✔ Caffeine || CHOI SOOBIN FF

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟟𝟙

~thnx to  @Soobinbbang07  for giving me an idea that i used in this ch. the last bit.

thnx gurlll<3~

~ayo also thank her for me speeding up the story.~

-Start of Chapter 71-

Her gaze drops, tearing away from mine as if she didn't see me at all. But I know she did.

I saw something flicker in her eyes—a hint of surprise, maybe recognition. Or maybe I'm imagining it.

She leans closer to the girl working beside her, whispering something I can't hear. She nods, glances at the line, and smoothly takes her place at the register.

And just like that, she's gone.

Disappointment prickles at the edges of my chest. I don't even know what I was expecting—for her to come over? Say hi? Call my name like nothing's changed?

Stupid.

I sigh, forcing my feet forward with the shuffle of the line. When it's finally my turn, I step up to the register. 

The new cashier greets me with a practiced smile.

"What can I get you?"

"Hot chocolate," I say, pulling my mask down slightly so my voice isn't muffled. "And a croissant."

She punches the order into the system, her fingers quick and precise. I hand over my card, and just as she swipes it, the question slips out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

"That girl—uh, the one who was just here. Is she still around?"

The cashier pauses, her head tilting slightly as if to place me. Her smile softens, warm and professional, but there's a flicker of confusion behind her eyes.

"Oh, you mean Miss Y/N? That's our boss," she says, handing back my card. "She came all the way from South Korea to check on the opening. She's been so sweet—she even jumped in to help us out today."

My chest tightens. Boss.

Of course, she's the boss. I knew that already, but hearing it from someone else feels... different. I nod, shoving my card back into my wallet.

"Is she... still here?" My voice is quieter this time, almost hesitant.

The cashier glances toward the back. "I think she's taking a quick break, but I'm sure she'll be around later. She's really hands-on, you know? Makes us feel like a team."

I nod again, but I don't say anything.

Hands-on. A team. That's so... her.

The cashier hands me my receipt and smiles. "Your order will be ready shortly. Thanks for stopping by!"

I mumble a quick "thanks" and step aside, my thoughts spinning.

She came all the way here for the first international branch. She's here. Right now.

So close yet so far...

~~~~~

The bass thumps in the studio as we rehearse for what feels like the hundredth time this week. My legs move on autopilot, the choreography drilled so deep into my muscles that I barely have to think about it. It's not like I've been thinking much about dance lately anyway.