**Chaeng decided to get out of her room after a hundred years of arguing to herself if she’s going down at the café or not. She’s too hungry right now to care about what she’ll see downstairs. Yes, there’s a huge possibility that she’ll see Mina sitting opposite Bam, smiling while savoring the steak on her plate. But that’s the least of her concern now. Her stomach is growling and all she could think of is food, food, and food.**
**She muttered under her breath as she exits the elevator door. But even though she’s telling herself that she’s not jealous and she’s confident about her stand to Mina, the moment she saw them sitting opposite to each other kind of change everything. She felt her chest went up and down heavily. So instead of finding a table where she could have her peaceful dinner, she went straight to the door and walked outside.**
**No. There’s no chance I’ll sit inside and watch them smile at each other or have eye contact. I’m better off having dinner at the convenience store rather than at this place. She thought.**
**So, what she did is go straight to the exit and find her way to the nearest convenience store. She no longer cares if her dinner will end up with a cup of ramen or microwaved meal. Those things are better than seeing the two enjoying their meal.**
*****
**Mina saw Chaeng stormed at the door and she wonders what’s going on inside her head. Maybe… maybe she saw her sitting with Bam, that’s why she’s in a hurry ‘cause she doesn’t want to witness anything. But what’s the point? She thought they’re already cleared about what’s going on between her and Bam.**
**I’m sorry. She thought as she follows her with her eyes until she fades away.**
Bam: Hmm… is this your specialty here?
**He unintentionally interrupted her thoughts.**
Mina: Y—yeah.
Bam: I like it. There’s a distinct taste on it, and I know… yeah, I know, I have not tasted it before.
**He said excitedly. But even though it was a great comment, Mina doesn’t feel anything about it. Like she had eaten a bland course—no valuable reaction.**
Mina: Uhm… thanks. Well, I guess that’s the reason people keep on coming back here… because of that one.
**She smiled. But she could feel that her smile wasn’t that sincere and she feels sorry for Bam. It’s not his fault if her mind was flying somewhere. Somewhere where the author is. She wants to follow her and join her with her dinner. But how could she do that? She’s nailed to this dinner, pretending that she’s enjoying everything. And she wonders if Bam notices how this thing is causing her.**
Bam: Hmm…
**He moved forward like he’s going to whisper on her ears or something.**
Bam: Would you mind if I come back here? I… I really enjoyed your menu. Everything tastes so great. Well, I’m not saying I’m asking you for another dinner, it’s just I want to visit again while I’m on my vacation.
**Mina doesn’t like the idea. The idea of seeing him here every day or every other day or even twice a week. The thing is, if that happens, she’s obliged to at least show that she’s always happy to see him, which isn’t the case.**
Mina: W—why not? You can always come here. Just let me know the days so I could reserve a table for you.
Bam: Really? That’s great. At least I know that I’ll have a good spot whenever I visit you here. I mean… the steaks.
**Mina pushed herself to smile again. Why is it so hard to smile at you Bam? Why does it feel like it’s a burden for me? She thought as she meets Bam’s stare.**
Bam: Anyway, I think I’ve already occupied so much of your time.
**Mina thinks the same. They’ve been sitting at that table for almost three hours now. And she regretted that she entertained him immediately when he arrived. It feels like she had wasted so much time listening to his stories, and cringing once in a while whenever he flirts at her. She just hopes that their night will be over soon. That Bam will say his good night and leave. But it seems like it wasn’t the case.**
Bam: But… one last request. Would you mind if we’ll have dessert first? At least before I let you go? I know I’m such a pain now, I just want to make the most out of this opportunity. Please?
**The way he said it is just so difficult to refuse with. Like even if you no longer want to spend a minute with him, you can’t just say no. That’s how powerful his charm is. And Mina has no exception, she answered him with a nod and ended it with a smile.**
**Mina called one of their waiters and requested her to bring their special brewed coffee and cinnamon bread. She didn’t dare to ask Bam what he wants, rather she just decided it on her own.**
Mina: Sorry, I didn’t ask you what you want, I just thought it’s faster to decide this way.
Bam: Oh… no, it’s fine. I trust your choice. I’m sure it’s one of the bests, too.
**Is he just ignoring my roughness? Or he’s this dumb to not feel anything with whatever I’m showing him?**
*****
**Chaeng stood a few feet away from the café just to check if Mina’s still sitting at one of the tables and chitchatting with Bam. Hmm… it seems like they’re not done yet. She thought. So instead of walking back to the hotel, she made a detour and sat at her favorite spot. She again chose the bench she and Mina sat in after their first dinner. Well, nothing has changed, the spot is still a perfect place to just think about nothing and enjoy the serenity of the night.**
**She placed the paper bag she’s been clasping since she turned her back to the entrance of the café to her right. She already had her dinner, but having something to nibble on while writing her story is somewhat a good idea, too, so she bought a lot. The thing is, she didn’t only buy snacks, she also bought a half dozen of canned beer.**
Chaeng: Why don’t we open one?
**She whispered and pulled the can from the bag and opened it. She slouched on the bench, stretching her legs out, and resting the back of her neck at the backrest.**
Chaeng: Ah… this is good.
**She mumbled after she took her first gulp and while staring at the stars above her. It wasn’t cold nor warm. The night just has a perfect temperature for her to stay outside. And this… this beer in her hand makes it even more favorable. She took another gulp before she heard footsteps coming towards her. She turned to her right without thinking twice and was surprised to see Ryujin sauntering towards her.**
Ryujin: Hey! Is that a beer?
