*Knock knock*
"Yes?"
Mimo's voice rose in pitch, startled by the knock.
"Does the uniform fit? It's just a sample," came Unsoo's voice. His calm tone helped settle her previously excited feelings.
"Yes, it fits," Mimo answered cautiously. In truth, she hadn't even unfolded the clothes yet. But these were the clothes he had given her—of course, they had to fit. And if they didn't, she was determined to make them fit by squeezing her body into them.
Quickly, she wiped her wet hair and body with the towel. Then she unfolded the uniform.
*Ahh!*
Mimo covered her mouth with both hands, silently screaming with joy. The clothes were a women's set that reminded her of the light blue shirt and black pants he had been wearing the first time she saw him. Since it was a women's set, the black pants were replaced with a knee-length black skirt.
"This is what they call couple outfits, right? In my dating history, I've only had two boyfriends, and I never even had any couple items. These clothes are practically glowing! I love it!"
Unsoo was about to head to the café hall with a cup of hot Americano when he heard the storage room door open. He stopped, and she walked toward him, stopping just in front of him. She was wearing a light blue shirt and black skirt, her hair tousled as if to say she had just dried it.
"I'm glad the clothes fit."
"Yes," Mimo replied shyly, holding her wet clothes without meeting his eyes. As he looked at her, his gaze fell on the sneakers resting on top of the wet clothes. Then, he glanced down at the floor—she was standing barefoot.
"Oh! I forgot to bring shoes. Sorry about that," Unsoo said, handing her the hot Americano he had been holding. "Take a seat over there and have this while you wait."
With that, he hurried back into the storage room.
---
*Café Hall*
Mimo set her wet clothes on one chair and took a sip of the coffee. The warmth spread through her body, easing the chill from her wet clothes. Feeling more comfortable, she took in her surroundings. Though she'd been here once before, she hadn't noticed the café's interior because she had only been looking at him.
The white walls and light gray tables gave the café a modern, clean look. Next to the counter was a display case with a sign for sandwiches.
"They sell sandwiches here too," she thought, turning her gaze toward the large windows facing the street. The blinds were down since the café wasn't open yet. Realizing that no one could see inside from the street, her face suddenly flushed.
"We're alone in here..."
Her heart began to race again.
"Calm down. Get a grip. You can't act like this," she scolded herself, lightly pounding her chest with her fists. At that moment, he approached her, noticing her odd behavior.
"Hey…"
"Yes?" she responded, immediately straightening up and pushing her hair back from her face.
"Just now…?"
He mimicked her motion of lightly pounding his chest with his fists.
"Oh, nothing! I was just feeling a little stuffy, that's all."
"Stuffy? Maybe it's because I haven't opened the blinds yet?"
He began moving as if to open the blinds.
"It's… it's fine! I'm okay right now."
Mimo stopped him, suddenly realizing that she liked the feeling of this private moment, the two of them together in this enclosed space. She couldn't let that romantic mood disappear! The blinds had to stay down!
At her words, his gaze shifted from the blinds back to her. He placed a pair of slippers neatly in front of her.
"Thank you," she said as she quickly slipped into the slippers. They were a bit small, with her heels sticking out slightly.
*I feel like Cinderella. They may not be glass slippers, but his caring gesture is just like in the fairy tale. Even though these don't fit perfectly, I'll make it work!*
She pushed her heels into the slippers, smiling to herself.
"They fit perfectly."
"Really?" Unsoo glanced down, noticing her heels sticking out. Despite this, he nodded at her claim and sat down across from her. She grew tense at his nearness and took a sip of her coffee.
"I'm Kang Unsoo. You're Han Mimo, right?"
At the mention of her name, Mimo, who had just taken a sip of Americano, nearly choked as the coffee caught in her throat.
*Cough cough*
Unsoo quickly stood and handed her some napkins.
"I-I'm sorry…"
"It's fine. You just seemed surprised for a moment."
"Well, yes… I didn't expect you to know my name."
He chuckled. "It's not that surprising. Everyone in this shopping plaza knows you."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, most of the regulars here are the people who work in this building. A lot of them have mentioned you."
Mimo swallowed nervously. *What have they been saying about me? Did they talk about the time I argued over recycling? Oh no… did they tell him I have a bad temper?*
She began fidgeting, shaking her leg and playing with her nails, anxiously waiting to hear what he'd say next.
"Don't worry—it's nothing bad. I just heard you run your own business in the basement. That's impressive."
"Oh… yes. I work hard at it, all by myself. Haha…" she replied, her body relaxing as the tension melted away.
"And they also mentioned that you're always the first one to arrive and that you always wear training clothes. That's how I recognized you right away."
He spoke with a sense of pride as if pleased that he had identified her so easily.
"Oh… yes, that's me, haha…" She smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit uneasy at his words.
"I was disappointed you've only come to the café once."
"What?" His words took her by surprise, and a sense of joy welled up inside her. *He noticed me back then too! My heart couldn't take it, so I couldn't go back after that, but he was disappointed!*
"I'll visit more often from now on," she promised, looking directly at him.
He smiled warmly. "That would be nice. Since we'll be seeing each other often, let's be friends."
He said they'd see each other often! She couldn't take her eyes off his face as she repeated his words in her mind.
"Since we're friends now, why not drop the formal speech?"
"But... your age?"
"I'm 33. I believe you're 32, right?"
*How does he even know my age? Those gossiping ladies…* "Yes, that's right."
"Great. I know it's a lot to ask, but I have a favor to request."
"Anything! You were so kind to me today—I'll do anything you ask."
"Really?" His bright smile melted her heart, and she nodded, staring at him dreamily.
Just then, the café door opened, and a customer walked in.
"Are you open yet?"
"Oh, is it that time already?" Unsoo said, standing up.
Mimo rose from her seat too. "Should I…?"
"I'll contact you later about that favor. Can I have your number?" he asked.
*Exchanging numbers!*
She quickly handed him her phone, and after inputting his number, he returned it with a smile. "You'd better keep your promise!"
"Of course! I'll be the grateful magpie who repays you tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"I'll wash and return these clothes," she said, referring to the uniform.
---
*Weekend Morning...*
Sunlight streamed through the window as Mimo sat at her vanity, carefully applying makeup, taking her time with each step.
"Was his request a date? Oh my gosh! He insisted I keep my promise, and it turns out it's a date? Haha!"
Humming happily, she stood in front of the mirror, holding up a brown dress.
"Something that says 'fall vibe'... Perfect! It's been so long since I've gone out. Who cares if I always wear training clothes? My office is just around the corner, and I work alone—it'd be strange to dress up every day. But today, I'll show him a different side of me!"
---
*In Front of a Korean Restaurant*
"I'll be the grateful magpie…" Mimo hummed as she walked up to the restaurant.
"It's bigger than I expected. A first date at a Korean restaurant? How did he know I love Korean food? Haha."
She entered the restaurant and mentioned the name Kang Unsoo. The staff led her to a private room.
*Is he already here?*
Mimo paused at the door, adjusted her clothes, and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She opened the door with trembling hands, but the person waiting inside was a stranger.
"Who are you?"