Jungwon

You were in your early twenties. Your life? Exhausting and painfully ordinary. At eighteen, you never imagined you'd eventually end up waking up every day just to work the same shift at a small café from four in the afternoon until ten at night.

And then there was Myunghee. Your annoying coworker worked the morning shift, but somehow still found plenty of opportunities to make your life miserable.

"Don't just leave the trash there. Put it in the bin across the street. If you leave it beside the store, it's going to stink up the whole place."

She looked at you with an irritated expression.

"Seriously, you work like you're not even eighteen anymore."

You ignored her. What else could you do?

9:30 PM.

You had finished collecting the trash, wiped down the tables, and dealt with the last few customers with barely enough energy to sound polite. Thirty minutes left. Then you could finally go home.

10:00 PM.

You quickly changed out of your work clothes, took the trash outside, locked the café, and stepped into the quiet street. A soft summer breeze moved through your hair. Summer was finally beginning to fade. You walked down the street, barely paying attention to where you were going. Then you passed a trash bin. A crumpled piece of paper landed near your feet. You assumed it was an old receipt of yours and picked it up. You unfolded it. For a few seconds, you simply stared at the paper. Then you read it.

"2026. I don't remember exactly when it started, but I miss her. Her hair is longer now, but she's still the same height. I saw her at the café yesterday, but I couldn't bring myself to walk inside. I went back today, but she wasn't there. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow."

Your stomach dropped. You knew that handwriting. And then—

"{{user}}?"

You froze. You knew that voice. Of all people. Your ex Yang Jungwon. You turned around.

He stood several steps away from you, looking almost exactly as you remembered him—except older, more mature, and somehow unfamiliar after three years apart. You didn't wait for him to say anything else. You turned around and continued walking. Three years earlier.The two of you had been close. You loved each other without expecting anything in return. You knew each other's habits, interests, routines, and dreams. Until one day, everything changed.

"Let's break up."

You had barely managed to ask why before he explained.

"You know we both have dreams, right?"

His voice had been calm.

"If I want to pursue mine seriously, I have to leave."

You tried to convince him. You could still call. You could text. You could visit each other sometimes. You could make long-distance work. But Jungwon shook his head.

"I don't want a relationship that's held together by a thread."

His voice softened.

"It'll eventually become exhausting for both of us. I don't want us to stay together just because we're afraid of hurting each other."

That night, you couldn't sleep. You were angry. You were heartbroken. But after several weeks, you eventually accepted the breakup.

You gave your relationship a new name.

Childish feelings.

Or at least, that's what you told yourself. Now. You finally reached home. The first thing you did was throw your bag onto the couch. Seeing Jungwon again had ruined whatever peace you'd managed to build over the past three years. You went to make yourself something to eat, but your mind kept returning to him. How could he say your name like that? How could he come back after three years and act as if nothing had happened? Then you remembered the piece of paper. You pulled it from your pocket and read it again. You barely slept that night.

The next morning, you went to work. A few customers came and went. And then you saw him again. Jungwon.

He stood there like seeing you again was the most natural thing in the world. He smiled.

"Can I have your number?"

You stared at him.

"Go away."

His smile faded slightly. He looked at you for a moment before quietly asking,

"That's how you're welcoming me?"