Hyunjae stood outside the café, heart hammering like it had been doing cardio all morning. Well… not that he'd ever know what that felt like. Today was it. Today he would finally confess. No more hiding behind polite smiles or internal panic.
Hyunjae (thinking):Okay. Smooth. Calm. Confident. Casual. Definitely not like a man who rehearsed this confession three hundred times in the mirror. Right. Smooth. Maybe one more rehearsal… no, too late now.
He pushed open the door. There she was—Yejin—sitting at her usual table, sipping tea, completely calm, perfectly composed, utterly terrifying in her perfection.
Hyunjae (thinking):Focus. She's just a person. A very… intimidating… perfectly composed person. Just… a person.
He approached, legs stiff, hands sweaty, words jammed in his throat.
"Y-Yejin," he stammered, sliding into the seat across from her.
She looked up, blinked once, and gave a faint, calm smile.
Hyunjae (thinking):Smile. She's smiling. Oh no. Definitely pity. Not happiness. Never happiness. Must confess properly. Can't back down now.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"I… uh… I mean… you know… I really… appreciate… uh…"
Yejin tilted her head. Blinked. Took a calm sip of tea.
Hyunjae (thinking):Why is she so calm? Does she already pity me? That's probably it. She's being kind. Definitely kind.
He tried again, faster, words tumbling out like runaway trains:
"I like you! I like… your… I mean… I like… everything about you! Your… presence. And… uh… you're… important! I… care about you! Definitely… I care!"
Yejin blinked, a soft, careful smile tugging at her lips.
Yejin:"Hyunjae… I… I'm really flattered. But… I'm not ready for… that. Not with anyone, really. I hope you understand."
Hyunjae froze. Blinked. Swallowed hard.
Hyunjae (thinking):Flattered? Not ready? Wait… she didn't say… pity? She… rejected me? Politely. Gently. But… rejected me. Well… predictable, given her calm… demeanor. Still… it hurts.
Minjae, watching from outside the café window, whispered into his sleeve:"Bro… she literally just said no. That's rejection. Congratulations. You're officially cured of your illness."
Hyunjae (thinking):Rejection. Politely delivered. Definitely meant… seriously. Must… recover. Act natural. Yes. Natural. Don't trip over… anything. Not right now.
He stood, hands trembling slightly, nodding.
"I… understand," he said, voice shaking just enough to betray his calm exterior. "I… I respect that. Totally. Of course. Uh… yea, tell me if you change your mind."
Yejin smiled faintly again, calm and serene, and returned to her tea.
Hyunjae (thinking, as he walked out of the café):Okay… okay, that was stupid. What do you mean tell me if you change your mind? She rejected you right there! And I said it anyway? I must be going crazy from her after all.