**Chaeng woke up again early, but not as early as yesterday. Well, she couldn't wait to see Mina working behind the counter again, making coffees and sweets for everyone. That's why she forcefully pushed herself out of her bed and brought her laptop with her. Maybe, just maybe, she could think of something good that she could turn into a masterpiece.**
**Since the morning sun is so inviting, unlike yesterday that the air was a bit cool, she decided to sit outside. She kind of likes the warm feel of the sunlight that's directly touching her pale skin. She remembers her mom always reminds her to not forget to go out in the morning 'cause it makes her body healthier.**
Ryujin: Here's your breakfast.
**Ryujin placed the coffee in her right since her laptop is almost occupying half of the table. She stopped for a while 'cause she couldn't decide where to put the plate of French Toast and beans. The remaining space in the table is no longer enough for the plate she has on her tray.**
**Chaeng saw the dilemma that Ryujin was facing, so she closed her laptop and rest it at one of the seats at her table.**
Chaeng: Sorry... I didn't foresee that this table isn't enough to accommodate everything.
Ryujin: Oh... it's fine. That's actually design for people who are just having their coffee in the morning.
Chaeng: Well, I noticed that, too. But I really want to seat outside, so I still chose it.
Ryujin: If you want we could switch this table to that table, so you have a wider space for your things.
Chaeng: Is that okay? I mean, it will ruin the arrangement of the tables.
Ryujin: It's fine, really! If it means convenience for you it's fine.
**Chaeng smiled and stood up. This girl in front of her is the nicest person she'd ever met, so considerate and accommodating.**
**Ryujin called one of the waiters and asked him to switch the large table from the middle to Chaeng's table. It only took a couple of minutes and Chaeng doesn't mind the inconvenience since it will give her more room. At least she'll be able to stay there for as long as she wants without feeling enclosed or something.**
Ryujin: There you are!
**Ryujin said after Chaeng took her seat and placed back her laptop in front of her. The coffee remained in her right, while the plate of toast and beans were at her left.**
Chaeng: Thank you! You make my stay here unforgettable.
**Ryujin smiled. It's always her pleasure to serve her favorite author with whatever she needs.**
Ryujin: Well, it's a small thing for great stories you've shared with us, your readers. I really like your work and your imagination.
**Ryujin finally had a chance to express her gratitude to Chaeng. She'd been holding it since last night. She waited for her at the café, but she didn't go down. Instead, she had her dinner in her room.**
**Chaeng stared at her. She hadn't heard someone thank her for all her hard work in a while. Well, except Tzuyu. Since she didn't go out for a long time and just ignored everyone around her.**
Chaeng: Thanks. I mean, honestly, I'm already losing it---my imagination. I kind of feel that it's no longer there. Well, that's the reason why I'm here. I'm trying my best to regain something that I've lost for a while.
**Ryujin was surprised to hear it from her. Losing her imagination? Is it really possible to lose something that's been part of you since the very beginning? Ryujin thought.**
Ryujin: What do you mean? I mean...
**She doesn't know what to say or ask 'cause she still couldn't believe it's happening. And if ever this problem will continue to occur to her favorite author, it means, she won't be able to read something from her in the future again.**
Ryujin: Well, I don't know what to say. But I'm hoping you'll find what's missing in you again.
**Her eyes were pleading and that stare softens Chaeng's heart.**
**She always hears it from Tzuyu, finding herself again. But hearing it from someone who has no business with her seemed to hit differently. It's more sincere and makes her feel that she really needs to work hard or else she'll cause these people sadness for giving up.**
**She smiled to reassure Ryujin that she'll do her best to do what she has to do and giving up isn't part of it.**
Chaeng: It might take a lot of work, but don't worry I'll do my best to regain whatever I've lost.
Ryujin: Thank you, Ms. Son. I guess my job is to make your stay here remarkable. So leave that thing to me, okay?
