#import arabica coffee beans

[jisungsdaydreamer]

Anti-Romantic | CHAPTER TWO | 18+

«GENERAL M.LIST» · «NAVIGATION» · «TALK TO ME» · «TAGLIST»

THE MATCHMAKER MEETS HIS MATCH

“Ruin me, please.”

«PREVIOUS CHAPTER» · «SERIES MASTERLIST»

Pairing: Hyunjin x Fem!Reader Genre: Non idol au, fluff, smut, romcom, drama, opposites attract Chapter Warnings: explicit sexual content, mentions of emotionally abusive ex, mutual fantasizing, brief mentions of virginity loss, heavy drinking, Hyunjin is delulu, heavy dom/sub dynamics: dom!reader, sub!Han Jisung (yes, there's Jisung smut in a Hyunjin story SUE ME), degradation, creampie, oral sex (f receiving), rough sex, drunk sex (both are consenting parties), semi-public sex (?) Word Count: 15.1k

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“And now, here’s what we really want to ask you, Dr. Hwang: are you single?” 

The interviewer swivels her head to look at Hyunjin, her Botox-enhanced mouth spreading into a wide, magenta-lipsticked smile. Hyunjin barely registers her question, distracted by her disturbing resemblance to a vulture, with her beady eyes, hooked nose, and razor-sharp nails clutching a microphone like talons grasping prey. Her garish pea-green pantsuit and cat-eye glasses, combined with a frizzy blonde perm, remind him of that creepy reporter from Harry Potter, absolutely not helping his currently depleted Zen levels. 

He can already feel a sweat breaking out on his neck, permeating his satin button-down and threatening to ruin the outfit he had chosen this morning. Usually, picking out what to wear is one of Hyunjin’s favorite parts of the entire day; breathing in the Coco Noir scent of his walk-in closet is like Hyunjin’s own expensive version of aromatherapy. Today, however, it felt like a chore; It took him forever to find the perfect accessories to tie everything together, before he finally settled on his new gold Cartier earrings and the matching Juste un Clou bracelet. Hyunjin knows he looks amazing in his tastefully vintage yet sleek ensemble. He looks every bit the title of a sexy savant, one that he so rightfully carries. He looks ready to slay an interview on California’s most popular talk-show, The L.A. View. But for the first time ever, he doesn’t feel it. 

It could have been the coffee that he had hand-pressed for himself this morning, his usual brew of arabica beans imported from the misty slopes of Guatemala. But then again, the coffee brought a much-needed buzz that Hyunjin needed to drag himself out of bed, no matter how temporary. More likely, it was the margarita that he’d downed in the car that was sent to pick him up and bring him to the studio to tape the interview. Tequila always makes Hyunjin’s stomach turn. Or maybe—

“Dr. Hwang?”

Hyunjin snaps out of his reverie, plastering a charmingly mysterious smile onto his face. One, two, three… work that charm. “Wouldn’t you like to know, Sharon?”

The audience oohs beneath the dimmed stage lighting, and Sharon turns red, a shade visible even under the lurid bronzer that’s caked onto her face. Hyunjin would really love to book Sharon an appointment at HWASA Skincare and Cosmetics, his go-to beauty consultant whenever he’s visiting Seoul. The founder and CEO, his old friend Hye-Jin, would personally host her just so that Hyunjin could be relieved of the horrible bout of trypophobia he’s getting right now, staring into Sharon’s cavernous pores.

“Oh, stop it!” Sharon giggles, clapping her hands together. “There definitely must be a lucky lady in your life. You’re the Love Doctor. And not to mention, but very handsome.”

Sharon winks over exaggeratedly at the camera, and Hyunjin has to hold himself back from cringing away when she palms his shoulder, eyeing him hungrily. He can’t blame her, of course; the sleeves of his shirt squeeze his arms in such a way that his toned biceps are shown off— thank you very much, Better Body Pilates. But he needs his personal space. Out of everything, he hates when people treat him like some sort of an animal at the zoo, petting and prodding at him. He sees himself as more of the Mona Lisa, a masterpiece to be marveled at, not touched. His Zen is important, after all. 

Still, Hyunjin just shoots her a disarming smirk, crossing one Valentino-clad leg over the other. “The only lady in my life is Princess Diana. But I’d say I’m the lucky one.”

Both Sharon and the audience members aww, utterly captivated by Hyunjin when he pulls out a small Polaroid of his puppy from his breast pocket, holding it out so that the cameras can zoom in on it. As expected, his answer seems to have satisfied Sharon’s invasiveness, but beneath his beaming expression hides the building tension in his chest. 

What Hyunjin said is the partial truth; he may not currently have a significant other, but did he have someone in mind, when romance is in question? Yes. Is said person completely off-limits? Also yes. And would his reputation be completely tarnished if that very classified information got out? Yes, yes, and yes.

“Thank you so much for sitting down with us, Dr. Hwang,” Sharon says, thrusting out her hand for Hyunjin to shake it. Ever the professional, he accepts it like a champ. “And that’s all for now, folks! Stay tuned to watch my little chat with Meghan Markle about her ex-royal lifestyle. The teapot is boiling!”

The cameras cut and Hyunjin quickly excuses himself, waving to all of the people wistfully gazing after him. He enters the little hallway behind the filming room and breaks into a run very unlike himself, practically having to swerve around crew members and stage equipment. As soon as he’s locked away inside his dressing room, Hyunjin slides off his patent leather loafers and falls back onto the couch.

It’s been exactly three months since he first set eyes on you, kickstarting his unsavory fantasies and therein, digging himself into an early grave. And maybe it would have been okay, because as a male, sometimes he’s inclined to think with his dick. It’s a biological reaction that he can’t control. But it’s not, though, because the constant image of you printed like a tattoo on his mind has been interfering with his life and sense of normalcy. It’s a feeling that’s only grown in magnitude, especially now that with your weekly sessions, you’ve rapidly blossomed into the strong, confident woman that he always knew you were. So it’s not the fact that he’s horny— well, not the only fact— it’s that he might have feelings for you. Feelings that could get him into trouble, bigtime.

And the list that you wrote for him a while back definitely didn’t help. Hyunjin sits up, reaching for his notepad that he left on the little coffee table in front of the couch. He leafs through the pages, before pulling out the small slip of paper that he saved. Reading over the words for what feels like the umpteenth time, Hyunjin involuntarily smiles to himself. This time, it’s genuine.

The first thing that I don’t absolutely hate about myself is my imagination. I’ve been restricting myself a lot, lately, because I hated the thought of coming up with new ideas just to never bring them to life. It’s probably my post-Jisung and ITEM Tech trauma. But I felt kind of inspired by our first meeting today. I have a lot of great ideas, and I think that one day, I have the potential to beat Jisung’s ass and make a better company than his.

My fucking patience. You know, you might think otherwise, because it may seem like I have the patience of a single mom at a birthday party. But today proved differently. My friend/coworker Minho and his wife invited me over for dinner, which would have been fine, except they’re one of the most disgustingly perfect couples ever. They can’t go two minutes without giving each other a sappy ass look or holding hands or singing a song or something. And then Minho’s wife asked me if I wanted some ice cream, like she and her man weren’t just all over each other a millisecond ago. I just smiled and nodded. You can say I have the patience of the saint, now.

I like how I’m perseverant. For example: this. I could have given up after the first two days and ditched this piece of paper. But I didn’t. I want to be better. I’m very perseverent. Okay, my hand hurts. I’m putting down the pen for today.

My resilience. For the billionth time in my life, my boss made me want to drive out of work and jump into a lake. Long story short, Mark Lee is the worst motherfucker to ever exist (well, after his bestie Park Jisung. My boss and ex-boyfriend are friends. FML). But after one of his daily rants about how I’m not up to mark for some random reason, I walked out of his office and into the office kitchen. I got a Sprite from the fridge, crushed the full can with my bare hands, and then proceeded to calmly clean up the spilled soda before going back to work. I deserve a medal for my healthy anger management technique of smashing things and then bouncing back like a friggin’ spring.

The only home cooked meals I can really stomach are the ones that Minho shares with me at work. You know, he’s really such a menace. When I moved into my current apartment, he got me a cutting board as a gift, knowing damn well I don’t cook. But nowadays, I’ve been slowly getting more comfortable in the kitchen. I still don’t think I trust myself in cooking, but I’m kind of a really good baker, I’m realizing. Today, I made brownies. I’m eating one right now, and I guess I don’t hate that.

I am very patient, Part 2. My dumbass cousin, Yeonjun, called me up to hang out. Knowing him, that means me buying him a crap ton of expensive food. And he’s pretty loaded, too. I think he just loves pissing me off. First, he wanted pizza. That would have been fine, if we hit Domino’s or something, but he made me take him to this ridiculously upscale restaurant downtown. Their damn pizzas had caviar and truffles on them! Like, what the fuck happened to good old pepperoni? And as if that wasn’t enough, he then started complaining that he wanted fucking dessert too. So he ordered this fruit charcuterie board that cost another fortune. On the way home, I had to get him an $8 boba because “the cheese made him thirsty.” His metabolism is amazing. I’m kind of jealous. But anyway, I’m practically Mother Teresa at this point, because dealing with Yeonjun is no easy task. He’s lucky I love him.

Fundamentally, I think I’m a good person. And I think I deserve to be happy. There. Seven things, seven days. I’m done now. See you tomorrow.

Hyunjin sighs, sliding the paper back into his book and setting it inside his little Prada bag. This tiny scrap of paper had him seeing stars, when he first read it in the office, in front of you. There’s just something about you that he couldn’t and still can’t put his finger on. Maybe it’s how delightfully pugnacious you are, or that comically angry tone you approach the world with, no matter what. And he had to bite his tongue too, because there’s no way you came up with just seven things, not when Hyunjin felt like he could give a whole recitation on your very attractive qualities, just after meeting with you once. You’re unintentionally hilarious. Real. Tough. Inquisitive. Also, you’re simply the sexiest thing he’s ever seen.

You’re like an impossible puzzle to him; all the pieces are there, and yet, he can’t seem to put you together. Or rather, he can’t seem to figure out how to get his own shit together and finish the damn puzzle. Because he’s oh-so down bad, and he knows it. 

“Dr. Hwang? Are you in there?”

Hyunjin stands up immediately, locking away his daydreams about you and brushing off his trousers. He quickly smooths back his artfully slicked wolf cut and opens the door for Wonyoung to step inside with her trusty tablet. Momentarily, Hyunjin is sidetracked by her outfit, a stylish mini paired with a silky lilac bomber jacket— because where the fuck are those heels from— before he remembers himself.

“What’s up?” Hyunjin nonchalantly flicks a strand of hair out of his eyes, trying not to seem like he wasn’t just having a panic attack on that stupid couch just five seconds ago.

Wonyoung taps on the screen of the tablet for a few seconds, before looking up. “You have an appointment with your personal trainer in twenty minutes. You’re running late. And then at four, you need to get back to SeoulSpark for a meeting with a client. Here’s your change of clothes. I’ve already called a car for you.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Hyunjin accepts the gym bag, before jerking back in dreadful realization. “Wait. Which client do I have to meet with today?”

Wonyoung gives him a strange look. “Miss Y/L/N. Hey, are you alright, Dr. Hwang? You always stay on top of all of your engagements, but you haven’t been yourself lately.”

At the mere mention of your name, Hyunjin literally wishes he could melt into a puddle right then and there. Of course he hasn’t been himself, not when you waltzed into the office and wreaked havoc on his very humble life— for example, yesterday, he forgot to wear his Versace pajamas to sleep, and not his Fendi ones. Hyunjin knows that Saturdays are strictly for Versace; he promised Donatella years ago at the Met Gala. This is all your fault— how can it be poor Hyunjin’s, when he’s just a mere mortal cowering in your goddess-like presence? 

“I- I’m okay, Wonyoung. I, uh, just ate some bad sushi.”

“You ate bad sushi every day for the past three months?” Wonyoung suspiciously raises an eyebrow at Hyunjin. She isn’t buying it, unfortunately. 

“Uh-huh. It’s a terrible addiction that I’m trying to break. My raw seafood intake is off the charts. Guess I’m not perfect after all,” Hyunjin babbles, adding onto his already horrendous lie. 

Wonyoung still doesn’t look convinced, but Hyunjin flounces out of the room before she can say anything else and uncover his deep, dark secret: you. Besides, his ride is waiting outside and his quads really need working.

“See you later, Changbin.” Hyunjin waves to his trainer as he grabs his belongings and exits the gym after a grueling workout. Usually, he prefers more low-impact routines, like aerial yoga or cycling around Marina del Rey. But because he’s been skimping out so much these days, Changbin made him do an endless round of jump squats before beating his ass in boxing. 

Hyunjin presses his fingers to his aching back muscles, sore with both exhaustion and worry. The slim hands of his Rolex alert him to the fact that there is only one more hour before he must face you, and he is nowhere near ready. He’ll just have to skip the sauna today. Quickly, he gets into the car standing for him by the curb, slipping on his Gucci shades and sliding down below the window in the backseat, like a celebrity escaping a paparazzi cloud.

As soon as he gets back to Oasis, the opulent complex that houses his beloved penthouse, Hyunjin practically flies into his bathroom and locks the door. Without even bothering to set his eucalyptus shower steamer, Hyunjin cleans himself up as much as he can, scrubbing off the sweat and grit of the gym from his skin. 

Once he’s finished, he gets dressed and sits down in front of his bedroom mirror that’s designed to look like a Hollywood-style vanity. Taking a deep breath, he inspects his face for any signs of something off. Nope. He looks as dewy and fresh as a pink rose petal, minus the slight red rings under his eyes, which are the courtesy of many, many sleepless nights over you.

Hyunjin, however, is incredibly proud of himself for getting to the office with fifteen minutes to spare, therein being able to fit in a little solo pep talk in the car. His third outfit of the day is a show-stopping black Celine suit, practically designed to make heads turn. It definitely isn’t to impress you with his impeccable style— no, he did it for himself, obviously. That’s the only reason. And it’s a little extravagant, even for Hyunjin, but then again, he’s never been known for his subtlety. 

His post-workout clarity gives him hope that everything will go back to normal, before you. All he needs to do is focus on himself. Everything else will pass, eventually. At least, that’s what Hyunjin keeps telling himself to believe, right before he crashes headfirst into you in the hallway outside of his office.

