Chapter 3: “Are You Shy, Oppa?”

Although everyone has a different personality, I, for one, don’t particularly enjoy hanging out with others.

The reason is simple—being around people drains me.

That’s why people who are always full of energy are extremely incompatible with me.

“Since we’ve met, how about we introduce ourselves?”

“My name is Jihoo Lee.”

I said my name and bowed at a 30-degree angle.

It’s better to greet someone you’re meeting for the first time like this.

It helps avoid unnecessary conflicts.

“I’m Yehwa Shin!”

“Ah, okay.”

After finishing the introductions, the café owner, who had been watching from the side, approached us and slowly started explaining the tasks.

“Jihoo, you’re in charge of the register. Yehwa, you’ll handle the coffee. If too many customers come in, Jihoo, you can help make coffee when necessary.”

“Okay.”

The reason she taught me how to make coffee earlier was probably for emergencies.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disconnect—her face looked like she could take down an orc, but she was so meticulous.

After giving us all the little instructions, she said,

“Alright, I’ll be off now. Do your best.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Take care.”

Since I was already here, I figured I might as well help out at the café for a bit.

With that lazy thought, I grabbed one of the neatly organized aprons in the corner.

“Jihoo.”

“Yes?”

“It’s not time for customers yet. How about we chat for a bit?”

Honestly, I wanted to say, “No, thanks,” but since I still need to function in society, I put on a friendly smile and replied,

“Sure, but just until the customers arrive. I was getting a bit bored anyway.”

In fact, I had planned to sit in a chair and catch up on videos I missed yesterday until the customers arrived.

But since we were going to have a conversation, I figured I might as well do it properly.

After all, my goal was to work at this café for as long as possible.

So, we started chatting, and I learned a few interesting things along the way.

The most intriguing fact was that the tough-looking café owner had not just the café, but at least six other shops in her name nearby.

And the previous part-timer had been fired for secretly pocketing money from the café, which had led to legal action.

“But wouldn’t they get caught right away if they stole money like that? How could they even get away with it?”

“Exactly. Some people just aren’t very smart.”

Her first impression seemed really gentle, but the more we talked, the more I could sense her holding something back, like there was something underneath.

I had a feeling that after the part-time shift, she might walk around the streets looking completely different from how she seemed now.

While we were chatting, suddenly…

Ding!

The first customer walked in.

“I clearly ordered an iced café latte, so why is this hot?”

“According to the record, it says you ordered a hot café latte, not an iced one.”

“You must’ve heard it wrong. Jeez, really.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Just don’t make this mistake again. Seriously, this is why young people nowadays are hopeless.”

“Yes.”

One thing I realized while working at the café is that there are more difficult customers than I expected.

Even though a lot of high school girls came by, since the café was near a high school, the main customers before school ended were local residents.

Most of them were older people.

“Are you okay, Jihoo?”

“Yeah, well, I’ve dealt with people like that before.”

I’ve seen people like that many times in the past, so it didn’t particularly bother me.

It’s just the thought, “Oh, there are people who talk like that.”

As long as they’re not physically attacking me, it’s not too bad.

Just as I was sitting down to rest during a brief lull,

“Jihoo, you should probably get ready.”

“Ah.”

Yehwa spoke with a serious expression.

It seemed like “it” was about to begin.

Though I’d only heard about it, I could somewhat imagine what was coming.

Just as we were bracing ourselves…

Ding!

With the sound of the bell on the door, a group of girls in school uniforms started pouring in.

Even though the weather was a bit cooler, the sunlight was still a bit warm, so it seemed like they were all flocking to the café.

With that thought, I stood at the counter and mechanically took orders.

“May I take your order?”

“Three iced Americanos, for here.”

“Got it.”

As I was taking the orders,

“What the—”

“Oh.”

I had run into Yeram Lee.

To be honest, I had anticipated this.

After all, I’d heard that Yeram frequented this place.

But I didn’t expect her to come so soon.

Well, it is what it is.

