Chapter 37

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 37

Chapter Title: Have You Seen This?

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Back at the cafe, Do-ha was sitting there fiddling with his smartphone.

"A bit late, huh? We had a customer. Aren't you supposed to get paid for your shift?"

Did I spend too long on that call?

Maybe it dragged on a little because I wanted to dodge small talk.

"Oh, s-sorry..."

The moment I answered, Do-ha burst out laughing.

"Kidding. Just kidding. Don't look so glum. I'm not the shift manager—I can't dock your pay anyway. And no customer came. Rest until closing. There won't be any today regardless."

"Is it really okay to just keep slacking like this...?"

"Nothing to do anyway, so sure."

Do-ha had just planted a dangerous flag.

'Stuff like that always brings customers...'

I sat down in the chair next to Do-ha.

It was the same one I'd used before heading outside.

The second I sat, I fired off a totally random question.

"...Sis, do you prefer taking orders or making drinks?"

Taking orders versus making them.

If I had to pick one, making was definitely better.

No need to chat with people up front.

And the POS terminal involved ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠money, so I was terrified of hitting the wrong button.

What if I accidentally added an extra zero and overcharged?

Sure, I could cancel it, but the sheer disaster of that unfolding right in front of a customer...

I didn't have the guts to handle that vibe.

At least if I dropped and broke something while making a drink, I'd just take the heat alone.

"I... prefer making them."

"Then you handle making when we're working together. I'll take the orders."

"I-is that okay?"

"I'd rather just talk—it's easier for me. Honestly, I was planning to make them anyway. Taking orders is simpler."

Taking orders is simpler.

Definitely a different species from me.

"Talking to other people feels awkward, so taking orders is harder for me..."

"You talk fine with me, though?"

I only force it because we're coworkers, but Do-ha had no clue.

If I frame it as work, I can chat more easily than I'd think.

Things get messy when it turns personal.

Not that Do-ha was uncomfortable, of course. Way easier than Ms. Areum.

Honestly, Do-ha's topics were simpler to roll with than Areum's.

I struggled hard to pivot when skincare came up.

She grilled me relentlessly—what I used, how I maintained it.

Still, I scraped by with the superficial bits I'd picked up from Sia.

I couldn't exactly say I barely knew myself.

How do you explain having a body like this without trying hard?

"Y-yeah, but... strangers are awkward. You're basically the second person I've met."

"I'm shy too, you know. I make an effort."

Hard to buy that from the guy who'd demanded a handshake on sight.

"That's just a front..."

Do-ha stretched, looking stiff from sitting so long.

I was fine—I'd only stepped out once.

"Ugh... Anyway, me taking orders is a win for me. Super easy. Oh, but when it gets busy, I'll jump in after, so no worries. I'm not that awful."

"Y-yeah..."

"Alright then—"

The shop door swung open for the first time in ages.

A customer.

Definitely that flag Do-ha had just planted.

Do-ha greeted them briskly.

I managed half a beat behind.

Last time it was a full beat—momentum like this, we'd sync up next round.

"Welcome!"

"Welc...come...!"

Ah, bit my tongue.

But Do-ha's drowned it out—no one noticed.

As Do-ha headed to the POS, he shot me a look.

Signal to prep the drinks.

I took my place at the drink station. Footrest right underfoot.

Good call pulling it out. Height lined up perfectly—making this would be way smoother.

I strained to catch the order.

"...Matcha Earl Grey Latte."

Disaster. Seasonal menu—I barely knew it yet.

"Heh..."

I heard the order but couldn't budge.

Right.

The recipe sheet was right here.

Hunted everywhere, but no sign of that menu.

Checked every row and column—no "Matcha Earl Grey Latte."

New this season, probably not updated yet.

Emergency.

Do-ha had already rung them up and was eyeing me.

Couldn't stand my fumbling—slipped behind me.

His voice was surprisingly steady.

"Make it like the strawberry Earl Grey Latte. Just swap the ingredients."

Then a hand shot out from behind, plunking down the stuff in front of me.

Strawberry version was listed, so I followed that.

A little shaky, but it turned out pretty nice.

Not bad for a first go?

