A/N: So I fell in love with the TsubaHono pairing and wrote a fanfic for them. Inspired by this prompt: post/142331257578/imagine-your-otp-speaking-different-languages-and

The cozy, quaint cafe huddled among bustling stores along a street in Ikebukuro was enjoying brisk business as usual. The afterwork crowd kept the shop's fresh-faced staff busy. Anyone walking in would be greeted by the invigorating aroma of coffee brewed from the finest arabica beans. In short, everything was fine and dandy until...

CRASH!

A mug was shattered into a million yellow ceramic pieces on the well-polished parquet. Its dark, steaming contents splattered and streaked in various directions like an abstract art piece the culprit of the mess would never be able to appreciate.

"Honoka!" There sounded the usual shriek of admonishment that regular patrons were used to. Several continued to sip their beverages or chat with their companions as if all was right with the world which, unfortunately, wasn't the case for the ginger-haired waitress clutching her cheeks in distress.

"I'm sorry, Umi-chan!"

"It's the fourth one this week and it's only Monday! You are going to get your pay docked by the manager. Don't come begging me again when you don't have enough money!"

"Umi-chan is so mean!" the girl named Kousaka Honoka, also well-known as the walking train wreck, wailed. As large glistening drops wobbled at the corners of her eyes, a gentle hand stroked her head. Her other childhood friend, Minami Kotori - who was always nice unlike Miss Stick-Shoved-Up-Her-Ass as Honoka secretly called Umi - had come to defuse the potentially explosive situation.

"I'm sure Honoka-chan will be more careful from now on. Let's not be too harsh on her, Umi-chan," said Kotori, her amber eyes radiating innocent, pleading sparkles at Umi. The bluenette inhaled sharply. Averting Kotori's gaze as a fiery blush spread across her cheeks, Sonoda "I'm-so-gay-for-my-best-friend" Umi cleared her throat loudly, only to choke on her own saliva and start a coughing fit. So much for preserving her dignity.

"Y-You always baby her too much, Kotori. That's why she never learns." Umi cursed inwardly when she stuttered. "Anyway," she continued, directing her attention back to Honoka who had conveniently hidden herself behind Kotori, "Honoka, you clean up the mess and then man the register for the rest of the night. Leave the floor to us. Make sure you don't break anything else while cleaning."

Honoka puffed her cheeks in indignation at the glaring lack of trust. "Umi-chan is a demon," she muttered.

"What did you say?" Umi whipped her head towards Honoka, eyes narrowing into maniacal slits as the atmosphere around her turned dark instantaneously.

A shiver shot down Honoka's spine. "N-Nothing!" she squeaked and promptly zipped to the storeroom to grab a broom and dustpan. After the floor was spotless once again, she replaced Kotori at the counter, greeting customers with her bright beams and chirpy voice as she took their orders.

"A medium hazelnut latte with non-fat milk, please," a girl who appeared to be around Honoka's age requested in fluent English.

Honoka blinked.

"Sorry, can you say that again?" she asked.

Now, it was the customer's turn to blink. Her piercing green eyes stared at Honoka briefly before she repeated her order.

In English.

With a strong American accent.

Nooooo! Honoka screamed in her head. I should've paid more attention during English class! She turned to Kotori for help but her taupe-haired friend was busy frothing milk at the far end of the counter and Honoka did not want to make it too obvious that she was panicking. She looked back at the customer and found the girl smiling. Honoka noted how the clear gloss accentuated the alluring pastel pink of her lips before her gaze shifted up to her exposed forehead beneath short chestnut bangs. It was charming, surprisingly. Not many girls had the confidence to flaunt their forehead to the judging eyes of others.

"Excuse me." The stranger waved her hand before our distracted heroine. "Are you okay?"

Honoka jumped. "I... I okay! S-Sorry. What? You... I... Want you!"

