After the harsh midterm week, we were given the chance to breathe through the school festival. I didn't have anything to do but everyone seems so busy these days.

This led me to agree substituting for my senior and friend, Jisoo unnie, to take her shift at the cafe her club set up since she had to do a project. If she didn't pass it on time, she'd drop the subject, which made me agree instantly.

Except for Junhoe's objection over my decision to take her place, I was pretty enthusiastic about it. I love talking to people and making them happy. Unnie's classmates were really friendly to me too. Bobby oppa, one of Junhoe's friends, was one of them so I didn't have to worry about anything.

Except for the uniform.

It was a cute pink maid dress with frills and the length only ended in the middle of my thighs. If that wasn't even the worse, I had to wear high stockings with a pink bow ribbon on top. When I nicely asked if they had something bigger, something preferably longer, they said they didn't have one anymore and Jisoo unnie's uniform was the only one available. We had a difference in height so maybe it was because of that.

Bobby oppa tried cheering me up by saying that he'll be working behind the cash register so "if anyone ever lays a hand on you, they'll get it for sure."

Quickly forgetting about the short skirt, I became cheerful talking to different strangers as I serve their meal. The cafe was geared towards a friendly environment, so we were all advised to be as friendly as possible. It also had an adorable theme in a Japan-esque kind of way, even evident on the pink banners and playful music heard over the stereo. I'm guessing that whoever thought of this watches way too much anime.

After filling a mug with black coffee, I noticed customers were beginning to pile inside. It was already past twelve in the afternoon when I read my wristwatch. Lunch hour.

"Table seven requests you, Chaeyoung-ah," Jaewon sunbaenim informed as he stood beside me in front of the brewing machines.

Based on the scowl on his face, he was miffed about something. Concerned, I asked, "Sunbaenim, what's wrong?"

"This cafe's really starting to annoy me. You know why we're chosen as waiters?" He settled the empty tray he held on top of the counter, beside the mug of black coffee I just brewed. "Because we sell. Capitalism at its finest..."

"What do you mean?"

"Look around. Boys come here thinking with their other head just to see the waitresses in their skirts and hope to peek a bit of something under there." I cringed at that. "—And then there are girls with their goo goo gaga eyes who'll not order unless the waiter's a boy. It's one hell of a show. I can feel them checking my out, Chaeyoung." As if remembering something from memory, he shivered. "It's ing creepy."

I giggled. "This cafe looks alright to me though."

"Seriously? Didn't you notice those stupid boys checking you out?"

"They are?" I innocently asked.

Shaking his head, he clicked his tongue and ruffled my hair. "You're too good for this world, Chaeyoung."

"Jaewon!" Jennie unnie, another waiter like us, called. She lightly tapped my back in greeting when she passed by. "Table two's requesting for your services."

Without us saying anything, both of us looked at the table positioned near the dessert glass displays beside the counter. A group of girls were eyeing Jaewon like he was some piece of meat. I feel a chill run down my spine when I saw that. He's right.

Sunbae grumbled something under his breath but it only passed in my ears as inaudible. With a nod to me, he said, "See what I mean?" Sighing then, he continued, "Talk to you later. Promise me you'll take care of yourself?"

I smiled. "I will."

"Good." And that was that as he went on to do his duty. It was also a cue for me to do my job. After giving out the black coffee, I proceeded towards my other assigned table, the one my sunbae said.

Taking out my pen and small writing pad from the pocket of the dress' frilly apron, I mustered my best smile and began, "Good afternoon. Welcome to the Spring Blossoms cafe. How can I help you?"

The man, who looked around his early twenties, scanned the plastic menu already settled on the table. "Let's see... can I order..." Raising his head up, he revealed his pearly white set of teeth and continued, "—you?"

I resisted the urge to cringe by hiding it behind a smile that hurt my cheeks. Thankfully, as if to save himself from embarrassment, he said, "I'm just kidding. Can I have a medium-sized cappuccino with a slice of black forest cake?"

I bowed. "I'll come back with your order."

As I turn around, he shyly added, albeit in a whisper that gave me the impression he somehow lost his confidence along the way, "Don't make me wait too long though because I... uh... love looking into your eyes!" Realizing that it sounded so wrong, he cursed under his breath. "Damn it, Jungkook. You're better than this..."

