meant for you [choi yeonjun]

3. a place i'll learn to love

˙ . ꒷ 🍰 . 𖦹˙-

My shift today runs from 9 am to 2 pm and it's already 1 pm. Just one more hour before I can head home and work on packing up today's online orders.

Soft piano music fills the shop, giving it a calm, dreamy vibe. It's been a quiet day with only a few customers stopping by, but maybe that's just because the shop is still new and not many people know about this hidden gem yet.

I carefully place the new stock on the shelves, straightening each item so it looks just right. The shop really is adorable-warm lighting, whimsical displays, and little Ghibli touches everywhere. It feels like stepping into a peaceful corner of a storybook.

Kyomoon, my manager, is in the storeroom, sorting through boxes and organizing the new stock. Earlier, he told me to just focus on arranging the products on the shelves outside for now, and that he'd let me know if there was anything else he needed.

As I'm straightening a row of plushies, I hear footsteps behind me.

"Nari, it's 1 pm already" Kyomoon says casually. "Let's go grab lunch? Your shift's almost over anyway."

I straighten up, brushing off my hands. "Oh... are we just leaving the shop like this? What if a customer comes in?"

He chuckles and points to a little sign near the register. "I'll just hang this up-'On lunch break, back soon.' No worries."

I glance at him, then nod. "Oh, okay then. Let's go."

Honestly, I could've just eaten at home and cooked something simple... but here I am, agreeing to lunch with my manager on day one.

It's fine, Nari. First days are for settling in-and maybe getting to know the person you'll be working with.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

We walk side by side down the quiet street, the sound of our footsteps mixing with the soft buzz of the afternoon. After a moment of silence, Kyomoon finally speaks. "I think we'll just head to the Family Mart. It's close by," he says, glancing over at me. "What do you feel like eating?"

"That sounds perfect," I reply with a small smile. "Maybe I'll just grab a sandwich."

He nods, returning the smile. "Alright. I think I'll go with sushi."

It's simple, easy. But for some reason, the quiet walk and small talk feel kind of nice. Like the calm before the real work begins.

We step into the Family Mart, greeted by the soft hum of the air conditioning and rows of neatly stocked shelves. I head straight for the sandwiches and grab an iced coffee from the fridge. Kyomoon picks out a pack of sushi and a can of soda.

At the counter, I reach into my bag for my purse, but before I can pull out my wallet, Kyomoon gently brushes my hand aside.

"It's okay, I'll pay for today's lunch," he says with a warm smile. "It's your first day, after all." He's kind. For now, at least-I really hope it stays that way.

"Are you sure?" I ask quickly. "I can pay for my own."

He shakes his head, still smiling. "No, please. Just let me pay, okay?"

I pause, then nod. "Thank you... I'll treat you next time."

We walk back to the shop with our small convenience store bags in hand. The streets are calm, the afternoon sun casting a soft glow on the pavement. Once we're inside, Kyomoon unlocks the door and flips the sign back to "Open." The familiar chime rings again as we step in.

"Let's eat in the back room," he suggests, motioning for me to follow. I nod, quietly trailing behind him. The storeroom smells faintly of cardboard and wood, but it's cozy in its own way. We sit on a small bench near a low table, unwrapping our lunches.

There's a peaceful silence between us as we eat, broken occasionally by the soft piano music still playing in the shop.

I glance over at him. "Thanks again, Kyomoon. For lunch."

He looks up mid-bite and smiles. "Of course. Gotta take care of my staff, right?"

I smile back, a sense of ease finally settling in. It feels different now-comfortable. It's just my first day, but something about this place feels right. Warm, quiet, a little magical. Maybe it's just the feeling that today is the start of something good.

I think... I might actually love this job.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

I got home around 2:20 p.m., keys jingling as I unlocked the door. The moment I stepped inside, I headed straight to my room, slipping out of my work clothes and into my favorite cozy pajamas.

After washing my face and tying my hair up, I made my way to the living room and started packing customer orders. Thank goodness my small business still gets steady support-some of my regulars order a lot, and honestly, I'm so grateful for them.

Their trust means everything.

I opened my playlist and let the music fill the room, soft melodies wrapping around me like a warm hug. Today had been surprisingly kind. My first day at the part-time job went smoother than I expected, and I was still carrying that little glow of relief.

Hae even texted me, asking if the new job was okay or a disaster. I told her the truth-it went well, and I'm genuinely happy.

It feels nice to say that and mean it.

"Movies, movies
I want a love like the movies"

Ugh. Me too, Conan. Me too.

It must be nice-having that kind of love. The kind that feels soft and safe, a little dramatic in all the best ways. The kind where someone looks at you like you're their whole world. Even the rich kind, if I'm being honest-lol.

Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about a love like that. A male lead who's way too good to be real, saying all the right things at all the right moments.

But other times? Love just feels... exhausting to think about. Complicated. Messy. Maybe even overrated.

Still, a little part of me keeps wishing. Just in case.