Fluff & Comedy ~ Coffee Shop

{ Le Voleur }

Voleur - French for 「 Thief 」

♡

Nam Seol Hi ~ you

The strong scent of coffee calmed my body as I take a sip of my hot cocoa. Spending time at my favorite cafe certainly is like a splurge after an exhausting week.

I look back at my computer screen, and I take a curious glance around the cafe. There were mostly adults and students like me, sitting around, using electronic devices.

My hands flew up at my neck as a habit to know if my necklace was there, but it wasn't. I looked up, down, side to side, by my computer, around the table and floor, and I just couldn't find it.

Suddenly, I see a guy standing right in front of me, and I gasp when I see what he's holding. My precious necklace!

That thief!

―

Kai ~ Jongin

I've already been inside this cafe for two hours already, just before the sunlight of the afternoon kicked the bright sun beams away for tomorrow. It is now a soft, subtle pink, orange, yellow, and purple sky in front of me as I look out the window.

The door opens, revealing a girl with long black hair that had a book bag sitting on her shoulder. She ordered something and rested at a table near the wall, which was opposite my direction, but I can see her movement.

Her order is called after threw minutes, and she takes out a computer and starts minding her business.

Why am I interested in watching her? Well... it's hard to say but I like to observe things and this girl seems interesting.

My eyes linger onto the floor, and then I see a sparkle of light twinkling in my vision. What was that?

I stood up and bent down to pick up a nice necklace. I held the flowery charm in my hands, and I started asking the people around me if it was theirs.

Many people replied no, and so my feet brought me to the girl. She was still typing when I approached her, but her eyes took notice of mine and her gaze quickly escalated to my hands.

Her almond eyes widen immedietly, and she stammers, "Y-You thief!"

"Wait!" I say, putting my hands up in the air defensively. "I found this on the floor. And I assume that this is yours?" I ask as she nods.

I proceed to hand her the necklace carefully, and pause. "Wait. How will I know that the necklace is yours?" I say, holding the necklace back towards my body.

"Because it's mine! My mom gave me that necklace ever since I was little, and this is the only memory of her I have that's with me." The girl says as I handed her her necklace.

"I-I'm sorry about that. I accused you of something you didn't do.... Can you forgive me?" The girl asks.

I thought about it, and said, "No."

"No? Why not?" The girl says, almost whining.

"Because you have to do something for me in return. What if I didn't help you find the necklace? What would you do for it? And didn't you say that this necklace is really precious to you?" I ask as the girl nods.

"So.... what do I have to do?" She asks.

"Well, for starters, I want to know your name."

The girl gives me an annoyed look that said 'Are-you-kidding-me?'

"I'm serious. I need to know your name just in case." I say.

"Fine. Nam Seol Hi-mida. And you are....?" She asks me.

"Nam Seol Hi? Pretty." I say. "Oh and you don't need to know my name just yet." I tilt my sunglasses down and wink at her.

Seol Hi scoffs and sits back down. I go and grab my cup of coffee from my table and I join her at her table. She looks at me weirdly as she types away on her computer.

"What...are you doing here?" She asks as I take a sip of my almost room temperature Americano.

"I'm here to wait for something." I answer.

"And what is that something?" Seol Hi asks.

"A 'Thank You' would be nice. I did, after all, help you find your that precious necklace of yours.

"But I don't know your name yet. I'm waiting for you as well." She says and types, then looks straight into my eyes.

I felt like I was being shot with invisible arrows of love and hate. Love was from her beautiful eyes, and hate was radiating from them.

"You know what?" I ask as she asks, "What?"

"The name's Kai. And you're welcome." I say as I wait for her reaction.

"I know. I figured it out." She says as I raise my eyebrows.

"Then why'd you ask for my name?" I ask.

"I just wanted to make sure that it's you." She says as I stare at her blankly. "What? You don't remember me Jongin?" She asks as I get confused. The fact that she said this so straightforwardly made me pause and think.

This girl sitting in front of me already knows both of my names, and she claims that I don't remember her?

"You really don't remember me?" She asks with a hint of hurt. She sighs and says, "Naya. Jaeang."