It was a good thing I already turned around before he could see me react to his greasiness.

Jaewon sunbae's words were beginning to make sense. If he didn't point it out, I'd just think that the boys I served were only making small talks. Right now, it was clear that they were hitting on me. Oblivious me reciprocated their small talks by being kind.

Arriving on the brewing stations, Bobby oppa slid beside me. I saw him throwing a glance at the guy I was currently serving so I had an idea on what he was going to say.

"Chaeyoung, is that guy bothering you?"

It was quite burdensome, having to stomach the customer's greasiness and all, but I realized I've encountered much worse. So with a shrug, I replied, "I can handle it."

"You sure? I mean, I can ask one of the guys to take your table."

Briefy passing him by, I opened the dessert display to bring out a slice of black forest cake. "Yep, I'm sure."

"Oh, okay. If he does, make sure you inform me, got it?"

"You sure are overprotective," I said with a laugh.

"Some of the girls are complaining about some customers asking their name or their number. I just think that it's happening to you too."

"I'm good." I gave him a sincere smile. "If they do ask for those things, I'm sure I can handle it fine."

He sighed and returned my smile with one of his. "That's good to know."

After our brief discussion, he went back to his place at the cash register. I continued my work by pushing some buttons on the cappuccino machine to dispense coffee on the mug I placed under. As I wait for the cup to fill, I considered oppa's words of passing the table to someone else but no matter how much I think about it, it was absurd for me. Some customers seem like misunderstood guys with bad pickup lines to survive them for a lifetime. Quite frankly, I pity their souls. They must've creeped out a lot of girls.

Shaking my head to dispel those thoughts, I placed the orders on top of the circular tray and walked towards his table. It looked like he was eyeing me for a while since his gaze was on me when I turned around. He averted his sight away when I caught him staring. Nevertheless, a smile was on his lips, growing bigger as I gently took out the cup and cake plate to his table. Placing the tray against my abdomen, I bowed and returned his smile.

"Enjoy your food!"

I thought that was that, not until he spoke again. "Wait." As I turn around, I noticed the guy nervously rubbing his nape as he looked at anywhere but me. "Uhm... you see... Can I... uh... ask for your number? Wait that sounds creepy. Can I ask for your name instead? You're really beautiful. I was hoping that I can get to know you better—"

His ramblings stopped short when loud string of curses were heard over a nearby table. I saw some guy with coffee dripping on his head, Jennie unnie standing beside him with a silent but provoked look. On her hand was a mug of coffee with liquid dripping from it.

"You bitc—"

"This is a cafe, not a e club," Unnie sneered as she brought the cup down with much force to make a resounding clank, sending a deadly glare at the man after. Even I felt chills when I saw that. "Don't touch asses that are not yours, you disgusting schmuck." She waved her arms, as if giving up. "I'm out of here."

My sight followed her figure disappearing behind the employees area. Looking at what she just did, I thought that the pink frilly dress didn't suit her. She was too much of a badass to wear something cute.

Bobby oppa came on the table of the man in an instant, bowing profusely while apologizing over and over again. But even I knew those apologies weren't sincere. He had a soft smirk on.

"Aish!" The man exclaimed as he stood up and angrily threw the tissues he used to wipe the coffee off his face and shirt. "I'm not paying for this! ers..."

When the man left, I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Asking for names, numbers, and flirting were still bearable but touching butts? Now that's an offense.

Some of the guys mopped the mess on the floor while Bobby oppa bowed and apologized to everyone, even declaring that everyone would get a free refill of their coffees. The tension in the air lessened as some minded their own business, some probably even talking about what went down. It made me aware that I should move too.

Turning to the current customer I was serving, I slightly tipped my head down and sent him a apologetic smile. "I might have to refuse those things you said because I think my boyfriend will not appreciate it. I'm sorry."

His face fell in an instant. "Oh."

I felt bad about it so I quickly left. It breaks my heart to see that expression on a person's face but what to do? Junhoe will hate it if this reaches his ears. He warned me enough to distinguish friendly men with flirty men and that there's a thin line between them. But I still continue to be naïve and get confused with it most of the times. My interaction with guys today proves just that.

Going back behind the counter, I arrived on time to catch Jennie unnie bursting out of the employees area, now changed into something casual with her bag slung on one arm.

