¹┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠✎ᝰ

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

Finally, exams were over. The last one was done, and I had survived it all. I deserved a matcha.I stepped into this tiny, modern café—my kind of place—and then I saw him.

The barista. Blonde hair that seemed to glow under the soft lights, deep brown eyes that held something... unspoken, and cheeks that made me want to smile.I ordered my matcha latte, trying to sound casual, even complimenting the café's style.He just nodded, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. He didn't say much, but somehow, in that silence... it felt like he'd already noticed me.

I took my matcha latte and moved to a small table by the window. I was still stealing glances at him behind the counter when he caught me looking.He gave a small nod and went back to wiping down the counter. I hesitated, then decided to break the silence.

Sohee:"Do you... make all the drinks yourself?" I asked, keeping my voice casual.

He looked up, blinked once, then nodded. Jungwon:"Yeah. Most of them," he said, his voice quiet but clear.

I smiled awkwardly. Sohee:"It smells really good in here. I like the place."

He just nodded again and gave a faint smile, then went back to his work. It wasn't much, but it was something—a first step.

The next day

I found myself back at the café. And the day after that. Something about the barista—the quiet way he moved, the small gestures, the faint smile when he thought no one was looking—kept pulling me in.

I started noticing little things: how carefully he arranged the cups, the way he hummed softly while making drinks, and the occasional glimmer of humor in his eyes when a regular said something funny. He wasn't just the quiet barista I'd first seen—there was more there. Something... deeper.

Every day, I sat at my usual table, sipping my matcha and stealing glances at him. I didn't know why I was so curious, why I kept coming back, but each day it became harder to ignore the feeling that there was more to the barista than he let anyone see.

It was another quiet afternoon at the café. The small place wasn't crowded, and I had my usual matcha in hand. I spotted Jungwon behind the counter, carefully arranging cups as usual.

I took a deep breath and decided today I wouldn't just sit quietly. Sohee:"Hey," I said, forcing a casual smile. Sohee."I don't think we've officially met—I'm Sohee. I come here a lot, but I never actually said hi."

He glanced up, a little startled, then nodded. Jungwon:"Jungwon," he replied quietly, his voice soft, almost reluctant.Jungwon: "I... make the drinks here."

I smiled, trying to keep the conversation flowing. Sohee:"I've noticed. You're really good at it. And, uh... how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

He hesitated for a moment, then said,Jungwon: "21" His eyes flicked back to the counter, careful, cautious, like he didn't want to give too much away.

Sohee:"21? You seem so calm and... careful. I'm 19, by the way," I added, smiling.Sohee: "It's nice to finally talk to you. The café's quiet today, so you must have a bit of time, right?"

He nodded slightly, still reserved, but this time there was no hurry to escape. I noticed the faint twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips. He wasn't much of a talker, but he was listening. And that was enough for now.

He looked...lonely. Not sad exactly, but quiet in a way that made me feel like he kept the world at a distance. I couldn't help it—I didn't like seeing someone like that.

Sohee:"So..." I started, keeping my voice light Sohee:"do you... ever need more people here? I mean, I've noticed it's usually just you working. It must get a bit lonely sometimes."

He froze for a moment, hand hovering over a cup, then slowly nodded. Jungwon:"Yeah... sometimes," he said quietly. His voice was hesitant, like he wasn't used to talking about himself.

Sohee:"I think having someone else around would be nice," I added, smiling softly. Sohee:"It's a small place, but it seems like a lot of work for just one person."

He looked up at me then, and for the first time, I noticed the faint curiosity in his eyes. He didn't say much, but he nodded again. Jungwon:"Yeah... maybe."

I could feel the little barrier around him start to loosen, even just a tiny bit. I wasn't sure if it was because of me, or because he finally had someone to talk to for a moment, but it felt like a start.

A few minutes later, as I sipped the last of my matcha, Jungwon handed me a small card.

Jungwon:"For... applying," he said quietly, his eyes avoiding mine.

I blinked, surprised. Sohee:"Oh! You... actually hire people?" I asked, trying to hide my excitement. Sohee:"I mean, I'm on my autumn break, and I've been looking for a job anyway... This place seems perfect."

He nodded, still quiet, but there was a faint hint of something—maybe approval—in his expression. Jungwon:"Yeah... if you're interested. Fill it out."

I took the card carefully, feeling a little thrill. It wasn't just about the job. It was a chance to be here more often, to see him, and to... maybe understand him a little better.

I smiled to myself as I left the café that day, card in hand. I didn't know what would happen, but I knew I'd be back.

I got home, still thinking about Jungwon. Why was he so quiet? So reserved? There had to be more to him than just being the shy barista I'd seen. I lay down on my bed, scrolling through some barista videos on my laptop, imagining what it would be like if I actually got the job.

The next morning

I woke up, groggy but excited. First thing I did, like every day, I checked my email.

And there it was.

Accepted.

I could start the day after tomorrow.

A rush of excitement ran through me. This wasn't just a job—it was a chance to see Jungwon again, to spend more time in the café, and maybe, just maybe, to figure out the quiet boy behind the counter. I smiled, knowing.. a new chapter was about to begin.

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