Sunny Weekend Cafe Encounter
Sunny weekend morning. Amid the usual everyday scenery.
"Hmm-hmm~"
Harang hummed a light tune with her bouncy steps. Her head bobbed side to side, swinging her arms—she was clearly in high spirits.
"Snow, you like weekends that much?"
"Of course! Who in the world hates weekends?"
This was her first day off since starting as a magical girl. And on top of that, a rare homework-free day!
"Hmm-hmm, the weather's perfect!"
With happy events piling on happy events, it was only natural her mood soared. Bursting with excitement, Harang kept humming as she headed to her pre-scouted cafe. Of course, she didn't forget to keep her hands busy even while walking.
Tap tap, ding ding.
She was texting Tier Red, who must still be drained from yesterday's incident. But the unread count on the screen stubbornly refused to budge, no matter how long she waited.
Senior must still be training... She's amazing as always.
Admiring her passionate senior, Harang still felt a pang of regret at having to spend such a perfect day alone.
Well, nothing I can do about it!
Fine then—she'd enjoy it double, for both of them. Daydreaming about what drink to get, Harang stepped into the cafe.
But then... a subtle chill hit her.
Huh...?
Why did her back feel so cold? She'd arrived in such a great mood, but now an inexplicable pressure weighed on her. Her fingertips even trembled slightly—not her imagination.
Was a monster nearby? She scanned the room, but the cafe was perfectly peaceful.
What the...?
Lost in bewilderment as she stood blankly at the counter, the barista's voice snapped her back.
"Ma'am? Payment first, please..."
"Ah, yes! Right away!"
Startled, Harang fumbled into her bag. But...
"Uh... huh?"
It was gone. Her wallet.
Wh-where's my wallet? I know I grabbed it...!
She dug through every corner—even the bottom—touching only a few pens and a cute embroidered handkerchief. Cold sweat dripped down Harang's back.
Did she lose it? That would be a disaster. It was stuffed with her fresh allowance from this morning!
"What do I do, oh no..."
Frantically shaking her bag with a teary face—
Tap tap. Someone tapped her shoulder from behind.
"...?"
She whipped around reflexively. There stood a white-haired girl even smaller than her.
"Wallet. Yours?"
A tiny hand extended forward, holding a character wallet with a penguin in glasses—the one Harang had desperately sought.
"Uh... yeah?! Where was it?"
"By the door."
The girl replied flatly, pointing toward the cafe entrance.
Oof. Must've dropped it while spacing out...
Harang clutched the returned wallet, her face flushing. How embarrassing to look so sloppy in front of a kid who seemed younger.
"Be careful next time."
"Y-yeah..."
She nodded at the girl's warning.
...Wait.
This kid's adorable!
Too focused on the wallet before, but now... the girl's face was like a living doll. Soft white hair, pale skin, sparkling red eyes. Harang wanted to scoop her up right then!
Twitch. A tiny desire wriggled in her heart.
"Hey, let me thank you... Can I buy you something? Juice? Cake?"
"No need. Just passing by."
"No, no! It'd make me feel bad. Today was allowance day—if I'd lost it, I might've cried for real. Please, let me get you something. Pretty please?"
She couldn't just let this cute creature slip away.
"..."
The girl frowned irritably at the persistent begging, then let out a small sigh.
"Fine."
She shuffled to the counter. Tiptoeing slightly to peer at the menu.
Heehee...
Too cute—Harang grinned, staring at her profile.
Stoic expression, but her charm made it impossible not to watch.
"I'll take this."
The girl pointed at a menu item. Harang's eyes widened.
"Iced Americano...?"
No way—a kid who looked elementary-school age picking black adult coffee.
"Um, little one. Wrong choice? That's super bitter and nasty..."
"Iced Americano."
Even asked twice, firm yes. A kid drinking coffee? Weird...
Oh! Got it!
Harang blinked, then raised her brows in realization.
She's picking the cheapest 'cause I'm buying!
Beautiful face and kind heart? Perfection.
"It's fine! Remember, allowance day? Big sis has plenty. No need to hold back. This stuff's like bitter medicine—you'll regret it. Strawberry latte's yummy instead..."
"...I like iced Americano."
Her blank face tightened slightly, voice laced with odd pride.
"O-okay."
Harang tilted her head internally but nodded reluctantly at the resolve.
"Yes, order number two. Pick up when the buzzer rings."
"Yess~"
Receipt: one iced Americano, one coconut shake. Two sweet cream buns—insurance. In case the coffee shocked her, something to neutralize the bitterness.
"Got the buzzer—let's wait over there."
Harang pointed to a cozy corner sofa booth.
Plop.
Heehee.
Mission accomplished—sitting side-by-side with the cutie. Harang fought her rising grin.
"What's your name? I'm Seol Harang!"
"..."
The girl eyed her, then gazed out the window blankly.
"Mir."
"Mir?!"
"...Yeah."
Even her name's perfect!
Harang squealed internally, cupping her cheeks.
"Pretty name! Who named you?"
"...Dad."
"What do you do for fun? Hobbies?"
"Just... cooking."
Harang's questions flooded out as she scooted closer.
"Cooking?! No way, you cook? Amazing! Where do you live? Around here?"
"Somewhere in that alley."
Curious barrage, but Mir stayed curt. Short answers, laced with annoyance, eyes averted. Could seem rude, but Harang's eyes sparkled.
Like a cat! Too cute!
Her aloof standoffishness evoked a shy white kitty.
Bzzz-.
The buzzer in Harang's hand rang loudly.
"Oh, ready! Wait, big sis'll grab it quick!"
Heading to the counter, she noticed something odd.
Hm?
The vague oppressive chill from before entering... gone.
Imagination? It was scary enough to make me shake...
Now her heart felt soft and calm. Maybe healing from the cute kid? Her serene aura must've soothed Harang's nerves.
Animal therapy's the best.
Cat cafe next time.
"Here, yours! And these cream buns to share."
Harang handed over the Americano cup, then plopped back, snuggling close.
Twinkle twinkle.
Like beholding a rare treasure, eyes glued.
Mir seemed burdened by the hot gaze and clinginess. Frowning slightly, she glanced sideways, but Harang just beamed and bobbed her head.
Visibly uncomfortable for a while, Mir finally gave up and sipped through the straw.
Slurp.
"Cough."
Knew it!
Startled by the mysterious bitterness flooding her mouth, Mir coughed and set the cup far away. Confused eyes—she'd never had coffee before.
Harang cheered inwardly.
"See? Told you it's bitter. Try this quick."
Anticipating this, she gently split a cream bun and held it to Mir's lips. Sweet yellow cream touched them.
Mir's mouth twitched instinctively at the sweetness.
"This'll wash the bitterness away. Big sis is giving it, so no refusing—say ahh~"
"N-no..."
"Hurry, or big sis eats it all?"
Mir eyed the bun and distant cup, frowning. The lingering bitterness seemed brutal—her usual blank face gone, lips pouty and cute.
Feeding embarrasses her? But Mir, you're trapped now!
Harang grinned inwardly. Heehee, choose: lifetime of mystery bitterness, or big sis's heavenly sweetness!
"Come on! Big sis's arm hurts? It's really good—one bite and you'll love it."
Mir glared at the bun and Harang, but the sweet aroma tickling her nose won. Small sigh, then cautiously opened her mouth.
Nice!
Harang shoved it in.
Shloop.
Mir's eyes widened. Tense shoulders visibly relaxed.
Ehehehe...
Harang whooped inside. Best day ever!