"Unnie..." I tried approaching her but maybe due to her anger still not simmering, she passed me by, the whip of air she created hitting me on the face, and went out of the doors.

My concern over her was taken off my head a bit when another sunbae of mine approached me with a grim look, probably down too because of what happened with Jennie. "Table four, Chaeyoung."

I nodded and proceeded to my task. Table four consisted of a group of five boys and looking at their buff stature, I knew they were seniors. They seemed to be talking about something based from their playful shoves and smirks to each other.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to the Spring Blossoms cafe! How can I help you?"

"Uhm... Can we order girls in this place?" one of the guys with a black and white striped shirt smirked, in an attempt to humor me.

Oh gosh. Another one of them...

I wanted to follow Jennie unnie's footsteps by saying, "This is a cafe, not a e club," but the cafe had enough tension in a day so I forced a smile. "Do you want to hear our specials?"

"Sure," the guy wearing a blue hoodie replied. "If the specials include you on the menu."

Snickers were heard around the table. Greatly growing uncomfortable now, I shifted my footing and straightened my posture. It unnerved me that another guy was eyeing me up and down, stopping just at my exposed legs. I could feel hairs stand up on my nape with that gesture alone.

At least one of them had enough sense in his head to cut off their flirting streaks by reciting his order, leading the others to order too. I hurriedly left them to get their orders, hoping that when I come back, it was just their food-deprived mind talking. The idea of passing the table to someone else didn't even occur in my head since I want to handle this alone, much like how Jennie bravely faced that customer. I couldn't help but become fearful though. The place was starting to give me the creeps.

Coming back to that table was dreadful enough, I realized, as I slightly bent down to place their orders on the table. One guy's eyes sneakily trailed behind me, but I caught him before he could avert his sight away. I don't know if it was because of Jennie unnie's outburst, but I was quickly irritated by these hormone-driven boys checking me out.

"If you don't need anything else, I'll leave now," I said instead of the protocol greeting of "Enjoy your food." because honestly, I don't want them to enjoy their food at all.

Before I could leave, I felt a hand on my wrist, preventing me to go anywhere else. "Wait, babe. What's your name?"

Fear crept at the back of my neck. I froze at his brazen act because honestly, I didn't know what to do. I thought I could act like Jennie unnie when I encounter things like this, but it felt different when you're face to face with danger yourself.

Before I become a mess further, I heard a familiar husky voice from behind.

"Keep your hands off her."

What an impeccable timing.

When I turned around, I wasn't surprised to see my boyfriend, his natural sharp eyes becoming sharper as they settled on the hand around my wrist. I attempted to shake off the guy's hand, but he only kept his grip tighter.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm her boyfriend, punk," Junhoe replied, a dangerous edge on his tone, as he approached us and unclasped the hold himself, replacing the guy's hold with his.

The man seemed taken aback at this. "W – What?"

Before the guy could even utter another word, Junhoe dragged me out of there, forcing me to match his long strides. With my heels, it quickly became hard for me.

"Junhoe," I called, in an attempt to stop him. "Junhoe."

He seemed too lost in thought for my words to register in his head so I tried again. "Junhoe, stop. Are you listening to me?"

The people around the campus were giving us stares, most I felt were staring at my unusual maid dress. Growing conscious all of a sudden, I tugged my skirt down, even though I knew it wouldn't help because I tried doing that all day already. No matter how much I tug it down, it wouldn't magically make it longer.

I almost fumbled on my tracks when my boyfriend's pace became faster. Not only that, but his firm grip on my wrist was starting to ache and the worse part was, he wasn't aware of it. "Junhoe, please, you're hurting me."

Something about it seemed to wake him up from his trance. As if burned, he let go of my wrist and stopped. "Sorry." His apologetic stance seemed to change the instant he tousled his hair. "Chaeyoung."

That's the tone he uses whenever he's mad. I pursed my lips as I looked at anywhere but not his eyes. I didn't want to see his disapproving look because it makes me nervous.

"Why didn't you tell me this?"

Massaging my wrist, I replied, "I told you the other day, right?"

"No. Why didn't you tell me about... this?" He brushed some ruffles on my skirt.

Now feeling ashamed for myself, I felt something warm creeping on my cheeks. "I – I didn't think it was that important, you know?"

