Chapter VI – F&I

As agreed, the two siblings ran the next day as well. Though, unlike their first run, it was a casual jog. Sophie led the way, showing him the old route she used to take. It passed through the park that they sat in. It was a bit of a longer route, but certainly a more pleasant.

Though it wasn’t a real competition, the two still sprinted home at the end to see who was faster. Sophie still had the upper hand as she barged through the front gates.

“HAH! Still got it,” she cheered.

Panting, Arthur looked at her impressed. If she worked hard on her running, he had no doubt she’d be one of the fastest people he knew in life.

“Yeah, yeah. Give me a month or two and I’ll. . .”

“Oh, excuses now?” she teased, chuckling as she made her way in.

Arthur followed.

“I’ll make us something to eat, you take a shower first,” Arthur said making his way to the kitchen.

“Alright, thanks!”

About half an hour later, with both of them freshening up with a cold shower, the two sat down to eat.

“So school tomorrow, huh?” Arthur asked.

“Yeah, it’ll be a pain. But hey, someone has to do it.”

“I think I’ll be going with you on Wednesday.”

“Oh, that was quick. You done studying up?”

“Almost. Just going through some last-minute cramming.”

“That’s good, but don’t worry so much. I’m sure the teachers will be a bit more lenient towards you in the beginning.”

“How were my grades before anyway?”

Sophie hummed. “Well, they weren’t really that great. You need to work hard if you want to have a shot at one of the big colleges.”

“Should I even be aiming for college?”

“Of course! How else do you think you’re going to make it?”

“Then I presume you’re going as well?”

“Naturally,” she said proudly. “Anyway. . .” she paused for a bit. “I saw you looking at that cafe on the way back, F&I. Want to go out for a drink?”

“What’s F&I?”

“Fire & Ice Cafe. It’s a place I’ve seen a few times, but never actually visited. Could be fun.”

“The nurse at the hospital said I couldn’t drink yet. Something about being too young?”

“I didn’t mean alcohol! There are plenty of things to drink out there. Most go for coffee though,” she explained, though something else caught her attention. Leaning in she gave Arthur a smirk. “So. . . Oppa. Why exactly were you talking about drinking with a nurse?”

“She was going on about how she is older than me, and then slapped me with the too young to drink label. Silly really.”

“Oh, did you like her perhaps?”

“She was attractive, I’ll give her that.”

“Is my Oppa going to get taken away by a woman already?” she teased.

“Nice try. . . Besides, I’ve got no way of seeing her again anyway. She only gave me a weird number that I’ve no clue how to use.”

“She gave you her phone number?” she asked shocked. “My Oppa is a playboy I see. I should probably keep my friends away from you.” Sophie giggled.

“Is that what it was? Well, that’s good to know.”

“We need to get you a new phone soon.”

“New?”

“Yeah, your old one got shattered in the accident. I’m sure we'll eventually manage to get you a new one. I’d give you my old one, but it died two months ago.”

“I don’t need one though.”

“Of course you do, how else am I supposed to keep in touch when you’re out and about?”

“Well. . . I guess.”

“You going to call her?”

“Not really, she gave it to me in case I needed anything. No need to bother her anyway.”

“I see you’re still clueless when it comes to women. Makes me kind of glad though, I wouldn’t want you changing too much on me.”

“It seriously wasn’t like that, at best I reminded her of someone. Maybe she had a younger brother or something.”

“Sure, sure,” she brushed off his comment while slowly getting up. “Anyway, let’s go to F&I, I have a craving for something sweet.”

“Might as well. It’s been a while since I’ve gone out and had fun.”

The two walked to the cafe. It wasn’t that far away, twenty minutes at most.

Sporting a large sign ‘Fire & Ice’, the place was commonly referred to as F&I by the students that hung around. It was a small place with a few tables outside, and a dozen more within.

Making their way inside, Arthur observed the decorations. The wall next to the bar was covered with names written using chalk, and the right wall was painted with various unknown musicians, at least to him. K-pop music played in the background.

“Let’s sit by the window,” Sophie said, occupying the nearest table to her liking.

The view was nice as well, overlooking the park rather than a huge and busy street.

“What’s with this music? I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“Oh, K-pop? You’ll get used to it, it’s really awesome.”

It was unusual for Arthur, none of the noises made in the song could be pinpointed to an instrument that he’d recognize.

“What instruments are they using to make such sounds?”

Sophie giggled. “Mostly computer-generated by mixing sounds. For someone who doesn’t know how to turn on a computer, I doubt I could explain to you audio editing yet.”

“All in due time I guess,” he said while looking over the menu.

“What can I get you today?” asked the waitress as she approached the table.

With a mesmerizing smile, graceful form, and a sweet voice, the young girl glanced over at what Arthur was looking over.

“I recommend the vanilla milkshake with a bit of chocolate. Its top tier,” the waitress recommended.

