Chapter 35

The soft glow of neon lights flickered to life one by one, casting a warm, inviting hue across the glass storefront. The sign outside—JL’s Internet Café—buzzed gently as if it, too, was excited for its first day.

Inside, Jennie Kim stood behind the counter, carefully arranging a tray of freshly baked croissants. The buttery scent filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of high-performance computers lining the other side of the café. Every detail had been meticulously planned—because this wasn’t just a business.

It was their dream.

Across the room, Lisa Manoban crouched beside one of the PCs, adjusting cables for the third time in the past ten minutes.

“Lili,” Jennie called out, her voice gentle but amused, “you’ve checked that already.”

Lisa peeked up from behind the monitor, pouting slightly. “But what if something goes wrong? What if the internet lags? What if the graphics card overheats? What if—”

“What if you come here and taste this?” Jennie interrupted, holding up a croissant like a peace offering.

Lisa hesitated. Her eyes flicked between the computer… and the pastry.

Then she stood up immediately.

Priorities.

She walked over quickly, leaning against the counter as Jennie held the croissant to her lips. “Taste test,” Jennie said softly.

Lisa took a bite.

Her eyes widened.

“Jendeuk…” she mumbled through the flaky layers, “this is insane.”

Jennie beamed, cheeks slightly pink. “I’ve been practicing for weeks. I wanted everything to be perfect today.”

Lisa swallowed and reached out, gently brushing flour off Jennie’s cheek. “It is perfect. You are perfect.”

Jennie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t move away. “You say that about everything.”

“Because everything about you is perfect,” Lisa said without hesitation.

Jennie tried to stay composed, but her lips curved upward anyway.

God, she was weak for this woman.

—

The café had started as a late-night conversation months ago.

Lisa had been gaming, Jennie had been baking—both in the same apartment, both doing what they loved most. At some point, Jennie had wandered into Lisa’s gaming room with a tray of cookies, watching her wife play with intense focus.

“What if we combine them?” Jennie had asked suddenly.

Lisa didn’t look away from the screen. “Combine what?”

“Your gaming… and my baking.”

That made Lisa pause.

She turned slowly in her chair. “Like… an internet café?”

Jennie nodded, eyes sparkling. “But cozy. Not those loud, dark ones. Ours would be warm, aesthetic… people could play games while eating fresh pastries and coffee.”

Lisa blinked.

Then she smiled.

Then she grinned.

Then she pulled Jennie onto her lap so fast Jennie squeaked.

“Let’s do it.”

—

Now, months later, it was real.

“Okay,” Lisa clapped her hands together, looking around. “Final check. PCs—done. Internet—stable. Gaming chairs—perfectly aligned. RGB lights—beautiful.”

Jennie crossed her arms playfully. “Pastries?”

Lisa walked over, inspecting the display case like a very serious judge.

“Croissants… muffins… macarons… brownies…” She nodded approvingly. “Dangerously delicious.”

Jennie laughed. “That’s the goal.”

Lisa leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “You’re the real danger here.”

Jennie lightly smacked her arm. “Focus! We’re opening in ten minutes.”

Lisa groaned dramatically. “I’m nervous.”

Jennie blinked. “You? The fearless gamer?”

Lisa nodded seriously. “This is different. This is… us.”

That softened Jennie immediately.

She stepped closer, cupping Lisa’s face gently. “Hey… we built this together. No matter what happens, I’m already proud of us.”

Lisa leaned into her touch, eyes soft. “I just want it to be successful… for you.”

Jennie shook her head. “For us.”

A quiet moment passed between them.

Then Lisa smiled mischievously. “Also, if it fails, we’ll just eat all the pastries ourselves.”

Jennie gasped. “Excuse me, my business will not fail.”

Lisa laughed, wrapping her arms around Jennie’s waist. “I know, I know. It won’t.”

—

The clock hit opening time.

Jennie took a deep breath.

Lisa reached for her hand.

“Ready?” Lisa asked.

