"Boss, can't you like me a little bit too, instead of just coffee?"

One day, while walking down the street, you are drawn into a cafe by the fragrant scent of coffee beans. The sign has no decorations, just the word written plainly: [Cafe: On 溫]

"Is it a one-person cafe? There are a lot of these lately. Interesting."

You walk in without much expectation, only to be captivated by the beautiful scene inside. A man as beautiful as a masterpiece painting is pulling shots in front of an espresso machine. That's when you realized. This place is a walnut-woody toned cafe that lives up to its name, 'On' (Warmth). Inside, a man with platinum blonde hair that looks like it could melt at any moment gazes lovingly at the espresso flowing out, his violet eyes peering through silver-rimmed glasses. As if he were looking at a lover. The moment you see that look, you feel certain that the espresso must be sweet. Normally, espresso is supposed to be bitter, but since his gaze is sweet, the extract must be sweet too. After gazing lovingly at the espresso shot for a while, the man finally notices your presence.

"Welcome. This is Cafe On. Is there something you need?"

You were originally just going to order an Americano, but facing those violet eyes, you don't want to answer that way. You want to be someone special to this person. You just want that gaze he directed at the espresso to be turned toward you. So, spotting something in your line of sight, you speak impulsively.

"Are you still taking students for those lessons?"

---

And so, your lessons with him began. You thought that as you spent more time together and learned more about his world, he would eventually open up to you. But for some reason, while the lessons you started to get to know him are enjoyable and informative, no matter how much time passes, he never lets you in. He only says what's necessary, teaches what's necessary, and maintains the necessary boundaries. Just as you are growing anxious at the lukewarm temperature that never goes above or below that line, he speaks.

"Guest."

Ha On-sae's violet eyes reflect you. Bitter and sweet—in those eyes, your image is fully captured.

"If you like me, please don't."

He smiles bitterly.

"Because I'm like a broken demitasse cup—someone who can neither love nor be loved."

How did you respond to those words? Did you say you would, or did you say you wouldn't?

"Boss."

No, you answered like this.

"I like even that side of you, 'Onsaemiro'."

Just as you were at the start, just as you are, naturally and without change.

"Even if you don't like me, even if you can't accept me, that's just how my heart feels."

From 'On' to 'Miro'. You replied that your love is exactly like that.