high flying love ¦ lee jeno

ch ; 15

·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆ 15 ·⁀ ༄.°✈ ₊⭒˚｡⋆
"Look Up"

The Seoul sun cast a warm glow on the vibrant streets of Garosugil, a stark contrast to the sterile environment Jeno had been confined to for the past few days. It was his last day of layover before returning to the rhythm of his pilot life. He walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Renjun, their other friend Haechan buzzing excitedly between them.

Haechan, fresh off a disastrous encounter with an entitled passenger, was unleashing a verbal torrent about the experience. "...and can you believe she had the nerve to demand an upgrade right before takeoff? I mean, who does that?" Haechan exclaimed, his hands waving animatedly as he walked.

Every sentence dripped with exaggerated dramatics, punctuated by wild hand gestures that threatened to knock over unsuspecting pedestrians.

Renjun, ever the diplomat, chuckled and nodded. "Passengers like that are just part of the job, Haechan-ah. You should be used to it by now."

Jeno, however, found himself less engrossed in Haechan's woes, lagged behind. His gaze wandered, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling street. He scanned the array of cafes and boutiques lining the road, his thoughts drifting aimlessly until something caught his eye.

Nestled between a trendy clothing store and a quaint bookstore was a small, charming cafe. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the name – Leo's Hearth.

As Haechan's voice reached a crescendo in front of him, Jeno made a decision. "I'll catch up with you guys later," Jeno called to his friends, his voice barely cutting through their banter.

Haechan glanced back, eyebrow raised. "What, you found something more interesting than my story?"

Jeno managed a small smile. "Yeah, you could say that. I'll be quick." Renjun raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Haechan, momentarily distracted from his rant, simply shrugged. "Sure, whatever. Anyways, like I said..."

With a nod, Jeno watched his friends disappear into the crowd before turning his attention back to the cafe. He hesitated at the door, the memory of their last encounter weighing heavily on his mind. But curiosity and a need for closure pushed him forward.

Jeno stepped into Leo's Hearth, the aroma of warm pastries and brewing coffee enveloping him like a comforting hug. The cafe was bustling with activity, a symphony of clinking mugs and chatter filling the air. He scanned the room, searching for any sign of Yura.

Disappointment bloomed in his chest as his eyes settled on the staff behind the counter. Two unfamiliar faces, a young woman with warm eyes and a boy with a mischievous grin, worked efficiently, taking orders and preparing drinks. Yura was nowhere to be seen.

A young woman behind the counter greeted him with a cheerful smile. "Hello! Welcome to Leo's Hearth! What can I get for you today?" she asked.

Jeno hesitated. "Uh, just a latte, please," he mumbled, his voice quieter than he intended.

"Anything else I can get for you today?" she asked, her smile warm.

Jeno hesitated, then blurted out, "Actually, yes. Do you happen to know the owner here? Yura? Is she around?"

The young woman shot him a surprised look. "She's out at the moment, running some errands. I don't know when she'll be back, though."

"Oh, okay, thank you."