raspberries and mocha | heejake ✔

5

The clatter of silverware and the hum of conversations buzzed through the air as the restaurant hit its peak for the night. Heeseung had been working nonstop, carrying trays, refilling drinks, and dodging other staff members in the narrow aisles between tables. His legs ached, and his hands were raw from hours of handling hot plates, but there was only one more table left. One more, and he could finally get a break.

Heeseung approached the table with a practiced smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. The group of men seated there hardly glanced up as he placed their dishes before them. "Enjoy your meal," Heeseung said, the weariness creeping into his voice.

The men barely nodded in acknowledgment, too absorbed in their conversation, and Heeseung didn't mind. It was easier that way. With a quick, polite smile, he turned and headed back toward the kitchen, his face immediately dropping into a tired frown as soon as he was out of their sight. His entire body felt like it was made of lead, the long shift weighing him down.

He weaved through the bustling dining area, dodging servers and customers alike, until he finally spotted his friends Sunghoon and Jay lingering near the kitchen. As soon as they saw Heeseung speed-walking toward them, they started laughing.

"Look at him go!" Sunghoon teased, grinning widely. "You look like you're running a marathon, man."

Jay, standing next to him, crossed his arms, smirking. "Bet he's trying to break a record for fastest escape from rush hour."

Heeseung rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips despite his exhaustion. "Laugh it up, you guys. You're next on the floor."

Jay chuckled, clapping Heeseung on the back as he leaned against the wall. "Yeah, but for now, we get to watch you suffer."

Sunghoon nodded, adding with mock sympathy, "Must be rough, huh?"

"Brutal," Heeseung replied dryly, though he couldn't help but chuckle along with them. He turned to glance back at the dining room, hoping he might be able to steal a moment to breathe before the next wave of customers.

"Easy for you to say," Heeseung shot back, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've been running all over this place for hours. If I sit down, I'm not getting back up."

Sunghoon laughed again, shaking his head. "You've earned a break, dude. Take a second to breathe."

Heeseung leaned against the counter, exhaling deeply as he rubbed the back of his neck. His muscles ached, and he could feel the exhaustion settling into his bones. But before he could even think about relaxing, a movement across the restaurant caught his attention.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Riki waving excitedly from across the dining room. He was sitting at a table with his usual group of friends, a wide grin on his face as he waved frantically in Heeseung's direction.

Heeseung couldn't help but chuckle softly. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much Riki had grown, he still had that same kid-like enthusiasm. Heeseung raised a hand and waved back, his smile faint but genuine. Riki's energy was infectious, even after a long day like this.

But as Heeseung's eyes scanned the rest of the table, his breath hitched.

Seated next to Riki was someone Heeseung hadn't seen before.

They were striking, with sharp features softened by the dim lighting, and a quiet confidence in their posture. Their eyes glinted under the restaurant's low-hanging lights, their gaze momentarily locking with Heeseung's across the room. For a split second, everything around Heeseung seemed to blur—the noise, the chatter, the clinking of dishes—everything except for this person.

Heeseung's heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening. He wasn't sure why, but something about this stranger completely captivated him. They were effortlessly beautiful, and it wasn't just their appearance. There was an aura about them that seemed to pull Heeseung in, leaving him momentarily breathless.

He blinked, trying to snap himself out of it. It was ridiculous—he didn't even know them, and yet he felt drawn in like he'd known them forever. Heeseung turned away quickly, shaking his head slightly as if to clear his thoughts.

Jay, noticing the slight change in Heeseung's expression, nudged him. "You good, man? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Huh?" Heeseung blinked, still distracted. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...tired."

Sunghoon shot him a skeptical look. "Tired? You look like something just knocked the wind out of you."

Heeseung didn't respond, instead glancing back toward Riki's table. Riki had already returned to his conversation with his friends, completely unaware of the moment Heeseung had just experienced. But that person...they were still there, and though they were no longer looking in his direction, Heeseung couldn't help but steal another glance.

Heeseung's heart raced again. There was something about them—something he couldn't quite place. And though he tried to dismiss the feeling, it lingered.

"I'll be right back," Heeseung muttered, walking toward the back room.

Sunghoon and Jay exchanged glances but didn't stop him, their attention already shifting back to the floor.

As Heeseung headed toward the break area, he couldn't shake the thought of that stranger. Who were they? Why did he care so much about it? And why did it feel like meeting them was inevitable?