Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Drink up, baby, stay up all night
Things you could do, you won't, but you might
The potential you'll be, you'll never see
Promises you'll only make
Drink up with me now and forget all about
Pressure of days, do what I say
And I'll make you okay and drive them away

Mornings had never come naturally to Himeko, especially not when she was running 20 minutes late and her espresso machine was not getting up to the right pressure. 

“This is not what I need right now.”

She had a presentation with an investor at around two and wanted to get an early start to make sure she and her team were ready. In the past few years the Astral Express app had garnered enough attention that they had almost a million users using their app for messaging.  By focusing on a solid backend, Himeko and her team had made sure that the experience was smooth and people could message all over the world. 

Of course, her UI team would likely state that it was their hard work that made the damn thing usable, but who was she to correct them? Himeko grabbed her bags and rushed out the door, under caffeinated and unmedicated and if she didn't get something in her soon the day would start to sour very soon. 

She had considered sending a message to one of her staff, Dan, who might be able to grab her something from the coffee shop nearby, but as she turned the corner she smelled something unexpected. Over the years Himeko had gotten to know her city pretty well, and her 20 minute walk to work was the same every day. Corner store run by Tingyun, a too kind woman who stocked too many spices; turn right into Aurum Alley to walk through the stalls, taking in the flavours and smells of the small restaurants and shops, and then right onto Main St where her office was six blocks away. She knew and recognized every aspect of the cozy monotony, so when the distinct smell of a sweet earthy coffee hit her nose she stopped in her tracks. 

Himeko was aware she was in quite the sorry state compared to most mornings, but she didn't think desperation was clouding  her judgement. On the contrary, she was certain that even with her usual morning coffee this scent would have stopped her dead in her tracks. 

She followed her nose farther down the block to a small coffee shop that announced ‘Grand Opening’ on a small, ornate wooden chalk sign. The text was precisely written and boasted their single origin sun dried espresso. 

“Stellarons… Hrm, well it can't hurt to have a taste…”  Himeko had a habit of muttering to herself and had never had much of an impulse to stop herself. She slowly walked into the shop. 

The venue had been boarded up for a few months, the previous shop Screwllum’s was an old repair shop that she was pretty sure had gotten bought up by some large corporation. The inside was a sleek modern thing, with ornate victorian accents bringing out the details once brand new to the old brownstone. Himeko could see a woman just behind the counter, a flash of wine burgundy hair from someone seemingly already at work. 

As Himeko approached the counter she took in the scene. There were a few customers, all scattered around in quiet contemplation as soothing classical music played throughout. Her heels click-clacked across the floor with a clear reverberation as she strode confidently to the counter. She was preparing to ask for a double espresso when the woman behind the counter turned around. 

Himeko stood still, because the woman before her commanded at least that, if not more. She considered talking but something about the moment was choking out the words she wanted to say. It very much was not like her to be silent, but when those dark violet eyes met hers, she felt her world slipping away, if only for a moment. 

“Here you go, I made you something nice,” the woman said, her eyes shimmering with mirth as a smirk played on her lips. 

The smell of the coffee brought Himeko crashing back down to reality. “Oh this isn't mine, I haven't even ord-” 

The woman put up one perfectly manicured finger- and for a moment it was like Himeko could feel it pressing on her lips. “This one is for you,” the woman said with casual confidence. “The second I saw you walk in I knew what you needed.” 

As she said the last part the woman gave her a small wink and put her elbows down on the counter. She gently pushed the porcelain cup forward, the crema reflecting the low canned lighting above. Himeko for her part could not find a single reason in the world as to why she would disagree, and gingerly picked up the cup. 

As she lifted the delicate cup to her lips, the aroma captivated her senses—a complex bouquet of toasted nuts, caramel, and a hint of citrus. Her golden eyes had closed briefly as she had inhaled deeply, savouring the prelude to the first sip. The steam had swirled around her face, mingling with the scent of her subtly floral perfume. The woman standing across from her watched her intently, a smile tugging at her mouth as if she was savouring something just as delicious. 

With her first taste, the coffee enveloped her tongue, revealing layers of flavour that were both rich and nuanced. The balance had been impeccable: a smooth body with just the right amount of acidity, complemented by a lingering, chocolatey finish. Himeko detected the meticulous care taken in selecting and roasting the beans, a symphony of taste that danced on her palate.The world around her seemed to fade, leaving only the exquisite taste and the deep satisfaction it brought. Her expression softened into a smile, and she set the cup down gently on the counter, her fingers lightly tracing the rim. 

“This was… perfect.” 

The woman across the counter gave her a wry smile. “You seemed like the type to want something bold and rich for your first taste.” Himeko could have sworn she saw the other woman licking her lips- but the realisation that she had been standing there like an idiot for over a minute, lost in her little world of tasting made a distracting blush appear on her cheeks.

“Ah- yes, thank you,” she said, pulling out her wallet to pay. “I’m impressed you managed to figure me out so quickly bu-”

That perfectly manicured figure once more made its appearance. “It's on the house today. Think of it as… an invitation, Miss…?” 

“Himeko,” she responded more softly than she had intended. It wasn't like her to be shy, but the whole experience had knocked the wind out of her. She’s flirting with me… Himeko took her cup to a small table and prepared her things, taking the medications she had missed and checking emails.

Each sip of the dark liquid was sublime, and she could not help but sigh as it hit her lips. Himeko had loved coffee for a long time, but this… this was new.

Himeko finally stood up from her table, looking to the counter to see where she should leave her glass when she felt a presence coming up behind her. The tall barista stood facing her, their height evenly matched. “It seems like you liked it,” she said, her deep velvety voice carrying an understated smile. 

She reached forward to take the porcelain cup, stepping dangerously close. Himeko couldn't help herself, taking in the lascivious scent of the woman. She could smell deep purple notes, like twilight clinging to her skin. Under it all there was the sweetness of petrichor along with deep inviting notes of coffee and something more…fruity.  

Himeko opened her eyes and was face to face with the barista, both a little too close. For the first time since their encounter began Himeko felt the other woman falter, a hint of rose tinting her cheeks. “I see…” Himeko thought to herself, enjoying the small role reversal. 

“Thank you for this treat,” Himeko said. This time she winked at the barista, her tone confident and a bit sweet. Himeko moved just closer for a moment before picking up her bag and walking out. I might have to get coffee again tomorrow. 

_____________________

Kafka stood there for a moment, letting the faint smell of roses dissipate before she continued to clean. “Very smooth Kafka, honestly I'm impressed.” The sarcasm dripping from Silver Wolf was something Kafka was used to. 

“Hrmm, not my best but you have to admit- she was stunning.” Kafkas words were tinged with a slight predatory hunger that made Silver Wolf shiver.

“Okay okay Casanova, just go back to making drinks- I’m almost done setting things up with this stupid budgeting software.” Silver Wolf was a veritable genius with computers, and Kafka was lucky she had offered to help with setting up all the systems at the cafe. Kafkahad never been quite sure what Silver Wolf did for a living, but she was grateful nonetheless. 

As she cleaned behind the bar her mind drifted back to earlier that morning. The flash of red hair had been enough to catch Kafka’s attention, but the tall, slender, toned woman with golden eyes who walked through her door had been too much for her to take in. 

She had a knack for guessing what people liked to have, but it had been like the muses sang the second the other woman walked in. She went for the lighter roasted beans; she wanted all of the flavours to come through for the stunning woman. After measuring out 18.5g of beans, she made sure to grind them to a fine espresso.

She transferred the beans into the portafilter, levelling it with a careful shake before tamping it down evenly. Her movements had been steady and measured, ensuring that the grounds were packed just right to allow for a slightly longer infusion time.

She locked the portafilter into the espresso machine with a gentle yet firm twist. Her mind had wandered to her muse just behind her, as if her body were aware of her orbit. As she started the machine, her mind had snappedback- she focused her vision following the first drops of espresso as they emerged. The liquid flowed in a mesmerising stream, rich and dark, forming a perfect crema that hinted at the flavours within.

She lifted the delicate porcelain and could feel her desire pooling in the cup- her hope, that she had selected the correct preparation. The desire to satisfy was intoxicating, and she could feel her pulse as she pushed the cup forward toward her muse. 

She could feel herself blushing again as she remembered. She needed to focus on her work- soon their new hire would arrive and she wanted to make sure she would be ready to teach her. After cleaning up for a while and organising she heard the door click open. 

“Ah Firefly! It's nice to see you, come over here and we'll get you an apron.” 

________________

Himeko continued to prepare for her meeting, trying to keep her mind off the beautiful barista and her perfect coffee. "You don't even know her name. Maybe she wasn't flirting at all; maybe she's like that with everyone..." she muttered, shaking her head.

She needed to concentrate. Topaz and Aventurine from the IPC would arrive soon, and she had to deliver a stellar presentation. Ensuring every detail was accurate, Himeko meticulously reviewed her slides. The stakes were high; as a key designer and creator of the application's first iteration, and one of the founders, it was her responsibility to impress the venture capitalists.

After sending everything to the head of marketing for verification, Himeko decided to take a break. A walk and perhaps another coffee might help clear her mind.

Stepping outside, she was greeted by the sounds of students chatting and the sight of a group on a campus tour. This area was a hub for prospective university students hoping to join the Intelligentsia Guild. The university was renowned for its distinguished professors: Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei.

As she neared the coffee shop, a mix of anxiety and anticipation washed over her. Will the barista be there again? Maybe someone else will be working, and I can avoid this distraction ... Yet, the thought of not seeing the barista brought a pang of disappointment. Pragmatic as always, she reminded herself that staying calm was crucial before her meeting.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of conversation inside the café greeted her. She took a deep breath – savouring the moment – and pushed open the door, stepping into the warm, inviting atmosphere.

She entered the shop and felt a pang of disappointment as she noticed the barista was a young woman, seemingly in her twenties, anxiously preparing what appeared to be a latte. The café's warm, inviting aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and baked goods surrounded her, momentarily soothing her nerves. Himeko walked up to the counter, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor, and waited patiently for the barista to finish.

The girl turned to her and gave a bright smile. "Hi, I’m Firefly. What can I get you today?"

Himeko returned her smile warmly and thought for a moment. "How about a triple espresso?"

The young woman’s eyes widened with a hint of panic. She nodded quickly, "Excuse me." She moved to the back of the bar, her movements slightly hurried, disappearing through a small door. A few moments later, Himeko heard her hurriedly explaining to someone out of sight that she wasn’t quite sure what a triple espresso was.

When Himeko saw the first reflection of violet hitting the woman’s hair, she knew the barista was back. The barista stepped into view, her hair cascading like a silky waterfall with a mesmerising violet hue that caught the light. Her smile was not just bright but carried a sensuous undertone, her lips curling up in a way that made Himeko's pulse quicken. "Oh, a triple! I’ll remember that for next time." Her voice was smooth, almost teasing, and her mischievous eyes sparkled with playful confidence.

The woman began to steadily prepare the espresso, her movements fluid and graceful, each step taken with deliberate care. She occasionally glanced back at Himeko, her eyes holding a tantalising promise, and flashed her another one of those mischievous grins. The sound of the espresso machine humming as it pulled the shots and the sight of the rich, dark liquid dripping into the cup added to the sensory experience, heightening Himeko’s anticipation.

As the barista finished and handed over the cup, her fingers brushed lightly against Himeko's, sending a small shiver down her spine. "Enjoy," she said softly, her voice lingering in the air. Himeko did her best not to stare too long. She cleared her throat, summoning the same confidence she would need for her meeting later.

“Would you mind telling me your name?” she asked, handing over her card to pay. As she waited for a reply, she took a sip of the coffee. The flavor enveloped her; this was a darker roast than the one used this morning, and Himeko could feel the acidity hitting her tongue, almost making her salivate.

"It's Kafka," the woman said.

For a moment, Himeko couldn't figure out what the barista was talking about—oh right, her name. "Kafka, huh? I won’t forget it," she said, possibly revealing more of her feelings with that one assertion. Kafka intrigued Himeko, and she was going to do everything in her power to get to know this woman who made perfect coffee.

As she got her card from Kafka, she intentionally touched her hand again. This time, she let herself enjoy the warmth for a second. "I’m Himeko… though I suppose you saw that on the card," she said, her confidence faltering. She felt a bit like a teenager and wasn’t sure what else to say. When she looked up, Kafka gave her a warm smile.

"Then I’ll be sure to remember it too."

A lump formed in Himeko's throat; it was too much, an assault on all her senses. She nodded quickly and said, "Thanks, I—um, I need this for a big meeting. Don’t wanna screw up!" The other woman watched her with a curious expression.

"Good luck," Kafka said, her voice gentle and reassuring in a way that bolstered Himeko. She gave her one last smile and walked back to her office.

____________________________

The air outside was cool, a gentle breeze playing with the leaves, contrasting with the warmth she felt inside. As Himeko walked, she couldn’t shake the lingering sensation of Kafka's touch or the taste of the rich espresso on her tongue. The sensory details of the coffee shop—the scent of freshly ground beans, the hum of the espresso machine, and Kafka’s violet hair catching the light—swirled in her mind, making her smile despite her nerves about the upcoming meeting.

As she arrived back at the office, Himeko gathered everything she needed. Her email had only one message—an "OK" from their head of marketing, Guinaifen. She was good to go. She stepped over to the cold, dry conference room for her meeting.

Their intern, Misha, had done his best to decorate the space and make it inviting, but the room still looked much like any other large conference room. The long wooden desk, sterile modern chairs, and large screen gave it a utilitarian feel. The faint scent of cleaning supplies lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the cosy aroma of the coffee shop.

Himeko connected her PC and loaded up the presentation. She took another bolstering sip of her coffee, savouring the rich, dark flavour that still tingled on her tongue, and waited for Topaz and Aventurine to arrive. The warmth of the espresso spread through her, calming her nerves and fortifying her resolve.

The sound of the door opening caught her attention. Topaz and Aventurine walked in, their expressions serious and expectant. Himeko straightened up, ready to deliver the stellar presentation she had prepared.

"Ms. Topaz, Mr. Aventurine, it’s nice to see you both again," she said, with a nod to Misha as he walked out after showing their guests the room.

Topaz was shorter than Himeko, with silver hair cut into a professional bob. Occasionally, Himeko noticed flashes of red underneath—a small hint that there was more to her than met the eye. Her sharp, violet eyes radiated intelligence and curiosity, and she exuded a warm confidence that was reassuring despite her company's shrewd business history. Topaz’s presence was commanding yet comforting, her demeanour a blend of approachable professionalism and calculated acumen.

Aventurine, on the other hand, was a tall, lean blond man with piercing blue eyes that seemed to take in everything at a glance. He was handsome and confident, with a casual elegance that made him both approachable and intimidating. His smooth manners and easy conversation were ideal for lulling people into a sense of security and camaraderie. His playful smile and quick wit could sometimes get him in trouble, but so far, all of the companies he had worked with had succeeded despite originally looking like risky investments. Aventurine’s charm and charisma were undeniable, but underneath lay a strategic mind and a fearless approach to business.

Himeko noted that these were the two the IPC sent to meet with her—one known for creating success out of little, and another known for risk-taking. She doubled down on her resolve. "We have a good product and I know it," she thought.

As they sat down, Aventurine started to chat. "This is quite the cosy room. I'm glad we get to have this one-on-one time," his voice was like cool water, refreshing and soothing.

