The Invitation

I hung up and went straight in through the café door. Ju Hayeong had tears beaded at the corners of her eyes from a yawn; the moment she saw me she startled, then broke into a bright smile, and I answered it with a soft one of my own.

"Honey."

"You looked bored."

"Mm. A little. Come in. Want some coffee?"

"Yes. But the shop isn't actually going to go under if we keep this up, right?"

"It's Saturday, though. There'll be some customers once evening comes."

She smiled, shy and small, and fussed with her apron. I watched her a moment, then leaned against the counter and spoke. That did make it a little awkward. The impulse had been sudden, but getting in the way of her business didn't sit right with me.

"Then I suppose we shouldn't."

"Hm? Shouldn't what?"

"If you were free today, I wanted to introduce you to the others. We'd have to close the shop for a little while, though."

Hayeong flinched. Her eyes went round as she looked at me.

"...Ah. R-really?"

"Yeah. But work comes first."

"N-no. I want to, too..."

She smoothed her apron, hesitation written all over her. Fair enough. Calling her out of nowhere wasn't polite, and she had almost no time to get ready. I'd made a thoughtless offer. I'd only said it because the thought of her sitting here alone had been nagging at me.

"I know it's sudden. Let's find a time later."

"...No. No, I'll get ready."

"Are you sure? You seem uncomfortable."

"It's not that it's a burden, exactly... How do I look? Is it strange? My makeup, and..."

"You're beautiful. You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠always are."

Color rushed up into her face. She hid her cheek with the back of her hand, stole a glance at me, and murmured.

"...I'm always so grateful when you say that, but..."

"Don't feel pressured. It isn't a meal or anything formal—just think of it as dropping by to say hello. I know it's sudden, so if it's too much, tell me. I'll invite you properly another time."

"...No. I want to go. I'll go. Just a minute. Ah, I still have to make the coffee..."

I smiled at the way she rushed about, not knowing what to do with herself, and answered.

"Take your time. I'll handle the coffee, so go get ready. Do you want one too, Hayeong?"

"Mm. Then could you make me an iced Americano as well?"

"Of course. Take your time. I'll close up first."

"Okay. Please. I'll just touch up my makeup a little... Sorry for making you wait."

"It's all right."

She was the one apologizing. I nodded and smiled, and she headed for the office, untying her apron as she went. If the shop had been busy I couldn't have asked, but making a place for her like this—even if I was forcing it a little—didn't seem so bad.

Before any customers show up. I set the coffee down, flipped the sign on the door to Closed, and lowered the blinds. A weekend part-timer was starting to look necessary. Business like this, the wages probably wouldn't even pay for themselves. I felt a little guilty that I couldn't help on weekends, which made it hard to bring up. I pulled four coffees, tucked Hyunji's and Hwang Jiyoung's into a carrier, and drank mine while I waited for Hayeong.

Should I warn them first? Hyunji and Jiyoung might be startled, so I figured I ought to call ahead. I took out my phone and dialed, and Hyunji picked up at once.

A smile pulled at my mouth at the bright voice coming through the phone. She had no idea how grateful I was for this side of her.

The moment I hung up, Hayeong stepped out of the office in her everyday clothes and hovered, looking at me. A calm beige pleated skirt swayed around her legs, and the brown knit she wore above it quietly bared the line of her collarbones. It was a little disappointing to have her figure hidden, but the softness of it suited her.

"...S-so? How is it?"

She swallowed and asked. I looked at her, and sorry as I was, I honestly couldn't tell the difference. She was still the cute boss who stirred my protective instinct.

"I told you—you're pretty. Always cute."

"C-cute..."

"Don't be so nervous. Everyone's kind and gentle. If it really feels like too much, we can do this another time. Really."

"...No. If you're the one suggesting it... Everyone else is gathering today, right?"

Oh. Now that she mentioned it. If Hayeong came too, that was everyone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠except Lee Hyesun. The feeling that gave me was strange.

"Well, everyone but one. It just ended up this way."

"Then I'm going. I've already made up my mind."

"Made up your mind?"

"Mm. I always thought a day like this would come... and that I absolutely couldn't miss it. I kept hoping you'd please invite me too. I'm just so glad it's today."

"...You don't have to make it that big a deal. It's really just a casual hello."

"That's because you're a man. For women, this matters. Especially if you're seeing a Multimale like you—you have to go."

"...Is that so?"

"Mm. First impressions are everything. I don't want to look rude. I don't want them ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thinking you ended up with some strange woman, and I don't want to embarrass you. I want to make a good impression on them, too."

"I'm telling you, it isn't that serious."

Faced with this new, almost resolute side of her, I scratched my cheek. Was I imagining it, or did she have the anxious air of a freshman who'd missed orientation and was afraid she'd spend the whole year as an outsider? And now—should I tell Lee Hyesun, too? I thought about getting in touch, then decided a call or a text later would do. She was a busy woman.

