Our Favourite Barista
“Caramel latte, extra shot of caramel.” Onyx gleefully cheered as she pushed the paper cup of freshly made coffee toward the smiling woman at the window. A new regular, Onyx noted as this was the fifth time she’d made her coffee this week.
“Thank you, see you tomorrow,” the woman said waving as she strode off down the street. Onyx relaxed as she leant on the window counter looking out into the busy streets of Konoha. The Nyx café was as busy as it was every morning. The small, newly opened café had been Onyx’s dream for some time and since opening four months ago Nyx Café had become one of the most popular in the village. Even tempting the Hokage himself. Onyx knew she wanted something small and easy to handle on her own, not expecting people to flock to her. So, she’d bought a small window shop with a kitchen to bake her treats and enough room to store everything she needed to run a café. Her coffee machine was off to the side of the window, in view so she could chat with customers while she worked but also making it easy to hide from her mother.
Checking the time, Onyx grinned and got to work on the three coffees she knew would be picked up in only a few minutes. Her favourite order to make through the day, it was usually ordered two or three times a day and then on closing time they change it up and get some tea instead. Once the coffees were made Onyx placed them in a tray for transportation, just in time for them to be picked up and paid for.
“Latte with two sugars, hazelnut latte and a cappuccino with extra topping.” Onyx sang as Lady Shizune approached the counter just as she has every morning at 8.15 for the past two and a half months.
“You are a godsend Onyx,” the black-haired woman said as she picked up the cup with a large S for Shizune and sipped. A large hazelnut latte for Shizune, changing the size to a regular for her second round of coffee in three hours. “Best coffee in Konoha,” Shizune hummed as she sipped at her latte, “possibly the world.” Onyx smiled her best smile as the woman pulled out her purse to pay.
“I keep telling you, only ten,” Onyx said as the woman tried to hand over more coins than necessary. An order like this would usually cost around fifteen but Onyx liked to give the trio a discount. Not only were they her best customers but one of these coffees was bound for the Hokage himself.
“You are too kind Onyx,” Shizune said paying for the drinks, “See you later.” Onyx waved the woman off. Shizune always came past on her way into the Hokage tower and picked up coffees for herself, Lord Nara and the Hokage. Roughly three hours later the Hokage would send someone else to pick up the same order, and again a few hours later, and on closing, he’d send for tea. They were Onyx’s favourite coffees and teas to make and she always left a little treat for each coffee. Lord Nara was partial to the simple chocolate freckle; Onyx usually left a small piece of a caramel slice for Shizune and a honeycomb cube for Lord Hokage. Realizing she was in dire need of her own coffee; Onyx shook off her thoughts and got back to work.
*
“Our favourite barista was looking particularly cheerful today,” Shizune announced as she arrived at the Hokage’s office. “And she undercharged me again.”
“Of course she did, you’re buying for the Hokage,” Shikamaru bluntly said as he took his coffee from the tray along with the chocolate freckle. “Oh,” he said picking up the Hokage’s coffee and treat and passing it over to the older man, “particularly cheerful is right, Kakashi got two cubes today.”
“Ooooo,” Kakashi chimed as he excitedly grabbed for the treats and sneakily popped one into his mouth. “DelICioUS,” Kakashi mumbled taking a sip of his cappuccino.
“Alright get to work,” Shizune said.
“Damn gremlin,” Shikamaru added.
After three hours of doing Hokage things, Kakashi decided it was time for another coffee and called for someone to go pick them up. When they returned, they had two coffees in hand, Shizune decided to through a wrench into the routine and skip her 11.30 coffee. They passed the latte and two chocolate freckles to Shikamaru and the cappuccino to the Hokage, along with a small paper bag.
“What’s this?” Kakashi questioned.
“Onyx just said they wanted you to try it.” The shinobi replied before fleeing the office. Kakashi opened the bag to find his usual honeycomb cube as well as two freshly baked macrons and a note.
Not exactly my specialty, trying to perfect it. Care to taste test?
Kakashi hummed to himself as he examined the new treat. Once again, he sneakily popped it into his mouth and enjoyed it thoroughly It was delicious.
Onyx ran the Nyx Cafe by herself. She made all the treats herself and put a lot of love and effort into her treats and her coffee. It was Kakashi’s favourite café, he’d found it not long after he was appointed Hokage and instantly fell in love with the coffee. Soon enough almost everyone in the Hokage tower had made it their regular coffee place, as did most of the shinobi. He’d recognized Onyx the moment he saw her, she was once a shinobi but hung up her hand band after the war. He was there with Lady Tsunade when Onyx declared her decision to leave the shinobi life behind. He never got the story as to why but if he were being honest, he was thankful, otherwise, he wouldn’t have access to Konoha’s best coffee.
Kakashi moved on with his work as he enjoyed his perfectly made coffee. Once again, a few hours later he sent for another coffee, and once again received two honeycomb cubes. It was more than Kakashi was used to and wasn’t partial to so many sweet things in one day. But of course, he ate them anyway.
