"One black coffee and a chocolate croissant."

Placing the cup of steaming black coffee and a chocolate croissant on the table with a smile, Seojin moved to the windows, pushing away those heavy curtains from the glass window.

The early sun shined through the glass, its golden fingers seeping through. Those fingers transformed into warm rectangles and danced over the smooth hardwood floor, erasing the growing winter outside. Seojin made his way behind the counter, sleeves pulled up and his apron powdered with cocoa. The cake rested on the wooden worktable, its ganache shiny and tempting.

The café smelled of vanilla, chocolate, and a myriad of other sweet aromas. It had a fragrance reminiscent of incense and patchouli. Mismatched chairs, abstract paintings, framed black-and-white photographs, a vintage typewriter atop the rustic sideboard; the Kim Café was a whole different story. But the true magic happened when people gathered here.

Kim Seojin, the kind of guy who made anyone believe in good karma. His café wasn't just a place that served ridiculously good coffee, it was oxygen to his being. Photos of his beaming wife, Ahyun, adorned the walls, next to finger paintings courtesy of their daughter, Mi-cha. He was living the dream, a Korean drama protagonist in real life, only without all the terminal illness and chaebol drama.

"Looking a bit too smug there, Captain Happy Pants," a voice chirped beside him. It was Yoshi, Seojin's best friend, wielding a piping bag like a weapon. Next to him, Bella, Yoshi's girlfriend, a whirlwind of bright pink hair and even brighter enthusiasm, peered into the mixing bowl.

"Just a simple chocolate fudge cake for Mi-cha," Seojin said, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably. He was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Simple? Man, this looks like a science experiment," Yoshi commented, eyeing the various bowls and measuring cups scattered around the counter. "You got more equipment here than NASA for a moon landing."

"More sprinkles, Yoshi!" Seojin declared, pointing at the cake.

Yoshi nodded, his tongue sticking out in concentration as he added a generous layer of chocolate sprinkles. A theatre-artist-turned-one-day-chef was trying his best. Bella giggled, her fingers brushing against his as she adjusted the angle of the cake stand.

"Perfect," she whispered. "Mi-cha will love this."

"I got the balloons!" A voice floated alongside the ting of the opening door as Hana walked in; Yong Hanami or Yoshi's twin sister. She juggled college alongside Bella, her best friend.

"Yoshi, go finish up those balloons," Bella quipped making her way to Hana.

The café had decked up in joy. Ribbons drifted toward the ceiling, fairy lights covered the corners, and a large banner with a colourful 'Happy birthday' hung on the wall.

It was Mi-cha's fifth birthday and the whole café was taken up by a storm. Cakes, decorations and happiness. Customers drank their lattes, their gaze moving between the cake and the balloons.

Meanwhile, Yoshi went back to the decorations, wrestling with a rebellious balloon string. "These things have a mind of their own," he muttered, trying to tame the helium-filled rebels. Hana could barely contain her laugh.

Seojin stepped back, admiring his handiwork. The cake now wore a hood of sprinkles, and the café buzzed with anticipation. Mi-cha would arrive soon, and she would be glad.

As if on cue, the bell rang again and the café door swung open. At the door stood Ahyun holding little Mi-cha's hand. Dressed in a pink princess frock, her eyes widened when she saw the cake.

"Appa!" she squealed as she ran to her father. "Is that my birfday cake?"

Seojin knelt down and scooped Mi-cha into his arms, feeling her warmth against his chest. "Yes, princess," he said, kissing her forehead. "Just for you."

Ahyun leaned closer, leaving a peck on Seojin's cheek. It was for a flickering moment, yet it contained a world of affection. "You are the best father."

Seojin took a deep breath, his heart fluttering like a thousand paper cranes. Eight longs years of marriage yet it felt like day one. The café's warm lights danced across Ahyun's face, illuminating the freckles that sprinkled her nose.

Mi-cha clapped her hands, oblivious to the scene unfolding before her. "Cake! Cake!" she chanted, tugging at her mother's sleeves.

Seojin chuckled, stealing one more glance at his wife. "Happy birthday, Mi-cha," he whispered. "May your days be as sweet as this cake and your nights filled with happy dreams."

They gathered around the table-the five of them. Yoshi, with flour on his nose, raised a toast with an invisible cup. Mi-cha stood on tiptoe, her small fingers tightly gripping the cake knife handle. The café hushed, as if holding its breath in anticipation. Ahyun and Seojin exchanged a knowing glance.

"Okay, Mi-cha," Seojin said, crouching beside her. "Let's cut the cake!"

Mi-cha nodded with her pigtails bobbing. She leaned over the cake, her eyes fixed on the sprinkles.

