Blend 1

“To recap our top story, the World Health Organisation has issued a statement that The Absolute Death Virus, ADV, has infected every last person on earth. That means all of humanity will be dead in less than a year unless a cure is discovered. Scientist working on the cure estimate there is a….”

Hachi turned off the TV. The news was killing the mood. Not that there was much of a mood at the moment. The shop was empty. Seemed like people didn’t want to visit a café when they knew they only had a short time left.

Perhaps Hachi should close up, but without any family or friends to spend time with, there wasn’t much reason to do anything else. Running the café brought him joy. If he was happy, then did it matter if there weren’t many customers?

What was the worst-case scenario? Well, maybe tax collectors coming around and demanding he pay up. That was one thing he could count on, even knowing his own mortality was imminent. Even if he was about to die, he could expect to pay taxes.

Hachi stood behind the till. Perhaps today, nobody would come in. That would be a nuisance; think about all that waste. Maybe he should reduce the number of pre-made paninis. He could take some home with him, and perhaps he could give some to the stray cats that hung around the back of his shop.

These were Hachi’s concerns; with no customers, there wasn’t much to do. The tables were clean, and with no customers, he even took the time to clean the grout between the floor tiles. He had a knife that was exclusively used for cleaning these tiles.

While Hachi was lost in his thoughts, the doorbell chimed, and a young girl who looked like she was in her teens walked in. Hachi wasn’t particularly good with the ages of those younger than him. He was in his thirties, and all he knew was this girl seemed to be about half his age.

“Excuse me, are you open?” She asked.

“Yes, please make yourself comfortable,” Hachi responded.

She found a seat at a table a short distance from the counter. She put her bag down and sprawled out on the table.

Hachi walked out from behind the counter, he put a menu under his arm as he wandered over to the corner of the room where glass bottles of water sat. He picked one out, along with a glass, and set it on the table where the girl was.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Um… yeah. Could I get a flat white?”

“Standard milk?”

“Have you got skim milk?”

“Of course,”

“Then could I get that?”

“You absolutely can. I will go make that up for you. If you are feeling hungry, you can also order anything off the menu.”

Perhaps I could get rid of a panini, he thought to himself.

“I need a bit more time to think, but thanks.”

Hachi wandered back behind the counter and began to prep the coffee. Each blend, each milk, and each style required a particular degree of attention. It was an art to make coffee. Making a flat white with skim milk wasn’t difficult, but Hachi wanted to give it the care it deserved. There was nothing worse than an ill-tasting coffee.

He also had to consider what he would do for the latte art. He often made hearts, but at the same time, for a kid, it may give the wrong idea. He didn’t want to be misconstrued and find his end days behind bars. He wanted to die surrounded by a sack of coffee beans.

Given that this girl may be his only customer all day, he thought he would go all out and do a swan. It was a bit fancier than a heart or tulip, but it seemed like the girl was down, so spoiling her with a fancier design might cheer her up a little. Also, Hachi just wanted to do a swan. It was important that he diversify his style every now and then.

Once he was done, he brought it over to her.

“Got a lot on your mind?” He asked as he set the cup down. He was very pleased by the way the swan had turned out.

She sighed. “Before I die, there’s something I just want to find out.”

“And what would that be?” Hachi had originally hoped she wouldn’t say anything and instead notice the swan. Now, he just wished it would be something simple. Like hairdressers, baristas were swamped by the problems of their customers.

“Why don’t they make pockets for women’s clothing?” She asked, looking teary-eyed at Hachi.

I couldn’t care less about pockets. Notice the swan. Hachi thought to himself.

Perhaps it was his lack of response, or maybe he pulled a weird face, but regardless she continued. “Hear me out: Have you ever seen a pocket on women’s clothing?”

“I’m a barista; I focus all my attention on coffee,” Hachi responded earnestly. Get the hint, notice my coffee dammit.

“Well, I can tell you, women's clothing never has any pockets.”

“Would you like to order anything else? I have a range of paninis which were freshly made today. They are scrumptious,” Hachi tried to offer to avoid listening to her rambling any further.

“So why don’t they make pockets for women’s clothing?” She continued. “It doesn’t make sense. Or does it? Want to know what I think?”

Not really, Hachi thought, but instead, he decided to go for the slightly more diplomatic option. “You think you could do with some lemon pie? I certainly have some. I can go get that for you if you like.”

“I think they deliberately don’t make pockets to force women to buy bags.”

“Speaking of buying, I can also recommend the chocolate lava cake. If you would like, I can fetch that for you.”

“Let’s design clothes that deliberately force people to spend more money. Not only that, but if they choose not to buy a bag, where’s their money?”

“Please tell me it’s going into my till after ordering.” Hachi sarcastically added.

“It is in their hands, and it is easier to spend money, hey. It’s a capitalist nightmare. Let’s manipulate women into feeding this unnecessary product to maximise our financial profit.”

“Well, it sounds like you found your answer,” Hachi responded, wishing he had just closed the store early today.

“You’re right!” She beamed at Hachi. “I’ll take a panini, thanks.”

“Wonderful, let me go get that for you,” Hachi responded.

“My name is Clara. I enjoyed our conversation. I haven’t got much else to do. Can I work here, Mister?”

Work here? Sounds like a hassle. I would like to avoid having to think and just make coffee. Hachi thought.

“I ain’t got anything to pay you.” He responded.

That’s ok. I’m happy to work for free.”

“I’m not much of a conversation person.”

“That’s ok. I enjoyed our conversation.”

“It’ll be real boring.”

“That’s ok. I haven’t got anything else to do.”

“Fine, suit yourself then.” Hachi relented.

On one particular day, as the countdown to the end ticked, the café 8-Blends got a new employee.

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End of Chapter 1