The Idol & the Café Owner

Year 1

Nayeon slipped into the café along with her manager, intending to only take a quick look at the decorations and messages from her fans. This was her third café to visit today, along with a handful of other events she'd attended for her birthday celebrations. While she was beyond grateful for her fans and their show of support, she was running on fumes and a nap sounded like heaven.

But her friend had visited this café earlier and insisted she visit too.

"The decorations are all hand made by the café owner," Momo said. "And the pastries are homemade too! Oh and the drink special is amazing! It's a blue cotton candy shake in honor of your birthday."

"Are you sure you want me to visit this for my birthday, or do you just want me to get you more pastries while I'm there?" Nayeon laughed.

"Well, if you're offering to get me some, I won't turn you down. But seriously, go! You won't regret it."

Standing in Yoo-ki's Café, Nayeon had to admit, the decorations were impressive. A birthday banner in her signature baby blue color hung from the ceiling. There was a special photo wall in the corner where fans could take pictures with a poster of her posing, doing a half heart. The opposite wall had a place for fans to leave messages. And every table had a photo of her. The owner really went all out for her birthday.

"Do you want to order anything?" manager unnie asked quietly. There were only a few customers left since it was getting late, but they could never be too careful.

Momo had talked up those pastries so much she had to try them for herself. Nayeon shook her head in affirmation, not wanting to use her voice in case someone recognized her.

They stepped to the counter and were greeted by a tall girl.

"Welcome to Yoo-ki's Café. What can I get for you?" she asked.

The girl was very pretty, Nayeon thought, and young. Maybe twenty? Her nametag read Tzuyu.

"Can you recommend us some pastries please?" manager unnie asked.

Just then a woman stepped out from the back, and Nayeon couldn't help but stare at her. She was just as tall as the girl at the counter. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore a beige apron with the café's logo emblazoned on it. What was most striking though were her sharp features and beautiful eyes, combining to make her pretty yet handsome at the same time. Nayeon found it hard to look away from the woman.

"Personally, I'd recommend the peach tart," the woman said with a smile. "We got the peaches fresh at the market this morning and they are delicious."

She had a deep, rich voice that made Nayeon want to hear more. The mystery woman stepped to the display and pointed out another pastry.

"If you're not a peach fan, then I'd suggest this chocolate cream puff. It's nice and chocolatey without being too overwhelming. It pairs nice with our americano."

"I'll take both," Nayeon said suddenly, surprising herself and her manager. They exchanged a worried glance and the woman looked anxious as she glanced around to see if anyone had noticed. The mystery woman didn't seem fazed by their odd behavior.

"I'll get those boxed up for you. Is there anything else you'd like or have questions about?"

"Ah, um..." Nayeon swallowed nervously, trying to get her voice to cooperate. Why was she suddenly stumbling over her words?

The blonde headed woman smiled at her, giving her an encouraging nod.

"I'd also like to try the drink special."

"Sure thing. One 'Candy Floss' shake coming right up. Tzuyu, ring these up please. I'll make the shake."

The woman handed the boxed pastries to the girl then went over to a station and began making Nayeon's drink.

"One peach tart, one chocolate cream puff, and a 'Candy Floss' shake. That will be $16," Tzuyu said. Manager unnie paid and took the box.

"Every purchase of $10 or more gets to pull a random photocard," Tuzyu said as she fanned out a stack of photocards and held it out to them. Nayeon was thankful for the mask hiding her face as she tried not to laugh. She'd never been so tempted to reveal herself.

"How about you choose for me?" Nayeon said.

Tuzyu blinked, looking like she was about to short circuit at the request. Then suddenly the blonde-haired woman was by the girl's side. She took the stack from Tzuyu's still outstretched hand and began to shuffle through the cards until she smiled.

"This is one of my favorite pictures," the woman said as she handed the photocard to Nayeon. Their fingers brushed against one another as she took it and Nayeon had to suppress a shiver. She flipped the card over and was taken aback by the photo.

It was one of her very first photocards after her debut as a solo artist. She was smiling with her bunny teeth that her fans loved so much on full display, a stuffed rabbit held up next to her face. Nayeon remembered being so embarrassed by that picture; she had wanted to be seen as sexy, not cute.

"And here's your 'Candy Floss' shake. I hope you enjoy everything. Please come back and see us again." The woman handed Nayeon her drink and bowed slightly, the smile never leaving her face. Nayeon bowed her head and her eye caught the name tag pinned to the woman's apron.

Jeongyeon

"I'm sure we'll enjoy these. Thank you Jeongyeon-ssi," Nayeon said, satisfied by the woman's reaction when her eyes widened in surprise before glancing down at her name tag, seeming to remember it was there in the first place. Manager unnie guided Nayeon out of the café and back towards their waiting car.

Once she was safely inside the vehicle and away from prying eyes, Nayeon took off her mask and eagerly opened the box of goodies. She grabbed the peach tart and took a bite, humming in satisfaction at the sweetness of the peaches. Momo was right; this was amazing.

Nayeon couldn't wait to go back to the café. And it wasn't just because of the pastries.

Author's note: I just adore coffee shop AUs. This story will be pure fluff so enjoy all my 2yeon lovers.