The café was warm, the soft hum of the heater clashing against the icy air outside. It was afternoon, and the café had started to fill up with customers. Haruki and Hina were both behind the counter, busy with work.
Just then, the café door swung open. The little bell above it chimed ting! as a man stepped in.
Snow clung to his coat, and he looked to be around 35 years old. Without saying a word, he walked to a table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. There was a strange, arrogant smirk on his face.
Hina immediately walked over.
"Sir, what would you like to have?" she asked politely.
The man replied in a cold, flat tone, "Coffee."
Hina gave a small bow and went to prepare the coffee. A few minutes later, she placed the steaming cup in front of him.
"Here's your coffee, sir."
Then, smiling politely, she added, "If you need anything else, please let me know."
Just as she turned to leave, the man suddenly grabbed her hand.
---
Hina's expression instantly changed.
"Why did you grab my hand? Let me go!" she said with a trace of panic in her voice.
But instead of releasing her hand, the man slowly ran his fingers over her skin and smirked –
"Your skin is so soft…"
A few customers noticed the scene and a quiet murmur spread across the café. Hina's heart started to pound faster.
The man leaned closer, doing something even stranger, and whispered –
"And your scent… it's intoxicating…"
Hina's face turned pale.
"I said let me go!" her voice trembled as she looked at Haruki with fearful eyes.
---
Haruki, who was writing down an order behind the counter, turned to see what was happening.
The sight made his blood boil.
The man was just about to place his hand on Hina's waist when Haruki stormed forward, grabbed his hand firmly, and glared into his eyes.
"Sir, I think you've had enough coffee… it's time for you to leave."
The man (later revealed to be Jin So) let out a soft laugh.
"I haven't even had my coffee yet. So why should I leave?"
Haruki, trying to keep his voice calm but sharp, replied –
"You're bothering my coworker."
---
Jin So squinted at Haruki and asked –
"And who are you to take her side?"
Haruki freed Hina's hand from his grip and stood straight.
"I work here. I'm the café staff."
Jin So sneered.
"Then go do your job."
Then he turned to Hina again and asked –
"You tell me, are you free tonight?"
Hina froze, unable to respond.
Jin So pressed further, more insistent –
"Tell me… tell me… tell me… tell me."
---
Haruki's anger was now on the verge of erupting.
He took a deep breath and said –
"Sir… if you don't leave on your own, I'll have to show you the way out."
Jin So stood up and got in Haruki's face, eyes full of challenge.
"You're going to throw me out?"
Haruki spoke in a calm but commanding tone –
"If you don't leave… then yes."
---
Hina saw Haruki like this for the first time, truly angry, and she was shocked.
Jin So provoked him further –
"If you have the guts, then lay a hand on me."
That was it. Haruki didn't say another word.
He walked up to Jin So and, in one swift move, lifted him out of his chair.
Jin So, completely shocked, yelled in fear –
"What are you doing? Put me down!"
Haruki replied coldly –
"You said it yourself, sir… I should throw you out of the café."
And with that, he carried Jin So outside and set him down hard in front of the door.
Then, stepping close with a chilling smile, Haruki said –
"If I see you here again… you might not be able to leave on your own two feet."
And with that, he closed the door.
---
Outside: Jin So's mouth hung open in disbelief. In his mind, he muttered,
"Who the hell is this powerhouse…?"
---
Inside: Hina stormed toward Haruki, furious.
"What the hell did you just do, idiot!"
Haruki stepped back, hands up, and said –
"I helped you, and you're yelling at me? There's no gratitude left in this world!"
Hina snapped even louder –
"Do you even know who that man was?"
Haruki shrugged casually,
"I don't care who he is."
Hina facepalmed and said –
"He's… the owner of this café!"
---
Haruki casually replied –
"He's the owner? So what—"
Then, a second later, his brain processed what she said.
He froze, then screamed –
"Whaaaaaaat!"
Hina covered her ears.
"Why are you screaming so loud?!"
Haruki, now panicking, shouted –
"You couldn't have told me that earlier?!"
---
Then Haruki ran outside in a frenzy.
Outside, Jin So was brushing off his clothes, looking half embarrassed, half irritated.
Haruki rushed to him, now in full apology mode, gently scooped him up, and carried him back into the café.
Jin So dangled in the air, yelling –
"Hey! Put me down! I said put me down!"
Haruki sat him down on a chair.
Jin So, still shaken, asked –
"Why did you bring me back inside the café?!"
Haruki's breathing was heavy.
Jin So, with a shaky voice, warned –
"You can't lay a hand on me… I'm older than you!"
Haruki immediately bowed his head and said –
"Please forgive me!"
Both Hina and Jin So were stunned looking at Haruki's sudden change.