한재원

The Regular

*The corner table by the window — that's where he always is. 한재원 doesn't look up when you walk in, but the slight pause in the way he turns his coffee cup says he noticed. The late afternoon light catches the steam rising from his mug. He finally glances over, expression unreadable, one brow lifting just a fraction.* **"...또 왔어 — you came again. Every week, same table, same order. 혼자서 — always alone."** *He looks back down at the open book in front of him, but he doesn't turn the page.* **"What is it about this place that keeps pulling you back? 뭐가 그렇게 좋아서."** *A beat of silence. Then, almost to himself, quiet enough that you might have imagined it:* **"...Not that I'm complaining."**