Chaeng: Hey! Just call me Chaeng. I'm fine with that. I'm not fond of formality.
Ryujin: Oh... that sounds I'm close to you.
**Ryujin likes the idea. That makes her feel like she's getting closer to her, like a friend.**
*****
Mina: Sorry I'm late.
**Mina apologized to Ryujin as she walked towards the counter and pulled her apron at the cabinet underneath.**
Ryujin: What happened? Did you oversleep?
**She asked as she watches her sister dressed up with her apron while she ready herself to end her shift.**
Mina: Hmm... kind of. I forgot the time last night. I was busy reading the book you lent me.
Ryujin: Ooooh! What do you think? How do you find it?
**Ryujin suddenly becomes excited about Mina's opinion on the book. She even wants to ask if she likes Chaeng now, just like the way she admires her.**
Mina: Hmm... I'm not yet done. I'm even far from reaching half of it. Besides, Sana visited me last night, so I have limited time, you know.
**Ryujin pouted. A bit disappointed that she couldn't talk about it yet with her sister. She doesn't want to say anything about the characters or the story itself since it will spoil the whole thing. So, she just shut her mouth to avoid saying something.**
Mina: But I kind of like the storyline. I mean, the plot. It's something new for me.
Ryujin: I know right! Well, I really want to talk about the story with you, but I don't want to spoil it. So maybe let's talk about it once you're done.
Mina: Hmm... that's a great idea. I don't want to hear you speak about it yet, you know. So you better go home and have some rest. And by the way, I'll bring the book to her later so she could sign it.
Ryujin: Really?
Mina: Yeah! So don't worry about it okay? Anyway, have you seen her already?
**Oops! Mina suddenly wants to take her question back. Why does it sound like she's waiting for this moment to come? Finding her as soon as she enters her café. But it looks like Ryujin didn't notice anything. She was so drawn to this Son Chaeyoung. That all she wants to talk about is her and her books.**
Ryujin: Yeah! She's over there.
**She pointed at the girl sitting outside, at the very corner of the platform. Her laptop's open, but her eyes were fixed at the sight in front of her. Now Mina wonders what's in her head. Is she thinking about another story? Or something else?**
Ryujin: I gave her our special coffee again, and French Toast and beans. I think she'll be sitting in that place until the sunsets.
**Mina turned to her bewildered as to how she came up with that conclusion.**
Mina: What makes you think so?
**Ryujin shrugged. She just has the feeling that she will after their little talk earlier. She could see from the author's eyes that she really wants to go back and write again.**
Ryujin: I don't know. We had a little chat earlier. I guess she's struggling with something, and she really wants to work on that. Well...
**Ryujin untied her apron before she continued what she was saying.**
Ryujin: I hope this place will help her with whatever thing she's facing.
**She leaned in the counter and crossed her arms while Mina was watching her intently. Mina's now waiting for the next thing her sister will say.**
Ryujin: 'Cause if she happens to struggle more, the books community will lose a great writer like her. And that will surely sadden me, you know.
**Mina nodded. She doesn't want that thing to happen, too even though she barely knows her.**
*****
**It's been an hour already since Chaeng started to stare at the blank page on her laptop. Why can't I find the right words to write? Why can't I type something? I could feel a good story at the back of my head, but it's still not coming out. She thought.**
**She doesn't want to stress herself, but looking at the blank word document in front of her makes it too impossible to not worry about the situation. So before the pressure eats her, she closed her laptop and just slouched in her seat.**
**Good thing I'm here. At least I could divert my attention to something else rather than sitting in my living room and watch some silly tv shows on my TV.**
**I think I need another coffee. She thought. But before she straightened up, Mina was already on her way to her table with a tray in her hand. Well, she couldn't remember she ordered something. So why is she here? It's not that she doesn't want to see her, it's just... why is she here? She asked herself again.**
Mina: Hmm... I know you're busy with... stuff. So maybe you need something to nibble while working.
