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Every morning, you unlock the doors to the small café down the street from JYP Entertainment, the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeting you as you step inside. The familiar hiss of the espresso machine, the clinking of mugs, and the low murmur of early risers are your companions as you prepare for the day ahead. The sun is barely up, and the world feels calm in this little corner of the city.
You've been working here for months now, and though you've had your share of regulars, there's one in particular who stands out. Seungmin. He's quiet, polite, always dressed neatly in casual clothes that seem just a little too perfect. He comes in every day at the same time, always ordering the same thing—an iced americano with a hint of vanilla.
The first time he left you a note, you thought it was just a one-time thing. It was a simple piece of paper folded neatly and left beside his empty cup. When you unfolded it, you found a handwritten compliment: "You look very pretty today." It was straightforward, yet the thoughtfulness of the gesture warmed you.
From then on, it became a ritual. Every time he visited, Seungmin would quietly place a note on the counter or leave it with his empty cup. "Your smile lights up the room," one read. Another time, "You make my mornings better." Each one was simple but heartfelt, and you found yourself looking forward to them more than you cared to admit.
You noticed little things about him too—the way he always avoided eye contact when he handed over the note, the way his ears would turn a faint shade of pink when you smiled and thanked him, the soft smile he tried to hide as he walked out the door. There was something endearing about his shyness, something that made you wonder if he was as nervous as you felt each time you exchanged those brief interactions.
Then, one day, the note was different. It wasn't a compliment this time. Instead, it simply said, "Would you like to go out with me sometime?" Your heart skipped a beat as you read the words, your eyes darting up to catch a glimpse of him. But by the time you looked up, Seungmin was already halfway out the door, his steps a little quicker than usual.
The next day, you weren't sure what to expect. You found yourself glancing at the clock more often than usual, waiting for that familiar figure to walk through the door. And when he did, he looked more nervous than ever. He placed his usual order, and when he handed you the note, you noticed his hands trembled slightly. This time, he didn't linger. Before you could even open the note, he was gone, practically bolting out the door.
You unfolded the paper with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Written on it was a single line: "Here's my number, if you're interested." Below it was a phone number scribbled in neat, slightly shaky handwriting.
For a moment, you just stared at the note, your heart pounding in your chest. The café was quiet around you, the only sound the distant hum of the espresso machine. You couldn't help the smile that spread across your face.
The rest of your shift passed in a blur. Your mind kept drifting back to the note, to Seungmin's nervous smile, to the way he couldn't meet your eyes. By the time your shift ended, you knew what you had to do.
As soon as you stepped outside, you pulled out your phone and typed in the number. Your fingers hesitated for just a moment before you hit send.
"Hi Seungmin, it's Y/n from the café. I'd love to go out with you sometime."
You waited, the seconds stretching into what felt like an eternity. Then, your phone buzzed with a new message.
"I'm so glad you texted. How about we meet after your next shift?"
You couldn't stop the grin that spread across your face as you texted back, your heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. Tomorrow's shift would be different, knowing that when Seungmin walked through the door, you'd have more than just an americano and a note waiting for you.