“Hey, Hyunjin!” Grinning, you hold out a small gift box tied with a sunny bow, which is coincidentally the exact same yellow as the dress you wore when Hyunjin first met you. Today, you’re sporting salmon-colored shorts and a cream blouse with an adorable sailor collar, and Hyunjin immediately has to tamp down the urge to whisk you away to go on a private boating vacation on a yacht in St. Barts. God, you really have amazing style.

Hyunjin swallows roughly and takes the box, trying to look more excited about it than how utterly taken with you he is. “Afternoon, darling. What’s this?”

You reach your hand over to where the box rests in Hyunjin’s hands, toying with the bow. Hyunjin automatically feels himself internally hyperventilate at your proximity that’s too close for comfort. 

“Mango cheesecake. I’ve been trying to perfect the recipe for a while now, and I think it finally turned out really well.” You break into a bright smile that makes Hyunjin’s brain short circuit. “I want to thank you for all of your help, besides me being less-than-cooperative sometimes. Coming here has really changed my perspective on things, and for the better.”

Hyunjin clutches the box to his chest. He had always suspected that you are the sweetest, under your stormy exterior, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to get a taste and confirm the truth for himself. Nevertheless, he’s both touched and now even more delusional, because you spent time on him, making something to give him. “Darling, you shouldn’t have.”

You pout in response, and Hyunjin grasps the box even tighter, nearly crushing the contents in an effort to get a grip on himself. “I wanted to do something nice for you.”

Hyunjin grins, feeling himself relax a little. That’s one more thing about you— you have this contradicting ability to induce both calmness and anxiety into him, another kind of black magic that you definitely harbor in your bewitching eyes. “Well, thank you. I can’t wait to try it.”

You look away shyly and gesture towards Hyunjin’s office. “Should we head in?”

Smiling to himself, Hyunjin steps ahead to open the door for you as you duck your head and scramble in, folding yourself onto the sofa that you both are now well-acquainted enough to often share. After setting his velvet tote bag onto his desk, Hyunjin sits down beside you, holding out a glass of mango juice to you, a drink that you now frequent whenever you meet. Plus the cheesecake? You really must love mangoes.

As you sip on your juice, Hyunjin decides to take the reasonable course of action available: ask you about your day, not if you’re available next Friday night at six. “How have you been? I’m sorry I couldn’t see you last week.”

You shrug, waving off Hyunjin’s apology like it’s nothing. It isn’t, though; he would rather have spent time with you than having to fly to Shanghai for some brand endorsement deal that his agent made him take. “Don’t worry about it. And I’ve been good. Evidently, in a much more agreeable mood these days. It’s certainly a step-up from the grumpier me, isn’t it?”

“I like you however you are,” Hyunjin blurts out without thinking, before freezing in realization. In a better world, he would have had the sense to at least clamp his hand over his mouth before he could say something stupid, but unfortunately, he’s stuck here. He wills the stammering, bumbling idiot that he turns into when you’re around to disappear, to be replaced by his usual, suave self. It doesn’t quite work, because he feels a furious blush building on his neck.

You’ve also turned a light shade of pink, and Hyunjin prays to God that you can’t see through his bullshit. “Because I’m your client. You accept me however I am.”

Hyunjin has to mentally stab himself with a fork as a reminder that he cannot, under any circumstances, disagree, although he really, really wants to. You could never be just a client to him. You’re too precious to him for that title. Yet, he keeps a straight face as he nods, disgusted with what he’s about to say. “Exactly. You’re my client.”

You down the rest of your drink, setting the glass down on the coffee table. “Anyway, you emailed me that you had something special planned for today. What is it?”

“Right.” Hyunjin clears his throat, getting up from the sofa to make his way over to his desk. He opens one of the drawers and pulls out the thick binder he’s been dreading using with you for a while now. It weighs his hands down like an unpleasant secret as he sits back down next to you. 

“What’s this?” You inquire, leaning in closer to Hyunjin. The movement allows the sugary scent of your vanilla perfume become even more prominent to Hyunjin, which is definitely not helpful right now. Hyunjin stares down at the binder, adopting a robotic tone that won’t betray his thoughts.

“We’ve worked on just you for the past few months, and now it’s time. You’re finally ready to explore dating.” Hyunjin opens the binder, trying to ignore the sour taste of the words on his tongue. “And as I’ve told you before, SeoulSpark has an incredible matchmaking service that caters to everything you desire in a potential partner.”

“Cool! How does it work?” 

Out of the corner of his eye, he notices your shorts ride up slightly, further exposing the soft skin of your upper thigh. Think of the fork, Hyunjin. Think of the damn fork.

“Well, I’ve already compiled a number of candidates in our database whose profiles complement yours. We’re going to be setting up a time when you can speed date them.” 

You quirk your eyebrow in a way that shouldn’t be as attractive as it is to Hyunjin. “Speed dating? That’s…”

“I know, I know. It might seem weird at first, but that’s why we’re doing it the SeoulSpark way, to reduce awkwardness and make it really worth your time. We’ll go over the candidates briefly, and weed out the ones you really don’t want to see.” Hyunjin opens the binder, going to the profiles. “But I won’t tell you their names, so we can maintain at least a small element of surprise.”

Your eyes widen as you take in the first candidate’s picture, and Hyunjin has to fight the burning jealousy in his chest. “Wow. He’s handsome.”

“Swipe left or right?”

“Right.”

“Okay.” Hyunjin turns to the next page. “What about him?”

“Uh, left. He reminds me of my uncle. No thank you.”

Hyunjin stifles his smile as he continues flipping through the profiles, noting down your answers. He tries to enjoy your unfiltered reactions and not think about the fact that one of these lucky bastards could be your future husband. Finally, he gets to the last candidate.

You frown. “He looks kind of like a chipmunk. A quokka, maybe.”

“So is that a left?”

“I’ll say right. He seems like he’d be interesting.” You shrug, your eyes glittering with mischief. “Actually, I’m kind of excited now. Some of these guys are lookers.”

Hyunjin laughs in spite of himself, shutting the binder and standing up. “I’ll email you the details of the event by next week, when we’ll be holding it. ”

You nod, tucking a strand of loose hair behind your ear— oh, how Hyunjin wishes he could just casually do that for you. “Got it. I’ll make sure to look dazzling.”

“Darling, you always look dazzling.” Hyunjin smirks in self-satisfaction when you flush at his quip. It’s not exactly a reaction that’s foreign to him, but seeing you like this, all cute and bashful, is new. And it’s a look that’s very attractive on you. Hopefully, you attribute the flirting to Hyunjin’s naturally charming personality, not the fact that he’s impossibly gone for you. Not that the truth would make a difference, however. You’ll never be his.

“Thanks, Hyunjin.” You get up from your seat, letting Hyunjin walk you out, like he always does. “I feel like you have a vision going on for this matchmaking event.”

“Oh, I always have a vision.” Hyunjin chuckles, opening the door for you. “We’re considering a tropical theme, or a garden party, maybe. Or something glamorous. Kind of like prom, but without the bad music and horny teenagers, you know?”

You shrug. “Actually, I never went to my high school senior prom. But all of these ideas sound incredible.”

He pauses, his eyes widening. “You never went to prom?”

“There was this guy.” You look uncomfortable, but before Hyunjin can assure you that you don’t have to tell him about it, you decide to continue. “I wanted to go with him, but long story short, he rejected me. And I didn’t really have any friends I could go with either. I could have gone on my own, but I wasn’t brave enough. It’s one of the things that I did when I was younger that I regret now. I guess it just speaks volumes about how I hold myself back a lot.”

Hyunjin frowns. “Who in their right mind would reject you?”

“My first love, apparently. And a bunch of others.” You sigh, fiddling with the little bow on your sleeve. “But whatever. I’m going to find a real man.”

“They’re idiots. And prom isn’t even all that.”

You snort. “Says you. I’ll bet you were the kind of guy who got invited by all of the girls to be their date to prom, even if you weren’t even a senior yet.”

“Exactly. I would know precisely that prom is overrated as fuck.” Hyunjin gives you a smile. “Maybe we’ll just go with the garden party.”

You stay quiet for a moment, as if thinking something over, before looking directly into Hyunjin’s eyes. “Shame. I think I would’ve liked to see you in a tux.”

And with that, you turn around and leave, as Hyunjin just stays rooted on the spot, dumbfounded. Because how can you just so easily shoot an arrow straight into his heart and walk away? You’re a threat to society. You’re a wicked enchantress. You’re the bane of Hyunjin’s existence, and yet, he wants you to come back and string him along like a fucking bow. The dilemma is clear: Hyunjin absolutely cannot just move on from you. This is an extremely deafening cry for help.

“Wonyoung?” Hyunjin croaks, as he steps back inside and collapses onto his chair.

Hyunjin’s loyal secretary sticks her head into the room, her glossy locks tumbling over her shoulders like a Pantene commercial. Hyunjin makes a mental note to ask her later about her hair care routine. “Yes, boss?”

“Call Dr. Kim for me, please. I don’t feel so good.”

“Of course. I guess the bad sushi really got you this time.”

“Strep throat? Negative. Flu swab test? Negative. Every single other test you made me administer for you? Ditto.” 

Hyunjin aggressively rubs his palms over his face. “Is there anything else, Seungmin? Are you sure there is absolutely nothing wrong with me? Should we do anything again?”

Seungmin rolls his eyes, setting his clipboard down on the bench space next to him. “It’s Dr. Kim. And I did a Barium Swallow test for you, Hyunjin. You don’t just do those for any idiot who walks in begging to be examined for no apparent ailment. Took thirty minutes and nothing at all. Chief resident would be on my ass if she knew.”

“You’d think we haven’t been best friends since our Stanford days,” Hyunjin says. “There is something wrong with me.”

Hyunjin stares down at the upper right leg of his pants, picking at a small loose thread. He’s never seen one appear in his clothing ever since he was eighteen and quiet being so fashionably challenged, but instead of disgust, he feels a strange sense of solidarity. Just like the thread, he feels out of place; confused and lost, even though he’s standing right in the middle of half of the world’s dream. But wanting someone who he can never have isn’t a dream, surely, and neither is the phantom pain in his abdomen, the one that Dr. Kim claims doesn't exist.

“‘Our Stanford days’ were literally only three years ago. And I was in med school while you were getting a PhD in the study of crazies. I knew there were a couple screws loose up there,” Seungmin scoffs, tapping his temple in flourish punctuated with impudence. “I should have known better than to befriend your ass.”

“Seung-min, you’re lying,” Hyunjin retorts, emphasizing the syllables of his friend’s name. “I swear, I’m sick.”

Seungmin groans, fed up with Hyunjin’s stubborn mindset. “You’re twenty-eight years old and have your own booming practice. Hell, you wear head-to-toe designer, even underwear— yes, I saw the Gucci briefs in your bag, that one time you made me go shopping with you. Meanwhile, I’m a stressed, overworked, and underpaid surgery resident who has to listen to his rich and famous best friend complain that he’s not feeling well. Oh, poor baby. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I’m trying! I’m trying, okay?” Hyunjin finally explodes, throwing his hands up in the air. Usually, he maintains that peaceful temperament that puts up with Seungmin’s attitude. Not today, however. “Honestly, Seungmin, you want to know what’s wrong with me? Her. She’s all over me, inside and out! Everywhere I look, I’m reminded of her. Everywhere I go— her. And you know what? It’s not all in my head. It’s not a fucking crazy case. I physically feel myself wanting to throw up every five fucking minutes. I have a horrible headache that won’t go away, no matter how long I rot in my bed. I’m sore all over and I just want to go home!”

Hyunjin’s best friend just glares at him in shock for a good few seconds, watching as he pants from the ferocity of his words. And then he recovers, smoothing his face over into that signature judgemental expression, because he’s Kim Seungmin. “I should’ve known this was about a girl.”

Hyunjin sighs. Thankfully, no one overheard his rant, because this is Seungmin’s lunch break and whenever Hyunjin insists on an emergency meeting, Seungmin brings him over to this empty corridor tucked behind the equipment storage rooms, where no prying eyes wander. 

“It’s not just any girl, Seungmin. It’s the girl. She’s… all I do know is that she’s my client who walked into my life three months ago and proceeded to destroy it. She came in like a tropical storm and now she smiles at me like the fucking sun. She confuses me and makes me forget random shit and she doesn’t even know about any of it. And all I want to be is hers, even though I can’t be.”

Seungmin doesn’t say anything, before he bursts into uncontrollable laughter, the kind that makes his body shake with impact. “You… are… acting… so stupid.”

And this only makes Hyunjin even more frustrated. “Well, that’s the whole damn point! I’m not stupid, but I’m obviously acting it! I don’t know what to do, Seungmin! Help a brother out!”

After he calms himself down, Seungmin sighs loudly and wipes the traces of any tears caused by amusement of Hyunjin’s plight. “I’m not an expert in this, Hyunjin. But to be honest, it seems to me that you’re falling for her, and you’re just in denial.”

Hyunjin feels nothing short of horrified. “But… I can’t be. Are you sure?”

“Aren’t you the friggin’ Love Doctor or some shit? How the fuck am I supposed to be sure?”

But Hyunjin barely hears Seungmin, getting off the bench to pace back and forth in the little hallway. He can’t be falling for you, because— he just can’t! The plethora of problems that would arise from him falling in love with you are fucking endless, the worst being that you could end up negatively impacted. And all because your stupid, idiotic dating coach couldn’t keep his stupid, idiotic feelings in check. He would rather give up his beloved Versace brand deal than ever see you hurt, and that’s really saying something.

Seungmin tries to get to Hyunjin again. “Or maybe you’re not falling for her. Maybe you’re just horny.”

Hyunjin whirls around, side-eyeing Seungmin with disgust. “The hell you mean?”

“When’s the last time you, you know? Got some?”

“You put it so eloquently.” Hyunjin rolls his eyes. “And it’s been ten months.”

“See? That’s definitely it. You need to get laid, and you’re taking your sexual frustration out like this. You’re always the one lecturing everyone else on having healthy sex and love lives and shit, but really you’re a hypocrite. Tell me, why are you such a hypocrite, Hyunjin?”

Hyunjin crosses his arms, irritated yet able to see Seungmin’s point. He had his share of relationships, enough to augment his experience and research in the whole field. It’s not like they all ended badly, though— quite the opposite, really. The majority of them were amicable splits, or awkward conversations, at the very most. The only notably sour memory is Hyunjin’s ex-girlfriend from ninth grade, the one who broke up with him in a fit of jealousy when another girl confessed her love for Hyunjin. But then again, all high school relationships are basically doomed to crash and burn.