"We looked over all of the packets you sent us and honestly, we’re already impressed. Topaz and I discussed it and we want to see what scope you have in mind for the growth of your company, and that way we can see what we can comfortably provide you with."

Himeko smiled and nodded, focusing on what was said in between. With the information she had just gathered, she started her presentation.

"Well then, Topaz, Aventurine, welcome to the Astral Express."

The room seemed to brighten as she began, her confidence shining through. The scent of coffee still lingered on her breath, mingling with the faint aroma of the room's polished wood and fresh air from the slight crack in the window. Her voice was clear and steady as she walked them through the slides, each word underscored by her belief in their product. The projector cast a warm glow, illuminating the carefully crafted Power Point that told their journey and vision for the future.

By the time she was done, an hour had passed, and she was craving another perfect coffee. Topaz and Aventurine had been mostly quiet, interjecting with one or two questions but overall just listening and taking notes.

Himeko thanked them both and offered to answer any other questions. She knew after this they’d be meeting with their R&D head, Welt. He would be able to break down any of the more complex topics and expand on her outline for the future.

Topaz was the first to speak. "I'm impressed with everything you’ve built, Himeko. We can see the hard work that went into this, and your plans for expansion sound promising. Of course, we have to get back and prepare everything, but I think I can say with some confidence that we will be reaching out soon."

Aventurine nodded, not giving much away but agreeing with his colleague.

"Thank you so much. I know you're meeting with Welt after this, but please feel free to email me with any other questions you might have." As Himeko got up to clear the room for Welt, she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious as Topaz’s violet eyes lingered on her for just a bit too long.

The conference room felt different now, the tension from the presentation lingering like an electric charge. The scent of polished wood mixed with the faint aroma of her coffee, a reminder of the earlier, more intimate moments. The dimming screen cast soft shadows across the modern, sterile chairs, contrasting with the warmth of their conversation.

Topaz's words echoed in Himeko’s mind, her praise and confidence quickening Himeko's pulse. The quiet hum of the air conditioner was the only sound as she gathered her things, the room's coolness contrasting with the warmth she felt inside. Glancing up, she caught Topaz's violet eyes lingering on her, their intensity sending a shiver down her spine.

Aventurine’s calm demeanour and reassuring nods were still fresh in her memory. The smooth leather of his chair was slightly warm, a subtle reminder of his agreement's weight.

Stepping into the hallway, Himeko felt the cool, conditioned air wrap around her, soothing the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The soft buzz of distant conversations and the muted clicks of keyboards provided a comforting background as she made her way to her cubicle, ready for another cup of coffee to steady her nerves and celebrate a successful presentation.

Before going out, she waited, knowing Welt would be done in an hour and they would need to debrief. It would be easier to get the coffee on her way out, a small treat for the end of the day. She knew she could prepare coffee in the office—her French press had been looking lonely in the corner of her cubicle—but she knew the truth was she wanted to go flirt a bit more.

As the hour passed, she completed a few tasks and continued to wait. Most of the crew had been working on their own projects, so the office was silent. Eventually, Welt emerged, walking up to Himeko’s cubicle.

Welt did not usually seem tall, but whenever he put on presentations like this, he would straighten up and let his form loom over others. His technical knowledge was unparalleled, and he seemed constantly ready to problem-solve. Himeko knew most of the others saw him as a father figure, but she had been friends with him long enough to feel comfortable just chatting away.

“So?” she said expectantly.

“I think they’re actually interested. We did well taking our time to research our competitors and target specifically what their portfolio might be missing. I am a little irked we didn’t get someone like Jade to view it—it seems they consider us a risk, but hopefully it’s a risk worth taking.” Welt sighed and looked down at Himeko.

“How did it go for you?” he asked, though it seemed like he already knew the answer.

“It went well, I think—they didn’t have any particularly hard-hitting questions, but overall they seemed okay. I will say that Topaz was a bit… intense,” she added, thinking about the lingering glance.

Welt snorted. “It seems you made a lasting impression. She asked a bit about what it was like working with you.”

“Wait, she what?” Himeko looked at him, wondering exactly what she’d asked—but knowing Welt, he likely didn’t remember anything outside the technical questions.

“Don’t worry,” he said with a small smile. “I told her you were perfectly lovely and chronically single.”

“Welt!” Himeko flicked his arm as he let out a chuckle.

“No, but really, don’t worry. I’m sure she was curious to see how you led the team. Speaking of, let’s take everyone out tomorrow to celebrate a job well done. I’ll shoot everyone an email and we can head out a bit early to get a few drinks at the Dreamjolt Hostelry.” And with that, Welt was off, ready for his next task.

Himeko couldn't help but smile. Overall, her terrible morning had turned into a great day. She grabbed her briefcase and stepped out into the cool evening.

The coffee shop still seemed to be open. The chalk on the sign outside was slightly faded, the wind clearing off the beautiful cursive—but the fact that it still sat outside made Himeko’s pulse quicken.

This time, the coffee shop was almost empty. A silver-haired woman sat in the corner, typing furiously on her laptop. The air smelled different too—gone was the warmth of freshly prepped lattes, replaced by a slightly sterile scent of cleaners and older coffee.

As she walked up, she was greeted by a stoic, tall, dark-haired man. He barely looked up from the counter as he asked, "What do you want?" His voice was flat and uninterested, and his eyes held no emotion, as if he were merely going through the motions.

Himeko was sure he hadn’t meant to sound harsh, but everything from his words to his body language screamed that he would rather be anywhere but here. She decided against asking him for an espresso, instead requesting an iced drip coffee.

Himeko watched in slight horror as the man haphazardly slapped together a watery americano, handing it back to her with a curt, "That's $4.50," that left no room for argument. Himeko had her coffee, and she was going to like it.

Her mind flashed back to her earlier sensual experience, and she sighed, paying quickly and just walking out the door. As she was stepping out, she heard the woman in the corner say, "She’ll be here tomorrow morning—we open at six."

"Excuse me?" Himeko said, looking over to the silver-haired girl.

Silver Wolf looked at her with an amused expression. "Kafka—that's who you came to see, isn't it?" She continued before Himeko could correct her. "She usually leaves at two, and Blade over there takes care of closing. If you want to see her again, we open at six tomorrow." With that, Silver Wolf stood up, closed her laptop, and walked to the back of the store.

Himeko stood there for a moment, a bemused expression plastered on her face. She decided, after all that, that perhaps she should just go home. As she turned the corner onto Aurum Alley, she finally tasted her coffee.

"Oh no…" She threw it into one of the trash cans nearby and headed home—back to her cozy, coffeeless apartment.

___________________________

As Himeko got home, she dropped her briefcase by the door. Her apartment was a stylish 1.5 bedroom unit in a building that had sprung up in the last five years. It was a little too modern and sleek for her taste, so she had decorated it as fully as she could. Every nook and cranny held some small ornate detail, though none of it looked overcrowded.

She had always loved touches of gold and colour popping through against the dark backdrop of more modern appliances. When she first got the space, she had wondered what to prioritise. Outside of her coffee hobby, she wanted a space for all of her books, for her work, and a place to watch movies. Everything in her apartment reflected and was in service to those goals. The large plush couch was wide enough that on long days she could sleep on it without worry. The den next to the kitchen housed her computer—a beefy thing that she often used for her work while also indulging in the occasional game with March. Finally, her room was decorated to stay dark and cosy, a warm golden light suffusing the room so it was always the perfect mood for a warm coffee in bed. Not that anyone would bring her one but...

Kafka’s mischievous smile flashed through her mind's eye. Oh god, not now—don't think about her now. Himeko sighed. She must be truly desperate to imagine a homey scene with the barista she had met literally that day.

She went to take a shower and wash away all thoughts of the sexy barista, not thinking that perhaps the shower would be the last place she'd use to forget those types of thoughts.

A substantial while later, she emerged, more calm and certainly more dehydrated. Himeko put on an oversized sweater and some shorts, grabbed a bottle of water, and moved to her office. Her desk carried a myriad of tools, ones that she used to fix up any number of electronics that she enjoyed tinkering with. She grabbed her espresso machine and sat down to work.

She knew in this model the solenoid valve tended to go first, but bad pressure usually meant hard water buildup. Himeko was sure she regularly cleaned everything, so she doubted it was that. She checked the lines and ensured everything was in place. She also made sure to check that the boiler fill probe was not loose—overall, everything seemed to be in the right spot.

Checking the pump would be a bit more work, but she took her time. Eventually, she realised it was 9 PM and she had just finished pulling out the pump from the machine. She could tell it was stuck on something, and as she checked it with a spudger, a small plastic bolt fell out.

“Well, damn,” she said to herself. She recognized it as one of the plastic parts of the pressure regulating system. She would have to call the manufacturer to get replacement parts for this fix, which would mean at least another week without her machine.

She got up and went to the kitchen, opting for a simple cup of mac and cheese to bookend the night along with a glass of red wine. It wasn’t the best, but it was her girl dinner.

After she ate, she lay in bed, thinking about her poor espresso machine sitting disembowelled in the other room. At least I can go get a good coffee at the new shop... She blushed, remembering her day. It had been a while since Himeko had taken the time to flirt with anyone, and the thought of having such a beautiful woman go out of her way to charm her left Himeko feeling a bit more confident.

She remembered how deftly Kafka had prepared everything, her long graceful fingers taking their time with each step of the process. As Himeko thought about it, her hands began to wander, imagining just how Kafka might give her the same attention. Her fingers slid lower with each imagined touch until finally finding her centre.

That night, Himeko slept well.

Chapter Text

Kafka was an early riser. She didn’t like to hurry and preferred to take her time, so the earlier she got up the longer she could lounge without consequences. She got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, preparing a quick breakfast of eggs and toast. As she cooked she stared at her phone. The text from Silverwolf had arrived the evening before, and had lived rent-free in her head ever since.

The text message was a boon, a motivator to get everything done right this morning to try and catch the redhead at the shop today. She finished her cooking and plated her breakfast. 

The text message was a boon, a motivator to get everything done right this morning to try and catch the redhead at the shop today. She finished her cooking and plated her breakfast. 

As she ate, she was devastated to find she had gotten some melted butter on her silk nightie. “Oh! Is that a stain? Ugh, I liked this one…” she muttered to herself. Kafka had always enjoyed fashion, and her loungewear was no different. However, this also meant she had a propensity for getting stains on her clothing, and she was quite useless when it came to cleaning them out. 

As she got dressed, the thought of Himeko, the woman she had met before, drove her to dress a bit nicer than she normally would. It wasn’t that she didn’t usually dress well, but when they had first opened the location on the weekend, she got a little too much attention from some men who were a bit too insistent. She liked keeping a balance between drawing people in on her own terms and keeping people at a good distance. Unwanted flirting was not in her plan.

“Today, though, I’ll make an exception…” she told herself with a smirk. She had enjoyed the playful teasing the day before, and the idea of seeing Himeko again had Kafka’s heart racing. She hadn’t been able to get her mind off of their encounter and had even gone to her rehearsal thinking about her. In certain moments, she had gotten a bit distracted and played the wrong sections, derailing everyone else. It certainly wasn’t like her, but at the same time, she didn’t often come across such a striking beauty.

As she selected her clothing—black tights with black shorts, boot-cut heels, and a button-up that showed off some of her more attractive assets—she looked at the clock and sighed. She had gotten distracted with her wardrobe and was running late. It would take her about 20 minutes to get to the shop if she left now and got to the train on time. She would have to hurry a bit more than she liked, but the prospect of seeing Himeko again kept her moving at a brisk pace. She poured some kibble for her sleeping cat, Elio, and gave him a small pet before exiting the house.

The gloves on her fingers kept reminding her of Himeko’s touch when she had given back her card. Kafka knew that her hand had stayed there a bit too long, but God, her hands were so soft and warm she could lose herself in the sensation.

The train was practically empty as Kafka found a seat for herself and her violin case. She was headed to play at a new restaurant that day. When she moved to town for the café, she figured she’d need a few more extracurriculars, so she asked an old friend for recommendations. He pointed her to a local group that focused on jazz. Robin, the group’s singer, was ecstatic to meet her and quickly invited her in. They played a gig every few weeks, but this one had come up suddenly when another band had to drop out of a local pub. It was a great opportunity for some regular income if they could play their cards right.

By the time she got to the shop and began her opening routine, it was already six o'clock. She started brewing her iced coffee and drip coffee, preparing an extra carafe of drip for the morning rush. A knock on the door signalled the delivery of fresh pastries from a local bakery. Kafka let the delivery guy in and swapped the plastic palettes of pastries for the empty ones from the day before.

She took her time arranging the pastries to look as delicious as possible, storing the extras that couldn't fit into the fridge in the back. Then, Kafka wiped down a few things, ran a cleaning cycle on the espresso machines, and pulled a shot to flush it. As 6:30 am approached, she unlocked the door and placed the sign outside. Returning to her spot behind the bar, she set to work as the first customers trickled in.

By 8:30, Kafka was ready for a break. It had been a busy morning, and Firefly was already getting comfortable preparing most drinks, so Kafka figured it would be easy enough to take a few minutes. “Hey Firefly, I’m going to take fifteen minutes in the back, and then you can have a break. Is that okay? I want to get them done before our rush at nine,” she said, remembering the flood of customers from the day before.

Finally sitting down, Kafka took a moment to slump against her chair, putting her head back and just breathing, listening to the sounds of the cafe behind her. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingled with the sweet scent of pastries being warmed, drifting through the air. She heard the steady drip drip drip of coffee percolating, the rhythmic hiss of milk being steamed, and the low rumble of conversations just out of reach, punctuated by Firefly’s cheery voice saying, “A triple espresso? Gotcha.”

Before she knew it, Kafka was on her feet again. So far, only one person had ordered that, and she wasn’t about to let the chance to see her again slip away. She stepped out to the bar and saw the long red hair that had caught her eye the day before. “I’ve got this, Firefly,” she said, a bit too quickly.

“But I thought you were going to take your break?” Firefly said, looking a bit confused. The young girl glanced at Kafka's expression, then back at Himeko, and nodded slowly, as if understanding were slowly washing over her. “Oh, got it, boss,” she said and hurried back.

Kafka couldn’t hide her blush as she collected herself for a moment and turned to Himeko. “Back again, are we?”

Himeko, for her part, laughed—a bright, genuine sound that tied Kafka’s stomach in knots. She gave Kafka a wry smile and said, “Honestly, I think that’s the smoothest recovery I’ve ever seen. Bravo,” adding a wink for good measure.

Kafka felt the blush creeping back as she looked directly at Himeko, her golden eyes temporarily disabling all of Kafka's vocal functions. “W-Well, I strive to at least provide some entertainment if I can’t make things taste good,” she replied, turning around and starting to work as Himeko continued to talk to her.

“Oh, don’t worry about the taste; you’ve got that perfect. I’ve never had a coffee that good before,” Himeko praised. Kafka let the words sink in, finding inspiration in them as she continued her work. The beans, the grinding, the tamping—each practised movement became imbued with new excitement for Kafka, the thought of Himeko’s lips tasting her creations now a lingering memory she cherished.

Deciding to tease Himeko back, Kafka added playfully, “I heard you were looking for me last night. Did you miss me that much?” Kafka couldn’t resist a bit of playful banter.

Himeko stayed quiet just long enough for Kafka to turn and catch her looking away, as if trying to hide her own blush. "Ha. Gotcha," Kafka thought with a sense of satisfaction.