----
Kakashi yawned as he left the building and turned toward home. He’d sent Shikamaru and Shizune home early as they’d been working extra hard the past week and wanted to give them a break. So, he’d stayed back later than usual to pick up the slack, not that it was their job anyway, he figured it was the least he could do. Maybe he should treat them with something special. Realising sending the others home and staying late to get as much done as possible had kept his mind so distracted he never sent for his tea. Nyx Café wasn’t far from the Hokage building and it was only a four or so minutes out of the way from where he was headed. So Kakashi redirected and made a beeline for his favourite barista.
“Don’t tell me you’re closed,” Kakashi said approaching the window, noting Onyx seemed to be cleaning the machine. Onyx’s head shot up at the sound of his voice, her grey eyes wide as she registered who she was looking at. Kakashi watched as Onyx’s head slightly shook and she gathered herself, offering Kakashi a fond smile.
“Lord Hokage,” she said looking at the machine she was currently cleaning, “you’re late?” she said, stating a fact, yet asking a question. “I was expecting someone for five... not six-thirty,” she stated checking her watch.
“I know,” Kakashi said leaning on the counter, “I sent everyone home early and got too engrossed in all my work I totally forgot.” Onyx huffed and put the group handles for the coffee machine upright into a small container to be soaked. She moved away from the machine and toward Kakashi.
“Till’s closed and I just turned the machine off,” she said bracing her forearms on the counter in front of the Hokage. She watched Kakashi’s face fall in disappointment and her chest felt too tight. “I just turned it off,” she said, “so it should still be warmed up enough for one cup of tea.” Kakashi’s face lit up as he smiled brightly at the barista from behind his mask.
“Goddess,” he muttered.
*
“Morning My Lady,” Onyx said passing over the ready-made coffees to the black-haired woman as she approached the window.
“Ah thank you Onyx,” Shizune said placing the money on the counter and taking the tray of coffees. Onyx picked it up and threw it into the till as Shizune gave her a strange look. Onyx wordlessly waved the woman off.
*
“Hmm.”
“I swear if you do that one for time, I’m destroying your favourite pen.”
“I’m Hokage you can’t threaten me Shikamaru,” Kakashi mumbled as he moved said pen from the desk to the draw.
“Well, bit too late for that,” the Nara said with a blank expression. “What’s wrong with you? Why do you keep hmming.”
“My coffee...” the Hokage said absentmindedly, “it’s different.” Shizune looked up from her papers with an odd look on her face. “Onyx is upset today.”
“She did seem to be in a rotten mood when I saw her.” Shizune chimed in, “She was kind of rude, to be honest, and she didn’t give us any treats.” The black-haired woman huffed as she rearranged her papers.
“Everyone has bad days. The coffee is still great as always, and she doesn’t owe us treats, we never pay for them.” Shikamaru spoke up taking a swig of his latte. “If anything, we owe her.” He eyed Shizune as he heard the faint scoff from her corner of the office.
Kakashi took a sip of his coffee, immediately recognizing the barista’s mood to be pissed off. Onyx makes perfect coffee every time, but Kakashi can always tell her mood by the way his coffee tastes. When she’s upset, the milk consistency is lower than normal and the froth is less... frothy. When she’s angry or pissed off, the temperature is usually higher, and you end up with extra froth. No matter what the coffee is still delicious and it's unlikely most people would notice these differences, but Kakashi Hatake is an observant man.
Kakashi went on with his paperwork. So, so much paperwork. He found his mind wandering more than usual over the next three hours. He made a decision he knew Shikamaru would not be happy with but also not bothered enough to stop him. Hopefully, Shizune wouldn’t be either.
Finally, eleven am came around and Kakashi abruptly stood from his chair and made for the door. “Coffee run, I’ll get it this time.” He caught the agitated look on Nara’s face that made him cringe but the young man didn’t move from his seat. Before his advisors could protest Kakashi had already disappeared behind to door and was racing down the halls. He needed a break from all the paperwork, his eyes were stinging, and his patience was thinning. He quickly made his way through the streets and toward Nyx Café only to find a very pissed off looking barista talking to an older man. Talking probably wasn’t the right word.
“It's stealing is what it is, you have no right!” Kakashi heard the man yelling at Onyx as she stood there silently waiting for the man to finish ranting. “This is ridiculous, what makes you think you can charge this much for a coffee! This is why women should stick to the house chores, you clearly have no idea how to run a business!” Kakashi approached and was ready to intervene when Onyx finally found an opening to defend herself.
“I’ll tell you what’s ridiculous, a sad old man who can’t find anything better to do with his time other than abuse someone for raising the price of an item in their shop by 5 cents, 5 CENTS!” She yelled, taking a second to breathe, she continued. “This is my business, and I will charge what I believe my products are worth in order to keep my business open.” Onyx paused taking notice of Kakashi stepping up to the counter. “I’m not going to stand here and take abuse from a man so entitled he doesn’t believe anyone bar him is worthy of basic human decency. Now get lost, I have things to do.”
“How dar-“ the man started, his face turning red with rage.
“Oi, seriously, 5 scents?” Kakashi interrupted, the man moved to bow as he registered who stood before him, “you heard her get lost,” Kakashi ordered, sending the man scattering through the village.