Hyunjin was careful to never get into anything too serious anyway, because his only love would be his job; he broke up with his last girlfriend— which might be a strong word for someone who merely considered him a wine-and-dine booty call— because he just didn’t feel that same spark with her that he felt when running his business. And he didn’t think he had that capacity to feel it anywhere else, but that was all before you.

“I don’t know, Seungmin.” Hyunjin looks down glumly at the concrete flooring, his body completely exhausted of all of the fight in him

The look in Seungmin’s eyes softens as Hyunjin slumps back into his seat. “Don’t you think that you’ve been so busy thinking about helping other people with their loves that you’ve completely neglected yours? When are you going to stop being so goddamn perfect and care for yourself?”

“But I do care for myself! Why else would I have a fourteen-step skincare routine and Gucci boxers?” Hyunjin protests, stalling more than really arguing. He just doesn’t want to admit to what’s really bothering him.

Seungmin rolls his eyes for what feels like the hundredth time in the past ten minutes. He should get back to rounds; lunch will be over soon. “That’s not self-care, that’s called being fucking weird. And I’m talking about your head. You have this illusion up there that in order to help others, you need to be flawless. Get out of it, man. Whether you want someone to have a one-night stand with or have your freaking children, you need to be open and pursue it. Life is messy and unpredictable, even for neurotic perfectionists like you. It’s okay to be horny. It’s okay to be in love. It’s okay to be you.”

Hyunjin ponders over Seungmin’s advice, before looking up. “I hate when you’re right.”

“I know.”

“Fine.”

“Don’t you ‘fine’ me, dumbass. Go put on your Armani shit and get going, for fuck’s sake. This isn’t Mission Impossible. I can’t believe I have to tell you this.” Seungmin shakes his head, dusting off his scrubs. He leans forward to tighten the laces on his special work sneakers; the clock is really ticking down now.

Hyunjin gives Seungmin a withering look. “I wear Versace on my missions.”

“Welcome to SeoulSpark’s third biannual company-wide Matchmaking Event!”

The small crowd of hopeful singles crammed into the gazebo politely claps as the speaker looks down at all of you from his perch on the little elevated platform, like some kind of an all-knowing benefactor. 

“Thank you everyone. You can call me Jin, and I’ll be your emcee and operations director on this fine afternoon.” He beams. “And can I just say, you people look so good today? Obviously not as much as me, but still.’”

A scattered collection of horribly faked laughter ripples throughout the gathering, and you have to resist rolling your eyes. If it wasn’t for the fact that Jin does actually serve as great eye candy, you would’ve already been putting on your sunglasses and trying to fake being awake. 

“Dr. Hwang will be here in a few moments to intro, and then we’ll get on with it!” Jin states, continuing his unnecessary theatrics. “But while we wait, can someone answer this question: what do you call an ice cream that parties too hard?”

Before the inevitable awkward silence can ensue, some bored-looking man who stands a little further away from everyone else pipes up. You recognize him as the very first candidate whose picture Hyunjin had presented to you— the hot one— except now, his short, preppy haircut has grown out into a wavy mullet. “Just say it.”

Jin looks temporarily taken aback by the man’s unfiltered attitude, before correcting his expression back into a winning smile. “It is out of CONE-trol! Get it? Because of the ice cream cone? Isn’t that funny?”

There isn’t a single person in the crowd who looks impressed, least of all mullet-guy. “No. And it still wouldn’t be funny even if I was seven years old and actually liked horrible dad jokes.”

There’s a bite to his tone, and Jin seems to have taken it personally. Jin clears his throat, stuck while clearly trying to think of something to say, when relief comes over his face as he looks directly at you. “There he is! Dr. Hwang: the man of the hour.”

You turn around so fast that you nearly get whiplash, and of course Hyunjin is right there, towering over you like some sort of gorgeous sunflower. Fuck— you knew you smelled that stormy jasmine in the air, but you passed it off as just your imagination. And because there are so many people packed into this tiny pavilion, your bodies are practically pressed together as everyone else cranes their necks to get a load of the Love Doctor. 

“It’s so good to see you, darling. You look stunning,” Hyunjin says to you, in a way that seems so genuine that your baby blue gingham sundress from Target doesn’t feel so childish anymore, like you thought after seeing all of the other ladies’ stylish getups.

“Thanks.” You blush, averting your eyes. The last time you met up with him, your bolder alter-ego possessed you for a second and threw a flirty one-liner at Hyunjin, when you realized yourself and walked the hell away, before you could gauge his reaction. “You look very stunning yourself as well.”

And he truly is, as always, dressed in another quirky yet stylish look: a high-neck jacket and camel cargos, complete with a chain link shoulder leather bag. The thick gold crosses dangling from his ears don’t look gaudy, instead bringing out a youthful glow in Hyunjin’s skin. God, you really love a man who can dress.

“Everything alright, Dr. Hwang?” Jin calls out, breaking you out of your trance.

“Yes, Jin. I’ll be up in a second.” Hyunjin doesn’t take his eyes off of you, just serenely blinking like he has all the time in the world. “I absolutely adored your mango cheesecake, darling. You have to tell me about the recipe later.”

He shoots you one last disarming smile, before heading up to the platform, and you’re left to longingly stare after him like a dessert enthusiast on a sugar-free diet. You watch him take the mic from Jin, who dramatically holds out his hands towards Hyunjin when backing off of the platform. 

“Hello!” Hyunjin chirps, and really, the wind is a paid actor here, breezing in and perfectly tousling his midnight mane. 

This time, the audience’s response is more authentic, everyone responds in their own greetings out loud. You can’t help but feel your heart swell at the sight; your crush really is so charismatic.

“So, we’ve already explained how today’s going to work in the emails that were sent out to all of you a couple days ago. But to debrief: we will be having fifteen six-minute speed dating rounds today, each held at one of the designated tables,” Hyunjin explains, gesturing to the space surrounding the gazebo.

For the matchmaking event, SeoulSpark booked out Cafe Fiorella, a posh little eatery nestled in the heart of Vista Hermosa Natural Park’s dusty garden trails and meadows. Hyunjin and his planners did an outstanding job of organizing everything, and even you can’t help but note how impossibly romantic it is— for a speed-dating gig, at least. There are dainty bistro tables set up in the grassy outdoor dining area and nestled on top of them, multiple tiered platters loaded with hors d'oeuvres and decorative blossoms. You don’t even want to think about how much this would have cost.

“Before each round, you will all get a text providing you with the number of your table, where you will be able to chat with your partner, one of the candidates that corresponded with your profile.” Hyunjin catches your eye, and you feel yourself heat up. Focus. “After every round, take note of who you want to see again, and at the end, we’ll give you a form to fill out and submit. When you have your next appointment with us, we’ll let you know who you’ve matched with. Any questions?”

No one raises any, probably because they’re too self-conscious to ask in front of their potential partners, which leaves Hyunjin to just nod. “My team and I will be present as chaperones, just making sure everything is going smoothly. And I’d also like to thank our Dr. Jeon’s brother, Mr. Kim Seokjin, for volunteering to time and emcee the event!”

“Oh, Hyun. Always so formal. Call me Mr. Worldwide Handsome instead!” Jin calls out from the back. He does an exaggerated little bow and you— along with many other attendees— have to stifle a laugh. What a cheeseball. 

Hyunjin just smiles graciously, eyes crinkling with mischief. “Let’s get the party going!”

The up-tempo, raunchy sound of girl rap blasts out of speakers that you didn’t even know existed, scaring the shit out of you momentarily. You have no doubt at all that the afternoon’s garden party beats were compiled by your eccentric Love Doctor, before you start to subconsciously sway— and mentally twerk— to “Body.”

“Ladies and gents, this is just in with Jin! Make sure to find your seats in the next five minutes, and we’ll start the clock!”

Your phone chimes with your first table assignment of the day, and you make your way over there, dodging the throngs of men and women antsy to discover their matches. You sit down at your table, trying to ignore the nervousness building in your chest. With the presence of Hyunjin, his beautiful self lingering somewhere barely a few feet away from you, you’re not sure you can give today your best. And for the first time— it’s not you. It’s the fact that you have feelings for your unsuspecting charmer, and deep inside, you can’t fight the thought of not being able to get over him. 

But a lively ambiance courtesy of Megan Thee Stallion doesn’t fit the deep, contemplative mood, so you resort to pushing away your qualms and blankly gazing out at the high rise views while waiting for your partner. If this doesn’t work out, at least you can say you had a nice time humming to lovably NSFW music and raiding the appetizers. 

“Beefing with you bitches really getting kinda boring—”

“You know, I kind of vibe with this shit.” Mullet-guy from earlier plops down into the chair across from you. “Don’t tell Mr. Worldwide Handsome that, though. I’ll never give him the satisfaction.”

You giggle at the comically blank expression on mullet-guy’s face. “Don’t worry. I don’t think Jin would’ve added the EDM remix of “Savage” to the playlist.”

Mullet-guy doesn’t smile, but you catch the flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Fair enough. I’m Yoongi.”

“Y/N.” You carefully take a mini slice of flaky herbed pastry off of the stand and place it on the china plate in front of you. Now that everyone has settled down, the music has been turned down to enable better conversation. “Maybe I’m being blunt here, but you don’t exactly strike me as the type of guy to go to a speed-dating event.”

“Well, what kind of guy do I strike you as?” Yoongi asks, settling back comfortably into his chair. If it was anyone else talking, you would have thought they were flirting with you. But not with Yoongi— you can’t quite put your finger on it, but he feels incredibly familiar to you. This could be just another regular talk with a good friend.

You make a show of taking in his beat-up leather jacket and the silver stud in his left ear, all add-ons to his roguishly handsome aesthetic. “Wannabe SoundCloud rapper meets Fuji Kaze, except with an even worse fashion sense.”

Most people would have already shrank away from your sarcastic sense of humor, but Yoongi claps back. “I could say the same for you. Don’t tell me you’re actually going for The Stepford Wives with that dress. You even have the Mary-Jane shoes.”

“These are discounted flats from Old Navy, don’t even. And I’ll bet your emo ass was stuck in Hot Topic since grade school.”

Yoongi bursts out laughing. “Okay, you win. But you’re not wrong though— I am a rapper, of sorts.”

You lean forward. “Really?”

“Of sorts— I haven't had much time to really get into it and improve myself, ever since I started my own record label last year, D-2 Music,” Yoongi says, picking at his peach scone. “Managing other artists is my focus these days. Been writing my whole life, though.”

“What do you like to write about?” You take a bite of your pastry, savoring how it nearly melts in your mouth. Maybe this thing isn’t that bad; good food and good conversation. Besides, this Yoongi is totally intriguing to you.

“Dreams, depression, obsession.” Yoongi steadily holds your gaze, and you don’t look away.

“Refreshing.”

“I get that a lot.” Yoongi takes a sip of his mimosa, before making a face and putting it back down. 

“No, but seriously. I hate pretending, most of all. Perfection doesn’t exist, and a lot of people can’t get a grip on that.” You shrug, wiping your mouth with one of the provided lavender napkins. “It is refreshing that you don’t seem to give a crap about others.”

“Yeah.” Yoongi smiles, and you think it’s a good look on him. It doesn’t fade even after what he says next. “We’re not going to be a match, are we?”

In that moment, you can confidently say that you are both the same exact person, and while it feels so good to finally speak with someone who might remotely understand exactly what you are, you know it can never be a sustainable relationship. The two strong-minded pessimists that you both are would only clash or just further bring each other down, in the end. So you return his smile, not a hint of sorrow in it. 

“Probably not.” Both of you clink your champagne classes together and drink on it, before collectively gagging at the taste.

“Time’s up, people! Please bid your partners adieu and get on to your next table!” Jin’s voice breaks out through his microphone, and immediately, the music resumes as the frenzy starts all over again.

You stand up, smoothing out your skirt and looking over at Yoongi, who stays seated, taking his own time finishing his scone. “Catch you later, Hot Topic.”

“Likewise, Mary-Jane.” Yoongi snickers, tilting his head up in a casual goodbye. 

You make your way to your new assignment, and as you approach, you remember him. The next person sitting there is the final candidate that Hyunjin had shown you, the one with the rather squirrely look to him. You have to admit, however, that he isn’t bad-looking, with wavy brown bangs falling into his eyes and a soft smile painting his features. He looks simple, a pretty boy waiting for a girl. You feel like you’re reading a picture book with a happy ending, because there are no puzzles to stay sleepless over. You see the bistro table becoming a kitchen counter, frequented for coffee talk and family dinners— there is no smoke-cracked glass desk that costs more than your entire salary. And you’re not Pygmalion sculpting Galatea, the gender bended Grecian rendition of the Hyunjin who plagues your thoughts; instead, you can see the elementary construction paper dotted with finger-painted sunny skies.

“Hi,” you greet, dragging out your chair and locking eyes with the stranger. Strangely, you don’t feel that telltale thump of your heartbeat in your panting chest— you sense a steady rhythm, and perhaps you could get used to it. Think: the picture book over the puzzle. You like staying in check and control— Hyunjin doesn’t allow you that power, no matter how unknowingly he keeps it for himself. 

“Hi,” he responds. “I, uh, thought you had a nice smile in your picture. It’s even better in real life.”

You stay unfazed; compliments don’t affect you much— when they come from anyone but Hyunjin. Still, it’s a cute try, and you decide to dig in deeper. To you, directness is key— again, when dealing with anyone but Hyunjin. 

You slide your finger down the damp side of your champagne flute, tracing a haphazard shape in the water drops. The man falls quiet again, and you don’t bother saying anything else, just taking him in. You don’t have much experience with conversation loaded with romantic intent, and this holds true even with your infamous ex-boyfriend.

Park Jisung had spied you at a holiday festival on your college campus, and then proceeded to ask you out. It was pretty unceremonious, to say the least, and thinking in hindsight, you can’t remember a time when he actually tried to get to know you. You were so enamored with him that you didn’t bat an eye, not even when he insisted on having sex with you on your very first date. And it was also your very first time, actually— but you didn’t question it. And the sex? It was over in less than five minutes and he left right after he finished, but it just felt nice to be wanted, for once. 

