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“You need to make sure that when they ask for decaf or non-dairy, you don't give them caffeine or dairy. I cannot stress this enough, if you don't remember if you did it right, start over. It's better to lose merchandise than to be sued. Understood?” Jeongguk's mind was racing as he was trying to understand his training for his new job.
“Uh, yes sir. I understand.” Jeongguk's voice was quiet and shaky, but the manager didn't mind, even though a large portion of his job was speaking. He applied for Café Euphoria at the end of the summer, and they had just now hired him. He really needed this job, they pay well and Jeongguk isn't sure if he can afford his rent and tuition at all. Today was his first day, and the manager had brought him in mid-afternoon during a Friday. Needless to say, his manager was desperate for him to work, the rush at the café was ridiculous. His manager moved behind the other barista to demonstrate how to make certain drinks, how to use the foam machine. Jeongguk was trying to remember as much as possible, but the manager was listing so many things so quick. He was overwhelmed to say the least, he could feel his hands begin to shake. When his manager led him to the back kitchen and away from the bustling ambiance of the shop, the tenseness that had built up in Jeongguk’s shoulders immediately relaxed.
“Okay, so part of your job is also washing the dishes, obviously. So, you take the grate, you pile in dishes, as many as possible. Basically, play tetris with the dishes, then slide it into the speed washer, make sure the outtake is filled with water or it won’t work, and then press the start button. For cups, run it twice. Once it’s finished, you can stack all the dishes on this bar, when you have time, move them back up to the front to restock. Got it?” Jeongguk simply nodded his head, that was definitely an informational overload. “Alright, for today I’m going to have you shadow Jimin. Then the next time you work I’m going to let you work alone.” The manager said as he started walking towards the front again. Jeongguk walked behind him silently. He wiped his clammy hands on his deep brown apron and walked through the swinging double doors back to the chaos of the barista bar. Manager Sejin was talking to a short boy with soft blonde hair, all that was running through Jeongguk’s head is how pretty he looks.
“Alright, this is Jimin. Jimin this is Jeongguk, I’ll leave him to shadow you, I have to make a few phone calls and figure out paperwork.” Manager Sejin said before he left.
“Hi! I’m Jimin! Don’t worry if it’s busy, I promise this job is not that stressful or difficult.”
“Uh, yeah. I mean, I’ve never worked in customer service, and never in the food industry.”
“Ah, that’s alright. I’ll help you, don’t you worry about it, yeah?” Jimin smiled at Jeongguk, his smile was pretty as his eyes puffed up into little crescents. Jeongguk only smiled a bit, anxiety was still shaking in his blood.
“So, what do you do Jeongguk?” Jimin said as he picked up an order receipt and began making a vanilla latte. Jeongguk’s eyes were tracking Jimin’s hands as he pulled down a mug and pumped 2 pumps of vanilla into the bottom. Jeongguk noticed how absolutely tiny Jimin’s hands were.
“I go to university here.”
“Oh? What year are you? What’s your major?” Jimin said, hovering over the coffee machine.
“I’m a sophomore, and my major is film. What about you? Do you go to college?”
“Yes, I do, I’m a dance major, I’m a senior. I should graduate this year.” Jimin puffed up some milk foam and poured it over the coffee, then called out a name and gave the customer their drink.
“What university do you go to?” Jeongguk was trying to remember what Jimin was doing as well as what he was saying, easier said than done.
“SeoulArts, you?”
“Oh! I go to SIA too!”Jeongguk said. He really needed friends, so he was happy that he worked with someone who went to the same university as him.
“Yeah, I like it. If you ever need any help, let me know. I’m almost free from this educational prison.” Jimin said, as he made another drink order.
“School isn’t that bad. I just don’t know if I can really afford to keep going.”
“Jeongguk-ssi, I know we don’t really know each other, but I’m serious. If you need any help, and I mean financially also, please let me know.” Jimin said, his tone deepening. His dialect also slipped out. Jeongguk decided to change the subject.
“Are you from Busan?” Jeongguk asked him.
“Mm. Yeah I am.” Jimin looked at him, obviously aware of the sudden change in subject.
“Me too! I’m from Mandeok-dong. You?” Just talking about his hometown made a ball of homesick to move behind his sternum.
“I’m from Geumsa-dong.” Jimin responded with a nostalgic smile. Jeongguk’s first day went on like that. Him watching Jimin making drinks and lots of back and forth questions. Jeongguk learned how similar they were to each other. Once his shift was over, he asked for Jimin’s number, who gave it willingly.