She had a slender figure, long black hair with bangs, and dark brown eyes. By the looks of it, she was only a bit taller than Sophie.

“Sorry, aren’t you Kim Iseul?” asked Sophie.

“Yeah, that’s me. Do I know you?”

“No, no! Umm. . . Sorry. . . I was just shocked to see you here. I. . . I mean we go to the same high school as you. You’ve never heard of me, but you’re sort of a big deal,” she explained nervously.

“Oh,” Iseul chuckled, a bit embarrassed from being recognized. “I didn’t expect to meet someone from school here.”

“Isn’t this fairly close to school?” asked Arthur.

“Yeah, but our classmates typically like to hang out at one of the more renowned places. F&I isn’t as popular.”

“I bet that would change if they knew you worked here,” commented Sophie.

“Doubt it, but thanks for the compliment. What's your name?”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m being rude. My name is Park Sophie, and this is my brother Arthur.”

“Hi, pleasure to meet you,” said Arthur.

“Likewise,” said Iseul cheerfully. “So what year are you guys?”

“I’m first year, and he is second,” responded Sophie hastily.

“What’s up with you?” asked Arthur as he chuckled. “I can answer myself.”

“Ah. . . I’m just a bit nervous, wasn’t expecting to meet her here.”

“Still here by the way,” Iseul teased. “Also you should not think too much of me anyway, you’re just new to school. We are all the same really.”

“I doubt I could compete with a top 10 student of the year and the student council president!”

“Oh, is that so? Impressive,” Arthur commented.

“You’re going to make me blush if you keep praising me like that,” Iseul told Sophie.

“How come you work here with such good grades?” Arthur asked.

“I only work a few days a week, and during the day sometimes on the weekend. It’s mostly for extra pocket money.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Sophie commented. She was clearly a massive fan of Iseul.

“So have you decided on what you’ll be having?” Iseul inquired.

“Well, I might as well listen to your recommendation and go with the vanilla milkshake. No idea what that is but I’ll give it a go.”

Sophie facepalmed, while Iseul looked at him confused.

“You’ve never heard of it?”

Arthur glanced towards Sophie realizing he most likely said something dumb.

“No, no. That’s not what I meant,” he awkwardly chuckled. “I meant to say, no idea what it is like, but I’ll give it a go. I’ve never tasted it here, that’s why.”

“Ah, I see. Well, don’t worry. It is by far the best one you’ll ever taste.”

“Thanks.”

“And for you Soph?” Iseul asked, casually calling her by a nickname.

“Ah! Well, I’ll have the same then.”

“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”

The two observed as Iseul took her leave.

“Can you believe it?” Sophie whispered. “She called me Soph!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“You’re just like that because you’re clueless. You’d be freaking out too.”

“Sure I would. . .” Arthur said sarcastically. “Anyway, this place is nice. Cozy too.”

“Indeed is. I imagine you’re going to come here more often now?”

“Maybe? I might even consider getting a part-time job myself if studies go well.”

“Don’t force yourself. You’re already tackling a lot.”

“As I said, we’ll see about that in the future. Right now I got to focus on getting my fitness up.”

“You’re actually a lot less out of shape than I expected. Before you just used to sit around and do nothing all day.”

“It’ll be much better soon.”

“It’s not that easy to suddenly become fit, you got to take it slow and steady. Don’t overexert yourself or it might have the opposite effect.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

I probably should not mention how I plan to overcome my bodily impurities. . . She’ll just worry even more.

The two chatted for a bit before Iseul finally arrived.

“Sorry for the wait, here are your drinks!”

The cups were large and looked more like a meal rather than a drink to Arthur.

“These look awesome,” Sophie commented. “Mind if I pay you right away?”

“Of course not.”

“I’ll be the one paying, ignore her,” Arthur commented, taking the money out of his pocket.

“Oppa, there is no need for you to do that.”

“You’re off to school tomorrow anyway, so I got you covered,” he winked at her.

“Oh, you’re not going?” Iseul asked.

“I’m going back on Wednesday. I am allowed to skip for a bit due to an injury.”

“Oh, I hope you’re feeling better.”

“Indeed am. Thanks.”

“Well, I hope you enjoy it. Call me if you need anything else.”

“We will, thanks!” Sophie’s enthusiastic voice echoed through the cafe, as she grabbed hold of the milkshake.

The two were left alone again. It was time for him to have his first taste. Taking a sip through the straw, following along as to what Sophie was doing, the sweet milky taste melted him away instantly. In truth, he has never truly tried something as sweet. The closest thing to it was fruits that he ate in the past. Right away he knew he was in trouble, this might become a new addiction.

“Amazing!” he yelled out to Sophie.

Sophie nodded, but Arthur’s attention was stolen away by the loud giggle that Iseul made from behind the counter.

Arthur knew right away, this was going to be a place he visits often.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.