In the following months, you realized that when he wasn’t sleeping with you, Jisung was in his own world. You barely existed to him, while you memorized his Chipotle order and silently bought new soap for him when it ran out. It wasn’t hard to figure out that he just wanted a warm body in his bed to replace the other ones he’d fucked with all day. 

“You should know that I have asthma, just in case you intend on taking my breath away on a regular basis,” the man blurts out, snapping you out of your depressing Jisung-reverie.

You bite back a snort— looks like Mr. Worldwide Handsome has new competition for the corniest person at this place. “Thank you.” 

He coughs, no doubt embarrassed by his poorly executed pick-up line. “Sorry. I can’t help it. Pretty people make me nervous.”

“You’re pretty too.” You shrug nonchalantly as the man blushes. “What’s your name?”

“Han Jisung.”

You nearly throw the champagne in his face. “Come again?”

“Jisung. My name is Jisung.”

You clench your fists under the table, trying not to break something. Of all the people in this world— of all the fucking names in this world— you just had to get set-up with a guy who shares the same name as a monster who did nothing but hurt you. What the fuck, universe? You glance at your phone screen peeking out of your purse— there are still four minutes left in this stupid round. 

“Hey, is everything good?” 

“Why wouldn’t it be?” You look up, giving him a venomous smile. Screw the picture book. “What do you like to do in your free time, Han Jisung? Don’t tell me you like to day-drink and play beer pong.”

“I’m not really a drinker. And you can just call me Ji-”

“Tell me, Han Jisung, is your zodiac sign Aquarius? And do you work in tech? Do you work for SM Tech? Do you?” You inquire without a break, gulping down your glass before refilling it with more of that horrendous champagne. The angel on your shoulder implores you not to project your ex-boyfriend’s personality onto the poor sucker sitting in front of you, but the devil whispers a different tune. You decide to follow the latter’s advice; raging hellfire is always more fun.

Han Jisung looks bewildered, but answers your question anyway. “Um, I'm a Virgo. I do work in tech, but with JYP Electronics.”

“Wonderful.” 

“Anyway… I never got your name,” Han Jisung tries, visibly shaken by your suddenly aggressive line of questioning. 

You scowl at him. “That’s because I already made the mistake of trusting someone like you, Han Jisung.”

There’s still a few seconds left in the round timer, but you don’t pay any mind to it. Your social battery has been exhausted, and all of the progress you’ve made in a long time has gone to dust in a mere five-minute parameter. You grab your bag and stalk away from the table, leaving Han Jisung staring after you, openmouthed and utterly perplexed by the unmerited hostility. But screw him— you can’t even live for a day without being reminded by your douchebag ex who traumatized the fuck out of you.

In your fury, you barely notice the rolling cart of lunch items that accidentally rams into your side. Bowls of pesto pasta fly off the cart, the roasted cherry tomatoes arching in the air in perfect semi-circles before splattering onto the pristine grass. The restaurant staff immediately attends to the mess, while the other guests just glance carelessly at the mess before continuing onto the next round. You rub your hip as Hyunjin rushes over to you.

“Darling, are you alright?” Hyunjin drapes his arm around your shoulders, gazing at you with concern. You melt into his touch for a moment, the frustration simmering with the longing inside of you. “Where were you going?”

You back away from him. “This was a bad idea. Maybe I’m not ready for this. I need more time.”

He frowns, stepping closer to you. “But—”

“Han Jisung?” You interrupt, more animosity in your tone than you intend for there to be. “You knew his name when showing me his profile.”

Hyunjin’s eyes widen in both remembrance and regret. “Oh my god. I didn’t realize— I’m so sorry, Y/N.”

You take a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down. Even taking into account how you feel right now, you don’t want to take it out on Hyunjin. Never. “It’s not your fault. But I’ll be on my way.”

Ducking your head, you turn and walk away, furiously blinking the tears away. A small part of you wishes Hyunjin would call you back, hug you close to him and ask you to stay. But he doesn’t, because he knows his boundaries. It’s you who doesn’t know their place, because regardless of the smarting pain inside of you, you want Hyunjin to bandaid your emotional damage. 

And as you pick up your pace, you realize that maybe you really are doomed to be Pygmalion, yearning for someone who no one else can even compare to, someone who’ll never be yours. No matter what sorts of grotesque demons haunt you, the most sinister of them all is the off-limits adonis who disturbs your heart even when you’re still reeling from the previous break. Han Jisung’s sunny skies woke you up from your dreams— Galatea is a fucking statue, art that will never come alive. 

“Well, that was a colossal disaster.” Hyunjin covers his face with his palms and shrinks into the buttery leather upholstery of his seat. 

Wonyoung glances over at him as the car starts up. “What do you mean? I think it went great. I saw a sickening amount of flirting going on. Pretty soon, you’ll be officiating a bunch of weddings.”

Hyunjin groans, shaking his head. “But did you see the way Y/N left, Wonyoung? The whole Jisung thing? God, I screwed things up colossally.”

“It’s not your job to remember the names of all of your clients’ ex-boyfriends. It was an honest mistake that we both overlooked.”

“Still.”

“Dr. Hwang, I feel like there’s more to this than you’re letting on.” Wonyoung crosses her arms. “Since when did you get so worked up over a client— over anything?”

Hyunjin rolls his eyes like a petulant child. “I’m not getting worked up.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Am not.”

“Sure.” Wonyoung looks back down at her tablet, tapping away at the screen. “I’m already seeing so many matches.”

“Nice.” Hyunjin looks out the window pointedly. “It’s always fucking raining these days.”

“Dr. Hwang.”

Hyunjin ignores Wonyoung, just leaning forward to instruct the cab driver. “Actually, can you drop me off at The North End? Thanks.”

“Seriously. What is going on?” Wonyoung presses once more. “You can’t just go drinking now, not like this.”

“I’ll be fine, Ms. Jang.” Hyunjin doesn’t meet her eyes as he gets out of the car, placing a few bills covering the whole cab fare into her hands. “Get home safe.”

Before she can protest, Hyunjin closes the door and lets the drizzle envelop him, effectively ruining his new logo-motif jacquard set. But he doesn’t give a fuck as he steps into the bar like a shivering stray cat, because the stench of liquor and greasy peanuts is strong enough to incapacitate his inner fashion police. 

“Bourbon, on the rocks,” Hyunjin orders glumly, looking down at his phone screen, a shot of Princess Diana on her birthday last year. She looks absolutely precious in that fluffy pink tutu that he dressed her in, a sight that never fails to make Hyunjin melt. Today, however, not even his adorably stylish puppy can cure him. He downs the whiskey the bartender sets in front of him, wincing at the burn he so rightfully deserved.

When you stormed out of the party just barely two hours ago, it took every fiber of Hyunjin’s being to not run after you. He’d wanted to ditch everyone and just kiss it better for you. He’d take you back to his apartment, run you a bath, cook you a comfort meal, and massage all of your sore spots. And then he’d cuddle with you on the couch, holding you while you fall asleep in his arms. But his stupid common sense held him back, rooting him to the spot like a big, dumb boulder. 

After speaking with Seungmin, he realized how precisely he’s gone for you. And it obviously wouldn’t end well, so he decided that distance— complete professionalism— would be the way to go. Last night, he’d tried a crapload of healthy methods to try and fix himself, from watching porn to reading porn to even listening to porn on some sketchy podcast— anything to distract him from the thought of you. But nothing worked, because he wasn’t horny. No, he had an emotional boner— the worst kind of boners. In the end, he’d realized that the only way to move on from you would be get his ass out there and find someone else,a rebound— which is what he’d been dreading all along.

Therefore, he’d turned around like a fucking moron and went back to the party, listlessly floating around like a trash bag discarded on the highway. And now, he’s at some bar with high end cocktails that are just a pretentious way of saying “fuck me” to strangers.

“Hey there handsome, need company?”

Hyunjin looks to his left, where the sultry voice has originated from: a young woman— a pretty one, too. She’s wearing the kind of tight, black dress and matching coy smile that can only mean she wants one thing. Luckily, Hyunjin’s on the same page as her.

“What’s your name, darling?” Hyunjin asks her, ignoring the guilt inside his chest. That term of endearment was once reserved for you, and only you. He’d have to get over the sting of that too.

She sits down next to him, tossing her hair over her shoulder and exposing the smooth skin of her neck. “Lisa.”

“Lisa,” Hyunjin repeats, signaling to the bartender for another round. “Tell me, what do you do?”

“I’m hoping it’ll be you tonight.” Lisa smirks at him, raising an eyebrow seductively.

Well. That was fast.

Hyunjin chuckles, trying not to think of the nausea rising in his stomach. He accepts the drink from the bartender, clinking his glass against Lisa’s, meeting her darkened eyes over the rim.

“I’m Hyunjin. It’s nice to meet you.”

You haven’t watched trashy Youtube videos in months, thinking you’d left that disgusting habit behind, and yet, here you are, watching said trashy Youtube videos. Today, it’s a shotgun wedding getting upstaged by one of the bridesmaids proclaiming her love for the groom. You feel an old chips packet somewhere inside the bedsheet hollow you’ve burrowed yourself into, the crumbs poking into your back like unwanted intruders. However, you just try to ignore the nasty feeling and slump into the mattress, pulling the bedcovers up so they cover your chin. 

It’s been almost a full week since the matchmaking debacle that you absolutely made a spectacle of yourself at. You’ve spent the entire time drifting off to work, getting yelled at by Mark for no reason at all, and then coming home and lazing around. At this point, your gym membership must be a mere accessory, and the nearby 7-Eleven that you frequent for junk food is practically your second home. Fuck— you’re disgusted with yourself.

Resorting to self-destructive yet containable activities has always been your go-to for whenever you’ve been down— you’ll let yourself be fine with the world falling apart as long as it’s inside the confines of your humble abode. For months, however, you’d truly believed that you were past it. Hyunjin’s presence in your life inserted a certain desire inside of you— not to be better for him, but to be better because of him. Hyunjin opened your eyes to the real beauty of living, of having passion for any trade and a lust for happiness. That kind of positive outlook kept you climbing up that hill, no matter how arduous it was to maintain good spirits for the majority of the time. But as soon as a crisis hit, you bailed on your trek and fell back down the cliff.

You feel truly guilty as well, an emotion that usually got lost in the web of pity and hatred that you spun yourself into whenever you know you’ve done something wrong. Han Jisung didn’t deserve to be subjected to your outburst, you know that— that should have been reserved for the person who actually wronged you. You never actually got the chance to confront Park Jisung, not after he walked out like he didn’t just fucking break you. Deep inside, you know that you take out that inky mixture of unresolved frustration and regret on every single person who dares trigger you, even if it’s unintentional. Han Jisung was one such unfortunate target today.

A small chime alerts you to a new message, and you tear your eyes away from your laptop, reaching for your phone on your nightstand. In the notifications on your home screen, you see that it is not an email from Hyunjin like you’d unrealistically hoped for— instead, it’s a text from Yeonjun, your cousin who’s a constant thorn in your fucking side.

Yeonjun: hmm i’m thirsty :P

You: no yeonjun, i will not take you out for drinks.

Yeonjun: pretty pls w a cherry on top

You: fuck off

Yeonjun: u seem upset :(((

You: i’m having adult problems, yeonjun. leave me alone.

Yeonjun: well then i will help you with ur adult problems

Yeonjun: u know, i’m an adult too OMG

Yeonjun: come on, when have i ever not given u great advice?

Yeonjun: i missed my fucking calling in therapy. i woulda been an excellent shrink.

Yeonjun: i’m an amazing cousin who always is there for u. y/n i lysm, u know that?

Yeonjun: u know what else i love? Vodka. 

Yeonjun: but i love u too <3

You: Yeonjun, stop fucking spamming me or I’m not coming.

Yeonjun: YAYY!

With a defeated sigh, you shove the blankets to the side, the cold air conditioning gripping your body like a vice. But begrudgingly, you have to admit that it feels refreshing to get out of your sweaty hideout and step into the shower, cleaning yourself up as much as you can on the outside— the inside issue can be attended to with the drinks.

A half hour later, you find yourself in a skeevy dive bar on the Westside, doing shots with your cousin, because even though he irritates you to the core, he’s all you have. You really could use that drink, anyway. But no amount of alcohol seems to mask the way your heart hangs heavier than the full moon outside. In fact, the liquid courage just manifests your sadness even more, leaving you a sniveling mess on the bar counter.

“And, he was actually really cute, you know? But I could never date him,” you sniffle, after downing your fifth drink. “It’s just, I just can’t deal with any reminders of Jisung.”

Yeonjun knocks back his vodka. “I take it back. If therapy means dealing with saps like you, I’d rather die.”

You frown at him. “It’s better than being a failing TikTok influencer. When’s the last time any of your thirst traps got views?”

Yeonjun shrugs, unbothered by your jab; he’s as used to you as you are to him. “You could’ve at least hooked up with him, if he was that cute.”

You swirl your straw in the melting ice as you get on your phone, pulling up the follow-up email in which Hyunjin had sent you online scans of the candidate profiles. Yeonjun looks over your shoulder and whistles as you zoom-in on Han Jisung’s picture. “But I’ve only ever slept with Jisung before. I may be a scary bitch, but I’m not bold enough for that.”

“At least you’re self-aware,” Yeonjun cackles. “Well, it’s only a better reason to have a one-night stand. Do you really want to give your trash ex-boyfriend the power of being the only person to have had sex with you? That’s kind of sad.” 

Yeonjun makes a face, shivering in disgust, and you sock him in the elbow in retaliation. “For someone so bitchless, you really have such strong opinions about me and my love life.”

“Who says I’m bitchless?” Yeonjun grins deviously. “Besides, you’re the one who told me all this crap in the first place.”

You glance up at the ceiling, feeling an indescribable sense of loss. “Perhaps I wouldn’t mind a one-night stand, though. I guess getting laid is something I kind of need right now. I need to stop letting Jisung control every aspect of my life.”

“Well, if you’re not averted to the idea, a person of interest just walked in.”

You whip around to look at the door, and of all people, Han Jisung from the matchmaking event walks in. He doesn’t notice you at the counter, just making his way over to one of the booths near the entrance and sitting down in solitude. The waiter takes his order and walks away, leaving him to put on his headphones in wait.

“I think I must be living in a social experiment.” You groan and look over at Yeonjun. “Hell if I’m sleeping with him.”

“Did you or did you not just say that you don’t want to let your ex control your life?”