**Mina doesn't want to interrupt her. She just feels that maybe Chaeng needs sweets to lighten her mood that's why she's bringing her her special crème brûlée.**
**She set the now finished cup of coffee and plate on the other side of the table, so she could lay the crème brûlée she prepared right after Ryujin left. She also has a blueberry cheesecake and a chocolate milkshake for her.**
Chaeng: Oooh! That's a lot. I mean, I don't remember ordering desserts.
Mina: Uhm... I know. It's on me.
**I heard you're struggling on something, so maybe these things will help you lighten the burden, at least for a while. She thought. And she really wants to tell her those words. She wants Chaeng to feel that she understands her. That she is facing something, too. But since life is too precious to be neglected, she's doing her best to fight for it.**
Mina: I'm not sure if you have a sweet tooth like everybody else. But I'm hoping it will still entice you.
**Chaeng smiled and nodded once. She doesn't have a sweet tooth, though. She even rarely buys a bar of chocolate even when she's sad.**
Chaeng: I didn't expect you'll spend some time to prepare this for me.
Mina: Well, I guess it's because I have a favor to ask?
**Then she pulled the book from her back pocket, smirking before she handed it over to Chaeng.**
**Chaeng chuckled. She didn't forget. She thought.**
Chaeng: Good thing I brought my pen with me, now.
**Mina's smile widened. There's something familiar with this feeling. She knows she felt it before when she first met Jeong. It's not that she wants to compare the two, but what she's feeling right now is stronger than before.**
**She couldn't stop staring at her name on the book, and even the smile they exchanged last night. Even her laugh keeps on ringing in her ears. But what if she just needs someone because she misses Jeong so much?**
Chaeng: Done!
**Mina pressed her lips and grabbed the book on the table. She's ready to turn around now and go back to her post without saying anything. But Chaeng immediately caught the sudden change in her mood.**
Chaeng: Uhm... something wrong?
Mina: Hmm... nothing. I just remember I forgot to turn off the coffee machine.
Chaeng: Oh! Okay. Thanks for this, anyway.
**Chaeng bit her lower lip, which sent butterflies in Mina's cage. Shit! What if I'm wrong? What if I'm really starting to like her? Mina thought.**
Mina: Anytime. Just tell me what you think about it.
Chaeng: I bet it's tasty. Just like the coffee.
**Then Mina finally turned her back to Chaeng, leaving her with a huge smile. She has nothing to say to her anymore. And she's afraid that having a long conversation with her will only confirm her affection for the writer.**
Chaeng: Uhm... wait...
**Chaeng abruptly stood up. Shit, Son Chaeyoung! You're starting to get impulsive again.**
**Mina whirled to Chaeng, confused why she stopped her.**
**So, you've already stopped her. It would be so impolite to just say "nothing"... "forget about it"... kind of thing. So better blurt it out or she'll think how silly you are. Chaeng nagged herself.**
Chaeng: Hmm... Can you join me for dinner later? I mean, it's okay if you're busy or something. It's just I wonder if we could be... you know friends.
**She stuttered. She's stuttering 'cause her hearts thumping so fast and she's kind of having difficulty breathing. Like finally, she's now using some of the dialogues she'd written with one of her books. But saying it to someone is a bit different than just writing it and letting one of her characters say it.**
**So this is what it truly feels. She thought.**
**Mina didn't expect the sudden question. Well, it's not like she's asking her for a date night. She's just asking her for dinner because she thought they could be friends.**
**"Friends." That word rang in her head again. Do I only want in be friends? Mina asked herself. But maybe, it's better than not having an invitation at all.**
Mina: Hmm... why not? Maybe, I could cook something for us later.
**Chaeng nodded and smiled again. Her heart's starting to calm down. And hearing that she'll cook something for them later makes her feel so special. Though she knows she shouldn't.**
Chaeng: Thank you. I'll wait for you then.
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