My eyes widen when I heard a name that was hidden in my brain. It was her. My Jaeang noona was right in front of me.

And after all these years, she finally shows up in front of me?

"Yah! Do you know how much I've missed you?" I asked angrily and she closes her computer.

"Ara. I'm so sorry for not telling you earlier-" she says before I cut her off with a hug.

"I missed you. A lot." I mumble as she giggles and pats my hair.

"You're not calling me noona anymore?" She teases me as a I whine, "Noona!"

"You were so mean to me." I pout as she smiles.

"Mian. Ya. What happened to you? You look like you're older than me now." She says as I blink. "Aigoo. My Jongin got tanner, that's why."

"Noona!" I whine as she laughs.

"You're still the same. Cute and funny."

Her words shot me like a gun, and I blushed.

"I-I'm not cute! I'm handsome and manly!" I state as she nods.

"You've certainly grown a lot taller and more like a man. I bet your mom is proud of you. She's lucky to have a handsome son. Oh! That reminds me, I should go say hi to your parents and sisters! And is Monggu, Jjanggu, and Jjanga still at your house? I want to come over!" She says excitedly as I melted from her words.

I remember from 10 years ago, where I had this major crush on Seol Hi noona. But I knew she saw me as a little brother, and well, I've kept my feelings hidden from her. I had a hunch that she knew that I liked her, but she hasn't said anything since she moved away during our first year of middle school without warning.

I was heartbroken, and I wanted to find her so badly, but I let her go. And now, she came back.

My dormant heart, which hasn't beaten this hard and fast for years, started its gears and started beating again.

Only Seol Hi noona can make me feel this way, and maybe from my family.

"Jongin?" She asks with her almond eyes staring at me.

"What? Oh umm.... Yeah. They're good." I say, distracted.

"Really? Then can I visit them soon? I really miss everyone." Noona says as I nod with a smile.

―

Nam Seol Hi ~ you

"So I'll call you in a few days if I can. I have a paper that's due and I'm kinda stressed about it. Oh before I go, I want to show you something." I say, fumbling around to find....

"You remember this, don't you?" I ask as Jongin widened his eyes.

"Y-You still have that noona?" He asks as I smile.

"Yup." I answer. "I couldn't ever throw it away. After all, you were the one that gave it to me, so it's precious." I say, holding a DIY coffee colored poodle keychain that Kai had made for me.

He quickly reaches into his shirt and brings out a necklace that held a DIY white poodle that I made for him.

"Aww. You still have it too?" I coo.

"Yeah. I just feel safe and secure with it, you know?" Jongin says as I smile.

"Yeah. Same here." I nod and smile. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ears and before I knew it, I stared right into his eyes.

"So! Umm... I'll visit your house on Saturday if I can." I say, looking at the address written on my hand.

"And I'll try to do the same." He smiles.

"But aren't you really busy as a dancer?" I ask as he shakes his head.

"I'm sure my hyung can help me pull a few strings. Wait. How'd you know?"

"I saw you dancing one day. And I knew it myself anyways. Ok... Well I have to go now, I have to go do my shift." I say.

"You're working?" He asks as I nod. "Cool. Where?"

"Here." I smile. "My shift starts in ten minutes."

"Then.... Do you mind if I stay here for a little longer?"

"I'm not here to stop you." I chuckle.

"Ok, good." He nods.

"I'll see you in a few." I say and grab my things as I head towards the employee's room.

I quickly change, put my phone on vibrate and tucked it in my jean pocket.

I put on my apron and click the name plate in place and tied my long hair up into a loose high ponytail.

I open the door to reveal the cafe again and my eyes trail to Kai, who sat still and looked deep in thought.

We share a gaze, and the front door opens, revealing one of our regular customers.

"Hello and welcome to Cafe X. What would you like to order sir?" I asked as Minhyun smiles. "The usual?"

"Nope." He says, making the P sound pop. "I think I want something else today."

"Then I recommend our new drink, an iced caramel latte." I suggested as he shakes his head.

"I'm in the mood for something sweeter than caramel. Hmm..." He says as his gaze stops at me- err, my name tag.

