The next few days passed in a blur of routine. Customers came and went, laughter filled the shop, and yet a quiet tension clung to the air—thin but noticeable, like a thread stretched too tight.
Min noticed it most in Kei.
He still smiled, still brewed tea with that calm grace that drew people in, but sometimes, Min caught him staring into space. His silver eyes would drift toward the window, unfocused, as though watching something far away—or someone.
Min tried to shake it off. "He said it's in the past," he muttered to himself as he rearranged the display. "So why am I the one still thinking about it?"
"Talking to yourself again?" Kei's voice came from behind him, teasing yet gentle.
Min jumped, spinning around with a flustered grin. "You startled me!"
Kei chuckled, setting down a tray of fresh pastries. "You were glaring at those shelves. I thought they'd offended you."
"I wasn't glaring! I was just…" He paused, lips pressing together. "Never mind."
Before Kei could reply, the bell above the door rang. The sound was soft but sharp enough to make Kei's hand freeze mid-motion.
Min turned, half-smiling out of habit. "Welcome—"
The words caught in his throat.
Standing in the doorway was Riku.
Black hair brushed against his jawline, framing eyes the color of storm clouds. His expression was calm, almost polite, but the air seemed to grow heavier around him all the same.
"Morning," Riku greeted, voice smooth, almost too casual. "You've got quite the place here."
Kei's tone was even when he answered. "You shouldn't be here."
Riku's smile didn't falter. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. It's been a while."
The way he said it—like he knew he wasn't welcome but came anyway—made Min's stomach twist. He didn't know what history lay between them, but the tension was sharp enough to slice through the air.
Kei stepped forward, blocking Riku's view of the counter. "Say what you came to say and go."
"Always so cold," Riku murmured, eyes flicking past him—landing briefly on Min. "But I see you've found something new to warm you."
The words were soft, but the meaning behind them wasn't.
Min's heart skipped.
Kei's expression didn't change, but his knuckles tightened.
The storm had finally reached their doorstep.
To be continued...