Chapter 25

“Did I not want to know?”

Haji muttered, looking at the ceiling.

It was she who had built walls around herself all this time.

She was aware of it. Since childhood, she had realized that giving and receiving feelings from others was difficult.

She had thought it was easier to avoid it altogether. If you do nothing, nothing happens.

She was afraid of getting hurt by people.

“Sunbae is…”

Will it be okay?

He seemed cold and difficult on the outside, but he was a person with unspoken kindness and consideration.

“Wouldn’t it be okay…?”

She hoped he would be someone she could open her heart to, even just a little.

Knock, knock, the door was tapped. Haji’s solitary thoughts halted.

“Haji.”

“Yes?”

Hearing Seojin’s voice from outside the door made her face heat up again. It felt like he had caught her thinking about him.

“I forgot to mention earlier. The business trip is only postponed for a day. I have to go tomorrow. I can’t skip it.”

“Oh, yes, that’s fine. I wasn’t scared.”

Talking through the door for some reason made Haji feel embarrassed. She quickly got up and sat down, her legs dangling off the bed, looking at the door. She imagined Seojin leaning against the door, and her heart felt warm.

“Sunbae.”

Haji called out urgently, afraid Seojin might leave.

“Sunbae?”

“Speak.”

Judging by the immediate response, it seemed he was waiting for her to continue.

Before speaking, Haji pressed her fingers into the blanket and took a deep breath. She needed a bit of courage.

“When will you come back?”

It was a question she could ask as a tenant. It was natural to know each other’s presence in a shared house.

Didn’t we agree to tell each other if we were home from the start?

Trying to rationalize her boldness, Haji’s fingertips betrayed her, pressing into the blanket.

“If you come suddenly, I might be surprised, and we agreed to tell each other if we’re home, and we have to eat the fruits you bought together…”

Her excuses trailed off at the sound of his small laugh.

“I’ll be back on Friday. But it might be late, so don’t be surprised. I’ll probably come back after you’ve fallen asleep.”

“How do you know what time I’ll sleep…”

I might stay up late that day.

She thought the last part but didn’t say it out loud. It sounded like she was waiting for him.

Haji got off the bed and approached the door.

“Right. I don’t know what time you’ll sleep that day.”

His lazy voice seemed to lean against the wall.

She slowly reached for the doorknob. As she lightly gripped and pushed, the barrier between them fell away.

At the sound of the door opening, Seojin turned his head. As expected, he was leaning against the wall. As the door gap widened, her brown hair emerged, and soon their round eyes met.

“Then should we tell each other?”

“Tell what?”

“When we sleep. Contact me.”

Her round eyes blinked in surprise, as if she had never thought of such a thing.

It’s okay. We can start now.

“So we can know if we can eat the fruits together. Right?”

“Sunbae also…”

Seojin turned his body, facing Haji, getting a bit closer.

“Will you contact me? Really?”

“I have to. If you don’t mind.”

It was cute how difficult it was for Ahn Haji to say that word. Seojin’s index finger lightly tapped the tip of Haji’s nose, making her eyes widen in surprise at the sudden touch.

“Is it a deal?”

Haji nodded as if entranced by his voice mixed with laughter, subtly averting her eyes in embarrassment.

“Haji.”

“Yes?”

Haji, who had been glancing at him, quickly looked away again.

“Look at me.”

I’m right in front of you.

Seojin’s hand gently held Haji’s chin, making her look at him.

“Ah…?”

With her lips slightly parted in surprise, Haji’s face met Seojin’s. Her flushed cheeks and moist lips glistened, tempting him to taste them.

But her sparkling eyes, full of expectation, knew nothing.

“This kind of innocent temptation is a first for me.”

“Huh…?”

“You’re cute.”

What should I do?

I can’t devour someone who knows nothing and then have them run away.

“Cute…?”

“Pretty.”

“Wh-what…?”

The lesson learned from the kid next door proved very effective. He regretted not saying these things sooner.

