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“Welcome to SVT restaurant.” Jeonghan greeted the guests who walked pass the wooden doors from the window of the kitchen. He smiled when he saw familiar faces. “Table for two?”
“Yes, please.” One of the guest in plain white T-shirt nodded with a sweet smile. He lifted his hand to brush his bang where the wind made it messy, showing his bicep and cute two bead bracelets. The contradiction made the man looks really hot. Hotter than the bright sun-ray shining on this countryside.
“Good afternoon, Joshua-hyung, Wonwoo-hyung.” Another one in the kitchen space bowed at the two. “Nice to see you again. Please follow me.” He swiftly grabbed two menus and stepped out of the kitchen to lead the way.
Jeonghan nodded at the guests to follow Mingyu, his cousin who help him running the restaurant during the weekend and the term break. He has been working with Jeonghan for 6 months now— from last winter to this summer.
Wonwoo is Mingyu’s senior in university and is the one who Mingyu invited to make a visit last December. To Jeonghan’s surprise, Wonwoo did come, with his family. The man in glasses told them that they were on their way home when Wonwoo saw the familiar name Mingyu had mentioned; they decided to stop by.
From that time, Wonwoo made a visit frequently, almost every weekend. Jeonghan knew later that Wonwoo’s hometown was somewhere near. When he visited his family, he made sure to visit Mingyu, too.
Joshua is Wonwoo’s friend, so he is slightly younger than Jeonghan. He first visited the restaurant during short holidays last spring with Wonwoo. The regular told him that Joshua is from America and didn’t want to leave him alone in Seoul, knowing that most restaurant will be closed. Nevertheless, Jeonghan always sees the two visiting here, even it was just a normal weekend.
He could say that he’s expecting them to be every Sunday, if he has to be honest.
Mingyu got into the kitchen again, shouting their orders to other chefs while getting drinks for them. Before getting out to serve the drink, he called Jeonghan. “Hyung.”
“Yes?”
“They want fried eggs and hams, too. Can you do those? I’m going to cook the soup.”
“They ordered or you just want to offer them something?” Jeonghan teasingly quirk his eyebrow at Mingyu. “If the latter is the case, I will deduct that from your wage.”
“They did, hyung.” Mingyu whined. “They like your burnt fried egg, to which I don’t quite understand.”
“It’s not burnt.” He protested to protect his glory of a restaurant owner.
“Whatever you say. I don’t think they’re here often because your foods anyway.”
He should find that offensive. He should be offended. Yet, Jeonghan knew what his cousin meant. Their foods were nice; that’s sure. Jeonghan can cook. So does Mingyu and other chefs. It’s edible. Plus, Joshua once told him that it’s so good. Nonetheless, they could find another restaurant to eat somewhere near their houses in Seoul, some shops along the way here, some places that may be nicer, cheaper, or tastier.
They have no reason to travel to Jeonghan’s every week.
“They like you.”
Oh. Maybe there’s one reason.
“No. They don’t like me.”
Mingyu shook his head in disbelief, ready to go out to serve the barley tea before it’s warmed by his hand.
“Wonwoo likes you.” Jeonghan added with a teasing grin. “Somewhat a lot.”
He saw the younger blushed. “Joshua-hyung likes your too.” His cousin countered before rushing out, leaving Jeonghan smirked to himself.
Yeah.
He knew.
“Jeonghan-nim. Table 1 asked if we still have a self-service ramyeon.” Joshua who was waiting for foods after ordered with Mingyu turned his head at the name. His table was right in front of the kitchen so it wasn’t hard to hear their conversation.
“No. Not anymore.” The owner of the restaurant replied. “We have cut short on our staffs. It would be difficult for the chefs to do that.”
Joshua didn’t realise that he has been looking at Jeonghan the whole time the boss talked with one of his staff until the blond lifted an eyebrow at him in question. He might think that Joshua has any problem and wanted to call anyone.
