— funny plus.

@✽ luda l. “Hm, the spring rolls and chow mien with tea? Okay. I’ll get those out for you soon.” He answers and writes it down on the little waiter notebook he tends to carry around while taking and placing orders to keep them separated and organized. “Oh- water too- got it down.” he adds to his response and steps off to request to place those orders for the chefs to make.

Oh my god that was unexpected... Chenle didn’t expect to encounter Luda like that, well, it’s nothing bad though at a place he works at? Hm, she also did have something different about her, but the male couldn’t quite put together what it was as he wasn’t trying to awkwardly stare at her for too long after he basically left her and his life back in Shanghai when he didn’t wish to get married. He let out a little sigh to relax his breath as he grabbed the drinks when they were done and went back to her table after a few minutes and plopped them onto the table, “okay here you go, a tea and water.” he raised a small brow towards the familiar woman though it was not a gaze in a bad manner, well... She’s still beautiful, he can't deny that. “I’ll be back” he muttered and left to go attend to other people and head to the kitchen briefly.

@✽ sehun o. Seungwan quickly shook her head, a smile across her face. “It’s fine. I didn’t have to wait long, and well,” she raised the cup of tea to show her male companion what had been accompanying her before he came along. “I got this guy right here. It has an earthy taste with a splash of citrus. It’s not bitter at all if that’s what you’re thinking of asking.”

She placed it down quickly after, suddenly very aware of her surroundings when a server walked past their table. Straightening her back, she tucked her hair behind her ears as she shifted her focus on the friend sitting right in front of her.

“Would you like some tea? We could ask them to pour you a cup.”

Everything felt right, like soft grass in between the folds of your fingers and pieces of puzzles that fit its frame. The things blooming underneath her ribcage also reminded her of a ship-in-a-bottle. The kinds sold at souvenir shops along the beaches, some with only sand and some with polarizing water. Just like it, she found the ship that carried her past emotions, nerves and worries when she had seen Sehun at the pet shop crusading out of the bottle, leaving only the excitement of a smooth sail on a bright sunny day. It also took away memories of a surprised Sehun and how quickly he retracted his hand from hers outside the shop. What was left was the Sehun sitting in front of her now.

“What sort of question is that?” Seungwan crossed her arms together and leaned forward. “If I get it right, what would it mean? That’s you’re still a picky eater? Don’t tell me you still can’t eat something spicy.”

Turning her attention back to the menu, her manicured nail went down each line of printed text. While there were some familiar dishes that Seungwan knew both she and Sehun could enjoy, there were some with names she didn’t dare ask him how to pronounce. Her action came to a pause, and she looked up from the laminated paper at the other’s questions.

Well, she didn’t necessarily have an answer to any of them. Seungwan glanced away for a quick second; her lips pursed and feet suddenly fidgety. She wasn’t so sure herself. Yes, there was that space she had just rented for her clinic and an apartment unit with two bedrooms; she signed a lease a week after returning to Dandelion. And while those things may be hard proof that she wanted to be back for good, she continued to question herself. Was she only back to give herself a short break?

“I’ll answer that after I order us some food. You must be famished after working.” Seungwan held the menu in her hand close to Sehun. “Should we still have some black bean noodles? Or maybe something to go with rice? Like a stir-fried chicken with chilli?”

@✽ renjun h.ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵐᵒⁿᵗʰ⁻ⁱˢʰ The sudden Mandarin was a bit of a shock to him, he shouldn’t have assumed that /everyone/ at Funny Plus was a Cantonese speaker, but that was on him. It was alright anyway, he was fluent in Mandarin, thankfully. He’d just have to use it on this employee from now on! “Yes, me!” he replied with a slight laugh, being guided into the restaurant. He lowered the strap of his backpack so that now he was gripping the top loop with his hand like a handbag instead. He didn’t want to wrinkle the right shoulder of his button-down anyway. “It’s fancy in my eyes, I think. Also, I never caught your name? Um, sir? Are we the same age?” he wondered if he should be asking this many questions, but there was a hierarchy of age within their language so.

