Cafe Serenity

"This is the worst." Rei groaned to himself, feeling his brows twitching in annoyance at the people in the cafe he is currently working at called Cafe Serenity.

Most of them have their hands tangled together as they enter and leave. People at the table remove breadcrumbs from each other's mouths and rub each other's hands. Others leaning closer and whispering sweet nothings. Is the universe testing him or something?

Can anyone just explain to him why he is working on Valentine's Day when he was supposed to be celebrating this special day with his 'boyfriend' in their apartment? Wait. Can he even call Haruo his boyfriend? He can't help but groan again, both of his hands rubbing on his face. He felt frustrated in his situation but he pouted when he remembered what Haruo replied to him over the text when he told him about his night shift.

: Night shift? It's okay. Actually, a teacher from the faculty invited us for a party so I may be late as well. Good luck with your work~

Good luck with your work? Party? He will be late? On Valentine's day? Rei drops his head, crying on the inside as he whines. He just wants to celebrate the day with his partner! He was expecting his partner to welcome him home with arms wide open, smiling before saying 'Welcome home! Is work hard?' and giving him chocolates before they cuddle on the sofa after a long day...

He sighed, dropping his head lower. "Reality is really different than expectation."

"Is something bothering you, Rei?"

Rei lifted his head, his teary sky blue eyes meeting with the curious and worried green eyes of the person in front of him. He faked a cough, straightening his apron and his back. He placed his phone in the pocket of his apron before giving his professional smile. This can't do. He can't let the people he works with worry about him. Work and personal matters should be separated!

"Nothing. Just thinking about how nice it was to celebrate Valentine's with your pair." Rei forced a laugh. "Don't you think so too, Norio?"

Norio nodded as he scanned the place in front of them, smiling fondly as if he is deep in thought. "Yes. It's nice. I wish I could celebrate it with my girlfriend but we're both busy with our part-time job..."

"Oh?" Rei gave him a cheek smirk. "So you do have a girlfriend?" 

Norio's eyes widened, feeling his face heating up and immediately shifting his attention to Rei. "N-No! I---"

"I wonder how will Kino react when she learns her favorite junior already got himself a girlfriend~" Rei thought, loud enough for Norio to hear as crossed his arms, his chin resting on his fist.

Norio sighed, facepalming and shivering at the thought of his two seniors talking about him. "Please don't go and gossip about me behind my back later."

"So... Both of you have a part-time job?" Rei asked, raising a brow.

Norio nodded as an answer. "Yes. She is providing for herself since her parents are in the province."

"Ohh..."

Rei smirked, amused at how Norio tried to hide his soft smile by lowering his head. Is this the beauty of love? Ahh~ Youth. The two flinched as they felt a menacing aura behind them and frozen when the sound of a thick book closing behind him echoed across the cafe.

"What are you two doing dilly-dallying here? Don't you have work to do?" Shit. They forgot about him.

Norio forced a smile before turning around and looking down at the person behind him. "Sorry about that, Mr. Miyoshi."

The black-haired man tilted his head up to glare at Norio who visually flinched before shifting his glare to Rei who also forced a smile, lips twitching. Honestly... He always wonders how the hell a man like him, whose height is not even reaching his shoulder, can emit such a menacing aura given that it is always directed at him. If it wasn't for his height, he will be mistaken for an Alpha. The two flitched as Mr. Miyoshi sighed loudly at the two of them.

"Continue on your work. The owner will be coming later so make sure you are on your best behavior." The two watched as Mr. Miyoshi tilted his glasses up using his middle finger before glaring at them under his glasses. "Always."

Mr. Miyoshi started walking past the two of them but stopped beside Rei, staring at him up and down as if mentally judging him before he continued walking and leaving Rei with his mouth wide open. What the hell is wrong with this shortie?! He and Norio then decided to continue their work.

"The owner is coming huh..." Rei thought as he walked to his station, smiling to himself.

Most Omegas and some Betas struggle to find some work. It is rare even for Betas to be at the top of the hierarchy which is always reserved for the Alphas. The Dominant Alphas are the one on the top of most types of Alphas though. What's so special about them? They can easily dominate what and whoever they want to because of their looks, wealth, and pheromones. The owner is the same but different than them.

It is said that Cafe Serenity was made for Betas and Omegas like him. Its purpose was to provide quick comfort and peace for their troubled minds through coffee which he finds weird at first. Why would a dominant Alpha like her care for Betas and Omegas like him, right? But she is the reason why Rei has work and could provide for himself. Most of the employees are even Betas and Omegas themselves. She is one of the few Alphas he looks up to even if they are close in age... Kotone Konya.

Rei continued smiling to himself as he thought of the time when he first joined the crew and how welcoming they are. That's right. She is different than other arrogant bastard Alphas like--- He stopped from his thoughts when the bell of the entrance rang which caught his attention.

"Welcome to---"

He immediately ran towards the entrance, smiling widely to welcome the customer but his mouth almost dropped when the very familiar black-haired guy turned his head around. Rei's wide sky blue eyes met the irritatingly intense gaze of the person's bright yellow eyes.

"Y-You! W-Why are you here?!" Rei exclaimed, pointing to Kyou whose eyes also widen at the sight of Rei before raising a brow at him. Yes. Kotone Konya is different than other arrogant bastard Alphas like him... Kyou Takahashi.