You stare at Yeonjun. “I can sleep with someone else. He’s probably too scared of me anyway. I kind of verbally-knifed him the other day.”

“Please. Everything about that guy screams ‘degrade me.’ He probably liked that shit. You might as well use him as a punching bag again— this time, more productively.” Yeonjun waggles his eyebrows at you suggestively, and you wrinkle your nose in distaste.

“The fuck do you know about productivity?”

“Nada. But I do know a lot about getting a fix when needed.” Your cousin winks at you, producing a packet of condoms out of nowhere and slapping it into your palm. Before you can react, Yeonjun is already slinking off to go and flirt with a pretty girl sitting by herself on the other end of the counter. And alas, you’re left alone again. With a packet of XL condoms— Yeonjun sure is optimistic.

You glance over at said person of interest, who is currently immersed in whatever song that’s got him bopping his head to the beat, eyes closed as if in a dreamy trance. He’s not your type, for sure. But the thing is, you don’t even know what your damn type is at this point— if it wasn’t for Hyunjin’s ability to make you feel inappropriate things so vividly, you’d have thought you had fucking cobwebs down there. Speaking with Yeonjun really was a reminder that you’re still young, after years of both an emotional and physical dry spell. Emotionally, you might not be ready. Physically, however, there’s an opening, and you know it.

When you were dating Park Jisung, sex was always initiated by him. It was always for himself too, because he never cared about making you feel good. But you didn’t see it as a red flag, since you were so in love with him. You just followed him around like an innocent, lovesick puppy that was eager to please. And in the end, even that wasn’t enough.

Your first orgasm— and first experience with a deeper kind of desire— was alone, some time after your relationship ended. It was a quiet night, and you’d just fallen back onto the couch after another long, uneventful day at work. You flipped through the TV channels before settling on a network that was playing The Notebook, and despite its fame and reach, you’d never watched the movie before. Everything was normal until the main characters started kissing each other in the rain, a scene that would remain something you’d download and revisit many, many times when you were locked away in your room.

You’d never seen that level of lust before. You’d never felt it directed towards you or ever even experienced it when you discovered porn in your teenage years. Yet, these two people seemed to want each other on a whole other level, risking everything— their home, their reputation, their love— for something you’d always thought would be over in two minutes. And as your hand undid the button of your jeans and slipped down even lower, you realized just how wrong you were.

In the years that followed, you learned to become so much more comfortable with your sexuality. Hell, you have a drawer dedicated to storing your sex toys and on nights that you’d had too many glasses of wine, you wind up writing filthy erotica just for fun. However, you’d never actually considered having sex outside of a committed relationship, not until now. And in complete honesty, you really are curious about if Han Jisung is as subby as Yeonjun insinuated— if that proves to be true, you wouldn’t mind taking your pent-up Jisung-frustrations out on him. Productivity, and all. 

You slap your payment down on the wooden counter, shaking it slightly, before marching towards Han Jisung’s table. 

“Hey,” you start, but Han Jisung doesn’t notice you. “HEY!”

Han Jisung’s eyes fly open as he jerks in his seat and pulls off his headphones. At the sight of you approaching him so determinedly, he eyes you with both wariness and renewed interest, and you have to keep yourself from sighing exasperatedly at his hesitant desperation. You’re here for a reason, after all.

“Oh, hello. Y/N, right? I asked Hyunjin for your name after you left.” He gives you a nervous smile, brushing the bangs off of his forehead. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. I just wanted to say—”

“I’ll get to the point, Han Jisung.” You cut him off, ignoring the surprised expression on his face. It’s like he’s never in his life encountered a woman who knows what the hell she wants. “I want to have sex with you. What do you say?”

For a good minute, he says nothing, just gaping at you, shocked. And then he does a double-take, looking you up and down as if checking to see if you’re real. 

“Is this a ploy to kidnap me and steal my organs, or something? Because when I last saw you, I got the impression that you severely disliked me.”

“No, I’m not going to steal your organs. The truth is complicated,” you scoff. “But you’re hot, and I’m over everything else, at least for tonight. Are you up for it?” 

You stare Han Jisung down, making him shift in his seat. He scratches his nose and blinks at you like a trembling mouse. “I… wait. You think I’m hot?”

What an idiot. Good thing he’s pretty.

“Is that a yes?”

“Fuck yes.”

With no warning at all, you grasp his hand, pulling him out of the booth while he scrambles to grab his belongings and shove them into his pockets. You feel his gaze on the back of your neck as you drag him through the bar, walking with your chin pointed up with purpose. You wind your way between the tables expertly, but this Jisung stumbles, making you glare at him over your shoulder.

“Watch your step,” you snap.

“Sorry,” he mutters, looking down at the floor as you barge into the bathroom in the back of the building, tugging him inside with you. “Wait, are we not going to your place, or—”

“Stop asking so many fucking questions, Han Jisung.” You slam the door behind you both and click the metal latch in place, leaving you both locked in the tiny room. It isn’t so cramped that there isn’t any space for movement, but it’s small enough to force you both into facing each other in a charged silence.

You eye Jisung from head to toe, taking in his baggy t-shirt and ripped jeans. He clears his throat, making you raise an eyebrow at him. “So, um, do you really have to call me by full name? Don’t you think that’s a little formal, considering what’s about to happen?”

You roll your eyes, your mind going back to the other Jisung you know. Never— there must be something to differentiate the two. You take an intimidatingly emphasized step towards him, backing him up against the wall. “No. I don’t think that’s too formal, Han Jisung.”

“But—”

“Shut the fuck up.” You trace your eyes down his body once more, gaze landing on the noticeable bulge in his pants. Bless Yeonjun— how right he was, for once. You look up, giving Jisung a mean smile. “Are you actually getting turned on right now?”

“Uh, wow—” He squeaks, as you reach your hand out and place it on his warm thigh, tracing it up his limb at a painful pace both dedicated to your desire to tease and be cautious.

“I asked you a fucking question.” You retract your hand right before it reaches its destination, glowering at him. “Answer me.”

“Just, um. I…” Jisung stammers, closing his eyes before opening them again, as if preparing himself. The honeyed tone of his skin exposes a light blush and therefore, his answer. “Ruin me, please.”

That’s all the permission you need before you’re placing your hands on Jisung’s surprisingly toned shoulders, roughly turning him around and swapping places with him, so that now you’re the one with their back to the wall. 

“Han Jisung…” You speak slowly, punctuating your words with the kind of loathing that has Jisung panting like a dog waiting for a treat, eyes wide with anticipation tinged with delicious fear. “If you’re a good boy and do as you’re told, I’ll see about giving you a reward.”

“Oh my god.”

“Take off your clothes.” 

Jisung nearly trips over his own two feet trying to wrestle the suddenly irksome swaths of fabric off of his body, tossing the garments onto the gross bathroom floor like he doesn’t give a fuck about getting a staph infection later. When he’s fully stripped, you trace your eyes over him in your own leisure, reveling in the way he shivers when you do. Your gaze washes over his defined abs, dipping even lower until you reach his hardened cock, flushed a pretty pink and glazed with pre-come— the condoms would come in very handy, after all.

Seeing him bared to you and your mercy rouses you up like you never thought it would; you never thought that feeling wanted yet being in control would work you up so much, but it does, and you love it beyond reason. 

“You’re really something else. Getting off on me being so mean to you.” With a sadistic smirk, you cross your arms. “I bet you thought about me even after I ditched your ass at the party, didn’t you?”

“I— I did,” he admits, with a nervous giggle. “You’re so fucking hot, I just couldn’t help it. Seriously. I’m sorry if— mmph.”

You interrupt his rambling by winding your hand into his soft hair and forcing him closer to you, meeting his soft lips in a harsh kiss, one that has him moaning shamelessly into your mouth. You kiss him deeply, like you want to punish him for it, like you want to both hurt him and make him beg for more. Jisung’s lips are small but full, moving against yours in a sloppy yet heated exchange, fighting for more in an unwinnable battle; he tastes like brandy, strawberries, and the promises of a good time, and you’re drunk on it.

“You’re disgusting, Han Jisung,” you spit out, prompting a whimper from Jisung. “Get on your fucking knees.”

He wastes no time dropping to his knees and letting you lead the way, fully submitting to your tantric commands. Quickly, you clutch at his hands and direct them to where they should be, tilting your head back against the wall as Jisung satisfies your wishes. With an eagerness that doesn’t even compare to your own, Jisung loosens the knot on the elastic band of your skirt, not bothering to untie it fully before he’s tugging the skirt up so that it’s bunched around your waist. 

And without you even demanding him to move faster, he’s pushing your panties aside and attaching his greedy mouth to your cunt. You nearly jerk away at the overwhelming sensation of pleasure; your ex-boyfriend never went down on you, and oh, how profoundly you’ve missed out. But you’ve researched enough to know exactly what you want.

Jisung’s eyes flick up to where you’re looking down and showering him with breathy sighs, spurring on his performance. When you shoot him a warning glare, he goes back to completely making-out with your cunt, easily spreading you apart with two of his fingers so he can focus on your throbbing clit. Jisung uses his other hand to squeeze your thigh gently, rubbing circles into the smooth skin as he works.

He delves deeper into your pussy when you run your hands through his silky hair, lapping at your arousal like it’s honey and he’s been starving for days. “You taste so good…”

Immediately, you yank back his hair and hold him in place as you start to grind onto his pretty face. “I don’t remember saying you could fucking talk.”

Jisung groans, taking every insult you hurl at him in such a measured but unbridled way. He makes up for his lack in precision with his enthusiasm, suctioning his mouth around your tender clit and swirling his tongue in patterns that have gotten you seeing the fucking stars. He lets you use him entirely, body going slack as he helps you ride out your high. The obscene sounds of Jisung slurping at your cunt fill the room as you come, gripping his head between your thighs as you feel that beautiful wave of euphoria fall over you. You pat Jisung’s shoulder in silent instruction, and he rises, cupping the sides of your arms and running his hands down them gently, soothing the way you quiver at any touch. 

“Are you okay?” Jisung whispers, making you open your eyes in surprise. Your ex-boyfriend never once checked up on you, not even when you were clearly in discomfort that first time he made you his own. This complete stranger however, one that you have been anything but gracious with, inspects your face with concern. A strange feeling of warmth spreads throughout your body as you nod your head.

“I’m good. You did well.” You grasp the bottom of your top, pulling it over your head so that all you’re standing in now are your skirt and basically ruined panties. You didn’t bother with putting on a bra before you left the house, and now, you’re thankful for the decision that was ultimately a byproduct of your laziness; Jisung gazes at your body with utter reverence, like just the sight of your tits has blessed his entire life.

“Please…”

“Please what, Han Jisung?” You bite your lip, both amused and flattered by how desperate he is for your pussy. “Use your words.”

“Fuck me. Please, fuck me. I’ve been good, haven’t I?” Jisung whines sadly, clearly on the verge of tears. His cock is now rock-hard, flush against his stomach, and it turns you on so much to know that eating you out has reduced him to such a pathetic mess. 

“Yes, you have…” you murmur, before jutting out your hand to hold his chin tightly. “Spit.”

Without a single protest, he obeys, a single string of saliva connecting his lips to your hand, before you’re reaching down and palming his cock. He lets out a gasp as you wrap your fingers around the base, spreading the dampness and pumping a few times for good measure, as if the mixture of his spit and your own arousal coating your pussy isn’t lubrication enough. 

You take the condoms out and help Jisung slide one onto his cock, chuckling when he places his hand over yours to help quicken the process. And then you’re finally guiding him into your entrance, circling one leg around his body and caging him into your fantasies. 

“Fuck—”

Jisung enters you as you both collectively moan out loud, him at how tightly your cunt clenches around him and you at how wonderfully his dick curves into you, hitting your sweet spot inside each time. Jisung cups your face as he kisses you again, but this time, it’s slower and more drawn-out, a vast juxtaposition to how rigorously he thrusts into you. You drag your nails down his back in a way that’s sure to leave marks for days to come, but he just increases his pace on your aching pussy, lost in pleasure. 

You grip Jisung’s ass and squeeze at the flesh, eliciting a throaty groan from him as your sweat combined creates a sticky layer between your bodies. Your breasts are pressed against Jisung’s chest, and he ducks his head to attend to them, licking and sucking at your sensitive nipples. The heightened attention goes straight to your sweet pussy, making you buck your hips as you hold him even tighter. 

“Oh god— I’m fucking— I’m gonna come—” Jisung chokes out, his movements now erratic and even more rushed, if possible.

“Not yet.” You just laugh cruelly, shaking your head. “You’re going to wait. I’m first.”

“I— I don’t think I can—”

“Suck it up like the little bitch you are, and make me come again,” you snarl, digging your nails into the arch of his ass.

He cries out, and for a brief lapse in time, you think he will not be able to outlast you, but then he slides his hand down, rubbing frantic circles onto your clit. The attempt to get you off a second time works, and the orgasm washes over you like a cool breeze in the summertime. You can’t help what escapes you next.

“HYUNJIN!”

“Did you just—”

You clench your jaw and give Jisung a menacing look, warning him of a topic that should not be broached under any circumstances. Luckily, your harsh expression just seems to spur Jisung on even more, and he follows you into ecstasy not long after, squirming in your hold. When he finally finishes, hot spurts of him coat your pussy and trembling thighs.

For a moment, Jisung slumps against you limply, and you let him, enjoying that blanket of heat and protection against your exposed skin, another gift you’ve never been given before. But then you remember that’s all he is to you— a body that has warmed you up for one night. You don’t feel guilty though, because you never did offer more than you could actually give. 

You pat Jisung’s back, prompting him to draw back and give you a fucked-smile. His bangs are plastered against his forehead in a sweaty mess, and his skin is tinged pink from his great efforts to please you. It’s a sight that you’ll be tucking away in your memories for any future lonely nights. 

After putting your blouse back on, you walk over to the sink as Jisung just stays leaning against the wall. Wetting a paper towel with some water, you run it between your thighs and clean up the remnants of Jisung’s come smeared there. And then you pull your skirt down and help Jisung, because no matter how you don’t see him as more than a fling, he is still significant to you. He’s the first person to make you come and show you that physical care that you’ve been craving for so long, and that amounts to something. Besides, you’d never just toss someone aside after using them so intimately, not like your ex did with you.

You get a fresh towel for Jisung, placing it against his forehead to cool his heated skin while assisting him in putting his clothes back on. When you both are completely dressed, you place a chaste kiss on Jisung’s lips and give him a small smile, before turning for the door.

