The Last Boy Scout

24

You've seen him everyday at work since Monday. He always sits in the corner of the shop, sipping the usual Omija tea that he orders, on his laptop or with a focused look glued on his face and a book propped open on his lap. He seems like your normal, everyday customer but something about him in particular is.... different.

"Here you go," you set the cup of tea on the table, and he pays in return.

As you walk back to the counter, you nonchalantly glance back at him and notice him peaking back at you. You both look away and pretend that nothing happened.

"Who is he, anyway?" Sung Rae Mi sunbaenim nudges you in the shoulder.

"He's just a regular," you reply, grabbing a wet cloth and avoid making eye contact.

"Mmhmmm," your coworker bites the side of her cheek and adjusts the headset resting on her ear. "Yes, hello, welcome to Sung Rae Coffee Shop; what can I get you?"

Your sunbaenim walks off, taking someone's order at the drive thru. You continue to scrub the counter down, even though it looks polished enough, but you want to make it look like you're busy working.

You don't really fit in well with the other workers here. Sung Rae Mi is several years older than you, and she manages the shop. Her parents own the cafe-hence the name-and want her to keep things under control while they are out of Korea on frequent business trips.

You can't help but look back up at him again. He came here a few weeks ago, and you remember how he awkwardly took his first order and couldn't stop shaking. You begin to wonder what made him come here so often all of a sudden.

No matter how hard you try, you can't seem to remember what his name was; it's right on the tip of your tongue, and you could go ask him again, but he hasn't ordered anything that required you writing his name on a cup since the other week.

"Just take his order again," Sung Rae Mi nudges you again.

"What do you mean?" You pretend to have no idea what she's talking about.

"I've seen the way you look at him,"

"I have no idea what-"

"Here," she hands you a spray bottle and a roll of paper towels. "Take these and start wiping the table next to him,"

"Alright,"

Slowly, you back away from the counter and head toward the back of the shop. You pretend to mind your own business, and begin to spray the table several times before wiping it clean.

"Hey, Seokyeon..."

You freeze, not knowing what to do. The only person who knows your name here is your sunbaenim and the workers preparing food and taking orders behind the counter.

You turn around and realize it was him calling your name.

"Oh!" You give a smile. "How is your Omija?"

"It's... uh... same as usual," he flashes a small grin before lowering his head.

"That's good," you reply, not knowing what else to say. "What else can I do for you?"