His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 30: Thirteen Years Ago: Noran’s POV (2)

During our next visit.

After placing our order as per usual, Roy abandoned me at the table and went to chat with the girl he was interested in.

He was quick to find out their names — Karlene Lee and Shuri Lee.

As he was busy flirting with Karlene at the counter, Shuri came over with my order.

This time, she brought two glasses of iced coffee.

"Sir, I noticed you drank more iced coffee previously. I thought you could try a black one and a milk one this time," she said, her voice soft and attentive.

"You don't have to do this," I rejected her thoughtful gesture.

Instead of getting offended, she simply smiled. "Then, which one would you like me to take back?"

I realized she was making me choose, and I knew that if I gave my usual nonchalant reply, she would keep giving me extra orders.

"The black one," I blurted out without really thinking.

Then I heard her let out a soft chuckle. "So, you like ice milk coffee."

I looked at her, feeling a bit awkward by her conclusion.

"I didn't say I like that."

She smiled gently. "You might not realize it, but we often tend to keep things we like."

Keep things we like?

Is that why I don't remember having many possessions or asking for anything in particular?

I began to ponder her question and Shuri excused herself politely to give me my privacy.

Once she was gone, I removed my mask and took a sip of the milk coffee.

Indeed, the coffee tasted better today.

During subsequent visits, Shuri continued her thoughtful gestures.

"Sir, would you like your iced milk coffee with sugar, less sugar, or no sugar?" Shuri asked with her usual warm smile.

Then, on another visit.

"Sir, would you like to try it with chocolate syrup?"

And on the next visit.

"Sir, how about adding oat milk?"

Until finally, after nearly a month of visiting the cafe, I found myself requesting an ice peppermint mocha latte every time.

I listened to Roy grumbling as I took a sip of my ice peppermint mocha latte.

"I've used every trick I know, but why hasn't she fallen for me?"

Roy was referring to Karlene, whom he had been courting for nearly a month.

"Probably because she knows you aren't serious," I replied, taking another sip of my ice peppermint mocha latte.

A meaningful smile appeared on Roy's face as he watched me take a bite of the Noran cookie. "You've changed, Noran."

"Is it weird for me to eat cookies and drink lattes?"

Roy shook his head with an amused smile.

"I don't mean that. Don't you realize you seem to be enjoying yourself right now?"

I paused at his question.

Am I enjoying myself? Is this comfortable feeling I'm experiencing now called enjoyment?

"I know you don't enjoy hanging out with me very much, but you still put up with me."

"I don't mind you."

"Wrong. You just don't care," Roy corrected me.

"You don't care who you are with or what you need to do. You always smile because you thought it was the right gesture. But now, you are genuinely smiling while drinking a latte and eating cookies."

I was startled.

"Did I really do that?"

"You most definitely did! How can you be so oblivious of your own feelings?" Roy exclaimed in exasperation.

"Putting Karlene aside, I brought you here regularly because you seem to enjoy your time here more than your practice room..."

Indeed, I felt comfortable here.

"... And your eyes light up every time you look at Miss Shuri."

"Cough, cough..."

I choked on my latte at Roy's remark.

"What nonsense is he saying?" I thought as I shot him a glare.

"Don't look at me like I'm talking nonsense," Roy said, his tone a mix of frustration and amusement.

"Tsk, you might be talented in so many areas, but you're so slow when it comes to recognizing your own feelings."

I frowned at his comment.

What feelings?

I wouldn't deny I felt pleasant seeing and talking to Shuri.

She welcomed me with a warm smile, encouraged me to make choices, and looked delighted when I finished something she made.

Unlike many people I knew, despite appearing excited to have me around, she was respectful and gave me enough privacy.

Thinking about her filled my chest with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Just as I pondered this sensation, the bell on the front door rang, and a group of girls wearing our uniforms entered the café.

"Are you sure this is the place, Anne? I can't believe Noran Kingston would visit such a rundown café," one of the girls scoffed.

"I heard someone who was close to Roy Lloyd saying they often come to this place. I heard this is where they sold the Noran cookies. How disappointing. I expected it to be more upscale," the girl called Anne replied, looking around with a critical eye.

"You're so right. This place looks... so basic," the third girl chimed in, wrinkling her nose in disdain.