“I’ll be on my way now, Han Jisung.”

Jisung leaps forward quickly, grabbing your head before it can reach the doorknob. “Hey, I know you said this was just a one-night, but can’t we maybe get dinner or something?”

“Jisung.” The plain name is still sour on your tongue, but you swallow it down. “We aren’t going to work. This isn’t going to happen again.”

“Wait. Are you just, like, crazy edging me right now?”

Shaking your head, you let out a tired laugh. “No, I’m not. Look, I think you’re a really nice guy. I’m sorry for how I treated you at the party last week. You definitely didn’t deserve that, and I definitely still need to resolve my own issues. I’m sure there’s some other sexy lady out there just waiting to dom your pretty face off. You deserve better than me.”

You leave Jisung speechless, finally getting out of the bathroom. You have a very important meeting tomorrow, one that you absolutely cannot miss. Besides, he really does deserve better than you, someone who definitely doesn’t make his whole life an enigma. Someone who doesn’t have the same impact on him as Hyunjin does on you. 

And in your post-coital clarity, you also finally accept that there will be no compromising with your feelings for Hyunjin. You’re falling in love with him, so much that even when another man is balls-deep in you, he’s all you can think of. It’s so profound that it hurts, the thought of never being able to fuck him into oblivion like you just did with Han Jisung. You can never have those nights with him in dirty bathrooms, or the ones tangled up in bedsheets for hours at an end. Late night conversations about the banalities of life and playful interviews about where he buys his amazing clothing will never be yours. You’re playing a dangerous game, ignoring your feelings like they’re a hazy insect that will eventually buzz away. Because you know they won’t. They’ll come back to sting you.

As you beeline for the bar exit, you run straight into Yeonjun, who seems to have been waiting for you all along. And by the looks of the Cheshire grin on his face, he knows exactly what you’ve been up to.

“I knew his dick was big.”

“Don’t. You. Dare.”

“So… want to talk about last week?”

“There’s not much to talk about.” You shrug, toying with the hem of your dress. It’s green, a new look from the various shades of pinks that you donned whenever visiting Hyunjin. The change doesn’t feel refreshing— really, it’s restricting and strange, somehow. Like it doesn’t belong on you.

Hyunjin sighs, getting up from his fancy chair to sit down next to you. So understanding, so caring, so gentle. Everything you don’t deserve and that you will never have. “Darling, please. Open up to me.”

You snap, looking at him directly. “I had sex with Han Jisung.”

Closing your eyes, you lift your up palm, effectively silencing whatever you know that Hyunjin was about to say. You take a deep breath, bracing yourself. You have to mend the cracks before you break completely. Again. It’s now or never, no matter how much it will hurt you to do so.

“And I think we should stop seeing each other.”

«NEXT CHAPTER» · «GENERAL M.LIST» · «NAVIGATION» · «TALK TO ME» · «TAGLIST»

AUTHOR'S NOTE Here she is!! We're 2/5 of the way there 💪 Thank you for all of the love for this series! And again, I apologize for the atrocious wait-time. Please leave your thoughts, I don’t really mind if you leave a whole essay ;) -Dreamy

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NETWORKS @kflixnet @k-films

©jisungsdaydreamer 2023 | All rights reserved. I do not condone translations or transfers of my work onto other platforms such as Wattpad, AO3, etc. Tumblr is my only platform. Acts of plagiarism are strictly prohibited.

[dailycoffeeguide]

The Ultimate Daily Coffee Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Cup of Joe

Coffee is much more than just a drink; it's a ritual that many people across the globe swear by to kick-start their day. Whether you're a casual coffee drinker or an aficionado, having a daily coffee guide can help you navigate the diverse and delightful world of coffee. This guide explores various coffee-making techniques, types of beans, and helpful tips to enhance your daily coffee experience.

1. Understanding the Different Types of Coffee Beans

The foundation of a great cup of coffee begins with choosing the right coffee beans. There are several types of beans, but the two most commonly used are Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica: Known for its smooth flavor and aromatic properties, Arabica beans are typically grown at higher altitudes and are often the preferred choice for coffee enthusiasts.

Robusta: This variety is known for its bold and intense flavor. It contains more caffeine than Arabica and is often used in espresso blends to add a bit of punch.

Choosing the right coffee beans is essential for determining the taste of your coffee. If you prefer a milder, sweeter flavor, go for Arabica. However, if you love strong and bold flavors, Robusta might be the way to go.

2. Grinding Your Coffee Beans

Once you've chosen your coffee beans, it's time to grind them. The grind size plays a crucial role in the extraction process and the overall flavor of your coffee. The grind should match the brewing method you plan to use.

Coarse Grind: Best for French press brewing.

Medium Grind: Ideal for drip coffee makers.

Fine Grind: Works best for espresso machines.

Grinding your coffee fresh every morning ensures the best aroma and flavor. Pre-ground coffee tends to lose its freshness quickly, so it's always recommended to grind your beans just before brewing.

3. Brewing Methods: Which One is Right for You?

There are many ways to brew coffee, and each method offers a unique flavor profile. Here are some popular brewing methods to consider:

Drip Coffee Maker: The most common method in households, offering a consistent and easy brew. Simply fill the filter with ground coffee, add water, and let the machine do the rest.

French Press: This method produces a rich and full-bodied cup. Coarse coffee grounds are steeped in hot water for several minutes before being pressed down with a plunger. The result is a coffee with robust flavor and a thicker consistency.

Espresso Machine: If you're a fan of strong coffee, an espresso machine is the way to go. It uses high pressure to force hot water through finely ground coffee, creating a concentrated shot of espresso that forms the base for many coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos.

Pour-Over: Pour-over brewing requires you to manually pour hot water over coffee grounds in a filter. It takes a bit more time and attention but results in a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.

Each brewing method has its pros and cons, so experiment with different techniques to find the one that best suits your taste preferences.

4. Coffee-to-Water Ratio: How Much Coffee Should You Use?

The coffee-to-water ratio is crucial in achieving the perfect cup of coffee. Too much coffee can make the drink overly bitter, while too little can result in a weak, underwhelming taste.

As a general guideline, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. However, this ratio can be adjusted based on your personal preferences. If you like your coffee stronger, increase the amount of coffee grounds. If you prefer a milder brew, reduce the amount.

5. The Importance of Water Quality

While coffee is the star of the show, water plays a vital role in the final taste of your brew. Tap water that contains high levels of chlorine, minerals, or other impurities can negatively affect the flavor of your coffee.

For the best results, use filtered water with a neutral pH. Ideally, your water temperature should be between 195°F and 205°F to extract the full flavor from the coffee grounds.

6. Exploring Coffee Additives: Milk, Cream, and Sweeteners

While many coffee lovers enjoy their brew black, others like to add a bit of cream, milk, or sweetener to enhance the taste. Here are some common additives:

Milk or Cream: Adds creaminess and sweetness to your coffee. Whole milk creates a richer taste, while skim milk or plant-based alternatives, like almond or oat milk, can give a lighter texture.

Sugar: Sweetening your coffee is a personal choice. You can use traditional white sugar, or experiment with alternatives such as honey, agave syrup, or stevia for a healthier option.

Flavored Syrups: For those who enjoy indulgent coffee beverages, flavored syrups like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut can be added to create a personalized coffee experience.

Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance of flavors for your ideal cup.

7. The Health Benefits of Coffee

Aside from its delicious taste, coffee offers several health benefits when consumed in moderation. Some of the benefits include:

Improved Focus and Alertness: The caffeine in coffee helps stimulate the central nervous system, improving concentration and mental clarity.

Rich in Antioxidants: Coffee is packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals in the body and reduce inflammation.

Potential Disease Prevention: Studies suggest that regular coffee consumption may help reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and type 2 diabetes.

8. Conclusion

Your daily coffee routine doesn't have to be complicated. By understanding the different types of coffee beans, experimenting with brewing methods, and fine-tuning your coffee-to-water ratio, you can enjoy a perfect cup every time. Remember that coffee is a personal experience, so take the time to explore different additives and flavors that suit your taste. Whether you’re making a simple cup in the morning or crafting a luxurious espresso drink, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy your coffee journey!

[koffing-time]

So… What would you say is your best espresso. I’ve been searching for alternatives after my favorite local spot closed.

(@numberonecameraman)

Hmmm, sorry for the late answer, i had to think about this a bit.

I can give you a few nods and infos, but it depends on your taste and preferences.

Well, let's start at the beginning. I'm not that much of an espresso kinda person, i'm more into standard coffee, but espresso is (genuinely) not much more than concentrated coffee. You have to be more careful when preparing it, but in the end, you have the same flavors, just more concentrated. (I promise, i can do that, i know how to make a banger espresso)

And, well, the flavors mostly depend on the coffee you're using. Obviously there are different grades of quality, but i'm assuming you want some high quality stuff, right? Now, i do have some standard beans for normal ass coffee, and you can do a lot of different things with that alone.

Depending on the place your beans come from, they'll have a slightly different taste, but i won't go into that rn because that would go WAYYYYY beyond the scale of this post lmao.

Something more managable is the color (or roast level). Rule of thumb: darker roasts give you more bitterness, a more full and earthy aroma and some chocolatey hints. More lighter roasts are sweeter, less bitter and the more nuanced aromas come out more.

Secondly, there are two different kinds of beans (for the most part. you can probably get some exotic shit as well, but i usually don't have that around). Arabica and Robusta. In general, Arabica is more popular bc it's more... light? i wanna say? It's gentler with its flavors, but the Robusta has more punch, more caffeine and will make overall stronger coffee (espresso). I don't actually have pure Robusta, because, if we're honest, pure robusta coffee (espresso) is REALLY bitter and kind of bland. Something more interesting is a blend between the two. Depending on the ratio, you can get a lot of different profiles. (there are pure arabica versions of course)

Third is the freshness. Of course, the fresher the beans, the better the coffee (espresso). Well... there are a few exception, but they always exist. That part is more important when you make it at home, check the roast date and go to a good shop to buy your coffee.

BUT something that is wayyyy more interesting imo than just... color and arabica/robusta ratio, that is... roast style. You can roast coffee beans in a variety of ways. You can just put them in the oven, you can put them on the grill and smoke them, you can deep fry them, there are tons of ways, and all influence the flavor of course.

One more thing i wanna mention is the fermentation: i love love love coffee that is fermented with the cherry. It makes the coffee (espresso) a lot lighter and actually gives it a fruity and fresh note. Those kind of beans are usually little bit more expensive, but trust me its worth it.

And, lastly, you can blend your coffee with a ton of other stuff to enhance your experience. Mix it with cinnamon, occa berry, cheri berry, chilli powder, i have so many blends here that are really really great. The italians hate me for it, but i again, i usually drink standard coffee, not espresso. That doesn't mean its bad in espresso though.

And to conclude, specifically for your question about our BEST espresso? Well, we do have an assortment of homemade coffee blends, and one is called the "Tix' Mix". It's got a little spice to it, but is mainly sweet and has a full flavor profile between chocolatey and herby. There's also "Olivia's Original" of course (and more varied ideas), but for integrity reasons i have to insist that my personal blend is better lol.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazilian coffee exports to Arab states jump 56.2%

Arab nations imported 56.2 percent more coffee from Brazil in the first half of this year than during the same period in 2022, according to the latest data by the Brazilian Council of Coffee Exporters, known as Cecafe.

Brazil — the world’s leading exporter despite coffee’s origins in what are known today as Ethiopia and Yemen — exported 592,887 60-kg bags of coffee to Arab countries between January and June this year.

Lebanon was the largest recipient with 144,344 bags — accounting for almost a quarter of the total exported to Arab countries — followed by Jordan with 94,609 bags.

Among the reasons for the increase in Arab demand are the drop in coffee prices and greater availability of Arabica beans from Brazil due to better climatic conditions.

Continue reading.

[darshanaaa7]

Coffee aficionado

Coffee is so much more than just a drink; it's a way of life. You may receive an introduction to how vast and varied the world of coffee actually is by looking through some of the top coffee blogs available.Perhaps you're a newbie whose crush is quickly developing into something more serious. Or perhaps you're a connoisseur with a hunger for information about brewing methods. Many of these blogs have experienced it, and they zealously offer advice, comparisons, and experiments that will have you producing excellent craft beers in no time. Some other blogs, which concentrate on coffee-forward international travel itineraries and coffee destinations and introduce you to the people behind them, are driven by the social side of coffee. Coffee and community go hand in hand.

Certainly! Coffee is a popular and beloved beverage enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Its rich history, diverse varieties, cultivation methods, and health effects make it a fascinating subject for a blog post. Here's some information you can include in your blog about coffee:

1. History and Origins: Coffee's history dates back centuries to the ancient coffee forests of Ethiopia. The legend of the discovery of coffee by a goat herder named Kaldi adds a charming touch to its origins. Coffee cultivation and trade spread from Africa to the Middle East and eventually to Europe and the rest of the world.

2. Coffee Varieties: There are two main species of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their nuanced flavors and aromatic qualities, while Robusta beans are often used in espresso blends due to their higher caffeine content and bold flavor.

3. Coffee Growing Regions: Coffee is grown in various regions around the world, each imparting unique flavors to the beans. Some well-known coffee-growing countries include Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Indonesia. The concept of "terroir" is relevant here, as the soil, climate, and altitude influence the final flavor profile of the coffee.

4. Coffee Processing: After coffee cherries are harvested, they undergo processing to extract the beans. Different methods, such as washed, natural, and honey processes, affect the flavor and characteristics of the coffee. This is a crucial step in determining the final taste of the brew.

5. Roasting: Roasting is an art that transforms green coffee beans into the aromatic, flavorful beans used for brewing. The roast level impacts the coffee's taste, with lighter roasts preserving more of the bean's origin flavors and darker roasts producing bolder, smokier notes.

6. Brewing Methods: There are numerous ways to brew coffee, each influencing the taste and texture of the final cup. Some popular methods include drip brewing, French press, pour-over, espresso, AeroPress, and cold brew. Each method extracts different compounds from the coffee grounds, resulting in distinct flavors.

7. Coffee and Health: Coffee has been studied extensively for its potential health effects. It contains antioxidants and can be linked to various benefits, such as improved cognitive function, enhanced physical performance, and a reduced risk of certain diseases. However, excessive consumption can lead to negative effects like insomnia, jitteriness, and digestive issues.

