“An Americano. And by any chance….”
Soohyun, who had been tapping the POS machine, raised his head. Soohyun’s appearance in a black short-sleeved shirt and apron was ordinary, but his face and arms exposed outside were particularly white. The man who ordered the Americano slipped him a business card along with his credit card.
“…It’s 4,500 won.”
After completing the payment with the credit card, Soohyun handed the card and business card back to the man. He, who had a very embarrassed face, hurriedly took the card and business card and left the order desk as soon as his eyes met with Soohyun’s expressionless face.
“Soohyun-ssi, take a break.”
“Yes.”
It had already been three months since he started working at the cafe, and handing over business cards or phone numbers was mild. Some people even waited until the time Soohyun finished work and came out. Soohyun took off his apron in the changing room and went outside. Although there was a rest area inside the cafe, Soohyun went to a nearby park during every break.
“The wind… is nice.”
The park where not many people came was good for resting alone. Soohyun always sat in the same spot and drank coffee.
Soohyun, who was slowly savoring the strong coffee with an added espresso shot, closed his eyes while leaning his body against the bench backrest. His body was tired, but he didn’t dislike being busy. There had been people who came on to him before. Now he had even acquired the knack for refusing, so it wasn’t very inconvenient.
“Lee Soohyun-ssi, you were here.”
The 30-minute break time was very precious to Soohyun. It was also the only moment to rest his tired body and mind while welcoming the warm sunlight and wind. However, someone sat next to Soohyun without a sound and struck up a conversation.
“I’m sorry. While you’re resting. I absolutely didn’t follow you on purpose.”
The man was someone Soohyun remembered. He came to the cafe often, but also because he was a person with quite a striking appearance. The man, who had a good physique and was more than a span taller than Soohyun, who was quite tall for an omega, seemed interested in Soohyun but hadn’t approached carelessly. At least until now.
“I was looking for a place to drink coffee for a moment and came here, and Lee Soohyun-ssi is here.”
“…Yes.”
The man’s hand held a paper cup used at the cafe where Soohyun worked. Soohyun, who had been wary of him, realized that he really came here by chance and answered in a calm voice.
“Somehow today’s coffee doesn’t seem to taste very good.”
“What? That can’t be. I’m always careful….”
At the words that the coffee wasn’t good, Soohyun raised his head. The man’s eyes were quite sharp, but the gentle curve at the corner of his mouth gave a comfortable feeling. As soon as his eyes met with Soohyun’s, the man held out the cup with a very regretful face.
“Really. I just bought it, but it doesn’t taste good.”
“That can’t be. The beans are all the same…. Then would you like to try this?”
The cafe where Soohyun worked was a place that sold coffee made from directly roasted beans. Because of that, it was evaluated that the coffee taste was superior to other places. The man received the cup Soohyun offered without hesitation, put his mouth on a part that Soohyun’s lips hadn’t touched, and took a sip.
“I’m sorry. I was so flustered.”
“This is what Soohyun-ssi made, right? The taste is good as expected.”
“What?”
The man showed his teeth and smiled brightly. Toward Soohyun, who was looking at him with a half-dazed expression, the man slightly extended his hand.
“I’m Jang Seokhyeon.”
* * *
After that day, Seokhyeon visited the cafe where Soohyun worked every day. Soohyun was wary of him as with other people, but he was a little different from others.
“Three cups, please. Add a shot to one cup.”
Every time Seokhyeon came, he ordered one cup of coffee for himself to drink, but once a week he always ordered three cups and added a shot to one cup. And he would slip that additional coffee as Soohyun’s share.
“You don’t have to do this.”
Soohyun, who refused at first, gradually became accustomed to the one cup of coffee he handed over once a week. Because he didn’t give him a business card, nor did he demand his contact information, Soohyun gradually lowered his guard against Seokhyeon.
“An Americano again today?”
“Today, please include cake as well.”
