The cloudy sky that afternoon seemed to welcome Kim Mingyu's steps as he stepped out of his gleaming black car, the soles of his leather shoes meeting the ground in front of a small restaurant that, strangely, was still standing just as it was five years ago... fragile but enduring. He looked around, tracing an invisible but palpable line of time. This place… not much had changed. The same red plastic chairs with faded color. The small tables still had floral-patterned cloths, now a bit worn. The walls were still painted a cream color, peeling in a few spots. But the scent of broth from the kitchen, the soft laughter of loyal customers, and the voices of servers calling out orders all brought back memories of a day he could never forget.

The day Mingyu sat in the corner with a tired face, an empty stomach, and hope nearly extinguished. The day the only thing he could afford to order was a glass of water. The day a simple waitress with a warm smile brought him a bowl of rice and braised chicken without being asked, without question. 'Don't worry about it, think of it as a blessing today,' she said at the time, and sat across from him, asking why he looked like someone who had been beaten down by the world. Their conversation lasted only fifteen minutes, but from that girl's lips came the first bit of information about a job opening at a small bank. It wasn't prestigious, but it was enough to start. Enough to survive. And from there, everything changed.

Mingyu stepped into the restaurant. He slightly bowed his head, careful as if afraid to ruin the memory. The sound of spoons clinking against bowls, children’s laughter, and the aroma from the kitchen greeted him like old friends. And then, he saw her.

That girl.

Still there.

Still wearing the same apron, only now its color had faded a little. Still moving quickly, delivering orders to customers. Her hair was longer now, tied neatly at the back. Her face... more mature, but it hadn't lost that light. The gentle light that had once saved him from his darkest night. Mingyu stood still, his throat tight with emotions he couldn't immediately untangle. One second. Then two. Then three. He took a deep breath, slowly walking to the table where he once rested, nearly ready to give up. As the girl walked past him, carrying a tray full of orders, Mingyu called out in a low voice, filled with quiet emotion,

"Do you still remember the man who only ordered a glass of water here, five years ago?"

**[ WELCOME TO AU SEVENTEEN! KIM MINGYU IS HERE! HAVE A GOOD TIME<3 ]**