MY ADDICTION | gongfourz ★

001

"the rainy day."

The raven-haired boy walked down the cobblestone streets of his beloved town, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his oversized hoodie. The town was small and cozy, a place where everyone mostly knew each other. It was perfect for someone like Taesan, an introvert who thrived on familiarity and quiet. He found solace in the narrow streets, the modest shops, and the comforting hum of life that was never too loud or overwhelming.

Today, however, the sky, which had been a crisp blue that morning, began to shift. The clouds thickened, heavy and gray, casting a somber shadow over the town. The first droplets of rain kissed his cheeks, and before long, a downpour consumed the street. Taesan groaned internally as the rain drenched his hair and clothes. He hadn't brought an umbrella—he hadn't thought he'd need one.

He picked up his pace, his sneakers splashing through puddles, when suddenly, he felt a firm hand grab his wrist. He stopped in his tracks, startled, and turned to face a boy with a warm smile and eyes that crinkled slightly at the corners.

"Here, come in for a while," the boy said, his voice lighthearted despite the rain.

Taesan blinked. The boy looked to be around his age, maybe even the same. He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure."

The boy let out a small laugh. "Sorry for grabbing you like that. The rain just looked like it was getting out of hand."

Taesan nodded again, not quite used to this kind of forward friendliness. He noticed a name tag pinned to the boy's apron: Leehan.

"Thank you," Taesan said softly, his voice barely audible over the rain. "Leehan."

"You're very welcome," Leehan replied, his smile widening. "I didn't catch your name, though."

"It's Taesan."

"Nice to meet you, Taesan." Leehan's voice carried an unmistakable warmth. "Would you like something to drink? You look like you could use something to warm you up."

Taesan glanced at the menu behind the counter. The shop, as it turned out, was a small café. It smelled faintly of coffee beans and freshly baked pastries. "I'll just take an iced americano."

Leehan tilted his head, a little amused at the odd choice for such weather but didn't question it. "Coming right up!"

As Leehan busied himself behind the counter, Taesan took in his surroundings. The café was quaint, with mismatched furniture and walls adorned with sketches and photographs of the town. A fish patch was sewn onto Leehan's apron, right next to his name tag. Taesan couldn't help but notice how effortlessly pretty the boy was—his soft brown hair framed his face perfectly, and there was a kind of liveliness in his expression that felt rare around here.

Leehan returned moments later, carefully placing the drink in front of Taesan. Their fingers brushed briefly, and Taesan felt his breath hitch for a split second. Their eyes locked, and he quickly looked away, awkwardly thanking him.

"How much will it be?" Taesan asked, pulling out his wallet.

Leehan waved a hand dismissively. "Let's say it's on the house this time."

Taesan blinked in surprise. "Oh, thanks." He hesitated for a moment before pulling out his phone. "Do you mind if I take a picture of this place? I want to post it on Instagram."

Leehan chuckled. "Go ahead."

Taesan snapped a few pictures of the cozy café, making sure to capture the warm lighting and rustic charm. "What's your Instagram? I'll tag you in the post."

Leehan leaned over to show him his username, and Taesan nodded in acknowledgment, typing it in.

"So, are you from around here?" Leehan asked, sitting down across from him.

"Yeah, born and raised," Taesan replied, taking a sip of his drink. "How about you?"

"I'm from Busan," Leehan said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "But I'm staying here for a year or two. My uncle owns this café."

"That's cool. So, you're here to help out?"

"Pretty much. But I didn't even know a beautiful place like this existed," Leehan said, looking out the rain-streaked window with a soft smile.

Taesan chuckled quietly. "Yeah, people say that a lot when they first come here."

Leehan's laughter joined his, a light, melodic sound that made Taesan relax a little. They fell into a comfortable rhythm, their conversation flowing naturally despite the rain hammering against the windows.

"Do you have any friends here?" Taesan asked curiously.

Leehan shook his head. "Not yet. I've only been here a few days."

"Oh," Taesan murmured. He felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. Being new in a town like this could be tough.

Leehan hesitated for a moment, biting his lip before speaking. "Do you... want to be my friend?"

Taesan blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"

"Yeah." Leehan looked genuinely hopeful.

Taesan thought about it for a moment. Leehan didn't seem bad—in fact, he seemed like someone Taesan wouldn't mind spending more time with. "Sure, why not?"

Leehan's face lit up. "Really? That's great! Could I... get your number?"

"Yeah, of course." They exchanged numbers, their smiles growing wider as they did.

Taesan took another sip of his drink, feeling oddly content. The rain still poured outside, but inside the café, it felt warm and inviting. For the first time in a long time, he felt like something new and good was starting.

This, he thought, might just be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.