COFFEE # THE FIFTH NIGHT

━━ THE CATALYST, TWO STEP ONE STEP  

THE CAFÉ IS BACK TO NORMAL WHEN USHIJIMA RETURNS.

The lofi music continues, tinkling gently and every few beats, there is a soft scraping of a chair or a soft mumble of a softer voice. Everything is gently, sweet, rotten. Table 11 is still as detailed as ever, a stark juxtaposition to the otherwise faded café. The pepper and salt shakers still sit there in the exact same position as last time. Why he remembers that in particular, Ushijima doesn't know, but he chalks it down to the unrealistic nature of the series of these peculiar events.

"Ushijima-san!"

Takara is as ebullient as ever, a force of dimpled smiles and a cheerful disposition. The mottled shadows cast from the unseen trees flicker across her face, her dark hues turning a light amber in those little moments. Despite how stoic he is, he does pay attention to detail because details form the big picture. Crucial for volleyball.

"Good day." He must admit, perhaps he is beginning to warm up to this mystery girl from the world of lavender. The shadows of her lashes and the flickering between amber and black... he's always liked details.

Her mouth parts into an 'o' in surprise, then her eyes crinkle into two little crescent moons.

This is the first time you've greeted me back with more than a nod.

Hm. He stares at her. Your eyes are pretty. I can see the milky universe reflected in them. 

In a wispy swoosh, two cups of coffee appear before them. He can't really tell, but he assumes that it's the same as last night's. The fragrance hits his nose again and he feels himself relaxing. His gaze roams around the place before settling on the figure he's beginning to be genuinely curious about.

Ushijima glances down at her top and she blinks owlishly before blushing furiously and covering her chest. Her thoughts merge with his again: She didn't think he'd be the type to stare so openly.

"It's black."

"Huh?"

"Your t-shirt. It's black. Why?"

"I-I'm sorry!" She suddenly bows and it's his turn to blink.

"For what?"

Her cheeks blaze. "I thought you were being indecent..." her voice trails off into a little whisper but he catches on. Another apathetic blink and he lets her embarrassment wash over him. A semblance of amusement flashes across his face.

"There's nothing to cover," he points out factually and she lets out a squeak.

"I-" She splutters as her eyes dart all around. She finally stammers out, "this isn't a t-shirt, it's called a cami!"

"You're avoiding my question." Her quizzical eyes meet his. "Your shirt. Why is it black?"

For a split second, the entirety of her scleras turn black, blacker than the shirt-cami. He blinks, and it is back to the hues that hold the answers to the universe, and her eyes return to normal.

"Huh," she laughs. "I thought it was always black."

His brow furrows and her lips stretch a little wider. She sighs when she sees him remaining unconvinced.

"I don't know if you're ready, Ushijima-san."

His steady gaze holds hers, unwavering with the silent promise that he will look after her. For a split second her eyes become glassy.

Then a sinking feeling envelops him while he falls and the dream world shatters, dripping away like black coffee in a mug. His eyebrows crease as he watches Takara turn into milky white froth, the once-cream camisole swirling around like blackened liquid and slowly fading away.

The corner of the coffee shop falls apart. The chair dismantles itself, falling as sand along with the wooden beams. The leaves of pot plants shatter like the window, shadows stretching incessantly until they encompass the entire place. Ushijima tries to steady himself, but the floor splits open and shatters too and he falls. Hands reaching into nothingness, the milky froth that was Tatara before swirls around his hands lovingly until it too dissipates.

There is a deep understanding that the genuineness behind Takara's adorable smile has vanished away into the obsidian darkness along with the café.

And for the first time, Ushijima feels his heart clench.

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Q: what do you think of Taka and Ushi's relationship right now?

Also, from now on, post mortem will be getting more dark and will explore potentially triggering themes such as bullying, self harm, suicide, drug abuse.

It won't all be completely dark, but these themes will be present throughout. Please proceed at ur own caution <3