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# The Riku Documentary
**A Kingdom Hearts Fanfic**
---
Riku had fought Heartless. He'd traversed the Realm of Darkness. He'd clawed his way back from possession, stared down Xehanort, and wielded the very darkness that once consumed him as a weapon of light.
None of that prepared him for *this.*
"Lea. *Lea.* What did I just say?"
The former Nobody caught his Keyblade on the return arc with a self-satisfied grin, spinning it on one finger like a basketball. "You said don't throw it."
"And what did you just do?"
"Threw it." Lea didn't even have the decency to look guilty. "But I hit the target!"
"You hit a *mailbox.*"
"The mailbox was near the target!"
Riku pinched the bridge of his nose. Morning lessons in the Radiant Garden training grounds were supposed to be straightforward. Terra, to his credit, was meditating quietly in the corner, dark aura flickering in controlled, steady pulses—exactly as Riku had taught him. At least *one* of his students had the attention span of an adult.
"Look," Riku said, leveling Lea with a stare that had once cowed Heartless. It did absolutely nothing to Lea. "I know some Keyblade wielders throw their Keyblades. *I* throw mine sometimes. But you do it every five seconds like it's a frisbee at a beach party."
"It's called *style,* Riku."
"It's called *property damage,* Lea. The restoration committee sent me a bill. Apparently you took out three flower boxes and a bench last Tuesday."
Terra opened one eye from his meditation. "He also hit Merlin's door."
"I was *aiming* for Merlin's door. The old guy said my fire magic lacked precision!"
"So you threw your Keyblade at his house."
"*Precisely* at his house. See? Precision."
Riku exhaled through his teeth. "Session's over. Terra, great work. Lea… just… practice forms. Regular forms. On the ground. Where the Keyblade stays in your hand."
Lea gave a lazy salute. "No promises."
---
The problem with peace, Riku had discovered over the past several weeks, was that it left a *lot* of empty hours.
Mornings were fine. Mornings had structure—train Terra in darkness management (going well), train Lea in basic Keyblade discipline (going *catastrophically*)—but by noon he was done, and the rest of the day stretched out in front of him like an endless, featureless plain.
He'd tried reading. He'd tried exploring. He'd even tried picking up cooking, which ended when he somehow set soup on fire and Lea had laughed so hard he fell off the garden wall.
It was on one of those aimless afternoons, wandering through the commercial district of Radiant Garden, that he'd spotted the sign.
**HELP WANTED — BARISTA — THE RISING STAR CAFÉ**
Riku had stared at it for a long moment.
He was a Keyblade Master. A guardian of light. A veteran of the wars against darkness.
He walked inside and asked for an application.
---
It turned out Riku was *unreasonably* good at making coffee.
"It's the wrist control," he explained to his manager, a cheerful older woman named Colette who had absolutely no idea she'd hired a dimension-hopping warrior of light. "Precise movements. Steady hands."
"Well, whatever it is, honey, the customers love you."
They did, actually. The Rising Star Café had seen a notable uptick in regulars since the tall, silver-haired young man had started working the espresso machine. He was quiet, efficient, and had a focus behind those blue-green eyes that suggested he took latte art *very* seriously.
Riku found he liked it. There was something meditative about the routine. Steam the milk. Pull the shot. Pour in a steady arc. No darkness, no light, no ancient prophecies—just coffee.
It was peaceful.
He should have known that wouldn't last.
---
It was a Tuesday.
Riku was halfway through a rosetta pour—his best one yet, the milk feathering out perfectly—when he felt it.
Not darkness. Not danger. Something worse.
The distinct, unmistakable feeling of being *watched.*
His eyes flicked to the café window.
Nothing. Just the usual foot traffic of Radiant Garden's commercial street.
But the feeling didn't go away. Years of training had honed his senses to a razor's edge, and every instinct he had was telling him—
A bush across the street rustled.
Riku's eyes narrowed.
He finished the pour (he wasn't about to ruin a perfectly good rosetta over *paranoia*), handed it off to the customer, and looked back.
The bush was still.
Too still.
*Whatever.* He turned back to the counter.
