The morning air was crisp and biting, the kind that seeped through clothes and clung to skin, making Jihoon shiver slightly despite his thick jacket.
It was still early, the city barely waking up.
Streetlights flickered as the dawn slowly crept over the horizon.
A few pedestrians hurried along, their breath visible in the cold air.
The scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee beans drifted from a nearby bakery, blending with the faint smell of winter approaching.
Lee Jihoon pulled his jacket tighter around himself, exhaling as he watched the small cloud of condensation escape from his lips.
He wasn't usually a morning person, but today, for some reason, he had left home earlier than usual.
A gut feeling, maybe.
As he walked toward the subway station, his eyes wandered absentmindedly, taking in the stillness of the city before the usual rush began.
That's when he saw it.
A small convenience store, its neon sign flickering weakly in the dim morning light.
And just outside, near the entrance, was an elderly man, sitting hunched over, his thin jacket barely shielding him from the cold.
Jihoon paused in his tracks.
The man wasn't begging or calling out to anyone.
He just sat there silently, rubbing his hands together, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Something about the sight made Jihoon's chest tighten.
Ding!
A soft notification appeared before his eyes.
[New Kindness Challenge]
Someone is cold and in need of warmth. Provide comfort in any way you can.
Reward: 15,000 KRW
Jihoon inhaled slowly.
The man wasn't asking for help.
But that didn't mean he didn't need it.
Jihoon took one more glance at the store before making up his mind.
The bell above the door jingled softly as Jihoon stepped inside the convenience store.
The warmth immediately enveloped him, making his fingers tingle as the cold faded slightly.
Behind the counter, the store clerk, a young woman barely in her twenties, looked up from her phone.
"Welcome," she said, her voice drowsy, as if she had just woken up.
Jihoon nodded in greeting, his eyes scanning the store.
His gaze landed on the hot drinks section, where an array of steaming beverages sat neatly in their dispenser cases.
After a brief pause, he grabbed two cups of hot sweet potato latte—a comforting, traditional drink that was perfect for chilly mornings.
Then, he walked toward the bakery shelf, picking out a small, warm bread roll, something simple and easy to eat.
As he approached the counter, the clerk raised an eyebrow.
"Busy morning?" she asked, ringing up the items.
Jihoon smirked slightly. "Something like that."
The girl shrugged, yawning as she handed him his change.
"Stay warm," she muttered, rubbing her hands together.
Jihoon nodded, grabbing the drinks and stepping back outside.
The old man was still there, hunched over, rubbing his hands together for warmth.
Jihoon crouched down, holding out one of the steaming cups.
"Here," he said casually. "It's getting colder these days."
The old man blinked, his weathered face full of surprise.
His gaze moved slowly from Jihoon's face to the cup of steaming latte being offered to him.
"Young man…" he murmured, hesitating. "For… me?"
Jihoon smirked. "Who else?"
The old man's fingers trembled slightly as he reached out, taking the warm cup into his hands.
The moment his hands wrapped around it, he let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes for a brief second.
"…It's warm," he whispered.
Jihoon nodded. "That's the point."
He extended the small bread roll next.
"You should eat something too."
The man hesitated for a second before carefully taking it, as if afraid it would disappear if he wasn't careful.
For a moment, he just held the items, absorbing their warmth.
Then, he took a slow sip of the latte.
The reaction was immediate.
A quiet hum of satisfaction escaped his lips.
"This… this is nice," he murmured.
Jihoon smiled slightly, watching as the old man wrapped his fingers around the cup, drinking slowly.
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 15,000 KRW
A sense of warmth filled Jihoon's chest.
Not from the drink.
But from the simple, genuine moment he had just shared with a stranger.
The old man set his cup down for a moment, looking at Jihoon with kind, tired eyes.
"Young man," he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Jihoon tilted his head. "Yeah?"
The old man studied him for a moment before smiling slightly.
"…Why did you do this?"
Jihoon shrugged, keeping his tone light. "Felt like it."
The old man chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"People these days are always in a hurry," he said, taking another slow sip. "They don't stop for others."
Jihoon leaned back slightly. "You've been sitting here for a while, haven't you?"
The man nodded. "I used to work nearby. But I retired a long time ago. Sometimes, I just sit here in the mornings and watch people pass by."
Jihoon frowned slightly. "But it's cold."
The man laughed. "I suppose I'm just used to it."
Jihoon observed him for a moment before speaking.
"If you ever need another warm drink, you should go inside," he said, nodding toward the convenience store. "It's better than freezing out here."
The old man smiled, his eyes warm despite the chill.
"You're a kind one, aren't you?"
Jihoon smirked. "Don't spread rumors."
The old man laughed. "Too late."
For a few more minutes, they sat there—a young man and an old man, sharing a quiet moment in the middle of a busy city.
Then, Jihoon stood up, stretching slightly. "I should get going."
The old man nodded, his expression soft.
"Thank you, young man. You made this morning a little brighter."
Jihoon smiled. "Good. That was the plan."
With a final nod, he walked off, feeling lighter than before.
As Jihoon walked into the office, he couldn't help but think about the old man.
A simple cup of warm coffee and a piece of bread.
That was all it took to make someone's morning a little better.
Maybe it wasn't life-changing.
Maybe it wasn't dramatic.
But it was kind.
And sometimes, that was enough.
Ding!
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Kindness doesn't have to be big. Even the smallest gestures—a warm drink, a kind word—can brighten someone's day. Never underestimate the power of simple goodness."
Jihoon smirked, closing the notification.
Yeah.
That was a good reminder.
And he was going to keep following it.
One small act at a time.
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