Chapter Text
It’s been raining all week, I don’t know why I expected it to be any better today. It was cold and miserable, just like the other days have been. The sky was grey and gloomy, rain drizzling from the heavens. Sighing, I shrugged on my raincoat and grabbed my belongings along with my umbrella. Slipping on my rain boots, I opened my front door, breathing in the smell of rain and fresh air. Work wasn’t too far, I usually took my bike but considering the circumstances, I rode a taxi. In all honesty, I loved the rain. This weather made me want to lay in bed with a hot cup of coffee beside me. I leaned against the car door, watching as rain droplets fell against the window, the sound lulling me to sleep “Hey kid, we’re here.” I heard and opened my eyes tiredly, reaching into my purse and handing him cash. I opened the door, followed by my umbrella “Thank you.” I said before shutting the door behind me, jogging to the front of the cafe. I sighed contently as warm air hit my face, along with the strong aroma of coffee. “Eun-Chan? You’re early!” Min-Yup said with surprise and I playfully scoff “What? You don’t want me here?” He let out a laugh and I shrug off my raincoat, placing it on a coatrack nearby along with my umbrella “Heck no, I’m actually happy you’re here. I need some advice.” I raised my brows as I sat on the bar across him, “What advice?” He sighed “Eun-Sae won’t call me back, I don’t know what to do.” I looked at him in amusement, telling him to make me a cappuccino “What’d you do?” I jabbed and he gasped, frothing the milk “Nothing, at least I don’t think.” I laughed, “Knowing you, you probably said something stupid. You should just say sorry.” He furrowed his brows in confusion “But I don’t know what I did wrong-“ “So? Just say sorry, she’ll forgive you. And don’t even ask what she’s mad at you for, you’ll make it worse.” He smiled and poured my coffee onto a mug, placing it on the bar “Thanks noona.” I rolled my eyes playfully, tucking my long hair behind my ear before taking a sip “Whatever.” I stood up from my chair, bringing my mug with me. Most of the time I came early just to drink coffee and relax, to get away from my mom and sister’s chaotic banter. I loved them hard but I needed me time, quiet time. I walked toward the book shelf we had at the cafe, scanning each book with my eyes as I took a sip. My eyebrows raised as I noticed a book missing and looked around the cafe, subtly searching. The cafe was pretty empty today, considering the weather was terrible. I stopped as my eyes landed on a man, sitting at the edge of our long table to the right of the cafe. That area was, in a way, secluded. You could only see through the bar and from the side, but not when you enter. I carefully studied his face, his eyes looking down toward the book. His brown eyes were almond shaped, eyebrows furrowed with a long slim nose, pink big lips, an oval face with nice cheekbones. He had great, thick black hair - not quite near his shoulders but still long. It was down, middle parted. I wonder what it would feel like if I ran my hands through it, it would probably feel great - oh god he’s looking at me. I quickly looked away, taking a sip of my coffee “Jesus Christ Chan.” I quietly groaned to myself, shutting my eyes for a second. I noticed it was pouring harder, rain hitting our roof in a nice calming rhythm. I walked towards our large window, the rain blurring out everything. I sighed, there wouldn’t be any customers today, maybe that’s a good thing. “My Chan! You’re here already?” I turned to my right and let out a laugh, it was my best friend “Where were you?” I hit his arm with my elbow, his hand coming up to smack it back “I was upstairs cleaning tables, Han-Kyul can’t make it today.” Ha-Rim complained with a groan and I grinned, “Sucks for you.” He stuck out his tongue and I did the same “You’re a kid.” “You too!” “Eun-Chan! Get changed already, it’s almost your shift.” Min-Yup interrupted, a mop in hand “Fine, fine.” I downed my last sip of coffee and stood up, smacking Ha-Rim at the back of his head “Ow!” Walking towards the stairs, I did the same to Min-Yup “Oww, you punk!”
The man in the corner looked up from his book, watching the girl go up the stairs. He’s never seen her before, considering he’s been going to the cafe every single day for 2 years. He shifted his eyes to the two boys, they were entertaining to watch but annoying to listen to. A lot of the times they would talk to him while giving him his coffee, but nothing unusual. They always joked amongst themselves, even when their boss was around. He figured they were all friends, it sort of made him want to feel included. He found this cafe after a hot day of selling waffles, it was cozy and welcoming. He made it a habit to go back everyday after he closed shop. The only person he knew was the old man who made the coffee, he came by to buy waffles every once in a while. He was grumpy sometimes but he made great coffee, that’s for sure. While in thought, the girl came back down in the same outfit as the guys, except she was curvier. He subtly examined her face, she was looking at him earlier. She was pale, pretty brown eyes, plump lips, long wavy hair with bangs. She was short in height, tiny in fact compared to him. From what he can remember, only men worked at this cafe, there were no women at all - which was the cafe’s main appeal. Coffee Prince, literally in the name. He shook his head, returning his attention back to his book.