I slid the finished latte out and called the customer.

"Ma... Matcha Earl Grey Latte's ready...!"

Nailed the finish. Nearly botched the name mid-callout, though.

"Sis, want me to make them?"

"I-I'll study up. Got it memorized now..."

Do-ha replied with an amused grin.

"Got it."

No more customers after that. We parked ourselves in our usual chairs.

A bit later, Do-ha stood and stretched.

Seeing him like this, Do-ha was pretty tall.

Actually, Ms. Areum and Sia were both taller than me.

And both younger.

Though at 142cm, finding someone shorter might be the real challenge.

Do-ha finished stretching.

Figured he'd sit, but he just stood there staring at me.

I ignored the look, glued to my phone.

"Wanna do closing cleanup early?"

"Can we...?"

"No one came yesterday either. Knock it out early, chill longer—better, right?"

"I-is it...?"

No point arguing—he wouldn't listen anyway.

Senior's call. Even if he's young.

"Split it like yesterday."

I grabbed a rag and wiped down tables and chairs.

My share wrapped up quick—second time around.

Do-ha still had a ton left.

Not slow hands; as the senior, he'd dumped most on himself.

Mine was done regardless.

"Need help...?"

"Nah, sis, do your part."

"D-done..."

"I'm almost."

"Still, together. Faster that way...?"

He mumbled back while steadily mopping the floor.

Couldn't see his face clearly, but a faint smile seemed to spread.

"...True enough."

"Mop where?"

"Over there."

We finished closing together. Way earlier than yesterday.

Humans really are creatures of adaptation.

Seemed I'd adjusted in just one day.

We headed back to those chairs to rest.

Even that short burst of movement wore me out.

Maybe real exercise? Felt like my base stamina was nonexistent.

Wasn't this pathetic before.

"Good work."

"Y-yeah. You too..."

Chilly outside, but moving around indoors got me warm.

"How long you been working here...?"

"Not long myself? Discharged recently, back for the semester. Half a year now?"

Half a year and he looked this pro.

"J-just got out? Tough break..."

"Yeah."

"Kinda late to enlist, though..."

"Mm... later than most? Usually right after freshman year."

"When'd you go in?"

Do-ha's expression turned a touch odd, but he answered.

"November..."

"Two winters, huh... brutal..."

Do-ha tilted his head.

"Right?"

Then he leaned in, peering at me.

"...Sis, you know military stuff pretty well...?"

Ah, slipped out.

Do-ha's suspicious tone snapped me back to what I'd just said.

This was the only common ground I could latch onto.

Tried steering the chat for once, and boom—disaster.

I scrambled for an excuse.

Family. Pulled the family card.

"H-have a brother...!"

"Brother...?"

Ah, slipped again.

I whipped my head away.

Lie or not, no other out.

"Uh, c-calling him 'oppa' feels weird... so I call him 'hyung'..."

Do-ha gave me a weird look, but it passed.

'Gotta watch my words...'

Do-ha ran out of small talk steam, went quiet, and pulled out his phone.

I followed suit.

Wonder what you do at a housewarming.

Maybe grab a gift?

I gripped my phone with both hands to thumb-type.

The screen was cracked.

'Pay off the debt, then snag a new phone right away...'

This one's seen better days—new would cost less than fixing it.

Right as I went to type a search, Do-ha shoved his screen in my face.

"Saw something wild—check this out?"

"Eek..."

The instant I saw it, my heart clenched like a fist squeezing blood through my veins.

Hospital rumors leaking to news outlets—and now reposts like this.

I fought to keep a straight face.

'Not acting weird, am I...?'

I fiddled with Do-ha's phone without thinking, zooming in.

He didn't stop me.

I tapped down with my index finger.

"Whoa... s-so weird."

I played it cool as I handed the phone back.

"Right? A disease like that. In Korea, even. Crazy, huh?"

Do-ha ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠took it casually, thumbing through more posts.

No signs of restarting small talk.

"Y-yeah..."

Quick glance—no personal details on me.

Made sense. If my info was out, Do-ha's reaction wouldn't be this chill.

...Gotta dig for more info once I'm home.