caffeine and chaos || lipsoul

1

The soft chime of the bell above the door rang out as Jiwoo entered the café, her eyes wide with the latest gossip.

"Jungeun, you're not going to believe this!" She said, barely containing her excitement as she rushed behind the counter.

Jungeun was wiping down the espresso machine, her pride and joy. She looked up, amused by Jiwoo's breathless urgency. "What? Did the door finally hit you on your way in?"

"Ha ha." Jiwoo rolls her eyes and playfully swats Jungeun on her arm, causing the other to laugh softly. "No, Jungeun," Jiwoo replied, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "A new café just opened across the street."

Jungeun froze, her heart skipping a beat. "Oh, that new store?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern. "It's a café?"

"Yeah," Jiwoo continued, nodding vigorously. "I saw them setting up the chalkboard sign outside. It's a small place, like ours. But, I don't know, it looks... cozy."

Jungeun felt a flicker of panic. Her café, "Sweet Haven", had been her life's work—a little slice of comfort in the heart of town. The idea of another café so close, competing for the same customers, made her stomach twist.

Curiosity and a touch of fear gnawed at her. She wiped her hands on her apron, trying to play it cool. "Cozy, huh? I should go check it out."

Jiwoo grinned. "That's the spirit! But don't worry, Jungeun, nobody makes coffee like you do."

Despite Jiwoo's reassurance, Jungeun couldn't shake the unease growing in her chest. She nodded, giving Jiwoo a tight lipped smile before slipping out the front door.

The late morning sun warmed her skin as she stepped outside. Jungeun squinted across the street, trying to get a better look at this new intruder. The café was indeed small, with freshly painted walls and large windows that invited passersby to peek inside.

But it wasn't the quaint storefront or the elegant sign saying *The Brew Crew* that caught Jungeun's attention. It was the person standing outside, carefully adjusting the chalkboard.

Jinsoul.

Jungeun's breath hitched as a wave of emotions crashed over her. Shock, anger, and something else—something she wasn’t ready to name—swirled inside her. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be her?

Jinsoul hadn't changed much since high school. She still had that confident stance, her hair tied back in a messy bun that made her look effortlessly cool. But now, all Jungeun felt was the sting of their past. The unresolved bitterness from their breakup resurfaced like a wound reopened.

Without thinking, Jungeun crossed the street, her footsteps quick and determined. Jinsoul was bent over, writing something on the chalkboard, completely unaware of the storm headed her way.

"Stealing my idea, huh?" Jungeun's voice came out sharper than she intended, but she didn't care. Jinsoul had some nerve.

Jinsoul straightened up, her expression shifting from surprise to a slow, infuriating grin as she recognized her. "Kim Jungeun." She said, her voice cool as ever. "Long time no see. And no, I didn't steal anything. Cafés aren't exactly a new concept, you know."

Jungeun's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb with me, Jeong. You knew this was my territory."

Jinsoul chuckled, leaning casually against the chalkboard. "Your territory? I didn't realize we were in some kind of café turf war. Relax, Jungie. There's plenty of caffeine to go around."

The nickname made Jungeun's heart skip a beat, though she would never admit it. "Don’t call me that," she snapped, crossing her arms.

"What? Jungie?" Jinsoul's grin widened. "I thought you liked it when I called you that."

"That was a long time ago," Jungeun shot back, trying to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks. "Things are different now."

Jinsoul shrugged, unfazed. "I'm just here to make good coffee. Nothing personal."

Jungeun huffed, trying to hold onto her anger, but Jinsoul's nonchalant attitude was throwing her off balance. "Well, I hope you're ready for some competition."

Jinsoul raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Competition? Is that what this is?"

"Yeah," Jungeun replied, lifting her chin. "And don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because we have history."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Jinsoul said, her eyes twinkling with a mix of challenge and something that made Jungeun's heart flutter despite herself.

They stood there for a moment, a silent battle of wills, before Jungeun turned on her heel and marched back across the street. She could feel Jinsoul's eyes on her the whole way, and it only made her more determined.

"Whoa, what was that all about?" Jiwoo raises an eyebrow, watching as Jungeun walks past her angrily into the Sweet Heaven café.

If Jinsoul wanted to set up shop right across from her, then so be it. Jungeun wasn't about to back down. Let the café war begin.