Junhui shook his head silently before speaking up. “Not really, I was a waiter for like a year at a few different restaurants back in the mainland. I was around 19 and in college at the time, so it’s been a few years. I am more used to uh… tech jobs?” He followed the employee as he rummaged through some boxes, with Junhui eventually taking the half apron and tying it around his waist. He took a glance at a nearby reflective surface and nodded in satisfaction, he looked good. “I’m pretty good, I think! I’m pretty friendly and I know 6 verbal languages and 1 sign language. So that helps with communication!” he chirped back. He wondered why he was giving his qualifications to the other guy when he was already hired. Maybe he felt as if he needed to prove himself, he didn’t know the work culture of Funny Plus yet. He was just glad this employee was a lot friendlier than his old restaurant co-workers back in China.

@✽ junhui w. The sudden Cantonese had caught Renjun off guard, brows furrowing slightly at the words he couldn’t understand. He held onto the door handle, switching his weight back and forth onto his feet before hearing the familiar mandarin he was used to. The second thing to catch him off guard was the name. “Oh, you!” He exclaimed in mandarin, eyes widening as he ushered the male inside. “Sorry about that! My to-do list just had your name written down, I wasn’t sure what the reason was!” Once they were both inside he closed the door, shaking his head at Junhui’s question before walking over to the table he was resting at not too long ago. “Well in that case, welcome! It’s nice to meet you as well! Overdressed isn’t the right word..” Renjun glanced over the male’s outfit once more before shrugging. “Knowing that you’re our new host it makes more sense.. so I guess you’re dressed perfect for it. For a waiter or cook though? You’d definitely be overdressed.. we’re not exactly the fanciest place here, if you couldn’t tell.” A small laugh left his lips as he thought about just how laid back the atmosphere and environment really was here.

“Oh right! New hire!” Renjun stumbled over his feet as he went to grab his list, reading it over to see if there were any pointers to help him guide the new employee. None, perfect. A sigh left his lips before stuffing the paper away into his back pocket. “So.. is this your first time in the food business or are you already used to the work experience?” His words got fainter as he went behind the front counter for a second, rummaging through one of the boxes before pulling out a half apron. “Here, finishing touch to your look.. now, we get to go over the not so fun stuff. Tell me, how good are you with people? I mean, I’m assuming you were hired for a good reason.. other than that, this is honestly an easy job. I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy it, plus being surrounded by a familiar language and culture makes it all the more enjoyable..” he smiled more to himself at his last sentence, thinking back to when he first started working. Being able to hear the language he grew up with be spoken by costumers was something that made him so happy. Feeling comfortable and almost at home, he could on,y hope and imagine it was the same for the others.

@✽ chenle z. "In that case hmm may I get the spring rolls and the chow main along with the tea?" She order while handing him back the menu. She pause for a couple of seconds thinking. "And a couple of water also please." Luda added while taking a quick lookover at him thankful he seems well. She open her month, but closed it again. It might not be the best time to talk nor ask him anything.

Luda sighed what seem to be the hundred time while rubbing her stomach in habit-something she learn over the past two months. She wondering when would be the best time to ask Chenle to meet up for a quick talk. She's not even sure how to ask since the last place she thought she will meet him was at his work. Luda could try her luck to bump into him again in town, but she had no idea how long it will take.

@✽ luda l. Chenle momentarily gazed away from the table and the woman currently sat at the spot as if waiting for her response for what she wishes to order. He peeked back to her and couldn’t help but have his eyes widen a tad bit, trying to not have his sudden change in expression be that obvious, easily recognizing her. “Um. Well, Welcome to funny plus. I don’t have one specific recommendation but there’s hot pot, spring rolls, chow mein- hope that helps?”

The male lets out a silent sigh as he didn’t expect to encounter his fiance today and at his job of all places. He raised an eyebrow a little bit as if he’s studying her but chenle didn’t wish to make it any more awkward than it probably is now. “Yes I can get that for you, if you wish.” he answers in his native tongue, Mandarin. “It’ll be soon.” he adds and writes down the drink item on his small notebook he has handy for orders.

@✽ chenle z. Luda didn't glanced up from the menu once as she heard the waiter coming. She was to deep in thoughts about what to order. It wasn't until she heard the name that she lifted her head up. "No way." Luda mumbled having to do a double take. She wasn't wrong at all it was really him-the one person she's been looking for this whole time. She pretended not to know him as she replied back. "It's my first time here. What would you recommend?"

Luda inwardly sighed in relief at least she knew Chenle was in this town. Luda might be a cold; however even she knew better then to cause anything especially when he was at work. She would always have another chance to have a proper talk with him later. "But for the drink do you have any lemon tea with honey?" She asked in perfect Mandarin. She normally drink it only when she's sick or needing to calm her nerves down.

