「 bewitched 」 ᴋᴀʏɴ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

chapter II

The next day dawned with a crisp clarity that mirrored the unusual turn of events from the night before. The sun bathed the city in a warm glow as you went about your daily routine, the chance encounter with Kayn last night still lingering in your thoughts.

As you brewed espresso shots and frothed milk behind the counter of the local café, your mind couldn't help but wander back to the charismatic rapper. Internally, a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbled up, leaving you with a fluttering feeling in your stomach.

You couldn't resist sneaking glances at your phone, half-hoping for a message from Kayn. The lack of any notification only fueled your anticipation, and you found yourself casually daydreaming about the night before while steaming milk for a latte.

During a momentary break, you scolded yourself silently. "Get a grip, [Name]. It's not like Kayn is going to text you out of the blue. Stop being delusional."

Your internal pep talk didn't stop your heart from skipping a beat each time your phone buzzed with a notification, only to find it was just a message from a friend or a random app update.

As the day unfolded, your routine continued, and you pushed the thoughts of Kayn to the back of your mind. The café buzzed with its usual energy, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingling with the soft hum of conversations.

In the early afternoon, the café's door chimed, signaling the arrival of a new customer. You looked up from behind the counter, your hands instinctively working on the espresso machine, only to freeze momentarily as you caught sight of the newcomer.

Tall and composed, a figure with long white hair and distinct red streaks walked in. He strolled into the café, an air of quiet confidence surrounding him. His appearance was striking, much like Kayn's, but his demeanor carried a different energy – calm and collected. 

You tried to maintain your composure, not wanting to act impulsively. Yone, immersed in his own world, seemed unaware of your recognition. As he approached the counter, you greeted him with a friendly smile.

"Welcome! What can I get for you today?"

Yone returned the smile, his expression warm. "A cold brew, please. The strongest that you have if you will."

You prepared his order, all the while trying to keep your cool. This was the second member of HeartSteel you had encountered in less than 24 hours, and the coincidence left you feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity.

As you handed him the cold brewed coffee, you mustered the courage to speak up, "Um, could I bother you for a small favor?"

He raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Sure, what's up?"

Feeling a bit bashful, you pointed to your work apron. "Could you, um, maybe sign this? It's kind of a fan thing. I mean- I'm a big fan."

Yone's eyes twinkled with amusement as he let out a soft chuckle. "Of course, no problem."

He took the pen you offered and signed your apron with a simple yet elegant signature. As he handed it back, you noticed a hint of regret in his eyes.

"I hope it's okay. I feel bad writing on your apron," he confessed.

You chuckled, feeling a bit flustered. "No, it's totally fine. I asked for it, really."

Yone glanced around the café and noticed a vintage camera sitting on a nearby desk. "Does that camera work?"

You nodded, a bit surprised by his interest. "Yeah, it still works. Why?"

Yone rubs the back of his neck as he looked at you with a sheepish smile. "How about we take a picture together, and I'll sign it for you? That way, you won't have to worry about me defacing your apron again."