Junhoe opened his mouth for another string of scolding, when his eyes caught something behind me. I heard some wolf whistling after. Exasperation contorted his forehead without mistake, if it didn't already. Without saying anything, he unexpectedly took off his maroon hoodie. The shirt he wore under was stuck to the hoodie so it went up with it for a second before sliding back down, giving me a brief peek of his toned stomach. He may not have rock hard abs like Bobby oppa does, but Junhoe's are defined enough for y lines to appear. I felt my cheeks heating up for a different purpose. I was thankful that his face was blocked by the hoodie before he caught me staring.

When he successfully took it off, he went close and wordlessly tied the hoodie around my waist, giving the back of my legs the most coverage. I found myself getting stunned when I caught a hint of his entrancing manly scent. I could even smell a bit from his clothing tied to my waist. I knew I always smell it from him, but I couldn't help but fall in love with it. It was one of the reasons why I would always enjoy whiffing the scent out of the jackets I borrow from him.

As he came back to his original position of standing tall in front of me (not that he didn't with his height), I could see his annoyed frown getting deeper.

Unable to see him upset anymore, I muttered, "Junhoe..."

"I told you," he rasped, his tone now strained with distress. "It is a bad idea in the first place. Why didn't you listen to me?"

The pile of guilt seemed to grow bigger on my shoulders. I knew Junhoe had every right to be mad. He was adamant on rejecting the idea after all. I just wanted to help Jisoo unnie since she looked so worried about her grades. Was that so bad?

Junhoe deeply sighed and it made me realize that he did that a lot in the short time we were together. "Chaeyoung... what am I going to do with you?"

I couldn't do anything but accept his scolding. As I bit my lips, I squirmed under my boyfriend's watchful stare that seemed to be equipped with a thousand daggers. "I'm really sorry, Junhoe..."

"Stop that." His voice mellowed into something soft, a sharp contrast from his tone he just used on me. It was for this reason that I glanced up at him.

I saw a man with deep creases of concern in his features, his eyes wild with fear. When our eyes met, it seemed a trigger for Junhoe as he reached out and hauled me in his arms. Like a reflex, I returned the gesture automatically.

"Goodness, Chae... I wouldn't forgive myself if that man did something to harm you."

My heart couldn't help but flutter with his words. His voice grew huskier without meaning to as he said that in my ears.

"But he didn't because you were there." Tightening my hold on him, I whispered, "Thank you."

We stayed in silence for a while, the beating of our hearts the only sound passing between us. I then understood that he wasn't mad at me, but rather, worried for my well-being that I couldn't defend myself. We dream to become the heroes of our own stories but sometimes, there's so much you can do, you know?

It was a human reaction to be frozen in place and I understand that. Junhoe understands that too, I know. He just couldn't help being fussy about it because I know if we switched places, I would've done the same.

"Does this mean you forgive me now?"

"I'm just upset that you didn't listen to me but I'm okay now."

I smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "That comforts me."

My boyfriend inched away from me so that we could face each other, but his arms were still on my waist. "I always tell you to be careful. Why are you stubborn, Chae? Is it because I'm rubbing off on you too much?"

Chuckling, I nodded just to humor him.

"I'm bad for you then. Want us to break up?"

Seeing that my boyfriend had the energy to joke around made me believe that we're okay now. But Junhoe's crude way of joking would always get on my nerves and he knew that. So when I glared at Junhoe and hugged him tighter, it was only expected of me.

"You know I'm just kidding." Briefly brushing away some strands away from my face, he continued, "How can I leave you when you're so pretty like this?"

That brought a jolt in my chest. "You think I'm pretty?"

I could tell that he was almost close to rolling his eyes. "Every minute of the damn day, Chaeyoung. If you weren't, you wouldn't be my girlfriend."

It was hard to tell if he was joking or it was his crude side talking. Either way, his statement managed to irk me. I hit his chest to let him know about this, but it didn't affect him at all as he only chuckled.

"I'm just kidding!"

I rolled my eyes at him. As his girlfriend, I could only accept his teasing and get used to it.

"But you know what..." Junhoe fiddled with the frills placed on my collarbone area. "I'd really prefer it if I see you wearing something like this for my eyes only."

I lightly hit his shoulder, sending him to another round of laughter. "Junhoe!"

~🌸tbc