Lee Minho

Minho hated this coffee shop.

Seungmin, the manager, seemed determined to prevent him from stealing a single piece of pie, watching his every move. Hyunjin, his partner, disappeared with enviable regularity for "smoke breaks," which invariably ended with Minho cooing on the phone. Minho himself couldn't get through a single shift without at least a couple of burns on a hot pitcher. And by closing time, his fingers would begin to tremble treacherously from the amount of coffee he'd consumed that day.

But there was a reason why he still hadn't quit.

More precisely, one person.

Jisung.

A regular guest, showing up almost every day with a consistently sunny smile. Polite, slightly awkward, and incredibly charming. He always ordered an iced Americano and dessert, usually cheesecake or a thick-frosted cake. He also invariably left a tip, for which Minho silently thanked him every time.

After receiving his order, Jisung would take his usual spot in the far corner of the room, put on his headphones, open his laptop, and get to work. Sometimes he'd be so focused that he'd unconsciously stick out the tip of his tongue, completely unaware that the barista behind the counter had been staring at him for several minutes.

"Are you fixated on your boy again?" Hyunjin's mocking voice sounded right next to my ear.

Minho didn't even turn his head.

"Shut up."

Jisung smiled brightly as he looked at his computer. He'd picked a great tune; his boss would be pleased.