Belligerent

14- Sangwoo

I clocked out of my shift and made my way to the cafe where I would meet Seunghyun. It still baffled me how this man came across the cafe I usually go to. It is not a very well-known location for most people, however, it has its own distinctive properties that would definitely draw in many customers. The staff's great service and calm atmosphere alone would suffice even the daintiest, yet well-sophisticated people in town. Granted it may have its moments where snobbish customers ruin its tranquility, but most people who attend never let those occurrences bother them.

The staff greeted me the moment I entered their premises and as per usual, the cafe was quiet. I saw regulars like me who were already by their usual spots around the cafe. I went ahead and started to order the one I usually got whenever I had the time to pass by. "That would be a total of $6.50. Is there anything else, sir?" I shook my head and was about to hand over my card but remembered about Seunghyun.
"Actually, could you add another order to mine?" I said to the cashier. "Of course! What would you like to add?"

"I'll have one of your dragonfruit refreshers, please" I replied, handing my card to the cashier. "Great! Your name will be called shortly, sir. Thank you," the lady cashier responded while handing the card back. I nodded in appreciation and sat down at a nearby booth. I sighed in exhaustion and stared at my phone in the meantime. For the past week, I've always anticipated Taerin's return. I knew what kind of person Dami is and how sheepish he was. However, it was definitely unlikely for him to act this way. He wouldn't have taken a whole building hostage unless under direct command from whoever they were under the control of. Though, Dami was also well known for his sense of strong influence.

A loud snap caught me off guard with my thoughts and noticed a lady in uniform standing by my table. "Ah sorry! Did I interrupt you?" she said in a slightly frantic manner. I looked at her like an idiot for a few seconds, "Oh no no, I apologize. I was just in thought," I said. For a second I thought she looked like Taerin.
"Ha~ Detective, I know I'm pretty and all but," she said while blushing and giggling.
I chuckled softly, "I know, I know."

"Well I figured I'd bring your drinks to you," she said, putting them aside. "But you don't usually order the other one," she continued while looking at me suspiciously. "So, did you move on from Taerin?" she added, sitting down across from me with her arms crossed.
I couldn't help but chuckle a little at her. "Oh Van, it's not like that," I said. She let out a 'hmph' and looked at me in the eyes.
"When are you ever going to tell her how you feel?! It's been a decade man!" She said, softly slamming her fists on the table. I simply smiled at her, "I'm not ready yet, you see...". I watched as Van sighed and continued to cross her arms. My phone buzzed and we both looked at it. Seunghyun's name popped up on the screen saying he was here and looked at the door entrance. I watched as he scanned the room for a bit before I waved a little at him.
"Well I guess you're busy, so I'll be on my way. See you around Sangwoo," she said in a suggestive manner. "Oh come on it's not like that," I said rolling my eyes at her as she chuckled and stood up.

Seunghyun arrived at our table, watching Van leave her spot. "Geez, I know you're a ladies' man but two-timing?" He said, taking Van's spot. He said that in such an unfazed manner that I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. "Ooh, did you get this for me?" he said while pointing at the slightly watered-down drink I got. I nodded and watched as he happily took it, "My, you have incredible taste," he added.
"Well I didn't know what you drink so I got their best selling here," I said, coughing.
"I didn't think you'd still be this thoughtful after all these years, Woong"
A familiar nickname I haven't heard in a while.
I looked at Seunghyun like an idiot, "What did you call me just now?"
He looked back at me, "Oh I just thought you'd remember if I said that," then looked out the window.

"If, it's alright with you, could you..perhaps fill me in?" I said, slightly embarrassed. "You really don't remember, huh?" He replied as I watched him play with the straw of his drink. "Well it's a long story, and it might take a while, you up for it?" He added, with a serious tone to his voice. I pursed my lips and sighed while nodding. "Let's go somewhere quieter, shall we?" He said, standing up on his spot.

I stood up on my own spot and followed.

Whatever happened before, it's all in the past.

Right?

----

"When you said somewhere quieter," 

"I thought you meant in an isolated, quiet, area," I said, pointing at a karaoke bar in front of us, "Not this," I continued, showing my visible frustration towards him. "We'll get there eventually, but first I figured I'd take you to good ol' memory lane, yeah?" He said, in a cheery yet annoying tone I have heard all day. I sighed and dragged my feet along the pavement. I heard Seunghyun let out a chuckle at the back as I entered the building first. This was really not how I envisioned Seunghyun. I had my own doubts that he at the very least, had an inch of seriousness in him. But I guess I was wrong yet again. I should've known the minute we left that cafe and he was acting all cheery or whatnot. 
No words could describe how annoyed I was at the moment other than the fact that why did it have to be a karaoke place. In all places we could have gone to, he chose the most inconvenient place for us to be even talking about anything serious. That's not what a karaoke place is meant for, at least if we're being practical here.