When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 12

Woo Joon fake cries.

Ha-Ya pats his back. "You're doing great, bestie."

The smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries fills the café as we step inside, the warm air wrapping around me like a blanket. The place is small but cozy, the kind where the baristas already know their regulars, and soft jazz hums from the speakers.

"Alright," Woo Joon grumbles, pulling out his wallet. "Since I'm being robbed today, everyone order fast before I change my mind."

Asu grins. "One hot chocolate with extra marshmallows, please."

"Make mine a caramel macchiato," Ha-Ya add with a sweet smile.

Woo Joon glares at her. "You're really enjoying this, huh?"

She bat my eyelashes. "Oh, absolutely."

Seok Kyung smirks. "I'll take an iced Americano."

Woo Joon groans. "You people have expensive taste."

"Shut up," Seok Kyung says. "You literally spend all your money on sneakers."

"I RESPECT FASHION," Woo Joon declares dramatically.

We ignore him.

Asu leans on the counter, waiting for his drink. "Guys, you won't believe what happened with my patient today."

I glance at him. "Oh god, what now?"

Asu grins. "So, this guy comes in for a stomachache, right? Totally normal, nothing serious. We run some tests, and guess what?"

Seok Kyung leans in. "What?"

"He had two whole metal spoons in his stomach."

I choke on air. "WHAT?!"

Asu nods solemnly. "Dude swallowed them. On purpose."

Woo Joon stares. "Why?"

"He said," Asu clears his throat, mimicking a deep voice, "'I just wanted to see if I could do it.'"

A beat of silence.

Then Seok Kyung loses it.

She doubles over, laughing so hard she has to grip the counter for support. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

"I swear!" Asu laughs. "He was so proud of himself! Even after we showed him the X-ray, he was like, 'Wow, that's so cool!'"

"Oh my god," I wheeze.

Woo Joon shakes his head. "Some people really wake up and choose chaos."

Asu grins. "Anyway, they had to do an endoscopy to get them out. Dude promised he wouldn't try again, but I don't trust him."

We're still laughing when the barista finally calls my name.

"Caramel macchiato for Ye Na!"

I step forward to grab my drink, but-

Tap.

A light touch on my shoulder.

Not a firm grip, just the smallest press of a forefinger.

I turn around, eyebrows raised-

And my stomach drops.

Han Wool.

What the hell is he doing here?

He stands there, a little too casual, dressed in his usual black leather jacket. His hair is slightly tousled, his expression unreadable.