In fact, he didn’t. Mingyu is nice. They ordered the food for about 10 minutes ago so it wasn’t that late to start calling the staff. It’s an open-air restaurant so he understood the heat of summer afternoon. It’s hot but he can bear the heat by taking off his cream cardigan. Wonwoo was lying down next to him since he was so tired of driving the two of them here.
Everything is perfect. Joshua has nothing to say when Jeonghan approached their table
“Do you need any help?”
“Umm.” He should think of something fast. The kitchen was quite busy judging from the way Jeonghan sweated. Wonwoo opened his eyes as he heard his friend talking to someone. The one who invited him to check out this restaurant smirked at his misery. He should‘t tell Wonwoo that he found Jeonghan hot. Fuck his drunk ass.
“Yeah?” Jeonghan prompted. He swore he saw a smug on the blond’s handsome face.
“Can I have another drink?” The restaurant served the iced barley tea jar, free and free to refill, for the customer. He liked it. He liked the tea a lot. It’s cold, nice with a hint and a smell of barley leaf. But he couldn’t think of anything.
“Drink? What kind of drink would you like?” He saw Wonwoo tried his best to not laugh when he saw Joshua cannot answer. Yeah. He liked the tea the most.
He almost asked Jeonghan what does he have but the older spoke first. “If not the tea, we only have rice wine and soju, which I wouldn’t recommend either if you drive.”
Thanks to the sun that shone on their table the whole time. Joshua’s face was already blushed pink because of the hotness. Jeonghan won’t know that his face got a little more pink because of his worry. Right?
“I drove and I’ll drive.” Wonwoo chimed in with a wide grin. “If you like any, you can.”
So, Jeonghan turned to Joshua again with lifted eyebrows, prompting to ask his option.
Jeon Wonwoo the betrayer. He will payback his friend later.
“Oh. It’s alright, then. I want to have some coffee.” He smiled sweetly trying to not let Jeonghan feel bad that he couldn’t get what the customer (not actually) wanted.
“Okay. Call me or ring the bell if you need anything else.” The handsome owner gave him a soft smile and went back to the kitchen.
Joshua let out a relief sigh, to which Wonwoo giggled not subtlety.
“Is it that funny?”
“Of course. You looked like a deer caught in headlight, when, in fact, you just talked with the owner of the restaurant.”
“The very hot one.”
“Hmm. It’s summer so definitively.” He chuckled.
“I will call Mingyu and tell that boy you have something to ask.” The black hair senior in plain white shirt glared at his friend. “Wait and see when he comes to serve our orders.”
“For what?”
“To see if you could come with a better excuse than me.”
“Huh.” Wonwoo played with his glass that was half-filled with the barley tea. “If I were you, I would ask for his number.”
Joshua widened his eyes. Wonwoo saw something twinkled in that beautiful doe-like ones.
“We see now. I can come up with a better excuse than you.”
Gosh.
Joshua should have asked that.
Mingyu went to serve the food and additional fried eggs (not burnt) and hams to Joshua and Wonwoo’s table.
“Is it burnt?” Wonwoo asked jokingly. The younger shook his head
“No. Cause I’m the one who did it today, hyung.” The waiter (and also the chef) laughed lightly. “Enjoy your lunch.” He said before turning to other table who rang the bell. Joshua saw that the boy winked at his friend.
“Awww. He winked at you.” He cooed.
“He shut his eyes because of the sun.” Wonwoo said nonchalantly while splitting his chopstick. “It’s hot today.”
“I get now that we’re better in other people’s business than ours.” Joshua laughed before he did the same thing to his chopsticks. He’s hungry. The man looked at the fried egg in their plate. He tossed it and frown when saw that it was perfectly fried.
“Mingyu already said it isn’t burnt.”
“He can cook.” Joshua protested. “That time was just accidentally burnt.”
“You know. We have been here too many times and all we got were burnt fried eggs.”
