Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Jimin found himself at the small grocery store near his café. The hum of fluorescent lights and the faint scent of produce filled the air as he moved from aisle to aisle, filling his basket with supplies for the café and a few things for himself. His mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Rosalia, the memories swirling around him as vividly as if he were still that shy boy with a hopeless crush.

He was lost in thought, his fingers brushing over a row of fresh tomatoes, when a familiar voice broke into his reverie. He turned, just in time to catch someone who had tripped over a low shelf in the narrow aisle, stumbling forward.

“Ah—watch out!” he said instinctively, his arms shooting out to steady her.

To his surprise, he found himself face-to-face with Rosalia. She had nearly fallen, her balance completely lost. But Jimin’s quick reflexes had saved her from an embarrassing tumble, his arms holding her steady as she regained her footing. Her face flushed, eyes wide as she looked up at him.

“Oh! Thank you, I—Jimin?” she asked, the recognition dawning in her eyes.

He froze, his heart thudding painfully. He hadn’t expected to see her again so soon, let alone in this way. His mind scrambled to process her question, the sound of his name on her lips like a spark igniting something within him. Slowly, he nodded, a shy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Yes, it’s me,” he replied, his voice softer than he intended. “I, uh, didn’t mean to catch you off guard like that.”

Rosalia laughed, a warm, genuine sound that made his chest feel tight. “No, no, you actually saved me from falling on my bum,” she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Thank you for that.”

As they separated, Jimin’s hands fell to his sides, the warmth of her touch lingering like a ghost. He found himself wanting to savor every detail of this unexpected meeting, the way her eyes sparkled, the gentle curve of her smile. She was even more captivating up close, and for a moment, he forgot his usual nervousness.

They stood there, a bit awkwardly, until Rosalia broke the silence with a smile. “You know, I thought I recognized you at the café earlier,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “I wasn’t sure, though. It’s been so long.”

Jimin nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. “Yeah… I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

“Are you kidding?” she replied, her smile widening. “You were the class topper. And you always sat in the corner of the library, reading or studying. I remember you as the shy, chubby boy who seemed to know everything in school.”

Jimin felt a pang of embarrassment but also a surge of unexpected happiness. He hadn’t realized she’d noticed so many details about him back then. “I… yeah, that was me,” he said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “I guess I was pretty quiet.”

“Quiet? You barely said a word,” she teased, her voice light and playful. “But you were also kind. You used to help the other students with their work, even if they never really thanked you properly. I always admired that about you.”

The words took him by surprise, and he struggled to find a response. He had never thought anyone noticed those small acts, least of all her. “I didn’t realize you paid attention to any of that,” he admitted, a shy smile creeping across his face. “I thought I was invisible to most people.”

Rosalia shook her head, a gentle look in her eyes. “You weren’t invisible, Jimin. You were just… quiet. There’s a difference.”

Jimin chuckled softly, the sound low and a little self-conscious. “I guess I never thought of it that way.”

They continued to chat as they moved through the aisles together, the awkwardness from before melting away. Jimin learned that Rosalia had recently moved back to the city after spending a few years working in a different town. She was freelancing now, using her skills in graphic design to work with clients remotely, which gave her the freedom to visit the places she’d missed.

Jimin, meanwhile, tried to keep his own story vague. He mentioned the café and how it kept him busy, omitting the darker side of his life. He didn’t want to scare her away by mentioning his mafia ties—not yet. For now, he was content just to talk with her, to hear her laugh, to see the gentle way she smiled at him. It was like rediscovering a piece of himself he’d lost somewhere along the way.

As they reached the checkout counter, Rosalia glanced at the items in his basket with a smirk. “Looks like you’ve got a lot to carry. Do you always buy this much?”

Jimin shrugged, glancing down at the groceries he’d picked up. “Most of it’s for the café. But, yeah, it’s a bit more than I’d usually carry alone.”

“Would you like some help?” she asked, her smile warm and genuine. “I mean, since you saved me from a pretty embarrassing fall, it’s the least I can do.”

Jimin hesitated, caught off guard by her offer. He wasn’t used to people offering him help; he’d always been the one others depended on. But there was something about her kindness that made him want to accept. He nodded, his heart racing a little.

“Sure,” he said. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

Together, they carried the bags out of the store, the streetlights casting a soft glow over them as they walked toward the café. Their conversation continued easily, like old friends catching up after years apart. Jimin found himself laughing more than he had in a long time, and he couldn’t stop glancing at her, as if he was afraid this was all just a dream.

When they reached the café, they set the bags down at the entrance, and Jimin unlocked the door, holding it open for her. Rosalia stepped inside, looking around with curiosity.

“It’s really cozy in here,” she said, admiring the warm, inviting atmosphere. “I can see why it’s so popular. It feels like a place where people can just relax.”

Jimin nodded, feeling a sense of pride. “That was the goal. I wanted to create a place where people could feel comfortable.”

“Well, you’ve definitely succeeded,” she replied, giving him an approving nod.

There was a moment of silence, a comfortable pause that felt charged with unspoken words. Jimin’s heart thudded, his mind racing with thoughts he didn’t dare voice. He wanted to tell her how much she had meant to him all those years ago, how seeing her again had made him feel things he thought he’d long since buried. But he held back, afraid of scaring her away.

Instead, he cleared his throat, keeping his tone light. “Thank you for helping me with the groceries. I really appreciate it.”

She smiled, her eyes warm. “Anytime, Jimin. It was nice to catch up.”

They lingered at the door for a moment, neither of them quite ready to part ways. Rosalia glanced at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and something softer, something that made his heart race.

“Maybe I’ll see you around?” she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

Jimin nodded, his smile widening. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

With a final smile, Rosalia waved and headed down the street, leaving him standing there, his heart pounding in his chest. As he watched her disappear into the night, he knew that this wasn’t just a chance encounter. This was a second chance, an opportunity to finally break free from the fears that had held him back for so long.

As he stood in the doorway of his café, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the place he’d built, he made a quiet vow to himself. The next time they met, he wouldn’t let his old insecurities stand in the way. He would be brave. Because Rosalia had shown him kindness and understanding, reminding him of the boy he used to be—the boy who had once dreamed of more.

And maybe, just maybe, that boy still had a chance at happiness.