The sun was still shinning bright when classes completed for the day. It wasn’t high in the sky, but still had a couple hours before orange and red hues would flood the atmosphere. Kazuki and Hiroshi were waiting just outside the college’s main entrance, chatting about the parts of each class they are most excited for.
Kazuki, however, wasn’t fully present. The day was a bit more draining than he expected, though oddly galvanizing. He began his day resolved to sit at the back of each class. Quietly observing and learning. College was only a stepping stone for him, and in some ways, more of a formality than anything.
Strictly speaking, he could learn everything he needed to through online classes, books, ThouTube videos, and hands on practice. He had chosen college for two reasons; Formal lessons at a proper institute would look better on his resume, and it was more convenient to be fed the information than it was to dig through the internet. He figured he would have to interact with people, especially since he chose the collaborative course, but he wasn’t counting on much socializing.
Yet, here he was. Meeting with some classmates to go celebrate new-formed friendships that aren’t even half a day old. He thought back to his high school days. He wouldn’t have said he had any regrets. His grades were good enough— slightly above average. And while he didn’t have any friends, he hadn’t made any enemies.
After meeting everyone today, though, he wondered. Maybe it was always something he felt, but just suppressed. Or maybe it was something that he was incapable of feeling until now. Whatever it was, he had this feeling growing within himself. If he listened to it closely, he could hear a faint wish that he’d met this group of people sooner.
Friends. Not something Kazuki was unfamiliar with, at least he didn’t think. In middle school he met a few people you might call friends. They ate lunch together, talked at school, and shared the same classes. And they ‘hung out’ by playing games at night— a tradition they kept to this day. But no matter how he looked at it, something was different with this new group.
Did he even know what a friend was? Perhaps his elementary and middle school years put him at a disadvantage when it came to friends. Afterall, when you are backed into a corner it’s all you can do to just blend in— Ah. That must be it. blending in, like a random NPC that’s just there to make the world seem more lively. That’s what was different.
His old group of friends were, not trying to insult them here, also NPC characters. Just blending in so the main characters don’t bother them. It was a comfortable existence, if not a little boring.
Ayaka and Hiroshi on the other hand, they wouldn’t let Kazuki be the NPC character in the background. They treated him like he was the main character. That, was something entirely new to him. Lucky I’m not a computer program, he mused to himself. If I were, I’d probably be racking up the ‘null reference errors.’
Kazuki was brough out of his internal thought when he noticed Kaori, Ayaka, and Miyuki approaching them.
“Heya! Sorry to keep you guys waiting.” Ayaka said.
“You’re the one that took so long. Did you really have to re-apply your makeup? It looked fine.” Kaori quipped.
“Oh don’t worry, we werent out here that long. So what’s the plan?” Hiroshi redirected the conversation back to the reason they were all meeting after class.
“Hm. We could go to the mall! It’d be fun if we all went shopping, right?” Ayaka suggested.
“Though that does sound fun, I wonder if a more casual setting might be better?” Miyuki offered, after a sideways look at Kazuki.
“We could go to a cafe. They might be a little busy around now though.” Hiroshi added.
“That’s actually what I was thinking, too. I know of the perfect spot too! It’s this new cafe that I’ve been dying to visit.” Kaori quickly pulled out her phone and started searching the map.
“Leave it to Kaori to know the perfect spot.” Ayaka said proudly.
“Here it is!” Kaori showed them her phone. “The Komorebi Coffeehouse!”
Having decided on a location, the group happily started walking. It was only about fifteen minutes away from campus, too. Not close enough to go there during the day, but close enough to be a candidate for a regular spot. Along the way, they all talked about various things, mainly their respective classes. There excitement and anticipation for the coming days, starkly evident.
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The Komorebi Coffeehouse stood in contrast to the surrounding cityscape. Located a few blocks from main roads, it looked like a forest cabin— warm and welcoming.
The first thing that any visitor would notice after walking inside was the play of light. The sun filtered through specially crafted windows which were artfully designed to refract its light in mesmerizing ways. But it was the cloth drapes, waving softly in front of the windows, that really made an impact. Cut in patterns resembling the delicate silhouette of leaves, they danced gently in a conditioned breeze, casting a dance of light and shadow on the floor, like the sun’s rays piercing through a leafy canopy. A display capturing the essence of komorebi— sunlight filtering through trees — that made the cafe feel like it was nestled deep in a serene forest rather than a bustling city.
