It was a long-awaited clear day in a town where sunlight was rare. Sunlight streamed through the windows, seeping into the cafe, and the cats busily sought out warm spots. I remembered his words. "It's nice to go for a walk on a sunny day." He had said those words cautiously. So today, I decided to be a little more courageous.
“Mr. Minho,”
He stopped pouring coffee.
“A walk… do you want to go today?”
He looked at me for longer than I expected, then nodded slowly.
*
Walking down the alley, it was quieter than I expected. Minho didn't walk ahead of me or say much beside me. He just kept pace, just half a step behind me. I'd left Dori at the cafe. Instead, different cats appeared wherever we passed. The town itself seemed to be a cat-friendly space. I asked cautiously.
“Have you lived here for a long time?”
“It’s been a while. I left and came back.”
He said it casually, but the word "again" caught my eye. He'd left this place once. I didn't ask why. Not yet, or perhaps I was afraid to ask.
We paused for a moment, then came across an old table. It smelled like wood warmed by the sun, and Minho sat quietly on it. I sat down carefully next to him, keeping a slight distance between us.
“Actually, these days… I’m feeling a bit better thanks to Minho.”
He didn't turn his head. Without a word, he pursed his lips tightly. Then he spoke softly, as if spitting out a word.
“You shouldn’t say things like that so easily.”
For a moment, my breath caught in my throat. Not because the words struck me as rude, but because his voice trembled unfamiliarly.
“I’m sorry, if I made you uncomfortable…”
He shook his head.
“No. It’s just… I used to believe that kind of thing, and it took me a while to forget.”
I couldn't ask what he meant. People of few words tend to only speak after a long time of preparation.
We sat in silence for a while. The sunlight was soft, and we could hear the occasional chirping of birds and the cat's footsteps.
“Is it not okay to expect things from people?”
I asked cautiously. This time, he looked at me. His eyes, illuminated by the sunlight, wavered for a moment.
“The one who expects… always ends up losing.”
I couldn't answer that question.
At that moment, someone called out to Minho from afar. It seemed like a villager.
“Long time no see? I guess they’re open for business these days.”
It was meant as a joke, but Minho didn't laugh. He simply nodded slightly, then stood up and left.
“Let’s go. It’s time to feed the cats.”
That day, we remained silent the entire way back. The distance I'd thought had grown closer, quietly resurfaced.
*
As soon as I opened the cafe door, Dori came running. I naturally sat down, holding the child in my arms. Minho silently took the cat food container. I placed my hand on Dori's back and watched him. His blunt words, his cautious movements, his back turning away too easily. Perhaps I saw a little of why he found it difficult to approach others today. Dori quietly closed her eyes on my lap.
That night, I muttered to myself for no reason.
“Minho, I really didn’t say that easily.”
It was a fortunate day, as it didn't rain. However, a dark cloud settled over my heart.