A Quiet Morning at the Café
The early morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying the lingering scent of last night's rain.
Lee Jihoon exhaled as he stepped onto the sidewalk, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
It was one of those rare, peaceful mornings, where the city hadn't fully woken up yet.
Fewer cars on the road.
A gentle breeze rustling the trees.
Pedestrians walking at a slower, more relaxed pace.
As he neared Bean Haven, his usual coffee spot, the familiar scent of roasted beans and fresh pastries wrapped around him like a comforting blanket.
There was no rush, no urgent need for caffeine.
But coffee had become part of his routine—a small pleasure before diving into another day of work.
The small bell above the door jingled softly as he stepped inside.
It was still early, so the shop wasn't too crowded.
A few early risers were already seated by the windows, sipping their drinks—some scrolling through their phones, others lost in books or quiet conversations.
Jihoon made his way to the counter, already knowing his usual order.
But before he could speak—
His eyes landed on the barista working behind the register.
The Overworked Barista
Her name tag read "Yoon Soyeon."
Jihoon had seen her a few times before—she was a newer employee, probably having started a few weeks ago.
Today, however, she looked exhausted.
Dark circles under her eyesA slightly slumped posture, like she had been standing for too longMovements that were rushed, but lacking energy
She was trying to keep up with the orders, but it was obvious she was struggling to keep pace.
Still, as she stepped up to the register, she forced a polite smile.
"Good morning! What can I get for you?" she asked, her voice slightly strained but still professional.
Jihoon was about to order when—
Ding!
A familiar notification popped up.
[New Kindness Challenge]
Someone is exhausted and in need of encouragement. Find a way to make their day better.
Reward: 28,000 KRW
Jihoon raised an eyebrow.
It didn't take a genius to figure out who the system was talking about.
He glanced back at Soyeon—who was already preparing to take the next customer's order, her fingers hovering over the register keys.
Jihoon smirked slightly.
Time to help.
A Simple but Thoughtful Gesture
Jihoon tapped his chin, pretending to think about his order.
"Actually…" he said, "Before I order, I have a question."
Soyeon blinked in confusion. "Oh? Sure. What is it?"
Jihoon leaned forward slightly. "How long have you been working today?"
She hesitated before replying, "Since 5 AM."
Jihoon subtly checked his watch.
It was 8:30 AM.
Three and a half hours on her feet, and she still had several more to go.
"Have you had a break yet?" Jihoon asked.
Soyeon shook her head quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh, um… not yet. I'll take one later."
Jihoon could tell she wasn't convinced herself.
She was probably planning to power through her shift without stopping, too worried about slowing things down.
Jihoon smirked.
"Okay, change of plans," he said. "Instead of just coffee, I'll get two drinks."
Soyeon tilted her head. "Two?"
Jihoon nodded. "One for me, and one for you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh! You… you don't have to do that," she said quickly, shaking her hands in protest. "I mean, I appreciate it, but—"
Jihoon cut her off with a casual shrug.
"Well, I'm doing it anyway."
She still looked unsure.
"I… I can't accept that, it's against policy…" she mumbled, clearly caught between following the rules and appreciating the gesture.
Jihoon chuckled.
"Then let's call it a 'customer appreciation event.' I appreciate good service, and I want my barista to stay alive."
For the first time that morning, Soyeon let out a small laugh.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Well… I guess if it's for 'customer appreciation'…" she said, still looking a little shy about it.
Jihoon smirked. "That's the spirit. Get whatever drink you like, on me."
She hesitated for another second before finally nodding.
"…Okay. Thank you. Really."
Ding!
[Kindness Opportunity Completed!]
Reward: 28,000 KRW
An Unexpected Conversation
As Jihoon waited for their drinks, he leaned casually against the counter.
"So, how's the job so far?" he asked.
Soyeon sighed dramatically.
"Honestly? It's exhausting."
Jihoon smirked. "I figured."
She chuckled. "It's not bad, though. I like coffee, and the customers are mostly nice… but some days, it's just too much."
Jihoon nodded. "Yeah, I can imagine. Early shifts sound brutal."
Soyeon leaned slightly against the counter, taking a sip of her free drink.
"They are, but I don't really have a choice. I'm working part-time while studying."
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "University?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Business major."
Jihoon smirked. "A future CEO, huh?"
Soyeon laughed. "Maybe. If I survive finals first."
Jihoon chuckled. "You will. One cup of coffee at a time."
Soyeon smiled, looking more at ease now.
"Thanks," she said. "Not just for the coffee, but for, you know… noticing."
Jihoon shrugged.
"It's easy to forget that the people serving coffee are just as human as the customers drinking it."
Soyeon nodded slowly, sipping her drink.
"…Well, you're one of the rare ones, then."
Jihoon smirked. "I get that a lot."
The Ripple Effect
As Jihoon turned to leave, another customer approached the counter.
The man had overheard their conversation.
"I'll take a latte," the man said. Then, after a pause, he added, "And one for the barista, too."
Soyeon stared at him in surprise.
"Oh! You don't have to—"
The customer smiled. "Well, let's call it another 'customer appreciation event.'"
Jihoon smirked as he walked out the door.
One small act.
And now, someone else was doing it too.
Ding!
[Bonus Reward Unlocked!]
Kindness has the power to inspire others. A single act can spread far beyond what you expect.
+8,000 KRW
Jihoon chuckled.
Yeah.
This was a good way to start the day.
A Simple Reminder
As he stepped out into the cool morning air, his phone buzzed one last time.
Ding!
[Daily Kindness Reflection]
"Small gestures can create lasting ripples. What seems insignificant to you might be the moment that changes someone else's entire day."
Jihoon smiled.
A simple cup of coffee.
A small moment of appreciation.
And a ripple effect that kept spreading.
One small act at a time.
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