Morning – Café Lyrä
The morning light filtered through the café's wide windows, catching in the steam that curled up from a dozen mugs. Café Lyrä was busier than usual, soft chatter filling the air, faint music drifting from the old record player behind the counter.
Renji leaned back in his chair, watching Sayuri move between tables like she was dancing through sunlight. She wasn't wearing her usual plain apron today, just a loose, cream blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks, sleeves rolled to her elbows. There was a liveliness to her that morning, something subtle but different.
Saki sat across from him, a small cup of iced latte in hand, flipping through a thin sketchbook. "She's in a good mood today," she murmured.
Renji smirked. "You sound jealous."
Saki glanced up, giving him that sharp little glare he always found cute. "I'm just saying. Last time we came, she barely smiled."
