Hot Chocolate || RYEJI

1

Ryujin sits at her usual seat in her favourite cafe.

Her eyes, drained of their sparkle, wandered the familiar, cozy café, a place she frequented with her parents in years gone by. They passed two years ago in a car accident. She can still feel the grief stirring within her, but it's slowly getting better.

She and her brother had survived, but ever since then, they barely contacted each other. This change was acceptable for Ryujin. They grew up and life happened. But either way, their bond was tight-knit enough, leaving absolutely no space for doubts.

As she stares at the blank page of her word document, her eyelids begin to fall. This assignment is due right after this weekend and she really needs to write something. Anything. It's for 20% of her grade.

But life has been a drab for her. Mundane things bring her mundane feelings. She would go through the same routine everyday: wake up, eat, go to school, go home, do homework, sleep. It's a cycle she can't break. A cycle she considers normal.

Ryujin's hand reaches for the top of her laptop, wanting to slam it shut for the fifth time that morning. That's when a white cup was placed on the smooth, wooden surface of her table. Soon, the sweet aroma of a well-blended hot chocolate fills her numb nostrils.

She looks up in slight surprise, though her expression remains neutral.

"For you. It's winter, and you look like you need it," the stranger smiles, slipping her hands into her pockets as she breathed out. Her breath blows in the wind before dissipating, and two strands of her light brown hair sways in perfect form.

She's beautiful.

"Thank you," Ryujin replies with a slight crack in her voice. This is the first social interaction she's had with anyone besides her best friend and her professors this week, she only hopes that it doesn't show.

The stranger's smile widens, eyes crinkling into crescents. "No problem. Have a nice day."

Ryujin remains silent while she watches the angel-like stranger walk away. If not for the sound of the ventilation above her keeping her awake, she would've thought the girl had wings on her back.

That one cup of hot chocolate motivated her.

She finished her assignment that day.