“Where are you off to?” Jimin asked, as his shift had ended for the day as well.
“Oh. I’m going home.” Jeongguk said. He really didn’t want to let Jimin know where he lived. “What about you?”
“I’m going to grab some lunch and head to a new dance studio workshop. If you’d like to join me for lunch, I’d enjoy the company.” Jimin looked up at Jeongguk, pushing his hands through his hair. “I’ll pay, yeah?”
“No! You don’t have to do that. I can pay.”
“Oh, please. I’m the hyung. And you’re not going to get payed for another two weeks. Let me buy you some lunch.”
“Mmm, I’ll let you pay this once. I’ll pay you back though.” Jeongguk said, his voice sounded thick of uncertainty. Jeongguk didn’t want anyone to have to pay for him, he wasn’t a baby.
“Where would you like to go then? There’s a good noodle bar by the dance studio.” Jimin stepped outside the coffee shop, Jeongguk followed. The little bell on the door jingled as the cool air brushed through Jeongguk’s hair. Jimin ran his fingers through his hair once they were out on the sidewalk, bag slung over his shoulder.
“That sounds nice, let’s do that.” Jeongguk shoved his hands into his pockets as they began to walk to the noodle bar. The bar was cute, light wood and white accents, the windows were giant letting in lots of light. They grabbed a chair on the bar facing the window and ordered.
“So, you said you’re going to a dance studio after this? Which one?” Jeongguk said, sipping his water.
“Oh, um it’s called Hope World? I practice hip hop, contemporary and modern.”
“You go to Hope World? I know the owner; how do you like it?” Jeongguk said, their noodles were just delivered. Jimin already had a mouthful, before he choked on it.
“You know J-Hope?! Like you’re friends with him?” Jimin’s eyes were wide and he was still slightly coughing on his noodles.
“Oh, Hoseok? Yeah, I know him. I’ve been taking dance classes with him for a while now. When he offered free workshops. He doesn’t make me pay for classes anymore as long as he practices choreography on me.” Jeongguk rambled with his mouth full of food.
“You dance? Jeongguk-ah, can you do everything?” Jimin said.
“Ugh, not you too. Taehyung says that all the time too.”
“Wait, like V Taehyung? Kim Taehyung?” Jimin said, he was still struggling to eat, and his eyes were still very wide.
“Uh, yeah. He was in a couple classes with me before he joined Young Nation. And of course, Hoseok choreos for him all the time, which means he makes me help him choreo. But yeah, he’s really lovely.”
“He’s really pretty. And so is Hoseok.” Jimin said. Jeongguk could see a blush dust Jimin’s cheeks.
“Oh, yeah they are. But of course, they are, they are in the idol industry after all.” Jeongguk was unsure of what way Jimin meant that Hoseok and Taehyung were pretty, he didn’t want to assume anything.
“Mmm. I’m too afraid to talk to Hoseok. I go to the studio and take his classes all the time, but he’s just so--I don’t know. He’s intimidating. Like I know that he’s not, but he’s just such a good dancer.” Jimin was swishing his chopsticks in his now noodleless broth. He was not looking Jeongguk in the eye anymore, and his cheeks were definitely rosy.
“Jimin hyung, he’s a very good dancer. And I know he can be tough during classes, but he’s really sweet. If you want to hang out with him, I’ll just invite you to the next time we eat.” Jeongguk said, his bowl was empty, but he was still staring into it.
“Uhm. Thank you. That would be nice. Yes. Thank you, Jeongguk-ssi.” Jimin finally looked at Jeongguk in the eye, and Jeongguk opened his mouth to ask, but just then the waitress dropped off their check.
“Jimin hyung, are you sure you don’t want me to pitch in? I will if you want me to.” Jeongguk hates when people pay for him, he knows he’s not well-off. But no one else needs to know that.
“Yah! Please Jeongguk-ah, really don’t worry about it. Besides, this place is cheap.” Jimin was already placing his credit card on the check tray. After lunch, Jimin went to the dance studio, Jeongguk told him to just say hi to Hoseok, see how he responds. Jeongguk went to campus, he had his film studio class to go to. He chewed his lip the whole way there. He was thinking about what his landlord told him this morning, he was late on paying for the utilities. He knew that he was going to have to skip buying groceries, not eating much was better than having no water. He was really glad that Manager Sejin had hired him, and he was happy that he gets tips working at the cafe.