"I think I'll have a Nam Seol Hi to go." He smirks as I thought inside, Is he flirting with me?

"So? Can I have my order?" He asks as I shake my head.

"Sorry, but as you can see, I'm on my shift. And don't you already have a girlfriend? I see you with her often." I state as he widens his eyes and rolls his eyes.

Minhyun quickly makes his way to the door as I smirk a bit. I sigh and brew some more coffee, and the manager, Soo Hyun-sshi tells me that he needed a large coffee order of a gallon of coffee.

I continue brewing the pungent black coffee for a while, and finish my order.

Kai suddenly shows up at the cashier and says, "I'd like two iced green tea lattes please." He smiles. He gives me cash and I quickly start making his order.

I began to make my drink, and Jongin makes himself comfortable at the island as he watches me work.

"I was about to help you when that guy flirted with you." He says as awkwardness inserted itself into the air. "But you didn't need any help."

"Yeah." I said, pausing.

"Does that happen often noona?" Kai asks as I look at him.

"Not really."

"Ayyy. Noona neomu yeppeo ~" Kai sings as I chuckle.

"Jongin neomu yeppeo~" I teased him as he laughs.

I finish with his drinks, and I put it on the island.

Kai takes one of them, and I ask, "What about your second one?"

"You can have it. I bought it for you." Kai gives me a handsome smile.

"Oh... Thanks Jongin." I say, looking away as an unfamiliar heat crawls up my cheeks.

"You're welcome. If you ever need anything, just tell me." He charmingly smiles once again.

"When did you start talking like an adult Jongin?" I asked, impressed with his words. "You sounded so manly just then." I smiled.

"I... don't know. But thanks noona." Kai says as the door opens. "I'll leave you so that you can work. It was really nice meeting you again Seol Hi noona. I have to go now. Fighting~" Jongin says with a smile and a hand motion as he leaves the cafe.

"Annyeong." I whispered as he left. And I stand there for a moment, thinking how I had blushed at his words for the first time.

―

I always somehow knew that he liked me, but I saw him as a little brother when we were younger.

But now, I'm starting to see Kai differently. He's surely become more manly and attractive. He was also talking with an attitude, unlike his old cold and shy personality from before.

Jongin... He was always acting weird whenever he heard that someone was attracted to me.

This happened a few times during high school, and I remember how he protected me and how.... Strangely cold he was to everyone.

Maybe it was because he was scared that my heart was going to break, mainly because he found out how my crush was a notorious player.

And Kim Jongin has been protecting me ever since. Maybe one day, Kim Jongin, I'll give my heart to you.

"Oh? Excuse me, who are you?" A very familiar face asked me on Saturday afternoon. I finally had time to visit, so why not?

"Omonim, you don't remember me?" I ask and furrow my brows as she suddenly looks at me with recognition.

"Omo! Is it you Seol Hi?" Jongin's mother asks me.

"Ne omonim. It's been very long. I missed you all." I say with a smile.

"Please! Come on in! Omo, is this really you? You've grown up so much! I remember when you were just like Jongin's height back in 6th grade. You two were so cute with each other!"

I chuckle. "Kamsamida omonim. Is JongHee and InHa unnie at home?"

"Of course we are!" In Ha unnie says loudly as she climbed down the stairs while JongHee unnie followed her.

"Seol Hi!" In Ha squishes me into a hug. "Mmm I miss you so much!!!"

"Me too unnie. JongHee unnie!" I hug Kai's sister.

"It's been a while dongsaeng." She smiles. When I was younger, I spent so much time with Kai that his sisters saw me as their own, and same goes with their family.

"Oh I think I want a group hug!" Mrs. Kim says as we go closer to each other and embrace.

"Where's abonim?" I asked. "Is he here?"

"No, but Appa is coming home later." JongHee unnie answers.

"But you should stay until dinner!" Omonim says.

"Yeah! You totally should!" InHa unnie says excitedly.

"We should call Jongin over." I suggested as a shadow filled the floor behind JongHee and InHa unnie.

"I'm already here Seol Hi." He says informally with a smirk-ish smile as I raise a brow.

"You never called our dongsaeng by her name before Jong!" JongHee says surprisingly.

