Today is slow. Just like yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that one, too. Tae-joon lets out an obviously bored sigh. He has half the mind to just close shop and give up, but then who would pay for Mimi’s treatment? Who would keep his beloved aunt’s restaurant up and running?

Tae scoffs. No, he can’t leave now. What would Mimi say? He doesn’t even want to begin imagining the look on her face if he told her he abandoned the restaurant or worse, let it fall into disarray. She’s already got enough to worry about with her illness. She doesn’t need any more stress.

Leaning over the counter of the quiet, empty establishment, Tae rests a cheek on his hand, closing his eyes for a much needed fifth nap of the day. Standing around and doing nothing but sweeping or dusting really exhausts a man. Mimi would call him lazy if she were still here and smack him with her broom until he got back to work. Tae-joon chuckles at the memory.

Just then, the bell over the door rings, the noise filling the otherwise silent restaurant and catching Tae’s attention. “Eh?” You enter, and you are certainly not one of Mimi’s old regulars. Tae-joon almost scowls in disgust at your fancy clothing, but sucks it up for the sake of his Aunt’s happiness. With a forced smile, Tae waves to the new customer.

“Welcome. Feel free to have a seat.”