Joshua pouted. “At least, he tried. You see?” He showed Wonwoo a half-boiled egg. “We order half-boiled and we got exactly half-boiled.”
Wonwoo chuckled lightly at the protectiveness in Joshua’s voice. He knew. Mingyu told him that Jeonghan is really passionate in running this restaurant. He found the location, bought the house that has been changed into the restaurant since his father’s one didn’t go well. The blond owner wanted to do it on his behalf.
Joshua took a bite of the half-boiled egg that served with ramyeon. It’s delicious. He will leave the perfectly fried fried egg to Wonwoo since it’s Mingyu’s cooking. No offense.
“I hope they open one in Seoul soon.”
“2 hours driving wasn’t that bad.” Joshua commented. He liked the fresh air and authentic bright atmosphere. There’s not much left in the city. “I will drive, then.”
“You’re into him that much.” His friend commented. “You always refuse to drive when we wanna go on a trip.”
“He’s hot.”
“That’s true.” Wonwoo nodded in agreement. Jeonghan must be a campus crush during his study.
The meal went by and they decided to leave to give their table to the next customers. They waited for the bill; however, when a staff came to their table, they got a question.
It looked like there was something wrong with the order. Mingyu who got their order was not here. He went to deliver the meal next door. They were trying to solve the problem when Jeonghan came.
“What’s wrong?”
“Jeonghan-nim. It’s written in their bill that they ordered self-service ramyeon, which we didn’t have anymore.” Jeonghan leaned closer to take a look at the bill in his staff’s hand. It’s Mingyu’s handwriting. His cousin must let them order the menu that was actually in the menu but didn’t mean to serve just because it’s them.
Joshua looked alternately at the staff and the owner’s face. He was near Wonwoo’s side but when the blond leaned closer, it’s at the perfect distance for Joshua to stare.
Jeonghan was more handsome up close. His eyes are twinkled. Joshua didn’t know he stared hard until Jeonghan met his gaze.
“It’s fine. Just sum what’s in the bill.” The blond owner smiled softly to the staff, which must be new because he looked so scare when he couldn’t find a solution earlier, and nodded as a sign to go ahead and proceed. Joshua reflected that smile automatically even though it was not for him.
Fuck.
He was so whipped.
“He will be back shortly.” Jeonghan turned to the two regulars. “Sorry for the inconvenience.” They said ‘it’s alright’ simultaneously before the owner backed away.
“Come on, Shua.” Wonwoo dropped the honorific. “Just ask him out. You’re literally giving him heart-eyed the whole time. I bet he knows.”
Joshua flushed with his friend blunt statement. His face dropped a moment later.
“What?”
“If he knows like you say, it means he’s not going to reciprocate.”
“What makes you think that way?”
“If the feeling is mutual, he should ask for my number, right? Or do something to hint about that.”
“Who can say.” Wonwoo shrugged. “You haven’t given him a chance to do it anyway.” The senior adjusted his glasses on his nose bridge. “You have to be alone for him to make a move, I think. Mingyu did something when I was here alone.”
Joshua widened his eyes. “What did he do? Are you two a thing now? How come you don’t even tell me.”
“Almost, if I would to say. He baked cakes and confessed to me when I visit him on his birthday. But I haven’t told him my answer yet.”
He couldn’t quite believe his friend. “It’s almost two months ago. What are you waiting for?”
“For you to do something?” Wonwoo joked. “I wanted him to hit on me more, so I ask him to do that. I’m going to give my answer soon. Just wait for some time alone.”
“You’re implying to ditch me next week, right?” Joshua narrowed his eyes to his friend who was a bit redder than he was when the sun was exactly above his head. “Fine. For your sake. I will let you come here alone next weekend.”