"Hey Kai." I smile and hugged him. "You were here already?"

"Mmm. I came home last night. Lay hyung let me go for spring break."

"Ah." I nodded. "This is a surprise though."

"Yeah. I know right? Jongin doesn't usually come home unless it's special. And I think since you're here, I think it won't be long until our little brother will have a girlfriend~" InHa says bubbly with a smile as I unconsciously blushed.

"Noona!" Kai whined as all three of us glanced at him. "Not you Seol Hi, my sister." He rubs his nape.

"W-Well I'll go back to my room now. You can come up if you want Seol Hi-ah." Jongin says as walks towards the stairs and almost trips from the carpet below him.

I stifle a giggle, and so does his sisters and mother. Kai clears his throat and says, "I'll be in my room now." He climbs up the stairs and disappears into his room.

Mrs. Kim clears her throat, and suddenly says, "So, Seol Hi-ah, did Jongin do anything yet?"

"B-Bwo? A-Aniyo omonim." I say, stuttering with a red face. "A-Anyways, do you need help in the kitchen? I can help you guys cook before abonim arrives." I say as the three women's eyes light up.

"Of course! You can make your famous noodles!" JongHee unnie says excidedly. "I missed eating them when you moved away."

"I'll help you. Omma, do you have the ingredients?" InHa unnie asks as her mother nods.

"I do. I'll make a special dinner tonight now that our Seol Hi has come to visit us. Seol Hi dear, may I have your new address? I want to come over and bring your family food." Mrs. Kim states.

"Ah kamsamida omonim!" I smile and took pit a scratch paper and pen from my bag. "Here it is."

"It's not that far from here. That's good. Seol Hi, why don't you go and relax a bit before we start cooking? And I do need to learn that delicious recipe of yours!"

"Ne. Please excuse me." I bow and smile and was immedietly greeted with two arms on both sides and two smiling sisters.

"We have a lot to talk about Nam Seol Hi." JongHee unnie says as they smile and take me upstairs and into their room.

―

Kai ~ Jongin

My heart's pounding so hard right now. Sure I acted all cool after the little 'carpet' accident, but right as the door of my room closed, I leaned on it and sighed so loudly that I was sure everyone downstairs could hear me.

"Aish." I said and ran my fingers through my hair as I lied down on my bed. "Why am I so stupid?" I asked myself as I suddenly heard loud footsteps in the upstairs hallway. Are my noonas going to their rooms?

I hear giggles seconds later, and muffled talking from the walls that spoke. I sighed again, and quickly went to my desk and took out a paper and pen. I'm going to do this.

I need to before I go crazy.

―

Nam Seol Hi ~ you

"Seol Hi-ah, this is still one of the best dishes I've ever tasted besides my wife's cooking." Mr. Kim says as I blush from his compliment.

"Kamsamida abonim. I'm really glad everyone likes it. I was afraid that it wouldn't taste good because I haven't made it in a while." I say as everyone chuckles.

"It's still perfect." InHa unnie comments as I bow a bit towards her direction.

"I love it. I can eat this all day." JongHee unnie says as she munches on another forkful of the noodles I made. "Breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"I already gave omonim the recipe, so if you guys want, omonim knows how to made it now." I smile.

"I'm afraid that when I make it, it won't taste as good as the original!" Omonim says as I laugh.

"Don't worry omonim. I'm sure yours will taste just as great." I say as I suddenly look at Jongin.

"Jongin? Are you ok? You're awefully quiet tonight. Is something wrong?" Mr. Kim asks his son as he looks up, eating the noodles that was in his mouth. He wipes his mouth with a napkin, and in that moment, time slowed down as my gaze landed on his lips.

Kai's eyes meet mine, and he shows a poker face. "Aniyo appa. Just thinking of a plan."

"Ooo what plan?" InHa asks.

"Is it a secret plan?" JongHee says while the three girls look at each other while abonim looks at us confusingly.

"What sort of plan is this? What is your mother and sister thinking Jongin?" Abonim asks as omoninm inturrupts.

"Oh yeobo, I think this plan doesn't concern us, we should let the children think it out." She says to her husband as something clicked in his head.

