like never before | beomkai

03 | cafe

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The embarrassment didn't last too long as Kai resorts to leaving Beomgyu on read and putting the app back on mute like how it originally was on his phone. A little cry here and there, Kai lost the redness in his ears.

It's not like he did something wrong. It could have been worse. Truthfully speaking, it's not that big of a deal.

Taehyun came in the morning again with Yeonjun. Kai didn't ask them anything anymore and didn't feel the need to accommodate them as the host when Taehyun already grabbed food from their pantry. He doesn't mind nor does it bother him that Yeonjun would awkwardly smile at him again today, but it did cause a groan in him when Taehyun stopped him from running back to his room.

"You're coming with us today, and you can't say no," Taehyun blurted out.

Kai's brows furrowed. "Says who?!"

"The cafe Soobin hyung works at is short in staff and Yeonjun hyung and I are too busy to help him, so I thought you should do it."

"You're making decisions without me now. I didn't even know Soobin hyung works in a cafe."

That was a lie, but the irritated look on his face isn't.

Yeonjun sees this and quickly taps Taehyun's shoulder, making him halt from responding. "Let's just find another way."

"No way! Kai's getting bored just sleeping all day. He needs to start doing something for a change."

"I never worked in a cafe before."

Taehyun smiled. "Now is the chance. Just work for a week or two, and the job isn't even that heavy! Taking orders, serving, and cleaning. That's it."

Kai won't lie and say that he wants to work during his academic break, but working in a cafe does sound a bit interesting. He used to love studying in one when he was in high school and he likes how it's less messy than a restaurant to clean.

Taking orders, serving, and cleaning. They don't sound too bad.

"Fine but I have to ask my father for permission before I leave the house."

The happiness in Taehyun's eyes can be seen. "We asked him earlier and he said yes!"

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To say that Soobin was happy would be an understatement. Soobin was ecstatic when he saw Kai step foot in the cafe and greeted the younger one with a hug and a warm smile. It turns out it was Soobin's personal request to have Kai over, wanting to remove the thick invisible wall between them by being co-workers.

Kai could only chuckle when Soobin started rambling about how excited he was to have him. Kai forgot how jumpy the boy is underneath the shyness, and now that he sees it again, he doesn't want it to go away.

"It's impossible to not stumble upon difficult people, so besides that, there's nothing else to worry about," Soobin said. "If you can't work full-time then you can start your shift in the morning and leave at lunch time; those times are the busiest."

Kai nods as he takes the information in. "Anything else I need to remember?"

"I don't think so. People come and go, some order the same coffee over and over again until you remember them. Hm, but I like it. I like the way most of the days look exactly the same."

That's a strange thing to appreciate. Kai used to follow a schedule when he was in high school, and he likes it too. It made him feel like it's easy to run towards a dream since there's a clear plan to follow. It's nice. He never felt scared of falling when everyday is a constant line.

"I see," Kai whistled and tapped the counter with his knuckles. The cafe was fairly empty now that the rush hour was done, but the chimes from the door can still be heard from time to time.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Beomgyu stopped making his order at the counter since forever but he only drinks Iced Americano. So, if you see him walk in, just punch the drink in the system and serve it with the bill."

That made Kai hesitate to nod. He almost forgot Beomgyu existed and now he most probably will have to act like he did not just like an old picture of his last night if Kai sees him today.

"Okay," He said, voice barely heard.

Soobin must have sensed the discomfort as he was quick to look at Kai with worried eyes. "Is there something wrong?"

"Uh, no! It's all good," Kai masked everything with a laugh. Thankfully, Soobin didn't pry further.

At noon, it was busy, as Soobin predicted. Kai was doing a great job taking orders and serving, earning tips here and there for the 'good customer service' when all he does is smile. However, he's not complaining. Keep them coming and he'll slip them in Soobin's tip box.

"You should keep it," Soobin said when he saw what Kai did.

"You deserve it more than me," Kai shrugged and Soobin couldn't help but squeeze his cheeks in adoration.

It was almost 1pm when Beomgyu entered the cafe. Kai was busy wiping the station when he heard the chimes, and he saw how Soobin was quick to snort and prepare the simple drink. He also went straight to the cash register and typed in 'Iced Americano' in a heartbeat.

"Serve now, Hyuka," Soobin gently ordered and Kai complied.

He walked up to Beomgyu's table where the older man was too busy with his phone. The screen shows the picture Kai saw last night—the blurry selca from years ago. Why is he looking at that right now?

"Iced Americano for Beomgyu," Kai cleared his throat and it finally got Beomgyu to avert his gaze from his phone. "Here's the receipt."

Beomgyu's brows furrowed. "Huening Kai? You work here?"

"I'm here to help. So, uh, the payment?"

"That's fascinating," Beomgyu reached for his wallet and gave the exact amount. "Soobin hyung never told me that you work here. I never saw you here before."

"I started today."

Beomgyu nods at that with his lips still jutting out. He looked cute, but Kai was not going to say that out loud. "Nice hair by the way."

"Huh?"

"Your hair. You dyed it."

That made Kai touch his hair in unfamiliarity. "It's blond. It has been even before graduation."

Beomgyu shrugged and started sipping his coffee. Kai immediately stepped back to get the money in the cash register, but the compliment received from the customer kept ringing in his ear. Beomgyu just noticed his hair now. It's been so long since he dyed it.

How strange. Kai knows he's going to be writing something else in his journal tonight.

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💌

i lost touch with writing
and i think i've been posting very
low quality stuff but that's fine.
i think it will get better at some point.

stay healthy!