I love doing late-night streams. Talking with people while they watch me play the games they suggest is honestly the best part. It's fun sometimes a little too fun, and I lose track of time.
And that's exactly what happened last night. I stayed up streaming way too late, and now I'm running late for my shift at my friend's café.
Pant. Pant.
"Haa… Julie, I'm so sorry. I overslept."
Julie crossed her arms and stared Lily down.
"Were you up streaming late again?" she asked sharply.
"Hehe—"
Bonk.
Julie flicked Lily on the forehead.
"Don't 'hehe' me, you idiot," she scolded with a sigh. "Honestly, what am I supposed to do with you?"
"Ouch, Julie! That hurts!"
Behind her, Noah and Lucy stood shoulder to shoulder, desperately trying and failing to hide their laughter.
[Hah. Those jerks… I'll kill them once Julie's gone.]
"Are you even listening to me?" Julie demanded.
"Huh?"
Julie pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"You two," she said, pointing at Noah and Lucy, "tell her what we just discussed. I'm heading to the kitchen."
The moment Julie turned away, Noah and Lucy froze.
"Don't leave us, boss…" they pleaded in unison.
They slowly turned to face Lily.
A dangerous smile spread across Lily's face as she cracked her fingers.
Crack. Crack.
Both of them started trembling.
Lucy coughed and quickly stepped back.
"It's really not that complicated," she said hurriedly. "Noah alone will be enough to explain it. I'll go help boss in the kitchen she's all alone in there! Bye!"
Lucy bolted away at full speed.
Noah stood there, stunned.
[You traitor…]
[I won't forget you, brave soldier.]
Just as Noah tried to sneak away, a firm hand grabbed the back of his collar.
"Where do you think you're going, huh?"
"Li–li–li–Lily, I—uh—"
Thump.
Lily punched him lightly in the stomach. Noah doubled over, holding in a pathetic whimper.
"Why didn't you call me, you jerk?"
"I thought you weren't scheduled for today," Noah replied quickly.
Lily let out a small sigh.
"So… what was Julie talking about?"
"We're adding strawberry muffins to the menu," Noah explained, rubbing his side. "There'll be a few new drinks too. Julie wants us to promote them more since they're new."
"Hmm… new items, huh."
Lily looked up at Noah's face.
"Did it hurt?"
Noah scoffed, forcing a grin.
"Hah, like your puny little hands could hurt me."
Bonk.
Lily smacked the back of his head.
"I'm sorry!" Noah yelped immediately.
An hour later.
Ding.
The café doorbell rang as customers continued to come and go.
"Welcome to the café," Noah said politely. "Please take a seat and call me when you're ready to order."
The shop buzzed with chatter, cups clinking and chairs scraping softly against the floor.
[It's really busy today. The muffins are selling great… I can't wait to get home so I can play games.]
Ding.
Lucy burst in through the door, practically glowing.
"Yaaay! The muffins were awesome, Julie. Everyone loved them!"
"They were seriously delicious," Noah added proudly.
Lily paused mid-step and turned toward him.
"Huh? You asshole did you steal a muffin?" she snapped. "You jerk, I had to send a customer back because we ran out!"
"Hey! Even I didn't get one," Lucy protested.
Lily grabbed Noah by the ear and yanked him down while Lucy started hitting his arm.
"OW—Lily! You're hurting me!" Noah whined. "Stop!"
Julie laughed as she watched them.
"Don't worry," she said, covering her smile with her hand. "I saved one muffin for each of you, so stop bullying poor Noah."
"Julie, you didn't have to do that," Lily said. "You should've given them to the customers instead."
"It's okay," Julie replied warmly. "I wanted you all to taste them. I can always sell more later."
In the background, Lucy and Noah were still fighting, clutching their muffins like treasures.
"You thief! You already ate one hand it over right now!" Lucy yelled.
"Don't act like a saint," Noah shot back. "You backstabbed me this morning, you shrimp!"
Lily sighed.
[Honestly… these idiots.]
Bonk. Bonk.
Lily smacked both of their heads.
"We're sorry, senior!" Noah and Lucy said in unison.