@✽ yihyun c. There were some employees suddenly taking day offs and sick leaves that week, so Junhui was one of the few staff still remaining that weren’t cooking. Normally he was the host and immediately greeting every customer at the front, but thankfully he shadowed one of the waiters who was glad to teach him the ropes of waiting on people and taking their order. It didn’t come naturally to him at first, but he had good memory and listening ability so it was easy enough, especially since he understood Korean too.

He was conversing with one of the cooks in the kitchen, the head cook was clearly stressed at the sheer volume of orders that night, especially since Funny Plus was short on hands the past few days. Junhui sighed, a little exhausted as he patted the cook on the back reassuringly. “It’s okay, the others will come back tomorrow or the day after, some of them told me they really did get sick.” he spoke to the older man in Cantonese, before peeking out of the kitchen and seeing a fair amount of customers. He took a deep breath, adjusting his apron and grabbing his usual notepad for taking orders quickly.

There was a new face at one of the tables, thankfully she just entered the premises with the guidance of one of the other waiters. Junhui had been distracted so he was glad someone covered his work for just a second. He walks confidently to the table, standing by it and looking down at the girl, flashing him his “hospitality grin.” “Welcome to Funny Plus, I’m Junhui, are you ready to order?” he let out, saying it in Korean first and then Mandarin Chinese right after. Not all the waiters did this, but he noticed that most of their customers were either Korean or occasionally Chinese, he wanted to make sure they were comfortable.

@✽ junhui w. coming back from university to be greeted with newer establishments open and running in almost every corner of the humble town feels as if the town grows old along with her. as it feels overwhelmingly good, pride swells in her chest.

with consideration of the town's history as well as established businesses under influential and rising families, it is not surprising for dandelion to earn a couple of business demands, more than a couple if she could count each deal whenever it is made. the growing number of the population over the years also offers varying needs and wants; customers and newcomers alike flooding in and out of town, though most newcomers settle in as is observed. four years in seoul earns yihyun of missed opportunities and memories, as well as an extraordinary case of fear of missing out on courtesy of friends and brothers. one of the reasons why she works as a zoo ranger in her hometown, aside from the sense of familiarity and comfort.

it is not hard to spot a newly opened store/shop on her way from work and going back to her family home, easily so when she memorized the old ones on the back of her hand. admittedly, yihyun has never been to most of the places mentioned in passing nor the ones recommended. with post-education and work reasons weak in her defense, she surely is missing out a lot; there is still that weight of regret heavy on her shoulders once she realized she missed out a lot more than she thought upon rejecting an offer of her mother to deliver pastries from a frequented establishment to her dorm room to this day.

long story short, she took matters into her own hands and yihyun is now a regular of said establishment.

with an admiration and encouragement to change, as well as the drive of exploring the unknown, yihyun has been hopping from one store to the other in order to feed her curiosity and have the chance to enjoy the new scenery everyday. as noticed, it has been her way to destress. to call the opened businesses entertaining, out of the ordinary can be considered as an understatement; she loves every store she visits both out of personal preferences or with a recommendation from a friend/family member. she has new acquaintances and earns more recommendations from them, it's a win!

this week's visit, in particular, is quite special. one of her older brothers promised on taking her out to happy hours upon it noticing almost open twenty-four seven — it is a jackpot for someone who likes munching something in or closer hours of midnight, and living with a sister who is practically awake until three in the morning with an outstanding appetite; yihyun is the perfect plus one to drag with the establishment. they never went, plus their friends have recommended the place, so it's a good opportunity. he even brought something like a dress or a flowy top for the occasion with the "your choice of clothing might not match with my style" excuse — plus an excuse to spoil — and yihyun never says no for something new in her wardrobe.

until said older brother has an unforeseen meeting to attend to somewhere in seoul and will be back at the end of the week. he might hate her for ditching him for their bonding time (his words) but his younger sister doesn't like waiting too long especially if it's been planned for quite some time now. she can send a photo to compenstate. make him jealous too.

determination on one shoulder and excitement on the other, yihyun sets off to happy hours. the name itself is contagious; as it rings in her head, it helps pop a grin on her face. she never heard of something like the likes of reservations from her brother in passing too so she is confident stepping in and taking a seat. she makes sure to take photos every now and then as she is scanning the menu thoroughly. her constant doting leaves her phone busy but it is fun teasing her brother, thumbs busy on her screen whilst she suppresses the need to laugh.