“That’s enough for today.”

Seojin took a step back, speaking to her.

It was too dangerous to continue. Trying to make her understand his heart might make him spill all of his.

That would only burden her more.

“Sleep well, I’ll contact you tomorrow.”

“You too, Sunbae.”

Seojin quickly turned and headed to his room. Haji, watching him, felt a sense of longing.

***

Whir, whir. The sound of the blender filled the café.

“Sehee, more strawberries.”

“Yes, I’ll get them!”

As the weather warmed, fresh fruit smoothies became more popular.

They were running out of prepared fruits and even emptying the fridge.

“How about the coffee?”

“I made it.”

“I’ll handle the sandwiches. Are we out of scones?”

“I’ll check the freezer.”

The chaotic lunchtime passed with the two of them running around.

Haji and Sehee collapsed into chairs, catching their breath without a word. They felt completely drained.

“I have no thoughts. Because I have no thoughts.”

Sehee’s muttering was something Haji could relate to.

Seeing Sehee nodding, Haji opened her mouth carefully.

“Boss, aren’t we short on staff?”

“Hmm… It feels that way, right?”

“Very much so.”

Seeing Sehee nodding with droopy eyes, Haji’s heart softened. It was true they were short on staff.

Since the café had only recently opened, she had been hesitant to hire more people, worried it might take a long time to establish.

“We should hire at least a part-timer.”

“Great!”

But now, the immediate stability of the current employees was more important.

Seeing Sehee’s bright smile, Haji felt relieved. She stood up, ready to post a job ad on a recruitment site.

“Is it break time?”

“Hyeseong!”

Sehee, who had been slumped, jumped up. Haji, missing the chance to greet Hyeseong, just raised the corner of her mouth.

“How about some pizza?”

Hyeseong showed the pizza he was holding.

“Great…”

“It looks delicious! Let’s eat here!”

Like someone who had been waiting for pizza, Sehee led Hyeseong to the break room. Haji, a step behind, tilted her head and followed.

***

The three of them sat, each holding a slice of pizza, chatting. With Hyeseong visiting daily, there was no awkwardness.

But it was clear that Sehee and Hyeseong’s relationship had changed.

“You two seem much closer now.”

Haji asked casually, taking a bite of pizza. Before, they had seemed more cautious around each other.

“Choke.”

“Cough.”

Huh?

As soon as she asked, both of them started coughing and reaching for water.

“What is it? What’s going on?”

This was unmistakable…

Could it be?

Even someone as oblivious as Haji couldn’t miss it.

“Are you dating?”

“No!”

“No. Not yet.”

Seeing Sehee waving her hands with a red face and Hyeseong saying ‘not yet,’ Haji’s mouth dropped open.

“Not yet?”

“Not yet.”

The word ‘yet’ implied it would happen soon, and Sehee didn’t deny it.

“Let me know if it goes well. Though it seems like it already will.”

At Haji’s words, they both silently agreed. Seeing the fresh couple, Haji chuckled.

***

After washing up, Haji quickly grabbed her phone.

“Hmm hmm.”

Clearing her throat, she dialed the number. This had become part of her routine since Seojin left for his business trip three days ago.

– Hello.

“It’s me.”

– Are you in bed?

“Yes, how about you?”

What had once been so awkward was now a daily habit. Listening to his calm voice over the phone made her heart flutter.

– You’re in bed early today. Are you sleepy?

“Not really…”

– Then, shall we talk a bit more?

It was more of a decision than a question. Haji clutched her phone tightly and nodded, even though he couldn’t see her.

“Today was so busy. It’s been busy lately. So we’re thinking of hiring a part-timer.”

– That’s a good idea. You mentioned getting group orders now.

“Yes. When we get group orders, both Sehee and I get so exhausted.”

Over the past few days, Haji had shared a lot about her café with him. Seojin was now well aware of the café’s situation.

– If it’s just a part-timer, can I introduce someone to you?