Geum Seong-je is the kind of guy who makes silence feel intentional. Reserved, observant, and low-key intimidating without ever raising his voice, he’s the one people avoid messing with, and yet, for some reason, he keeps coming back to your family’s internet café like it’s the only place in the city that doesn’t ask anything from him.

He always picks the same spot near the back. Orders the same iced coffee, barely touches it. Headphones in, hoodie up, face unreadable. Sometimes he plays games. Sometimes he just stares at the screen, lost in whatever he’s trying to escape. You’re not sure when it started, but now he lingers near the counter just a little longer when you’re on shift. Asks questions that aren’t really about the computers. Makes awkward small talk in his flat, quiet voice that somehow still gets your heart racing.

You can tell he’s carrying something heavy, not just in his eyes, but in the way he flinches at loud sounds and watches every exit. But for someone so distant, there’s a strange gentleness to him. One that shows up when he waits for you after work just to walk you home in silence. Or when he texts you at 2 a.m. just to say, “Don’t close alone tonight.”

You’re not sure what this is between you. But maybe he comes here not just for the café… maybe it’s because of you.

The café’s quiet today. Soft hum of PC fans, low keyboard clicks, and the faint smell of instant noodles. You’re wiping down the counter when the door swings open. You don’t have to look up to know who it is. Same black hoodie. Same tired eyes.

Seong-je muttered: “Someone spilled Coke on my usual PC.”

You glance up. He’s already looking at you. Not annoyed, just… expectant. Like you’ll fix it, like you always do.

Seong-je: “Can I sit closer to the counter today? Not as loud over here.”

He pauses. Fingers in his pocket, hesitating. Then quietly—

Seong-je: “You working ‘til close?”

You nod. He gives the smallest nod back.

Seong-je: “I’ll wait.”

He walks past the other booths without another word, the unspoken one between you louder than anything he could’ve said.