He didn't see the phone camera poking out from between the leaves, or hear the whispered voice behind it:
*"Here we observe the Riku in his natural habitat…"*
---
**☆ GUARDIANS OF LIGHT (& Friends) ☆**
**[Video Sent by Sora]**
*The footage is shaky, clearly shot from behind a bush across the street from a café. Through the window, a silver-haired figure can be seen operating an espresso machine with intense focus. A whispered voice narrates over the footage.*
*"Day One. We have located the elusive Silver-Haired Barista in his natural habitat—the wild café counters of Radiant Garden. Observe the concentration. The precision. He approaches the espresso machine like a predator stalking prey."*
*A second whispered voice—distinctly Kairi's—cuts in: "Sora, predators don't steam milk."*
*"Shh! You'll spook him!"*
*The camera zooms in as Riku pours a latte with careful, practiced movements.*
*"The Barista demonstrates his dominance over the milk jug with a flawless pour. Truly, nature is beautiful."*
*The video cuts out.*
---
**Lea:** WAIT
**Lea:** WAIT WAIT WAIT
**Lea:** IS RIKU WORKING AT A COFFEE SHOP
**Lea:** MY RIKU??? KEYBLADE MASTER RIKU????
**Lea:** THE GUY WHO TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT I NEED TO "TAKE THINGS MORE SERIOUSLY"????
**Roxas:** Did you just say "my Riku"
**Lea:** I will set you on fire
**Xion:** He's really good at the latte art though!
**Ventus:** Why is he working at a café??
**Terra:** I think he was bored.
**Terra:** He mentioned something about "needing a hobby that doesn't involve the fate of all worlds"
**Aqua:** That's… actually kind of healthy?
**Hayner:** The narration is KILLING me
**Pence:** Sora should do nature documentaries professionally
**Olette:** Don't encourage him!!
**Naminé:** I think it's sweet. He looks happy.
**Sora:** 🎬🎬🎬 STAY TUNED FOR EPISODE 2 🎬🎬🎬
**Kairi:** I'm the camerawoman. This is my magnum opus.
**Riku:** What.
**Riku:** What is this.
**Riku:** Why is there a video of me at work in this chat.
**Sora:** 👀
**Kairi:** 👀
**Riku:** SORA.
**Riku:** KAIRI.
**Riku:** THAT WAS THE BUSH OUTSIDE THE WINDOW
**Riku:** I KNEW SOMETHING WAS IN THAT BUSH
**Sora:** WE WERE DOING RESEARCH
**Riku:** YOU WERE HIDING IN A BUSH
**Kairi:** For SCIENCE, Riku
**Donald:** Why is nobody talking about the fact that Riku has a JOB
**Goofy:** I think it's real nice! A-hyuck! Everyone needs a hobby!
**Mickey:** I'm proud of you, Riku! Work-life balance is important, even for Keyblade Masters!
**Riku:** Thank you, Mickey.
**Riku:** At least SOMEONE here is normal.
**Lea:** HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
**Lea:** Oh man. Oh this is too good.
**Lea:** Tomorrow's lesson is gonna be GREAT
**Riku:** Lea I swear if you bring this up during training I will make you do forms until your arms fall off
**Lea:** Can I get a latte first ☕
**Isa:** Lea, leave him alone.
**Lea:** Et tu, Isa????
**Isa:** I didn't say I wasn't going to visit the café. I just said leave him alone in the group chat.
**Lea:** ISA
**Roxas:** Can I get a hot chocolate
**Xion:** Me too!!
**Riku:** I'm going to close this app and never open it again.
**Sora:** Too late!! Episode 2 is already in production!! 🎥
---
**[Video Sent by Sora]**
*The camera angle is different this time—higher up, like it's being filmed from a rooftop across the street. The zoom is intense and slightly wobbly.*
*"Day Three. The Silver-Haired Barista has established his territory behind the counter. Today, we observe his interactions with the local fauna—the Regulars."*
*Through the window, Riku can be seen handing a drink to a customer with a small, polite smile.*
*Kairi's voice, whispering: "Oh my god, he smiled."*
*"A rare display! The Barista is not typically known for such open expressions of warmth. Scientists believe this may be a survival mechanism—to encourage the Regulars to return and provide sustenance in the form of tips."*
*Riku is now wiping down the counter with methodical precision.*
*"Note the territorial behavior as he cleans. Every surface must meet his exacting standards. The Barista tolerates no disorder in his domain."*
*A new customer approaches. Riku greets them, listens to their order, and begins making the drink with fluid, practiced motions.*
*"The Barista moves with the grace of a jungle cat. Each motion is deliberate. Efficient. He wastes nothing. This is a creature perfectly adapted to its environment."*
*Kairi, barely containing laughter: "Sora, he's making a cappuccino."*
*"He's making ART, Kairi."*
*The video ends as Riku suddenly looks up and stares directly at the camera. The footage cuts to black with a startled yelp from Sora.*
