@yunayuki16: So, as usual, he stopped by th...

So, as usual, he stopped by the closest cafe to their company building before attending his afternoon meetings; however, today, he unexpectedly ended up having a conversation with the young and rather peculiar barista, Kim Taehyung (23);+

and from there, Jeongguk not only got his fix of coffee, but he also got himself something else...

☕

They say money can't buy happiness, and Taehyung believes that's not entirely accurate. Sure, money can't buy happiness per se, but happiness is subjective, and for Taehyung, happiness is akin to comfort. +

At the very least, money can pay his rent, food, and school fees, as well as the debt is good-for-nothing brother left in his name.

Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly make life easier to bear.

... 

To make ends meet, aspiring actor Kim Taehyung works part-time at a coffee shop located in Yeongsan, Seoul.

The job is just fine; it pays well and doesn't interfere too much with his studies, especially now that he's in his senior year at Korea National University, majoring in theater.+

Also, working near Golden Closet Entertainment, the talent agency he is planning on joining after graduation, allows him to meet all kinds of people who will hopefully help him build connections in the industry.

The customers they serve vary from regular staff and scouts to film directors and even A-list stars—on rare occasions; thus, Taehyung makes an effort to be extra accommodating to everyone.

Nonetheless, among all their usual customers, Taehyung couldn't help but pick a favorite.

There's this man who comes into their coffee shop every day at around five o'clock, ordering the same thing each time.+

The man can't be over thirty; he is always in a suit, paired with a nice pair of shoes, his hair polished to perfection, and based on how he carried himself, Taehyung's convinced that the man must be an executive.

The thing is, the said customer isn't even friendly towards Taehyung; in fact, they never even spoke apart from when Taehyung was taking his order; but still, the man became Taehyung's favorite customer, +

mostly because he only orders the same thing every day, so he never holds up the line as long as the others—not to mention that he always leaves a decent tip for Taehyung.

Despite the fact that Taehyung has been making the man his coffee since last year, when Taehyung first started working in the café, all he knows is the initials that the guy gives out to label his order—JK.

<You can play this as you read.>
Killing me softly
youtu.be/DEbi_YjpA-Y?si…

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And Mister JK is back again, this time in front of Taehyung, waiting in line to get his drink.

'He's here. Ah, I wonder whether or not he'll leave another tip today. Pfft... Who am I kidding? He always does—this ahjussi,' Taehyung thinks to himself, smiling as he glances at the man standing behind the other customer Taehyung is currently serving.

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"...do you honestly think that I care?" Taehyung heard 'mister Jk' say, talking on the phone as he approached the counter, glancing at Taehyung as he used his free hand to point at his usual order on the monitor.

Taehyung then just smiles and nods as he processes the customer's payment before continuing to make the coffee.

'He looks like he's in a bad mood. I wonder why?'Taehyung thinks, as he rarely sees any kind of emotion from his favorite customer; usually, mister Jk wears a blank and somewhat serious expression on his face, +

but now he seems different; he's frowning, strong eyebrows crinkled in a way that screams he's not in the mood to take any kind of bullsh¡t today.

"If he's going to be there, I'm not going, Min. I refuse to be in the same room with that guy and his new man, especially since he ended things with me just two weeks ago. Hah, I'm not a masochist," Jk said sternly, +

looking—or, to be more precise, glaring at Taehyung when Taehyung turned curiously towards him, making it obvious that he's listening to the conversation.

Taehyung immediately looked away, his cheeks burning red and flushing all the way up to his ears, after getting caught red-handed eavesdropping on a customer's private conversation.

'It's not my fault that I can hear him on the phone... But wait, is he talking about an ex-lover? And did he say 'HE'? So he's into men too? W-wow... That was unexpected,' Taehyung muses as he pours the customer's coffee.

"...should I get myself a sugar—what? Hah, don't be ridiculous. Well, if you can get me one, then why not? If they're good, I don't mind paying. Pfft... Will five million won be enough?" Mister Jk asked, +

catching Taehyung's attention and startling him enough that he almost dropped the customer's order.

'Five million won? FIVE MILLION WON? That could basically pay off half of Hyung's debt! If I could... If I could make that kind of money... If someone pays me that much money... I—'

Before Taehyung could even process his own thoughts properly—rationally, he's already hurrying towards the counter, taking Mister Jk's hand that's ready to get his order and holding it with both of his hands, looking the bewildered customer straight in the eyes.

"Ajhussi, I know I look young, but I'm actually twenty-three already. Also, I'm aiming to be an actor—so as you can see, I'm tall and, dare I say, quite attractive. I'm healthy and fit, and I'm not picky. +

That's why, if you're looking for someone—I'm free. Anytime. Anywhere. You can do whatever to me—I mean, I'm down to whatever job you can offer me," Taehyung said, his tone firm and his eyes determined.

"I'll call you later, Min," Mister jk said, checking Taehyung out from head to toe, then sighed as he ended the call, putting his phone back into his pocket before shifting his gaze to his hand that's still being held by Taehyung.+

"Aren't you supposed to hand me my coffee—part-timer, Kim Taehyung-ssi?" he said dryly, reading the name tag fastened to the barista's uniform.

"O-oh," Taehyung stuttered, releasing the customer's hand and scrambling to grab his order, only realizing now exactly what he had just said and done. "I'm so sorry. Wait, uhm—here's your coffee, ahjussi. Have a good day. A-again, I'm sorry." Taehyung mumbled,+

doing a full 45° bow as he handed 'mister Jk' his cup of coffee. "You're free, you say? Hah," the customer chuckled, which made Taehyung blush even more.

He screwed up—so badly that he couldn't even lift his head. His heart is racing, thanking his lucky stars that there aren't any other customers around to see him humiliate himself. +

He then shivered as he heard Mister Jk heave out a sigh again, followed by a faint rustling sound and of—what seemed like—a pen, scribbling against something.

'Is he going to leave a written complaint? I still haven't paid my rent—f*ck! What was I thinking? I'm f*cking done for!' Taehyung grumbled in his head, grimacing to himself, +