Peach Blossoms | park jinyoung

Chapter 4 - Coffee shop

"Jinyoungie~~" Jaebeom called. He and Jinyoung were filming a scene for an upcoming JJ Project comeback in the hot summer sun. Jinyoung squinted his eyes in his friend's direction and sighed. Jaebum wanted something very specific every time he used this voice.

"No hyung, get your own latte man," Jinyoung was irritated by the hot weather. Despite his constantly increasing body temperature, Jinyoung still wore his crewneck sweater and a pair of khaki shorts. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, hoping to ward off the heat in some way. Although he had been an idol for five years, he still found it hard to show off his body. Jinyoung felt safest in his long sleeves even if he was heating up like an oven.

"Please Jinyoungie~" Jaebeom whined again. "Jaebeom wants a latte." He pouted.

Jinyoung glared hard at the man and looked at him up and down. "Really JB? You're going to try aegyo on me?" But the corner of his mouth curled upwards, unable to resist Jaebeom's charming efforts.

Jaebeom glanced at Jinyoung carefully and mirrored the smile that had appeared on Jinyoung's face. His plan was effective. He knew that Jinyoung's mood always dropped around this time of year as a result of the events that had occurred two years earlier. He wasn't going to allow his best friend to be sad this year. Some people were meant to be forgotten.

"Manager hyung, we need a quick break. We'll be back!" Jaebeom called to the tall man observing the actions of the two idols. He dragged Jinyoung by the wrist to their belongings and quickly scooped up the hats and masks they used to disguise themselves. Jinyoung looked like a toddler being dragged around unwillingly.

"Hyung I'm really not in the mood right now," Jinyoung complained. The hot sun and chirping birds always somehow reminded him of her. He shook his head slightly to try to forget, even just for a moment. Work was his top priority, and right now he needed to work.

"Jinyoung it's just a coffee. I know you want an iced Americano right now too," Jaeboem beamed at Jinyoung. "See, there's a coffee shop right across the street."

Jinyoung sighed and reluctantly put on his mask and black baseball cap. Although the sun was blazing hot, they were so used to wearing masks it was no longer uncomfortable. Jinyoung protested silently as Jaebeom dragged him along to get coffee, dragging his feet and rolling his eyes.

The sound of bells went off as soon as the door opened. "Welcome!" a sweet voice sang once they walked in. Jaebeom dragged Jinyoung to the counter.

"One iced latte and an iced Americano please," Jaebeom ordered. His voice was muffled through his mask, but Jinyoung noticed that the girl raised her eyebrow when he spoke. She punched in the order and continued nonchalantly.

"That will be 13,000 won." She processed the transaction smoothly. "Here is your buzzer," She handed them a buzzer with the number 7 on it and smiled, her eyes becoming little crescent moons. Jinyoung chuckled softly when he saw the buzzer.

"I'll be right back, I have to go to the washroom," Jaebeom said before waltzing to the washroom in the back of the cafe. Jinyoung took the buzzer and walked towards one of the window seats. He plopped down in the chair, adjusting his face mask. His thoughts drifted back to all the times he spent hiding in cafes with his ex, Haeyoung, smiles hidden behind their mask disguises. He sighed. This isn't the time or place for this, Jinyoung get your act together.

The buzzer started to go off, and Jinyoung pushed his chair back, a loud, scraping noise echoing throughout the otherwise quiet cafe. He re-adjusted his mask again, making sure he was well covered. As he approached the counter, he began to feel a sense of familiarity as he looked at the barista, but he couldn't quite put his finger on where the feeling stemmed from. Where have I seen her before...?

"Here's your coffee sir," she began handing the two coffees to him.

The next moment seemed to occur in slow motion.

"Jinyoung-ah!" Jaebeom called, loud enough for the whole cafe to hear. Jinyoung was unable to respond as he saw the barista's eyes widen completely, and she released the coffees. Before he had the chance to react, he watched as the coffees fell to the ground, time seeming to freeze.

"Oh my god!" The barista yelped. "I'm so sorry!" she rushed around the counter, seeing that Jinyoung's shoes and pants were covered in the iced liquid. Jinyoung was surprised; he hadn't noticed that the coffee had spilled on him. He chuckled softly under his breath in disbelief.

The barista bent down, trying to clean up the mess on the floor as well as his shoes. "I'll be sure to dry clean this for you, please just leave me your contac-"

Jinyoung gently grabbed her wrist to stop her actions. "It's okay..." He glanced at her name tag. "Kim Sooyeon?" The last part of her name rolled off his tongue, the familiar feeling from earlier returning. His eyebrows furrowed together. Wait....

He slowly lifted her wrist up to reveal a cherry blossom tattoo. "OH, Kim Sooyeon!" He exclaimed, eyes widening.