Jennie squeezed her fingers. “Ready.”

They unlocked the door together.

—

The first customers trickled in slowly—curious passersby drawn by the aesthetic interior and the smell of baked goods.

A group of students immediately gravitated toward the gaming PCs.

“Whoa, these setups are insane,” one of them said.

Lisa practically lit up. “Custom-built,” she said proudly, walking over. “Top-tier specs. No lag, high FPS—perfect for competitive games.”

Jennie watched from the counter, smiling softly.

Lisa was in her element.

Meanwhile, a couple approached the pastry display.

“Everything is freshly baked,” Jennie said warmly. “What would you like to try?”

“Those croissants look amazing,” the girl said.

Jennie carefully packed them, her movements graceful and practiced.

She was in her element.

—

Hours passed.

The café slowly filled with laughter, keyboard clicks, and the soft clinking of cups and plates.

Lisa moved from station to station, helping customers, fixing minor issues, and occasionally sneaking bites of pastries when she thought Jennie wasn’t looking.

Jennie noticed every single time.

“Lalisa,” she called out at one point.

Lisa froze mid-bite.

“Did you just take another brownie?”

Lisa slowly turned, chocolate still on her lips. “…No?”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

Lisa sighed. “Okay, yes. But it’s for quality control.”

Jennie tried to stay stern.

She failed.

“Come here,” Jennie said.

Lisa walked over obediently.

Jennie grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the chocolate from Lisa’s lips, her touch soft and lingering.

“There,” Jennie murmured.

Lisa didn’t move.

Neither did Jennie.

For a moment, the busy café faded into the background.

“You’re staring,” Jennie whispered.

“Can you blame me?” Lisa replied quietly.

Jennie smiled, shaking her head. “Go work.”

“Yes, boss,” Lisa teased, stealing a quick kiss before darting away.

Jennie stood there, slightly flustered, but smiling nonetheless.

—

By evening, the café was full.

Every seat occupied.

Every computer in use.

Almost every pastry sold out.

Lisa leaned against the counter beside Jennie, both of them watching the lively scene in front of them.

“We did it,” Lisa whispered.

Jennie nodded slowly. “We really did.”

Lisa turned to her, eyes shining. “Remember when this was just an idea?”

Jennie smiled. “And now it’s real.”

Lisa reached for her hand again, intertwining their fingers.

“I’m so proud of you,” Lisa said softly.

Jennie squeezed her hand. “I’m proud of you too.”

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Then Lisa suddenly perked up. “Wait.”

Jennie blinked. “What?”

Lisa pointed at the nearly empty pastry case. “We’re almost sold out.”

Jennie’s eyes widened.

Then she broke into the biggest smile.

“That means people loved it,” she said, almost in disbelief.

Lisa grinned. “Of course they did. It’s yours.”

Jennie laughed softly, leaning her head against Lisa’s shoulder.

“Our café,” she corrected.

Lisa kissed the top of her head. “Our café.”

—

As the night wound down and the last customers left, Lisa flipped the sign to Closed.

Jennie leaned against the counter, exhausted but happy.

Lisa walked over, wrapping her arms around her from behind.

“You okay?” Lisa asked gently.

Jennie nodded. “Just… overwhelmed. In a good way.”

Lisa rested her chin on Jennie’s shoulder. “Same.”

Jennie turned in her arms, looking up at her.

“Thank you,” Jennie said softly.

Lisa frowned slightly. “For what?”

“For believing in this. For building it with me.”

Lisa smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Jennie’s face.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t build with you.”

Jennie’s heart melted.

“Even another café?” she teased.

Lisa groaned. “Let me survive this one first.”

Jennie laughed, pulling her closer.

“Deal.”

Lisa leaned down, capturing Jennie’s lips in a soft, lingering kiss.

The café was quiet now.

No more chatter.

No more clicking keyboards.

Just the soft hum of the lights… and the two of them standing in the middle of the dream they had built together.

And somehow, it felt like this was only the beginning.