The afternoon sun filtered softly into the shop, casting warm light across the wooden tables.
It wasn't busy yet.
Just the quiet hours between lunch and evening rush.
Go Eun had been there since morning.
Helping out.
Not because she had to—but because Soo Bin had asked.
"You've been here all day," Soo Bin said, placing a drink in front of her. "You're going to collapse at this rate."
Go Eun shrugged lightly. "I'll survive."
Then she added, more casually—
"You're the one who looks distracted."
Soo Bin blinked. "I'm not distracted."
From behind the counter, Hyun Woo snorted.
"She is."
Soo Bin shot him a glare. "Why are you always listening?"
"Because you're not subtle," he replied lazily, wiping a glass.
Go Eun smiled faintly, watching the two of them.
But before she could say anything—
The door opened.
The small bell above it chimed softly.
And both Soo Bin and Go Eun turned at the same time.
Kim So Hee and Kang So Ra walked in.
Unexpected.
Unannounced.
Soo Bin froze.
Just for a second.
"Welcome," her mother greeted warmly from the kitchen. "Come in, come in."
So Hee nodded politely, while So Ra glanced around the shop before her eyes landed—briefly—on Go Eun.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Well… this is convenient," So Ra said lightly.
Go Eun raised an eyebrow. "You say that like you planned it."
"Maybe I did," So Ra replied, completely unfazed.
Soo Bin quickly stepped forward, trying to regain composure. "You didn't say you were coming."
So Hee's gaze settled on her immediately.
"I didn't think I needed to."
That tone.
Calm.
But carrying something else underneath.
Soo Bin felt her heart skip.
They all sat together naturally—no awkward introductions, no confusion.
This wasn't new.
They already knew each other.
But something still felt different today.
Soo Bin sat beside Go Eun.
Across from them—
So Hee and So Ra.
And almost immediately—
The tension returned.
"So," So Ra said, resting her chin lightly against her hand. "You've been here since morning?"
Her gaze was on Go Eun.
Focused.
Intentional.
Go Eun nodded. "I had some time."
"So you chose to spend it here?"
Go Eun met her eyes briefly. "…Yes."
So Ra smiled faintly.
"Good choice."
Go Eun looked away first this time—but not before a small, involuntary smile appeared on her lips.
Meanwhile—
Soo Bin was very aware of the person sitting across from her.
So Hee hadn't said much yet.
But her gaze—
It hadn't left Soo Bin for long.
"You're quiet," Soo Bin said, trying to sound normal.
So Hee tilted her head slightly.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"I'm observing."
Soo Bin frowned slightly. "Observing what?"
So Hee didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes moved slowly—from Soo Bin's face… to her hands… then back up again.
"You," she said simply.
Soo Bin's breath caught.
Under the table—
She felt it.
A light touch against her hand.
She froze instantly.
Slow.
Intentional.
So Hee's fingers brushed against hers—just slightly.
Not enough to be seen.
But enough to be felt.
Soo Bin's heart started racing immediately.
She glanced up quickly.
So Hee looked completely normal.
Calm.
Composed.
Like nothing had happened.
She's doing this on purpose…
On the other side—
So Ra noticed.
Not the touch itself.
But the reaction.
The slight shift in Soo Bin's posture.
The way her eyes flickered.
Interesting.
"So Eun," So Ra said casually, turning back to Go Eun. "You're quiet too."
"It's Go Eun," she corrected.
So Ra smiled. "I know."
A beat.
"I just like saying it slowly."
Go Eun stared at her.
"…You're really something."
"So I've been told."
Their eyes met again.
And just like that—
That same pull returned.
Stronger.
"Do you always flirt this much?" Go Eun asked under her breath.
"Only when it works," So Ra replied.
Go Eun's heart fluttered again.
She didn't respond this time.
Back near the counter, Hyun Woo leaned closer to Soo Bin while placing dishes down.
"…You're done for," he whispered.
Soo Bin stiffened. "What?"
He smirked slightly, glancing toward So Hee.
"You like her."
Soo Bin nearly choked. "Lower your voice!"
"I am," he said calmly. "But you're making it obvious."
Soo Bin avoided his gaze completely now.
But her reaction had already said enough.
Hyun Woo straightened slowly, his expression shifting just slightly.
Less teasing.
More curious.
Something was definitely going on.
The afternoon passed with shared food, light conversation, and quiet laughter.
But underneath it all—
Everything felt… charged.
Small touches.
Lingering glances.
Unspoken understanding.
When So Hee and So Ra finally stood to leave, the sun had already begun to set.
Outside—
The air felt cooler.
So Ra walked beside So Hee, hands tucked into her coat.
"You're not subtle," she said.
So Hee glanced at her. "About what?"
"So you're not even going to deny it?"
A pause.
So Hee exhaled softly.
"…We're dating."
So Ra smiled.
"I figured."
Meanwhile—
Soo Bin walked Go Eun down the street.
"You didn't even try to hide it," Go Eun said lightly.
Soo Bin groaned. "Was it that obvious?"
Go Eun nodded. "Very."
A pause.
Then Soo Bin smiled.
Soft.
"…We're dating."
Go Eun smiled back, not surprised.
"I'm happy for you."
They continued walking side by side.
And behind them—
At the shop entrance—
Hyun Woo watched quietly.
This time, no teasing.
Just observation.
"…Yeah," he muttered.
"Something's definitely going on."