Sunday came again and Jeonghan couldn’t believe that he was waiting for familiar faces. Well, face. Wonwoo came in the afternoon, at his usual time. Jeonghan greeted him with a smile which Wonwoo returned it back. However, he was alone. No one walked side by side or trailed behind him. Just him. Only him. No sight of a charming boy with plain t-shirt and bead bracelets.
He felt disappoint with something he didn’t realise he was hoping. He was waiting to see the senior whom Mingyu called Joshua. The regular who kept looking at his way, smile at him.
On one side, Jeonghan thought that Joshua might be busy as the break was ended. On other side, he felt that Joshua might find another restaurant to visit, to spend time on his weekend, where the food is nicer, the atmosphere is calmer, the weather is better.
“Hyung, you said we should keep smiling. It’s in our slogan. Why do you make such a long face?” Mingyu asked while his busy hands busy preparing a meal.
“It’s hot.” He lied.
“It’s always hot. I’m not 15 to fall into your lie anymore, hyung.”
“You fell just a couple minute ago, Mingu.” He called out the nickname teasingly. “When I said Wonwoo came to take away.”
“You told a convincing lie.”
Jeonghan wanted to ask. He wanted to ask Wonwoo where is Joshua? How has he been? Is he okay? Why he didn’t come. He had a lot of questions but in the end he didn’t voice any.
“Thank you for your visit.” The blond said with a smile. “Hope to see you again.”
“You would. Or maybe you can open one in Seoul so I can visit more frequently.”
He was bewildered with the senior’s suggestion. “To be honest, I have been thinking about it. But I think it will be too much for me to running two at a time.”
“I guess so.” The student nodded. He was almost out when he turned back and called Jeonghan.
“Yes?”
“Perhaps you know if there’s good coffee shop nearby?”
“There’s one. But only a normal shop with coffee grinding machine and whipping cream. You can try if you want nothing fancy.”
“Decaf iced americano and someplace to sit and chat are enough.
“So there is the one.” Jeonghan smiled. “Drive along the road, you will see it on the left after you pass the farm.”
“Okay. Thanks, Jeonghan-nim.”
“You can call me hyung.” He offered with a teasing smile. He knew Wonwoo and Mingyu were things now, judging from the late afternoon leave that Mingyu asked him earlier. They may have a coffee date together.
“Oh.” Wonwoo’s face flushed red at the implication. “Thank you, Jeonghan-hyung.”
A week passed fast and now Sunday came again. Mingyu didn’t come to help him this weekend since his cousin has a date with the senior in glasses today in some gallery in Seoul. He visited Seoul sometimes but not that often. He’s sure many things have bern changed. The idea of opening a new branch there was interesting. Yet, he needed more money and time to invest at anything again.
Well, maybe a chef and a waiter and many more.
So, he didn’t expect to see the regular. The man in white plain t-shirt with blue jeans that fit perfectly with his body proportion, bead bracelets, navy sneaker, and a sweet smile.
“Good afternoon, owner-nim. Is the restaurant open today?”
“Y-yes. Eat in or take away?”
“Eat in, please.” The sun was so bright that the guest has to cover his eyes with his hand. The bead bracelets reflected the sunlight. “Aww it’s so hot today.”
“Yes. I’ll find some places with shades for you.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
Jeonghan smiled and mouthed ‘no problem’ to Joshua. He’s pretty sure that Joshua came alone. Wonwoo must be very busy with Mingyu in Seoul.
He did move the table to make a makeshift shade for the younger. “Menu is here. Call me or ring the bell, if you need anything.”
“Actually, I’d like to order now. I remember the menus.” He smiled sweetly. “Can I?”
“Yes. What would you like?”
In a split second, Joshua’s thought shifted back to his conversation with Wonwoo two weeks ago. He should do that now, shouldn’t he? Today, the restaurant was not as busy as every time he came but he wasn’t sure if Jeonghan will come to his table again. He took a deep breath and voiced softly with a shy smile.
“Your number.”
There was a silence and Joshua was nervous. Jeonghan’s brown eyes told him that the blond was perplexed by his sudden request.
