Our Old Manager.

Real friends.

The bell above the café door chimed as Y/N walked in, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The scent of coffee beans and warm pastries filled the air.

Familiar.
Comforting.
Today, however, it carried something else too. Laughter.

Y/N wondered why since the café 'closed' sign was shown but people were inside. Her gaze drifted toward the corner booth. Her friends were there. All of them.

Why?

Bright decorations hung loosely from the light fixtures, and in the middle of the table sat a cake with soft pink frosting.

Happy Birthday, Jihyo!

Her stomach sank.

"Oh my gosh," Y/N whispered, the words barely leaving her lips. She had forgotten, completely.

Jihyo looked up just then, mid-laugh, her smile faltering for a second. "Hey, Y/N eonnie, you made it." She cleared her throat. "You made it this year." The warmth in her voice was forced, stretched thin between disappointment and politeness.

Before Y/N could find words, Nayeon appeared beside her, a cup of coffee in hand. "Rough night?" She asked, lightly, though her tone carried something sharper underneath.

Y/N gave a weak chuckle, "You could say that."

Nayeon handed her a cup, leaning in just a little. "People notice when you disappear, you know?"

"I know," Y/N muttered, eyes fixed on Jihyo across the room. Guilt crept up her thoat like smoke. "I've been busy."

Nayeon tilted her head, her voice quiet but firm, "Busy with Yunjin?"

The younger cousin froze.

"You don't have to say it." Nayeon continued. "But, I can see it. You are tired, Y/N. And not that good kind of tired."

For a moment, Y/N wanted to argue to defend herself. She wanted to continue to pretend that she was fine.

"Yunjin is not a good person." Y/N admitted. "Are you just realising that?" Nayeon asked then followed by, "What the hell did she do to you?"

The words would not come out.
Not when one of her closest friends laughter felt so far away.

"I forgot her birthday," Y/N whispered. "She's one of my best friends and I forgot."

Nayeon softened. "Then fix it. Start small. Go over there, say sorry and mean it. We'll handle the drinks."

Y/N looked at her cousin, her best friend, and something inside her finally broke open. She nodded, blinking back the sting in her eyes.

"Thank you and I'm sorry."

Nayeon gave a small smile. "That's what I am here for. Just promise me you'll talk to me after this and you will stop letting people like Yunjin make you forget who you are."

Y/N took a deep breath, clutching the warm coffee cup like it could steady her. The café, her café, suddenly felt like home again. Maybe she could still fix things. Maybe it was not too late.

Y/N stood frozen for a moment, watching Jihyo's laughter ripple through the café. It was not loud. It was the kind that filled the room softly, that made people feel welcome.

Y/N used to be part of that.

She took a shaky breath and walked toward the booth, each step heavier than the last.

"Hey," She said quietly once she reached the table.

Jihyo looked up mid-conversation, her smile faltering for a heartbeat before she put it back on. "Oh, Y/N eonnie, you're still here." The warmth in her tone was gentle, but distant. Y/N felt it instantly.