"Ahhh. I see." He says, smiling just like the rest. Now it was my turn to be confused.

Kai looked at me with no emotion, but I don't know what he's thinking.

"Oh I have an announcement for everyone." JongHee unnie says as we look at her. "Since Seol Hi is our sibling friend, I think that I'll let her and Kai have my tickets for a water park that I won from a raffle. I have no use for it, and I think that it'll be a great way for the two best friends to bond again after being apart for ten years."

"Mwo?" Kai and I said at the same time.

"What a wonderful idea JongHee!" Omonim says.

"You're welcome." JongHee unnie smiles a little bit too happily.

-

The Next Day...

Ever since JongHee unnie gave me the water park tickets last night, I couldn't stop looking at them and remember her words. And I also remembered the look that Kai had on last night, where he looked scared but also thankful that his sister said what she said.

Now, Kai and I were changing into our swimsuits and getting ready to hit the water. I guess even though we're both here alone, we might as well get some fun out of it.

I grab my towel and wrap it around myself and tuck the end into top to secure it while I made sure my duffel bag sat snugly on my shoulder. I walk out of the bathroom, and my eyes immedietly search for my friend.

I suddenly hear, "Omo! That guy is so hot!" A girl says nearby.

"Who?" Her friend says. The first girl points in front as I see Kai lying down on a lounging chair with the umbrella covering him as he slept in his shades.

"Should I go and ask if he has a girlfriend?" She asks rather cheerfully.

"Yah. You just broke up with him last night! You're going to go for another man now?" Her friend scolded her as I sighed in relief.

Wait. Am I jealous over this? Why does it.... hurt? I feel like as if something is tugging my heart, making my chest tight and in pain.

I shake my head and walk towards Jongin's direction, and I set my bag down on the chair next to him.

"You're here?" He asks.

"Yeah. Did you change?" I asked.

"Mmm." Kai sits up and takes off his sunglasses. "Where do you want to go?"

"Molla. Anywhere is fine." I answered.

"I saw a really cool ride on the brochure. Let's go there. It's not far from here too."

"Arasso."

Kai stands up and takes off his shirt while I stared and looked away as I blushed. Why am I like this? I was never like this before....

"Kaja." He says as I automatically walk next to his side.

As Jongin leads the way towards the slides, more and more people came and were walking around, and it was crowded since it was noon time.

I felt Jongin hold my hand, and I looked at him.

"I don't want you to get lost." He says as I smile.

It soon felt uncomfortable with Jongin just holding my hand, and my mind told my hand to intertwine with his.

"I-It's easier to hold your hand like this. N-Not that I want to get lost!" I said, making an excuse.

Jongin smiles and holds my hand as my heart beats really fast.

We ride a bunch of water rides and slides, and we went to the wave pool.

We're currently changed and eating ice cream before we leave the water park.

"Can I have some of yours noona?" Kai asks as I nod and give him a spoonful of my strawberry ice cream.

"And here you are, calling me noona again." I sighed as Kai looks at me innocently.

"Is something wrong?" Jongin asks.

"I... I think you slowly cracked my heart and stole my feelings along with it you thief." I say, suddenly feeling teary. "You make me feel so sad, you know? I don't like it when other people look or talk about you, and I just feel safe when you hold my hand. What did you do to me?" I cried.

"Noona..." Kai breathes, wiping away my tears. "I....I didn't do anything."

"Yes you did. You stole my heart and took it away from me. You were a thief from the start." I sniff and try not to cry.

"Maybe I was really desperate for someone I love to love me." Jongin explains. "I love you Seol Hi. And I never meant to hurt you. I've waited so long for you to like me back..."

"Really? I think I've been too cruel to you...." I said with my trembling lips.

"You aren't. You're the nicest person I know."

"I am? Why?"

"Because you're not mean, you're mine." Jongin says as his lips touched mine.

-

Yay update! This imagine was inspired by my new favorite song from Red Velvet called Take It Slow. It's also in the multimedia right there ->

And the lyrics perfectly goes with the plot, so I gave it a try.

I hope you guys like this one!

Gomawo and annyeong!

@xoxo_annie_exo