**Oops! It’s not that she doesn’t want anyone to see that she’s drinking, it’s just drinking in a public place isn’t her thing. And if ever she opened one, it’s because she thought no one will be interested to walk outside or spend time at one of the benches just to, you know… star gaze.**
**She straightened up immediately and gazed at the can in her hand quickly and went back to Ryujin.**
Chaeng: Uhm… yeah. I just thought that it’s perfect for the view in front of me, so I opened one.
**Ryujin sat beside her without even asking if it’s okay to join her or not.**
Ryujin: You still have one with you?
**Chaeng was about to pull another one in her brown bag when she realized that Ryujin is still young for alcohol.**
Chaeng: Wait! How old are you?
Ryujin: Hey! I’m already eighteen. I guess I’m already allowed to at least… Uhm… have one can? Besides, I’m with an adult, so why fret about it?
Chaeng: Not a chance. What if Mina will find out that I gave you one? What do you think she’ll think about me? Bad influence?
**Ryujin doesn’t want to give up, so she keeps on pleading to Chaeng until she gives in.**
Ryujin: Please… please… Eonnie won’t mind. I promise you, and… I will never… ever… ever let her blame you. I’ll take full responsibility for it. Besides, it’s not like we’re going to get drunk, right?
**Chaeng still doesn’t believe her. She knows that at the end of it, regardless if Ryujin takes full responsibility for this drinking thing or not, Mina will still blame her. But since she’s in the mood to drink and it’s lonesome to drink alone, she willingly pulled the can sticking in her brown bag and handed it over to Ryujin.**
**She saw Ryujin smiled endlessly like a child who finally gets what she wants.**
Chaeng: Just one. Okay?
Ryujin: Yes, ma’am!
**Chaeng sighed while Ryujin went on to opening her beer, and then chugging it down.**
Ryujin: So… why exactly are you here? Is it because Bam’s still inside?
**She doesn’t want to admit it. But what’s the point of denying it anyway. This kid knows everything that’s going on between her and her sister.**
Chaeng: Uhm… kind of. Well, I know I have nothing to worry about, you know. But seeing Mina with another guy kind of hitting me differently.
Ryyujin: Hmm… so… you’re jealous, huh?
Chaeng: Jealous? No… I’m not.
**She almost jumped from her seat. And because of her sudden jerk, her beer spilled on her hand, too. Seems like her drink also got startled by Ryujin’s abrupt remarks.**
Ryujin: Whoa! Chill. It’s not like I’m accusing you of killing someone.
**Then Chaeng slammed her back on the bench. Realized that she overreacted to what Ryujin’s said to her. The question is, is she or is she not jealous about it?**
Chaeng: The thing is… I don’t know. Maybe? A little?
**She whispered. And Ryujin is having trouble catching every word ‘cause it like she’s telling it to herself than answering her question.**
Ryujin: Well, you shouldn’t. I know my sister, and if she told you she likes you, then it’s a hundred percent true. She never says something she doesn’t mean. You know.
Cheng: Hmm… you’re right.
**She’s right. Why bother to be bothered about it? So even though the inside of her is telling her otherwise, she just concealed it by chugging the remaining alcohol in her can.**
Ryujin: So… I heard. I heard you went to the old bookstore in town? How was it? Uhm… did you like the place?
Chaeng: We did. I mean, it wasn’t the first time I visited the place. I found out about it on my first day here and I just want to show it to Mina. And I actually didn’t expect that she hadn’t seen it yet.
Ryujin: Right. She’s not a bookworm like me. She’d rather stay in the kitchen experimenting than flipping books, and I’m glad that she’s learning to read now.
**Then she tilted her head to Chaeng whose eyes were planted somewhere else. Yet the side of her lips is twitching for a smile. She really likes my sister. She thought.**
Chaeng: I’m… I’m glad that she is. I am not sure if there’s anything else I could do in my life other than writing, and knowing that she’s giving my books some time to be read is just flattering.
Ryujin: I… I just wish I’ll also end up with someone who could have the same interest as me.
Chaeng: You mean, you’re not… you’re not dating someone yet?
**Ryujin stretched her legs and leaned on her seat even more. She does want to go out with someone, but she’s not as brave as her sister in terms of talking to someone she likes. So until now… she’s single.**
Chaeng: Oh… I guess I’m getting it.
Ryujin: You’re getting what?
**Chaeng giggled first before she answered her.**
Ryujin: What?
Chaeng: Sorry… I think I get that you’re not this someone who could move forward to talk to the person you like. Am I right or wrong?
**Chaeng saw her shrink on her seat. There’s no way she’s wrong ‘cause the way her shoulders fall confirms that what she said was right.**
Ryujin: How could I even walk closer to her? She’s too pretty and the crowd likes her so much. Unlike me, I’m just a wallflower, you know.
Chaeng: Oh… I might have the same problem if I’m in your shoes. But, isn’t your desire to be around her stronger than what you think you can and can’t do? I mean, if you really like her, why not overcome your shyness and doubt about yourself? Getting a no is better than not trying something, right?
Ryujin: Aaaaargh! I know, but no matter how much I move my feet towards her, it still feels like she’s too far away from me.
**Chaeng shook her head. There’s no other person who could help her except herself. If she won’t have the courage to move forward, then what else she could do? Push her hard?**
Chaeng: Anyway, where is she? I mean, is she a friend, or a schoolmate, or what?
**Right! If she couldn’t push herself to do it, maybe I could push her hard so she could move towards her. That thing might be impossible, but she’ll lose nothing if she’ll try. She thought.**
Ryujin: She’s… she’s the girl behind the counter on that old bookstore.
Chaeng: Whoa! Seriously?
**Then Ryujin just nodded as her response to her question. There’s nothing to say anymore ‘cause she barely knows the girl except for the fact that she manages the bookstore and smiles at her every time she checks out the books on their shelves.**
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