Seojin guided her hand, their fingers overlapping in a moment of shared joy. Mi-cha chuckled as they sliced a clean piece together. She hoisted it triumphantly, icing clinging to the knife. A chorus of claps and shouts erupted in response.

"Happy birthday, Mi-cha!" Ahyun said, her eyes shining.

Then she took a mouthful, and a world of flavours blossomed on her tongue. "Appa," she said, her words colliding, "dis is the bestest cake ever!"

Seojin's heart swelled as he wiped a smudge of chocolate from her cheek. "Happy birthday, my little star," he murmured.

Pushing away her father playfully, Yoshi hurriedly pulled Mi-cha onto his lap, raising her up in the air. "And what does my little princess want from Uncle Yoshi?"

And as if she'd downloaded his call log, Mi-cha giggled. "Auntie Bella!"

The room went silent. Yoshi froze, Mi-cha suspended mid-air, his smile plastered on but visibly cracking. He lowered her slowly, as if she were a fragile, truth-bomb-dropping porcelain doll. He glanced at Bella, who was suddenly very interested in a rogue thread on her sweater. His cheeks burned. He hadn't even confessed his feelings properly, and here was a five-year-old broadcasting it to the entire room.

Then Hana burst out laughing, followed by Ahyun, who clapped Yoshi on the back hard enough to make him cough. "Uncle Yoshi? More like Uncle-to-be Yoshi!" Hana teased, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Oh, he definitely wants to be the Uncle," Ahyun added, winking at Bella, who was now the color of a ripe tomato.

Seojin stood quietly on the side, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched the world go by. He had always been a sensitive and caring individual, perhaps to a fault. His family had abandoned him at the age of six, maybe even less but that was what the orphanage had in records. And for parents, all he remembered was Ahyun's mom.

He won't deny that the orphanage he grew up in wasn't a happy place, but who could fill into the shoes of parents. He couldn't help but dream of having a family of his own one day. A wife to love and cherish, children to dote on and guide through life's ups and downs. He knew it was a fantasy, as ephemeral as the comical made-up memories he spun to fill the gaps left by his own unhappy history. But it was a comforting one, a make-believe that soothed his aching heart and gave him a flicker of hope.

It constantly brought a smile to his face to observe the reactions of mothers and fathers. They truly believed their own baby was incredible, even if they happened to be the most mischievous little rascal imaginable. It was a true blessing for those lucky enough to have experienced the pure love and joy that comes with being a parent.

The comical made-up memories of his own parents didn't cause him any discomfort but rather acted as a nostalgic reminder and relieved his remorse of their absence with a puppetry of feigned consolation. But he knew he had to be the best father, one of a kind.

It was almost like a form of make-believe that eased his sadness and replaced it with a sense of faux solace.
A consolation he never asked for.

Seojin was a lost kid, shy, scared, and maybe everything that the world loved to push down and stampede on. He always looked away at those happy families, fantasising about having such happiness someday-having a wife, a child, being a father-he could never have it, but he craved for it. Craving and having were as akin as a thing and its ghost.

His sense of having it all was his Ahyun and Mi-cha. Now, added to the list of his family were Yoshi, Hana and Bella.

A gentle nudge on his shoulder snapped him out of his reverie. He turned to see his best friend Yoshi grinning at him.

"Earth to Seojin! I've been trying to get your attention for ages," Yoshi chuckled. Seojin sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry, I was just a bit lost, and overwhelmed. I cannot believe that my girl is already five!"

"Being a father is a tough job, and you are doing great."

"Thank you, Yoshi, but what were you saying?"

Yoshi smiled. "Well, I just found out I landed the lead role in that big drama! You've got to come watch the premiere with the family tomorrow evening."

Seojin grinned, "That's a great news, Yoshi! I'm so proud of you. Of course, we'll be there! But have you told Bella yet? She should be hearing it first!"

Yoshi flushed, a rosy hue creeping up his neck. "About that Seojin, she knows and her brother will be there. I've never met him before, but Bella paints him as a bit of a tough nut. I really want to make a good impression, you know? I don't want him thinking I'm just a theatre geek."

Seojin patted Yoshi on the back reassuringly. "Don't worry so much! Bella is head over heels for you, and she wouldn't be if you were anything less than amazing. And I'll have your back tomorrow. As for Bella's brother, well, just dazzle him with your wit and charm. Show him the irresistible Yoshi we all know and love. Just be yourself."

Yoshi let out a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing. "I sure hope to do so. It's just... first impressions, right? Be there, okay?"

Seojin chuckled, "I will. Promise! Mi-cha wouldn't forgive me if I missed Uncle Yoshi's big premiere. Now, come on, Mr. Lead Actor, let's get back to the party before they devour all the cake!"

________

A/N: Hello.

Here is the edited storyline. Hope you all enjoy!

WC: 1778