“Oh! You’re here again! Welcome!” The barista beamed at the sight of their customer who would come to their café on a daily basis. This particular customer would only come during the night because there would be little to no people at the café during this hour, the barista thinks that this customer probably didn’t like crowded places which she could relate honestly.

And right now, it seemed like they were both alone as the last group of people in the café were starting to leave.

“It feels weird not coming here, so I’ll just have the usual.” She smiled back at the barista before paying for her order.

“Don’t you think having too much caffeine in your system is concerning...?” The barista asked as she prepared their customer’s order. “You can never have too much caffeine in your system, Yena.” The customer giggled and the barista could only roll her eyes.

“You’re here every day and it’s concerning how you always order a macchiato and a slice of coffee cake. Like damn was the drink not enough caffeine for you, Chaewon?” The barista joked and the customer shook her head.

“I can’t help but order the same thing because they taste so good!” There were sparkles in her eyes that made the barista let out a quiet laugh.

“You should really try all our other coffee and pastries. Who knows you might actually like it you know?” The barista suggested before glancing at the customer who was taking pictures of their decorations.

“Is this new? I don’t think I saw this yesterday?” The barista quickly glanced at the customer who stood up to check out the new decoration. “Oh, it arrived yesterday but it was when you left after an hour, I think? The boss wanted to occupy the space over there since it looked weird for not having anything at there so he added a mini stage.” The barista explained as she finished the customer’s order.

When she was on her way to place the order to where the customer would only sit, she noticed that the customer kept glancing at the microphone.

“You wanna try singing?” She approached the customer who flinched when she noticed that the barista was beside her.

“I don’t know… I’m not that good at singing… But I suppose it doesn’t hurt to try.” The customer said as she stepped up the mini stage.

“You want me to close early so you don’t have to worry about someone coming in?” The barista questioned while walking towards the glass door.

Glancing at the customer who was tapping to see if the mic was working, knowing that it was working she had lowered the volume that way it wouldn’t be too loud. “Isn’t this café open 24/7?” The customer spoke through the microphone and the barista nodded before placing a finger on her lips.

“No one’s going to know, don’t worry.” She winked and this made the customer laugh through the microphone.

“You’re such a trouble maker, Yena.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot.”

Once the customer had plugged her phone to the speaker, she started the song.

“Is this Perhaps Love?” The barista asks as she drags a chair to watch the customer start the song. “I love this song.” She admitted while listening to the customer singing.

‘Not good at singing she says.’

She felt herself melt as she continues to listen to the customer who continued to sing with so much emotion. The café was filled with that emotion and the barista secretly did not want it to end. As the song continues, the barista found herself humming to the song. She stood up and walked towards the customer who couldn’t help but laugh since the barista started lip syncing was also goofing around.

Eventually led to both of them singing as if there were people listening when in reality it was just them. Whether there were people or not it didn’t matter.

Love has found us right now
If I try thinking about it
At many moments
How often did my heart flutter?
It might be a little late, but I'll surely make it better

We'll do it together
I'll only give you memorable memories
Please don't leave my side ever again
Even a shortest moment makes me uneasy
Please stay with me
So much like this
Much until that point
I love you
Only you
Already

As the song finishes, they both couldn’t help but let out a hearty laugh as they step down and went to where the costumer would always sit.

“Your coffee is already cold; you should go ahead and drink it as well as your coffee cake.” The barista glanced at the coffee and the costumer was quick to realize she hadn’t touched her order since they were both busy singing.

“Also, you said you weren’t good at singing but what happened a minute ago was the opposite to what you said, you could start working here and who knows we could sing together again.” The barista suggested as she watched the costumer take a bite out of her coffee cake.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea actually, but I’ll have to pass though.” The barista pouted at the costumer’s answer but understood her decisions and did not force her. She glanced at the wall clock and realized it was already 11 pm which meant the person handling night shift would eventually come to work, standing up the costumer’s eyes followed as the barista went to the staff room. Shrugging it off she eventually finished her drink as well as the cake and waited for the barista to come back.

Seeing the barista leave the staff room while wearing casual clothes was new to the costumer, she was used to seeing the barista wearing their uniform so this was something new to her.

“I thought you left already?” She spoke while walking towards the customer who looked at her with so much admiration. This was something the barista did not notice though.

“I was waiting for you, also I think there are two people waiting outside.” The customer pointed at the door and saw two people waiting outside while having a chat. Noticing this the barista quickly made her way to the door and unlocked it. “I didn’t know you guys arrived already. I was at the staff room changing so I couldn’t check the messages.”

“Don’t worry we only arrived just now; you should head home now.” Glancing at the café they eventually noticed the customer who was still waiting. “You’re going with someone tonight? Well that’s new.” They joked as one of them went to the staff room and the other went to sit down.

