The café was filled with the scent of roasted coffee beans, low chatter, and the clinking of cups on saucers. Soft jazz music played in the background, warming the atmosphere against the rainy backdrop outside.
In the far-left corner, Rin, Kanna, and Mio sat around a table. Rin kept checking her phone, frustration evident on her face.
"Ugh, this girl...when is she coming?" she muttered.
"You don't think she got caught in the rain, do you?" Kanna asked.
"Not sure, but the text says seen," Rin replied with a sigh.
Mio, sipping her coffee, suddenly perked up. Her eyes caught a familiar figure entering the café. "There she is," she said, pointing toward the entrance.
The others turned. Sayu had just walked in, brushing raindrops from her hair.
They waved her over. Sayu noticed them and headed toward their corner.
As soon as she sat down, Rin leaned forward. "Why didn't you pick up the call?"
"I wasn't in a situation to answer. Have you seen the rain out there?" Sayu replied, adjusting her damp sleeves.
"Yeah, it was pouring," Kanna added. "Did you take shelter somewhere?"
"Clearly you didn't," Rin said, eyeing her. "Look at your hair, it's soaked."
Mio, noticing something odd, asked, "By the way, Sayu... did you always have that jacket?"
The others turned their eyes toward Sayu, who blinked—only now realizing she was still wearing it.
"Eh... Oh, this?" she tugged on the oversized hoodie, caught off guard.
Rin squinted. "Isn't this too big for you? Even your oversized hoodies aren't this long. Don't tell me..."
"It's just... someone I know lent it to me," Sayu interrupted quickly.
"Oh?" Rin tilted her head. "Do I know him?"
"No, you don't! Anyway," Sayu turned suddenly to Kanna, changing the subject. "Hey, Kanna, about the job you mentioned earlier?"
Kanna blinked, then nodded. "Hm? Yeah, what about it?"
"Do you think I can go there later this evening? Like, do they have a specific time or something?"
Kanna thought for a second. "Not that I know of, but I think you can just drop by."
"You're planning to go today?" Mio asked, still calmly sipping her drink.
"Yeah. Better now, so if it doesn't work out, I can still look for something else," Sayu replied with a shrug.
Mio glanced at the clock on the wall, then stretched with a yawn. "Welp, I guess we've hogged this table long enough."
Kanna stood up, brushing crumbs off her lap. "Good luck, Sayu. Hope the job works out."
"Thanks," Sayu said, finishing the last sip of her drink.
The group picked up their things, their laughter echoing softly as they left the warm café and stepped back into the cool, rain-washed world outside.
* * * * *
Later that evening, in their dorm...
Sayu sat on her bed as Rin stormed around the room, tossing outfits onto a growing mountain of clothes.
"Rin, is this really necessary?" Sayu asked, watching helplessly.
"Of course it is!" Rin huffed. "The most important thing in an interview is how you present yourself. First impressions matter."
Sayu sighed. "Is it really, though? It's not like I'm going to some big corporate job interview or anything…"
"What?" Rin asked, having only caught her murmur.
"Nothing—just... thanks for helping me," Sayu smiled.
Rin puffed her chest proudly. "Obviously. I'm not your BFF for nothing. But your wardrobe is way too casual."
She rummaged a bit more before holding up a white dress, beachy and breezy like something out of a summer episode.
"Ohh, this looks cute on you!"
Sayu tilted her head. "I forgot I even had that."
"Well, try it on!"
Sayu slipped into the dress. It was like it was made for her.
"Wow!" Rin clapped. "You look so good!"
"Really?" Sayu asked softly, checking herself in the mirror.
Rin nodded confidently. "Totally interview-worthy."
Sayu smiled and turned to check her bag one last time. As she opened it, she noticed something on top: a burgundy hoodie.
Sayu folded the hoodie neatly, setting it on the edge of her bed.
She paused for a moment, fingers brushing over the fabric. It still held the faint scent of rain.
Sayu blinked and pulled her hand back. "Ugh, don't read into it," she muttered to herself.
Still, a faint smile lingered as she stared at it for a second longer.
* * *
Meanwhile...
Hayato sat hunched in the library corner, flipping through a reference book.
A sharp sneeze escaped him.
Achoo~!
"Ahh... I hope I don't catch a cold," he muttered, rubbing his nose, slightly irritated.
"Or is someone thinking about me? But again, who wouldn't?" He looked at himself, through the reflection of his phone.
* * *
Back to Sayu...
Sayu slung her bag over her shoulder as Rin walked her to the door.
"Good luck," Rin said, flashing a thumbs-up.
Sayu smiled back. "Thanks. I'll text you if anything happens."
And with that, she left.
* * * * *
Arriving, Sayu stood outside SunDol, a modest chain café known for its bright interiors and cheap seasonal drinks. Their stores popped up every few blocks like mushrooms after rain, cozy, familiar, and busy.
She looked at the small sign taped to the glass door:
[ Now Hiring: Part-Time Staff ]
"This is it," she whispered.
The café's floor-to-ceiling glass windows gave her a full view of the inside: customers laughing over steaming mugs, staff dashing back and forth with trays, a faint clink of glasses, the whoosh of the espresso machine. The bustle almost made her turn back.
Sayu took a deep breath. "It's just a part-time job interview. No need to worry."
She gave her cheeks two quick slaps, to jolt herself out of the nerves.
~Pat-Pat~
As the ding of the doorbell rang above her, she stepped inside. The warmth of roasted beans and cinnamon welcomed her.
Everyone looked too busy. No receptionist, no sign of where to go. Sayu, unsure, flagged down a passing waiter balancing a tray of drinks.
"Excuse me, I'm here for the part-time job. Where can I—?"
The boy didn't stop. He just pointed toward a frosted-glass door in the back-left corner and rushed off before she could finish.
"Thanks… I guess?"
Sayu walked toward the door. As she got closer, voices leaked through: sharp, loud, and unmistakably heated.
"...Well how can you just do that?!"
"…Oh yeah?! Well, we don't need you anymore, okay?!"
The door was open. Inside, a woman sat at a desk, breathing heavily, phone still in hand.
"Do you hear me? Don't bother ever coming here again, Jack!"
Slam.
She smashed the phone onto its receiver and exhaled sharply.
Sayu slowed down, hesitating. But before her nerves got the best of her again, she knocked softly.
~knock-knock~
The woman turned, locking eyes with Sayu. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Sayu winced. "Uhm… I came for the part-time job interview. The one posted outside?"
The woman blinked, then her expression changed completely.
"No need for an interview."
"Wait, but..." Sayu tried to beg, for a chance.
"You're hired."
Sayu blinked. "What…?"