✔ Caffeine || CHOI SOOBIN FF

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟞𝟟

~hellloooo~

-Start of Chapter 67-

The morning sun filters weakly through the café windows as I unlock the door, the familiar chime cutting through the uneasy silence in my chest. Work has always been my escape—a place where I can focus on something other than myself. But today, even the comforting hum of the coffee machine feels distant.

As I flick on the lights and start setting up, the door swings open behind me. I glance back to see Seoha stepping in, his bag slung over his shoulder and his usual easy smile replaced by something more cautious.

"You're early" I say, keeping my tone as neutral as I can manage.

"So are you," he replies, placing his bag on the counter. His eyes flicker over me, like he's trying to gauge something. "Are you okay? You know... with the article and everything?"

I freeze for half a second, my hand hovering over the coffee grinder. Of course, he knows. Everyone knows.

"I'm fine," I say quickly, my voice a little too sharp to be convincing. I busy myself with the grinder, pretending the settings need adjusting.

Seoha doesn't move, doesn't look away. "Are you sure? It's kind of... everywhere right now."

I finally glance at him, forcing a smile. "I'm fine."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. 

I shrug, turning back to the coffee machine. "I've got other things to worry about."

He doesn't push, but the tension in the air thickens as we work side by side, setting up the café. The silence feels heavier than usual, filled with all the things I know he wants to say.

It doesn't take long for him to crack. As I'm arranging the pastries in the display case, Seoha clears his throat behind me.

"Is it true?" he asks, his voice carefully casual.

I pause, my hands stilling over the tray. "Is what true?"

"That you guys actually kissed."

My stomach twists. I turn to look at him, but his expression is unreadable—somewhere between curiosity and something else I can't quite place.

I hesitate, my lips parting to answer but no sound coming out. The truth feels too raw, too exposed, and I'm not sure I can trust my voice to stay steady.

Seoha's jaw tightens. "You're not denying it," he says, his voice dropping slightly.

I look away, focusing on the tray in front of me. "It's... complicated."

He laughs, but it's humorless, almost bitter. "Complicated, huh?"

I glance at him, frowning. "Why does it matter?"

"Why does it—" He stops himself, running a hand through his hair. For a moment, he looks like he wants to say something, but instead, he turns away, busying himself with the register.

The silence that follows is thick with unspoken words.

He looks away, running a hand through his hair. "Forget it. It's none of my business anyway."

I sigh, setting down the tray and stepping closer to him. "Seoha—"

"It's nothing," he cuts me off, his tone lighter now but still forced. "Forget I said anything."