If the customer was taken aback by Honoka's unintended declaration of desire for her, she hid her surprise well. Instead, she giggled, eyes closing into mirthful crescents. Her laughter sounded like a melodious tinkling of bells. Honoka felt her face heating up, though she wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or the girl's overall attractiveness. The girl raised her right index finger. "One," she said.

Honoka tilted her head, not quite getting what the brunette was driving at until she spoke again.

"Mee... dium. Hazel... nut..."

Honoka perked up, realizing that she was repeating her order - in English, of course - but very slowly. Alright, I've got this! Honoka did a little fist pump under the wooden counter. Snatching a memo pad, she scribbled down the order, brows knitted in concentration. By the time the person was done saying her order, Honoka had beads of sweat threatening to roll down her forehead. She really needed to stop dozing off during classes. "That'll be 660 yen!" she exclaimed. When she spotted the blank look on the other girl's face, she was quick to catch on this time and gestured to the number reflected on the cash register.

"Thank you."

"Y-You are welcome!" Honoka gave herself a mental pat on her back for remembering this much at least. Suddenly, her senses were invaded by a pleasant whiff of fresh citrus as the girl leant over the counter, curious emerald irises peering intently at Honoka's chest.

Oh. My. God. Is she checking out my boobs? Did they grow bigger? Will I finally get to be like Nozomi-chan?

Honoka straightened her back and puffed out her chest proudly, arms akimbo.

"Miss Ho... noka."

The caramel-like voice interrupted Honoka's puberty fantasies and she almost suffered whiplash when her head jerked towards its source.

"My name is Kira Tsubasa. Nice to meet you."

It was only then the gears in Honoka's brain whirred to life. She was just reading my romaji name tag! Honoka, you dumbass! Who would check out your pathetic A-cups? I must have looked like an idiot! Can I bang my head? No, Umi-chan always says that will make me stupider. Uwaah... Does that mean I'm flat and stupid?! Wait, Umi-chan also says I've put on weight. That makes me flat, stupid and fat!

With a growing grin, Tsubasa observed the rapid comical changes in the orange-haired girl's expressions. She seemed to be having an internal struggle of sorts. In their short exchange, she had already discovered Honoka possessed the unbridled mind of an attention deficient child. This girl was interesting, Tsubasa decided.

"I'll see you again. Soon," she whispered huskily into Honoka's ear, reducing the cashier to a baffled, blushing mess - due solely to the closeness, of course. Honoka could only watch, mouth agape, as Tsubasa made her way to a seat by the window with a slight sway of her hips.

If there was a phrase for Honoka to describe this Kira Tsubasa person, it would be "smooth as fuck".

Omake:

Tsubasa thanked the navy-haired waitress who had brought her drink to her table. The waitress' movements exuded the kind of grace observed in a Japanese woman raised in a strict and traditional family. On the other hand, the third staff member, a teenage girl with round amber eyes and a friendly high-pitched voice was the archetype of fluffy cuteness.

Suddenly, there was a deafening crash followed by a loud, pained cry. Tsubasa caught sight of Honoka sprawled on the floor with an overturned chair beside her. Oddly, the other patrons paid no heed to the commotion.

"HONOKA!" The supposedly refined bluenette lost all traces of grace Tsubasa assumed she had. "I thought I told you to stay at the register!"

"B-But... I just wanted to help clear the tables!"

"No buts!"

"Kotori-chan! Save me!"

"U-Umi-cha-"

"Don't start, Kotori! I've had enough of her clumsiness!" With eyes that looked ready to kill, Umi stormed towards Honoka whose face paled instantly. Honoka scrambled to her feet and bolted towards the back of the shop, nearly knocking down another chair in her haste.

Tsubasa's lips curled into a smirk as she watched the boisterous exchange. Interesting indeed. I'll definitely have to come by again. With that entertaining thought in mind, she lifted her mug and took a careful sip.

"Bitter!" she winced.

No hazelnut syrup?

A/N: Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this little piece as much as I enjoyed writing it :) I might write a follow-up chapter if inspiration hits.