@✽ luda l. chenle emitted a faint hum while he worked during his shift , it was merely a random song that had decided to be stuck in his mind of course, nothing too special about that. the customers were pretty sweet , the ones he served at his designated tables that he tends to have to ‘watch over,’ and take their orders, serve the food and drinks as necessary.

he’d suddenly been curious about something in particular, a certain topic that had occasionally lingered through his mind over and over again. it had been through his thoughts even since he chose to leave his home, the one home he’d been used to for nearly his whole life. now why did he leave? was he kicked out? no. It was simply chenle’s decision on his own to run off..he wasn’t sure where to per say, as this was kinda last minute but he’d eventually found himself in the small town of Dandelion located in South Korea. The male left home because he felt as if he wasn’t ready to settle down with someone .. somebody who’d he been set up as an arranged marriage by his parents and her parents too.

Chenle had nearly jumped on the spot, being startled and blurting out a chinese swear in the process when a co-worker called his name, bringing him out of his wondering thoughts to take a customer’s order. “oh! Sorry.” He muttered and headed on over to the area of where he noticed a new customer who’d been shown to the table to sit at. He sighed softly and walked over there, taking out the lil book required to take the order and beginning to greet himself.. without taking a double glance of who he was now stood in front of.. this’ll be a surprise, huh?

“Hello! My name is Chenle and I’ll be your waiter today, what would you like to order, ma’am?” He asks, in a tone sounding polite and gentle.

@✽ chenle z. It was an unusually peaceful mood for Luda as she finally gotten a good night sleep. She had a rare night off her work which she desperately needed after her last client was a bit to rough. She yawned taking a quick glance at the time which read 9:30am then unwrapped herself from her blanket to get day.

Luda decided to take a break from hunting down her fiancé not wanting her mood to go bad. The day was instead relaxing at the park for a couple of hours then window shopping for another hour or so. It was only when her stomach growl loudly did she realized she should got something to eat walking into a random restaurant.

It was funny how life works when she noticed she walked right into a Chinese restaurant she politely thank the hostess who glided her to a table near the back. She nodded her head in understanding when she was informed someone will be with her shortly to take her order. Luda hummed happily while looking over the menu thinking she'll start looking for her fiancé again tomorrow. She didn't know fate was about to end her long exhausting search.

@✽ luda l. It was merely another regular day for Chenle as he got up from his bed, despite not wanting to do so because my god it’s comfy under these sweet blankets. He lightly groaned in annoyance to himself as he began to get himself ready for today as he has to work soon, it’s the same shifts he used to, but who knows.. life may unexpectedly throw something towards the man’s way and this day may not be like the rest.

He finished getting ready for work and eventually drove off to the restaurant, ‘funny plus’ which serves authentic Chinese food. All the fellow workers and the owner know the language as well, so that’s neat. Chenle noticed the location in the distance as he eventually arrived and parked his car in a spot that wasn’t quite near too many cars which was perfectly fine. He managed to show on time what mattered and headed into the building, making a swift greeting to any of his fellow coworkers who were already there.

By the time it hit afternoon-ish time, people were coming in and going as they enjoyed their meal and talked with one another so occasionally he’d hear bits and pieces of talks, but that’s normal. Huh, he wonders if anything intriguing may come by or if someone he knows would show up, but you may never know what or who may come by.. only fate knows.

@✽ wonshik k. “Since you seem to want to go on a date with me that badly I assume you are paying?” He playfully teased as he poked the other male that was by his side. He lead them into the restaurant as he greeted the host before being seated at a table. “You’re in luck that I haven’t been here before. I’ll be asking you for some recommendations. ” He sat down as he looked over the other before lifting the menu that was left at the table. Though he wasn’t showing his own emotions Hakyeon was a little nervous.

@✽ renjun h. Junhui continued peering in through the glass, seeing almost no people inside, probably just some muffled noises of people who could be in the kitchen. There was one person who seemed to be sleeping on the table, that is until his knocking woke the person up. He took a step back from the glass door, feeling guilty for waking the guy from his slumber. Clearing his throat and adjusting his shirt so it looked neatly pressed (which it was) and unwrinkling any off parts of it, he watched the worker come out.

