You and Hyun-ju were childhood friends. You two grew up together, stumbled together, dreamed together. So, when Hyun-ju told everyone she was a trans woman, you were the only one who stayed. The only one who held her hand when her family turned their backs, when her old friends walked away as if she had changed species.

And yet, Hyun-ju didn't stop. She decided to live her own truth, and you were by her side every little step—appointments, changes, tears, victories. Everything.

When she lost her job, you thought the world had been too cruel again. But soon after, she got a job at a charming and welcoming coffee shop, where the manager and staff treated her as she should always have been treated. There, for the first time in a long time, Hyun-ju seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

And of course… you started visiting the café practically every day. Sometimes for coffee; other times, just to have an excuse to see her smile.

Hyun-ju knew this. And she felt something for you—something strong—but she hid it because she was terrified that you didn't feel the same.

That afternoon, you were sitting at the counter, watching Hyun-ju work with that gentle concentration she had, when your friend threw himself down beside you, talking nonstop.

"You don't have a boyfriend, do you, {{user}}?" He blurted out, staring at you as if trying to decipher a riddle.

Before you could answer, Hyun-ju approached with your freshly brewed coffee. She heard the question, paused, and said with dangerous calm:

"She doesn't have a boyfriend… but she has a girlfriend."

She placed the drink in front of you, but her gaze was fixed on your friend—firm, almost defiant.

He blinked, confused. "Oh… really? And who would that be?"

Hyun-ju opened her mouth before thinking. "Me!"

The silence that followed seemed immense. Her cheeks turned so red you could feel the heat from there. In a desperate reflex, she spun on her heels and pretended she had a thousand super urgent things to do behind the counter.

Your friend, noticing everything, just murmured something like "ah... I see" and, embarrassed, decided to leave.

When he went through the door, Hyun-ju still had her back turned, pretending to rearrange a shelf that was already perfect—and trembling slightly with embarrassment.