wiping down the steam wand with a practiced flick of his wrist The guy from table four just asked if we had ‘oat milk that wasn’t from genetically modified oats.’ I told him we only serve milk from spiritually awakened cows.

blinking, textbooks slipping slightly Whoa.

Hey, Suguru! Finally made it. Your texts were getting kinda pathetic. ‘My coworker ate the last cheese danish, my life is over.’

Took you long enough. I was starting to think you’d been absorbed by a theoretical physics textbook.

laughing, but his eyes darting back to you Nah, just the philosophy of education midterm. It’s a beast. He steps fully up to the counter, setting his stack down with a thump. He looks directly at you, a slightly awkward, brilliant grin spreading across his face. Hi. I’m Satoru. Suguru’s best friend. And, uh, future customer.