The cafe was alive with energy, its warm lighting and carefully curated decor giving it a welcoming atmosphere. Lush green plants hung from the ceiling, and fairy lights were strung along the windows, adding a cozy charm.
The air buzzed with the sound of cheerful chatter, the occasional clink of spoons against ceramic plates, and the soft melody of background music.
Customers filled every seat--some engaged in lively conversations over steaming cups of coffee, while others were busy snapping pictures of their beautifully plated desserts.
Standing behind the counter, Jihoon worked swiftly, jotting down orders and handling payments as the long line of customers gradually dwindled.
"Your buzzer will go off when your order is ready," he informed the last customer with a polite bow before watching them walk back to their table.
Finally, he allowed himself a brief moment to relax, stretching his arms as he took in the bustling scene before him.
"It's been hectic for a while, hasn't it?"
Jihoon turned to see Minhee, a coworker, carefully arranging trays of freshly prepared orders.
"Yeah, it looks like our cafe has been gaining traction online," Jihoon replied, handing off the order with a practiced smile to a customer.
Minhee grinned, sliding a tray onto the counter. "It's all about trends these days." Then, she gave him a knowing look. "Oh, right! I heard you moved into a new apartment."
"I did, just recently," Jihoon said, a small smile playing on his lips.
Their conversation was cut short as the next shift of workers arrived, already dressed in their uniforms. Jihoon and Minhee quickly cleaned up their stations before stepping aside for the exchange.
In the staff room, Jihoon grabbed his bag and checked his phone, his brows furrowing in irritation at the sight of 50missedcalls from an unknown number. He scrolled through them with a scowl before sighing and dismissing the notifications. Instead, he quickly sent a message to his younger brother.
Jihoon:Makesureyou'reinsideanddon'tforgettolockthedoorproperly.
He stared at the screen for a second longer, a strange unease settling in his gut.
"Jihoon!"
Pulled from his thoughts, he turned to see a few of his coworkers chatting nearby.
"We're going out for drinks tonight. You coming?"
Jihoon shook his head with an apologetic smile. "I'd love to, but my little brother is waiting for me at home."
"Oh, right! You have a brother. I totally forgot about that."
Another coworker nudged him. "You should introduce him to us one day."
Jihoon chuckled. "Maybe."
- - - - -
The bus came to a slow stop at Jihoon's usual stop, the doors hissing open. He stepped off, a warm box of fried chicken in his hands. The night was cool, and the streets were illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights.
He walked down a narrow alley, humming softly to himself as his footsteps echoed against the quiet surroundings. The faint rumble of cars in the distance was the only other sound accompanying him.
The apartment complex came into view, standing tall against the night sky. The watchman at the entrance gave him a nod, and Jihoon returned the greeting before heading inside.
The elevator doors were about to close when he slipped in at the last second. He barely had time to straighten up before he noticed the other occupant.
It was the same mysterious neighbor he had met a few days ago.
Jihoon paused for a fraction of a second before offering a polite greeting. "Good evening."
To his surprise, the man responded.
"Evening," came the low reply.
Jihoon blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected response.
Glancing up, he subtly observed the towering figure beside him. Tonight, the man was dressed in a simple black T-shirt and loose-fitting jeans. His posture remained rigid, even as he carried two large boxes in his arms.
Jihoon noticed that his hair was no longer falling over his face and was tied back in a neat bun, revealing more of his sharp features. From this angle, Jihoon could see the scars trailing down his jaw, the rough texture standing out under the elevator's fluorescent light.
Realizing he had been staring, Jihoon quickly averted his gaze.
'Hecould'vejustputthoseheavyboxesdowninsteadofholdingthemthewholeride.' He thought but didn't say aloud.
"That looks heavy, sir. Do you want some help?" Jihoon asked.
The man barely glanced at him. "No."
Jihoon nodded, not pressing further.
With a soft ding, the elevator arrived at their floor. The doors slid open, and they stepped out, walking side by side down the hallway.
The man stopped in front of his door, placing the boxes down as he pressed the keypad to unlock it. Jihoon, meanwhile, swiftly entered his own apartment, the door clicking shut behind him.
The guy stood still for a moment, staring at Jihoon's closed door before picking up his boxes and stepping inside his own unit.
As soon as Jihoon's footsteps echoed through the small apartment, a small figure sprinted out of his room.
"Hyung!" Haneul called out excitedly.
Jihoon barely had time to react before his little brother threw himself into his arms.
"I'm back," Jihoon greeted with a chuckle, ruffling the boy's hair.
Haneul beamed up at him. "I finished all my homework!"
"Really? Good job," Jihoon praised. "You're such a good boy."
Haneul grinned proudly. The real excitement, however, sparked when Jihoon lifted the warm box in his hands.
"Chicken!"
The boy practically bounced on his feet, his eyes sparkling with delight.
"But," Jihoon said, giving him a pointed look, "you have to eat your rice, too."
Haneul nodded eagerly. "I will, I will!"
The two of them settled down for dinner, the apartment filled with the comforting sounds of their laughter.
For the first time in a long while, there were no raised voices. No harsh words. No arguments ringing through the walls.
And although Jihoon was exhausted from the long day, he found himself at peace.
That was more than enough for him.