“Well, I came back for... well, the perfect coffee, of course. My espresso machine is broken at home and I can't fix it yet, so I stopped by here. But since I had the meeting, I needed extra coffee to get me through the day…” The words stumbled out of Himeko’s mouth quickly, and Kafka couldn't help but smile. This was her comfort zone—making someone else flustered.

“Don’t worry, I’m not mad. I’m actually quite charmed you liked… my coffee that much,” Kafka said, placing the porcelain cup on the counter. She looked into Himeko’s golden eyes and asked, “Would you like anything sweet with this?”

Himeko wasn't accustomed to Kafka's constant charm, and she could feel her pulse quicken with each word. "Good lord, I'm going to pass out," Himeko thought as Kafka handed her the coffee. She realised she hadn't asked for it to go, meaning she would have to sit in the cafe and drink it, just a few feet away from Kafka.

“No thanks on the sweet. I think you’ve given me enough for my whole day,” Himeko replied, trying to push back against Kafka's charm, her own counteroffensive preparing itself. “In fact, I might even be worried you’d make the coffee sweet, but I already had a taste of your exquisite talent yesterday.”

They heard Firefly cough from somewhere nearby. Kafka looked over at her, a grin forming as she realised she had a jousting partner just as adept as she was.

“Oh, well, I’m glad I could give you a taste of what I offer. I’m always looking to serve,” Kafka said, unwittingly leaving an opening for Himeko to exploit.

“Oh, I’m certain your service is impeccable,” Himeko replied, her words dripping like honey. Kafka was caught off guard, and there was nothing she could do. Himeko walked away and sat in their casual seating area, pulling her laptop onto her lap. She was determined to not only finish her coffee but also get something productive done that morning, no matter what.

Ten minutes later, Firefly returned from her break and resumed her cleaning and prep routine, though Kafka noticed she wasn’t looking directly at her.

“You know,” Firefly piped up, her voice more timid now, “you, um, could take a break now?” Her eyes darted towards where Himeko sat.

It was Kafka's turn to be a bit slow, but she let her smile spread. Firefly could have sworn she looked like a fox about to pounce on her prey. “You know, that’s a great idea.”

Kafka took off her apron and hoodie, revealing the carefully planned outfit she had chosen that morning, and slowly walked over to the armchair across from Himeko. She leaned back, crossing her legs slowly—aware that her long legs tended to look great when paired with her black shorts. She wasn't entirely convinced that the woman across from her was interested in another woman, but she was about to find out.

Himeko did her best not to stare. It really wasn’t a fair fight. Kafka sauntered over to the armchair across from Himeko, each step measured and deliberate. As she sat down, she leaned back, slowly crossing her legs. Himeko’s gaze inevitably drifted up, her breath catching at the sight.

Kafka's legs were long and elegant, framed perfectly by the sheer black tights that clung sensuously to her skin. The dark fabric accentuated every graceful curve, running all the way into the black shorts that hugged her curved hips just right. Her boot-cut heels added a touch of sophistication and edge, creating an alluring effect that was driving Himeko wild. The tights stretched taut over her thighs hinting at each tantalising curve underneath. The subtle sheen of the fabric  caught the light with each small movement adding a shimmer that drew Himeko’s attention and refused to let her go.

Kafka’s legs weren’t just legs—they were a distraction, a statement, a promise. Every inch of them exuded confidence and allure, a perfect blend of grace and sensuality. Himeko found herself mesmerised, her mind wandering to thoughts of those legs brushing against her own. Her mind running through each scenario of just how and where she would touch. 

Kafka noticed the way Himeko’s eyes lingered, and she couldn’t help but smile.  She shifted slightly, causing her heels to tap gently against the floor, using the sound to further enrapture the other woman. Himeko’s pulse quickened, feeling the magnetic pull of Kafka’s seemingly effortless allure.

At that moment, the café, the work, everything else faded away. All that remained was the charged atmosphere between them, the undeniable attraction sparked by Kafka’s enthralling presence and those impossibly hot, distracting legs.

Well fuck.

Himeko finally dragged her gaze away to look up at Kafka, whose face sported a smirk that just said, "Caught you." Himeko put her head down, forcing herself to stare at the laptop screen and pretend to be absorbed by her work. As she typed, she could feel Kafka's eyes watching her every move, the idea of her gaze sending a chill down Himeko’s spine.

Kafka, on the other hand, found it hard to concentrate on anything but Himeko. She wanted to engage further, to bring back the playful banter. She leaned forward slightly and rested her chin on her hand, watching Himeko with a playful smirk.

Eventually, Himeko had enough and looked up at Kafka, simply saying, "May I help you, Kafka?" She took her time with Kafka’s name, enunciating each sharp consonant, cutting the thick air between them.

"Oh, Miss Himeko, if I may call you that? I’m just here taking a break. We have our rush soon, and I need to rest." Her deep purple eyes never left Himeko’s, a spider seemingly transfixed on her prey.

"I see. Well then, please enjoy your break. No coffee for you?" Himeko asked, a hint of curiosity entering her words. She was trying to keep herself aloof and cool, but she was feeling anything but.

"Oh, I've already had a couple of coffees this morning. Any more, and I'll be trembling ." She drew out the last word like a promise before continuing, "I have to say though, Miss Himeko, I don’t usually get customers that love my coffee as much as you do. You must be something special," she said, her voice low and teasing.

Now this was something Himeko could contend with. She shot Kafka a playful glance. "Am I now? I suppose I should feel honoured."

Kafka chuckled, enjoying the game they’d been indulging in this morning. "Oh, absolutely. It’s not often that people can experience the full extent of my… talents."

Himeko arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm beginning to wonder if your talents extend beyond just coffee." My turn, Kafka , she thought.

Kafka took a moment to absorb what Himeko had just said, and her smirk widened. "I like to think they do," she said with a confidence she wasn't sure she felt at the moment. Himeko’s striking red hair was mesmerising, and her earrings reflected the light of the room against her neck, drawing Kafka’s eyes with a promise.

Himeko smiled and leaned forward. "And what else might you be talented at?" she said coyly.

Kafka leaned forward conspiratorially, their faces now only inches apart. "Well," she murmured, her breath warm against Himeko’s cheek, "I suppose you’ll have to find out."

Their flirtatious exchange hung in the air, charged with anticipation and desire. Firefly discreetly watched them from behind the counter, in absolute awe of the two women who seemed to match each other word for word.

Himeko took a moment to breathe in Kafka’s scent; she was just so close… She leaned back. "Maybe I will," she said coyly, her eyes holding a flicker of mischief.

Kafka leaned back as well, a satisfied grin plastered onto her face. "I look forward to it, Miss Himeko, and just to be sure I'm not misunderstanding the situation we find ourselves in..." She pulled out a small piece of paper she had tucked away in her hand the whole time, a phone number and Astral Express username written on the back.

"Feel free to send me a message." With a quick wink, she stood up and walked over to a stunned Firefly, who was trying to look like she had been working the whole time. People began to trickle in as the morning rush began, but for Himeko and Kafka, the rush had yet to subside.

___________

By 2 PM, Himeko was completely overwhelmed. Changes had been pushed live that were never intended, and March had used the wrong library for some of the new buttons, leading to user problems, but only on Android phones that had updated to the latest version. Everything was a mess. As Welt and Dan rushed to push their fixes and March swapped to their older, non-broken library, Himeko took a moment to breathe. She had already worked on the fixes on her end, and now all she could do was wait. She considered getting a fresh coffee, but it was already late and she needed to make sure she was nearby in case anything else went wrong.

She thought back to the pure energy of the moment with Kafka and felt her head rush with excitement. It had been such pure, unadulterated chemistry, something Himeko was not used to. In most of her previous relationships, she had been the one to chase. But here was Kafka, this stunning, attractive, confident woman who was not just chasing her—no, Himeko felt like this was a hunt.

She got up to make herself a sad, chronically single French press coffee. Himeko opened the tin she had brought to work. She recognized the coffee was a bit old for her taste, but this was a utilitarian effort. She carefully measured out her coffee and began to heat her water, setting a timer as she let the water reach the right temperature.

Once the kettle was ready, she slowly poured the hot water over the grounds and gave them a mix, letting the coffee extract in the hot water as her timer started. She waited patiently, pulling out a porcelain cup and finally pressing the coffee as the beep, beep, beep of the timer rang away.

Seated with her coffee, she thumbed the piece of paper Kafka had handed her that morning and pulled out her phone. She opened her app and added the username Kafka had given her, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. The memory of Kafka’s voice, her smirk, and the way she leaned in so close replayed in her mind, sending a shiver down her spine. Himeko's heart pounded, her pulse quickening with each step closer to making contact.

As she waited for the app to load, the aroma of her coffee filled the air, its rich scent mingling with her thoughts of Kafka. The steam rising from the cup seemed to mirror her own rising excitement. The porcelain cup felt warm in her hands, a small comfort in the midst of her chaotic day. Himeko took a sip, letting the warmth spread through her, grounding her just enough to steady her nerves.

Her mind kept drifting back to Kafka's teasing words, the promise in her eyes, and the electric connection that had sparked between them. The desire to see Kafka again, to feel that thrill once more, was almost overpowering. She sent out a message request and took a quick picture. 

Himeko chuckled at the text message, the image of Kafka pouting playing in her head. She couldn't help but want to see it. She typed out her reply and sent it off, imagining Kafka’s reaction. She could envision the café’s can lights reflecting in Kafka’s eyes as she smirked, holding the cup to her lips. The warmth of the coffee would overtake her mouth as she slowly, sensually sipped, savouring each flavour.

As Himeko took another sip of her own coffee, she couldn't help but think of how warm Kafka’s lips would be after a sip, the hot coffee mirroring the fantasy in her mind. She let herself get lost in the sensation, the rising steam from the cup becoming Kafka’s hot breath. The warmth of the cup in her hand became the warmth of Kafka’s touch. Himeko could almost feel Kafka's breath on her cheek again, hearing the low murmur of her voice. In fact, she could imagi—

The harsh vibration of her phone brought her out of the fantasy. She looked down to see one more text from Kafka.

And with that, all the stress from her day began to melt away. Himeko wondered whether she should keep texting Kafka or not, but decided against it. "You're already desperate enough," she thought. Once she finished her coffee, she stood, stretching and sighing before going back to her team. It was time to offer them help before they all got stuck working late.

They were done just as the clock struck 6 PM.

“Well, now we know what the Jade Abacus does, don’t we, Stelle?” Dan Heng said with a dry look over to Stelle, who looked like she might have been crying.

“I thought it was just a text editor! Why do we even have it anyway?” she said, still clearly upset by everything that had gone on today.

Welt answered that one. “It was after the last conference. The Xianzhou Corp had given us a free key to their software, but we deemed it too risky to use right away… because of the exact problem you faced today. But don’t worry, now we all know.” His steady voice and soothing tones did more to set Stelle at ease than Dan Heng’s lecture, informative though it may be. 

“Oh, it’s okay, Stelle! At least you didn’t just mess up and click on the wrong GitHub link. Imagine all the time I would have saved if I had just read the versions…” March sighed, scratching her head. “It’s not fair that they use names like 1.01.201a8b to describe, like, three things!”

Himeko looked at her team with a smile. They had always been a bit of a mess, but they never faltered and worked hard to fix things. “Well, we do have some good news to share with you all, right, Welt?” Himeko gave him a quick nod.

“Ah— ahem, yes. Well, our meetings with the IPC have been quite successful, and we should be writing up a contract with them soon. There will be a few changes, but overall the inflow of cash will let us bring in more people,” Welt said matter-of-factly.

“And,” Himeko added quickly, not wanting them to think that was the only good news, “we’ve decided that to celebrate, we’ll be taking you all out to dinner tonight.”

Himeko chuckled as she saw everyone start to get excited at the prospect of a free dinner. They dispersed to get their things and reconvened in the lobby before heading to a bar a few blocks away known for its live music.

The cool air was a stark contrast to the stuffy office they had been in all day, but the fresh breeze only served to remind Himeko of the warmth of the café. As they walked past Stellarons, she couldn't help but take a quick look inside. She only saw the tall, grouchy man who had helped her the day before.

“Hello—earth to Himekooo,” March said, grabbing her attention. “I asked—is that place any good? They just opened!”

Himeko smiled, doing her best to hide any other emotion from spilling out onto her face. “They are March. I’ve enjoyed getting coffee there a few times now.”

Chapter Text

Himeko walked down the stairs into the pub, her heels clicking softly on the wooden steps. The pub was dimly lit, with a warm glow from the vintage hanging lamps casting cozy shadows across the room. The air was thick with the scent of Tito’s vodka and freshly spilled beer, mingling with the underlying aroma of the night's special: garlic poutine fries.

She approached the bar and leaned in, trying to catch the bartender’s eye. Himeko knew Siobhan well, having frequented this bar many times. Despite working closely with her team, they had no idea how often she came here on Thursday gay nights or the monthly dyke nights. This was her sanctuary, a space she kept to herself. Siobhan’s blonde fauxhawk bobbed at the end of the bar, her attention focused on another customer. Himeko gestured to her team to find a high-top table while she waited.

It didn’t take long for Siobhan to notice her. The attractive butch woman walked over with a gregarious air. “Himeko! Long time no see. Are you here on your own, or—” She scanned the bar and caught sight of the rest of the team. “Got it, team bonding! Will it be the usual for you all?”

Himeko smiled warmly. “Siobhan, yes, the usual would be good. Tonight, I’ll have one of your espresso martinis.”

“Rough week, huh? Don’t worry, girl, I’ll get them over to you. You can give me your card there. Why don’t you head toward the front? We have a new band tonight, and honestly, they’re a treat!”

Himeko nodded and started to walk away. “I’ll check them out after my martini. I need to just—take a few minutes.”

As she approached the table, she overheard March telling a story, her enthusiasm infectious. “And then, when I took it out of the dryer, everything I had was pink! I mean, I love pink, but some of that was expensive,” she said with an exasperated sigh.

Himeko scanned the table. Each member of her team was focused on something different. Dan was on his phone, likely reading an article. March and Welt were having an animated conversation about spaghetti, and Stelle seemed distracted, her eyes fixed on the crowd in front of the band.

Following Stelle’s gaze, Himeko saw what had caught her attention. The young barista who had helped Kafka this morning was seated uncomfortably on the edge of one of the booths. A couple of guys were trying to talk to her, and Firefly looked anything but enthused. Himeko could feel Stelle bristling beside her. She leaned in and whispered, “You could go over there—I’ll back you up if you want.”

Her voice was gentle, remembering all too well the similar moments she had experienced. Siobhan arrived with the drinks, and as she handed them out, Himeko addressed the table. “Stelle and I are going to check out the band. We’ll be right back.”

Stelle, usually the quiet type, simply said, “Right.” She followed Himeko, making a beeline for the booth. The pub's vibrant sounds of laughter and music faded into the background as they approached, their focus on Firefly and the uncomfortable situation unfolding before them.

Stelle seemed to steel her resolve. In the time Himeko had known her, Stelle had always been more of a quiet commentator, though she had enough of a temper to get involved if provoked. Himeko watched as, before Stelle could interject, Firefly simply stood up and said something aggressive but unintelligible over the music. The two men slinked away into the crowd.