---
**Hayner:** THE ENDING LMAOOO
**Hayner:** He looked into the camera like he was on The Office
**Pence:** RIP Sora, cause of death: that stare
**Olette:** The "grace of a jungle cat" sent me to another WORLD
**Ventus:** I'm CRYING
**Aqua:** I shouldn't be laughing. I should not be laughing.
**Aqua:** I'm laughing.
**Terra:** Same.
**Terra:** Don't tell Riku.
**Lea:** "The Barista tolerates no disorder in his domain" YEAH THAT TRACKS
**Lea:** That's literally what he told me today when I accidentally set a training dummy on fire
**Lea:** "Lea. We are in a PUBLIC TRAINING GROUND. There is an ORDER to things."
**Roxas:** "Accidentally"
**Lea:** It WAS an accident!!
**Xion:** Lea you set things on fire like other people breathe
**Naminé:** I drew the moment he looked at the camera 🖼️
**Naminé:** [Image Sent]
**Sora:** NAMINÉ THAT'S PERFECT
**Sora:** Can I use it as the thumbnail for Episode 3
**Naminé:** Of course! 😊
**Riku:** There is not going to BE an Episode 3.
**Riku:** I found your rooftop, Sora. I found the footprints. I will find YOU.
**Sora:** You can't stop the PRESS, Riku!! The people demand CONTENT!!
**Kairi:** We have a very dedicated fanbase
**Riku:** YOU HAVE SEVENTEEN PEOPLE IN THIS CHAT
**Kairi:** Seventeen VERY DEDICATED people
**Goofy:** I showed it to Pluto and even he liked it!
**Donald:** Goofy, Pluto can't watch videos.
**Goofy:** Well he wagged his tail!
**Mickey:** I have to admit, the narration is very creative, Sora!
**Riku:** YOUR MAJESTY PLEASE DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM
**Isa:** For what it's worth, Riku, you do make excellent coffee. I visited today.
**Riku:** …Thank you, Isa.
**Riku:** See? Isa came in like a normal person. Ordered a drink. Said thank you. Left.
**Riku:** He didn't FILM me from a BUSH.
**Sora:** Isa doesn't have artistic VISION
**Isa:** I will take that as a compliment.
---
"He's onto us," Kairi whispered, peering around the corner of a building. "He chased us off the rooftop yesterday."
"That just means we need better camouflage," Sora said with the deadly seriousness of a military strategist. He held up two items: a potted plant and a pair of oversized sunglasses.
Kairi stared at him.
"Sora, you have the most recognizable spiky hair in *all the worlds.* Sunglasses aren't going to help."
"That's what the plant is for. I hold it in front of my hair."
"…You're going to walk down the street holding a plant over your head."
"For the *documentary,* Kairi."
She considered this for approximately two seconds.
"Okay, but I get the sunglasses."
---
**[Video Sent by Kairi]**
*The footage is remarkably steady—Kairi has clearly been practicing. The camera peers through what appears to be a potted fern. In the background, Sora can be seen reflected in the café window, wearing the potted plant on his head like a very leafy hat. He gives a thumbs up to the camera.*
*Sora's narration is slightly muffled by leaves:*
*"Day Five. We return to observe a rare and dangerous phenomenon—the Barista's Threat Display."*
*Inside the café, Riku is at the register. Lea has just walked in, leaning on the counter with a massive grin.*
*The audio is faint but audible through the open café door:*
*"Hey there, can I get a grande—"*
*"We don't use those sizes here, Lea."*
*"Fine, a big cup of—"*
*"Just say large."*
*"A LARGE cup of whatever you recommend, Mr. Barista Master sir."*
*Riku's eye visibly twitches.*
*Sora's narration: "The challenger approaches! The red-maned one—a natural rival—has entered the Barista's territory. Note the subtle tension in the Barista's jaw. The narrowing of the eyes. Classic threat display behavior."*
*Riku makes the drink with aggressive efficiency, each motion sharp and precise.*
*"Magnificent. The Barista channels his aggression into his craft. Rather than engage in open conflict, he asserts dominance through SUPERIOR LATTE ART—"*
*Riku slides the drink across the counter. Even from across the street, the latte art is visible—a perfectly rendered flame.*
*Lea stares at it.*
*"…Okay, that's actually really cool."*
*"It's a fire. Because that's all you do. Set things on fire."*
*"Riku, this is the nicest thing you've ever done for me."*
*"It's an insult."*
*"I'm taking a picture."*
*"Please leave my café."*
*"YOUR café? Oh, so it's YOUR café now—"*
*Riku points to the door.*
*Lea leaves, but he's grinning the entire way out, drink in hand. He walks directly past the bush Kairi is hiding in, glances down, and winks at the camera.*
*Sora's narration: "The challenger retreats! The Barista's territory remains secure. But for how long? Find out next time… on Riku: Untamed."*
*Title card, clearly made in Sora's handwriting on a piece of notebook paper: "RIKU: UNTAMED — Episode 3 — The Threat Display"*
