It has been a week since Jinki and you officially met. You never saw him after that day. He didn’t drop by on your shop but you did drop by on his to eat lunch atleast twice within that week. Little did you know, you never left his mind since that day. He was just reluctant on how he would approach you.
It was a rainy evening. You sighed depressingly as you watched the window pane. It was already 11PM and your worker is about to leave. “Mari-unnie. I’m leaving!” Joohyun, your assistant announced. You just mumbled and waved goodbye. You stayed a little enjoying your cup of tea before leaving.
You washed your cup and took your jacket to leave. It was still raining but it was already time for the last bus to come. You don’t drive because the last time you did, it was not that great.
Meanwhile, Jinki decided to drop by his chicken shop because his schedule was cancelled but found out that it closed earlier than usual because it was the helper Ahjummah’s daughter’s birthday. It slipped his mind that she told him that few days ago. She even invited him but he said that he couldn’t come because of his schedule.
The timing was great, his car wouldn’t start. He went out and tried to check what’s wrong. However, he couldn’t figure out what the hell is happening with his car. “It was just working fine minutes ago.” He managed to whisper under his breath. He was soaking wet and didn’t know what to do. ‘I guess I’m sleeping in my car tonight.’ He thought.
“Onew-ssi?” a girl from behind called him. He looked back only to find Mari and let you see him in a devastatingly awkward state. You walked closer to him and shared your umbrella with him. He was shivering in cold and was drenched with rain. “I was right, it was you. Why are you here?” you managed to ask him with a smile.
“Just dropping by but luck did not side me this time.” He let out a stiff chuckle. “First, let’s go inside and warm you up.” You suggested. He shook his head by you pulled him by the arm, insisting. “But you already closed your shop and it’s already late. I don’t want to burden you, Mari-ssi.”
You checked your clock and he was right, it was already late. “I could just take the taxi. I can’t let you freeze here, you know” you were already in front of the shop when you said these. Jinki just couldn’t argue with your persistence.
He sat down on one of the tables near the window. He stared at you while you make tea for him. “Do you like tea?” you asked him. You two still speak formally. “I’m fine with anything.” He simply said, not removing his gaze on you.
You tried your best to focus on the tea you were making. He never thought you knew he was staring though. Whenever you failed to focus and tried to look, he would shyly look away and pretend to compliment your interior designs. “You-your concept is cu-cute.” He nervously stuttered and tried to look around. You smiled as he seriously looked cute to you.
Although you couldn’t make eye contacts, you tried your best to observe him at the corner of your eye.
You served him a strawberry shortcake and Korean tea. It was appetizing to his eyes. He started munching on it merrily as you sat down and watch him eat. “You haven’t eaten yet?” he gulped down his third spoon thenshook his head. “I actually wanted to eat at the Chicken Restaurant but forgot that Ahjumma closed it earlier than usual.” He took a sip of his tea. “Ah! So hot!” he exclaimed.
You can’t stop yourself and laughed off. He looked at you shyly and you felt apologetic. “Sorry.” You said. “Of course it was hot!” you reached him a table napkin.
He’s different from the Onew you saw on TV. Onew was rather charismatic and he was just.. a plain clumsy guy. “Ah! I recalled something. Onew is not your real name right?” you suddenly remembered. “Mm. It’s Jinki, Lee Jinki.” He confirmed. “Can I call you Jinki-ssi?” you pleaded.
“Why?”
“Because the one sitting in front of me is Lee Jinki-ssi.”
He just stared at you blankly then nodded. Usually, people wouldn’t know how to differentiate Onew from Jinki but she just said it as if you knew him for a really long time. She really is different, one of a kind.
You stood up and grabbed another slice of cake since you’ve noticed that he is hungry. “Shouldn’t you call someone for help?” you asked half sarcastically, half curiously. He was shocked, he never thought of asking for help. He was too occupied of his thoughts about you.
He took out his phone from his pocket –ofcourse almost dropping it off as usual—and dialed his Manager hyung’s number. Fortunately, he agreed to meet up in 30 minutes.