Before Himeko could even check on whether Firefly was okay, she noticed the young woman turning to Stelle, a shy blush creeping up her cheeks. Interesting, Himeko thought as she stopped to quickly check in.

Himeko expected Firefly to be a bit surprised or maybe confused. But what she didn’t expect was the wide-eyed, deer-in-headlights look that Firefly gave her, her face quickly turning toward the stage, then back to Himeko, and then back to the stage.

“Hello, Ms. Firefly. Are you okay? This is Stelle; she works with me. We saw those guys and figured we’d come to check on you,” Himeko said more sweetly than Firefly might have been used to since she’d mostly seen Himeko with Kafka in the room.

“Miss Himeko! No, don’t worry. I was able to handle them… but still, thank you,” Firefly added sweetly, casting her gaze to Stelle. “Um, are you here to see Ms. Kafka too?” she asked almost cautiously, as if she were trying to figure something out.

The words caught Himeko off guard. “Miss... Kafka?!” Himeko’s heart began to beat uncontrollably, a knot forming in her throat. She looked to Firefly, and Firefly, in turn, looked at her.

Himeko started walking toward the stage, pushing through the bodies in front of her, all enraptured by the sweet, soft singing of whoever was playing. The stage was lit up by warm spotlights, highlighting each person on the stage. The singer was one Himeko had heard of—Robin, an up-and-coming singer who had been studying music locally. But what caught Himeko’s eye was not the woman singing, but the woman just behind her.

It was a beautiful dress, long, black, and violet. The black halter neckline wrapped around her neck like a collar, the sheer black fabric giving just the slightest glimpse of skin before hiding just behind a pronounced décolletage. Her shoulders were bare, the light reflecting the smoothness of her skin. There was a high slit that ended just above her thigh, allowing her long, toned leg to step through as she played. Her eyes traced the lines of Kafka’s dress, the way it clung to her curves and moved with her body.

Himeko was completely enraptured. The bar's atmosphere buzzed with chatter and clinking glasses, but all of it faded into the background as she focused on Kafka. The warm lighting gave the scene a dreamlike quality, making Kafka seem almost ethereal. Himeko could almost feel the heat from the spotlights, the vibration of the music thrumming through the floor, and the soft murmur of the crowd blending into an indistinct buzz in the background. 

For a moment, it was only her and Kafka. The woman played with singular focus, her violin cradled gently under her chin. Bathed in the ethereal light, her bow moved along the strings with a practiced grace that spoke of years of dedication. Her fingers moved deftly over the strings, coaxing out a beautiful sound that mixed perfectly with Robin’s singing.

Himeko couldn't help but stare at Kafka's hands as they flexed with each movement, dancing over the fingerboard with a soft and delicate elegance that belied their strength. Her hair fell haphazardly on her bare shoulders, the dark violet in stark contrast with her bare shoulders.  As Kafka swayed with the music, Himeko stood frozen in the moment. She watched as Kafka occasionally stepped through the high slit of her dress, revealing a hint of her smooth legs. 

Kafka was doing well, in fact, she was surprised by how comfortable she felt. She had never had much issue playing for an audience, but every new space and new group presented its own challenges. Once Robin and the others had hopped on stage, Kafka comfortably fell into a rhythm. The music flowed through her, each note a part of her being. Every once in a while, Kafka scanned the audience, her eyes searching for a familiar face. She had told Firefly where she would be, and the young barista had come by after her shift to say hello. They were scheduled to play until at least 10 PM, with breaks in between sessions, so Kafka knew she would have a chance to chat.

As her eyes scanned the audience again, a glint of gold and red caught her eye. 

Himeko.

At that moment, their eyes met, and the ground opened up beneath her. She missed a step but continued playing. From that moment on, she was performing for Himeko—no one else in the room existed. Though the song wasn’t a particularly romantic one, Kafka knew that from then on, her movements were all for her. It was a pattern to Kafka, a practised repetition of movement and sound with each note, each vibration conveying her thoughts, her desire. It had been so long since she was enthralled like this, and she began to weave her spell.

Once Robin finished her song, Kafka leaned over and whispered her request into Robin's ear, her eyes never leaving Himeko. Robin looked at her for a second, then followed her gaze to Himeko and smiled.

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have a small request here, and it's from one of our own. So, here it is! And for the special lady in the audience, well, you’ll see…” Robin trailed off with a mischievous glint in her eye before she turned. The band seemed to reach an understanding, and a slow, intoxicating tune began to play.

It was a heady thing, deep and earthy in contrast to Robin’s clear voice. The haunting tune pulled Himeko in, compelling her to move closer to the stage just to listen.

Drink up, baby, stay up all night
Things you could do, you won't, but you might
The potential you'll be, you'll never see
Promises you'll only make
Drink up with me now and forget all about
Pressure of days, do what I say
And I'll make you okay and drive them away
Images stuck in your head

Himeko listened, her eyes fixed on Kafka, her mind racing. She thought of the coffee they had together, of the magnetic pull the other woman had on her. The music washed over her, the melody wrapping around her like an embrace.

People you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
That push, shove, won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still

Kafka continued to play, the slow tune a reflection of her desires. The music dripped out of her like molasses, each note spilling and spreading around her, her own longing pouring out.

Drink up, baby, look at the stars
And I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there, hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught

Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot

There was an allure that Himeko couldn't deny, as the music washed over her skin Kafka’s violin seemed to stick to her, each vibration moving up her body to style at her core. The music felt like a silk thread, each verse binding her tighter, filling her with the heady scent of coffee, of Kafka, and of her own desire.

People you've been before
That you don't want around anymore
That push, shove, won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still

With that, Kafka exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Robin addressed the audience, but Kafka couldn't hear a word. She put her violin back in its case, her fingers trembling slightly from the intensity of the performance. As the crowd dispersed, she could see Himeko standing there, a look that Kafka couldn't recognize on her face. 

Kafka slowly made her way to her tall woman, each step deliberate, a smile tugging at her mouth. The sensation of the stage lights still warmed her skin, mingling with the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

“Hey.”

Himeko took a second to catch her breath. She had to get back to her table; she had people who would wonder where she was. Yet, for some reason, she couldn’t perceive a single other person. 

Once more, Kafka had her standing at attention, and she commanded all of it.

The sway of Kafka’s hips, the light reflecting off the tiniest suggestion of skin as her leg wove in and out of the skirt—Himeko couldn’t help but stare.

“You know, my eyes are up here,” Kafka said with an amused smile as she leaned back, arms crossed.

Himeko blinked twice and tried to compose herself. “Of course,” she said, lacking her usual confidence. She had been caught. She cleared her throat and looked at Kafka directly. “I told you we couldn't have you feeling lonely,” she said, giving Kafka a small wink.

Kafka stepped closer, her fingers lightly brushing against Himeko’s arm, sending a shiver up her spine. “Oh, of course. Tell me, was it Blade or Silverwolf who told you where I was? If you wanted to see me, you could have texted…” Kafka said with a smirk.

Himeko snorted. “I’ll have you know this was totally serendipitous. My coworkers and I decided to come here after the stress of today.” Himeko couldn’t help but sigh as she remembered everything.

“Oh? Taking the team out for drinks? You should see if there's an opening for me.” As Kafka talked, she took a step closer, increasing the intimacy of their conversation. Himeko was suddenly aware of Kafka’s more floral perfume, a different scent than the day before. 

Himeko stood her ground though her heart was racing. “Oh, I’m sure I could find you an opening…” She let her voice trail off. “Though I’m afraid we’ve run out of desk space.”She tilted her head slightly, her eyes flicking to Kafka’s lips.

Kafka gave her a mischievous grin. “I don’t see why that’s an issue. Surely we could share. Imagine, I could make you coffee and help with… what do you do again?” She held her finger to her chin as she cocked her head to the side innocently, her gaze never leaving Himeko’s.

Oh god, she’s not just sexy, she’s cute. Kill me. Himeko playfully tapped her arm, her fingers lingering for a few beats more than necessary. “I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to accommodate your grand personality. Also, I work in tech, software specifically. I made the Astral Express app that we were using to text earlier today.” She said the last part softly, as if she didn’t want to share what she had actually accomplished.

Some of Himeko’s exes had been drawn to her success; plenty of men and women had tried to get her number at conferences and such. But a small part of Himeko always worried.

“A smart woman, just my type,” Kafka said. She reached out and let her hand rest on Himeko’s forearm, her thumb gently caressing the skin she found there. “Will you be here long tonight?”

For the first time, Himeko heard a gentle curiosity in Kafka’s voice, as if she had sensed Himeko’s discomfort and was trying to reach out to her. Himeko gave her a soft smile. “We’ll be here for a while, I’m sure, and well… I don’t have many plans tonight.”

Okay, so maybe that is a bit embarrassing, I shouldn’t have said that… But as she looked at Kafka, she realised the woman seemed excited at the prospect of her staying longer. Kafka began to talk with legitimate enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling. 

“We’re here until ten, which I know might be a bit late for an early bird like you, but if you’d like, you could stay?” The last part was both an offer and a question, the lingering sound of hope reflected in Himeko’s tone.

“Let me talk with my team—” she paused for a moment, enjoying how Kafka seemed to be focused on her every word, her every breath. “But I don’t see why I couldn’t stay a bit later tonight. I’m a fan of Robin, you see,” Himeko said, her voice teasing.

Kafka’s chest tightened with an unexpected pang of jealousy, but she reigned it in just in time. “Well, if you’re staying for Robin, I guess I’ll have to show you my talents as well.”

Himeko took the bait, a playful smile curving her lips. “Oh, I have already learned to appreciate your talents.”

The band had started to gather behind Kafka, but before turning to get on stage, Kafka leaned in, her mouth brushing Himeko’s ear, her breath hot against Himeko’s cheek. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Himeko,” she whispered, her voice dripping with promise.

Himeko shivered, feeling a surge of heat course through her. Kafka's proximity, the soft caress of her breath, and the sensual timbre of her voice left her momentarily speechless. Before she could respond, Kafka turned and practically skipped onto the stage with seemingly renewed vigour. 

“WHAT WAS THAT?!” March’s voice, loud and clear, cut through the dark corners of the bar, causing several patrons to turn and look.

“March, shh, c’mon—I just, well…” Himeko tried to hide her blush as she attempted to explain. “Kafka is a friend I met a little bit ago…”

March looked at her, one of her perfectly perky eyebrows arching suspiciously. “That’s a friend?”

The incredulous tone March took was counterbalanced by Welt stepping in to save Himeko. “Now, now, we don’t know everybody’s friends here. Of course, Himeko would have relationships outside of us.”

Himeko sighed, knowing that wasn’t the point March was trying to make, but—

“March, it doesn’t matter who Himeko is dating, we should be supportive,” Dan Heng interjected flatly.

“We aren’t dating!” Himeko said, a little too loud for her liking. She looked around and caught Kafka’s eyes shining with mischief as if she could not only hear their conversation but also was enjoying her discomfort immensely.

Himeko tried not to think about Kafka’s nimble fingers playing beautifully, her stupid mischievous smirk, or her gorgeous dress as she turned back to the table. The memory of Kafka’s sultry performance sent a shiver down her spine.

Everyone was staring at her. “What?!” she asked in an exasperated tone.

March just sighed and said, “Sure, whatever you say, Himeko.”

Both Dan and Welt seemed to look away, each taking a swig of their drinks. Himeko sighed once more and put one hand on the table. The smooth, cool slightly sticky surface grounded her amidst the swirl of emotions.

“Look, we’re here to celebrate, alright? We can enjoy the music and just… relax, ok?” As she finished speaking, she tipped the rest of her martini into her mouth—the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the drink overall a balm to her lightly wounded pride.

Himeko was used to being the calm and collected one along with Welt, so this was the first time anyone had seen her this flustered. As she put down her glass, she was surprised to find another one already in front of her. She turned to see Siobhan, who lifted her arms in a gesture of surrender.

“Don’t look at me; the lady in purple sent it.” Himeko looked at the drink and silently thanked the dim lights of the bar for hiding the blush spreading across her face—or she would have if March hadn’t learned to take a selfie with her.

“Oh, Himeko, you’re so red!” March teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Himeko took a deep breath, the scent of espresso martini mingling with the ambient aromas of the bar—whiskey, wood polish, and the faint hint of citrus from someone’s cocktail. She tried to regain her composure, but the lingering taste of the drink on her lips kept bringing her thoughts back to Kafka.

She glanced over at the stage where Kafka was now setting up for the next set. The seductive way Kafka moved, the way the dim light played off her skin, and the way her eyes occasionally flicked towards Himeko—everything about her was magnetic.

Himeko could feel her emotions bunching up in her throat, the night felt like anything could happen. She took another sip of her drink, the alcohol warming her from the inside, and decided to let the night take her wherever it would lead.  

They continued to hang out through the night, chatting and enjoying the music. Himeko did her best to keep herself from just staring at Kafka as she played. As the night wore on, they moved closer to the stage. Eventually, the crowd started to thin. Welt left, citing having to take care of his cat, Tesla. Dan Heng's boyfriend, Caelus, came to pick him up before they went to the local gym. Even March eventually found a group of girls to talk to and left to go to another club.

Eventually, Himeko and Stelle were the only ones left, though Stelle stayed close to Firefly the rest of the night. The two seemed to get along, and from what Himeko could see, Stelle was hanging on to Firefly’s every word. It was sweet to see the two young women in their own world, completely oblivious to everything around them.

Himeko could see Stelle leaning into Firefly’s touch, and she could see Firefly blushing even under the dim lights of the bar. Once they moved to sit together at a table away from the stage, Himeko knew it was over. She was alone, watching the wonderful woman on stage playing.

Kafka seemed to revel in the attention of the stage. She engaged with the audience and played around for them, each member getting their own solos during different songs. When Kafka noticed that Himeko was alone, she kept her eye contact frequent. Each solo seemed like she was playing just for Himeko—each moment and movement made just for her. Even Robin noticed, giving what seemed like more time than Kafka was expecting to play around. The overall effect was powerful. Himeko could feel herself enthralled as Kafka's bow moved across the strings.

As they finished the night, Siobhan brought Himeko two drinks and a glass of water. “What's this?” Himeko asked, her curiosity piqued.

Siobhan smiled. “Well, you looked like a lovesick puppy, so I made you an old fashioned with some coffee bitters I have—that one,” she said, gesturing to the other drink, “is a blackberry crush made for your, uh, friend over there.” She paused for a moment on the word friend and gestured with her chin at Kafka. “And the water is because I think she’ll need one after all that.” She barked out a laugh at her own bit of humour.

“And don’t worry—this one’s on me. I haven't had this much fun watching someone pine in years!” With that, she gave Himeko a wink and walked away.

“You’ll pay for that one,” Himeko muttered under her breath. Her pride had already taken a few hits tonight. She was used to being the cool, calm, and collected software engineer at the Astral Express, not a bumbling schoolgirl… and yet.

She felt Kafka’s presence before she saw her. The woman sat across from her in the small corner of the bar, her instrument case tucked snugly against the wall.

“I’m touched, you waited for me,” Kafka said with a smirk.

Himeko could see sweat glistening, giving Kafka's skin an almost ethereal glow. She was clearly tired, and being under the hot stage lights had taken its toll, though it had not made her any less attractive. Himeko pushed the water and blood-red cocktail over to Kafka. “These,” she said as they slid along the bar, “are for you.”

