Jungkook, the powerful mafia king, rules the underworld with an iron fist. His reputation is fierce, and his gaze is piercing. No one dares to cross him.
Taehyung, a bright and charming university student, lives a carefree life, focused on his studi...
After a long day of classes, Taehyung made his way to the small coffee shop where he worked part-time. The moment he stepped inside, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around him like a comforting embrace. The place was bustling with students hunched over textbooks, couples sharing soft laughter, and the steady hum of conversations blending seamlessly with the soft jazz playing in the background.
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As he walked behind the counter, his coworkers greeted him with cheerful grins.
"Taehyung! Finally decided to come back?" one of them teased, nudging him playfully.
He chuckled, tying his apron around his waist. "What can I say? This place just can't function without me."
The team laughed as Taehyung slipped seamlessly into his routine. With practiced ease, he brewed coffee, took orders, and flashed his signature smile at customers. His presence alone seemed to brighten the space, making the coffee shop feel more inviting than ever.
A Friendly Encounter
Just as he was finishing up an order, a familiar voice called out from the entrance.
"Taehyung! I knew I'd find you here."
He looked up to see Lisa walking toward the counter, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Dressed casually in a cozy sweater and jeans, she exuded an effortless charm that matched her energetic personality.
"Lisa!" Taehyung greeted her with a grin. "Here for the coffee or for me?"
Lisa rolled her eyes, leaning on the counter. "Obviously for the coffee. But also, I need your genius brain for my psychology project."
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"Ah, flattery will get you everywhere," Taehyung mused as he started preparing her usual order—a caramel latte with extra foam.
As he worked, Lisa watched him with admiration. Taehyung always had this way of making everything look so effortless. The way he maneuvered around the café, his hands moving swiftly as he poured the steaming milk into the cup, was almost hypnotic.
Once the latte was ready, Taehyung slid it across the counter and gestured toward a cozy corner booth. "Come on, let's figure this project out before you start bribing me with free food."
Lisa laughed, grabbing her cup before following him.
Deep Conversations Over Coffee
Settled in their usual spot, Lisa opened her laptop, tapping on the touchpad as she pulled up her research. "So, I'm analyzing the effects of social media on mental health, but I'm stuck on how to organize the data."
Taehyung took a sip of his drink, his brows furrowing slightly. "You could try breaking it down into categories—like time spent online, emotional impact, and behavioral changes. That way, you can compare patterns more easily."
Lisa blinked, impressed. "That actually makes a lot of sense. Maybe I should just hire you to do my entire thesis."
Taehyung smirked. "At this point, I should start charging for my brilliance."
As they worked through the project, their conversation drifted naturally, touching on everything from university gossip to their shared love for K-pop and late-night food runs. Occasionally, Taehyung's coworkers would swing by their table, throwing in jokes or playful banter.
The atmosphere was light, comforting—almost as if nothing outside this café mattered.
But as Lisa laughed at one of Taehyung's jokes, she noticed something flicker in his eyes. A brief moment of distance, as if his mind had wandered somewhere far away.
"Hey," she nudged him gently. "You okay?"
Taehyung snapped back, flashing his usual smile. "Of course! Just thinking about how much coffee I’ll need to survive midterms."
Lisa didn't push, but a part of her wondered if there was something more behind that fleeting look.
Closing Time
Hours passed in easy companionship until the café neared closing time. Taehyung stretched, cracking his neck. "Well, I think we both deserve a break after all that brainpower."
Lisa smiled, packing up her laptop. "Yeah, thanks for the help. You always know how to make things easier."
Taehyung grinned. "That's what best friends are for, right?"
As they stepped out into the chilly night, the city lights twinkled around them. Lisa looped her arm through his, sighing contentedly.
"Let's get some late-night tteokbokki," she suggested.
Taehyung laughed. "Now that’s an idea I can fully support."
And with that, they walked off together, the warmth of their friendship shielding them from the cold. Yet, deep inside, Taehyung knew that no amount of laughter or coffee could ever drown out the shadows lurking in the corners of his mind.
