Back to Everyday Life -1-

As the Cafe Owner instructed, I took it easy all weekend and got ready for work on Monday. In the end, Ji-ah noona and I only exchanged short KakaoTalk messages or calls—no chance to make plans to meet up.

Still, I'd probably run into her at the cafe with a high chance, right? Just thinking that made me pay a bit more attention to my outfit and hair without realizing it. Slim-fit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slacks, a white shirt with sleeves rolled up since it's summer. I was confident in my solidly muscled forearms. I vaguely remembered seeing online somewhere that women found "rolled-up shirt sleeves revealing forearms" sexy? I hated anything clunky on my wrist, so I rarely wore a watch, but I put one on today. The cool, heavy feel of the metal watch was already a little uncomfortable, but I endured it because I looked pretty sharp in the mirror.

I styled my hair neatly in a formal look with wax and set it with hairspray. "This should... be okay, right?" Not overdoing it for just going to work. Kind of like that "effortless chic" vibe? Whatever.

Unlike usual, I headed to the cafe with my heart fluttering a bit.

"You've been through a lot."

"Nah. But glad it all worked out. You sure you're really okay?"

"For now, yeah. Legally, the lawyer noona that Ji-ah noona introduced took care of everything."

"What a kind person."

I just gave an awkward smile instead of answering and tied on my cafe apron. I helped the Cafe Owner with prep and cleaning, then put out the OPEN sign and the sandwich board by the entrance right on time for opening, just like always.

Apart from getting a bit tired from customers frequently asking if things were resolved and if I was okay, it felt perfectly like my normal routine again. Well, excluding how the Kang So-ra incident had turned into a bit of a trauma, making me flinch at noises or glances now and then. But that should fade with time, right?

Anyway, when's Ji-ah noona coming today?

-2-

My subtle anticipation for Ji-ah noona's arrival didn't last long. The cafe was busier than usual today, and hustling kept my mind off her.

Ding-a-ling—

"Welcome!"

Like always, I mechanically greeted at the door chime, paused my dishwashing, and turned toward the counter. And there she was—Ji-ah noona.

A loose navy-toned sprite shirt, black cotton hot pants below, and strappy high heels. Her long hair was thickly waved and swept to one side. Huh? Isn't that the short-lived "one-side wave" style I saw somewhere before? Suits her perfectly, though. Well, with Ji-ah noona's looks, any hairstyle or fashion would work.

She was always pretty, but maybe because I realized I like her? She looks extra beautiful today... No, what am I saying?

"Jae-hyun, hey. Have a good weekend?"

Her soft smile and gentle voice set my heart pounding wildly. What the hell? It's just a shift in emotions—does it have to feel this dramatically different? My physical reactions, my emotional ones—none of it felt normal. It was seriously disorienting.

The feelings ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were different, the meaning was different, but I'd always thought of Ji-ah noona as a good person and liked her. It just wasn't romantic back then. And yet... just adding "romantic" to my "like" changed everything this much?

For someone like me—a total loner with no experience in crushes or first loves—it was nothing but confusing.

"Jae-hyun? Something happen over the weekend?"

She must've noticed my weird reaction too, because she immediately looked serious and worried.

"Ah. N-no, nothing. Just... uh, um. It's been a while since I started at the cafe. Haha. Usual order, right?"

"Yeah."

Embarrassed, I fumbled around, quickly rang her up, and stamped her coupon. The Cafe Owner was handling the dishes I'd left, so I had to make the coffee.

I pulled an espresso shot from the machine and filled a cup with ice in the meantime. Poured the shot into the cup, added a bit of water, mixed well—done. I plated the cheese cake to go with it.

Before I could even buzz the vibrating pager, Ji-ah noona, who'd been watching me the whole time, came to the pickup counter.

"You free after work later?"

"Huh? Yeah, sure."

We'd made plans like this before. But maybe because my feelings for her had changed? My heart was thumping so hard it hurt as I answered. I could tell I was grinning like an idiot without even trying.

Ji-ah noona gave a faint smile seeing my beaming face. She seemed a little relieved.