Though the name of the cafe certainly points towards the light being its showpiece, it was difficult to determine the cafe’s best feature. To draw a comparison, one might reference a certain hidden realm in a popular fantasy book — an enclave of ageless beings with pointed ears. Potted plants and flowerbeds were scattered about. Leaves were preserved just under the floors surface. Vines weaved themselves through lattice dividers. The entire establishment had the ambiance of a royal garden from a fantasy realm. There were even fountains, adding the soft sound of rushing water to ambiance.
“I saw the pictures, but this...” Miyuki trailed off in awe.
“It’s breathtaking,” Kaori finished, eyes sparkling.
“I could lose myself in a book here,” Kazuki mused.
“Come on, no going solo. We’re here together,” Ayaka teased, pouting slightly.
“You know that’s not what he meant, Ayaka,” Hiroshi said with a hint of exasperation.
The group let out a few chuckles at the exchanges, which seemed to break them from the initial reaction that held them captive.
“Well, I heard their menu is just as amazing, let’s get a table and check it out!” Kaori urged.
Kaori looked around, like she was trying to find a specific spot, then led the group, insisting they grab available seats first. Where she led them was a corner of the cafe which seemed to be dedicated to displaying art and photographs that capture the essence of komorebi.
“Oh! Look at that! This artwork is amazing! It’s hard to tell which are paintings and which are photographs.” Miyuki quickly walked over to the wall displaying the art as the rest of the group sat down at a nearby table.
“I thought you might like that.” Kaori mused.
Though seated with the others, Kazuki was also looking at the wall. Or, more specifically, he was watching Miyuki’s reaction to it. He had never seen her so uninhibited, her usual poise momentarily overshadowed by pure, childlike wonder. It was a stark contrast to the composed demeanor she typically wore, one that was undoubtedly influenced by her family’s status and the accompanying expectations. The sight was endearing, revealing a side of Miyuki that seemed so genuine and untouched by societal pressures. It was as if, for a brief moment, the weight of her lineage and prestige had fallen away, leaving behind only unbridled joy and curiosity.
The sight was… captivating to Kazuki. He didn’t even realize he was watching Miyuki. That is, until Kaori leaned in and said something to him.
“Admiring the art, or something else?” Kaori whispered, leaning closer with a mischievous glint.
As for Kazuki’s response, well, he didn’t actually hear what Kaori said. He was completely zoned out. All he knew was she said something, and it seemed to be directed towards him.
“Sorry, what was that?” He asked, snapping back to reality.
“Geez,” Kaori pouted. “You don’t even notice it yourself, do you?”
“Hm? Notice what?”
“Nevermind,” Kaori replied with a tired sigh. “Alright, daydreamers, let’s focus on why we’re really here. Miyuki, come help me decide what to order.”
They were seated around a table for six. Ayaka and Hiroshi naturally sat side by side. Kazuki sat next to Hiroshi and Kaori sat next to Kazuki, as if she was waiting so she could sit next to him. After Kaori beckoned Miyuki to sit next to her, that put Miyuki across from Kazuki — Kaori subtly sitting in between them.
Initially, Kaori wanted them all to sit down simply to stake their claim, ensuring no one else would occupy their spot. But just as they began discussing who should fetch the menu, a waiter arrived, handing each one to them. The man was tall with a strong, muscular build, and his bald head caught the soft sheen of the cafe’s lights. A neatly trimmed goatee framed a welcoming smile that, combined with his deep, rich skin tone, painted an image of warmth and strength.
“Welcome to the Komorebi Coffeehouse.” The man, most likely in his thirties, greeted warmly. “My name is John. Is this by chance your first visit here?”
“It is! I’ve been excited to visit here for some time, and today just happened to be the right occasion.” Kaori replied.
“Is that so? If I was to hazard a guess; you’re celebrating your first day in college?” The man inquired.
“Well, there’s that too but today we are celebrating new friendships!” Ayaka declared with a cheerful smile, her eyes brightening with excitement.
