Our Struggles | A Jeongcheol story

Seungcheol

The lunch rush had died down, and the restaurant was finally settling into its usual calm. I took a moment to enjoy the brief respite, leaning against the counter and watching the occasional diner enjoy their meal. The place had a cozy, familiar vibe now that it had become a regular spot for Jeonghan and his brothers. Today, however, I had noticed a shift in the usual dynamic.

Seokmin had been particularly distracted all afternoon. He'd drifted into the restaurant with a nonchalant air, but there was something off about him. I had initially brushed it off as him being tired or preoccupied, but then I saw it—the way he kept glancing over at Joshua, who was busy working at a nearby café. Seokmin had barely touched his food, his gaze fixed intently on Joshua's table.

I had to admit, Joshua was a looker. Calm, collected, with a charm that was impossible to ignore. But seeing Seokmin so utterly absorbed in him was a sight to behold. Seokmin's usual playful demeanor was replaced by a nervous energy that was almost palpable.

I watched as Seokmin fidgeted in his seat, shifting his weight from one side to the other. He kept adjusting his glasses, which was a clear sign of his nerves. It was like he was waiting for the right moment to strike up a conversation, but he was stuck in an endless loop of hesitation.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to investigate. I casually strolled over to Seokmin's table, sliding into the seat opposite him with a casual smile.

"What's up with you today?" I asked, leaning forward. "You've been unusually quiet."

Seokmin looked up from his drink, eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. "Oh, nothing," he mumbled, taking a sip of his water. "Just... thinking."

I followed his gaze, noting that it once again settled on Joshua. "You've been staring at Joshua for quite a while. Something you want to talk about?"

Seokmin's cheeks flushed a bright red, and he looked down at the table, fiddling with the edge of his napkin. "It's nothing, really. Just... he seems really nice. And, um, I don't know. I'm not even sure if he's interested."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his anxiety. "Are you seriously overthinking this? Joshua's a great guy. If you like him, just talk to him. He's not going to bite."

Seokmin's eyes darted around as if seeking an escape route. "I don't know. What if I mess up? What if I say something stupid and make a fool of myself?"

I shook my head, amused by his over-the-top reaction. "Seokmin, you're not going to mess up. Just be yourself. Joshua's probably seen a lot of people come and go. He'll probably appreciate someone genuine."

Seokmin seemed to ponder this, his nervous energy gradually giving way to a tentative resolve. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," I said with a reassuring nod. "But if you keep hesitating, you'll never get the chance. Go over there, say hi, and just have a conversation. Worst case scenario, you'll learn something new. Best case, you might make a new friend or even something more."

Seokmin took a deep breath, his shoulders straightening as he mustered his courage. "Alright, I'll do it. Thanks for the pep talk."

I watched as Seokmin made his way over to Joshua's table. It was endearing to see him try to act nonchalant while his nerves were evident in his awkward, but determined, gait. I was glad to see him taking a step forward, even if it was with shaky confidence.

From my vantage point, I could see Joshua look up as Seokmin approached. A warm, welcoming smile spread across Joshua's face, and he gestured for Seokmin to sit down. As they began talking, Seokmin's tense posture seemed to relax, and I could tell Joshua was making him feel at ease.

I decided to give them some space and went back to check on the kitchen, content to let Seokmin handle his own affairs. It was always a pleasure to see my brothers finding their way, even if it involved a bit of overthinking.

Later, as I caught Seokmin heading back to the table with a satisfied smile, I could tell that he had survived his little conversation with Joshua. He seemed more relaxed, and there was a noticeable bounce in his step.

"Feeling better?" I asked as he sat back down.

Seokmin grinned, looking a bit sheepish but pleased. "Yeah, actually. It went pretty well. Thanks for the push."

I clapped him on the back. "Anytime. I'm glad you finally took the plunge. It's always better to take a chance than to wonder what might have been."

As the day wore on, I kept an eye on Seokmin and Joshua's interactions. It was clear that Joshua was responding positively, and Seokmin's anxiety had transformed into genuine enjoyment. It was moments like these that made me appreciate the little things in life, like watching my brothers take chances and find their own paths.

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oof havent updated in a while

-published 17/08/2024-

Stan seventeen people