"...I don't want to be left behind at your side. For that, I have to do this well."

"You don't have to go that far. Anyway, don't get so tense. I'm nervous too, you know."

"Ah, th-that's... I'm sorry..."

She shrank at my words. I looked at her, then quietly stepped closer and carefully drew her into my arms. Her scent, mingled with the deep smell of coffee, settled me. But contrary to what she said, her body was stiff. With the tension plain on her, I quietly picked up the coffee carrier and whispered at her ear.

"...Honey..."

"I mean it. You don't have to be this nervous. Just think of it as meeting people from a club."

"...Mm..."

"Why would I let you go? Are you still anxious?"

"...S-sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just..."

"Just?"

"I'm older, and... so..."

"Ah. There's one more now."

"...Really?"

"Yeah. And she's older than you."

Her eyes went round as she looked up at me. The expression was so cute that a short laugh escaped me, and I quietly stroked her cheek.

"So don't worry about your age. It aches to see you do that."

"...O-okay... B-but how old is she...?"

"Forty-three."

"...Y-you're really something... So it was true. You really don't care about age at all...?"

"I care. As long as they aren't too young or too old, well. In the end, pretty is enough. Like you."

"Ahh..."

I idly stroked the curve of her backside, and a small moan slipped out of her. I could feel her heart beginning to pound. She swallowed, quietly gathered the cardigan at my chest in her fingers, and whispered.

"...Every time you say things like that... my heart races..."

"I can feel it. So don't overthink it. I'm starting to regret having brought it up."

"No... I'm really grateful you told me today... It makes me feel like you're thinking of me sincerely..."

"Of course I am. Shall we head out?"

When I eased her out of my arms, she let out a reluctant sigh and asked.

"...Mm. Where are we going?"

"You know the apartment right next door? I'll pick the two of them up there, and we'll go to the gym where I work out."

"Ah. I was curious about where you exercise, anyway."

"Perfect, then."

"...Mm. Perfect."

At the shy smile she gave me, I quietly took her hand, switched off the café lights, finished locking up, and we walked slowly down the street.

"What did you do today?"

"Mm, I went on a date with the friend we're going to see. Oh, that reminds me."

"Hm?"

"Would you think about hiring a weekend part-timer?"

"...Should I?"

"Yeah. Then you can go on dates with me, too. You don't have anyone who can cover on short notice, do you?"

"The lady from the flower shop next door helps out sometimes..."

"Not all the time, though."

"That's true. Mm. I'll think about it."

"I just worried I was getting in the way of the shop out of selfishness."

At that she shook my hand off once, almost like a pout, and whispered.

"...Selfishness? I'm just grateful that you want to spend time with me. You don't have to worry so much about the shop."

"Then that's a relief. Tell me when you find someone."

"Mm. So where did you go today?"

"The date? We stopped by a department store and had brunch. That was about it. And..."

I hesitated, then decided I ought to tell Hayeong. If I waited and she poured her energy and time into looking at houses, I'd feel bad. The proper explanation could wait until we reached the gym.

"I found a house."

"Oh my, really? Where?"

"...I'll tell you the details later."

"I'm curious. An apartment?"

"No. A silver town."

She stopped mid-step. I scratched my cheek and looked at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her.

"No way. There's only one silver town out that way. I've heard of it. Ages ago, Iseon Construction said they were building a senior community there. So the units actually went on sale. I only caught it in passing, so it's hazy."

"...That's probably the one."

"That's wonderful. Really."

"...A bit too wonderful."

"Hm?"

She looked up at me with round eyes, and I didn't have much to say. We'd already talked about the silver town, and even Hayeong couldn't begin to imagine that it was the whole place.

"Anyway, that's how it turned out. I'll show you later. We'll have to make time again."

"...Mm. That's fine, but..."

"Let's go together sometime next week. Oh, and I think I have to move on Wednesday, so I might not be able to make my shift."

"Then... can I come with you that day? I want to see the house you'll be living in..."

"Of course. Are you sure that's all right?"

"One day is nothing."

"We'll be back before noon, then."

"Mm. I'll help you move your things, too."

It would be a full-service move anyway, but I could feel that she wanted to help however she could. I smiled quietly and nodded.

"Then I should be the one thanking you."

"Thanking me. That's my line... But you're moving that fast?"

"Yeah. The landlord said if I can vacate, to do it as soon as possible. She'll return the deposit right away, too."

"That's unusual. People usually don't want to let you out in the middle of a lease."

"The thing is..."

Talking of this and that, we reached Hyunji's apartment in no time. I pressed their unit number at the entrance, and Hwang Jiyoung answered over the intercom and opened the front gate. In the elevator up to Hyunji's place, Hayeong was visibly tense, swallowing hard. I almost offered her one more word, then closed my mouth.