Chapter 9: Drawing Closer Bit by Little Bit (1)
-1-
Yesterday, I ran into that pretty regular customer by chance. Seeing her outside the cafe, after only ever spotting her as a patron inside, felt strangely fresh. Kind of novel, even. Lately, I'd been seeing her almost every day at the cafe, so our familiarity had built up inside me, making me oddly glad to see her. When she mistook my awkward gait from muscle soreness for an injury and fussed over me, I felt grateful but also a bit embarrassed.
We ended up walking together naturally, and for the first time, we exchanged names. The pretty regular's name was Seo Ji-ah. She was 27, seven years older than me. The moment Ji-ah noona heard my age, she looked a little flustered. In this reverse world where men are absolutely scarce, older women aren't all that popular. Most guys get squeamish even over a four- or five-year age gap, thinking, "Isn't she a bit too old?" Of course, there are a tiny minority who prefer older women, and if her other qualities are top-notch, some overlook the age—but that's what I'd gleaned from the internet, anyway.
From Ji-ah noona's perspective, I probably didn't come across as a fellow twenty-something adult. The way she gave a wry smile the instant I called her "noona" made me think it felt to her like some fresh-faced middle or high school girl cooing "oppa~" at her uncle or something. Anyway, I wonder what time she'll show up today—and what she'll be wearing.
-2-
As I mentioned before, Ji-ah noona's visits to the cafe vary in timing. Some days she's there early in the morning; others, she swings by after lunch. But one thing's for sure—she drops in almost every day…
"Jae-hyun, you waiting for someone today?"
With closing time approaching and no sign of her, had I been subconsciously keeping an eye out? The Cafe Owner couldn't hold back her curiosity and casually probed. Seeing the playful glint in her eye, she seemed to have a pretty good guess about what—or who—had me distracted.
I scratched my cheek, embarrassed, and let out an awkward laugh. "Nah. Just that the usual regular hasn't shown up."
"Hmmm~ Looks like you've gotten pretty close to her, huh?"
At her knowing smile, I frantically shook my head. Why was she suddenly so invested in my love life lately?! Not that Ji-ah noona and I were anything like that. Why was she jumping the gun?
"Cafe Owner! Quit teasing. We just happened to bump into each other nearby yesterday and exchanged names—don't read into it!"
"Oh my, oh my~ Exchanged names? You haven't gotten that chummy with any other customer while working here."
She grinned slyly, prodding me to spill, but I couldn't take the embarrassment and turned away, pretending to clean the coffee machine. It's not like that at all!
-3-
In the end, Ji-ah noona never showed up before closing. Was something wrong? Feeling a vague unease, I started getting ready to head out when the Cafe Owner stopped me.
What now? Had my next-shift coworker bailed?
"Nothing major. If you're okay with it, wanna taste-test the new menu before you go? I couldn't even buy you a proper meal today, so how about it as a combo deal?"
If it's that kind of request, I'm always game! I quickly claimed an empty table, and she brought out a brunch platter. Sprouts and romaine lettuce with sliced avocado on a salad, plus something sliced up like kimbap. Mashed potatoes with bacon chips and even dessert fruit—the lineup was a solid pass!
"Cafe Owner, what's this one?"
"That? It's a rice roll made by rolling rice paper on a pan. Serving it whole seemed messy to eat, and the plating didn't look pretty, so I sliced it. But now it kinda screams kimbap visually."
She explained she'd laid rice paper on an oiled pan, topped it with egg wash, marinated rice, ham and cheese, king oyster mushrooms, red onion, and arugula, then rolled it up like a Korean egg roll.
"The composition and plating are spot-on, at least."
The rice rolls, cut bite-sized, slipped perfectly onto a fork or spoon. The rice paper gave a crisp, chewy first bite, then the egg and rice provided a hearty, home-cooked feel. The tangy salad dressing sprinkled on refreshed the slightly oily, savory notes perfectly. The mashed potatoes were creamy and nutty, with crunchy bacon chips popping in occasionally.
"Personally, a bit more pepper in the potatoes would be good. Or maybe some snowflake cheese on top."
I savored each bite meticulously, giving feedback, when ding~ the shop door's bell rang. Almost reflexively, I snapped my head up—and there was Ji-ah noona, the one I'd been quietly hoping for today.
-4-
"Oh? You haven't clocked out yet…?"
Coming back from somewhere? She always dressed neatly and put-together, but today she was near-business formal. Black blazer over a white blouse, tight skirt hitting above the knee—total career woman vibe. Her hair and makeup matched perfectly, too. I'd always thought her beautiful, but dolled up like this? All I could muster was a real "wow."