Kafka's eyebrows shot up, an emotion Himeko didn’t recognize playing just behind her eyes. “Why thank you, Miss Himeko, you're too kind.” She took the water first, drinking the clear liquid with less composure than she had likely intended. Himeko watched her, each gulp she took making the muscles in her neck tense ever so slightly. Himeko couldn't help but imagine her tongue running up the exposed skin, the salt from Kafka's sweat mixing with the taste of the bourbon on Himeko's lips.

Himeko shook her head for a moment, letting the fantasies go to focus on Kafka, who was now drinking her water much more slowly—as if putting on another show entirely for Himeko.

She set the glass down with a sigh. “Well now, that was refreshing.” Her eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement. “What do you think, Himeko, did that refresh you too?”

Once more, Himeko had been caught. 

She smiled through hooded eyes at Kafka. “You could say I am feeling energized, yes.” She looked at the woman across from her and began to speak, without pretence this time. “That was incredible to watch. You’re absolutely talented.”

Kafka seemed to perk up at the praise. Her eyes softened, and a gentle smile spread across her lips. “Why thank you. I… well, I’m glad you were able to stay—it's not often that I get to, well, I suppose this is flirting?”

Himeko felt a warmth spread through her chest at Kafka's words. She leaned in slightly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. “It certainly feels like it,” she replied, her voice low and inviting. She couldn't help but notice the way the dim light accentuated Kafka's features, casting shadows that highlighted her high cheekbones and the curve of her lips.

Kafka smiled, leaning her chin onto her hand playfully. “I'm glad, I was worried I might have been a bit too… forward.” 

Himeko chuckled softly, the sound blending with the noise of the bar. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, it’s kind of nice. Refreshing, even. I’m, well I’m not used to being the centre of attention.”

Kafka’s hand moved across the table, her fingers lightly brushing against Himeko’s. The contact sent a shiver down Himeko’s spine. “Well, I hope you can get used to it for me. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this comfortable.” Himeko couldn't help but want to give Kafka anything she asked for at that moment. 

HImeko reached, intertwining her fingers with Kafka’s outstretched hand. “I feel the same, I wasn't expecting to… well enjoy you like this.”  As Himeko talked, a blush crept up her neck. 

For a moment, the world outside their small corner seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them, connected by the invisible thread of their growing attraction. 

It was 12 am. Himeko could remember having four drinks. Siobhan had brought her water—she was sure of it. But the last two hours had flown by in a haze. They had talked. Kafka, Himeko had learned, loved music, enjoyed chocolate but only on tart fruits, and hated cockroaches. She hadn’t kept much in touch with her family, which Himeko had not pushed on, and really liked tart cocktails. The woman could also hold her liquor remarkably well.

Kafka, in turn, had learned that Himeko liked the scents of vanilla, cinnamon, and sandalwood. That she had worked hard to establish herself in her field and wasn’t much of an outdoors person, though she loved to travel. They both spoke about traveling, the escape, and the wonder of going somewhere new and exploring.

By midnight, the bar grew rowdier, the laughter louder. The air was thick with the smell of spilled beer and the tang of sweat, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. It was time for them to leave.

“Shall we?” Kafka said, extending a hand to Himeko. When Himeko stood up, she was surprised to see the world spinning a little bit with her.

“Oh my, it’s been a while since I drank like this,” she said, her face flushed with a slight blush as she laughed. It was a beautiful, clear laugh that went straight through Kafka. As Himeko steadied herself, she became acutely aware that she was steadying herself with Kafka’s arms around her… so close…

The sweet and spicy scent of Kafka’s perfume brought her back to the moment. “God, you smell good,” she said, her head on Kafka’s shoulder as she continued to get her sea legs.

Kafka could only smile at the adorable sight of a looser, more earnest Himeko. “Do you live close by? Do you want me to get you an Uber?” Kafka's voice was gentle and sweet, laden with traces of concern. She walked with Himeko in her arms toward the bar and had Himeko wait a moment as she walked away. Himeko sat there waiting and couldn't help but pout while Kafka was gone. 

Siobhan was with her when she returned. “Well, I’ll be damned. I haven’t seen you like this since New Year’s, after that tall hot business woman tried to get you to drink enough to go home with her, but you kept talking about computers!” Siobhan barked out a laugh. “Don’t worry, your friend here settled the tab. Do you need a ride home?”

Himeko shook her head. “I can walk. I’m only fou—five blocks away anyway! I’ll be A. O. K.” She took her time to properly pronounce every letter, so they could know precisely how O.K. she really was.

Kafka chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement and affection. “Alright, but let me walk you home. Just to be sure?” She tilted her head with the question causing Himeko to think about just how cute Kafka was. 

Siobhan nodded and offered Kafka directions to Himeko’s apartment- Himeko for her part couldn't help but protest “I'm not that drunk!” It would have been more believable if she could walk straight. 

As they walked outside Himeko felt grateful for Kafka's proffered arm. As the cool night air hit her face she couldn't help but notice the world still tilting slightly. They began to walk towards her place- the street lights reflected in sparse puddles on the street, as the distant sounds of cars and the crisp wind filled the air around them. 

They walked along in a pleasant silence, the distant hum of the city's late-night bustle surrounding them. The streets were alive with the soft sounds of traffic and the occasional chatter from others walking by. As they strolled past Kafka’s own dark, empty cafe, Kafka paused and peered inside. The place was empty, the warm glow of its brass can lights extinguished for the night.

Himeko couldn't help but stare at her, captivated by how the streetlights behind them cast reflections on the glass, illuminating Kafka's curious face. Kafka broke the silence first.

"It's usually only this quiet when I open. It's strange to see it like this and not go in..."

Himeko came up just behind her, the warmth of Kafka's body drawing her in. She was close enough to rest her chin on Kafka's shoulder. "Oh? What do you usually do on those cold, lovely mornings?" She took her time with the words, letting them slide off her lips with a slight pout. Himeko wanted to keep teasing Kafka, to see her reactions reflected in the glass in front of them.

To her surprise, Kafka didn't answer immediately. Instead, she leaned into Himeko's touch, her body pressing gently, warmly against Himeko's. Kafka tilted her head back, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. Himeko found herself drawn to it, watching as the light played off the gentle slope of her jawline, curving deeper into her dress. With each breath, the muscles and tendons tensed and released, the scent of Kafka's perfume mingling with the warmth of her skin, bringing Himeko closer to temptation.

The moment lasted too long and was over in an instant. They both straightened up, flushed and intimately aware of each other's presence. The pull was undeniable, magnetic. But Himeko had always been practical, controlled, patient. "Shall we keep walking?"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but notice how Kafka stared at her lips, how the other woman seemed to be breathing heavily, how it felt as if her every move was being mirrored. "We... should, Miss Himeko," Kafka replied, visibly struggling to regain composure.

As Aurum Alley passed by, they reached Himeko’s apartment complex, a massive glass structure of metal and reflective corners mirroring the city around them.

"Well, Miss Himeko, it seems we have arrived safely," Kafka said, bowing slightly with a gentlemanly flourish that delighted Himeko.

"It seems we have. How could I ever thank you for bringing me safely home?" Himeko replied instinctively with a joke, only to realise too late that she had opened the door to something else entirely. Kafka, to her credit, did not take the bait, though a smirk tugged at the edge of her lips.

"Why, Miss Himeko, what a tempting offer." She let the words hang in the air for a moment, savouring them, enjoying the feeling of dangling the smallest carrot in front of Himeko. "I'm afraid, though, that tonight you must turn around, march upstairs, drink some water, and rest." She kept her voice direct, giving Himeko a chance to follow her command.

Himeko sighed. "I suppose you're right... May I ask how you're getting home, at least?"

Kafka gave her a warm, dazzling smile. "So caring! Don't worry, I've already summoned my chariot." She held up her phone, the bright white of the Uber app almost blinding Himeko. For a second, Himeko felt disappointed, but she understood.

"I guess then... that's goodnight?" The unspoken question lingered between them, a silent temptation weighing down each passing second. As Himeko turned to go inside, she stopped for a moment, walking up to Kafka.

"I want you to know," she started, gathering up bits of courage, "that I had a fantastic time. I'm glad I ran into you. You're amazing, talented, beautiful, funny, and... well, I really enjoyed tonight."

As Himeko finished, she looked into Kafka's eyes. The distance between them seemed to shorten, and Himeko could feel herself moving in closer, her lips longing to hit their target. She allowed herself to indulge in the desire and leaned in, moving forward to press her lips firmly on Kafka's finger.

Wait, finger?

Himeko opened her eyes for a moment and found herself once again face-to-face with a grinning Kafka, Kafka’s index finger pressing firmly against Himeko’s parted lips.

Kafka leaned in, her lips centimetres away from Himeko's ear. "Now, now, Miss Himeko, what did I say? Be a good girl and go take care of yourself. I'm sure we can continue this when you're a bit more sober, okay?"

It was the tone, the firmness of the command, the gentle reproach. It was the feel of her breath on Himeko’s neck and the slight brush of Kafka’s too-warm lips against her ear. With a small moan, Himeko took a step back, her body already longing for another moment near Kafka's warmth.

"Right," Himeko said, gathering herself in earnest. "Well then, goodnight, Kafka." Himeko turned and began to walk away, trying desperately not to turn back and embarrass herself further.

"Miss Himeko?" Kafka called out as a car with bright, blinding lights pulled up in front of her. "Tonight felt like magic to me, too."

And with that, Kafka was gone, leaving Himeko to pull herself back together.

Chapter Text

The pulsing headache was the first thing that Himeko noticed, though if she was honest with herself, she deserved it for how foolish she had been. She groaned and tucked her head under her pillow as the memories of the night before flooded fresh into her mind.

Oh god.

Shame, embarrassment, and regret washed over her. Everything was just terrible. Himeko dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen, craving coffee.

Oh god, no.

Her espresso machine was busted—she hadn't even ordered the replacement part. Himeko realized she'd been relying on the cafe for coffee, and now, with a blistering headache, she had nothing to make coffee with at home.

She couldn't go to the cafe, not like this, not after everything that had happened. Himeko rummaged around her apartment for something to eat, settling on cheese slices, bread, and a bit of olive oil. It wasn’t ideal, but at least she'd have something in her stomach to take meds with.

As she ate in silence, Himeko checked the time—it was 11 a.m., quite late for her. On Saturdays, she enjoyed going to the market for fresh groceries, but she was sure she wasn’t going outside today. It might be an Instacart weekend.

The thought of being perceived outside her home by anyone, let alone Kafka, was absolutely mortifying. She could remember everything: Kafka’s smile, her playing, her touch. Himeko could still feel the warmth of Kafka’s hand on her arm.

For a moment, Himeko was lost in the memory of the sensations—the closeness, the scent of her perfume, the almost-kiss. A blush crept up her face despite her hangover and settled eagerly. It was going to be a long day.

_____________

As she sat at her computer, she pulled up the Astral Express app on one screen while opening an Instacart tab on her main monitor. A small notification popped up on the AE app.

Oh god, she wasn’t going to escape.

Himeko sighed and continued her Instacart order. She wasn't ready to respond yet.

What do I even say? Hi, how are you? I’m so sorry I tried to kiss you; I was just really feeling a connection, and I guess I was wrong? I thought you might also be into me, but it turns out you’re just a fantastic flirt?

Oh god, what if she had a girlfriend? Kafka had mentioned moving here with a friend for the shop. What if Himeko had misunderstood? Each possibility played out in her head—Kafka being straight, Himeko being confused, everything.

At the same time, Himeko couldn't help but reject all that.

She was into me—I’m not completely unhinged. She flirted; she pretty much put herself on display for me at the coffee shop. And that song she played.

Himeko’s blush returned as she remembered the song, Kafka playing beautifully while Himeko watched.

Drink up, baby, look at the stars
And I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there, hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught

Himeko heard another small chime from the AE app, this time it was March.

Great—the crippling burden of being perceived.

It wasn’t a lie. Himeko wasn’t lying. She also wasn’t about to tell March everything that had happened. They had known each other for years now, but this was not something that Himeko was ready to share with anyone, let alone March. She aggressively minimised the app and finished her grocery selection. Delivery by three pm. 

Her app dinged a few more times.

Himeko was again holding off on responding. She didn't want to add any more fuel to the fire. Her app continued to ding.

Himeko sighed and clicked on the notification, typing out her response to March. She sighed again before looking up to see what March had written. She saw the three dots bouncing as a response was being typed. Only... it wasn't March at all.

A response popped up.

Himeko had died. She had completely perished. Her stomach dropped, and she groaned loudly. This could not be any worse.

She sighed and straightened herself up, quickly typing away at her keyboard, the aggressive clacking as she wrote, erased, and rewrote replies, echoing off the walls.

Himeko stared at Kafka’s response as it slowly sunk in. The blush she had finally shaken off came rushing back, bringing its friends thumping heart and clammy hands. She looked at the message on the screen for what felt like an eternity, as if waiting for Kafka to say, You know what, that was a mistake too. I’m so sorry.

But no.

It stayed there.

Motionless.

Eternal.

I’m fucked.

Kafka was worried. More than worried— she was honestly panicking. She had done everything in her power, everything humanly possible:

She had flirted. Gotten her drinks. Played her the most romantic song she could think of at the moment. Walked her home.

Kafka just—she didn't want to be the one to steal a drunken kiss. What if Himeko wasn’t into it? Kafka had never liked first kisses under the influence. It felt disingenuous. But she thought she had handled it well. She’d flirted, touched her lips—she’d even called Himeko a good girl. Women loved that!

Her phone dinged with a response from Himeko.

Kafka sighed. It wasn’t time to trauma dump or overshare. But whenever she thought of Himeko, she had the strange urge to tell her everything openly and honestly. She decided to tell her what she felt, ignoring all the reasons for now.

She had hoped the stickers made her seem more approachable. Maybe Himeko would like them. Kafka had never been good at everything that came after the flirting. She knew women, she knew their weaknesses, but she had never been great at the relationship portion.

Not that Kafka wanted a relationship. It was just that every time she saw Himeko, she couldn’t help but wonder what that dynamic could be—waking up in the morning together, making coffee for her and her alone?

She was lost in a daydream when her phone dinged again. As Kafka read the message, her heart swelled. Maybe she wasn’t as hopeless as she thought. She quickly typed out a response before she could overthink it.

Kafka put her phone facedown on the coffee table and anxiously walked away. She knew she was prepared to handle anything Himeko responded with, but she was too nervous to wait for the reply. She had just stepped into the bathroom to try and take a shower when the phone dinged again.

A smart, cool, collected, composed woman might have walked to the phone to look at it, but Kafka was none of those things. She practically sprinted toward the phone and crashed half-naked onto the couch to read the response.

The cool leather of the couch met her skin, sending a slight shiver down her spine. Her heart raced as she picked up the phone, fingers trembling slightly.She flipped the phone over, the screen casting a soft glow on her face. The anticipation was almost unbearable. Each second felt like an eternity as she unlocked the screen and opened the message app, her breath catching in her throat.

Kafka’s Saturday continued as usual, but her energy levels were off the chart. Every task she undertook, each moment, was punctuated by small reminders of the night before. She remembered the warmth of the lights as she played for Himeko, the golden glow casting a cozy hue over the cafe. The look Robin gave her when she asked to change the next song was etched in her mind. Kafka had spent a lot of time rehearsing and focusing on catching up, as they had all been playing together for so long. It was her first time asking for anything, but Kafka couldn't help herself—something about Himeko made her want to show off, to ensure Himeko was looking at her.

