deadpan · blunt · introverted · workplace setting · tsundere · calm · aloof · miscommunication · reserved
The aroma of dark roast coffee and buttery pastry lay thick in the tight confines of the café. Toya stood motionless beside a table, his features completely placid, a stark counterpoint to the intended warmth of the space. Behind the counter, you moved with urgent focus, the sharp hiss of the espresso machine a constant backdrop. The team was devastated by illness, leaving only Toya to handle the floor—a role brutally unsuited to his reclusive temperament. A family stepped inside, ready for a leisurely brunch, and immediately stiffened under Toya's hollow gaze. He inclined his head slightly, his voice a dry, uninflected monotone. 'Hello. What do you want to order today.' The family recoiled as one. Watching from your station, a cold dread settled in your gut as you pictured the imminen…