“Really? You all seem close for newfound friends. What a great way to start the semester.” He replied with a wide smile. “Well then, I’ll leave you to your celebration. When you’re ready to order just give me a wave, I’ll be right over.”
The group politely offered their thanks as the man headed back to the front counter.
Stolen novel; please report.
“So I guess they are all about letting the customers move at their own pace, huh?” Kaori commented.
Hiroshi leaned closer to Ayaka, whispering, “You think he’s the owner? I noticed a slight western accent.”
Ayaka nodded in agreement, “I thought the same. It’s subtle, isn’t it?”
“Well, if he is the owner, he’s got my stamp of approval” Kaori remarked. “Anyway, let’s figure out what we want. It was my idea to come here, so I’ll cover the costs. Order anything you want “
“Wait, I can easily cover—” Miyuki started.
“None of that. Just because you have money doesn’t mean you should feel obligated to pay for everything. I got this” Kaori interjected with a warm smile.
Miyuki was unsure how to respond, so she simply nodded in quiet acceptance.
The cafe’s menu was just as appealing as the atmosphere. It of course had the standard options one might expect from such a place, but it also had choices which were unique to the atmosphere — including seasonal options which, of course, rotated throughout the year.
Kazuki was particularly interested in one of their signature drinks after reading it’s description:
Komorebi Coffeehouse isn’t just about traditional offerings; it’s about experiencing the unique. Among the many special beverages, the ‘Komorebi Kooler’ stands out. Inspired by the cafe’s very namesake — the dappled sunlight filtering through leaves — this drink is a visual and gustatory spectacle. At the base lies a rich, earthy matcha layer, representing the forest floor. The middle layer boasts of intense cold brew coffee, dark and mysterious like the shaded underbrush. Finally, it’s topped with a frothy, creamy milk layer, as light and airy as the sunbeams breaking through the tree canopy. Together, the layers not only mimic the beautiful play of light and shade in a dense forest but also offer a complex play of flavors, from the bitterness of matcha and coffee to the creamy sweetness of milk.
It was basically a matcha latte except with cold brew coffee and was layered instead of mixed. Kazuki was curious how they managed this.
Miyuki on the other hand, was interested in one of their seasonal drinks:
The transformation of Japan during cherry blossom season is a sight to behold, and Komorebi Coffeehouse seeks to encapsulate this ethereal experience in a cup. As sakura petals drift gently to the ground outside, inside the café, baristas craft the ‘Sakura Latte.’ Starting with a base of smooth, rich espresso, they then incorporate a delicate cherry blossom-infused syrup that carries the ephemeral floral notes of sakura. The milk, steamed to velvety perfection, is poured artfully, creating a creamy canvas upon which skilled hands design foam art resembling cherry blossom petals. Garnished with a few actual sakura petals or a light sprinkle of edible glitter for that ethereal glow, the result is a beverage that mirrors the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms. Every sip transports one to a serene park, under a canopy of blooming sakura, making the Sakura Latte not just a drink, but an experience of Japan’s most treasured season.
Miyuki particularly loved the spring season — especially the picturesque beauty of cherry blossoms. Once she pointed it out, Ayaka and Kaori both decided on the same beverage.
As for Hiroshi, he went with a big standard medium roast with creamer and sugar.
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After they received their drinks, lovely conversation about the flavors and presentation ensued. They were all quite happy with their choices and would definitely be returning regularly. During a lull in conversation, Kaori took a deep sip from her cup, then placed it down thoughtfully.
“Isn’t it surprising? This morning you two were complete strangers to us yet, here we are. Talking and hanging out like we’re all childhood friends.”
Miyuki smiled faintly. “Honestly, I was really anxious. My family name always created a rift between me and other people. So making friends was difficult and knowing which ones were genuine was even harder. On top of that, my family wants me to go into politics. You could imagine their surprise when I enrolled in an art institute. I guess I came here feeling very… alone. But then you came along, Kaori. You saw me, not a name. Then you introduced me to Ayaka and Hiroshi and I finally got to meet K-Kazuki.”
Kazuki blinked at her mention of his name, but quickly brushed it off. “Yeah. Kinda funny. I was content with being a background character but then these two pop out of nowhere and drag me into a conversation.”