They had agreed to plan their date when they met again during the week. It seemed to Kafka that Himeko was very focused on work, so they had decided to work around her schedule. Kafka’s schedule was simple enough; most of her longer tasks involved placing orders for inventory at night. Silver Wolf helped her with some pre-made spreadsheets based on their daily sales. How she did it, Kafka would never know.

Kafka looked at her watch and realized it was almost time for lunch. She had promised Robin to meet her and grab a bite at the sandwich shop down the road, so she quickly put on some leggings, a comfortable shirt, and a cardigan. She took a moment to check herself in the mirror. Overall, she focused on fashion, but every once in a while, she let herself go out casually.

She entertained the thought of what she might wear to take Himeko out to dinner but stopped herself from getting too lost in her thoughts before heading out the door.

She walked over to Gallagher’s—a small shop run by a disgruntled retired policeman. She entered the shop and scanned the crowd. Robin was in the back, sitting by one of the booths. She beamed as Kafka approached the table.

“Well, fancy meeting you here,” Kafka said by way of greeting.

Robin chuckled. “I know, what a coincidence! I’ve been meaning to try this place for a while. Their subs are supposed to be to die for! I was so glad when you mentioned you lived nearby; I had been wanting an excuse to come here but didn’t want to go alone.”

Robin's eyes were as gentle as her demeanor. By day, she was a social worker, generally spending too much time helping the people that stopped by the shelter she worked at. She was well known for both her hard work and her altruism, though Kafka suspected that the singing was what really gave her the energy to continue with the grueling work. The first time Kafka had seen her sing, she was enthralled. Robin could command a stage like no one else could, pulling the audience in with her voice and soothing all that ailed them. It had been that pure, raw talent that led Kafka to accept the offer in the first place.

Kafka looked through the menu and decided on their French dip sandwich. It was their specialty and honestly delicious. When she had chosen her casual outfit earlier, it was specifically because of this sandwich. Kafka was not a graceful sub eater, and the added stress of the au jus that came with it was enough to convince her that casual and stain-resistant was her best bet.

“I love this place,” she responded to Robin with a friendly smile. “Their French dip sandwich is to die for, though I doubt it has anything remotely French about it,” she added with a wink.

Flirting had always come naturally to Kafka, but for some reason, after winking, she was reminded of Himeko.

“Oh! I’ll order one for each of us then,” Robin said confidently. “Drink? Water? Soda?”

“How about just a bottle of water for me?”

As Robin went off to place her order, Kafka checked her phone. Opening the camera, she took a quick photo of the menu and sent it to Himeko. She typed out a message.

Kafka smiled to herself at the message and quickly opened another app. With practiced swiftness, she placed an order, taking time to change the address to Himeko’s apartment complex. She knew it would take about 20 minutes to get there, but maybe it would make Himeko smile. For some reason, the thought of that made Kafka think it was worth it.

Robin came back after a few minutes, tray in hand. It had two cheesesteak subs, two cups of au jus, and a couple of bottles of water.

“Oh, this looks so good!” Robin said happily before dipping the sandwich in and taking a huge bite. Kafka had to admit—it was impressive how, even when eating the world’s messiest sandwich, Robin herself looked immaculate—not a single drop of delicious beef stock dripping anywhere.

Kafka bit into hers. The delicious taste of caramelized onion, fresh steak, and melted Gruyere cheese melted into her mouth. The sweet and savory au jus coated her tongue in an explosion of flavor that brought everything together.

Robin was the first to break the sandwich-induced silence. “So… that woman at the bar—was she your… girlfriend?” Robin did her best to keep her voice casual, not giving away any specific intent behind the words.

Kafka choked for a moment on her sandwich. “Wha—no! I mean, well, not really, I—we, I guess we’re friends, I think?”

Robin let out a small laugh. “This is the most flustered I’ve seen you! Oh, you’ve got it bad, don’t you?” she teased. “I was wondering when you asked me to change the song until I saw Himeko in the crowd—she couldn’t take her eyes off you, you know,” Robin added matter-of-factly.

“She couldn’t? But—wait, how did you know her name?!” Kafka’s brain seemed to process each one of Robin’s words slowly, putting together everything she was saying. “Wait—do you know her?”

Robin’s eyebrow arched, a smirk forming on her lips. “I’m sure you’d like to know, huh?” She leaned back, waiting for Kafka to respond.

“Robin, please, I—she comes to my cafe, and she’s—well, you’ve seen her.” Kafka was at a loss for words, her blush completely enveloping her.

Finally, Robin conceded, giggling at Kafka’s discomfort. “She’s pretty well known at that bar. I didn’t tell you, but my friend is the owner, Siobhan. She was the one bartending that night. They host a lesbian night once a month, and Himeko usually goes—but aside from a bit of flirting and dancing, I’ve never seen her so… interested,” Robin said with a meaningful look.

Kafka took a moment to process what she was saying and then nodded. “Robin, I know that we only met a few weeks ago, but I need you to tell me everything.”

Robin took a moment to laugh. “Ha, alright, I’ll tell you what I know and what Siobhan told me…”

Himeko’s phone alerted her to another text message. She had been playing a new game at the time—Wuthering Waves. It seemed like a fun distraction and had taken her mind off all the rumbling emotions deep within her. Those emotions might also be a rumbling hunger, she thought, looking at the clock. Himeko’s stomach had prevented her from a good breakfast, and her later texts with Kafka had prevented most nutrition out of sheer excitement.

She looked at her phone to see a message from Kafka: 

Himeko got dressed as quickly as she could, slipping on a sports bra and a t-shirt over some sweatpants. She didn’t have time to think—worried that Kafka was outside waiting. She checked that her hair didn’t look too messy in its haphazard bun and practically ran downstairs.

However, she didn’t find Kafka there. She did, though, find a bag of takeout with her name on it, a sandwich, broth, water, Pedialyte, and a small pack of chocolate-covered coffee beans. Himeko was at a loss for words. She grabbed the bag and rushed back upstairs before sending Kafka another message.

Himeko smiled and held the phone to her chest for a moment. Kafka was one of the most charming women she’d ever met. I can’t let her get away with this, she thought . I’m usually the one flirting—this is too much. From now on, I’m the one in charge.

Himeko gave her cheeks a soft slap before unpacking the takeout and sitting down to eat. Tomorrow she’d have to up her game…

Himeko had been up bright and early. She picked her clothes for the day: a white button-down that was sometimes a bit too tight around the chest, with a black lacy tank top underneath. She wore a black blazer that accentuated her form and a black pencil skirt. Her heels were also striking—the simple matte black heels accentuated by a hidden red sole underneath.

She took the time to pin her hair up so that it fell gracefully around her face, and she focused on her makeup all the more. This outfit made her feel confident. She knew that once she got to work, she could adjust it to be more modest, but as she made her way out the door, briefcase in hand, she was prepared to face Kafka and take control of the situation.

Anyone who had been at the cafe that day would remember the story—each of the players was too attractive to forget. They would speak of the redhead striding in, drawing everyone’s eyes to her. They’d speak of the young barista standing wide-eyed before disappearing for a moment and bringing out the other woman. 

And they would forever speak of the loud expletive uttered when said woman dropped the gallon of milk she was holding.

Himeko and Kafka walked up Main Street, Kafka short on words but diligently walking alongside Himeko as she sipped her coffee. “You know,” Kafka said finally, “you’re playing dirty…”

Himeko smiled at Kafka from the top of her cup. “Am I now?” she said innocently. “I was just stopping by before work—just as I promised. I must say, Miss Kafka, you are giving me mixed signals. Don’t you want to see me?”

Himeko leaned in slightly at the last few words, causing Kafka to blush and take a step back. The power dynamic between the two had shifted quickly that morning, and both of them could feel it.

“Now, now, Miss Himeko, I’m not the one who walked into the cafe looking—” Kafka stopped herself. Looking  what? Like heaven? Perfect? Hot and incredible? Absolutely delectable in every possible way? “Looking like that!”

I’m an idiot, Kafka thought to herself.

“Miss Himeko, you can’t expect me not to react when you’re—well… you look beautiful this morning. It’s hard to focus…” Kafka gave in, letting the blush overtake her. It was too early, and she was not equipped for the whole look.

Himeko stopped for a moment and took a step towards Kafka. “You know,” she said slowly, leaning down to whisper into Kafka’s ear, “after all your teasing—that was quite the point.”

Kafka tried to collect herself. It wasn’t like her to lose herself like this. “So…” she said, changing the subject and taking one small step away, “where would you like to go with me this weekend? A restaurant for dinner? Or maybe apple picking outside of the city? Or perhaps a visit to the coast to see the beach?”

Kafka hoped this would provide enough of a distraction for Himeko, giving Kafka space to breathe.

“Hmmm—why don’t we do dinner? There’s a nice place that I love by the North End and—well, it would be nice to get out of here for a bit.” As Himeko spoke, she turned to Kafka, taking a loose strand of her hair and tucking it behind her ear.

Too cute.

“That sounds good—Friday at 7:30? We can meet outside the shop and take the train over, if you don’t mind walking a bit.” Kafka tilted her head, waiting for Himeko to respond, but before she could process anything, Himeko was back on the offensive.

“I suppose I could wear more comfortable shoes,” she said, pulling Kafka’s gaze down the length of her skirt. “Though these are so cute—aren’t they, Kafka?” As she asked the question, she turned, giving Kafka the full view of her back, thighs, and calves. She lifted one foot to show Kafka the soles underneath.

It really wasn’t fair.

Himeko turned back, a wide mischievous grin playing on her lips. “This is my building—so I suppose I need to go in now…”

Kafka stood there, dumbfounded. Himeko had been one to flirt back and forth, but Kafka was not equipped for this full flirt offensive. This time, Kafka stepped toward Himeko, gathering her courage. “If you need to go, then I suppose I can walk back to the shop. I hope, though, that you’ll deign to visit me later.” Kafka gathered up what little pride she had left and stepped toward Himeko, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Himeko’s confidence broke, and her breath hitched. This time, Kafka was the one smiling as she stepped back. “Have a good day, Miss Himeko.”

As Himeko walked into her office, she slowly transformed. Gone was her blazer, replaced by a cozy oversized sweater. Her makeup was hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses. Himeko settled down to work.

As the day ticked by, she was surprised to find Stelle standing by her desk. “Hey!” Himeko said in a sweet tone, “What’s up?”

Stelle looked at her for a moment before finally speaking. “Uhh, I went to the cafe and, um—Kafka told me to give this to you.” Stelle handed her a small cup.

“Wait, what—how do you even—Stelle, no wait—how do you even know Kafka?” Himeko was surprised. Stelle had always been pretty sensitive and quiet, occasionally teasing but never revealing too much.

Stelle blushed. “Um, well, I had gone to see Firefly…” She trailed off as realization hit Himeko—Stelle and Firefly…

“Firefly? I mean—are you two, um—well, how did you connect?” Himeko felt like an awkward mom trying to get to know her child.

Stelle looked around the office and then finally sat down in a chair next to Himeko. “After the bar last weekend we—um, well, we talked a lot, and um, she’s really nice.” Stelle blushed as if remembering something and then quickly shook her head.

“I like talking to her, and she doesn’t mind when I talk about the things I like—even if they’re a bit weird.” Stelle gave an awkward laugh that Himeko was all too familiar with—she was downplaying her interests again.

“Well,” Himeko said matter-of-factly, “we all have our strange interests. Did you know I like to fix up coffee machines in my spare time?” Himeko gave Stelle a warm, comforting smile. “I’m glad you and Firefly are—friends?” At the mention of “friends,” Stelle’s face grew hot once more. Aha.

Himeko sighed before deciding that being direct would be more effective. “So, did you ask her out yet?”

“What?! No, I mean—I want to but, I mean if I do—like—what if, I mean she might not…”

“Hey, shh, it’s okay. Calm down, Stelle—it’s okay. When you two were at the bar, she seemed really interested; that’s why I asked.”

“SHE DID?” Stelle said just a little too loudly.

Himeko chuckled. “Stelle, you two spent the whole night talking—you didn’t think maybe she liked you?”

Stelle seemed to wilt. “I thought she was just bored… Today she texted me saying she was bored and asking if I wanted a coffee. When I went to pick it up, she gave me this and Kafka gave me one for you.”

Himeko gave Stelle a look and waited. One. Two. Three…

“OH GOD—Himeko, could I go—um, can I—well, I’ll be back in a bit?”

Himeko couldn’t help but laugh. “Go ahead, Stelle. I’ll tell people you’re busy in the group meeting this afternoon. Oh, and can you do me a favor?” She paused and turned, scribbling something on a post-it note and folding it up. “Can you give this to Kafka?”

Chapter Text

Kafka had gone to the backroom. When Firefly’s ‘friend’ came in, Kafka recognized her immediately. She’d seen her with Firefly a few times now. The girl always came in, got an iced coffee, and stood awkwardly to the side to chat with Firefly in between customers.

This time, though, the girl came up to Kafka and stared at her for a second before saying, “Uh, Himeko told me to give, um, this to you…” She handed Kafka a folded piece of paper and then scurried off to talk with Firefly. Kafka noticed she looked a bit more frantic than usual, but she couldn’t hear their conversation over the pounding in her ears. It was as if hearing Himeko’s name had doubled her sensitivity to everything around her.

The smell of the roasted coffee flooded her senses, bringing back memories of it lingering on Himeko’s skin. The warm canned lights suddenly felt too bright. Kafka held the paper in her hands and decided to go to the back to look at it. She unfolded the paper delicately, afraid of possibly destroying whatever was written inside. The flash of red was the first thing she saw.

The feelings that overcame her were all-encompassing. She was blushing, embarrassed—but at the same time, she felt hot and giddy. It was just a piece of paper, just one line, and it was just enough.

Kafka let herself settle for a few minutes before going back outside to check in on Firefly who, to her surprise, seemed to be in quite a similar state. The young woman was completely red, quietly looking at the floor. The other gray-haired girl was nowhere to be found. Kafka sobered up for a moment and walked over to Firefly.

“Hey, are you okay? You look a little out of it…” Firefly looked up at her with a face that was a mixture of anxiety and eyes brimming with tears.

“Kafka… I…” she started with a voice that worried Kafka. “I think… I have a girlfriend, oh my god.”

Firefly crouched to the ground, covering her face. “Stelle asked me to be her girlfriend and I just said yes!!”

Kafka stared at her in confusion. “Wait, so you… didn’t you just meet her?”

“I did…” said a small voice from the floor.

“But, do you like her?”

“I do,” said the voice, even smaller this time.

“Have you two gone out at all?”

“No… we’ve been texting every day and she keeps coming by for coffee and I was hoping she’d just ask me out and I was trying to ask her out earlier today but then she just came in here and asked me to be her girlfriend!! I JUST SAID YES.” Firefly stood up and grabbed Kafka’s apron. “Am I stupid?!”

At this, Kafka finally broke. She burst out laughing. “Oh honey, that’s between you and her! She seems like a sweet girl at least, so good luck.”

It was nice, being able to talk like this with Firefly. It helped Kafka forget the incessant desire that had kept her distracted all morning. But nothing could make her forget the small piece of paper that was burning a hole in her pocket.

