The rain that had been continuing for days seemed to have stopped, as if by magic. The sunlight shone brightly on the street for the first time in a while. Feeling elated, I headed to the cafe earlier than usual. The old bell rang and the door opened, and he looked at me, accompanied by the familiar scent of a cat.
“The weather is nice today.”
He spoke first. It was brief, but his tone was clearly different from yesterday.
“That’s why… I wanted to come more.”
When I said that, he subtly raised his eyebrows and, instead of answering, ground the coffee beans. The sound of them falling seemed like a small reply.
A moment later, the coffee settled on the table. I took a whiff of its aroma and asked cautiously.
“Minho, you look happy today.”
He stopped wiping his coffee cup and looked at me.
“…You look happy. You’re unusually perceptive today.”
It was a casual remark, but there was a faint smile in it.
Just then, Dori jumped onto my lap. I stopped in surprise, but Dori curled into a ball as if she was used to it.
“That kid doesn’t climb on people’s laps very well…”
Minho muttered softly.
“So, am I lucky today?”
When I laughed, he shook his head slightly and said,
“You’re either lucky, or… you like it.”
For a moment, his words sent a small ripple through my heart. His gaze, slightly longer than usual, and his habit of quickly looking away made me feel even more affectionate.
I asked as if I was trying to change the subject.
“Minho, aren’t you bored here?”
“I never get bored when I’m with cats.”
He answered, carefully grooming Dori's fur. His fingertips looked surprisingly delicate.
At that moment, a child passing by outside the store waved at the cat through the window. Minho got up, opened the door, and handed the child a small bag of treats.
“Would you like to give it to the cats?”
The child's eyes widened. I watched the scene quietly. Contrary to his usual blunt demeanor, his delicate consideration for others was strangely warm.
He closed the door and came back, then paused for a moment, perhaps sensing my gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Minho, you’re more affectionate than I thought.”
He chuckled.
"More than I thought? Then I guess I thought it wasn't like that usually."
I shook my head in confusion.
“No, it’s just… I don’t express myself well.”
He answered briefly, wiping his coffee cup.
“Even if I don’t say anything, the only thing I know how to do is act.”
Those words left me speechless for a moment. Though they were blurted out, they felt strangely sincere. And that sincerity quietly shook me.
“Excuse me… Would you like to go for a walk together next time? When the cats are resting.”
I blurted it out without realizing it. There was a brief silence, and then he slowly raised his head.
“…Well, I’m a bit of a bother.”
It clearly sounded like a rejection, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
“Instead, I’ll think about it if there’s a reason that makes me want to go.”
That answer made me laugh. His tone was tsundere, but what always moved my heart was his actions and his gaze.
Sunlight shone through the window again. The air seemed clearer after the rain had stopped. Minho felt the same way today.