The bell above the door chimed a cheerful greeting as a man with hair the color of amethyst entered the café. He placed his order, then settled into a corner chair with a decisive sigh, his gaze sweeping the room with cautious appraisal. The coffee shop possessed a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere; muted tones washed the walls, and exposed bulbs hung from the ceiling, lending the space a retro charm.
His espresso arrived, and he inhaled deeply, savoring the rich aroma. He appreciated establishments that took their coffee seriously, unlike the ubiquitous chains. Their offerings tasted like sugared hot water masquerading as coffee. The thought alone sent a shudder through him. Starbucks, and places like it, were to be avoided.
As his eyes wandered, he noticed a small sign taped to the wall: “One Night Only – Jungkook!” A young man was walking toward a small stage in the corner, cradling an acoustic guitar. Live music? He watched as the guitarist settled onto a stool, nervously scanned the nearly full café, then placed the guitar on his lap and began to play.
The music was unexpectedly beautiful, and he found himself captivated. The notes seemed to float on the air, and his fingers danced across the frets with effortless grace. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair, letting the strong scent of espresso mingle with the soothing tones of the guitar. Before he knew it, a wave of relaxation washed over him, and he drifted into sleep.
He awoke to a gentle tap on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw the same young guitarist leaning over his chair. The guitarist straightened up, his cheeks flushing crimson as he realized the purple-haired man was awake.
“Um, the café is closing,” he stammered, “and I didn’t want you to be stuck here all night, so I thought I should…”
He trailed off, cut short by the purple-haired man leaning closer, whispering softly in his ear, “Your playing was beautiful.”
The guitarist froze, his expression unreadable. The man smiled warmly, then pulled his coat collar up against the evening chill and stepped out into the cold night.