It was the first time. Until now, he had never once ordered any menu other than beverages. Seokhyeon ordered a whole cake and stared at Soohyun intently, then soon turned his head.
“Shall I also give you candles if you need them?”
“Yes, please.”
Soohyun took out the only cake left in the refrigerator and carefully wrapped it. Seokhyeon, who received the cake and beverage Soohyun handed over, muttered in a small voice.
“I’ll be alone on my birthday this year too.”
“What?”
“Ah, no. Um… Soohyun-ssi.”
Soohyun, who had been busy with the store closing approaching, was strangely concerned about Seokhyeon’s appearance, which was a little more subdued than usual. Although they had met only as a customer and employee, Soohyun originally had an affectionate personality enough to worry about the well-being of him, whom he met almost every day.
“You don’t look like you’re in a good mood today.”
“It’s my birthday. Today.”
“What? Then this is…?”
“I don’t particularly like it, so there’s no one to eat it. But it’s a shame to just let it pass, so I buy it every year.”
“But this cake is really delicious. It’s not too sweet either. I think it would be good if you tried it….”
“Then would you like to have it together, Soohyun-ssi?”
“…What?”
If Seokhyeon’s eyes had looked just a little less lonely that day, if he had smiled without averting his gaze when Soohyun asked back in surprise, Soohyun might have refused his request. But Seokhyeon kept his head down and remained silent.
“Um… it’s my deadline today. I still need to be here for about another hour…”
“I’ll wait. Soohyun-ssi.”
Soohyun and Seokhyeon sat side by side in the park where they first met and lit candles.
“Thank you so much. Soohyun-ssi.”
“No. I really didn’t do anything special…”
Starting from that day, Seokhyeon and Soohyun grew closer. Seokhyeon actively pursued Soohyun, and Soohyun couldn’t push him away as he had done with others.
“Seokhyeon-ssi, I’m sorry. I’m not in a position to date anyone right now.”
“Lee Soohyun-ssi, I’m asking for a chance.”
Soohyun felt uncomfortable every time he had to say words of rejection to Seokhyeon. Even after confessing, he continued to visit the cafe where Soohyun worked and ordered coffee just as before. But occasionally he would try to win Soohyun’s heart by giving him flowers or desserts, and sometimes clothes or watches.
“Seokhyeon-ssi, this kind of thing…”
“Soohyun-ssi. This is the first time in my life I’ve put in this much effort. Can’t we even have one meal together? I didn’t eat anything all day because I wanted to have a meal with Soohyun-ssi.”
“Then… just a meal…”
Soohyun was weak to Seokhyeon’s desperate gaze. His eyes reminded him of Jeongwon’s eyes that used to look at him lovingly.
“I like you, Lee Soohyun-ssi. As soon as I saw Soohyun-ssi. I think I fell for you in 3 seconds.”
“Seokhyeon-ssi… I…”
As Soohyun continued to date Seokhyeon, he learned that he was the second son of a very large company and that he was about to be appointed as a director, which made him feel very burdened. But Seokhyeon poured tremendous devotion into Soohyun, and his desperation gradually swayed Soohyun’s heart.
“Actually, Soohyun-ssi, I have something to confess.”
“A confession?”
“Meeting Soohyun-ssi at the park that day wasn’t a coincidence.”
“What?”
Seeing Soohyun’s surprised face, Seokhyeon smiled pleasantly.
“You didn’t seem like someone who would easily give an opening. I saw Soohyun-ssi at that park several times but didn’t have the courage to approach you.”
“Seokhyeon-ssi… I…”
“Soohyun-ssi, I want to spend tonight together. I don’t want to send you home.”
Seokhyeon’s gaze was burning. Having met him several times, Soohyun had gradually loosened the lock on his heart. Lonely Soohyun wanted to rely on him, who lived in a different world from himself but always looked at him with consistent eyes and treated him affectionately.
And for the first time since sending Jeongwon away, Soohyun spent the night with him.
* * *
“Kugh, huk, Soohyun-ssi, you’re so beautiful…”