"...Good. You're smiling like your old self now."

"R-really?"

"Yeah. I was worried you were still hurting from that woman."

She flashed a bright smile, saying it made her feel better seeing me smile. Was my face flushing right now? Worried she'd notice something off, but she took the tray without a word and headed back to her table.

"Hoo, haa."

I finally exhaled the tension. Damn. So Yoon-ju goes through this every day with Han So-eun and still acts all lovey-dovey? Suddenly, Yoon-ju in the midst of her hot romance felt super respectable!

"Oh my, oh my. Has our stone-faced part-timer finally welcomed spring?"

The Cafe Owner, who'd apparently caught the whole thing, teased me with a sly grin. Normally I'd flatly deny it—"No way, don't be ridiculous"—but now it was undeniable fact. Feeling my face heat up, I ducked my head to avoid her eyes, and she widened hers in surprise. She'd probably expected another denial.

"For real? Oh, look at you?"

"Stop teasing, please. Cafe Owner."

What if Ji-ah noona sees! I was sure of my feelings, but not of hers—her kindness and fondness toward me. Was it just doting on a cute younger guy like a little brother? Or did she feel the same? I didn't want her finding out and things getting awkward if it was one-sided. If she felt burdened and our current relationship soured, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

"You two look great together—go for it! This Cafe Owner's rooting for you. Hehehe."

Cafe Owner, that laugh just now sounded kinda pervy.

-3-

As always, Ji-ah noona leisurely sipped her coffee and enjoyed her dessert. I felt her gaze on me now and then, and we'd catch eyes and smile sometimes. Yeah, nothing new. But what was this ticklish, thrilling flutter? I had to fight back silly grins the whole time.

Eventually, she said she'd come back at closing and left. After that, time dragged weirdly slow. Even though it wasn't slow because there were no customers.

Closing time finally rolled around, and Ji-ah noona returned right on schedule. Outfit was the same, but she'd swapped the strappy heels for comfy sneakers.

"Cafe Owner, I'm clocking out!"

"Have fun on your date~!"

"Ahem. Date... yeah, a date."

Right? This is a date? Embarrassed, I cleared my throat, yanked off my apron, and bolted.

"You look more put-together than usual... No other plans, right?"

"Huh? Oh, no. Just... felt like switching it up?"

Felt like a kid caught red-handed doing something naughty. I'd thought I wasn't obvious, but she noticed—kinda made me happy. She peeked up at my sheepish grin and chuckled softly.

"Then, while you're at it... w-wanna go for a drive?"

"A drive? You have a car, noona?!"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. But it's not new. Family hand-me-down."

"Ooh, got it."

Not surprised. I'd known her for months now, and she'd been living leisurely without a job, so I figured her family was well-off. A used car at her age made sense.

"Dinner's on me then. Where to?"

The car in the nearby public lot was a black sedan. Not into cars in my past or current life, but it didn't seem super expensive—just a common model I'd seen around. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Probably like an Avante or Sonata level?

"Hmm... Namsan, maybe? You said you liked pork cutlet last time! Sound good?"

Had I? Well, who doesn't like pork cutlet? Especially for guys, it was one of the big three soul foods alongside pork stir-fry and seolleongtang—a safe pick. Though in this world, guys probably whined "Not that!" all the time.

"Sounds great."

More than that, she remembered those little details? Kinda touching. A pleased chuckle slipped out.

"After dinner, wanna head up Namsan? Never been."

"Sure? Won't it be hot? Eat first, chill at a cafe, then go? If it's your first time, bet you haven't done the cable car either."

"Love that!"

Ji-ah noona chattered happily about the pork cutlet spot and cafe while driving. My mood lifted too—I couldn't stop smiling. Traffic picked up in the city, but with us chatting away in the car, it felt like "Even better!"

──♬♪♩

We were deep in chatter when my phone rang. Huh? Yoon-ju. What's up this late?

"Noona, mind if I take this quick?"

"Go ahead."

I excused myself to Ji-ah noona and picked up.