Chapter Text
Keiji has had an awful week, the constant flashbacks to that moment in time when he...killed that man always clouding his mind, the mandatory therapy sessions feeling drawn out and only worsening his reminder, the fellow cadets even praising him for not getting killed in action.
Yep, this week has been hell for Keiji...
The only pleasant thing in his life now, was walking down the street to his down the block convenience store.
Keiji gave out a tired sigh as he walked in, looking over at the checkout counter.
The turquoise-haired worker looking at a magazine, unamused.
"Heh, slow night again?"
Shin flinched before looking over at his favorite yellow haired customer with a smile.
"Yep, it's been pretty quiet around here lately, ever since that incident a few days ago, no one wants to be out this hour." Shin tugged his red scarf tighter before he pulled out a folding chair for Keiji to sit next to him behind the counter.
Keiji felt his eye twitch at the mention of the 'incident,' but he just sat down in silence, on instinct looking around to make sure that no one was around before taking a seat.
"How've you been?" Keiji asked, Shin just smiled and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Do you really wanna hear about how I'm doing? Or do you just want me to make you some free coffee?"
"Can't I have both?" Keiji smiled, Shin just tilted his head expectantly. Keiji sighed. "Coffee would be nice."
Shin let out a snort.
"Coming right up! Any creamer today? Or maybe some Caramel syrup?"
Keiji shook his head, watching as Shin walked over to the small employe room next to them.
"Nah, just some sugar, not really a fan of flavorings." Keiji looked over at the camera monitors, again, making sure that no one was around.
"Psycho!" Shin called out, Keiji let out a hesitant laugh as he pulled out a wad of cash, throwing it on the counter.
"Okay! Do you want some snacks too, Mr. Policeman?"
Keiji paused for a moment, Shin leaned back to look over at him with a confused smile.
'Right, I forgot to tell him.'
"....Hey, can you just call me Keiji? I'm not really, on duty right now." Keiji dropped his gaze, Shin kept staring till he finally looked away shyly.
"Only if you call me Shin..."
Keiji looked up again, Shin trying his hardest to cover his blush, his eyebrows squeezed together in cringe.
Keiji smiled.
"Okay, Shin," Shin looked over.
"I would like some sweets, maybe some cookies." Keiji relaxed into the chair as he looked over at Shin with a grin.
"Some as sweet as you."
Shin laughed as he went back into the employee room.
"Then you'll be disappointed to find that they're pretty bitter." Shin winked.
Keiji looked away, fully relaxed now as he tried to stop the blood rush from reaching his face.
This weird friendship has been going on for quite a while now, ever since Keiji randomly stumbled upon this store months ago. He was on duty, and in a need for substance but found himself kinda captivated by the kindness a certain cashier worker gave to him.
"Here."
Keiji looked down at the warm steam bun the blue haired worker was giving to him.
"...I didn't pay for this..."
"It's on the house, especially for policemen on duty." Shin smiled as he pointed at Keiji's not so hidden badge inside his sweater.
Ah, how embarrassing.
"Thank you, Mr-?"
"Tsukimi, Shin Tsukimi." He smiled, Keiji felt his chest heat up at how gentle the man smiled at him.
"Right, Mr.Tsukimi, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Shin waved as Keiji started to walk out, he paused before turning back to the man, Shin gave him a head tilt.
Keiji would never admit it, but he must have had a flush on his face.
"The name's Shinogi, officer Keiji Shinogi..."
Shin paused before giving a timid smile.
"Well, hello then. Officer Keiji Shinogi."
Now Keiji really was blushing.
"Right, see ya."
Since then, Keiji has constantly been making visits to that store, just a stroke of luck that it happened to be a block down his street from where he lived. He had just never made a visit before because he never went that direction. Now, it was his go to place. Heck, Shin even started to make coffee for him before he'd even get there.
And, even without knowing it, Shin has become a sort of...support for Keiji.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Shin startled Keiji, being careful to put down two mugs of hot coffee, one a tan caramel color and the other black.
"Ah, nothing much, just tiredly thinking about life."
"At this hour? Pretty good time to be thinking about sleep, cause you look like you need it."
"Haha, yeah, I know I do." Keiji smiled, taking his mug into his hands and watching as the blue head dipped some cookies into his own mug.
Shin stuffed a cookie into his mouth, looking over at Keiji who was just staring. Shin deadpanned.
"What?"
"Don't you get a sugar rush with all that?" Keiji almost felt nauseous just thinking about it.
"Not really, it's good." Shin almost looked offended.
"I don't mean to be rude."
"Well you've clearly hurt me deeply, and now I won't share." Shin dramatically huffed.
Keiji smiled as he tried to steal a cookie, his hand was quickly swatted away.
"Well now, who's the rude one now?"
"Still you."
Keiji chuckled as he resisted the urge to pinch Shin's cheek.
"I'm sorry then, won't you forgive me, o dear friend of mine?"
Shin pretended to contemplate it, but he just shrugged and passed the tin of cookies over.
"Why not? It's not like you didn't pay."
Keiji took a cookie and watched as Shin turned on the small T.V. above their heads, they continued the night just chatting about.