It was 2 PM when Kafka went back to pick up her stuff and leave. Blade was set to arrive in an hour, and Firefly was all set to handle things on her own until then. Usually, Kafka simply packed her things and left, but today she couldn't help but feel like something was holding her back.

She knew what it was, of course. Well, who it was—Himeko had been on Kafka’s mind all day. The outfit, the note, it was all too much, and she had been unable to think of anything else. The truth was that both she and Firefly were leaving Blade with a mess of unorganised orders and mismatched timers, and Kafka had no real ability to fix that.

She made a small mental note to give Blade an extra day off and take over an afternoon for no other reason than good will. As she gathered her things, she thought back to all of her messages with Himeko and smiled.

Kafka grabbed a bag of their dark roast and set the grinder to a medium French press grind. She waited as the loud metal burrs ground down the coffee, notes of earth and chocolate suffusing the air around her. Once the coffee was secured back in the bag, she bid her farewells to Firefly and began to walk to Himeko’s building.

For all that Himeko had prepared herself for a girlboss day that morning, almost everything that could go wrong had indeed gone wrong. Once Stelle left, she found an email from the IPC’s director of finance and strategic investment—Jade. The email was sent to both Himeko and Welt.

It contained a simple note stating that in the next few days, the IPC expected data packets with records of all financial data from the Astral Express and that they would be doing an audit of their finances before approving the investment. Himeko separately received another message, this time from Topaz.

Himeko was familiar with Topaz at this point. Not only had they been working together for this, but she’d seen Topaz a few times at Dreamjolt, though not in almost a year. The email from Topaz was a bit friendlier. In it, Topaz explained that while they normally look at the financial records of any companies they invest in, she would personally come along to help Miss Jade with the auditing and ‘help facilitate communication,’ whatever that meant.

Himeko had taken time to talk to Welt, and every person on the team began to work, pulling up records. Stelle put together a database for them to organise their financial data. Misha grabbed any records of spending for admin and facilities. Dan Heng looked through licensing and software purchases. March looked through third-party contracts. Together, they began putting their portfolio together for Jade.

Himeko’s phone rang, and she jumped. She had been so focused on reviewing her data that the sound was enough to startle her. She looked down at the screen.

Kafka.

Himeko quickly grabbed her phone and walked into a nearby hallway. She swiped on her phone and answered the call. “Kafka? Is everything okay? I—uh…”

She was trying to not sound worried, or stressed, or tired, or really any negative emotion. She had put so much work into being confident and assertive and sexy this morning, but the day was taking everything from her.

“Hey,” Kafka said, letting the ‘eyyyyy’ drag on. “I know you’re probably busy, but after your, um—ahem, note earlier today, I wanted to bring you a little something… you know, before I left for the afternoon.”

Fuck.

Himeko had been expecting to be able to stop by the cafe before Kafka’s shift was done, but staring at the clock now, she realized she had lost track of time. “Oh! That’s actually… That’s really sweet. Can I come down in a couple of minutes? I just want to wrap up what I had open.”

Himeko waited for only a moment before hearing Kafka respond, “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

And with that, it was off to the races. Gone were her comfy work shoes; she was slipping back into those heels one way or another. The hoodie slid off as quickly as it went on, and she fixed her shirt before foregoing the blazer entirely. She quickly grabbed some eyeliner and lipstick and ran to the bathroom. She let down her hair and arranged it as artfully as she could, retouching the eyeliner and lipstick.

OK, good, she thought as she began to step out of the bathroom.

“Whoa, you’re looking HOT today, Himeko—” March’s voice rang through the office louder than any of the fire drills they’d been forced to participate in that year.

“Ah, not now, March, I need to get downstairs—”

“Oh! Me too, don’t worry, I’ll go with you!” March said happily as she joined Himeko in the elevator. “So what’s with the outfits? Do you have a daaaate?”

Himeko sighed. “I don’t have a date. Do I really need a reason to get dressed up for work? We had a few meetings, and I wanted to look professional.”

“Okay, but next time you wanna look professional, you should undo the top button of your shirt like that…”

As they both stepped out of the elevator and walked to the door, Himeko saw her. March spoke first. “Hey, isn’t that the hot violinist—”

Himeko quickly stepped forward and nearly ran to Kafka. “Kafka! Hi, don’t mind Miss March, she was just moving along, right?”

March sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’ll see you in a bit,” and she walked off.

Kafka couldn't help but cover her mouth as she chuckled. “See you, Miss March!” she said with a casual wave. “Sooo,” Kafka said, drawing out the word as she turned to Himeko, “how's your day going?”

“Well, it was going fine until… Well—” Himeko sighed and leaned her head against Kafka’s shoulder. The contact was sweet and warm, sending shivers through Himeko’s body and into Kafka’s. The touch felt right, safe, and secure. To Himeko, it was exactly what she needed after everything that had been happening. She took a step back, immediately feeling the loss of contact.

“We’re getting audited, so… I guess I have a few long days and maybe even nights coming up…” Himeko said.

Kafka looked at her, tilting her head, and pulled out the small bag of coffee she had kept hidden behind her back. “Does this help?” she asked, grinning. “I noticed,” Kafka continued, “that when you made your French press coffee, the grind didn't look quite right, so I figured, well, if I can't make it for you, maybe I can help in other ways?” Kafka knew she was blushing. She knew she was being corny, but when it came to Himeko, she couldn't help herself.

Himeko grabbed the bag and brought it up to her nose, inhaling the warm, chocolatey scent of the coffee that seeped even through the bag. “Oh, Kafka…” She caught herself before she said anything else. She needed a moment to compose herself, to not say the first thing on her mind, to—

“Thank you,” Himeko said, hoping her words conveyed the meaning she intended. “This is, well, it’s very sweet. And I’m going to need it this week.”

Himeko sighed again. “Can I text you? I know you’re busy in the mornings, but maybe during the next few days... well, it’ll be harder, you see, to get to the shop. I don’t know how any of this is going, and the team has worked so hard…” She paused, thinking about how important this step was for her. “I’ve worked so hard, but I don’t want to… neglect this… whatever this is?” Her voice became shy at the mention of what their relationship might be.

Kafka looked at her warmly, a blush gracing her delicate features. “I’d like that. I know we still have a date to plan, right? Once you’re done with all this, why don’t I treat you?”

Chapter Text

When Himeko saw Jade for the first time, she was sauntering down the hall. Topaz had come an hour earlier and had explained, in a very apologetic tone, that Jade could sometimes be a little aggressive. She reassured them that the Astral Express had done nothing wrong and that they just needed to do this as a routine check, but everything about Jade's demeanor told her that something more was going on. There was a tension that Himeko couldn't quite pinpoint. Himeko had seen how- just before turning to greet HImeko, she had straightened her back and seemingly squared her shoulders- as if preparing herself. 

As Jade strolled confidently down the hall over to where Welt and Himeko were standing and waiting, Himeko offered her refreshments as she and Welt walked her to the office where she would be spending the week reviewing all the data they had compiled for her.

The office was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. A large grey modern desk stood in the centre, with neatly organised files and a computer setup. Outside her office, they had set up a small desk where Misha was stationed to help get Jade and Topaz anything they needed.

"Well, Miss Bonajade, is there anything else we can get you?" Himeko asked as Welt left the room to prepare for a meeting.

Jade sat behind the desk, looking cool and detached, her mere presence having an overbearing effect on the small room. Jade took her time, her eyes coldly taking in every detail of the room, as if appraising not only its contents but everyone in the room as well. "Why no, thank you, Miss Himeko…" Jade drew out the name in a way that made Himeko’s skin crawl. "As long as we have everything we need here, we can begin our exploration of the company. I’ll make sure to have… Miss Topaz ask you for anything else we might need." She spoke Topaz’ name with a warmth that seemed at odds with everything else Himeko had registered about her so far. 

Himeko couldn't help but notice the way she talked about Topaz and the way she had emphasized 'we.' Something about this made Himeko feel like she was intruding on their space—which was ridiculous as this was literally her office.

"Alright then," Himeko said with a nod. " I’ll be available if you need anything at all, and Misha is right outside as well," Himeko said, starting for the door.

Jade had already pulled up a file and begun to review it, her legal pad already marked with notations. "I'm sure I won't. Have a good day, Miss Himeko."

Himeko sighed as she walked outside, slumping a little. She knew that an audit process was stressful, but did she have to be such a bitch? she thought as she walked back to her empty cubicle.

At least it should have been empty—but sitting in her chair instead was Topaz.

"Ah! Uh, hi, Miss Himeko—do you think we could chat?" Topaz looked quite anxious as she stood before her, wringing her blazer in her hands..

Himeko’s face softened as she observed Topaz. Beautiful. Her short hair was cut in a confident bob, and as Himeko traced the contours of her face, she couldn't help but think that at another moment, she might have been trying to impress her. But her gaze fell on Topaz’s lips, and an image of Kafka flashed through her mind.

Goodness.

"Of course, Miss Topaz. So, do you want to find a room or…?" Himeko left the door open, not entirely sure what the other woman needed.

"Actually, do you think we could go for a walk? There's a coffee shop nearby, and I know Jade and I will need the caffeine if we want to finish everything ASAP…"

Himeko tilted her head—surely Topaz meant one of the dozens of other cafes nearby.

Himeko considered shooting Kafka a text message as they made their way in the general direction of Stellaron’s, but as they walked, Topaz just began to ramble. The streets were alive with the midday bustle of the city, the sound of footsteps echoing around them on the pavement, mingling with the distant hum of traffic and the occasional honk of a car horn. The sounds clashed with Topaz’ gentle and anxious voice as she began to speak. 

“I am so sorry for all of this, Himeko. It’s honestly my fault that Jade is here, and I know that everything will be okay, but it’s just so much undue stress, and I know it must have been a lot to prepare all of that in such a short amount of time.” Topaz stopped to take her first breath, but before she could start up again, Himeko reached out and put her hand on her forearm.

“Miss Topaz, what are you talking about? Isn’t this just a standard process?” Himeko was still trying to process everything Topaz was saying, but she had spoken so quickly that Himeko was reeling.

Topaz sighed and stood still. “Miss Himeko—can you keep a secret?”

Kafka couldn't help but smile as she saw Himeko walk in, but there was something different—well, two somethings. While Kafka had seen Himeko with an anxious or even frustrated demeanor a few times, this was the first time she had seen such a concerned expression. The other difference was the woman coming in with Himeko. The café was usually a cozy refuge from the busy street, the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee making patrons feel comforted the second they walked in. Which is why Himeko’s entrance and demeanour stood out, her worried face lit by the warm can lights of the cafe.

Kafka knew Himeko well enough to know this wasn't a flirtatious rendezvous, but she also knew herself well enough to feel a slight twinge of jealousy as the gray-haired woman clung to Himeko, touching her arm as she spoke too quickly for Kafka to understand. Himeko left her at a table and walked over to the counter, her expression brightening at the sight of Kafka.

“Hey there, beautiful,” Himeko said, the words sounding too honest for Kafka to form a coherent reply.

Kafka cleared her throat. “Hey, Himeko, how are you?” As she asked, she put her hand out over Himeko’s, giving her hand a gentle squeeze and letting the contact linger for a few seconds too long. The warmth of Himeko’s hand was a comfort, grounding her amidst the swirling emotions.

“What should I get you and your… friend?” Kafka had tried, oh how she had tried, to keep her voice flat, to not let the jealousy seep out, to just stay normal. But something about seeing her, Himeko—I mean, Himeko—coming in with another woman had made her feel frustrated. They had already had to put off seeing each other, going out, going on a date for work, and now— what, she just comes on a stroll? Kafka took a second to catch her breath, not wanting the feelings that were bubbling over to affect the brew.

“She’s from the company investing in our company,” Himeko said, her voice a little too gentle, as if she were soothing a child. “It turns out that, through some actions on her part, this audit might be a bit more intense than we expected… And… Well, it’s just going to be a long week. Can you just get her a vanilla latte?”

Kafka could hear the exhaustion in Himeko’s voice and felt guilty. She knew Himeko was working hard, and when they had texted these past few days, Himeko did her best to respond. And of course, Kafka reminded herself, we aren’t even dating yet.

Kafka finished the first coffee, one that Himeko had not ordered. The rich, earthy aroma filled the air as she turned around and slid the warm ceramic cup to Himeko. The cup was different from the other sleek black ceramic cups the shop used; this one had a red line painted along the rim, the bright red standing out vividly against the deep black.

"This is for you, on the house. I don’t fully understand what you do for a living, and"—she stopped Himeko with a swift gesture—"I’ll have time to learn all about it later, but even I can see that you’re tired and stressed, babe. Drink this, and I’ll bring the rest of your order to you… Oh, and," she added, running her finger gently along the rim and then up Himeko’s hand, tracing a path up to her wrist, "I got this mug special for you, so be gentle." She punctuated her joke with a wink, finally eliciting a smile from Himeko.

"Thank you, Kafka," Himeko said earnestly. She began to walk away but stopped herself, turning back to the counter and pushing herself up on her toes to plant a delicate, feathery kiss on Kafka’s cheek before she finally walked away.

The gentle press of her lips left a tingling warmth on Kafka’s cheek, and the subtle scent of Himeko’s perfume lingered in the air—a sweet, floral note that mingled with the rich aroma of the coffee. Kafka watched her go, a soft smile playing on her lips as she returned to her work, the moment of contact a bright spot in her otherwise busy day.

As Himeko returned to the table, she noticed Topaz eyeing her curiously. "You, uh, know the barista here, I guess…?" The unspoken question lingered in the air as Himeko considered how to respond. She took a deep breath and then a warm sip of the coffee Kafka had made in the special red-rimmed mug. The flavors enveloped her tongue—warmth, chocolate, and wood, with scintillating bursts of acidity that brightened the undertones from the roasting process. Kafka really was incredible...

Setting the mug down, she finally responded, "She's… someone I’m interested in, I suppose, but we’re getting to know each other right now. She’s… nice."

Himeko couldn’t quite read Topaz's expression, but she noticed the woman relax. Kafka walked over with an unassuming ceramic cup, glancing at Topaz, then at the cup, and back at her. "Do you want whipped cream? You look like you do." Topaz’s face reddened as the flirtatious tone affected her.

"Um, sure," she said quietly. Kafka pulled out a whipped cream dispenser from her apron and placed a generous dollop on top. She gave Topaz a beaming smile and added, "There you go, just a bit sweeter."

Up until this point, Himeko had not had the pleasure of seeing Kafka’s charm turned on anyone else. While part of her was impressed, she couldn’t help but feel a small prickle of something much more annoying underneath it. It wasn’t that she didn’t think Kafka could, or even should, be charming—after all, that was half of a barista’s job. No, she just didn’t enjoy seeing it.

"What about you, Starlight? Want a little bit?" Kafka’s tone was more gentle, affection seeping through in a way that felt different from the smooth charm Himeko had just witnessed. Himeko looked up to find that Kafka was, in fact, speaking to her directly.

Starlight…

"Um… sure." Himeko knew that whipped cream didn’t, in fact, belong in her espresso. Kafka knew that Himeko didn’t want whipped cream in her coffee. Himeko knew that Kafka knew she didn’t want it—and yet, Kafka leaned over and placed a small, delicate dollop right in the center.

"One espresso con panna for you, Miss Himeko," Kafka said with a gentle smile and a quick wink before walking away.

