𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝒉𝑖𝑛𝑒 // 𝐿𝑒𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝒉𝑜

three.

     "You look terrible."

     Haneul shot Jisung a nasty look, accepting the steaming cup of coffee that her other male friend handed her. "Shut up, I told you it was a long night. Thank you, Hyunjin."

The older man nodded, squinting sympathetically as Haneul rubbed her temples. "I have something you can take for your head," he offered kindly, digging in his bag for a pill bottle.

"No, it's okay," she rejected, sipping the coffee slowly to not burn herself.

They were sitting in a local hole-in-the-wall cafe for breakfast, as was the trio's ritual for Wednesdays; although sleeping in late had caused this meeting to be brunch.

     Hyunjin would hang out with the two of them frequently, and had been since they were children; all three had grown up in the same neighborhood and become friends out of convenience. They were the people Haneul was closest to in the world, and she loved them.

Jisung sighed and crossed his arms, leaning back into his chair with a full stomach. "You shouldn't have stayed up so late."

She had decided not to tell her friends the truth about her encounter with the illegal dealings, then near death experience and first appearance of her guardian... demon.

It was better that they thought her cranky and exhausted from pulling an all nighter than insane. No one had ever heard of a guardian demon, and she didn't want to be the subject of blasphemous speculation.

"I'll go to sleep early tonight, I swear. Stop bringing it up," she whined, picking at the waffle she'd ordered.

     Humming in acceptance, Jisung patted her arm. "What time do you clock in today?"

     "Lunch again," Hanuel answered pathetically. "You're getting off before me though, I'm closing today. Have you not looked at the schedule?"

     Her friend dipped his finger in her syrup before licking it and winking. "That's what I have you for."

"We should get going soon," Hyunjin piped up suddenly, awkwardly avoiding the annoyed eyes of other standing customers, as there were few tables in the cafe.

     They collected themselves and departed from the small building, the bell above the door jingling. Haneul stretched her weary arms and groaned at the thought of heading in to work.

     "We only have a half hour until our shift," Jisung moped in realization, turning apologetically to Hyunjin. "We'll see you later."

Their friend tucked his dark hair behind his ears as he grinned, his eye mole disappearing into his smile. "Fine, I have a modeling job booked soon anyway. See you."

     Haneul feebly waved goodbye, absently wishing that her looks alone would also pay her bills. Although she had to admit, knowing how to pose dynamically and being coordinated contributed a lot to Hyunjin's talent, he was more than just a pretty face.

     Her bills also weren't that bad. Since Haneul's aunt ran the restaurant she worked at, her wages were significantly better than a typical waitress's salary. It was enough to pay for her apartment and then some, but the job itself wasn't enticing enough to satisfy her. Her aunt would kill her if she left to pursue another career, though, so Haneul stayed.

     "Come on," Jisung chirped while linking his arm through hers. "Just think about payday and we'll be fine."

     And so Haneul did, daydreaming about what she would spoil herself with as soon as she got her check while she toiled away in the stuffy kitchen. After being responsible and tucking some away, of course.