“I’ll be heading home now, are you going to stay here a bit longer?” The barista asked and the costumer quickly stood up and followed the barista.

“I was actually going to leave, I just ended up waiting for you.” She admitted while walking side by side. If she thinks about it this was the first time, they both left the café since there would be times where the costumer would be in a hurry to leave. “You’re surprisingly not in a hurry.” The barista blurted and the costumer glanced at her.

“I mean you’re usually in a hurry when you leave.”

“I live pretty far from here that’s why.”

“How far?”

“2 hours away.”

Silence. All of a sudden it was quiet. The costumer glanced at the barista who was surprised when the costumer had admitted how far she lived.

“It’s too dangerous for you to go home this late, let me take you home.” The barista suggested and the costumer shook her head but the barista insisted.

Eventually she was now sitting behind the barista as the barista hands her an extra helmet.

“I live 2 hours away, are you sure?” The costumer asked, she was worried that she might be bothering the barista but the only response she received was a laugh.

“Trust me, it’s okay. Now hold on tight. I’ll make sure it’ll be less than 2 hours but I’ll also make sure you’re safe.” She glanced at the costumer before winking.

“God why are you like this, Yena.”

“Why would you go to a café that’s 2 hours away, Chaewon?”

“Because that’s where I’d only be able to hang out with you.” Chaewon admitted and Yena could feel her cheeks starting to heat up. Yena was impressed after finding out that Chaewon lived 2 hours away but would still visit the café every single day.

 

=====

During the ride, Yena found out that Chaewon was younger than her, and was apparently still studying same goes for Yena, although they both go to different universities. Once the younger had noticed that they were already here she felt a bit disappointed how an hour and 40 minutes felt so quick. She wanted to spend even more time with Yena but she knew that she would still see her later.

Parking somewhere near they both got off with Chaewon taking off the helmet and handing it to Yena.

“Guess this is it, see you tomorrow, or perhaps later?” Yena hoped to see Chaewon again, which she knows that she will knowing that Chaewon would always be at the café.

“ you know I’m going to see you later.” Chaewon playfully pushed Yena who couldn’t help but chuckle.

Ruffling Chaewon’s hair she can’t help but smile as she watched Chaewon’s face heating up. They both continued to stare at each other’s eyes not bothering to look away. They were both equally mesmerized with the way that each pair of eyes were shining brightly as if someone had placed stars in their eyes,

“Are we about to kiss right now?” Chaewon joked and Yena couldn’t help but laugh before pinching Chaewon’s cheeks which led to a few complaints from the younger. “So, what if we’re going to?” Yena dangerously leaned in and Chaewon panicked and covered her face.

“I’m kidding.”

“You’re so mean…”

“You were expecting it weren’t you?”

“No! I wasn’t! Why would I?” Although those were the words Chaewon blurted out her actions said otherwise for she was fiddle with her fingers and was trying to head her obvious blush with her hair.

“You’re so cute, Chaewon.”

“Excuse me I’m not-”

Suddenly she felt a pair of lips touching hers. She froze, her eyes widen while Yena’s eyes were closed. Although it only lasted a second, she was still frozen in place while Yena could only look at her with worry. “Are you okay? Hello? Chaewon?”

“Kiss me again just to prove that this isn’t a dream.” Chaewon blurted and when she had realized the words that escaped her lips, she quickly covered them, even Yena was surprised with what the younger had blurted out.

“Didn’t know you could be this confident, Chaewon.” Yena and Chaewon could only throw playful punches at the older.

“Shut up. Pretend I didn’t say that. God why did I say that. We shall pretend I did not blurt that out.” Chaewon was a mess and Yena could clearly see it.

“You should go inside your house now. It’s getting really late now.” Yena glanced at her wrist watch and noticed that it was already 1 am.

“Right! I forgot that you don’t live nearby.” Chaewon was awkwardly laughing while Yena sat on her motorcycle with her wearing the helmet already. Chaewon didn’t even notice that Yena was already wearing the helmet.

“Should I do it.. or should I not..” Chaewon whispered to herself but since it was just them and the quiet neighborhood Yena could hear her properly.

“Do what?” Yena asked as she made her way to Chaewon who was deep in thought. After noticing that the older was already in front of her she shook her head.

“Screw it I’m doing it.”

“What do you mean-”

This time it was Chaewon stealing a kiss from the older. This time it was longer, Chaewon wanted the older to feel what she had felt for months. She wanted the older to know the sole reason as to why Chaewon would visit the café on a daily basis. She had placed all the feelings she has for the older into that kiss.

“I like you.” Chaewon admitted which made Yena blush.

“This isn't a joke right?”

“Would you kiss and confess to someone as a joke?”

“No..?”

"Exactly.”

“You don’t understand how much I’ve been wanting to do this.” The older whispered as their foreheads touched.

“I could say the same thing.” Chaewon smiled and intertwined their hands.