𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝖪𝗂𝗆 𝖭𝖺𝗆𝗃𝗈𝗈𝗇 [𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃]

O N E

01
V I N Y L

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚

UNLIKE THE YOUTHFUL STAFF that seemed bored out of their mind, wanting nothing more than to leave the place, Hyerim felt content with the tranquility that lingered in the atmosphere. She needed to press her lips together from humming to the outdated music that played softly in the background, making some others appear drowsy.

It seemed that she and the more elderly people were more satisfied with the maroon walls, and the vintage-like decor. It was her happy place. She was lucky enough to find the perfect place to work at near her apartment. It seemed as if all her hard work in school had finally payed off, blessing her with the vinyl café.

Even if it was her day off, she still couldn't help but return to the place, even if it was just for a black coffee of the sort. She just sat in the corner, reading the book she'd gotten from the library recently.

Every time she heard the bell chime, announcing the visit of another person, she perked her head up. It was something she couldn't help but do. She had been working there since she was still in school, so it was just something she would unconsciously do without hesitation. It was just a simple glance, but she immediately did a double-take when she heard the voice of not an elderly person, but rather a young man.

There, in front of the cashier ran by an older woman, stood a young, tall man that looked no more than twenty-five. He had a fanny pack on his back, a plain black cap, a baggy orange shirt, and tan pants.

Hyerim was stunned to see someone that wasn't over thirty to be in the vinyl café. For as long as she worked there, it was always older people. If younger people were to come in, they'd complain how it was boring, and because their parents made them. So to see someone that appeared around her age, it was certainly something to marvel over.

She snapped out of her daze when he began to scan the building. She returned her gaze back to her book, forcing herself to return all her attention back to it. A quiet scoff slipped past her lips, mentally debating how long he would stay until he would grow bored and leave once he took a seat not too far from her. It was how everyone always was. They would stay for a few moments, admiring at the vintage-like setting, before growing bored of the outdated music and tranquil atmosphere, then they would leave. It happened to each and every young person that entered the café.

When she glanced up at the man, she was astonished to see him reading a book. He looked completely invested in it as well, sounding out everything as she did whenever she read. His body was at ease, his facial features relaxed too.

That, that right there really made her wonder why he was there. Why he didn't find any boredom in the café. It sparked her curiosity, the kind of curiosity where you saw something glisten in some type of dark cave and wanted to go further to reach it.

She took notice how each time the bell chimed, the man would perk his head up, his eyes shooting to the glass doors. His eyes would glimmer when he saw the customer, as if he were waiting for someone.

After about sixteen minutes, time that flew out the window without Hyerim even releasing. The bell chimed once again, making her head unconsciously perk up with the man.

A woman that looked about the same age as her, dressed in a casual summer dress with her jet-black hair in a side braid, scanned the small place with her flitting black eyes. They landed on the man that had been silently waiting, not ordering a single thing. Immediately, she made her way over to him, smiling apologetically at him.

"I'm so, so sorry." She apologized, taking a seat in front of him. "I woke up late and rushed to shower, and I—"

"Hey, don't worry about it," the man spoke softly, smiling warmly to assure her, "it happens."

She's lying, Hyerim mused, taking another glance at the woman as she saw her restless behavior. It was obvious that she was lying. The lack of sympathy in her distant eyes. Then again, that was none of her business.

She sat there for a few more moments, minding her own business, absorbed in her personal bubble. As she just sat there, every so often, she could hear the woman make a small complaint about the place. How it was 'a bit boring.'

It was obvious her complaints were vexing. Whenever Hyerim lifted her eyes off her book, she could see the customers looking uncomfortable and a bit irritated. She looked over to her co-worker who had a sad gaze in her eyes, appearing insecure about everything. That really made her blood begin to boil.

When the woman said it one last time, Hyerim had enough of it.

With full confidence, she got up from her seat and made her way to them. Normally, she would never do something as reckless as she was about to do. Then again, it was her day off, so technically, she wouldn't get into any trouble. She tapped the shoulder of the woman, her head and the man's going towards her.

"I couldn't help but overhear your words," Hyerim began nonchalantly, "if this place is boring, please leave. Some people actually enjoy the atmosphere here, and your remarks about it are really disrupting others from enjoying the place. So, please, leave if it's really such a bother. I came here on my day off to relax and you're making it difficult for me—everyone to relax."

Anger flashed the woman's eyes, but Hyerim didn't faze. She held her stoic expression revealing she was being dead serious about what she had just said. The woman didn't get a chance to speak before Hyerim went back to her table, sitting back down in the seat with ease as she opened her book back up and continued to read. She felt the eyes of some of the people that had been in the place, but no one spoke.

She heard the woman get up, telling the man in front of her to do so as well so they could go somewhere else. The man obeyed, only nodding his head. She took another glance over at him to see him glance at her as well. The smallest smile graced his lips as he mouthed 'thank you.'

A small smile tugged her own, her stoic expression morphing into a more relaxed and calm gaze. 'You're welcome,' she mouthed back, earning a wider smile before he quickly turned and left.

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚

A/N

I thought this book would be published earlier, like, in mid August, but since that's back to school month for me—you get the point. I also decided to publish it at least until I was a few more chapters into Perfectly Wrong, that and with Vivid Memories.

But this is my first Namjoon book—BTS one in general—and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. Getting nervous, mate.