"Make trouble again," Lily warned calmly, "and I'll make both of you clean all the dishes today."
"We'll be good kids!" they replied together.
Click.
The café door locked for the night.
"See you all tomorrow," Julie said as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "And Lily don't be late."
Lily laughed nervously.
"Yeah, I'll make sure to come on time."
"Byee!" Lucy shouted, waving wildly as she ran off into the distance.
Lily waved back until she disappeared.
Noah hesitated beside her.
"Lily, I need to pack a few things at my old apartment," he said gently. "I won't be able to walk home with you today. Is that okay?"
"It's okay," Lily replied quickly. "Don't worry. Just don't stay out too late."
Noah smiled.
"Thanks. I'll make it up to you later. Be safe, Lily."
"Bye."
Lily watched him leave, waving until he was out of sight.
[Guess I'll just head straight home today and start streaming.]
Lily walked home slowly.
The evening passed, and before she knew it, night had settled in.
[Is it on…?]
Tap. Tap.
"Ah—"
"Hii… it's your Lily. How are you guys today?"
{anym418: heyy lily, you're early today}
{anym73: heyy}
{anym502: lily the muffins were delicious your chefs so good}
{anym19: what did they add new stuffs}
Lily smiled warmly at the screen.
"Thank you for coming to our café. I'm really happy to hear you loved the muffins. I'll tell the chef about it. And yes, we added a lot of new items recently, so feel free to drop by."
{anym301: ah just noticed you're sitting on the floor today}
{anym88: i noticed too}
{anym412: what happened to the chair?}
"Ahh, I just felt like sitting down today," Lily said casually. "It was a busy day at work."
{anym260: lily are you gonna continue yesterday's game?}
{anym94: yeah you still haven't finished the quest}
"Yeah, we'll continue from where we left off," Lily said, picking up her controller.
"The quest is sooo hard. Can't you guys give me a hint or something?"
{anym177: no that's no fun}
{anym399: hehe it's funny how you mess it up at the same spot}
"Heyy, don't tease me," Lily laughed along with the chat.
{anym64: woah… what was that}
{anym508: am i seeing things}
{anym211: then both of us must be hallucinating}
"Eh?" Lily blinked. "What is it? What are you guys talking about?"
{anym91: there was someone walking behind you}
{anym333: is it a ghost?}
{anym7: is my dear lily being stalked}
{anym420: shut up simp}
[Ah…]
Lily's palms started sweating.
[That jerk moved in last week… I totally forgot to tell him to lay low when I'm streaming. What is he doing running around the house…]
A voice suddenly called out from behind her.
"Lilyyy… are you streaming?"
{anym154: is it her brother or something}
Before Lily could react, he walked into frame and sat down beside her—clearly visible on stream.
"Noa—Noah!" Lily whispered frantically. "What are you doing?!"
"Ah, don't mind me," Noah said casually. "I'll just lie down here quietly."
He rested his head on her lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
{anym88: it's hard not to mind bro}
{anym260: ahh it's the dude from the cafe}
Lily's face turned bright red.
[Ahh… this guy.]
"Noah…" she murmured.
"I'm tired," Noah said softly.
"Then shouldn't you be in bed?"
"But it's more comfortable here."
Lily hid her face, completely flustered.
{anym301: aww you two are sooo cute}
{anym73: damn my guy's smooth}
{anym418: i can hear the guys crying}
"Ahhh, stop teasing me already!"
{anym177: haha she's so embarrassed}
{anym94: her face's so red lmao}
{anym399: you should've told us}
"Sorry for not telling you guys earlier," Lily said shyly.
"I'm really sorry… I'm going to end today's stream now. Bye, everyone. See you tomorrow—and stop teasing already!"
{anym260: lol}
{anym502: bye lily bye cool guy}
Click.
The stream ended.
Lily turned to him, trying and failing to look angry.
"Noah, why would you do that? I was streaming… now they're all teasing me."
"I'm sorry," Noah said gently. "Do you want me to move?"
"No…"
Noah laughed softly. He already knew her answer.
"Ahh, you jerk," Lily muttered, laughing along with him.
She leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his forehead.
"Good night, honey…"