Three weeks went by, Jeongguk had gotten his first check, it had been bigger than he thought it would be. He worked most afternoons, on Mondays and Thursdays he worked in the mornings. Jimin worked with him most days, he hadn’t paid Jimin back yet. And Jimin hadn’t asked for any money. Jeongguk needed to pay his rent, and he barely had money left over. Jeongguk couldn’t help but wonder how much money Jimin had. He had hung out with Hoseok a couple times last week, Hoseok was trying out new choreography and wanted to see it done. So of course, he made Jeongguk dance. Taehyung had been there, even though the choreo wasn’t for him. Jeongguk caught Taehyung leaning quite close to Hoseok, leaning against him, staring at him with big puppy dog eyes and giggling more than he ever did with Jeongguk. Jeongguk didn’t want to pry though, maybe he would ask Hoseok later.
It was a Wednesday, Jeongguk was working from noon to five today. Jimin was in the back kitchen, pushing mugs and dishes through the dishwasher, leaving Jeongguk up front to barista. He had gotten the hang of things pretty quickly, he always had. He heard the little bell on the door ring, signaling that it had been opened. He looked up as a very pretty man was walking up to the counter.
“Hello! What can I get for you?” Jeongguk chirped. The man had tired sharp eyes, they were a deep brown color. He had such a cute nose too, rounded with a low nose bridge. And god his lips were pink and oh so pretty. His skin was honeyed, and his hair was a silky inky black.
“Hello, can I get a Caffè Americano, please?” Oh. Oh. His voice was deep and a bit raspy, it sounded so smooth and lovely.
“Of course! Anything else for you?” Jeongguk asked, he hoped he would order more.
“Yeah, can I get a bungeoppang? Please?” His eyes were tired, he had very obvious dark circles under them, but he was still so pretty.
“One bungeoppang, great. Anything else for you?” Jeongguk was staring, he knew he was. But the man didn’t seem to notice.
“No, that’s all, thank you.” The man said.
“Alright, for here or to go?” Jeongguk asked. Please say for here.
“For here please.” The man said softly. Everything about him was soft.
“Perfect. And how will you be paying?” The man pulled out a credit card, and handed it to Jeongguk, in the process Jeongguk saw a very shiny Rolex on his wrist. Holy shit. Jeongguk swiped his card and began making his drink for him. Halfway through pumping the espresso into the bottom of the mug, the man got a call.
“Hello? Oh Joon, what’s up? No, I don’t know. Shit, are you serious? That was today? Right now? But I’m--Okay, no, I know. Yeah, I’ll be there. Watch your tone, I’m still your hyung. Yeah, I’m on my way. Bye.” Jeongguk was wondering what was happening.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but can you make my order to go? I’m late for something and didn’t realize.” The man asked Jeongguk.
“Of course, sir. Can I get your name then?” Jeongguk said pouring the espresso into a paper cup instead. He pulled out the marker.
“Yeah, my name is Yoongi, Y-O-O-N-G-I. Thank you, I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” Yoongi said.
“It’s not a problem, sir.” Jeongguk responded, Jimin walked out of the back kitchen and Jeongguk let him make Yoongi’s drink, while he went to pull out a bungeoppang for him. He placed it in a little wax paper pouch and handed it to him. A minute later, Jimin called out Yoongi’s name, and Yoongi grabbed his coffee, thanked Jeongguk again, and then he was gone.
“I haven’t seen Yoongi in here in a while.” Jimin said absentmindedly, he began to restock the different kind of mugs.
“You know him?” Jeongguk asked. Yoongi was so pretty. And so polite. He hoped he would come in again.
“No, but he’s a regular here. I’ve only talked to him a couple of times. He’s always so polite.” Jimin said.
“Did you see his watch?” Jeongguk asked.
“Oh, yeah. The Rolex you mean?”
“Yeah. Do you think it’s real?” Jeongguk asked.
“Oh, definitely. That man wears Vetements and Balenciaga all the time.” Jimin said. Jeongguk was floored. He could never afford such brands, what’s a man who has that much money coming into a cafe like this one? I mean the cafe wasn’t that bad, but it was mostly aimed towards college students, not rich men wearing Rolex watches. Jeongguk wished Yoongi would come back more when he worked.