a cup of coffee • kim doyoung

twenty seven

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Kim Seyeon

For the first time, tears started to roll down my cheeks unknowingly. Throughout all the stages I've been through, from the planning all the way to the final touches, never had I once been this emotional. But today, watching it with him, it somehow did.

"Seyeon ah?" A voice pierced through my muffled hearing as I got back to reality. I wiped my tears frantically.

"Are you okay?" Dongyoung asked worriedly as he placed a packet of tissue on the table. I carefully grabbed a piece.

"I'm fine, it's just that I didn't know this would play out so well. I'm just so happy." I dabbed the remaining tears away as I watched him heave a sigh of relief. Yeah, it was a good enough reason.

"It certainly did, you're going to get high marks for sure," he assured me with a thumbs up, grinning widely.

Suddenly, I felt super warm on the inside, my face heating up with delight. The awkward atmosphere that was holding me back before vanished into thin air in those few seconds. It's like we're back to where we were before, but it feels like we can't ever progress from there. Sucks to be shy.

Dongyoung looked around the cafe in curiosity. "But why isn't Mark back yet? It's been quite a while now," he questioned.

I looked around too, with the person in question nowhere to be seen. Now that I think of it, I don't remember hearing his phone ring, and he never keeps it on vibrate.

First, you need to get rid of that awkwardness with him, and I know what to do.

His words replayed in my mind. I see, this was part of your plan. I felt a huge sense of betrayal, but then again, it kind of worked. You got this one, Mark.

As if on cue, Mark strolled out of the break room, sliding his phone into his pocket. He made his way back, smiling.

"Why were you taking so long on the phone?" I snapped, eyeing him suspiciously.

"It's Donghyuck, he wants to meet up with the rest of the clique," he replied smugly. While that could've been true on many occasions, I'm definitely sure it wasn't on this one. First of all, he wouldn't be grinning like that. But I took the bait anyway.

"So, what did I miss?" He leaned over the table as he looked between Dongyoung and me enthusiastically. Gosh, can he at least hide one-quarter of his excitement?

"I just gave Dongyoung a preview of my project," I answered plainly, pure satisfaction rising in me as I watched his face fall.

"What? But you didn't even show me," he pouted, a major disappointment in his eyes. He tried to snatch my laptop from the table, but I immediately took it away. Aha, not today. Dongyoung looked between us, before standing up.

"Well, since you're back, I should get going," he announced and straightened out his apron, which I didn't realise was quite creased. Part of me didn't want him to leave just yet, since I've just rid my awkwardness with him, but the other part of me just waved goodbye. On the other hand, Mark begged him to stay longer.

"It's almost peak hour, do you want unhappy customers?" He nagged at the unhappy boy. It's like watching a mum console her crying child after he broke his favourite toy. Mark could only pout as Dongyoung left.

When he was far enough, I gave Mark a tight slap on the arm. "That phone call was fake."

He looked at me in disbelief, before bursting out in laughter. The audacity-

"Why? It worked, didn't it?" He poked at me in pure delight as I reluctantly agreed. Well, maybe this was a late favour for all the times I've helped him. He continued, squealing, "This is so exciting, it's like watching a drama unfold right before me!"

Is he serious?

I clicked my tongue, "Is this that fun to you?" He finally calmed down and nodded, wiping away his imaginary tears. What makes it worse was that I legitimately cried just a few minutes ago.

"So what's your next step?" He suddenly went back to being serious. I had to reprocess that twice before responding flatly, "I don't know, I was just following you."

Mark sighed in frustration, "Yah, I did all that for you to continue yourself. You can't depend on me for all your answers, you know."

You can't depend on me for all of your answers, you know.

How ironic. Those were the exact words I told him when I had enough of him bugging me for help. Who is he to use it against me?

Thanks to you, I was able to make it here.

The words he said during graduation followed up in my mind. I remember him smiling and hugging me as we entered the same course in university, I couldn't have been more proud. An undeniable thought hit me like a truck. Who am I to judge?

"You're right," I muttered. Now that the situation had reversed and I'm put into his shoes, I finally realised how helpless he was probably feeling at that point of time. Just like how I'm feeling right now. I glanced towards the counter in despair.

Sensing my despair, Mark sighed deeply. He pondered for a while as I twirled my stylus around my fingers, before lighting up.

"Why not I give you a little push?"

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