Bittersweet Memories (A Stray Kids Short Story Collection)

Scavenger Hunt III

     And just like that, Jeongin became a "regular".

     The hot chocolate with extra marshmallows became his "usual" and Seungmin small-talked him just like all the other regulars. Except this time, Seungmin would also see this customer when his shifts were over. This was a customer he spent most of his free time with, one who would often bring a book to the coffee shop, waiting patiently on the bean bags, no matter how long it took.

     He definitely was Seungmin's "favourite customer".

     At first, the two wandered more around Lakeshore, getting ice cream, taking walks, going into other coffee shops to scout out the "competition". Oh, and maple syrup. A lot more delicious pancakes and waffles with authentic maple syrup.

     That soon escalated to Seungmin driving Jeongin to the nearest Tim Hortons. It was pretty much your typical fast food place (Jeongin insisted Seungmin probably had better icecaps), but hey, this was Canada, one had to visit a Tim Hortons at least once.

     They visited an orchid. Jeongin couldn't stop talking about the apple cider and maple taffy, everything being so new to him. Sometimes, Jeongin was even to invited Seungmin's house (a mere walking distance from Lakeshore), the two spending the night watching cheesy K-dramas and action movies. Seungmin would have even allowed Jeongin to sleep over numerous times if it wasn't for his obligation to stay with the exchange family that had taken him in. But the two certainly pushed that rule, Jeongin leaving Seungmin's house at almost 1 am on some nights.

     A few weeks passed where something really special happened. Well, Seungmin had had something special planned, but he would have never been able to predict the events later that day.

     Seungmin got the day off from work and told Jeongin he was taking him to Downtown Toronto. That was where all the famous landmarks like the CN Tower were. Seungmin himself had only gone downtown a few times in his life, but it was always a trip worth remembering. The crowd, the restaurants, the attractions, there was nothing not to love about the city.

     Jeongin had gotten a morning ticket on the Go Train. Seungmin, who had to spend the morning cleaning the shop, couldn't make it then. However, Jeongin assured him that he would be fine taking the train system himself and could meet Seungmin there. Seungmin made sure Jeongin had their meeting spot memorized.

     Seungmin had arrived at the Eaton Centre with the jitters. It was from excitement but also from the apprehension of meeting Jeongin. He should be in front of Hot Topic...

     Instead, Seungmin heard raised voices at the snack shop across. He froze at the voices.

     "Why are you stealing, hm?"

     "Are you deaf or are you going to answer us!?"

     "Does he even know English?"

     "Stop wasting our time and answer us!"

     Seungmin's worst fears were confirmed when he saw Jeongin standing speechless in front of the two men behind the cashier counter. They looked ready to throw hands.

     "What's going on here?" Seungmin asked, trying to speak as calmly as possible, despite just wanting to run to Jeongin and make sure he was okay, the poor boy looking like he was going to pass out.

     "He has no cash on him. And won't respond when we ask him why," the man said gruffly. "Little brat's trying to steal this." He held up a box of Pockey's.

     "You want to be paid? Here." Seungmin hastily threw a few bills on the counter. "Keep the change." Seungmin held his hand out to Jeongin, which Jeongin gladly took.