A-Ta was completely focused while eating, so much so that it seemed like he was deliberately avoiding eye contact with Albus from behind the counter.

  Not that Albus cared.

  "I don't think he'll ever come back to this café again," I thought.

  If it were me, I wouldn't want to eat at a pce where my ex-rival in love worked either.

  It would feel like a hundred pairs of eyes were watching me.

  So, if I wanted to apologize, this would be my only chance.

  At that moment, A-Ta's friends also noticed his unusual silence and started asking him about it.

  I couldn't hear their conversation, but I had a vague sense that A-Ta wasn't trying to hide just how embarrassingly awkward his situation was.

  Because his two troublemaking friends burst into uncontrolble ughter, and his face turned red once again.

  "Absolutely unforgivable."

  A sudden wave of anger surged within me. Had A-Ta never once snapped at them before?

  I hesitated no longer. Striding out from behind the counter, I boldly walked straight up to them.

  Their ughter didn't stop, but they did notice the brave girl standing beside the table—dressed in a white work apron, her ponytail tied neatly behind her head. Still chuckling, they looked up at me.

  "Stop ughing at A-Ta! Don't you realize that mocking someone like this can hurt their feelings?" I fumed, pointing straight at A-Ta's nose. "Is it because A-Ta never gets mad at you that you think it's okay? Just by looking at him, anyone can tell he's kind—too soft-hearted to lose his temper at you. But instead of appreciating that, you take advantage of his kindness and keep bullying him. That's just awful! If you stop and listen carefully, you'll hear his heart crying out in anguish!"

  Their ughter died down. They stared at me in awkward silence, their forks sinking into their waffles.

  A-Ta, meanwhile, sat there frozen, his mouth hanging open in shock.

  "And do you even know what kind of person that lesbian who took A-Ta's girlfriend is?" I continued, my indignation rising. "She's the smartest, most incredible, unbelievably skilled lesbian I've ever seen. Even if she set her sights on your girlfriends, they wouldn't stand a chance! If that happened, would you still find this funny? Would you handle it with the same grace A-Ta has while hanging out with you?"

  I was completely rambling at this point, but Albus was an extraordinary person.

  They exchanged gnces, their faces turning bright red—utterly defeated.

  And suddenly, I felt defted. It was as if I wasn't here to apologize but to make things even more awkward for everyone.

  "Sorry," I took a deep breath, pressing my palms together. "When you visited our Hsinchu Girls’ High School today, we rudely ughed at you. Please forgive us."

  "No, no, I—I really didn't realize I was making anyone—especially you—so upset. If anything, I should be the one apologizing," A-Ta blurted out hastily, patting his two friends on the shoulders and assuring them it was fine.

  I figured my bluntness today would stick with them—hopefully, they'd spread my words around and make the air around A-Ta a little kinder.

  But when I saw A-Ta′s slightly flustered expression, I couldn′t help but feel annoyed at him.

  If it weren't for his timid personality, how could he have been ughed at for so long?

  And if he hadn't been ughed at for so long, I wouldn't have found myself in this awkward position, bowing to apologize today.

  "You know, I think you should start standing up for yourself from now on. Real friends won't leave you just because you get a little mad. What exactly are you so afraid of?" I huffed, gring at A-Ta's two friends. The atmosphere turned stiff. I was standing while they were seated, and silence fell between us, none of us knowing what to do next.

  I could almost feel the movement of the second hand on my wristwatch, ticking away.

  "Sorry, I was way too harsh. You've probably never seen such an aggressive cashier before, huh?"

  I pointed at my own nose and, once again, lowered my head to apologize.

  "Nah, we were at fault too. And honestly, what you said wasn't wrong," one of A-Ta's friends said sheepishly.

  A-Ta, meanwhile, stood up and hesitantly reached out both hands.

  I dumbly extended mine in response, and he gripped them tightly.

  "Thank you for today," he said sincerely. "But this is all on me. I need to reflect on my own weakness."

  His hands were firm, his apology genuine.

  "No, I was too impulsive," I muttered, feeling my hands starting to hurt from his grip. Quickly changing the subject, I asked, "What kind of coffee do you want? It's on me. My skills aren't great, so bear with me." That was my go-to way of apologizing every time I messed up.

  "No need, I don't usually drink coffee," A-Ta said, shaking his head before pointing to the kiwi juice on the menu.

  Ah, someone who doesn't drink coffee!

  I had just lost another chance to analyze someone's personality through their coffee preferences—especially this kind, gentle yet cowardly guy. I was genuinely curious what kind of coffee would match someone like him, another entry for my "Coffee & Personality" taste chart.

  "Well—then let's start today!" I grinned. "Every time you come in, I'll treat you to a cup of coffee. And for today, how about trying the mocha I just learned to make?"

  I smiled, even though A-Ta might never set foot in this café again.

  How unfortunate it is, the fleeting nature of human connections.

  A-Ta scratched his head, making his already messy hair even more disheveled.

  "Well… thanks, then," he said as he sat back down. I turned around.

  And so, from a misunderstanding and a warm cup of mocha, I got to know A-Ta.

  A shy young man, almost to the point of having no distinct personality, yet carrying a sincere, blue-tinted smile. Twenty-two years old.

  Though, from his expression and his endless compliments, I couldn't quite tell if that mocha was actually to his taste.