the neon lights of the city reflected in the cafe's glass windows, casting a warm glow over the group of friends seated around a large table. the buzz of conversation and laughter filled the air as they chatted about the latest game they had played together at the pc bang.
the previous' night's hangout was wholesome for the group as it had created fresh and new memories for them ever since they became friends. while waiting for the waiter to come take their order, they talked about how their classes went and how their maths teacher rotted their brain with multiple out of the universe formulae, as usual. echoes of laughter filled the evening cafe, alongwith a gentle aroma of tea and matcha latte wafting through the cafe.
as the group's conversation shifted from topic to topic, their awaited orders had finally come too. for a few moments they had their mouth zipped. they enjoyed their tea, coffee and the matcha latte.
the cafe exuded a warm, inviting atmosphere. the soft ambient lighting created a cozy atmosphere and it had pendant lights and lamps on each table that bathed the space in a gentle glow. soft music played in the background at a moderate volume comfortable and cozy enough for the people socializing, chatting, studying together or the individual people working on laptops, reading or simply enjoying a quiet evening with a book and a cup of coffee.
moreover, its interior would make any architecture student or someone who's interested in art simply love it. it was a mix of modern and minimalist design with cozy elements like cushioned chairs, wooden tables and indoor green plants, which suited the atmosphere really well. cakes, cookies, macarons, croissants, and other delicious sweets displayed at the counter. it was just beautifully represented in a way that visitor's eyes would just be fixated at it and keep admiring the very cozy and beautiful sight. they also had a small corner of books or magazines for patrons to browse while they enjoy their drinks. on the exterior, they had a small patio or outdoor seating area where people can enjoy the evening air, especially during milder seasons.
as the group continued their conversation, chan suggested they play a game to keep things lively, ❝how about a round of truth or dare?❞ he proposed with a mischievous grin.
the group's excitement immediately went down at the thought of truth or dare. ask why? guess we'll never know.
❝it's no fun here, i mean it's a cafe. playing games like truth or dare would be fun only with a bowl of ramyeon and some soju!❞ han joked, which made the others burst into laughter.
❝true true❞ felix joined. their heartfelt laughters filled their stomachs more than the cookies and the drinks did.
hyunjin glanced across the table at minho, who was engulfed in laughter. minho's typically composed demeanor melted away as laughter took hold, transforming his features into something impossibly soft and inviting. the way minho's eyes crinkled at the corners, almost disappearing into crescents, was mesmerizing. his usually serene expression brightened, each chuckle breaking through the stillness that so often surrounded him. hyunjin couldn't help but be drawn to the way minho's laughter resonated through the cafe, filling the space with warmth. the sound was rich and full, like a melody that lingered in the air, hard to forget, making the world around them just a little bit brighter.
in that moment, as hyunjin watched minho laugh, he felt a flutter in his stomach, something deep and unspoken. an attraction? yes, but also a profound admiration for the boy who could shift from calm to carefree so effortlessly. it was as if minho was a living paradox, someone who carried the weight of the world with a grace that was so striking as it was rare. and as hyunjin absorbed every detail — the subtle tilt of minho's head, the way his lips curved in genuine joy and the way the little mole on his nose tip made him even more attractive and cute — he knew that this moment, this laughter, would be engraved in his memory, a beautiful memory of why minho had become so much more than just an object of fascination. he felt as if he could write poems like “shall i compare thee to a summer's day” and songs like “talking to the moon.” he had been longing for a chance or either a silly mistake that could bring him and minho close but it never happened until now.
