Confess... SinB thought to herself, her mind in an absolute haze.

I need to confess but how... 

Scratching the back of her nape, SinB, defeated, fellon her back right back down to her bed. 

This is impossible, I don't even know if she likes me that way...

She begins thinking about all the interaction she's ever had with the barista

From the very beginning

Sojung would always look in SinB's direction with her signature smile.

Even before their meaningful interactions commenced, when the young college student visited the cafe daily, any hot beverage crafted by the blonde barista consistently featured an artful heart design atop it.

It held a special significance for her ever since. SinB was certain that Sojung deliberately chose that design for her. She had observed other people's drinks made by Sojung, and the distinctive heart art was never replicated for anyone else.

Initially, she refrained from overthinking it. However, to this day, with the barista consistently choosing that particular design for her, SinB couldn't help but entertain fantasies about its potential underlying meanings.

And there was those small moments between them too...

She supposes their little interactions together can be taken as platonic...

But in some ways...

at least to SinB,

They just felt more meaningful..

Like how Sojung would gently hold her hand when they walked back to the campus dorms, especially during the late hours of the night.

On days when SinB couldn't make it to the cafe, the blonde barista would actively seek her out. Sojung, aware of SinB's usual study spot, would appear with two coffees, one in each hand and extend one towards her with a warm smile.

How Sojung would consistently check up on SinB's well-being at the slightest signs of unrest.

"Go eat!" she'd yell, feigning a stern tone if SinB ever admitted to skipping a meal at any time of the day. She even went as far as sneaking food to SinB on multiple occasions, knowing that SinB tended to skip lunch.

These gestures might have seemed small to an outsider, but to SinB, it was the significance of these little things that mattered the most.

In that moment, despite the burden of her illness, SinB couldn't help but marvel at her fortune in crossing paths with someone as remarkable as Sojung.

✽✾✿❀❁

"Eunha," SinB called out as she hurried towards her friend, who was seated on a bench not too far from the cafe where Sojung worked. The young woman had initially contemplated making a quick visit to Sojung before heading to class, so it was definitely a nice surprise to see her best friend in the same vicinity.

The pink-haired girl appeared lost in a daydream before SinB's voice reached her ears. Instantly, her face snapped towards the direction of the calling, pupils slightly dilated the moment she laid eyes on the owner of that familiar voice as if she had thought she had been caught red handed for something... however, SinB doesn't take mind of it.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you here," Eunha quickly smirked and points at Sojung's cafe behind with her thumb before drifting back to the cup of coffee cradled in her hands on her lap. The lid was removed, allowing the steam to rise into the air, enveloping Eunha's face.

Watching the woman, SinB couldn't help but notice the mask that's been tucked away under her chin.

She's been wearing that a lot lately.

She silently thought to herself.
 

"Hot chocolate?"

"Coffee this time actually"

"That's very unlike you. I thought you never liked coffee"

"I don't, but I need this drink more than I ever now. Classes are draining me. I'm just glad this cafe makes the taste more tolerable... somehow"

Chuckling softly, SinB laughed out of her nose before giving her best friend a small smile of understanding. Her eyes then drifted toward the small cafe just ahead. Subconsciously, SinB began scanning through the windows, her gaze moving actively, making it evident that she was searching for a certain someone.

Watching the other, Eunha caught on quite quickly but pondered for a couple of seconds before speaking up.

"If you're looking for Sojung, she just left. I think she said she had supplementary classes to attend to today. She dashed off after making me my fix," Eunha informed, lowering her head and then glancing back down at her cup. "I took the cap off to let it cool off completely first, before drinking.... it helps the flavour believe it or not"

"Oh," SinB replied, hoping she didn't sound too disappointed with the answer. Without thinking, her eyes began to follow Eunha's line of vision, wondering if it was even worth grabbing a coffee now at all.

But wait..

Is that-

"That design." SinB's eyes widened slightly as she stared at the coffee art within Eunha's cup. "Did Sojung make that for you?" she inquired.

"Oh this? Yeah, she always makes this design"


No.. that's not true.

Eunha might not notice, but SinB does. 

She was someone that paid attention to even the smallest details... just because she chooses not to comment or think about it, does not mean she doesn't notice these things.

And Sojung definitely does not always make that particular heart shape design to just anyone.

At least by her own eyes, she's never witnessed the barista make these designs for other customers.

But in all fairness, it's not like she kept track of everything the other has served.

That would be weird.

"She always make that heart shape design for me too" SinB finally admitted, failing in hiding the clear disappointment in her voice by now, before placing herself on the seat next to Eunha.

"Oh," the slightly older woman's mouth formed a small 'O' shape before putting the cap back onto her coffee cup and placing it down on the bench beside her.

The following silence made SinB feel quite guilty. She hadn't meant to bring the mood down and make this about her and Sojung again.

Revealing her disease to Eunha must've been quite a shock to the latter already, the last thing she needed was to have that to be the centre of their interactions now.

 , I need to be more aware of what I say.

SinB didn't want everything to be a reminder of her potentially deadly disease.. at least she didn't want it to affect her friendship with Eunha.

"Spring's almost here it seems like" Eunha suddenly spoke up to change the subject, showcasing a silent understanding of SinB's inner dilemma, in which the younger girl could not be more thankful for. Pointing at the flower bushes among the campus grounds with the first sign of flower and leaves begining to develop, she continued on her thoughts "I heard foetida roses will bloom this year."


"Are you a flower expert now?"

 

"There's a cute florist shop nearby. I was