Pink chaos

The next day, Ren opened the "Moon Nut", half-hoping that the guy wouldn't want to come back that day. Why would he come to such a simple coffee shop? The first customers were the same as yesterday, and that's exactly what Ren loved – consistency. He knew for sure he wouldn't have any problems with the sweet old lady, but the pink-haired boy... Honestly, Ren already knew he'd be nothing but trouble. The entire day had gone perfectly; the regulars hadn't changed their habits, and Ren was working happily. But in the evening, when none of the regulars were expected to show up, the door swung open with a familiar bang. – Here we go again! – came that same playful voice. Ren swallowed, looked up, and saw him – the pink-haired boy, today wearing a tight dark top with a mesh tank top underneath and leather shorts, with winged eyeliner and light blush, relatively visible against his pale skin. This time, he was arm in arm with two sweet-looking girls, who immediately began chatting with each other as they scanned the room. The pink-haired's gaze found Ren from the doorway, and Ren could have sworn he saw a violet sparkle in those green eyes. Or maybe it was a reflection from a nearby sign... – Raf again? – Ren asked, approaching the corner table and trying to sound even, but his fingers still trembled slightly as he picked up the order pad. – You remembered my preferences? How sweet! – the boy placed his hand on his chest, feigning affection. – But today I want something sweeter. What do you recommend, coffee master?" He leaned his elbows on the table, moving slightly toward the barista, and Ren involuntarily recoiled — boy smelled of something sweet, almost intoxicating. – A caramel latte? – he managed, recalling all the sweet drinks on the menu. – Oh my god, you're an angel! – the pink-haired boy clapped his hands. – Then three lattes, my dear. One of the girls chuckled at Ren's reaction and replied, as if reading his thoughts: – Don't pay attention, Sui's always like this. He just loves teasing cute guys. Sui. So his name is Sui. Ren nodded, more as a sign of his acceptance of this information, and hurried to start preparing the order. But he couldn't stop feeling the back of his neck burning under the intense gaze. It seemed like his eye was about to start twitching. Meanwhile, Sui finally turned away and sank into his own thoughts, while his companions found something else to talk about. – This guy is too weird. I have this feeling he's too innocent. It's even a bit unsettling. – Sui began tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the countertop, something he always did when nervous. And although he was more perplexed now, a habit is still a habit. – Though, I must admit, his reaction is cute. There it is. "Cute"—a word that should never cross someone like Sui's mind. It was too dangerous a word. And to abandon it not only in thought but in action, Sui took action. As he approached to pick up the order, his fingers "accidentally" brushed against the barista's. The barista pulled his hand away. A slightly off reaction, but it would do. Sui gave a final, anticipatory smile and wink, adding a touch of his magic to this seemingly simple gesture. The barista turned away. It was strange, because he should have responded somehow, obeying the incubus's will. Sui paused at the counter for a second, but then came to his senses and went to a table. This little experiment hadn't explained anything to him. On the contrary, it had only made him more convinced that this barista was strange. – Hey, Sui, what's this cutie's name? – one of the girls asked, loudly enough for Ren to hear, as Sui was approaching their table. – Oh... – pink-haired turned to the barista, confused.– Yeah... What's your name, coffee master? The question was so simple and stupid that Shui even somehow forgot to ask. And Ren had completely forgotten about his name tag. The corners of Ren's mouth twitched into a smile for the first time in Sui's presence. – My name is Ren,– he introduced himself softly. Sui visibly perked up, taking in the new information. Now his mysterious barista seemed more real. – Ren, – he repeated, clearly pleased with the name, – And I'm Sui. – I know, – Ren quietly replied, not expecting to be heard. – Oh, so you remember me? – Sui grinned, not hiding his joy. His companions quietly laughed in response. – You're hard to forget, – Ren muttered honestly. One of the girls, with a more cunning look, coquettishly propped her chin on her hand. – Ren, do you work here often? – Every day except Sunday. – Oh, how convenient! – she exclaimed, folding her hands as if she'd just clapped them, and looked at Shui, who was already studying Ren with a new, interested expression. – Yes, it really is very convenient. Especially if you suddenly want... coffee. – Sui pronounced the last word as if it were meant to mean something entirely different. Ren suddenly felt incredibly hot, so much so that he thought the coffee machine would overheat just from his presence. Sui's table was now heatedly discussing something of its own, while the instigator himself seemed oblivious to Ren's heated presence. The rest of the evening passed in a strange anticipation for Ren. Whether he was waiting for a new prank or for this storm to pass — he himself didn't know. An hour later, the regulars arrived, whom Ren had even forgotten about — three schoolgirls who always ordered something small and simple and sat well back, but with a view of the barista himself, clearly discussing him specifically. Ren knew this. It was hard not to notice, when a group of girls steal glances at you, turn away when you look back, and blush like a bright rose. When they first started coming, Ren kept recalling Kyle's words: "You're the first thing people will notice when they walk into this place." Yeah, he understood that now. But did he really mean even people like Shui by "people"? Meanwhile, the pink-haired boy looked at the newcomers with languid interest. – Too young, – he realized almost immediately, losing the last of his interest. However, their reaction to the barista was certainly worth noting. It was funny how his coffee master could easily notice others' attention directed at him, yet he couldn't see any such behavior in himself. – Or maybe he does, but he's just pretending, – he countered. – Then maybe he sees my magic, but pretends that everything is normal? The hypothesis was extremely interesting. When Sui's group was about to leave he, using a casual excuse, left the girls to wait outside. He returned, approached the counter, leaned over, and quickly whispered to the barista, "Ren. I like the sound of it. Intriguing," before turning and heading out. He didn't see the reaction, but he could clearly imagine it — he bit his lip and watched them go. Through the glass of the display case, already outside, Sui saw Ren's real reaction — he was indeed watching them go, but his brows were furrowed and his cheeks were flushed. – That's not quite it... – Sui noted, confused, as the girls were already leading him away. No, this barista is definitely a mystery.

