Be Mine

Pickled Radish

It was a Saturday morning and time for Sooyoung's usual visit to Muse Cafe. She loved the taste of a good home-cooked brunch, aromatic coffee and some peaceful vibes while working on her research paper.

Park Sooyoung was a Masters student in psychology at Yongin University. She was definitely smart enough to enter any university in downtown Seoul, but made a choice to move to Seoul's outskirts, away from the hustle and bustle of the high-strung city life. Her life plan? To be able to practice psychology and help children and youths in need.

Cafes were peaceful in her residential area which largely consisted the elderly. Muse Cafe was filled with natural light and she absolutely enjoyed the ambience. But, today was different. Everything went great until she stepped into the cafe.

"Sajangnim! Why do I have to serve pickled radish with the big breakfast? It doesn't match!" A guy complained, albeit loudly, to the boss of the cafe who was also the chef.

Sooyoung's eyes widened at the commotion. She hadn't seen this guy before and arguing with the middle-aged cafe owner? That was a bold thing to do, she wondered as she settled into her favorite corner seat and shook her head.

"Here's your coffee, Sooyoung-ah. I'll let sajangnim know you're here!" The barista placed a large cup on her table.

Mmmm, she smiled in satisfaction. Muse was the only place that would entertain her penchant for a warm, soy milk double shot cappuccino.

"Thank you Eunkwang oppa!", she cheerily greeted before lowering her voice, "new staff?" She gestured her head towards the frowning guy at the counter.

"Yeah," Eunkwang whispered, "a bit crazy too - arguing with sajangnim on his first day here! And he's supposed to only be a waiter."

Sooyoung chuckled. Ever since she started coming to Muse, Eunkwang and her have seen their share of cafe part-timers come and go, and they felt that the new guy wouldn't be able to last long.

Sooyoung opened her laptop and resumed writing her research paper. When she sensed a shadow looming over her, she looked up to see the puzzled new waiter with her breakfast platter in his hand. He stared at her then stared at her breakfast and then back at her.

"Why do you not have pickled radish on your big breakfast?" He questioned, the food still in his hands.

What nerve to speak to a regular customer like this!

"I'm a regular here, sajangnim knows my order. Aren't you going to place my food down or has the cafe become self-service?" She raised her brow at him.

"Ouch, a little sensitive before coffee aren't we? I just wanted to know - sajangnim has been forcing me to place pickled radish on breakfast platters when they don't match. At all."

His cocky, playful smile only served to fuel Sooyoung's irritation. She just wanted her breakfast in peace and to get started on a productive work day!

"Honestly, who the hell eats pickled radish with scrambled eggs and bacon? The radish gets all over my salad and makes it soggy too," she whispered, eager to get him off her back, "but please don't let sajangnim know! His food is great but his obsession with weird Korean fusion is not my style."

The guy chuckled and placed her food down in front of her.

"Thanks for the honesty," he whispered exasperatedly, "I've been telling sajangnim all morning but he's not listening! You're the first person I see him specially telling me not to put radish on your plate for."

"That's because I told him radish brought back traumatic memories for me." She softly said, her eyes ridding of laughter.

"I'm Sungjae by the way. Yook Sungjae. Since you're a regular here we should be seeing each other more often right? I'm the new staff and I'll appreciate anyone who doesn't have pickled radish on their breakfast." He sticks his hand out for a handshake.

Sooyoung looks at his outstretched hand and flinched for a brief moment, not returning the handshake.

"I'm Park Sooyoung, nice to meet you too." She politely replies with a small smile before returning her gaze to her laptop.

——

Camping out at the cafe for a whole day, Sooyoung gets up to fill her tumbler with water.

"Oppa, how long do you think he'll last?" She asks Eunkwang while waiting for him to fill her tumbler. Standing by the barista workcorner, she makes small talk with the cafe barista.

"Who? Sungjae? I don't know, maybe two months? He said he just got into town so he'll probably need the cash."

"He's new in town?"

"Yeah he said he comes from Ulsan. Oh right! He said he attends Yongin University too? It was the only reason for sajangnim to hire him - undergraduates always need that extra pocket money!"

Sooyoung chuckled. I don't remember seeing him around school though.

But then again, Sooyoung was the kind of girl that focused on her studies and went home straight after. She had no interest in extra-curriculars and preferred the peaceful solitude. Her defense was the need to attain good grades and not because of her tumultuous childhood. She knew it was a poor excuse though, I mean she is a psychology student.

Sungjae's shift ended in the evening before Sooyoung left. Waving bye to Eunkwang, he flashed Sooyoung a wink before exiting and pedaling away on his bicycle. Sooyoung rolled her eyes. Guys and their constant need to impress girls.

Sooyoung decided to text her friends. If he was in Yongin, surely one of them would at least know of him? Her friends did psychology too but they were also active in extra-curriculars.

Sooyoung: girls, anyone know of Yook Sungjae? From Yongin University?

Yeri: seems like someone's finally interested in guys now huh?

Sooyoung: you know it's not like that. He's the new staff at Muse, I'm just being careful!

Seulgi: he's great friends with Hyunsik! They took part in Yongin Star together.

Irene: he was a Mr Yongin finalist too.

Wendy: yeah he's my fellow house head at Serpent block!

Yeri: all the junior girls have/had a crushes on him!

Sooyoung: wait so all of you know him in one way or another?

Yeri, Irene, Seulgi, Wendy: yep!

Wendy: you've just been living under a rock Sooyoung ah

Sooyoung: but all the activities require so much socializing. I don't want another repeat of my freshman episode!

Irene: that's okay Sooyoung! You just have to keep trying slowly.

Yeri: unnie you're already 25! You gotta bag a guy soon!

Seulgi: just keep quiet Yeri

Sooyoung chuckled. As much as it's difficult for her to join tiring social activities, her trusted group of friends were always there for her since her freshmen year. She trusted them with her heart and if they all felt that Yook Sungjae was alright, then maybe she will try and be friendlier.

——
AN:
Editing and re-uploading this too!