Taking the order came first.

“Would you like to order?”

“Oh, are you ignoring me now?”

“If you’re still deciding, please let me know when you’re ready to order.”

Acknowledging Yeram in this situation would have been a mistake.

Drawing attention to the fact that we knew each other might attract unnecessary attention.

Just as I was thinking this…

“Six iced Americanos, for here.”

Yeram glanced at me and completed her order.

Come to think of it, something was off.

I don’t usually give her that much allowance.

Yet she frequents the café enough for the owner to notice.

“Hmm.”

It seemed better to ask her after all the customers had finished ordering.

As time passed, finally, no more customers came in.

Thank goodness.

If more had come, I was sure I would have collapsed on the spot.

Anyway…

[It’s me]

[Me: Don’t tell your friends]

[Me: Come outside]

I didn’t want to draw attention by acknowledging Yeram in front of her friends, so I texted her separately.

Then, after a short while,

“Hey, oppa. Come over here.”

Yeram waved at me, looking directly at me.

Looks like I’ll need to cut her allowance by 10%.

How could she ignore her elder brother like this?

I really didn’t want to, but I forced my legs to move toward where Yeram was.

“I told you to come out separately. Why are you calling me over here?”

“Because I feel like it.”

“Ugh, seriously.”

I couldn’t exactly hit her with a sledgehammer, so I just endured it.

While I was talking with Yeram,

“Are you Yeram’s brother?”

“Yeah, sort of…”

From that moment, her friends bombarded me with questions.

Does Yeram actually go home and study hard?

Do you know how much weird stuff she does at school?

And many other questions.

“Most of it’s true.”

“Wow, does she really go home and study? I was sure she just goes home to play League of Legends all day.”

“Am I you?”

“Yeah, says the guy who got an 8th grade rank in Korean history.”

Her friends were talking about the same things I would.

Apparently, Yeram’s Korean history score had been revealed to everyone.

While we were chatting,

“But why are you working here? Isn’t this your usual gaming time at home?”

“I’ve temporarily stopped interacting with online people and decided to contribute to the real world instead.”

Although I’m proud of my gaming habits, admitting that I play games at this time of day feels a bit… off.

That would make me seem like a jobless slacker to anyone.

“Oppa, you play games?”

“Just as a hobby, I play when I’m bored these days.”

I tried my best to act like a regular person.

If they knew how much time I’ve spent on games, they’d probably look at me and think, “What a waste of time,” and distance themselves.

“Who spends a thousand hours on a soccer game just for a hobby? At least make your lies believable.”

“A soccer game?”

“Wow, oppa. I play soccer games too.”

“But if it’s a soccer game, I get it. That game is seriously addictive.”

What’s wrong with soccer games?

They’re fun.

Even though I’m not good at real-life soccer, being good at the game is enough, isn’t it?

Anyway, it was about time to head back to the counter.

There weren’t any customers yet, but I still had to work during my shift.

“I’m going to head back, so enjoy yourselves.”

“Wow, your tone is so fake.”

I made up my mind that I was going to shake Yeram up like a sack of grain when we got home, as I returned to the counter.

Then, Yehwa, curious about our relationship, subtly asked,

“What’s your connection with those girls?”

“Oh, that’s my younger sister. The one with the short hair.”

“I thought so. I felt like I’d seen your face somewhere before.”

Come to think of it, I was going to ask Yeram where she got all that money from, but I forgot.

I guess I’ll ask her when I get home.

Time passed.

“Well then, I’m going to head out now.”

“Take care.”

I finished my shift.

It seemed like Yehwa stayed here almost all day.

How can she stay here for so long?

I thought it was impressive as I quickly left the café.

“Whew, that was exhausting.”

Maybe it felt tougher because it was my first time working in a while.

But oh well.

I’ll get used to it eventually.

With that thought, I texted Yeram.

[Me: My dear little sister]

[Me: I have something to talk about, so don’t start another game.]

Now it was time to talk about the coffee bill.