After the recording, the men took her to a nearby café from the dorm. In the van, Xiumin kept saying that the café has the best Americano and Cappuccino and he’s sort of close with one of the waitresses. Milan wasn’t a big fan of coffee except if it were made by Rae so she wasn’t all too excited at first but when she saw the familiar building, she almost bumped her head into the car’s ceiling.

“What’s wrong?” Xiumin asked as he blinked innocently. “C-Can’t we go to another café? I heard you guys like Starbucks,” Milan said as she was careful not to get caught by the boys. She was trying to be careful not to get Rae into this mess since Rae was the only person not to see her with EXO and EXO doesn’t even know she’s close friends with Rae. But what if the waitress was Rae? She hoped that girl had classes today or Rae might be able to contain her excitement of meeting the boys.

But she’s the mature one.

She started to think. “It’s nice for a change, Mil-ah. Let’s go, let’s go. I’m excited,” Xiumin said as he smiled a bit. Milan crossed her fingers, hoping Rae would get along with her plan so she could lead a peaceful life without EXO’s help. “Come on,” Chanyeol said as he opened the door to the front seat and offered his hand but Milan only stared at that hand.

“What’s wrong?” Chanyeol tilted his head as he asked that. “Are you afraid of going out with us again? Don’t worry, it’s obvious you’re just one of our friends. I think the fans will understand that,” Chanyeol smiled reassuringly. Milan wanted to say that he was wrong but he might force her to tell the reason so she faked a smile. “Sure, sure, let’s go with that,” she said as she clasped her hands. “Come on then. I don’t want the others to wait,” he said as he shook his hand, emphasizing Milan should hold it.

“Alright, alright,” she sighed as she took hold of his hand and went out of the van. “You should have behaved during the recording. I’m sure manager will scold you,” Chanyeol told her. “It was fun anyways so it doesn’t matter,” Milan smiled. “It was really something I will never forget. Thanks to you and the others for taking me to see my favourite MCs,” she said as she had a spark of appreciation in her eyes.

Chanyeol avoided her gaze when he saw her reaction. It was too cute for him. “No, no, you should know we idols have fun with our jobs after all,” Chanyeol said as he shook his head. “Is that so? But I’m really happy, oppa. I’m really looking forward to working with you guys more,” Milan said before entering the café. She tried her best not to look nervous in front of EXO and tried to keep an eye out for Rae.

Chanyeol positioned himself with the other members of the Beagle Line and Milan preferred sitting by the end with Xiumin. “What do you guys want?” Suho asked and everyone was sure he will pay for the meal. Everyone said their orders. Milan was busy with fiddling with her fingers. “What’s your order?” She heard a familiar voice and she bit her lower lip.

Rae, why did you have to be here now?

Suho told her the orders and Milan tried her best in covering her face. “What are you doing, Mil-ah?” Xiumin asked as he put his head on the table to match his gaze with Milan’s. “Nothing’s wrong, oppa,” she laughed nervously. “I was just distracted by my shoes. Aren’t they so cute?” She lied. “Oh… Okay,” Xiumin said, not wanting to pry the truth out of Milan.

When the drinks were served, Milan took her shake since she wasn’t in the mood for coffee. Rae’s eyes widened but she returned her composure as she set every glass on the table. “Just wait for the cakes,” she said before bowing. Milan’s phone rang immediately after she left.

Why are you with EXO here? I thought you’ll do your best to keep our friendship a secret.

Milan scratched the back of her neck and replied:

I wanted to convince them to go to Starbucks but your beloved Xiumin-oppa wanted to drink here. Wait… Are you the waitress he’s close with?

After a few seconds, Rae replied;

We aren’t that close. We just talk a bit that’s all.

Milan chuckled a bit, glancing at Rae who was by the staff door. She pointed at Xiumin without him noticing and smirked.

Is that so? Come here then and let him ‘introduce’ you to me.

Milan winked and then elbowed Xiumin. “Ne, oppa, who’s the waitress you’re so close with?” She asked, making Rae cuss under her breath. “Oh, she just served us. I’m sure she’ll come back when she serves our cake,” Xiumin answered. Milan snickered. “I am oh so excited to meet her, oppa,” she said with sarcasm, making Rae gulp and anticipate what that girl might do next.

Rae had no choice when the order was done. She went to EXO’s table and gave the corresponding orders. “Rae-ssi, come here,” Xiumin called out to her. Rae shyly went to their side of the table. Milan was naughtily smiling at her. “I’d love you to meet Ringo,” Xiumin said as he gestured at Milan.

“Nice to meet you, Rae-ssi,” Milan offered her hand with a naughty smile. “You too, Ringo,” Rae glared. Xiumin, who was completely ignorant of the situation said,” She always serves me my favourite Americano here. She’s a hardworking girl, I can say that and she’s a foreigner like you are, Ringo. But I think she spent a longer time here.”

Rae and Milan only nodded since they knew they went to Korea the same time.

After a short conversation, Rae bid a see you later since she had work to do and EXO continued on eating and chatting. “You’re only 19 right? Do you plan to continue into university?”  Suho suddenly asked as he turned to Milan. She blinked a few times, thinking of the right answer since Lee Soo Man also mentioned that she shouldn’t tell them about her schooling since those boys will pester her.

“I considered… I considered when I went to Korea. But I have no time, sadly,” Milan acted like she was sad. “What course would you consider anyway?” Luhan asked. “Oh, international studies was always my dream to take but some people say I fit in studying literature or music more,” she answered. “If I had the chance to pursue my studies, I would’ve taken it but we need money, my family needs money. Luckily, my sister is the one pursuing her studies to help me so I can quit this job and study,” she added.

“You’re going to quit being a composer? Don’t,” Chanyeol told her. “I may if I wouldn’t be that successful and passionate in it as I am with writing. Composing is something hard for me to do, oppa,” Milan shared. “That’s why you have Chanyeol and Lay to help you,” Kris said. “Still. I won’t work with EXO forever. I have to work alone in the future in this business and…” Milan sighed. “I just want to go back home. I miss my family,” she almost whispered.

“Don’t we all?” Baekhyun said as he smiled at her. “EXO always has a busy schedule and it’s rare for us to relax like this so we don’t really spend time with our families, especially the Chinese members when they’re promoting in Korea and the Korean members when promoting in China,” Luhan said.