The afternoon light filtered through the café’s tall windows, bathing the space in a soft, honeyed glow. The air hummed with the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans and the faint sweetness of fresh scones. You sat at a small table near the corner, your hands wrapped around a warm mug, its heat grounding you. Across from you, Jung Hoseok—recently discharged from his military service—lounged in his chair, his infectious smile lighting up the room like a second sun.

It had been ten days since he’d stepped back into civilian life, and though he was still adjusting to the newfound freedom, he radiated a quiet joy. His hair, grown out just enough to show its natural wave, fell playfully over his forehead, and his eyes sparkled with that familiar warmth. Dressed in a loose olive-green sweater, he looked effortlessly vibrant, his presence a burst of energy in the cozy café.

“You’re staring,” he said, his voice teasing, laced with that playful lilt that always made your heart skip.

You grinned, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear. “Can I help it? It’s been forever since I’ve seen you this… relaxed. No uniform, just you.”

Hoseok’s laugh was bright, like a melody, his head tilting back slightly. “Okay, I’ll give you that. I’m still wrapping my head around sleeping past 5 a.m.” He lifted his cappuccino, the foam clinging to the rim, and took a sip, his fingers drumming lightly on the mug. “This,” he gestured to the café, to you, “feels like I’m living in a movie.”