Hello, world [Kansuke / Work (Afternoon)]

"So you're here to... what. Learn about computers?" The Cipher Café owner scratched his cheek. "You look young - don't they teach IT at Seven Stars?"

At the mention of his school, Kansuke stuck his hands in his pockets. Between the chatter of the patrons and the hum of the computers lining the cubicles, he couldn't help but understand the owner's confusion. What would this raggedy youth in stitched jeans and broken shoes want in a tech-café? "I need some cash," he offered, quieted by the shame inherent in what he left unsaid.

"I can't put you in front of customers."

"I can work the kitchen. Clean the back - sweep when you're closed. Dust the - the computers. Whatever." He made a small show of tucking his hair behind his ears, hoping to make himself at least a little more presentable. "It's a big café for one guy, right?"

The owner took a look back to the counter, where the teen at the till proved Kansuke's observation very wrong. He shot a pitying smile his way, causing Kansuke to shrink back and prepare to leave. "You can't work here looking like that," said the owner, "Grab an apron, get in the kitchen. I want new shoes and a haircut the next time you swing by, alright?"

"You mean-"

The owner nodded. "What's your name?"

Despite himself, Kansuke broken into a relieved grin, shaking his hand as he introduced himself. At the owner's direction he rushed to the back of Cipher. He threw his hoodie off and hung it clumsily up, tying an apron over a plain black t-shirt. Suddenly the café wasn't filled with nerds and computers more expensive than his entire apartment furnishing. He saw the passion that the owner packed into every cubicle, every cable-tied wire, every shining screen and soy latte.

Per the owner's instruction, he saw it from a comfortable distance away from the patrons - not that most of them noticed the lanky young man flying about the kitchen, suds and towels flung about in his haste to keep pace with the Cipher Café's steady stream, busy as they were with browsing and breakfasting. Even the staff barely noticed him, seeing only the clean glasses and cutlery arriving in time for the next brew, the next snack, the next slice.

His separation allowed Kansuke an added bonus. A consistent worry that turned him away from the door of other café was the promise of customer interaction, putting his disdain for Endymion on the centre stage of every transaction. Out back, he kept quiet, focused on his work, and did well by the kindness of the owner.

During his fourth round of unloading the cleaner and delivering the trays, he stopped for a breath to see beyond the kitchen. Cipher maintained a steady stream of regulars through the day, each one a commuter or student, gamer or grandmother seeking the benefit of a computer with their coffee. He saw inboxes and login screens, search engines and streams, each one a half-chunk of screen blocked by the cubicle walls.

The owner cleared his throat. Kansuke jumped, hastening to look busy to his amusement. "It's alright," he assured, "I wanted to grab you, anyway. You're working hard."

"You're doing me a favour." Kansuke mumbled. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Not every part-timer works because they need cash. Some just do it because they're told to."

"Yeah, well." He scowled. "I gotta earn my keep."

"Not with that, you won't." The owner laughed, pointing to the dour expression. "Tidying up means smiling, too. Serving customers. Having you in the kitchen is fine, but if you're willing to get your hands on the rest of the work, I can give you more hours. Understand?"

He did. Despite his discomfort, Kansuke nodded agreement and unfolded his arms. "Right - back to it," said the owner, clapping Kansuke on the shoulder, "You can finish after lunch. Make sure you're getting all the suds out of the glass, alright? Messes with the coffee taste."

Kansuke headed back to the kitchen, finding himself smiling despite his typical sour nature. What started as a need to pay for his food swelled into a spark of pride and gratitude. More than the hollow fulfilment of the empty rebellions that landed him in this new mindset, he felt himself grasping at a purpose truer and truer with every passing day.

He smiled to himself. Thanking a creature knocking about inside one's head certainly seemed mad, but it felt appropriate.

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