of it,” you chuckled and turned away.
However, Tooru stands up, making you look back at him. “Here’s my number, by the way,” he said, handing over an unused napkin with his number on it. “Just in case you have more questions later on,” he said. You notice a pink tint on his cheeks.
“Oh, okay. Thanks,” you smiled and went back to the counter.
Tooru watched you go back to the counter with a thought that everything is over. There might not be a chance anymore. Who knows? She gets along with this person. Tooru left the cafe, but he still never stopped coming. However, it’s not as frequent as before. It wouldn’t hurt to have a chat with you at the counter from time to time even if it's short. You did once contact him regarding the date only to ask about whether it's alright to be too early in a date. And, you may have told him that you’re already heading to the restaurant where you would finally meet this person. AND he may have chosen a bad option which is to leave his own apartment and head to the restaurant where he’ll see you on a date with someone else other than him.
Then, the next thing he knows, he’s by the bar of the restaurant glancing at you who is in this beautiful white blended fabric dress. The flowy sleeves show embroidered details that go down the hem of your dress. A little bit of jealousy got to him at the thought that it’s not him who is going to sit across from you and have a really good time. It took a matter of messaging Iwa to convince himself to not jeopardize the date.
Therefore, he just sits there by the bar and has the least alcoholic drink on the menu. He doesn’t know what exactly the bartender gave to him, but it sure is setting the mood. The mood of an unrequited love. Well, he doesn’t know if it's love. However, after having that conversation with you a few days ago, he knew he wanted to know more about you.
“A woman in a white dress?” Another man’s voice interrupts. Tooru glances beside him to see a man who is looking through the set of tables. A man with a simple shirt and jeans.
Is this the person she’s going to meet? He thought.
The man's gaze stops at you. Tooru follows where the man is looking and notices that he is looking at you.
“Ain’t that some bad luck,” the man muttered. Before Tooru realizes it, the man leaves the restaurant. It took for a moment for Tooru to realize that you’ve been stood up by your date. His eyes widened at the sudden situation.
He looks back at you who’s been looking at your phone several times and is fixing your hair and dress from time to time. It’s his turn to look at his phone. It’s already fifteen minutes at the agreed time. He knew he would not want you to go home in disappointment and fill your mind with insecure thoughts. Therefore, before he can even think of the idea five times or more, he’s already walking over to your table with a smile on his face.
“Sorry, I was late,” he said. You look up and he could definitely see the surprise in your face.
“Tooru? You’re...my date?” You asked with wide eyes.
“Uhh...yeah,” He sits down across from you with a smile.
You stay silent for a while and study him for a while. Tooru’s fingers fidget with each other under the table as you observe him. You look at the entrance door and back at him then immediately laugh with a hint of bitterness in it.
“Wh-why?”Tooru presses his nails against the flesh of his palm.
“Did he see me and leave?” You asked with a soft smile.
“What are you talking about? I’m your date,” Tooru smiles, but you could definitely see through it.
“My date told me that he’ll be wearing a plain black shirt and jeans, and you’re completely in a different outfit,”you grab your glass of water and take a drink trying your best not to look pathetic at the thought of your date ditching you.
“So?” You asked.
“I-um-I...yeah,” he lowers his head in defeat.
You stay quiet then as you look back at your phone seeing through the texts you had with your supposed date. You only realize through the text that none of the conversation was really for the sake of getting to know each other. They were more of an interview rather than a possibility of being in a relationship with you.
That sucks. You thought.
Tooru immediately notices the disappointment in your eyes.
“I’ve actually been meaning to ask you out on a date,” he confessed.
You look up at him with shock.
“Me? Wh-when? Or rather...why?”
He chuckles at your reaction and looks away for a moment to put the words together. “Um...well...at first...I really thought you were pretty. When I first met you at that coffee shop, I just really thought you were beautiful. Then, I’ve coincidentally met you in the park or the grocery store...and I was just completely enamored by you,” he looks down in embarrassment at the thought that he’s confessing to you.
“Also, the reason why I kept coming back to your coffee shop. Don’t get me wrong! I love the food,” he rubs the back of his head. “Then, when we talked for almost two hours a few days ago, I was just completely...head over heels for you,” he blushed.
Then, he bites his inner cheek to wait for whatever response you’ll say. You just look at him and absorb the words he just said. The more you process more of what he said, the more you end up blushing more.
You may or may have not had a crush on him when he began going to the coffee shop daily. You may or may have not run a few scenarios on what it would be like to talk to him or maybe...hang out with him. You may or may have not attempted to put a post it note on the tray where his order is just for him to notice you. You may or may have not dreamed of him from time to time. And most importantly, you may or may have not asked your friends on how to ask a guy out.
However, an asshole named doubt stopped you from doing anything at all.
Then, suddenly...you are here in front of him - a man who just confessed to you. It must be the go signal.
“ILIKEYOUTOO,” you just blurted out in the air.
“I’m sorry?” Tooru may have gotten what you said, but it's better to have assurance.
“IsaidIlikeyoutoo,” you’re the one to lower your head this time.
Tooru smiles at the answer -- too wide of a smile.
“Do...do I also have to explain myself...why I like you?”
Tooru smirks. “I don’t mind hearing how you were enamoured by my looks and charms,” he teased.
You chuckled and he does as well.
“I think it will be just proper if I asked you out properly?” He added.
You smile and nod.
Tooru didn’t know that this is how this little supposed planned romance is going to result. Though, it doesn’t matter now. What matters is he’s sitting across you and finally about to pop the question he’s been meaning to ask you.
“Y/N, will you go on a date with me?”
The moment you smiled and said yes, he knew he finally found the sunshine of his life.