8. Coffee Culture: Coffee has a significant cultural impact worldwide. It's not just a beverage; it's often a social experience. Cafés and coffeehouses are gathering places for people to relax, work, and connect. Different cultures have their own unique coffee traditions and rituals.

9. Sustainable Coffee: As the coffee industry grows, concerns about environmental sustainability and fair labor practices have become more important. Fair trade and direct trade practices aim to ensure that coffee farmers receive fair compensation for their work and that the environment is protected.

10. Coffee Trends: The coffee world is always evolving. Trends like specialty coffee, single-origin beans, and alternative milk options (such as almond, oat, and soy milk) have gained popularity. Staying up to date with these trends can help you understand the current coffee landscape.

[coffeebeansph]

When Is the Best Time to Drink Coffee during the Day?

Coffee drinking is so ingrained into our culture that most people cannot function without their daily cup of coffee in the morning, be it a cup of cold brew coffee or a straight solid espresso shot. 9 out of 10 older coffee drinkers consider coffee an important part of their breakfast, with many people drinking coffee to stay awake or improve their alertness throughout the day.

Read More > https://www.coffeebeans.ph/when-is-the-best-time-to-drink-coffee-during-the-day/

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[colombiancoffeeus]

Tips for Choosing the Right Coffee Beans a Beginner's Guide

Selecting the best coffee beans might be daunting. The vast array of choices available regarding origin and flavor can easily overwhelm them. It is the perfect choice to start your day. Knowing a few important characteristics of coffee beans can make finding the ideal brew to fit your tastes easier. Here are some tips for choosing the right coffee beans.

Type of Coffee

The type of coffee species is one of the first things to consider when choosing coffee beans. The Arabica and Robusta are the two most prevalent species. These beans are known for their delicate acidity and velvety flavour. Their flavour profiles are typically more complex, containing flowery or fruity undertones.

Freshness

When choosing roasted coffee beans, freshness is a crucial consideration. Beans should have been roasted within the last two weeks. You may determine the beans' freshness by looking at the roast date often printed on the package of specialty coffee brands. It is advised to buy whole coffee beans rather than pre-ground ones because grinding them right before brewing preserves their flavour and aroma.

Brewing Method

Choosing the proper beans also requires knowing your desired brewing method. Different brewing methods can highlight certain coffee qualities. Espresso calls for beans with a strong flavour profile and a finer grind frequently attained by dark or medium roast coffee. Light roasts work well because pour-over techniques bring out the beans' softness. You can get the best results if your brewing process and bean selection match.

Summing It Up

Several aspects need to be considered when choosing dark roast coffee. By comprehending these factors and trying out various possibilities beginners can discover their tastes and better understand the art of coffee making. The ideal cup of coffee is easily achievable with patience and an open mind.

[visionarycios]

Food Prices Surge Again: What’s Driving the Increase?

Source: edition.cnn.com

Food prices are once again on the rise, leaving consumers and businesses feeling the pinch as critical staples like eggs, beef, coffee, and orange juice see significant price spikes. While economists point to isolated disruptions rather than systemic inflation, these sudden increases are hard to stomach for Americans still adjusting to elevated prices that have persisted since the pandemic.

Egg Prices Soar Amid Supply Shortages

In November, egg prices surged by 8.2% nationwide, marking one of the largest monthly spikes in two decades. In some areas, shoppers have seen costs rise by as much as 40% over the past few months. The primary driver behind the increase is a renewed outbreak of bird flu, which has severely impacted flocks across the country, reducing egg supplies just as demand ramps up during the holiday season.

The situation is likely to remain challenging. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has further downgraded its egg supply estimates for the coming months, projecting continued price hikes well into 2025. Wholesale egg prices, which jumped by nearly 55% last month, indicate more cost pressures on the horizon.

Beef Prices Climb Due to Historic Herd Shortages

Beef prices are also on the rise, increasing by 5% annually. U.S. cattle inventory has dropped to its lowest level in over 70 years, driven by prolonged drought conditions and rising operational costs for farmers. Experts predict this contraction will persist into 2025, as dry weather continues to hinder cattle herd expansion. The American beef industry is unlikely to begin rebuilding until at least 2026, which means prices may stay high for years to come.

Orange Juice Feels the Impact of Weather and Disease

The cost of frozen orange juice has spiked 17.2% over the past year, while fresh juice prices are up 3.1%. Severe weather, including hurricanes and flooding, has devastated citrus crops in major producing regions like Florida and Brazil. Additionally, a citrus disease known as greening has further reduced output. Brazil, which supplies nearly 30% of America’s imported orange juice, reported its worst harvest in decades. Supply shortages are expected to persist, leading analysts to believe that orange juice prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

Coffee Prices Hit Consumers’ Morning Routine

Coffee, the second-most consumed beverage in the United States, has also been affected by weather disruptions. Arabica coffee beans, which dominate global coffee production, recently reached a record price of $3.44 per pound. Extreme weather in Brazil, including drought and rising temperatures, has negatively impacted production, and experts warn that climate change will only exacerbate the situation. Higher coffee prices are expected to become a long-term reality for consumers.

Chocolate Costs Skyrocket as Cocoa Supply Dwindles

The chocolate industry has faced one of the steepest price hikes, with wholesale cocoa costs soaring by 108.7% annually. Cocoa-producing regions in West Africa, responsible for over 70% of the global supply, have been battered by severe weather events and crop diseases. In response to rising costs, candy manufacturers have reduced product sizes, adjusted recipes, and shifted focus to non-chocolate offerings. Analysts predict that cocoa prices will remain high into 2026, further pressuring the industry and consumers alike.

Broader Food Price Trends

While these increases may appear isolated, the cumulative effect of simultaneous price hikes across food categories adds to the burden on consumers. According to the latest Consumer Price Index report, grocery prices rose 1.6% over the past year. Although this rate is significantly lower than the record-breaking 11.4% seen in 2022, it still reflects the challenges families face in managing higher food costs.

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, grocery prices have jumped 27%, with some staples seeing even sharper increases. Eggs, for example, are now 81% more expensive than they were in early 2020, while margarine, beef, and juice prices have risen by 55%, 37%, and 32%, respectively. Economists caution that consumers are unlikely to see a significant drop in food prices anytime soon. Instead, stabilization appears to be the best-case scenario.

Businesses Adapt as Costs Rise

Small businesses, especially those reliant on food products, are being squeezed by rising costs. Restaurants like Vidlak’s Brookside Café in Omaha, Nebraska, are grappling with skyrocketing prices for essential ingredients like eggs. A case of eggs that once cost $18 to $20 has soared to $75 in recent months.

To manage these challenges, businesses are exploring alternatives. Some have switched to cage-free eggs, which are less affected by avian flu, while others have adopted liquid egg mixes to cut costs. Despite these measures, many small restaurant owners are reluctant to pass the increases onto customers, fearing the impact on their loyal clientele.

As food prices continue to climb, consumers are finding ways to stretch their grocery budgets, looking for deals and alternatives to ease the financial strain. Economists note that while transportation costs and driver shortages contribute to rising prices, solutions like increasing oil production alone will not resolve the issue.

Outlook: A Perfect Storm of Disruptions

The current food price surge is a result of isolated but overlapping disruptions, from disease outbreaks and extreme weather to supply chain issues. Although overall inflation appears to be cooling, the lingering effects of these disruptions are keeping food costs stubbornly high.

With no immediate relief in sight, consumers and businesses alike will need to adapt to the reality of higher food prices, managing their budgets while bracing for further increases in the months ahead.

[atlanticacoffee]

Key Insights for Trading Unroasted Coffee Beans

Trading unroasted coffee beans requires a solid understanding of the global coffee market, including factors like bean quality, grading systems, and seasonal variations. Buyers and sellers must be aware of the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans, as well as the significance of bean origin, moisture content, and storage conditions. It's crucial to establish trustworthy relationships with suppliers and buyers to ensure fair transactions. Additionally, market trends and economic factors can influence prices, making it important to stay informed to make strategic decisions in the trading process.

Know more: https://knowledgecliff.com/unroasted-coffee-beans-for-sale/

[dailycoffeebreakwithjay]

Learning the Art of Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee: A Beginner's Journey

As someone who has always enjoyed coffee but never really understood the craft behind it, learning to brew the perfect cup has been an eye-opening experience. For years, I thought coffee was just coffee—something you make by tossing grounds into a machine and pressing start. But now, as I dive deeper into the world of coffee, I’ve come to appreciate the nuances that make each cup unique. Let me share what I’ve learned so far.

The Importance of Coffee Grind

Why Grind Size Matters

It turns out, the grind size of your coffee beans can make or break the flavor of your brew. A finer grind creates more surface area for water to extract flavor, while a coarser grind is better for slower brewing methods. For instance, a French press calls for a coarse grind, whereas espresso demands a fine grind. The National Coffee Association recommends matching your grind size to your brewing method to get the best results. Trust me, once you get this right, the difference is night and day.

Grinding Your Own Beans

Investing in a quality grinder—something I recently did—has been a game-changer. Freshly ground beans preserve their natural oils and flavors, which you just don’t get with pre-ground coffee. I opted for a burr grinder after hearing that it provides a more consistent grind compared to blade grinders. The results? Amazing.

Following Brewing Instructions

Measuring Water and Coffee

At first, I was eyeballing everything, but I quickly realized that accurate measurement is key. The standard ratio of 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water is a great starting point. I’ve been using a kitchen scale for even more precision, and it’s helped me tailor my brew to my taste. Always check your coffee maker’s manual for specific guidelines—it makes a difference.

The Impact of Reheating Coffee

I’ll admit, I used to reheat my coffee in the microwave without a second thought. Now I know that reheating breaks down the chemical compounds, resulting in a bitter taste. Fresh is best. To keep my coffee warm, I’ve started using a thermal carafe, which works wonders.

The Role of Water Quality

Using Filtered Water

This one surprised me. I didn’t think much about the water I was using until I read that impurities can drastically affect flavor. Now, I use filtered water, and the improvement is remarkable. The Specialty Coffee Association even recommends water with balanced mineral content for optimal extraction.

Experimenting with Ice

One of the more adventurous tips I’ve come across is using ice-cold water to brew coffee. I tried it out of curiosity, and while it’s not my go-to method, it does bring out some interesting flavor notes. If you’re feeling experimental, give it a shot.

Enhancing Flavor with Additives

Choosing the Right Sugar

Switching to light brown sugar instead of regular white sugar was a small change with a big impact. The molasses in brown sugar adds depth and richness that complements coffee’s natural flavors beautifully.

Adding Milk

I’m a milk-in-coffee kind of guy, but I’ve learned that warming the milk first makes a big difference. Cold milk cools the coffee too quickly, while warm milk blends seamlessly, enhancing the experience.

The Salt Trick

I was skeptical at first, but adding a tiny pinch of salt to my coffee grounds has helped reduce bitterness in darker roasts. It’s not something I do every time, but it’s worth trying if you’re looking to smooth out the flavor.

Maintaining Your Coffee Equipment

Regular Cleaning

This is one of those things I used to overlook. Over time, residue builds up in your coffee maker and can affect the taste of your brew. Now, I’ve made it a habit to clean my machine regularly, and the improvement in flavor is noticeable.

Selecting the Right Coffee Beans

Arabica vs. Robusta

When I started paying attention to the types of beans I was buying, I learned that Arabica beans are known for their smooth, complex flavors, while Robusta beans are stronger and more bitter. I’ve been experimenting with different blends to find my preference, and it’s been a fun journey.

Roasting Levels

Roast level is another factor I’ve been exploring. Light roasts retain more of the bean’s original flavors, while dark roasts offer a bolder, more robust taste. My current favorite? A medium roast that strikes a perfect balance.

Interesting Coffee Statistics

Global Coffee Consumption: Did you know that approximately 2.7 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day? That’s a lot of coffee lovers out there.

Coffee and Health: A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that moderate coffee consumption can lower the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Economic Impact: The coffee industry employs over 200 million people globally, making it a vital part of many economies.

As I’ve discovered, brewing coffee is more than just a routine; it’s an art. By paying attention to details like grind size, water quality, and bean selection, you can elevate your morning cup from “good” to “amazing.” For a beginner like me, it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m excited to keep learning and experimenting. Here’s to the perfect cup!

[ashish2345]

Best Coffee for Home Coffee Machines: Unlocking the Perfect Brew

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is one of life’s simple pleasures, and nothing beats the experience of enjoying a cup made right at home. However, a great coffee machine alone is not enough to make the perfect cup — you also need the right coffee beans. When you pair your home coffee machine with high-quality coffee beans, you unlock a whole new level of flavor, richness, and aroma.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best coffee for home coffee machines available in India, highlighting different types of coffee beans and blends that are ideal for brewing at home.

Why Choosing the Right Coffee Matters?

The coffee beans you choose play a significant role in the taste and quality of the final brew. Even the most expensive, high-end home coffee machine can’t compensate for low-quality beans. Here are a few reasons why selecting the right coffee is important:

Freshness: Freshly ground coffee beans provide a richer and more aromatic cup.

Flavor Profile: Different beans have distinct flavor notes, and choosing the right one for your taste preferences is essential.

Compatibility: Some coffee beans are better suited for espresso, while others are ideal for brewing methods like drip coffee or French Press.

Quality: High-quality beans ensure a smoother and less bitter taste, even without additives like sugar or milk.

Now, let's dive into the best coffee for home coffee machines to enhance your brewing experience and help you make the most of your coffee brewing.

Types of Coffee Beans to Consider

There are three primary types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Each type has its unique characteristics, which influence the flavor and strength of your brew.

1. Arabica Beans

Flavor Profile: Smooth, mild, slightly sweet, with a range of fruity or floral notes. Best For: Espresso, drip coffee, pour-over, and French press. Taste: Arabica beans are known for their rich, complex flavors and are considered the highest quality among coffee beans. They are perfect for those who enjoy a balanced, smooth cup with a variety of flavor notes.

Recommendation: For those using a home coffee machine like an espresso maker, Arabica beans are a fantastic choice for a well-rounded, aromatic brew.

2. Robusta Beans

Flavor Profile: Strong, bitter, and earthy, with higher caffeine content than Arabica. Best For: Espresso and blends. Taste: Robusta beans have a more intense, robust flavor. Due to their stronger bitterness, they tend to be less smooth than Arabica beans, but they pack a punch in terms of strength and caffeine.

