After school, I went to the café like always.
The familiar smell of coffee filled the air.
It should have felt normal.
Just another day.
But it didn't.
My mind was still somewhere else.
I kept thinking about everything that happened today—
the classroom,
the way he looked at me,
and that moment…
when our hands touched.
"Jia, focus," I murmured to myself softly.
I tied my apron and started working.
Trying to keep myself busy.
A few customers came and went.
I took orders, cleaned tables—
everything like usual.
But my thoughts wouldn't stop.
Then—
the door opened.
The small bell rang.
I turned around automatically.
"Welcome—"
My words stopped.
It was him.
I felt nervous the moment I saw him.
And he wasn't alone.
Yian was with him.
They walked in and sat at a table near the window.
I hesitated for a second…
then forced myself to walk toward them.
"What would you like to order?" I asked, trying to sound normal.
"Just a coffee," Sihoon said calmly.
"Like always."
I nodded quickly.
"Okay."
I turned around and walked back to the counter.
But for some reason…
I could feel it.
His eyes were still on me.
I tried to focus on making the coffee—
but my hands didn't feel steady.
Why is he looking at me like that…?
I placed the coffee in front of him carefully.
"Here…" I said softly.
"You're spilling it," Sihoon said quietly.
I froze.
I looked down—
my hand was shaking slightly.
"I'm not," I said quickly.
"You are," he replied calmly.
I looked at him, embarrassed.
"Why are you nervous?" he adde.
I looked at him, embarrassed.
"Why are you nervous?" he added.
I quickly looked away.
"I'm not nervous," I said softly.
Yian, who was watching the whole time, suddenly leaned forward.
"She definitely is," he said with a grin.
"You should've seen her just now—she almost dropped the cup."
"Yian!" I said, my face getting warm.
He laughed lightly.
"What? I'm just telling the truth."
I didn't know what to say.
I could feel Sihoon's gaze on me again.
"…Go do your work," he said quietly.
I nodded quickly.
"Right."
I turned and walked away—
but my heart still hadn't calmed down.
I tried to focus on my work.
But my eyes kept moving toward their table without me realizing it.
Just then—
the café door opened.
The soft sound of the bell echoed again.
"Welcome—" I said automatically.
But the moment I looked up…
I froze.
My eyes widened slightly.
I was surprised…
but at the same time—
happy.
Seeing him after so long felt unreal.
"Jiwoo…" I said softly.
A small smile appeared on my face without me realizing it.
"It's really you…"
He looked at me for a moment—
then smiled.
"Yeah," he said.
"It's me."
"You… changed a lot," he added softly.
From across the café—
Sihoon watched quietly.
His eyes were fixed on Jia.
He noticed the way she smiled.
It was different.
Softer…
warmer than usual.
"Who is that?" Yian asked, following his gaze.
Sihoon didn't answer immediately.
His eyes moved to the boy standing in front of her.
The way they looked at each other…
like they already knew everything about each other.
Something felt uncomfortable.
He didn't like it.
"An old friend, I guess," Yian said casually.
Sihoon's expression didn't change.
But his grip on the coffee cup tightened slightly.
"Who is he, Jia?"
Sihoon's voice came suddenly from behind me.
I turned, slightly surprised.
"Oh… he's my childhood friend," I said softly.
"Jiwoo."
I looked back at Jiwoo.
"Jiwoo, these are my friends—Sihoon… and Yian."
Jiwoo smiled politely.
"Hi," he said. "I'm Jiwoo."
He reached out his hand toward Sihoon.
But Sihoon didn't move.
The air suddenly felt a little tense.
"You never mentioned him before," Sihoon said calmly.
"So… I guess he's not that close to you."
I froze.
Before I could say anything—
Jiwoo spoke.
"Or maybe…" he said lightly,
"she only talks about things that make her comfortable."
He looked at Sihoon with a small smile.
"That's why she didn't mention me."
For a moment…
both of them just stood there.
Quiet.
But something between them felt… strange.
Like neither of them wanted to step back.Sihoon finally spoke.
"Whether she mentioned you or not…"
His voice was calm—
but firmer than before.
"…doesn't really matter."
He looked at Jiwoo directly.
"What matters is who's here now."
The words were simple.
But they carried something more.
Something unspoken.
I felt my heart tighten again.
Jiwoo didn't reply immediately.
He just looked at Sihoon for a moment—
then gave a small smile.
"You're right," he said calmly.
"What matters is who's here now."
His tone was polite—
but there was something confident in it.
For a second, the silence returned.
Then—
"Okay, this is getting weird."
Yian suddenly stepped between them.
"Are you two having some kind of silent competition or what?"
He looked from one to the other, amused.
"Because if you are, at least tell me the rules."
I blinked in surprise.
Jiwoo let out a small laugh.
Even Sihoon looked away slightly.
The tension… slowly faded.
Yian crossed his arms with a grin.
"Seriously, though," he added,
"we came here for coffee, not a drama scene."
Jiwoo looked at me for a moment.
"Hey… do you remember that place we used to talk about?" he said.
I tilted my head slightly.
"Which place?"
"The amusement park," he smiled.
"You always said you wanted to go."
My eyes widened a little.
I remembered.
"Let's go this weekend," Jiwoo added.
I hesitated.
Before I could answer—
"We'll come too."
I turned quickly.
Sihoon was looking at us.
His expression calm—
but firm.
"Right?" he added, glancing at Yian.
Yian's face lit up immediately.
"Of course!" he said.
"That actually sounds fun."
I looked between them, confused.
Jiwoo smiled slightly.
"The more, the better," he said.
I didn't know what to say.
Everything was happening so fast.
But somehow…
I had a feeling—
this wasn't going to be a simple trip.