The employee looked at Junhui from top to bottom and he felt just a little bit nervous, especially since the person welcomed him in Korean and asked if he wanted a table. He was only slightly shocked, did he look Korean or was nobody at Funny Plus expecting him to arrive? Also he had no idea he looked like a health inspector… He was definitely sure that he had gotten the job, especially with his supposed boss speaking in Cantonese over the phone. This was his chance, he’d just have to introduce himself in Chinese!

“It’s alright,” he muttered in near fluent Korean. He shook his head, signaling a silent ‘no I’m not Korean’ to the worker after he bowed as a greeting. “I’m not a customer, actually. I’m Wen Junhui, I’m the new host.” he spoke in Cantonese, since he assumed everyone at Funny Plus used Cantonese like the owner did. A brief pause and he suddenly added, speaking in Mandarin this time because he could have been mistaken, so he repeated his sentence, seamlessly transitioning into Mandarin since he was fluent in it as well. “My bad, I’m the new host hire, Wen Junhui. Nice to meet you! Am I… overdressed?” He spoke, adding a little joke at the very end to have his new co-worker feel more comfortable. Junhui made the right choice to not wear a bowtie.

@✽ seungwan s. Seeing her smile was a different ordeal. It made him… uncomfortable. But not because it was her fault— no, it was because he felt like he was standing in the same shoes he was 16 years ago when the two first met. She smiled at him, and he smiled back before telling him his name was Sehun. The smile that used to comfort him during difficult moments made him shift his stance. This feeling caused a domino effect of negative emotions in Sehun’s gut, primarily anxiety and guilt. How could he feel this way about his best friend’s smile? How could he treat her as he did for the last ten years? How could he stand here before him, undeserving of such a thing?

He took his steps closer to her, hiding his anxious fidgeting in the pocket of his hoodie as he settled down in the seat. She knew of his fidgeting; he’s been doing it since before they met, so he hoped she wouldn’t notice… Despite her knowledge also being that it got worse when he was anxious.

Opening his mouth to say something, Sehun closed it again. He didn’t know *what* to say. He felt like all the words he was trying to practice had suddenly become a foreign language, and Sehun was trying to read them across the menu that had been passed to him. What was he trying to say? What did he want to say? Why was he like this?

Sehun cleared his throat. “Uh, well…” Keep going. You can do it. “I hope you weren’t waiting long. I’m sorry for being a little late.” He didn’t want to give an excuse. Sorry, I was practicing my lines outside. No, that was too embarrassing, and he didn’t want to lie. “I really don’t think they have. Can you guess what I want to order?” He wanted her to speak more than he did, to listen to her speak.

He was genuinely interested. He had nothing going on for himself, every day was more or less the same, but here she was after completing university, assuming she was doing everything she dreamed of doing… He wanted to hear about it from her and let her know that his ghost-like presence in her life was not because he didn’t care about her. He wasn’t sure how to do that without outright saying it, so he wanted to prove in his actions where he could.

“So, why are you back?” He flipped through the menu nonetheless, seeing if there were any additions he was interested in. “Are you just visiting? Or, at you staying with your parents?”

@✽ junhui w. Renjun hated working odd hours shifts, the dread of clocking in and a load of costumers already waiting on you as if you should’ve been there hours ago. Whether it was some form of karma for lying about being sick for a day off or if his lucky was really just that bad, he somehow ended up with yet another odd hour shift. 10 am to 4 pm. He scoffed at the email before stuffing his work shirt into his bag, groaning at the clock on his wall before leaving his box sized apartment.

The walk wasn’t long, opting to come in early today so he could beg and eventually sneak in a free breakfast before starting his day. He knocked on the glass door, cupping his eyes to peek inside before he was noticed and let in. Brief ‘hello’s and ‘welcome’s were exchanged before he was handed a list of all the different things he’d need to get done before clocking out. At the bottom of the list said ‘wen junhui - watch over’ huh? His brows furrowed in confusion before he set the paper down, focusing his attention onto the reheated scallion pancakes and wheat noodles that were now set next to him. Glancing over at his phone, he scarfed down the meal before placing the dish next to the rinse side of the sink and going towards the break room to change.