***

The next day, Ren had been waiting since morning, as if he sensed the blow would strike earlier than usual. And indeed, this time, Shui arrived during the day, with a group of three guys — some in ripped jeans, some in leather jackets, all loud, all flamboyant, and Sui in the center, like a bright butterfly, flitting from one to the next. – How can you talk so loudly and so much? – Ren thought with slight irritation, glancing at the animated conversation at the corner table — apparently this boy's favourite spot from now on. – By the way, Sui is a strange name. Isn't he from around here? – Ren mused, while waiting for the guests to finally order. – If so... that would actually explain a lot. Ren was pulled from his thoughts by the sharp, loud voice of one of the pink-haired boy's friends. – Honey, come on, make us something stronger! – The guy with the big tattoo peeking out from under his sweater and running down his neck clapped Sui on the shoulder, and he rolled his eyes. – This is a coffee shop, silly, the maximum we'll get here is a double espresso. – Then a double espresso, but with your kiss on top! Sui snorted and turned to Ren, who froze with a new carton of milk in his hands, automatically looking down as the boy moved toward him. A stupid habit. – Don't pay attention to them, they're idiots. – He leaned his elbows on the counter, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop. – But seriously, do you always blush like that when people just look at you? Ren choked, abruptly looking up at Sui. – I'm not blushing, – he countered. – Oh, you're lying! – Sui drawled, laughing. He stretched demonstratively, arching his back like a cat. His top rode up slightly, revealing his flat stomach and the thin chain around his waist, which playfully glinted in the lamplight. Ren turned away abruptly, pretending to be preoccupied with the carton of milk in his hands. How could anyone seduce someone so brazenly? But for Sui, this gesture was an important test, one his coffee master had failed miserably. – Turned away? – Sui remarked in bewilderment, frozen next to the counter. – Usually people can't take their eyes off you, they're staring blankly, but he... turned away? No, this just didn't make sense to Shui as an incubus. How could a normal person, unaware that magic was being used so obviously, not be affected by it? What kind of reactions were these anyway – blushing, turning away, feigning preoccupation... – Wait, he's... embarrassed? – Sui finally realized. He stared blankly at his untouched drink, ignoring everything the guys were saying. Embarrassment was something that could exist in Sui's world, but it was nowhere near the level of his magic, which he actually used quite actively. There might have been excitement, desire, zeal in the end, but embarrassment – never. And now this stupid Ren was embarrassed? – That's even funny! – he snorted, outraged by his own thoughts, not even noticing he'd said it out loud. The guys, who had only just noticed the pink-haired boy's disengagement, exchanged glances, and one of them asked with a slight grin: – You think basic scales on an electric guitar are funny? Sui finally joined the conversation. – No, I... Sorry, darling, I got a little distracted, – Sui replied, feigning extreme mortification at his absent-mindedness, using part of his inhuman abilities to conceal reality. The guys bought it. – No big deal, it wasn't that important, – the boy waved it off, and they continued their conversation as if nothing had just happened. Sui, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief. – Easier than taking candy from a child. Then why isn't this barista reacting to anything? That question still remains unanswered for him. But he will definitely find that answer.

***

When the "Moon Nut" emptied, leaving Ren alone with the smell of coffee and the silence, he was finally able to reflect. – Sui... It's a real bummer. He comes every day now, as if my coffee shop were covered in honey. – Ren thoughtfully dipped his mop into a bucket of water and continued, – But I have no reason to complain. He's a customer too, and he always brings in new people. Can I say he... helps me? Ren ran a wet rag across the floor and paused, watching the varnished wood dry very slowly. Sui was undoubtedly a strange guy, but it wasn't Ren's place to judge him. Grandma wouldn't forgive him if he told her about it. He smiled slightly to himself. Yes. We're all just people, no need to blame someone for being a little different.