Fuck.
He shouldn’t. He shouldn’t follow that friend who didn’t do anything to make a move himself. He calmed his heart as best as he could and laughed awkwardly.
“Sorry. I mean I’d like to have a chapaghetti with eggs and one kimchi stew.” He spoke so fast without pausing for breathing. “That’s it.”
The blond nodded even though he still looked taken aback. “Do you want any drink?”
Joshua couldn’t look into the owner’s eyes like he used to do. He played and toyed with his bead bracelets. “I drive so barley tea is enough, Thank you.”
“Okay. The foods will be ready in 15 minutes.”
“Thank you.”
It’s weird to eat alone when he always accompanied by Wonwoo. He’s happy that Wonwoo is with Mingyu now. They’re both happy and now are having fun to spend time together. His friend told him that he went to have a talk with Mingyu at the coffee shop nearby after finishing his meal. And, yeah, they’re officially boyfriend now.
‘Things work when you’re alone’ that man said to him on Monday after he announced his relationship status. ‘Mingyu said that Jeonghan-hyung is not the type to flirt with you when there’re people around. He thinks it’d pressure you to involuntary accept his act.’
He didn’t know the blond owner thought this much.
‘Even the ‘people’ means me.’ Wonwoo deadpanned.
That’s why Joshua was here alone this week. That couple made themselves become wingmen. They wanted him to do something, or maybe wished Jeonghan do something.
Joshua did.
And maybe that wouldn’t work.
He sighed. Another staff came to serve his order. Jeonghan wasn’t in his line of sight. He maybe was busy in of the kitchen, or maybe went to other tables, avoiding Joshua.
The student looked at the plate in front of him. There’re chapaghetti with half-boil eggs and a kimchi stew. He remembered he didn’t tell Jeonghan how he wanted his eggs to be because he was too busy calming his heart down.
Did Jeonghan remember how he like it to be?
He ate his meal while thinking how to say to the blond owner to not make thing about them more awkward. How could he make the mess he created earlier just a random joke he appeared to play? He hoped Jeonghan play it off, too.
He’s so screw.
He should have quietly pinned as usual.
Joshua was the type to eat slow. Yet, he finished all the foods before he saw Jeonghan again. It passed the rush hour. There’s no way the kitchen was busy. His face dropped at the thought that Jeonghan was completely avoiding him.
He asked for the bill with some staff that happened to walk pass his table. The sun was still up bright. Thanks to the shades Jeonghan made for him, Joshua was not burnt, like a fried egg. Oh. How he missed Jeonghan’s slightly burnt one.
He let his thought wonder around the restaurant while he was waiting for the bill. The restaurant is nice. The owner is nicer. Handsome and hot.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Your bill is here.” That’s a familiar voice. The voice Joshua would like to hear every time he came here. It’s not some random staff’s voice. It’s not Mingyu’s. It’s Jeonghan’s.
The black hair senior turned his head to the source of the voice. There, Jeonghan stood near his table, leaving a comfortable space between them. Not too close, yet closer than how every other staff has been. The bill was in his one hand. His another has a cup of coffee. Joshua couldn’t make out what was it because of the white fluffy whipping cream stood on top blocking the view.
“Your coffee, as well.” Jeonghan added with a small smile.
“For me?”
“Coffee? Yes.”
“But I didn’t order?”
“Last time you asked for it.” The owner looked at him in the eyes. His brown eyes reflected Joshua’s confused expression. “I would like to give you one. Luckily, there’s a decent enough coffee shop opened nearby, so…” He trailed off, signaling the iced coffee in his hand. Joshua reached out to receive it. His face must be really pink despite the heat outside the shades.
“Jeonghan-nim.” A staff called from the kitchen, which the owner hummed.