Recommendation: Robusta beans are often used in espresso blends to give the brew extra body and crema. If you prefer a more intense coffee, this is an excellent option for your home coffee machine espresso machine.

3. Liberica Beans

Flavor Profile: Smoky, woody, and slightly fruity. Best For: Pour-over and French press. Taste: Liberica is a rarer type of coffee bean known for its unique flavor. It offers a smoky, somewhat woody taste with a hint of fruity sweetness, making it ideal for coffee drinkers who enjoy complex, distinctive flavors.

Recommendation: For an adventurous coffee drinker using a home coffee machine that supports different brewing methods, Liberica beans provide an exotic twist on your usual cup.

Best Coffee Beans for Different Brewing Methods

1. Espresso Machines

If you use an espresso machine at home, selecting the right coffee is crucial for creating the signature rich, concentrated flavor. Espresso beans are typically dark-roasted to bring out deep flavors and a smooth crema.

Best Choice: Look for dark-roasted Arabica beans, which will create a balanced shot of espresso with the right amount of bitterness and sweetness.

Popular Brand: Lavazza Super Crema Espresso – A popular Italian brand known for producing smooth, full-bodied espresso blends.

2. Drip Coffee Machines

For drip coffee makers, the best coffee is usually medium roasted, which gives you a nice balance of acidity and sweetness. Beans that work well for this method produce clean, crisp flavors without being too overpowering.

Best Choice: Medium-roasted Arabica beans work best for drip coffee machines as they allow the natural flavors to shine through without being too harsh or bitter.

Popular Brand: Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters – Known for their artisanal blends, Blue Tokai provides a variety of single-origin beans that are perfect for drip coffee brewing.

3. French Press

The French Press brewing method produces a full-bodied cup of coffee. Beans with a medium to dark roast profile typically work best, as they extract more flavor from the coffee grounds.

Best Choice: Medium to dark-roasted Arabica or Robusta beans are ideal for French press brewing, offering a rich, deep flavor that shines through with this method.

Popular Brand: The Indian Bean – This brand offers a wide selection of freshly roasted beans that pair beautifully with the French Press brewing method.

4. Single Serve Coffee Makers

Single-serve coffee makers, such as those that use K-Cups or coffee pods, are convenient and easy to use. They typically work best with medium to dark-roasted coffee beans, offering a full flavor with minimal effort.

Best Choice: Medium-roasted Arabica beans or pre-packaged pods are ideal for these machines, providing an optimal flavor profile with convenience.

Popular Brand: Nespresso – Known for its wide range of high-quality pods and blends that suit every coffee taste preference.

Best Coffee for Home Coffee Machines in India

Here are some of the best coffee for home coffee machines in India:

1. Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters

Type: Specialty Arabica Beans Price: ₹300 – ₹1,200

Blue Tokai offers freshly roasted beans in a variety of flavors, sourced from Indian estates. Their beans are ideal for home coffee machines that require a good-quality, balanced coffee. They offer both light and medium roasts, depending on your flavor preference.

Best For: Drip coffee machines, French press, pour-over.

Popular Blend: Single Origin Beans – Known for a smooth, well-balanced taste with fruity notes.

2. Koinonia Coffee Roasters

Type: Specialty Arabica and Robusta Blends Price: ₹250 – ₹1,200

Koinonia offers a great selection of freshly roasted coffee beans, perfect for brewing with your home coffee machine. Their beans are ethically sourced and roasted to order for maximum freshness.

Best For: Espresso machines, French press, and drip coffee machines.

Popular Blend: Espresso Blend – A deep, full-bodied coffee with rich crema.

3. The Indian Bean

Type: Specialty Coffee Price: ₹400 – ₹1,500

This brand offers an array of freshly roasted coffee from different regions of India, catering to various brewing methods. Their beans are perfect for those who love full-bodied flavors with a hint of sweetness.

Best For: Espresso machines, French press, pour-over.

Popular Blend: Chikmagalur – A smooth, nutty flavor with chocolate undertones.

Tips for Choosing the Best Coffee for Your Home Coffee Machine

Know Your Roast Preferences: Lighter roasts are best for pour-over or French press methods, while darker roasts suit espresso machines and drip coffee makers.

Freshness is Key: Always go for freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing for the best flavor.

Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to try different beans and blends until you find the one that suits your taste.

Buy Whole Beans: Whole beans maintain freshness longer than pre-ground coffee. Use a grinder to grind your beans to the right consistency before brewing.

Conclusion

Choosing the best coffee for your home coffee machine can make all the difference in your daily coffee experience. Whether you prefer the complex flavors of Arabica, the strength of Robusta, or the uniqueness of Liberica, selecting the right beans for your brewing method is essential for a delicious cup of coffee.

For a wide variety of high-quality coffee beans and home coffee machines to make your perfect brew, explore the collection at Something’s Brewing.

[roshankumar7904800]

Coffee Market

Coffee Market Size, Share, Trends: Nestlé S.A. Leads

Premiumizing and Specialty Coffee Growing in Frequency

Market Overview:

The global Coffee Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% between 2024 and 2031, reaching USD 155.64 billion by 2031, up from USD 102.15 billion in 2022. Europe led the market in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Driven by rising coffee consumption, booming cafe culture, and growing demand for specialty and premium coffee products, the coffee business has been consistently expanding internationally. Changing consumer preferences define the sector; a drive toward sustainably, ethically made coffee beans reflects this transition. Moreover, raising the possibilities of the industry are innovations in brewing techniques and the introduction of ready-to-drink coffee goods.

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Market Trends:

In the coffee industry, specialty coffee options and premiumizing are gaining the stage. Consumers looking for unique, premium coffee experiences are driving demand for handmade roasts, bespoke mixes, and single-origin beans. Growing knowledge of coffee among consumers—who are more picky about taste sensations, brewing methods, and origin stories—fuel this trend. Customary coffee shops and micro-roasters are growing to satisfy this demand for first-rate coffee experiences. Coffee manufacturers are also introducing limited-edition, seasonal varieties to capitalize on this trend. The premiumizing trend into at-home consumption is driven by consumers making daily rituals involving premium coffee beans and upscale brewing equipment.

Market Segmentation:

Arabica coffee continues to be the dominant offering on the global coffee market with the largest market share. Arabica beans, valued by both casual consumers and coffee drinkers for their smooth, nuanced flavor profile and low relative caffeine content compared to Robusta, have become even more important in the market as demand for premium, specialty coffee grows. Mostly grown in Latin America, East Africa, and certain parts of Asia, Arabica growth is confined to places with specific weather requirements. Arabica beans are a top choice in the coffee industry as its premium helps shops and producers to have larger profit margins.

Market Key Players:

The global coffee market is highly competitive, with major players focusing on strategic acquisitions, environmental initiatives, and product innovation to remain in their markets. Key companies such as Nestlé S.A., Starbucks Corporation, JDE Peet's N.V., The Kraft Heinz Company, Lavazza Group, The J.M. Smucker Company, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., Tchibo GmbH, and Strauss Group Ltd. dominate the market.

Contact Us:

Name: Hari Krishna

Email us: hari.krishna@aurorawaveintellects.com

Website: https://aurorawaveintellects.com/

[coffeefranchisehub]

What is the Weakest Coffee?

When it comes to coffee, people usually think of strong flavors and bold caffeine content. But not everyone enjoys or needs a strong cup of coffee to start their day. Some prefer a lighter, more mellow option. If you are wondering what the weakest coffee is and how it compares to stronger ones, this article will guide you through the different factors that affect the strength of coffee, the types of coffee considered weak, and how to brew them.

Understanding Coffee Strength

Before we dive into specific types of weak coffee, it’s important to understand what “coffee strength” really means. Strength refers to the concentration of coffee solids in your cup. This concentration is determined by several factors, including the coffee-to-water ratio, the type of coffee beans, and the brewing method. Strength is often confused with flavor, but they are not the same. A coffee can have a strong flavor without being high in caffeine.

Strength is also influenced by the amount of caffeine in the coffee. The more coffee grounds used in brewing, the higher the caffeine content, which results in a stronger brew. If you want a weaker cup, you can opt for fewer grounds, lighter roasts, or specific brewing methods that produce a milder cup.

Now, let’s look at the factors that influence coffee strength and the types of coffee that are considered the weakest.

Factors That Influence Coffee Strength

Roast Level: Coffee beans can be roasted at different levels, from light to dark. Lighter roasts usually have a more acidic and fruity flavor, while dark roasts are bolder and stronger. Surprisingly, light roasts tend to have more caffeine than dark roasts because they retain more of their original bean content during the roasting process. However, light roasts often taste “weaker” due to their milder flavor.

Brewing Method: The method used to brew coffee also impacts its strength. Espresso, for example, is brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee, resulting in a highly concentrated, strong shot. On the other hand, drip coffee or French press methods typically produce a less concentrated coffee, which can be considered weaker.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio: The ratio of coffee to water is one of the easiest ways to adjust the strength of your coffee. If you use less coffee relative to the amount of water, the result will be a weaker brew. Conversely, more coffee in the same amount of water will yield a stronger drink.

Bean Type: There are two primary types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are generally considered to have a smoother, milder flavor, while Robusta beans are stronger and more bitter. Coffee made from 100% Arabica beans is usually considered weaker than coffee made with a blend that includes Robusta beans.

Types of Weak Coffee

Now that we understand the factors that contribute to coffee strength, let’s explore some of the types of coffee that are typically considered weaker.

1. Americano

An Americano is a popular choice for those who prefer a weaker coffee. It is made by diluting a shot (or two) of espresso with hot water. The result is a coffee that is similar in strength to drip coffee but with a smoother taste. The additional water decreases the concentration of the espresso, making it less intense. If you want a mild coffee experience, an Americano is a great option because it has a light body and doesn’t pack the same punch as a straight espresso.

2. Latte

A latte is one of the weakest coffee drinks you can order, primarily because it contains more milk than coffee. A typical latte consists of a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and a small layer of milk foam on top. The high milk content greatly reduces the intensity of the espresso, resulting in a creamy, smooth drink with a mild coffee flavor. Lattes are often preferred by people who don’t want a strong coffee taste but still want to enjoy a coffee-based beverage.

3. Flat White

The flat white is similar to a latte but uses less milk, resulting in a slightly stronger coffee flavor. However, it is still considered a weaker coffee compared to drinks like an espresso or macchiato. The flat white consists of a shot of espresso and steamed milk, with a fine layer of microfoam on top. The balance of milk and espresso gives the flat white a silky texture and a mild taste, making it a great option for those who want something in between a latte and a cappuccino in terms of strength.

4. Cappuccino

A cappuccino is another coffee drink that falls on the weaker side, thanks to its balanced mix of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Typically, a cappuccino is made with one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam. The milk and foam soften the boldness of the espresso, creating a well-rounded and mild drink. If you’re looking for something that has a noticeable coffee taste but isn’t overpowering, a cappuccino is a good choice.

5. Drip Coffee (With More Water)

Drip coffee is the most common type of coffee brewed at home or in cafes, and its strength depends largely on the coffee-to-water ratio. If you’re looking for a weaker coffee, simply add more water to the brewing process. Using a higher water-to-coffee ratio will dilute the coffee, resulting in a lighter and milder brew. Some people prefer this because it allows them to enjoy the flavor of the coffee without the bitterness or heaviness of a stronger cup.

6. Decaf Coffee

Decaf coffee is a natural choice for those who want the weakest coffee in terms of caffeine content. Decaf coffee is made by removing most of the caffeine from the coffee beans before they are roasted and brewed. While decaf still contains a small amount of caffeine, it is significantly less than regular coffee. In terms of taste, decaf can be brewed in a variety of ways, but it generally has a milder flavor and body compared to caffeinated coffee.

7. Cold Brew (With More Water)

Cold brew is a method of brewing coffee with cold water over an extended period, usually 12 to 24 hours. The result is a coffee concentrate that is often mixed with water or milk before serving. Cold brew tends to be smoother and less acidic than hot-brewed coffee, but it can be quite strong in terms of caffeine. However, you can easily dilute cold brew with more water or milk to create a weaker, lighter drink that is perfect for hot days or for those who prefer a mild coffee flavor.

8. Light Roast Coffee

If you’re looking for a weak coffee that still has a good amount of caffeine, light roast coffee is a great option. Light roast beans are roasted for a shorter time, preserving more of their natural flavors and acidity. The result is a coffee that has a brighter, more delicate flavor profile compared to darker roasts. While the flavor might be weaker, it’s worth noting that light roast coffee can still pack a caffeine punch, so it’s not necessarily weak in terms of caffeine content.

9. Half-Caff Coffee

For those who want a middle ground between decaf and regular coffee, half-caff is an ideal choice. Half-caff coffee is made by mixing regular coffee beans with decaf beans, resulting in a blend that has about half the caffeine of a regular cup. This type of coffee is perfect for people who want to reduce their caffeine intake without switching to decaf entirely. The flavor is still rich and satisfying, but the caffeine content is much lower.

How to Make Your Coffee Weaker

If you enjoy the process of brewing coffee at home but want to make your coffee weaker, there are a few simple techniques you can try:

Use Less Coffee: One of the easiest ways to make weaker coffee is by using fewer coffee grounds when you brew. Adjust the coffee-to-water ratio by reducing the amount of coffee you use, while keeping the water amount the same.

Add More Water: Another option is to brew your coffee as usual, but then add extra water after it’s brewed. This will dilute the coffee and make it less concentrated. Be careful not to add too much water, though, as this can lead to a bland taste.

Choose a Lighter Roast: If you prefer weaker coffee but still want to enjoy the full flavor of the beans, opt for a light roast. Lighter roasts tend to have more subtle flavors and are less bitter than darker roasts.

Use a Milder Brewing Method: Brewing methods like drip coffee, pour-over, or cold brew tend to produce milder coffee than methods like espresso or French press. Experiment with different methods to find the one that best suits your taste preferences.

Conclusion

When it comes to coffee, strength is subjective. Some people prefer bold, rich flavors, while others enjoy a more delicate, mild taste. The weakest coffee options, such as an Americano, latte, or decaf, cater to those who prefer a lighter experience. By understanding the factors that influence coffee strength and experimenting with different types of coffee and brewing methods, you can find the perfect cup that suits your preferences. Whether you want to reduce caffeine intake or simply enjoy a gentler coffee flavor, there are plenty of weak coffee options available to explore.