our delicate string | 최범규

10: clasped hands.

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THE DOOR CHIMED as Beomgyu stepped foot into the café, making direct eye contact with his boss.

"hello, Beomgyu!" she exclaimed, shaking his hand. "it's been a while, how are you?"

"i'm good, happy holidays!" he smiled.

"alright, so for opening, it's only going to be you and another person working today since everybody else is out of town. we'll be putting up decorations for the holidays." she pointed at the table with all of the reefs and ribbons awaiting him.

he placed his coat on the rack and his bag at the back desk, rolling up his sleeves. "is there a certain way you want it to be, or?"

"you have complete creative freedom on it." she smiled and pat his shoulder. she was an older woman and every time she decorated....it seemed a little more like a senior home than a coffee shop.

one of Beomgyu's passions is art and his artistic vision goes far. she smiled as she walked to the back room to begin prepping the machines and such after a while of scarcity in the shop. but due to the warmth of coffee and the coldness in the air, they expected a large turn out within the next hour when they open.

it was now a week before new year's eve, their busiest day of the year and somehow, the town's favorite time. as he hung up the decorations, he stepped away and wiped his hands together. he stood, admiring his way of decorating as he applauded himself.

fairy lights lit up the room, mistletoes everywhere, accompanied by reefs and fake snow that lay on the counter desk. the café was officially the prettiest place i in town.

he smiled, walking over to the front door and changing the closed sign to open.

he expected an influx of people this time of year, especially since it was raging in the town that their favorite café is back up and running. he smiled, somehow it felt good to be back.

hours had passed, mugs clinking to one another as people ate their baked goods at tables. earlier the owner had passed Beomgyu to compliment his incredible decorations—the café was elegant and peaceful. she had picked up some hanging succulents and plants to place on the windowsills as she disappeared in the back with the other staff.

Beomgyu had been the only one at the cash register. it wasn't hard for him to navigate though, people were coming in at quite the steady pace. however a few particular people were quite familar—

"hey, Gyu!" a group of four boys chimed into the door, enthusiastically smiling at the boy behind the register. they sat at the table near the door as Beomgyu followed them.

"i'm so glad you guys are here, i was getting bored." he sighed, pulling up a stool as another cashier took over the shift for a moment.

"did you decorate this place? its gorgeous." hyuka said, pointing at all of the fairy lights and mistletoe.

"thanks!" he exclaimed. "honestly, i didn't know if the Christmas decorations were tacky since it already passed."

"nah, it's only been a day." yeonjun shrugged. "it makes the place festive though."

Beomgyu went back to the register to order the boys and himself some coffees and baked goods. he remembered all of their favorite bakery items— how could he forget?

as he removed the items from the glass case they were enclosed in, he ordered some drinks from the barista and paid for the five of them. his feet began walking back to the table, holding two plates full of their favorite desserts.