They didn't bother lowering their voices, and I could hear their loud and clear criticism from the corner where I was seated.

I frowned, feeling an unexpected wave of displeasure.

Karlene, who was at the counter, had already noticed their remarks.

Her expression hardened as she stepped forward.

"Excuse me, if you don't like it here, you can always leave. We don't welcome anyone who has no manners," she said sharply, glaring at the girls.

"What the... You commoners dare to lecture us about manners?" one of the girls snapped, her face twisting in anger.

The confrontation quickly escalated, drawing the attention of other customers.

Voices rose, and it soon became a commotion as the girls argued with Karlene, who stood her ground.

I quickly put on my mask and thought about intervening, but Roy stopped me.

"Look at you now. The old you wouldn't have bothered about stepping in," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I hesitated, realizing he was right.

Something had changed, but I didn't want to admit it to Roy.

"They are too loud. It's disturbing..."

"Sure, sure," Roy replied sarcastically before adding, "But if you were to step in now, they'd become louder. You don't want everyone to know you often come here, do you? Let me handle it."

I sat back down reluctantly, watching as Roy approached the group.

Then, my attention shifted to Shuri, who came over to me, looking rather worried.

"Sir, if you're bothered by this commotion, would you like to leave through the back door?" she asked gently.

I hadn't thought about leaving, but Shuri appeared anxious about my presence at the moment.

Thinking I had caused her trouble, I nodded and followed her out of the back door.

Once we were out of the café, Shuri pointed in a direction.

"You just need to turn right from here, and you'll see the main road. I'm sorry that you couldn't experience a pleasant time today."

I didn't understand. Why was she apologizing?

Before I could respond, she gave me a bag of Noran cookies that she had been holding.

She seemed a little shy as she handed them to me. "I'm glad you found out you like peppermint, so I made these peppermint-flavored cookies for you. I hope you enjoy them."

I stared at the cookies in my hand, bewildered by Shuri's unexpected gesture.

She didn't give me time to reply and said quickly, "Goodbye, Sir. Take care on your way back."

Then, she turned to leave.

Acting on impulse, I reached out quickly and grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving.

She looked surprised, then glanced down at where I was holding her.

I let go immediately, feeling embarrassed as I realized it wasn't appropriate.

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling my cheeks warming.

Shuri gave me a kind smile and said softly, "It's okay. Is there something you'd like to ask me?"

I paused, gathering my thoughts, before finally asking, "You know who I am, don't you?"

Shuri hesitated briefly, looking a bit vulnerable before she regained her composure.

She lowered her eyes, thinking about her answer before looking back at me with a small, quiet smile. "Yes, I do. Does that upset you?"

I held her gaze, my voice steady. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just want to know why you're being so kind to me."

"I was kind to you?" she asked, her beautiful eyes looking at me with confusion.

I couldn't help but frown.

"Do you treat everyone the same way you treat me?" I asked, feeling a twinge of unease at the thought, although I couldn't quite explain why.

Shuri paused for a moment, deep in thought, before she finally spoke, her words filled with reflection. "I guess I treated you differently because I wanted to show my gratitude."

Her unexpected words left me puzzled. "Gratitude?"

Her gaze softened as she explained, "You may not know it, but I am your fan. Your music saved me during my toughest times. When my parents passed away, there were times I'd feel empty. You probably know this feeling very well..."

She looked at me meaningfully as if she understood how I always felt.

Her words startled me.

It felt like she could see right into my heart, leaving me speechless.

Then she continued, "I stumbled upon one of your performances online, and despite the void within you, you were able to create such beautiful music.

Then I realized, that's because you have such a pure soul. It's truly inspirational, and your music kept me going. So, I have been wanting to thank you..."

Her beautiful eyes seemed to reflect deep appreciation, something that no one had shown me before.

My parents often expected something from me.

The public admired and praised me without ever trying to understand me.

My acquaintances wanted to be around me because they could benefit from my presence.

Even my closest friend Roy, who appeared to understand me, was only hanging out with me because it was mutually beneficial for both of our families.

It felt like I was surrounded by people who had their own agendas, their own reasons for being in my life.

On the other hand, this girl before me, who always looked at me with clear eyes that appeared to see through me, never expected or wanted anything from me.

Someone who appreciated and respected me for who I am.

A special existence.