Rina stood at the front counter of a small café, tapping her fingers against the counter as she waited for her order.
It had been a hectic morning—an influx of orders had kept her busy well into the early hours, and she needed a pick-me-up before heading to the local market for supplies.
The café smelled of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, a comforting aroma that eased some of her tension.
It was a cozy place, with soft lighting and shelves filled with books and plants. Rina hadn't planned on stopping here, but something about its quaint charm had drawn her in.
"Matcha latte for Rina!" the barista called out.
Rina stepped forward to grab her drink, but as she turned, she collided with someone for the second time that week.
"Whoa!"
Her drink wobbled precariously in her hand, but a quick reflex caught it just in time.
"Sorry, my bad—"
The voice was familiar.
Rina looked up and found herself face-to-face with Jiho.
"You again?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Jiho's eyes widened in surprise, and then a grin spread across his face. "Rina, right? Fancy running into you again."
Rina blinked, unsure how to respond. "What are you doing here?"
"Getting coffee, same as you," Jiho said, gesturing to the counter where a cup with his name scribbled on it sat waiting. "This is my go-to place. Do you come here often?"
"No," Rina said flatly. "First time."
Jiho chuckled, his easy demeanor making her feel slightly off-balance.
"Well, it's a good spot. Great drinks, nice atmosphere. And apparently, a good place to bump into new friends."
"Friends?" Rina repeated, arching an eyebrow.
Jiho shrugged, picking up his drink. "Why not? You seem cool."
Rina stared at him, trying to decipher his intentions.
He wasn't anything like the people she used to deal with back in Aurendia.
He didn't seem to want anything from her—no deals, no profit, just... conversation.
It was unsettling.
"Do you always talk to strangers like this?" she asked.
"Only the ones who make cool handmade cards," Jiho teased, taking a sip of his coffee. "Speaking of which, do you have your shop name yet? I wasn't kidding when I said I'd like to check it out."
Rina hesitated. For some reason, she felt reluctant to share her work with him. But at the same time, his interest felt genuine.
"It's called Ilvion Creations," she said finally.
"Ilvion Creations," Jiho repeated, nodding. "Got it. I'll look it up."
"Don't expect too much," Rina muttered, feeling uncharacteristically shy.
"Too late. My expectations are sky-high," Jiho said with a wink, making her roll her eyes.
The two of them stepped out of the café together, the morning sun casting a warm glow on the bustling street.
"Well, I've got to head to class," Jiho said, adjusting the strap of his bag. "But it was nice running into you again, Rina."
"Yeah," Rina replied, unsure what else to say.
"See you around?" Jiho asked, giving her a hopeful look.
"Maybe," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
Jiho grinned and waved before disappearing into the crowd.
Later that evening, as Rina worked on her latest order, her thoughts drifted back to Jiho.
There was something about him that intrigued her—his openness, his carefree attitude.
It was so unlike anything she had known in her previous life.
A part of her wondered if meeting him was a coincidence or something more.
Whatever it was, she couldn't deny that he had left an impression on her.
For the first time in a long while, she found herself smiling as she worked.