Himeko couldn’t help but smile into her mug as she took a sip, the cold, sweet cream contrasting delightfully against the tangy acidity of the coffee. The richness of the cream softened the sharpness of the espresso, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that danced on her tongue. Himeko took a moment to reassess, in all her years enjoying and drinking coffee she had considered any milk in her brew an unfortunate intrusion in the flavours of the beans.  Yet somehow kafka, with a simple dollop of cream, had made a delicious amalgamation of flavour, the fat dispersing within the drink in a way that delighted Himeko’s senses.

 She put the mug down and looked straight at Topaz. “Alright, so what did you want to say?”

Topaz sighed and set her own mug down. “You’re getting audited, and it’s my fault.” She let out a breath and continued, "Jade is my… partner? Lover? We’re something. And you see…”

Himeko noticed Topaz’s face reddening as she stared intently into her mug. “I asked Welt, about you—you know? I wanted to know if… Well, you’re beautiful, and… I figured if I took you out for a drink, I would make Jade jealous.”

Topaz covered her face with her hands. "Mrph, mrphrnrf srfrnwsrf smrt."

Himeko tilted her head, “What?”

Topaz finally lowered her hands, her face burning with embarrassment. “Look, I never said it was a smart idea. I thought I could maybe make her a little jealous, get her to react, but… somehow… it became this. But!” Topaz added quickly before Himeko could comment, “I can fix this. I know I have to talk to Jade, but I also will stay and make sure the whole audit goes smoothly—I know she wouldn’t intentionally do anything to mess you up, she’s…”

As Topaz spoke about Jade, Himeko could sense the warmth in her words, a tenderness that softened her confession.

“Alright, if you think we can make this work, Topaz, I trust you.”

Chapter Text

Four. Days. Himeko had been at Jade’s beck and call for four days, and she was starting to lose her mind.

Why am I even doing this? It should be literally anyone else . But Himeko knew—Jade was already jealous after the stunt Topaz had pulled, and running into Topaz and Himeko coming back from the café only added fuel to the fire. Even though Topaz had told her that she had talked to Jade, Jade still maintained the same cold demeanour.

Himeko had one thing going for her—this afternoon, at around two, Kafka was going to bring her coffee. The steady supply of caffeine from the shop, sometimes picked up by Himeko, sometimes brought over by a flustered Stelle, and sometimes left in the lobby, had been her saving grace. Most people would have worried about her caffeine intake during this time, but somehow Kafka seemed to wholly support her, bringing more coffee than she should surely be consuming.

Himeko glanced at the clock—just a few minutes to two, and she’d be able to go down and pick up her coffee. She’d been stuck at her cubicle, pulling data and formatting documents to print out for Jade for the past hour, while the rest of the team had gone to lunch.

“Well now, Starlight, I like the place. It’s a bit stiff for me, but I think it might suit you.”

For a moment, Himeko thought she had finally lost it and was hallucinating the sweet, low, scintillating voice of her favourite barista, but when she turned, she found herself face to face with long, dark violet hair and immaculate lipstick.

“Kafka, how did—?”

Kafka smiled. “Don’t worry, boss, I’m not a security risk, I promise,” she said, making a small cross over her heart. “Stelle let me in. I’m here to bring your afternoon delivery, miss.” Her tone was flirty and irreverent, but she moved slowly and deliberately, carefully placing a reusable black tumbler in front of Himeko, along with a couple of boxes.

“At this point, Miss Himeko,” Kafka said in response to Himeko’s questioning look, “I already know you haven’t eaten. In fact, if any of our conversations this week are to be believed, you maybe eat once a day and are fueled entirely by coffee. Now, I, of course, know that’s incorrect—right?” Her question left little room for Himeko to protest as she opened one of the boxes to reveal a small packed charcuterie board.

“I haven’t had a chance to really dial in on what you love, so, in the meantime… well, I grabbed a bit of everything.” Kafka’s voice softened, as if she was embarrassed to admit she’d even been that thoughtful. She looked around and pulled a chair from a nearby cubicle. She sat beside Himeko and began pulling a few items out of her bag.

Two plates, two glasses, a bottle of something, and a few more boxes with unknown contents. “So,” Kafka started, exhaling as she organized her thoughts, “we haven’t had a chance to really go out, and well, this week seems like it’ll be tough. Stelle told me she had scheduled a meeting with you right about now?” Kafka said.

Himeko was suddenly reminded of a wet puppy.

“She did… She wanted to go over her project…” Himeko eyed Kafka warily as Kafka continued to open boxes and pull out different baked goods and snacks.

“So, well, that was me. I asked her if she could do this, maybe, give you a break? I know I’m overstepping—look. I’m aware that maybe this is a bit much, and if it is, you just tell me and I’ll walk right out. But I figured, if we can’t make any time to see each other—maybe we could steal it? Just an hour here. You need to eat anyway, and you already had a meeting, so… what do you say?”

There were many universes in which Himeko would have found this unbearable. Where the sheer audacity of assuming that she wanted something like this decided for her would have made her angry. There were times, places, and people who would have gotten this wrong. But somehow, in this small moment, in the mess of her grey cubicle, surrounded by small boxes of snacks, cheeses, meats, and crackers, she couldn’t think of one reason why she shouldn’t do this…

“I see you’re taking a break,” a cold voice said from just behind Kafka. Ah yes, there was her reason.

Jade.

“Jade, hi, we were… I was about to have a quick lunch.” Himeko kept her gaze steady as Jade looked at her. Jade’s eyes wandered over her cubicle, her messy desk, the open containers, and finally, Kafka.

“I suppose eating is important,” she said, her stern tone suffused with a light exhaustion. “I should probably do the same. I’ve been up since five, and honestly, aside from the breakfast that Miss Topaz brought me, I haven’t eaten a thing. I didn’t even manage to grab a coffee.”

Jade seemed to catch herself, straightening her posture with a sudden stiffness. “Ah well, Topaz was about to bring some food over. I wanted to see if you wanted an order as well, but I see you’re… taken care of. I’ll head back to the office.”

“Excuse me,” Kafka’s smooth voice cut through the tension like a knife through butter. “I was bringing coffee for my Starlight over here, but I brought an extra one—would you like a triple espresso, Miss…?” She let the offer dangle in the air, waiting for Jade to take the initiative.

Jade blinked, caught off guard for the briefest moment, before recovering her icy composure. “Ah, apologies. I’m Jade, Senior Director of the Strategic Investment Department of the IPC,” she rattled off her title with the precision of an automaton, each word crisp and sharp, “and I think I would greatly appreciate the coffee.”

For a fleeting moment, Himeko could’ve sworn she saw something soften in Jade’s expression, a crack in her frosty demeanor as she accepted the coffee with a nod. She began to walk away, but after a few paces, she stopped and turned back to Himeko. “Miss Himeko, why don’t you… cancel our meeting later. We’ve been running hard this week, and perhaps a bit more time to rest will do us good. You and your… friend can enjoy a longer lunch.” Jade’s usual cold smirk flickered back into place as she walked away, heels clicking decisively against the polished floor.

Himeko just stared. She glanced at the now empty hallway, then back at Kafka, and then again at the hallway. “My god, that’s the nicest she’s been all week!” Himeko exclaimed in a conspiratorial whisper. She grabbed Kafka’s hand, eyes wide with disbelief. “I could kiss you, that was incredible!”

Himeko’s giddiness evaporated as she realized what she had just said. 

The blush that crept up her arms bloomed onto her cheeks, spreading like wildfire and nearly matching her hair. She quickly let go of Kafka’s hand and shifted awkwardly in her chair, turning her attention to the food.

“So, um, why don’t we eat?” she muttered, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

As her eyes met Kafka’s, she noticed the dumb smirk plastered on the other woman’s face. Before Kafka could say anything, Himeko had already picked up a cracker with cheese and offered it directly to her mouth, a playful yet slightly desperate distraction.

For the next hour, they sat comfortably, savoring the food and each other’s company. The office, usually sterile and businesslike, felt strangely intimate. It was a little different, sitting next to each other like this, surrounded by paperwork and screens, yet Himeko felt as comfortable as if they were lounging on a blanket in the middle of a sun-dappled park. She could have sworn she felt the warmth of sunlight filling her, soft and steady.

They exchanged small touches and lingering glances—nothing overt, but each brush of fingers or shared look seemed to ignite a new warmth inside her. Each bit of contact sent a ripple of heat straight to her core. It was a dangerous game, one she wouldn’t usually allow herself to play, but with Kafka, she found herself lost in every subtle moment, like the slow buildup of the rising tide.

“You look satisfied, Miss Himeko,” Kafka purred, her voice dripping with amusement. She glanced toward the empty glasses and plates, offering Himeko another million-dollar smirk with a teasing arched eyebrow.

Himeko found herself smiling back, feeling bold enough to lean into Kafka’s personal space, her lips just grazing her ear. “It was almost enough to satisfy, but I might still be a bit hungry…” she let her voice trail off ensuring that as she exhaled her breath hit directly against Kafka’s neck. 

The effect was immediate. Kafka’s body tensed, her breath hitching slightly as she swallowed down the sudden quiet that had overtaken her. Himeko pulled back with a triumphant smile, relishing the flush that spread across Kafka’s features. Her normally calm and confident demeanour was gone, replaced with a darkness in her eyes that Himeko knew all too well. It was the same look she herself wore, a reflection of the quiet desire they shared.

“Ahem, so… Kafka, are you done with your shift for now?”

 The sudden change of subject was the only thing Himeko could think of to break the spell that had wrapped itself around them both. She could barely focus. Even without her next meeting, they hadn’t even—

Her thoughts stopped entirely as Kafka took her hand again.

Kafka’s fingers were rough but gentle, a contrast Himeko had come to love. From afar, they had always seemed graceful and delicate, but Himeko knew how much work they had done—both at the café and in her music. The calluses that marred the surface of her skin told a story with every touch, a story of hard work, patience, and strength. And they were warm, so warm.

Himeko lost herself in the sensation of Kafka’s hand enveloping hers. But then, she felt something new. Soft lips traced lazy lines across her knuckles, warm breath teasing the back of her hand. She found herself face-to-face with those dark violet eyes, eyes that were drenched in desire.

“I… have a few plans. I have to practice, you see,” Kafka murmured, her voice huskier than usual, as though she was straining to keep it steady. Her lips continued their languid journey across Himeko’s knuckles, the bottom one catching ever so slightly on the ridges of her skin, leaving a warm, tingling trail in its wake. The sensation was almost too much to bear, and Himeko struggled to keep herself from trembling.

“After my practice, though… I’m completely free. Why is that, Himeko?”

Himeko’s breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening as Kafka’s question hung in the air. The soft pressure of Kafka’s lips still lingered on her skin, leaving a warmth that made it difficult to focus. But before she could even begin to formulate a response, the sound of hurried footsteps snapped her out of the moment.

March, ever full of boundless, frenetic energy, lived up to her name as she marched straight into Himeko’s cubicle, completely oblivious to the moment developing within. 

At that moment, Himeko had a startling realisation: she had never had violent thoughts toward any of her office mates. For the most part, she got along well with everyone—March included. But now, with Kafka’s presence so close and the dizzying high from their earlier contact still fresh on her skin, she felt a sudden willingness she had never experienced. 

It wasn’t that March had done anything wrong; she was simply doing her job, like she always did. But as the energetic young woman plopped herself down on the edge of Himeko’s desk and began flipping through her notebook, completely oblivious, Himeko couldn’t help but feel a sudden, uncharacteristic urge to throttle her.

“Hey, Himeko! I’ve got-” 

It took a few seconds, it really did, but the second the lightbulb went off in March’s head she nodded to both Kafka and Himeko and stood stiffly “Actually you know what I think Dan Heng might want this info first! I’ll see you later!  Oh and uh- hi Kafka!” 

March left the room with uncharacteristically robotic movements, as if her body was fleeing before her mind could catch up. The door clicked softly behind her, and the sudden silence felt both heavy and liberating. Himeko sighed deeply, pulling her hand back from Kafka, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She knew March had caught her near-murderous glare, but it wasn’t until she looked at Kafka that she realised the other woman had seen it too.

Kafka leaned back in her chair, her violet eyes glittering with amusement. A genuine, bright laugh bubbled out of her, the sound filling the quiet office. It was the kind of laugh that made Himeko’s stomach flutter, warm and light. Kafka’s entire face lit up with the mirth, her usual smirk softened by the sincerity of it.

“Goodness, Starlight,” Kafka chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “It seems like you’ve got too much going on to have the time for anything else! I feel like a teenager caught sneaking around in the back of the music room.” Her tone was uncharacteristically sheepish, a stark contrast to her usual confidence.

“I’m so sorry,” Himeko groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting a sterile glow over her cluttered desk. “My space is usually open for anyone to stop by, so…”

“It’s okay, Starlight.” Kafka waved off her apology, her eyes still sparkling with amusement. “I probably shouldn’t be distracting you this much at work.” She threw in a wink, and just like that, Himeko’s blush returned with a vengeance, spreading up her neck and across her cheeks like wildfire.

“Okay, okay,” Himeko muttered, flustered as she began to gather the scattered papers on her desk, her fingers trembling slightly. “I suppose we can pack up. But you should be careful, Miss Kafka,” she added with a teasing grin. “You know, you might want to consider yourself lucky.”

Kafka raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but said nothing as she left the office.

_______________

The office felt lighter as the afternoon wore on, the earlier tension melting away. Whether it was the lingering warmth of lunch with Kafka or just the sense of accomplishment from surviving the week, Himeko wasn’t sure, but she felt revitalised. Jade returned to Himeko’s cubicle just before the end of the workday, her heels clicking softly against the tile. Without a word, stood by the edge of Himeko’s desk, her presence cool and composed as always. 

“You know,” Jade began, her voice low and measured, “I see many companies come and go. Each one that crosses my desk believes they’re the next big thing. The next best idea. But it’s rare to find a company that actually has the potential to live up to that expectation.”

Himeko, who had been in the process of organising her papers, immediately paused, bracing herself for what she expected to be another round of criticism. But Jade’s tone surprised her.

“In my time here,” Jade continued, her gaze steady, “you’ve kept everything organised, produced every piece of paperwork I’ve requested, and each one of you has managed to not only keep up with the demands but continue your projects diligently. I have to say, I’m impressed.” Jade gave a small, approving nod. “The Astral Express is a company with real potential. The IPC will continue to support the Astral Express, and I will personally recommend you for one of our partner engineering grants. Congratulations.”

With very little ceremony, Jade stood, extended a hand for a brief but firm handshake, and handed Himeko a folder before sauntering away as coolly as she had arrived.

Himeko stared at the folder for a moment, processing the abrupt turn of events, when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a text from Topaz.

Topaz: Hey! We’re going to head out! Thanks for the hard work and sorry again!
Himeko: I’m glad we were able to settle everything. I have to admit, I’m excited to return to my normal pace.
Topaz: I can only imagine. I’ve been on the other side of a Jade audit before—it’s terrifying. Don’t worry, you did great!
Topaz: That said, I do have something else I wanted to ask, if you don’t mind.
Topaz: Do you and your girlfriend want to join Jade and me for dinner one of these nights? Jade was impressed with your work and seems to like you!

Himeko stared at the message for a moment, blinking, she thought back to kafka, to all of the messages and time spent together, the touches and the gentle feel of her lips…. 

“Girlfriend, huh?