“Haha. Yeah, Ayaka was all like, ‘come one Hiroshi! We can’t leave one of our classmates to be all loner vibes’” He said in a mocking tone. “I told her you were probably fine but she insisted.”
“Hey, that’s not what I sound like! He just looked lonely was all.” Ayaka protested.
Kaori looked slightly apologetic, “Ayaka, you can’t just force people out of their comfort zones like that. I’m sorry about that, Kazu-kun. But I’m glad you didn’t turn tail and run, I have a feeling our group wouldn’t be quite as fleshed out.” She gave a sidelong glance at Miyuki.
Miyuki chuckled, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You know, for a moment there, I thought you were going to force Kazuki into a club or something.”
Ayaka gasped dramatically, “Just what kind of deviant do you see me as, Mii-chan?”
Kazuki laughed, “She’s got a point. I had a flashback to middle school when people would try to extort lunch money out of the little guys.”
“Not you too, Kazu-kun!” Ayaka protested.
“But really though,” Kazuki said, adopting a serious tone, “if you guys hadn’t reached out, I might have continued keeping to myself. Making genuine friends felt... challenging.”
Everyone looked at him, somewhat surprised. Even though everyone just met, they didn’t expect Kazuki would be so forward with his emotions. It was Miyuki that broke the stunned silence, wearing a soft, endearing smile.
“It’s rare to find connections like this.” She commented.
“Especially ones that form so quickly,” Kaori replied. “Let’s continue to strengthen these new bonds and cherish our friendship.”
They talked for some time after that. By they time they left the cafe, the night sky dominated the cityscape. Miyuki’s ride was already waiting outside the cafe to take her home, so with a few final words the group split off to end their days.
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Back in his room, Kazuki sat down at his computer with a cheap meal he purchased at the nearby convenience store. The day left him with a lot to think about. For the first time in a long time — maybe ever — he looked forward to the next day of school.
Then a though drifted into the forefront of his mind. One that got pushed away earlier in the day. He always thought Miyuki simply felt bad that he was always by himself. He knew she was kind, and treated everyone like a friend. But he always noticed a certain fatigue behind her smile. He often wondered if he was imagining it, but it was enough for him to not want to add to her fatigue.
Surely going out of her way to make a NPC feel included in the story would be taxing. So he always tried to avoid putting her in that position. It was fairly easy to do though, the opportunities for them to interact were few and far between.
But today gave him a different impression. It seemed like she genuinely wanted to get to know him, baring parts of herself he never saw when they were in high school. There were certain moments where it almost seemed like she was interest—no, that’s stupid.
He never noticed it before, but their worlds didn’t seem so different after all. They were both isolated from the people around them, albeit in different ways. They’d simply grown curious about one another. Wondering why the other chose to keep people at arms length.
Besides, if it wasn’t for Ayaka and Hiroshi knowing Kaori, Miyuki would have likely never become a friend anyway. Still, he wasn’t exactly sure why, but he was glad to see Miyuki acting so genuinely happy.
He shook his head, as if trying to loosen lingering thoughts. He clicked on the Datcord icon on his desktop and drifted into thought once again as he waited for it to update.
He really was grateful to Ayaka and Hiroshi. It’s like they had forced his eyes open, allowing him to see what he’d be missing if he never stepped out of the corner he was forced into. Ah, yes. Elementary school and middle school.
He wasn’t really sure what it was people didn’t like about him, but it was enough to ostracize him. If he tried to make friends with them, that would just make them hate him more. So his isolation was really a defense mechanism. He wash pushed into a corner and finally realized, if he built up another corner he would have a safe little box he could retreat into.
Things changed a little bit in middle school. He met some people of like mind and situation and was able to hang out with them. Creating the illusion of comradery. They could have been genuine friends, but he didn’t let them get close enough for that.
But at least in middle school people left him alone. The music teacher was someone that worked with Kazuki’s mother in the past. Kazuki’s mother was a professional pianist. She did solo shows, accompaniments, and she taught lessons. Naturally, she taught Kazuki as well. He was far from professional, but he was good enough to make a hobby out of it.
So during school performances, he would bang away at the keys. It didn’t make him popular, but at least people didn’t seem to hate him. His performances seemed to cancel things out, allowing people to forget enmity towards him.