“Lord Hokage?” Onyx spoke up, questioning his presence as he usually sends someone else to pick up the coffees, and they usually aren’t here his early. Kakashi focused his attention on the barista, looking her up and down, confirming his suspicion of her mood.
Onyx’s short, fluffy green hair she usually wears down was messily thrown into a bun on the back of her head. Her contacts were absent and replaced by a pair of round golden glasses, the usual eyeshadow and eyeliner missing as well as the barely noticeable lip-gloss she always wears. Her apron was covered in cream, chocolate powder and coffee grinds. A smudge of chocolate powder lay on her right cheek and some on her nose as well. Her usually bright grey eyes suddenly resembled kunai aimed at him and her clothes which were generally picked out carefully were currently, a simple black top and shorts.
“The usual, Lord Hokage?” Onyx asked bluntly after Kakashi took too long to speak up.
“Ah yes,” he replied, “are you feeling alright Onyx?” He asked as she began making his coffees, Onyx sighed and eyed him as she got to work.
“He’s not my first ass of a customer, I’m fine,” Onyx said, silently yelling at herself for cursing at the Hokage. She focused her attention on the coffee, her eyes hard like daggers.
“I’m sure, but that’s not what I meant,” Kakashi lent over the counter next to her ready to question her some more. “My coffee was hotter than usual this morning and I got more froth than usual.”
“Oh!” Onyx exclaimed almost dropping the steaming jug of milk. Instead knocking over the chocolate shaker in her effort to catch the milk jug. Taking a moment to breathe as she reached for the rag to clean up the spilled chocolate. “I’m sorry about your coffee My Lord, I can refund you.”
“No, no, no,” Kakashi blurted out, “It really wasn’t much of a difference. No one else noticed.” The Hokage rambled, trying to reassure the barista. “It’s just, I’ve noticed, when that happens it usually means you’re mad about something” He stated as if the two had been lifelong friends.
“Because you know me so well,” Onyx laughed, her face turning sour and her breathing heavy.
“I am simply, very observant,” Kakashi stated, his tone low and gruffy. “You know I’m a great listener…” Onyx sighed as she turned the steaming wand off and inspected the freshly heated milk.
“Huh…” she said looking up at Kakashi and then back down at the milk. “This does have more froth than usual…” Onyx said under their breath, just loud enough for Kakashi to grin smugly at the realization. Onyx swirled the milk jug and banged it on the benchtop to get rid of the few bubbles and reached for the cup with the coffee shots in it. Kakashi was still staring at her expectantly as she worked, breathing slowly she rolled her eyes and gave in.
“My mother,” Onyx started, “is a serious pain in the ass and is determined to make my life miserable.” She explained and Kakashi watched as she expertly poured the milk and created beautiful latte art for Shikamaru’s latte. Kakashi stayed silent as Onyx moved to get the coffee shot and syrup for Shizune’s coffee whilst also putting the milk on to heat and froth.
“She bangs on my door at eleven o’clock at night and barges in as if she owns the place,” Onyx continued, moving to prepare for Kakashi’s cappuccino. “Only to inform me she’d arranged a blind date with some random man I’ve never met who’s apparently the son of a friend of hers,” she moved the milk jug away from the wand and grabbed the cloth to wipe the wand, “as if I should know or care about any of her friends.” Once again banging the bubbles out of the milk, “apparently she’s decided it’s time for me to get married and give her grandchildren, which she knows perfectly well I am highly against,” she poured the milk, making a perfect Latte for Shizune and poured more milk into the metal jug ready to be heated, “I don’t want kids, I never have but she won’t accept that and claims it’s my duty as a woman.” Onyx spat the last word as if it were poison in her mouth. Onyx sighed as if expelling all her anger in one breath. She temperature checked the milk then pulled the jug away, wiping the wand and pouring the Hokage's cappuccino, with extra chocolate topping. “This is why I don’t talk to her, she always tried to control my life. Never missing a chance to make her disappointment with my life choices clear.”
“I think that’s enough chocolate powder,” Kakashi mumbled not wanting to anger the barista further. She began to apologise, putting the shaker down but Kakashi spoke first. “Your mum sounds like a bitch.” Onyx snorted a laugh as she reached for a lid and Kakashi couldn’t help but smile at the sound. “Feel better?” he asked as she slid the last coffee over to him, Onyx nodded with a reluctant smile. “Told you I’m a great listener,” Onyx’s smile widened, looking extra cute with chocolate powder on her cheek and nose.
“If your mother won’t listen to you then that’s her problem,” he said softly taking out his wallet to pay, “you deserve better than that Onyx.” Kakashi left the money on the counter and took the tray of coffees heading back toward the Hokage tower, Onyx smiled after him as he went. He meant what he said, Kakashi was a shinobi long before he was the Hokage and Onyx was a shinobi long before she was a barista. He’d worked with her on many missions, she was strong and she worked harder than most shinobi in the village. Kakashi had always respected her, for both her physical and mental strength.
Perhaps her mother had something to do with Onyx hanging up her headband. Kakashi couldn’t help but wonder.