I clipped parts of my hair back, making it a half updo. “My Chan, how was Italy? I missed you.” Ha-Rim said, leaning against the bar “It was amazing, there were so many hot men there. Plus the coffee was great, you should go there sometime.” I looked around, “Where’s Mr. Hong?” Ha-Rim made a face, looking around as well “In the bathroom I think, it’s been empty all day. Except for that guy of course.” I looked behind him, toward the guy reading the book “Is he always here?” I asked, leaning against the bar and staring at the customer “Yea, he’s a regular. He’s been going here everyday for 2 years. He doesn’t talk much either, just reads a book and drinks coffee.” I raised my brows, looking at Ha-Rim “2 years?” He nodded and hit my arm “You look like a whole new person now, you know?” He said, looking me up and down. I snorted and hit his head, laughing “Shut up! It’s cause I look like a girl now huh.” Ha-Rim wiggled his brows and I playfully rolled my eyes, hearing whistling around the corner. Mr. Hong came in my line of sight and turned to his left, doing a double take “Eun-Chan! You’re back!” He grinned so wide, my heart felt warm. I let out a big smile as he grabbed my hands “Ahjussi, it’s good to see you!” He laughed and made his way behind the bar “How was Italy? Did you learn something?” He asked, taking a seat in his usual place behind the register “I won first place for four barista championships.” I said with pride, and he let out a hearty laugh “You should make some coffee, I wanna learn something.” I grinned and he stuck his head out, “Hey you!” I raised my brows as he called out to the man in the corner, who looked up from his book “You want some good coffee?” The man raised his brow, and shrugged nonchalantly “Sure.” He said quietly and Mr. Hong grinned, “Your first customer after 2 years, make it good.” I smiled and grabbed four mugs, setting it on the side of the bar. Boiling some water, I ground some freshly roasted coffee beans while preparing the chemex. I poured hot water over the filter before placing the coffee grounds, then proceeding to slowly add hot water at intervals, keeping my eye on the coffee scale “Your technique is great, way better than before.” I let out a small smile, “Thanks Mr. Hong.” Once it reached the appropriate amount, I stopped and threw out the coffee filter. I slowly poured equal amounts of coffee into each mug, setting down the chemex “Done.” Ha-Rim and Mr. Hong grinned, clapping “Wow my Chan, you’re so good.” He turned around, “Wanna give it to him?”
Grabbing ahold of the mug, I walked towards him, feeling eyes at the back of my head. He was still reading his book, not paying mind to my sudden appearance. I set it down in front of him, along with some napkins “Thank you.” He said quietly and I smiled even though he probably didn’t see, turning around and heading back to the bar. We all grabbed a mug and took a sip, sighing in content “Wow, this is the best coffee I’ve tasted, even my own can’t compare.” Mr. Hong said, taking another sip “Oh stop Mr. Hong, your coffee is really good. You inspired me.” He smiled and Ha-Rim let out a moan “My Chan, this is heaven.” I laughed, “I’m sure it is, you big dope.” Mr. Hong raised his brows, “Did the guy try it yet?” We all turned to look at him, his coffee left untouched. We sat there for a minute, waiting to see his reaction. All of a sudden, he reaches out to grab the mug and carefully takes a sip. His brows raise and he looks at the mug, before taking another sip. Ha-Rim laughs “He loves it, I’ve never seen him look like that.” I let out a smile as I continued watching him, the other two continuing conversation. The guy set down the mug and let out the smallest smile, his chest rising as he let out a breath “He’s good looking huh.” Ha-Rim says all of a sudden and I quickly looked at him, slapping his head “What are you? Drunk?” Mr. Hong snorts, grabbing a magazine “He’s always like that, gossiping and all.” Ha-Rim clicks his tongue, “I’m just saying he’s your type, and he’s 25.” He whispers and I roll my eyes, “That’s a year older than you.” I smirk “I can count.” “Mhm, just saying, he’s probably single and lonely.” He snorts, continuing to drink his coffee.
The man looked up from his book, turning his head to the right to look at the girl. They were in fact loud, most of the time he would tune them out but they were talking about her. Then about him, his age, his love life. It was all of a sudden more interesting than this book, she went to Italy to study coffee, is what he can gage from their conversation. She’s apparently the best, which he can tell from her coffee. He’s had coffee most of his life, mostly mediocre. The old man’s coffee was pretty good, which made him stick around other than the atmosphere. But her coffee was like a flavor bomb, delicious, he sounds like he knows about coffee all of a sudden. And she’s cute too, he thought. He lets out a small smile, shaking his head and ignoring his thoughts.