Notes

One of their assigned colleagues boldly shared they had acute bathroom problems. They couldn't go to work. It was hard to explain

Work chat:

LH: Hello sorry for being TMI but I had to leave the bus due to diarrhea and I can't come to work sorry for the late response. Can someone cover my shift?

SK: I can take care of the store myself <3

Admin: There must always be two in the shop, it's a part of the rules :/

KT: I don't have the opportunity to cover for you :(

FJ: Can't today :(

AK: I can cover it, I'll take the fastest transportation

LH: So sorry for dropping this on you :( <3 thank youuu

AK: It's alright.

SK: Store's prepared. Not many customers right now, don't rush :)
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Akaashi was spontaneously sent to work. He was lucky to be at home, relaxing with his necessary cup of tea. In the blink of an eye, he had put his uniform on and waited for the next tram to take him to work. Akaashi rested his shoulders, having a lightweight bag over them. Nothing compared to his backpack during his university years.

He yawned peacefully under the sunlight, despite not being particularly tired. Despite the circumstances, Akaashi wasn't feeling stressed. He knew his boss was thankful for Akaashi's sudden availability. That was all that mattered. Though, he was trying his best to arrive as fast as possible. Sugawara was reliable and knew how to handle the store alone.

Akaashi's ear perked up at the distant sounds of a familiar engine. The tram's pace slowed accurately in front of his stop. It halted in front of him and a few others. It was a simple equation of letting people off before entering. Otherwise, he was lucky to find a free seat. The window was too dusted and unclean for his liking, but it gave a filtered vision of the outside world. His vision filled in the gaps the windows left out. Today's streak of constantly reaching red lights had to be unfortunate unluck. Though, it wasn't enough to stress him. Akaashi was their savior regardless of the circumstances.

A few minutes passed until he saw the distant Manga Matrix sign. They used modern culture as an attraction. They made cute stickers on the logo that featured the best-selling manga we had. The key to their marketing was custom, and more customizing. They had made deals with a few startup companies and self-made artists. It was what drew him to work there. The ethics, and values of the store matched his own.

Akaashi soon contrasted a few potential customers, who squealed in excitement over the many colors and variations. Before Akaashi entered the store, he didn't want to block the way for them. He refrained from smiling once he saw they couldn't walk past the shop, but were dragged into the shop by the third friend. He soon entered behind them, to see Sugawara smile fondly at him.

He acknowledged his colleague with a nod before he had a staff room to change in. His name tag was lit up, a digital, custom-made pixel name tag. His workplace was fun, and admittedly, he was thankful for having the job.
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"Christ, Tetsu. I'm not going to a movie premiere." Bokuto scoffed at Kuroo's choice of outfit. It was his fault for relying on Kuroo for any advice.

Bokuto meant to get the manga from the store. Yuki was in kindergarten, so it was a golden opportunity to surprise her with a new fairy manga. He read it to her nights prior, making sound effects, dramatizing, and narrating the storyline. She would pay attention as if it were a movie, and fall asleep after. It was clear she loved the manga, and especially the princess. She even asked if she was Kuroo's princess, to which Bokuto explained she was the only princess for Kuroo. She clearly showed happiness with that answer.

"Okay fine, but you are allowed to make a good impression. Your personality is already perfect, but your outfit needs to bring out... you." Kuroo said over the phone and looked up to make sure nothing was happening at work. Bokuto stupidly looked at his camera, before silently taking out two more shirts to choose from.

"A casual t-shirt, and black jeans, Tetsuro, drop the blazer." Bokuto made his tone slightly stern at the end and rolled his eyes at Kuroo's frown. His expression changed fast, which was never a good sign.

"Agreed, plain white T-shirt and black jeans," Kuroo smiled mischievously. He chuckled lightly as if Bokuto was stupid. While his friend agreed with him, Bokuto believed he knew why.

"If you assume everyone has a fetish for biceps, you're stupid." Bokuto pointed out, to which Kuroo scoffed in response.

"As much as I love my own, yours are on another level. Besides, the weather is reaching high temperatures. You're not only hot, but you're warm. Right?" Kuroo pointed out before suddenly dropping the call. Bokuto rolled his eyes, assuming something came up at his work.

TetsuKuroo: We're hot and we should own it

TetsuKuroo: Work came up

TestuKuroo: send me an outfit photo.

Bokuto did send a picture after changing. The T-shirt was comfortably firm, without being too tight around his body. It would be too obvious if Bokuto did try to outline his muscles with a stupid shirt. Besides, it would be too tryhard. He already felt stupid once he saw a tinge of his muscle due to the lighting.

TestuKuroo: Yes. Don't change it now.

Manga Matrix: Your order has arrived at "Manga Matrix" number. Pick-up hours are 11-3 PM from Monday to Sunday.
Order registration code: #1195
You cannot reply to this message.

Bokuto read the necessary details before nodding to himself and looking at the time. The time range was perfect, and the traffic allowed him to reach the place even more timely. He instinctively folded the clothes neatly and organized them back in the closet. He looked at the neatly folded bedsheets, and safely exited his bedroom.

He was pleased to see there was no mess in the living room. Bokuto unplugged any unnecessary electric devices Yuki used and took note of chores that he should do after picking up the manga. He managed to lock the door and head to his car. Only from the garage, it took a solid fifteen minutes to drive to the relevant shop.

Bokuto then noticed how original their logo was. He only saw the small stickers by paying attention. Humming in interest, he stepped inside after checking his parking wasn't absolute trash or illegal. He truly went inside to pick up the manga but was surprised to see Akaashi working there. Though Kuroo pestered him about it, he didn't truly expect him to be there.

He smiled politely at the familiar worker, who only shortly nodded in acknowledgment. To his benefit, the silver-haired colleague seemed to take on Akaashi's customers. It seemed he encouraged Akaashi to assist him. Bokuto was once again reunited with the worker, whose expression was hard to read.

Bokuto first noticed the glances toward the top of his head. He forgot his infamous hairstyle made it to everyone's image of him. The dark white covered most of his hair. Only his hairline was black, which formed its contrast at the ends of his wavy hair. Bokuto smiled sheepishly and surprised Akaashi by noticing his glances.

He assumed Akaashi looked away in embarrassment for a second, before forgetting to talk.

"I'm so sorry, gosh. You must be here to pick up your manga." Akaashi spoke and looked at his screen. Bokuto smiled politely and shook his head to reassure him.

"No problem! Yes, I assume you need my registry code?" Bokuto replied kindly and brought up his phone. He hummed quietly to fill the silence until he found the text from his company.

"#1195" Akaashi looked back and forth at the text and double-checked the digits. Bokuto patiently, and quietly waited for the next instructions. Instead, Akaashi seemed to wave him over in a familiar motion he recognized.

Instead of the shelves open to the public, they went to shelves reserved for orders. Bokuto saw the many mangas, books, and movies with different registry codes. Akaashi didn't find it immediately but looked through the codes.

#12... 124.. 129." Akaashi sighed after going through the middle shelf. Bokuto eyed the shelves above and saw the tags marked with #1000, which was closer to his code.

"I can help find it, it seems mine could be placed up here." Bokuto pointed out kindly, without sounding any hint of annoyed, impatient, or annoying. Akaashi once again felt embarrassed, and Bokuto could tell.

"Don't worry. Workspaces should definitely make everything accessible for everyone." Bokuto attempted to reassure him and avoid building stress for him. Akaashi could reach it if he tried, of course. Bokuto didn't wish to embarrass him further by offering direct help. All he could do was help the stress for now.