“I have to go now. I’m not sure how do you like your coffee, but I thought you would go well with a latte. Drive safe. And hope to see you again, Joshua.” He smirked at the tiny blushed on the younger face when he called out his name. He placed the bill on the table and went to help his employee.
Joshua stunned with coffee in his hand, trying to process everything. The smell of the coffee told him that it was definitely a latte. How come the blond didn’t know what he like but guessed out and got a latte?
Other customer rang the bell to call the staff. Joshua jolted out of his thought because of that. He grabbed his things, going to leave a table to a new one when he remembered he hasn’t paid yet. The big doe-like eyes looked at the bill on the table and couldn’t hide his smile.
There was his order written on it but it got strike-out messily. He shifted his eyes lower at the summation of his order (that was already strike). It was strike as well. This time, there was a number beneath it.
‘010-004-1995’
‘You ask for my number so the total amount was that ’
Oh gosh.
Jeonghan did know how to flirt. Joshua was blushing hard. He glanced at the kitchen space one last time and caught the smirk from the blond owner.
He hid his smile behind his coffee.
Wonwoo was right. He didn’t give Jeonghan a chance to flirt. Oh fuck. He should give him that sooner. The way Jeonghan looked at him with knowing smile and twinkled gaze was so hot. So much more hotter than the summer’s heat.
Joshua quickly typed the number on his phone when he got in the car. He sent the message, waited for it to be read, and ping. He got a reply in a second. Replies.
Joshua
Thank for the coffee.
I do like latte.
Jeonghan
No problem.
I’d love to get you one for quite some times.
Also, text me when you get home
Joshua grinned, almost from ear to ear. Yoon Jeonghan is such a sweet talker and a superb flirter. He didn’t complain though. Those make the blond hotter in Joshua’s opinion.
He drove back home before sending another reply.
Joshua
I’m home.
See you again next sunday😊
He could imagine Jeonghan smirked behind his phone screen. He put his phone away to take a shower and change to his home cloth. When he got out, he got a new message.
From the restaurant’s owner, of course.
Jeonghan
Maybe a littler earlier.
He couldn’t help but be excited while looking at the typing dots.
It took not more than 30 seconds for Jeonghan to send messages back. Either the hot owner is a fast-typer or he was waiting for Joshua’s messages the whole time. Either made his heart skipped a beat.
Gosh.
He is so into the Yoon Jeonghan.
Jeonghan
I’m coming to Seoul on Friday.
A coffee date?
Only if you would love to.
Is this how he will be rewarded for being nice and let Wonwoo get his boyfriend?
Joshua
Love you
Oh.
I mean
Love to.
Jeonghan laughed breathily when he saw a reply from a younger. Gosh, Joshua was so cute. How he flirt was also cute.
He knew Joshua was pining at him for some times now. He always caught staring at the owner when he visited the restaurant. The heart-eyed he got. The sweet smile, soft voice and blushed cheeks, which were not from the hot sun-ray. Everything hinted that Joshua has a crush on him.
Little did he know, Jeonghan has a crush on him too.
He didn’t make a move because Joshua was always occupied by Wonwoo. He didn’t want to give a hint nor directly flirt with the younger in front of his friend. He didn’t want Joshua to reciprocate back just because he needed to. He wanted Joshua to do so when he wanted to.
He was taken aback when Joshua timidly asked for his number this afternoon. That blush on his face made his face looked cuter, if not the cutest. The way he avoided Jeonghan’s eyes by playing with bracelets was also cute. Too bad that made him missed the smug smile of Jeonghan’s face.
He rushed out from the restaurant to get a coffee. Luckily that he came back in time. Otherwise, he might not have the younger sent a message that made his heart bloomed like this.
Joshua was surely not going to wait.
And, Jeonghan liked that.
Smirk painted across that handsome face. They were not going to take that long like Mingyu’s.
He typed out the last message for tonight. He needed to close the restaurant.
Jeonghan: Love you, would be great.
Jeonghan: See you then, sweetheart.