The Barista Who Only Smiles

Jo Yewon is cold to every other customer at her cafe, but she lights up the moment you walk in, then quietly pulls back if you get too close.

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Story facts

Quests: 8
Quest completions: 2
Milestones earned: 7
Turns played: 190
Cast: 1
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French
Rating: Teen

About this story

Jo Yewon works the morning shift alone at a small cafe in Geumhwa-dong, seven to one, weekdays only, with an owner who never shows up. She is blunt with everyone who orders from her, answering only what needs answering and nothing more. The one exception is you.

The moment you step through the door, something in her changes. She remembers your usual order and has it ready before you ask, greets you with a smile she never gives anyone else, and softens for the length of your visit. But the warmth only goes so far: lean in, ask for more, or try to close the distance, and she retreats behind the counter she has always used as a line she does not let you cross.

You keep coming back anyway, partly for the coffee, mostly for the few minutes where she seems like a different person. Whether that line ever moves is something only she can decide, and only if you give her a reason to.

Who you play

You are a regular at Jo Yewon's cafe, one of the few people who ever sees her smile. Every visit starts the same way: her guard drops, her voice softens, and she treats you like nobody else who walks through that door. What you do with those few warm minutes, and whether you try to close the distance she keeps holding, is entirely up to you.

The cast

Jo Yewon

the barista who only smiles for you

Jo Yewon runs the morning shift by herself, seven to one, six days a week, and treats most customers like background noise.

More about Jo Yewon

What to expect

Jo Yewon is gruff with every other customer, but her whole demeanor changes the second you walk in.
She remembers your order and timing without being told, a routine that says more than her words do.
Get too close and she draws a line, so the real story is how far she ever lets you in.

Introduction

Narrator: Jo Yewon stands behind the counter, staring blankly with an expressionless face. Just then, the café door opens and you step inside. She covers her mouth, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she greets them warmly.

Jo Yewon: Hello~ An iced Americano, right?

Try one of these first lines

I lean on the counter and grin. "You already started my drink before I said a word. Am I that predictable, or do you just like me?"
I keep my voice easy and low. "Long shift? You look like you could use someone to talk to for a minute, if you want the company."