𝖽𝖺𝗒𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 | 𝗁𝖺𝗈𝖻𝗂𝗇

First Encounter

The smell of freshly ground coffee floated through every morning. This signaled the moment when Hanbin unlocked the door and started his daily routine. Settled on a beautiful street in the center of a small town was "Ludia Coffee", a lovely café owned by the kind Mrs Sung and run by her son Hanbin.

The early sun filtered through the windows. A soft glow fell upon the wooden tables and the chalkboard menu that listed a selection of desserts and drinks. Hanbin got ready to welcome both familiar faces and interested newcomers. The young male had dark hair that framed his face. His deep, expressive dark eyes hold a magnetic gaze that seemed to draw people in.

The espresso machine buzzed. And with a smile on his face, he welcomed the customers as they arrived. The cozy setting, the mellow jazz playing in the background, and his lighthearted conversation offered comfort to the customers. Throughout the morning, the café was busy as usual. Now that it is nearly lunchtime, Hanbin instructed his coworkers and prepared to rest for a while.

Not so long after, the café's atmosphere was transformed by soft and enchanting melodies which sounded unfamiliar. Mesmerised by the tunes, Hanbin couldn't help but look for the source. The audience seemed to have been enjoying themselves. The melodies reached into Hanbin's soul, evoking emotions he hadn't felt in a long time. He finally found a silhouette with a captivating image in the gentle glow of ambient light.

The violinist's dark brown hair fell effortlessly, creating a harmonious contrast against his pale skin. As he delicately cradled the violin, his long, slender fingers, moved gracefully across the strings. The violinist maneuvred his bow with his eyes closed in pure connection and concentration with the music. A soft cheer echoed across the café as the last note faded away.

He shyly acknowledged the appreciation with a smile before taking a moment to rest. He looked down eventually with a deep breath then his eyes scanned the room, and for a brief moment, locked with Hanbin's, who was standing by the counter, looking at him with his dark set of eyes.

It made him slowly look away. But soon enough he noticed the male approaching towards him which made him look in his direction again. He glanced at his face and saw him smiling. What set his strong demeanour apart are the subtle dimples that graced his cheeks, positioned slightly higher, near his eyes.

This added a playful charm to his already captivating features. He had a friendly aura. "I couldn't help but admire your talent," He remarked.

The violinist, a bit flustered, managed a shy smile, "Thank you."

Hanbin added "Your music is enchanting. It feels like you express emotions with every note you play." He continued as he introduced himself, "Oh, I'm Hanbin by the way, Sung Hanbin."

Sung Hanbin, the brunet said in a quiet voice almost to himself.

"What's your name?" Hanbin asked as he heard no response from the violinist.

He then replied in a quiet voice, "I'm Zhang Hao."

Hanbin exclaimed with a grin "Ah! You're a foreigner!" Hao nodded in response.

"How long have you been here for?"

"Thre-three months around." He replied as his eyes blinked.

It appeared to Hanbin as though he was still not confident enough with his language skills or maybe he was just timid because of this. So to reassure him, Hanbin remarked, "Oh cool. You speak very well." with a slight surprise in his voice.

But Hanbin wasn't aware that the young male stuttered not due to a lack of language skills but rather in response to the genuine interest that he showed in him. The compliment made Hao smile and he thanked him as he bowed to him.

"Oh no you can speak informally with me, no worries."

This caught the violinist in surprise. He looked up at him and his eyes almost sparkled.

Hanbin added, "I think we're around the same age. How old are you?"

"I'm 23."

"You're the hyung then!" Hanbin stated with his eyes smiling. 

Hao noticed the dimples that seemed to appear effortlessly when he smiled. They were deep and almost perfectly symmetrical, just below the curve of his cheekbones. It was utterly captivating when he grinned. He also noticed his long lashes casting soft shadows on his cheeks when he blinked. 

Hao nodded yes in response. He then looked down at the violin and the bow in his hands. Maybe because he is not used to engaging in small talk, especially with strangers. But maybe there was something about the stranger that made him appear more approachable and warm.

Hanbin then said enthusiastically, "I guess I will see you around, Hao hyung!"

Being addressed as "hyung" made him feel slighlty different but not taken aback. Maybe because it was something he was not expecting, at least not from someone whom he thought was captivating. He looked up to see him waving bye with his hand. The younger male intrigued him, sparking a desire to encounter him again, sooner or later. He wished him goodbye too then he walked out of the cafe quietly.

As the sun sunk below the city skyline, casting a warm glow on the quiet streets, Hao exited the bustling train station. He set out on the familiar walk to his tiny apartment, which was tucked away in a quiet area of the neighborhood. 

He walked passed rows of simple houses, and his footsteps made a rhythmic clatter through the quiet street. Hao's mind wandered as he walked, the train's vibrations still resonated in his thoughts. The soft rustle of leaves added a gentle soundtrack to his journey.

He approached his house and unlocked the door to his small flat and stepped into a clean and cozy space. Soon, the aroma of dinner lingered in the air as he prepared his favourite meal like he always had. The subtle sounds of utensils against plates accompanied the evening solitude. Outside, the city lights started twinkling, casting a soothing glow on the streets below.

Hao took a seat in the armchair after dinner with a book in his hands illuminated by the glow of the lamp. With every turn of the page, he was drawn further into his imaginations, an escape from reality. As the night progressed, he was lulled into a peaceful sleep. His nighttime melody was created by the distant murmur of the city, the occasional passing cars, and the soft rustle of leaves outside his window.

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