---
**Lea:** I have NEVER looked so good on camera
**Lea:** Also Riku the latte art was genuinely incredible, I saved the photo
**Roxas:** He made you fire latte art as an INSULT and you LIKED it??
**Lea:** Roxas you don't understand art
**Xion:** I want custom latte art too!!
**Hayner:** "RIKU: UNTAMED" IS THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN
**Pence:** The production value is going UP
**Pence:** You guys need a title card designer though, I can help
**Olette:** Pence NO
**Pence:** Pence YES
**Ventus:** I just watched all three episodes back to back and I can't breathe
**Aqua:** Terra and I just watched them together.
**Aqua:** Terra fell off the couch laughing at "grace of a jungle cat."
**Terra:** I did not.
**Aqua:** You absolutely did. I have witnesses.
**Terra:** Ventus wasn't even here.
**Ventus:** Wait what happened
**Naminé:** I've been sketching scenes from each episode 🎨
**Naminé:** I'm making a companion art series
**Sora:** NAMINÉ YOU'RE THE BEST
**Sora:** This is officially a MULTIMEDIA PROJECT now
**Donald:** I can't believe I'm saying this but
**Donald:** These are actually funny.
**Goofy:** That's high praise coming from Donald! A-hyuck!
**Mickey:** The latte art really was impressive, Riku!
**Riku:** I'm going to say this once.
**Riku:** I know where both of you live.
**Riku:** I trained in the Realm of Darkness.
**Riku:** I can literally smell darkness and I WILL use that to find your next hiding spot.
**Sora:** Bold words from a man who made a little fire in a cup of milk 🔥☕
**Riku:** THAT FIRE WAS PERFECTLY RENDERED AND YOU KNOW IT
**Kairi:** "Untamed" indeed 😌
**Riku:** I hate both of you.
**Riku:** I hate everyone in this chat.
**Riku:** Except Naminé, the art is actually really good.
**Naminé:** 💛
**Riku:** And Mickey, who is the only person here with dignity.
**Mickey:** 😊
**Sora:** So anyway
**Sora:** Episode 4 drops tomorrow
**Sora:** Working title: "Migration Patterns: The Barista's Commute"
**Sora:** We're gonna follow him from the training grounds to the café
**Kairi:** I bought a ghillie suit.
**Riku:** A WHAT
**Kairi:** For camouflage, Riku. We're professionals.
**Riku:** YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF RADIANT GARDEN
**Riku:** WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET A GHILLIE SUIT
**Kairi:** A good journalist never reveals her sources 📰
**Lea:** I'm gonna be honest this is the most entertainment I've had since we saved the world
**Isa:** Agreed.
**Lea:** ISA???
**Isa:** The series is compelling. I'm invested now.
**Riku:** I'm going to bed.
**Riku:** My shift starts at 7.
**Riku:** If I see a single bush move, a single camera flash, a single LEAF out of place
**Sora:** You'll what? Make us a latte? 😂
**Riku:** …
**Riku:** I'll make you decaf and TELL you it's regular.
**Sora:** YOU WOULDN'T
**Kairi:** HE'S BLUFFING
**Riku:** Try me.
**Riku:** Good night.
*Riku is offline.*
**Sora:** …He's bluffing right
**Lea:** Buddy I have been trained by that man
**Lea:** He is NOT bluffing
**Sora:** …
**Sora:** Episode 4 is still happening though
**Kairi:** Obviously.
**Sora:** Cool cool cool
**Sora:** I'll bring the ghillie suit
**Kairi:** That's mine, get your own
**Sora:** Kairi we are PARTNERS in JOURNALISM
**Donald:** I give it three days before Riku snaps completely.
**Goofy:** I give it two! A-hyuck!
**Terra:** I'll start preparing a condolence card for Sora.
**Ventus:** TERRA 😂😂😂
---
*Riku: Untamed — Episode 4 dropped the next day at 2:47 PM.*
*Riku chased them fourteen blocks.*
*The ghillie suit did not help.*
*The group chat had never been more active.*
---
**END**
---
*Author's Note: Riku never quit the café job. He eventually made custom latte art for everyone in the group chat. Lea's was always a fire. He never once admitted he enjoyed it. Sora and Kairi's documentary eventually reached twelve episodes. Naminé's companion art series was framed and hung in the café by Colette, who thought they were "just darling" and had no idea why the silver-haired boy turned bright red when she put them up.*