Behind the Counter

Rain poured down in heavy sheets, and people passed by the café windows, umbrellas bobbing along the street. Yuna worked happily behind the counter, enjoying the atmosphere the rain brought. On the café’s TV, a K-pop group was performing. She couldn’t help but dance a little, completely absorbed, and didn’t notice the customer standing in front of her.

Jax, who had been waiting and watching her with a slightly annoyed look, muttered, “Always these K-pop fans…”

Startled, Yuna spilled some milk onto the floor. “Oh! I’m so sorry,” she said, quickly wiping it up. “I was… elsewhere.”

Jax didn’t even glance at her, scrolling on his phone. “I saw it. At least some people enjoy this awful weather.”

Yuna straightened up and prepared his order. “You don’t like the rain? I find it so soothing.”

“I work looking at the sky,” Jax replied flatly. “So no, not really.”

Yuna pouted slightly and muttered to herself, “He just doesn’t like showers, that’s all…” She handed him a latte with a sun drawn in the foam. Smiling innocently, she said, “Then you just need to make your own sunshine.”

Jax chuckled softly and took the drink, turning away. “If it were that easy…” Then he left.

Yuna watched him go. He’s a bit depressing, that one…

Meanwhile, Jax thought to himself, She’s kind of amusing… I’ll come back to this café.

The next day was bright and sunny. Yuna went about her usual routine, completely forgetting the encounter from yesterday.

The day after, Jax returned to the café, this time smiling. He approached the counter and laid down some laminated sheets.

Yuna looked at him, perplexed, pointing. “Mr. Sunshine!”

Jax blushed slightly and scratched the back of his neck. “Or maybe you should ask my name instead,” he said, extending the sheets. “See what the rain hides on bad days.”

She picked up the sheets, eyes wide in wonder. “Wow! These are beautiful! Where did you find them?”

“I took them myself,” Jax replied. They were photographs of the galaxy.

“My telescope works better in clear weather, doesn’t it?” he added, a nerdy grin faintly showing behind his words.

Yuna laughed. “I couldn’t have guessed that. You also-”

A customer approached, so Yuna straightened up and handed the sheets back to Jax with a gentle smile. “Go sit down. I’ll take my break so we can talk.”

Jax obeyed silently. Why did I come straight here after taking the photos… he wondered.

A few minutes later, Yuna approached his table, placing some cookies down and sitting across from him. “So, if I understand correctly, your job has something to do with the sky… space?”

Jax nodded, holding out his phone to show his Wikipedia page.

Yuna’s eyes widened as she took the phone. “Wow! You’re really famous!”

Jax blushed slightly but straightened his posture. “That’s thanks to my quality reporting. I’m a science journalist specializing in space.”

“Cool,” Yuna said softly, clapping her hands. She looked at his phone again. “Jax Solace… that doesn’t sound Canadian. Where are you from?”

Jax kept his face expressionless, but his tone was more relaxed. “Finland, that’s why-”

Yuna’s eyes lit up. “The country of Santa Claus!”

Jax was momentarily speechless before laughing. “I was going to say because of the northern lights, but Santa Claus works just as well.”

They both laughed, and Yuna pointed at the sheets. “I’d love to display your photos in the café. We could do a collaboration!”

Jax seemed to take it lightly at first, but seeing her determination, he sighed and nodded. “Well… I don’t see any problem with that. Why not?”

Yuna squeezed his hand excitedly. “I’ll make special space-themed menus with a real expert!”

Jax smiled, but the more he thought about it, the more he worried about the idea going viral on social media.

A few days later, Yuna added the new space-themed items to the menu. Jax entered the café wearing a mask. Yuna recognized him and walked over.

“Is that a new look?” she asked.

Jax coughed nervously. “Necessary accessories, my dear.”

Yuna sighed and pulled him toward the counter where the new menu was displayed. “Look! The customers are all happy when I slip a photo with their order.” She nudged him. “Our jobs make people smile now.”

Jax smiled behind his mask, feeling the subtle joy of brightening someone’s day.

Yuna rummaged through the counter and pulled out a digital camera. “See? Even on a rainy day, you’re smiling! That’s thanks to my skills 100%.” She showed him a photo of the rain outside, but Jax smiled as he looked at the cup she had drawn a sun on. The photo radiated warmth.

Jax blushed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, yes… it must be your talent, then.”

Yuna prepared drinks in advance. “I’d love to see you working. It must be fascinating.”

Jax leaned against the counter beside her, watching her with mixed emotions. “What would be fascinating… me or my work?” he asked, the question laced with subtle meaning.

Yuna froze and stared at him.

“Your work, of course. Why would I watch a bespectacled nerd instead of the blue sky?” she replied.

Jax buried his face in his arms, mumbling, “I could show you more than the sky ever could…”

Yuna didn’t hear him and continued making drinks.

Then a group of teenagers entered, scanning each customer. Jax immediately recognized them as fans and turned his back, scratching his neck. “Yuna, I’m going to the restroom, okay?” Then he bolted.

Yuna was surprised but didn’t find it strange. When the group approached, she smiled warmly.

“Excuse us, ma’am, we heard about the collaboration menu with Jax Solace. Is it true?” one girl asked.

Yuna nodded, noticing their outfits were normal, but each held posters, books, or photos of Jax. She remained professional, making their drinks. “Ah, I see you’re fans of space too.”

The girls exchanged glances and laughed. “Space? How can you collaborate with him and not know his fans are more into his looks?”

Yuna was confused but stayed polite, handing over the drinks. “His looks?” she muttered. He’s not ugly, but really…

One girl sighed and held out a poster. “See for yourself.”

Yuna took the poster and froze. Instead of a photo of space, it was a picture of Jax in his office, dressed professionally but disheveled, hair messy-a surprisingly attractive look.

At that moment, Jax returned, expecting the teens to have left. Seeing Yuna holding the poster, he turned bright red and rushed to grab it.

“Don’t you have customers to serve instead of looking at random things?” he exclaimed.

Yuna tried to suppress her laughter and turned to him. “You could show it to your associate, right? Mr. Sexy CEO.”

Jax turned crimson and dashed out of the café, the group of girls following, screaming behind him.

Yuna laughed to herself and continued her day, though she couldn’t shake the image of Jax from the poster, occasionally blushing at the thought.