"Granting our wishes is one of Fate's saddest jokes..."

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Seonghwa POV:

Stepping off the platform, I could see the coffee shop in my direct line of sight as the sign itself was more than obvious to miss. With a sense of determination, I made my way over to start my day.
The location of the shop was in a prominent area, a perfect breakaway in the middle of Seoul to all who were in passing. People of all kinds entered the shop, always enthralled by the warm and cozy atmosphere it would create as they indulged on their much needed caffeinated drinks and sweet treats. The overall experience left a lingering effect on those who took part, a feeling of comfort and completeness.

With the sound of the bell ringing above me as I strolled inside, Mrs. Kim was quick to notice my arrival as a bright smile graced her face. "Seongwha, sweetie. Good morning."

"Good morning, Mrs. Kim. I'll just put my stuff away and I'll be ready to work." I smiled.

She sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "Take your time, you're always the first one here and the shop doesn't even open until 8. Plus, Seungmin, Felix, and my new hire Wooyoung will be here any minute now."

"I hope this new hire doesn't replace me!" I yelled as I made my way to the back room. Chuckling to myself, I opened my locker swiftly and placed all of my stuff inside, making sure that I locked everything up securely before returning back to the main area.

"Seonghwa, dear. Would you be able to work a double shift today? I know it's Monday, but I'll pay you extra?"

I nodded eagerly, the thought of earning more money was definitely worth the extra labor. "I don't mind, how long would the second shift be?"

"Until closing at 8. Since you get off this shift at one, you wouldn't work again until four in the evening. Are you sure you're okay with that?" She asked slightly concerned. "I don't want you to be too tired..."

"I'm fine with it Mrs. Kim, I promise. It's not like I have anyone waiting for me to come home anyway."

Mrs. Kim scoffed. "I find that hard to believe. You're telling me that you don't have a girlfriend or a boyfriend? Actually, scratch the girlfriend part and just stick to boyfriend."

The word 'boyfriend' stirred a small amount of warmth inside my chest, but I brushed the feeling off quickly. "No ma'am. I'm not seeing anyone..."

"That's blasphemy! I should set you up with my grandchild. You are far too perfect of a young man to be single."

"Mrs. Kim, I-"

She held her hand up to cut me off, shaking her head in disbelief. "My grandchild is a wonderful boy, dear. In all honesty, you'd be doing him a favor by bringing him out of his shell. All he does is stay in his apartment making music...I swear the boy is going to grow old and die."

A chuckle escaped my lips at the thought. "I appreciate the sentiments Mrs. Kim, but I'm not exactly the right type of person to be in a relationship with..."

Mrs. Kim opened her mouth to question the meaning behind my words, but the sound of the bell ringing gained our attention as Seungmin, Felix, and what looked to be the new hire named Wooyoung stepped inside the shop. "Good morning, Mrs. Kim!" Felix greeted brightly, followed by Seungmin and Wooyoung who just bowed silently behind him.

"Aish, there's my ball of sunshine! You three go out your stuff away...and you-" she stared in my direction with her finger pointed at me with a smirk, "don't think this conversation is over."

I wish it was...

"Hey Seonghwa-hyung, how are you?" Seungmin greeted.

With a simple shrug of shoulders, I smiled. "I'm alright. Go ahead and put your stuff away, I'm not going anywhere."

He nodded, following behind his boyfriend without hesitation. However, I noticed that Wooyoung was staring at me with a faint blush on his cheeks. Choosing to tease him, I tilted my head playfully. "I'm sorry, is there something on my face?"

"N-no! Excuse me!" He squeaked, rushing behind the other boys nervously.

Mrs. Kim laughed softly with a smirk growing on her lips. "I think you might have another possible suitor..."

"Yeah...nice try. Not happening."

•••

"Hwa-hyung, I need an iced mocha frappe with whipped cream please!" Felix yelled.

"On it!"

It was 11 in the morning, the usual time for the typical midday rush in the shop. Seungmin and I decided to focus our efforts on making the drinks while Felix and Wooyoung took the orders of the customers. There would be times when I would catch Wooyoung sneaking nervous glances at me, but I paid no attention to it. A relationship was the last thing on my mind, especially with my current lifestyle.

No one should have to deal someone so broken like me...

"Um...Seonghwa-hyung...I just need a hot chocolate please." Wooyoung asked softly, handing me his order ticket.

Granting him a smile, I nodded while placing the frappe on the counter before taking the ticket. "Sure, I'm on it. Felix, here's your order!"

Wooyoung returned the smile before making his way back to the customers. Surprisingly enough, Wooyoung was natural. His laugh was adorable and contagious, his smile was bright and welcoming, and his overall aura was soothing. The way he made the customers feel comfortable enough to engage in lighthearted conversation with him was something to admire.

Exactly the reason he should stay as far away from me as possible...his light doesn't need to dim because of me...

Finishing up his order, I placed it on the counter and called out to him. "Woo, it's ready!"

He walked back over to grab it, but I couldn't help but notice the deep blush now apparent on his face. Genuinely curious, I asked him a question quietly. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes...you just...um...called me Woo..."

My eyes grew wide and with a nervous chuckle, I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm sorry...I didn't even realize I did that. I won't do it again."

Wooyoung shook his head, replacing his nervousness with a bright grin. "It's okay. My friends call me that, so that means we could be friends?"

"Of course. In that case, you can call me Hwa, just like Felix does."

He nodded with a gentle smile, slightly bowing before bringing the drink over to the designated customer. A chuckle escaped my lips as I returned my focus to making more drinks.

The crowd didn't slow down until the time I was supposed to end my first shift, with only a few stray people still lingering silently at their tables while engrossed in their own work or books. Taking a seat in one of the empty booths, I let out a long sigh. "I'll never get used that rush..."

Felix playfully rolled his eyes. "You sound so old. Here-" he handed me a water bottle, "drink this."

"At least your shift is over. I'm still here until 3." Seungmin mumbled while wiping down the counter.

"I actually took another shift a 4."

"Wait, seriously?" Felix raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Why would you do that?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of the water. "Who am I to say no to money?"

"I'm also working that shift, Hwa-hyung." Wooyoung grinned, taking a seat near me. "I actually am saving up for my own apartment, so the money would be helpful."

Seungmin smiled and shook his head. "Of course Mrs. Kim would find someone like you, hyung. You two are workaholics..."

"Or...you're just lazy?" Felix teased.

Seungmin playfully scowled while the rest of us laughed, including the few customers who listened to the banter silently. I took a look at Wooyoung who looked back at me with a soft smile before focusing on the two males. Feeling somewhat relieved about the new hire, I pulled out my phone from my pocket, instantly noticing two missed call from my landlord and a missed call from San. With a curious eye, I stood up from the booth and looked at the three males. "I'll be back guys, I have a call to make."

They all nodded and I made my way out of the shop, leaning against the nearby wall and pressed San's contact to call, placing the phone to my ear listening the ringing. For him to call me wasn't unusual, but the timing of the call spark deep concern within me.After the third ring, it connected. "San, what's up? I was working when you called."

"I'm sorry, I know. I called because I need to talk to you..."

"Okay...what's up?"

"Hwa...I got a call from your landlord since he couldn't reach you. You have until tonight to move from your apartment...."