He never understood why he’d get constantly called in for mornings, he never understood why they were open in the morning anyways. They hardly had morning costumers save for a few grannies that liked to see him, something about looking or acting just like their grandsons back home in China. So with an empty restaurant and a deep lack of sleep, renjun let himself relax on one of the chairs. His head laid down on top of his arms, eyes half closed and mind blank as he focused on his breathing. The calmness quickly ended as loud knocks hit the door, the even louder voice causing the male to jump in his seat before quickly getting up. .. had he fallen asleep? Had someone been trying to get in for a while now? He shook his head, grabbing the apron that was hanging on the side door before pushing open the entrance way. “I’m.. im so sorry about that! Hope you weren’t waiting too long! How can I help you?” He looked over the male, eyes glancing him up and down before locking eyes with him. “Seat for one? Or two.. based on the fact you’re dressed nice. Unless you’re like an inspector or something, in that case you’ll have to wait for the manager..”

] IM SO SORRY FOR SUCH A LATE REPLY HOLY #($($7$7 IVE BEEN SUPER SICK ;;

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@✽ renjun h. Though Junhui has decent income from his ad revenue as a blogger as well as his YouTube channel with his best friend, things felt incomplete for him in Dandelion. He doesn’t have that many friends yet, even if he moved to the small town earlier this year and has been residing there for months. He had seen the local Chinese restaurant Funny Plus in passing, though he was always a bit conscious entering that place. Maybe it was the Chinese in him wanting to impress his fellow countrymen, even if it was in another place.

Suddenly a flyer for a job post in Funny Plus had hit him in the face while he was taking a stroll in one of the public areas of Dandelion. He saw that they needed a host, requiring that they’re able to speak Chinese, can serve customers, and is very charismatic. Junhui was 100% positive he could speak Chinese at least, the other requirements he’d have to learn later on, but he immediately dialed the number and by some of luck (maybe it was also him switching to Cantonese after hearing the boss during his phone interview) he got the job!

It was morning, Junhui was ready and prepared for the job as he could ever be. He was more accustomed to being in environments meant for STEM workers, especially white collar ones, but he didn’t mind doing service work. Anything to keep him social, and nothing wrong with making more connections in the town, right? He had his backpack hanging off one shoulder, neat black slacks and a white button-down shirt on his person. He wasn’t sure how formal restaurant hosts were supposed to look, so he omitted the necktie or bowtie before he would meet the other employees. He arrived a little earlier, knocking on the glass entrance with his knuckles. “Anybody here?” He said loudly in Mandarin.

@✽ sehun o. Without a moment of hesitation, Seungwan rose from her seat, firm hands on the table as she leaned forward to catch a look of a familiar face, now much more mature than the one she remembered. She beamed, and her gaze softened as Sehun walked through the door. Raising her hand at his small wave, she stood still until he settled down too.

It was not the first time she had seen an older Oh Sehun. The first time she had seen him was an hour ago, inside his grandmother’s pet shop. Despite many of her old friends saying nothing had changed with the shop, Seungwan begged to differ. The white paint on the walls seemed slightly washed out around the roof's trim and the concrete's bottom. Some children must have kicked the wall as there were traces of shoe skid marks next to the wooden door. The fluorescent tubes of the store sign were also yellowing, and when she pushed open the door, it made a creaking sound that wasn’t there before. The lady behind the counter had a few more wrinkles than the last time she remembered. None had remained the same.

Well, except for the smell.

As Seungwan walked into the shop, the same astringent smell from the hamsters in their homes welcomed her. And when she got closer to the cashier, she noted the heavy scent of bags of pet food.

When Seungwan greeted Sehun’s grandmother, the kind older lady quickly screamed for Sehun to come over. That there was a surprise waiting for him. She couldn’t say much except to wait for him to come out from the back of the store. It had been a while - a long time, actually. The last time they had spoken was during her orientation week at Yonsei University. The loss of contact wrecked her heart then, but no one was to be blamed. She understood that they were both chasing after their dreams, and she wished him all the best and would continue to cherish their friendship dearly. But when she found out that Sehun was still in town years after their last contact, Seungwan rushed to see him.

She was two weeks into her stay back in Dandelion, and while busy with a contractor to get her clinic up and ready by a month, Seungwan thought of visiting the people she knew, and Sehun’s grandmother was top on the list of many lovely faces. She hastened the idea's implementation when she heard he was still living in Dandelion. Perhaps, she was always meant to see him again.

