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The narrow hallway leading to the back of the café felt even tighter as Hao followed Kuanjui, his nerves in knots. Every step seemed to echo the weight of his anxiety, and the quiet hum of the espresso machine in the distance only made him feel more uncertain. This isn’t how it was supposed to go, he thought. The soft smell of ground coffee should have calmed him, but the presence of Hanbin behind him made the space feel suffocating.
Kuanjui finally stopped in a small back room, barely big enough to fit the shelves of coffee supplies, milk cartons, and cleaning products. A compact counter housed a shiny, high-end espresso machine, its metallic body gleaming under the dim light. The machine itself looked intimidating, all buttons and knobs. Hao could feel his palms growing clammy. Was I supposed to know how to use this already?
Kuanjui leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, and eyed both of them like he was sizing them up for a duel. His face remained unreadable as he spoke.
"Alright. Since you're both late and both here for the same position, we're going to keep this simple," he said, his voice steady but firm. "I need to see how you handle the basics of café work. It’s not just about making drinks; it’s about care, precision, and presentation. You each get one shot to make something for me."
Hao’s stomach tightened. His heart pounded in his chest. He hadn’t expected a hands-on test like this—definitely not with Hanbin watching his every move. Hao glanced at the sleek espresso machine, trying to recall the YouTube tutorials he had watched a week before. The machine in front of him looked far more complicated than anything he’d seen in a video.
"Hanbin, you go first," Kuanjui said, his eyes shifting to the taller guy.
Hanbin moved smoothly, his confidence almost palpable. He walked up to the machine as if he’d done this a hundred times before. Hao watched, unable to stop the growing feeling of inadequacy gnawing at him. Hanbin wasn’t just confident—he was deliberate. Every movement had purpose, from the way he measured out the coffee grounds to the way he locked the portafilter into the machine with ease.
Hao’s eyes followed Hanbin’s hands as they worked, the sharp contrast of his dark hair and his fluid motions making the entire process look effortless. Within minutes, the familiar sound of espresso being pulled filled the room, the rich scent of coffee cutting through the tension like a balm. Hanbin grabbed the milk, coolly steaming it until a soft cloud of foam rose in the pitcher. He poured it over the espresso with a practiced hand, creating a smooth latte that seemed to glisten in the soft light.
"Latte," Hanbin announced with a self-assured smirk, sliding the cup across the counter toward Kuanjui, as if he were presenting a work of art.
Kuanjui took the cup and inspected it closely, nodding slightly as he brought it to his lips. He sipped, his face betraying nothing. After a long pause, he set the cup down, his expression unreadable.
