The café felt different.
Maybe it was just me—
but the air suddenly felt heavier.
I stood there, holding my breath.
Jiwoo was still waiting for my answer.
"Will you come with me?"
His voice echoed in my mind.
But before I could say anything—
I felt it.
Someone watching.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
But I still did.
Sihoon was standing near the entrance.
His eyes were already on me.
And this time—
he didn't look away.
My heart started beating faster again.
Jiwoo followed my gaze.
Then looked back at me.
Waiting.
I hesitated for a moment.
My eyes moved—
toward Sihoon.
Then back to Jiwoo.
"…Okay," I said softly.
"I'll go."
For a brief moment—
everything felt still.
Jiwoo smiled slightly.
"Good," he said.
But before anything else could be said—
"So… you're going abroad again?"
Yian stepped closer, looking at Jiwoo with a casual smile.
Jiwoo nodded.
"Yeah. Soon."
"That fast?" Yian raised an eyebrow.
"Feels like you just got here."
"I know," Jiwoo replied calmly.
"That's why I'm trying to make the most of the time I have."
His words were simple—
but they carried weight.
I felt it.
And for a second—
I forgot about everything else.
But then…
I glanced at Sihoon.
He was standing there quietly.
His expression unreadable.
Like nothing had changed.
But somehow…
that silence felt heavier than before.
"…That's why I'm trying to make the most of the time I have."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Make the most of it…"
Sihoon spoke for the first time.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Jiwoo looked at him.
Sihoon's gaze shifted slightly—
not directly at him,
but not away either.
"That's a good idea," he added quietly.
It sounded normal.
But something about it…
didn't feel normal at all.
I felt it again.
That strange tension.
Like something invisible
was building between them.
Jiwoo gave a small smile.
"Yeah," he said.
"Some moments don't come back."
My fingers tightened slightly around the tray in my hands.
I didn't know why—
but those words felt heavier than they should.
"Jia!"
I flinched slightly and turned around.
"Can you come here for a moment?"
My manager's voice pulled me out of everything.
"Yes," I replied quickly.
I didn't look at them again.
I couldn't.
I walked away from the table—
but I could still feel it.
That tension behind me.
I tried to focus on my work.
Taking orders.
Serving drinks.
Acting normal.
But my mind wasn't there.
It kept going back—
to that table.
To his words.
To both of them.
Without thinking,
I glanced back.
They were still there.
Sitting across from each other.
Saying something I couldn't hear.
And for some reason—
my chest felt tight again.
"What are you trying to do?"
Sihoon asked quietly.
Jiwoo looked at him for a moment.
"You already know," he said.
Then after a pause—
"I'm going to confess to her."
The words were calm.
But clear.
"Why are you asking?" Jiwoo added.
"Do you like her?"
For a moment—
everything went quiet.
But Sihoon didn't look away.
"…Yeah."
No hesitation.
Jiwoo let out a small breath.
"I thought so," he said.
"I've known her for years."
"Does that change anything?"
Sihoon's voice stayed calm.
But firm.
Jiwoo smiled slightly.
"We'll see."
Then he added quietly—
"I just know… I won't step back."
Sihoon's eyes didn't move.
"Neither will I."
I finished my work as quickly as I could.
But my mind wasn't focused.
Not even a little.
After a moment,
I walked back toward the table.
My steps slowed down slightly.
I didn't know why—
but something felt… different.
They were still there.
Sitting across from each other.
But no one was speaking now.
The air felt strangely quiet.
Heavy.
Like something had already been said.
I stopped for a second.
My eyes moved between them.
Jiwoo looked calm.
Sihoon…
was unreadable.
But for some reason—
I felt like I had missed something important.
"You're back," Yian said casually.
I nodded slightly and sat down.
No one spoke immediately.
That silence again.
It made my chest feel tight.
"So…"
Jiwoo's voice broke the silence.
"About the movie."
My fingers tightened slightly.
Without thinking—
I glanced at Sihoon.
He didn't look at me.
But his expression had changed.
Just a little.
His jaw tightened.
Like he was holding something back.
I hesitated.
"I—"
"What movie?"
Yian suddenly leaned forward, looking between us with curiosity.
"You two are going to watch a movie?"
Jiwoo nodded casually.
"Yeah. Before I leave."
Yian's eyes widened slightly.
"Ohh…"
Then he glanced at Sihoon—
just for a second.
And smiled.
I looked at Sihoon again.
This time—
he finally moved.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Sounds fun," he said calmly.
Too calmly.
But his eyes didn't match his voice.
"Sounds fun," he said calmly.
Too calmly.
Then after a short pause—
"You should enjoy it while you can."
The words were simple.
But something about them…
didn't feel light at all.
Jiwoo looked at him for a moment.
The smile on his face faded slightly.
Like he understood what that meant.
Yian, on the other hand, just blinked.
"Why does that sound like a warning?" he muttered.
I stayed quiet.
My heart was beating faster again.
I didn't know why—
but it felt like something was about to change.
"You should enjoy it while you can."
His words stayed in the air.
No one spoke for a moment.
I couldn't take it anymore.
"I… need to get back to work," I said quietly.
My voice didn't sound like mine.
Before anyone could respond—
I stood up.
And walked away.
I didn't stop.
Not even once.
My heart was beating too fast.
Everything felt confusing again.
Jiwoo.
Sihoon.
Their words.
Their silence.
I didn't understand any of it.
But one thing was clear—
something between us
had already changed.
And I wasn't ready for it.