Like the epitome of a glamorous, aloof city beauty. Caught off guard by this glammed-up side of her I'd never seen, I soon broke into a beaming smile. "Yeah. Cafe Owner asked me to taste the new menu. Got to eat something delicious and enjoy a nice view, thanks to her."
The Cafe Owner, who'd been jotting down my feedback, subtly excused herself when Ji-ah noona arrived. And noona, almost instinctively, slid into the chair across from me.
"Nice view? What?"
Grinning playfully at her question, I pointed my fork at her. "You, noona. I knew you were pretty before, but done up like this? You're dangerously gorgeous."
In my past life, could a guy like me have even approached a heavenly beauty like Ji-ah noona? Sure, I wasn't bad-looking back then either, but just "handsome for a regular guy." She'd have been an unreachable cliff—or flower from the heavens. No way I'd have dared. Or maybe she'd have ignored me outright. But in this reverse world, with men so rare, connections like this were possible.
"…Don't say weird stuff."
I meant it sincerely, but Ji-ah noona blushed and brushed it off embarrassedly. But noona, trying to play it cool while your lips twitch upward in delight? I didn't point it out, though—she'd get shy. Heh heh.
"Not weird. It's a fact. Seeing you all dolled up like this, did you come from a date?"
At 27, probably not blind-date age… or was she? In a man-scarce world, maybe women her age did arranged meetings. It left a weird sour taste for some reason.
But she panicked at my question, shaking her head vigorously. "Date? No, nothing like that. Grandma called me to the main house on the way back."
Oh, that explained it. She rushed on, as if worried I'd misunderstand. "We ate out with Grandma and the family. The place was fancy, so I couldn't dress comfy, and Grandma's big on formality even for family outings in public."
Fair enough. Older folks do prioritize face, etiquette, manners. Especially at an upscale spot—you'd have to mind the dress code… Wait, why was I overthinking and reassuring myself like this? Ahem.
"Got it. I was wondering what happened since you didn't show."
Her face lit up in surprise. "…You noticed I wasn't there?"
"Yeah… Kinda missed seeing the usual face."
Just recently, I'd been out sick myself, too sick to come to work. So when she didn't appear after seeing her daily, I worried. Maybe she'd collapsed like I had. More than that, those short cafe chats with her were one of my little daily joys.
Satisfied with my answer, she flashed a full, alluring smile—the kind that oozed mature charm. Propping her chin, she leaned toward me, a faint, elegant perfume wafting over. Sophisticated and serene, perfect for her.
"Oh? Why's that."
"Huh? Nothing~ Anyway, this the new menu?"
"Yep. Ah! Wanna try a bite, noona?"
Oh, right—she'd eaten lunch. Probably full. But contrary to my worry, her face lit up. "Really? I barely ate lunch, actually."
"Why? Something up?"
"Ugh, don't ask."
A frown creased her lovely brow. "Got called out of the blue, rushed to get ready and dressed up, and all I got was a lecture. Felt so queasy I just pretended to eat."
Aigoo. Fancy restaurant, and she couldn't even enjoy a meal. No wonder she was annoyed. Even someone like Ji-ah noona got nagged by family? I was curious what for, but it felt too personal, so I swallowed the question.
"Pfft. Didn't know you whined like that, noona."
"I'm human too, duh. …Did I seem immature?"
She pouted, then glanced at me belatedly. Nah, age doesn't matter for tough, tiring stuff. And at 27, isn't she still in her prime?
"You act like you're 57 instead of 27, worrying about 'acting your age.' We're not that far apart—why fuss?"
"Jae-hyun, it's a seven-year gap. That's huge! You don't mind?"
Hmm. In this reverse world, guys might see a seven-year-older woman as "old." But that's other guys—not me. Back in my past life, ten-year gaps weren't rare. Especially with a beauty like her—who'd complain?
"Noona, worrying about looking old with that face? People'll call you spoiled."
To me, it seemed like rich-girl whining, but realizing it was a real concern here really drove home the reverse world vibe. My earnest chide left her flustered yet delighted, lips twitching wildly.
"Ahem! Flattery."
Finally too embarrassed, she stood to order, and I snickered secretly, taking a salad bite. Fresh, tangy-sweet like my mood—delicious. All full-set and even cooler beauty than usual, yet fumbling shyly? Gap moe overload.
"Ha. So cute, she's adorable."