“No, I haven’t. I was waiting for you,” she replied. Seungwan paused for a quick second to eye the neon-lit menus on the walls. “I guess the menu here has changed, and your preferences in food might have changed, so I thought that it’s best that we both order together. I hope that’s alright with you.”

Flipping the cardstock menu and pushing it forward, Seungwan smiled. “We can order now. You should recommend me some of the dishes you like from the new menu.”

@✽ seungwan s. “I’m sorry for… not talking to you for so long. I didn’t mean it. I was just… going through a lot. I am glad we get to talk again now but—”

“Sir? Is everything okay?”

Sehun tried not to scream as he felt the gentle tap on his shoulder, bringing his attention back to reality. “Uh— Yes! I’m…. I’m fine.” The man gave him a look, his name tag on his chest before he walked back into the restaurant. He must’ve been one of the waiters that saw some weird guy outside mumbling to himself. Sehun tried not to care too much, though he felt embarrassed, which wasn’t a good sign. He took a deep breath, placing a hand on his chest, calming himself down. Today hadn’t been a good day for his nervousness. He did not like surprises.

He didn’t have enough time to practice the lines he had brainstormed through his shift. To his grandmother, it was silly, especially when he didn’t tell her why he was whispering to himself while restocking cat food. She shook her head, thinking it was just some other antic he got himself into relating to whatever, not asking him anything as he continued his job. The anxiety riddled him. Even if he had enough time to practice, he didn’t feel ready as he walked into the restaurant and the warm air and smell of somewhat familiar food entered his nostrils.

Despite his mother’s insistence on the excellent atmosphere of the restaurant, Sehun didn’t visit this place anymore. It felt weird. So strangely nostalgic, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but be so aware of that distance in time since when he used to sit at these tables in his uniforms with his best friends. He would order from them when he wanted it, but even that memory left him in a weird headspace where things are so… similar. But so different.

He saw that right in his face earlier today and now, as he caught sight of Seungwan’s side profile sitting at the table. She was different but similar in how she carried herself and her excitement to be in his presence… It made his chest hurt; he didn’t know if he could live up to her expectations of Oh Sehun, her former best friend.

With a small wave, getting her attention, Sehun walked up to Seungwan’s table and sat down across from her. “Hey. Did you order already?”

@✽ sehun o. The first time she stepped foot into this eatery, she was in her summer school uniform, with braided hair and a stomach growling for a warm bowl of jajangmyeon that she ended up sharing with a friend. Now, here she was again, close to her thirty, the menu had changed, and she was still waiting for that same dear friend to walk through the glass door. She still remembered the times they had their meals there - from birthdays to post-exams mandatory celebrations. It did feel nice to walk down memory lane now that she was older. The old Chinese-Korean restaurant had now started serving authentic dishes, and Seungwan wasn’t sure which to order or what would be to their liking anymore. People changed, and she wondered if Sehun’s taste had also changed.

But the twenty-eight Sehun didn’t seem to change as much as she thought he would. He was still wearing the pink apron from his grandmother’s pet shop. The logo was fading, and so was the air of boyishness around Sehun. She remembered him to be just a bit taller than she was, but now, it felt weird to be standing two steps further away so that she could get a good look at his face. She had always wished that the years continued to treat her dear friend well, and outwardly, Seungwan felt that was the case. Inwardly—

Her smile fell.

The teacup felt warm against her fingertips. She started to wonder if she had taken a sip would it burn her tongue and, along with the memory of when Sehun had looked at her back at the pet shop?

Was she the only one excited to meet a familiar and warm face again? Or had the passing years created a rift far bigger than she had expected? She knew she was to blame for not keeping in touch with him, and she had no excuse for the times they could have caught up with each other.

Well, he did. Seungwan wished to believe when he pulled her out of the shop and asked that she wait for him there. Sparring her watch a glance, she straightened her back and stared at the door, hoping that the boy she used to know to push the door open.

"Oh so this must be the new chinese place, it looks alright." She looked around before casually just walking in and sniffs the air. "Mm that smell of fresh paint still lingers, lovely." Pulling her hat down so far it almost falls off her head, Gahyeon looked around and found the most darkest place she could find, heading there she looked around, briefcase under her arm she grinned, it wont be the last time she will set foot into this place, but who is to say, she would ever leave unless she has a job to be done.