Then, his father, a software developer, got a job offer with a large company in Tokyo that included a serious pay raise. So, just after his second year of high school started, he moved halfway across the country. As far as he was concerned, this wasn’t a bad thing. It was like pressing reset. But even though he thought about it, he was never able to step out of that comfortable box he grew so accustomed to.
Datcord finally finished updating. There were a few messages in his game server asking where he was and commenting on how it was unusual for him to be MIA. He shot a quick message into the chat.
Sorry guys, met with some people after class today and time kind of flew by.
A few replies shot back. Such as, ‘no way! Dude, I thought we were you’re friends’, and ‘oh, could it be a gf?’
He chose to ignore their dumb comments, put his headset on, and switched to the voice chat channel.
“So, what game are playing today?”
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Miyuki returned to a quiet penthouse. Mrs. Suzuki seemed to notice something different in Miyuki and asked several questions about Miyuki’s day. After hearing Miyuki’s spent the evening at a cafe with friends, her expression seemed to soften. Miyuki inquired about any messages left by her family, but there were none. It seemed they were content to give her the silent treatment for now.
Honestly though, Miyuki saw that as a blessing in disguise. There was no way they would approve of her attending an art college. After all, this was a family that existed entirely in politics. Even most of her extended family had their hands in politics in one way or another. Those that didn’t were barely a foot note in their family tree.
Her parents weren’t horrible people, though. They just didn’t really know anything outside of politics. They didn’t look down on people in other professions either. They simply had a long history that proved success in politics.
It was for that reason they pushed Miyuki to follow the same path. And for years she dutifully followed the future they laid out for her. They weren’t a particularly affectionate family but she knew they cared about about her and her future. As she got older however, things started to change.
Simply put, she didn’t want to make a career out of arguments and blackmail. As far as she new, her family stayed away from shady practices, but we’re under constant pressure. They had to make sure they left no ammunition to be used against them.
On top of that, she was slowly beginning to hate the spotlight. She didn’t see herself as special in anyway. Sure, her family had a lot of money and her lifestyle was certainly different compared to most, but it’s not like she earned any of that.
After dinner, she went up stairs to wash up and relax. She enjoyed taking a hot bath in the evening, then she would sit outside with a cold drink and her sketchbook. As she lowered herself into the bath, her thoughts flashed back to her childhood friend.
If Miyuki wasn’t so popular, would things have been different? It’s not like she could control her popularity, but she still blames herself for her friend’s bitter words.
She sank her chin into the water as she pulled her body close to her legs. Would something similar happen with her new friends? If she got any closer to them, and things did come crashing down… would she be able to recover from that?
She thought back to how Kaori treated her when they first spoke. Miyuki’s childhood friend knew who she was from the start, at least in name. But Kaori had no idea at first, she was just memorized by a sketch. It was like that sketch was a window that allowed Kaori to see who Miyuki was inside.
Later, when Kaori did find out Miyuki came from the Shimizu family, she was surprised — but she didn’t treat Miyuki any differently. Like it was nothing more than a fun fact to her.
She leaned back in the tub, trying to push the positive thought train along. She really adored Ayaka, too. She had such a dynamic and honest personality — like she couldn’t care less what people that, she was going to be herself no matter what.
Between Ayaka and Hiroshi’s banter, and Kaori’s constant teasing, she could suspected a lot of lively days to come. The thought gave her a light chuckle.
There was also Kazuki. She started to wonder, if you strip away the exterior shell, how different were they really? She couldn’t quite remember how she imagined him as she watched from a perpetual distance. But she did know he was much more complicated than she thought.
She always thought they were completely different, but after his comment at the cafe, she realized something.
“It’s not that he’s against bonding with people, it’s just that it’s easier to not try. Safer. Just like me.” She mumbled to herself.
She thought back to the intricacies of his eyes up close. Green, like the pine trees that hold their color even in the harsh winter. Holding hope until spring. Could Kazuki be the pine that caries her through to spring?
Her mind went blank for a moment, then a second later Mrs. Suzuki, preparing lunch in the kitchen, could have sworn she heard an embarrassed sequel from upstairs. Miyuki, feeling like her face was on fire, decided it was time to get out of the bath and redirect her focus towards a drawing.