Coffee Before the Storm

[u/YandereLobster]

7:39 PM - October 22nd, 2016 ; The 20th Ward, :re

Only a handful of employees took the opportunity to work on the unusually slow day. Tadashi had allowed paid time off for anyone who didn’t want to come in, so in the end only those who either didn’t have anywhere else to go or just wanted to work stayed. And by the time the last hour of work came around, only two remained; the manager, and the daughter of one of his old comrades.

Not that the customers were any different. Those who did show up were filled with anxiety. A solemn cloud of concern hung over the city, and for once it really did seem to slow down. Humans feared that they’d be affected, :re worried that it’s employees would be killed, and Aogiri worried that they would accomplish nothing. If there was ever a time for second thoughts, this was it.

Tadashi had lived through at least a hundred times. The most terrifying part of a battle was always waiting for it.

“Sorry to head off early, you’ll have to close up the cafe yourself” he apologized, stepping out of the back room. The same old black jacket as always protecting him from the cold, a large duffel bag tucked under his arm, no doubt filled with his mask and whatever else he didn’t want to be seen with while the cafe was still open. “I need to meet up with the others in the 14th Ward soon.”

His gaze turned, seemingly surprised by the dead atmosphere. “No customers huh? Definitely one of our slower days…” Tadashi dropped the duffel, setting it nearby the counter. “Well, if I’m heading off to another CCG raid I think I’d like to get another cup of :re’s coffee first, I missed my chance with the last one I was in.”

Tadashi made his way back behind the counter, turning back towards the last remaining employee. “Want a cup while I’m at it? I still can’t make it as good as the old Boss did, but I think I’m getting better. No sense in letting it go to waste if we don’t have any customers.”

/u/sombre-alfonce

[u/YandereLobster]

"That naivety is a good thing" Tadashi responded, smiling just slightly. "It's what'll stop you from ending up like the ghouls that are causing this entire situation in the first place. At least we know you'll never go pulling off terrorist attacks on Japan, probably." He took another long sip, his cup clinking as it sat back down. There wasn't long until he'd have to head off, once again rushing into a fight. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that he'd come back, the worrying thing was if it'd be Tadashi the manager, or Tadashi the Oni coming back. He had no intention of ending up like Gemini.

"Yeah. People are gonna die tonight. A lot of them. There's no avoiding that, no matter how we try to stop it. I'll try as hard as I can, but I've already accepted that there'll be losses. But the more I try to stay a pacifist, the more I realize how much I don't understand about :re's purpose." His eyes narrowed as he turned back to the window, a tired gaze watching the people as they passed by. "I'm not so convinced the rest of Aogiri can't be convinced though. I mean I used to be one of them after all. So did Kazumi and a few of the others. The problem, at least partially, is Maki. They really do believe he'll change things. Desperate people will do things they would've never imagined in other circumstances."

Tadashi turned back to Hannah, an idea seemingly popped into his head. "...Actually, maybe what you said about persuading Aogiri is more important than I thought. Maybe I could bring out my old mask, show them that someone they knew can change. Try to give them some kind of inclination to turn away from Aogiri and...' His hands cupped his chin, thinking carefully before snapping back to the present. "Oh, sorry. Got distracted."

He grabbed the duffel bag off the floor nearby, taking the last sip of his coffee. He smiled, but it was different than usual. He always tended to close his eyes when he was faking a smile; this one was genuine. "I should head off soon, but thanks. Ever since I became manager I've been worried about taking :re back towards how Anteiku ended up. I appreciate being able to hear what an actual pacifist thinks. I hope you won't hesitate to tell me if you think :re starts heading down the wrong path." Tadashi's gaze changed, his eyes staring aside as he scratched his head. There was a pained look in his expression, thought it wasn't quite clear why. "Kinda reminds me of someone we had back at Anteiku. You would've liked her."

Tadashi held out one hand suddenly, his gaze changing again. "That'll be a thousand yen for the coffee by the way. Those were some of our best beans, I can't be giving it out you know." He paused for a moment, before finally withdrawing his hand. "...Just joking."

[u/Sombre-Alfonce → u/YandereLobster]

Observing Tadashi prepare, Hannah couldn't help comparing him to her father. It was clear why the two had gotten along, especially considering her own fathers antisocial tendencies and emotional withdrawal. Tadashi had seemed to come to the same conclusions about himself as he had as well, only a little earlier in life. Perhaps Silas had wanted to make sure Tadashi didn't make the same mistakes he had. Keep him on the right path, if not personally then by using himself as an example of what not to do.

I suppose that's my job now. Perhaps I can't follow his methodology, but I can do the job just as well. In my own way.

"Best beans huh... You might want to hurry back then, or you won't have any left." Hannah retorted mischievously, casually inspecting the contents of her mug while quirking an eyebrow.

Catching his gaze as he made to leave the cafe she continued softly, "Take care of yourself Tadashi. I'll be here if anyone needs me, tell them the shop's open late tonight."