It was another day at the bakery, with freshly baked goods and warm lighting to challenge the cool winter air. Jang Inhee as usual, was off doing her job, placing orders and packaging food. But she couldn’t help but feel tired. Though it couldn’t be helped, considering it was a Monday. More of, the first Monday of the New Year. January 2^nd.

                “That’s a really big order!” she laughed, lightening the ambiance with the middle-aged customer. “So, that will be… forty-two orders of the classic roll?”

                Her customer laughed along with her, reaching in his wallet for a large wad of bills. “My boys recommended this bakery, and insisted that they wanted food from here. I owe it to them, they’re really hardworking.”

                “Oh? I have a fan club?” She enjoyed the little talk as she filled in the receipt with her royal blue pen. “They must be good kids if you’re spending this much on them.”

                “Sure do. The younger ones have been talking non-stop about you.” But all of a sudden she noticed the bit of reluctance in his voice, sounding like he wanted to protect his children. “But it does take a lot of money to feed six boys.”

                “Six?” Inhee repeated, trying to picture six little boys running back and forth in a living room. It made her head spin and whir at just the thought. “Wow, how do you do it?”

                The elder shrugged, adjusting the red tie he wore oh-so confidently. “Well, I’m a pretty good at managing things.” He returned to a more upright demeanor, as he signed the receipt and slipped it in his coat pocket. “One of them will be around to pick these up at four. You think everything will be done by then?” when Inhee gave a sharp nod, he smiled. “Good, thank you very much.”

                Inhee’s smile was infallible as she watched him leave the store, and piled into the front seat of a black van. She wondered why the windows of his car were tinted so darkly. As soon as the vehicle pulled away she heaved a sigh, and slunk to the ground, remembering his order. Forty-two bread rolls by four! And it was already two!

````

                Boyfriend’s manager held the receipt out to Donghyun, who bowed with a polite ‘thank you.’ Donghyun waved it in the air like it was a golden gateway ticket. “Well, are you three happy?” he said, eyeing Youngmin, Kwangmin, and Minwoo.

                The three members nodded, rubbing their stomachs. “We’ll go get it for you guys!” Kwangmin reached for the receipt. But Donghyun pushed him back by the forehead, pressing his thumb smack in the middle. The brunette twin pouted, but obeyed his hyung.

                “I think the birthday boy deserves to pick it up.” Donghyun slipped the little receipt into the pocket of Jeongmin’s beige blazer.

                “Huh?” Jeongmin quickly unraveled the thin piece of paper, leaning his face over to read the small text. And order of forty-two bread rolls and to be picked up at four. He checked the signature at the bottom. The first one was his manager’s, and the second one was, “Inhee?”

                Hyunseong looked up, but only briefly to confirm this information.

                “I guess you should go pick it up now.” Donghyun grinned, having all of this planned perfectly. Of course, he was the leader. He had to have the best birthday presents out of all of them.

                “But it’s only…” Minwoo pulled down his sleeve to check his wristwatch. “2:45.”

                “And it’s just fifteen minutes away by car.” Youngmin piped up.

                Jeongmin got up from his seat, giving a large grin to his hyung. They exchanged glances, Jeongmin owing Donghyun the biggest heartfelt thank you he could say with just an eye smile. “Actually, I think I’ll just go early. The sooner I pick them up the sooner we can start rehearsal, right?”

                 “Over two hours early?” Minwoo said innocently, obviously not catching the older one’s drift.

                “Yes, Minwooie~” in a happier mood, Jeongmin quickly pinched the maknae’s cheeks and skipped out the door, dipping his hat lower over his eyes.

                With his extra speed, he arrived at Inhee’s bakery in a matter of ten minutes. He chose a seat in the far back of the building, making sure she didn’t notice him. A few girls noticed his presence, and started squealing in their chairs. He flashed them a small smile and pressed a finger to his lips. To his luck, they obeyed and kept quiet.

                Inhee just came out of the kitchen, sparing a tired smile to one of the customers waiting in line. She held a small box wrapped in twine and handed it over to them, ringing up their order.

                Gosh, she was still the same. She had the same chestnut brown hair, which was curled up into a messy bun and pinned cutely to the crown of her head. She had the same large eyes, which always seemed to sparkle in some of the dullest hours. She even had the same apron from all those years ago, covered with years of flour. It was like going back in time. It was like yesterday, but in reality, all those years ago when he’d visit her every day and always trying to figure out how to approach her. And then when he finally got the courage, when they finally started their friendship.

                “Um, excuse me?” he was ripped away from his thoughts when he looked up. The meek waiter held a food tray over , her eyes poking out. They were as wide as golf balls upon realizing who he was. “Lee Jeongmin…” he heard her whisper to herself in disbelief. “Oh! Ah, can I help you?”

                With a sweet smile, he handed the receipt to her, in which the worker took her sweet time grabbing it. She probably wondered if this was a dream or not. “I have an order for 42 bread rolls…?”

                “Oh, well. You’re a bit early.” She gave an awkward giggle, in a subtle attempt to be cute. “I mean, they’re still in the oven. Inhee-unnie will get them for you in an hour or so.”

                “Yes, I know. Thank you.” He gave a small nod, and the worker bowed, shuffling away. The only reason he came early was to stare at Inhee.

                He watched Inhee and the worker from before conversing quickly, giving each other strange looks. They were too far away from him to hear anything, but he could tell it was concerning his order. The time had certainly flown by, and after over what seemed like five minutes, it appeared to be already four in the afternoon. Jeongmin’s grin grew wider and wider as Inhee approached his lonely table, her head down. Her delicate hands were flour-coated as she wiped them away on her apron.

                “It appears that I have burned at least nineteen of the forty-three you ordered.” She admitted, not wanting to reach his gaze because she was probably far too embarrassed. “You will have to excuse me; it’s been a long day with so many things going on. I’ll give you the rest of your order free of charge.”

                “Nineteen, huh?” Jeongmin chuckled. “That’s pretty ironic, considering I turn nineteen today.”

                Inhee’s face snapped up to reach his. “That voice.” She whispered, looking straight at Jeongmin. His fluffy snow hat couldn’t hide his identity any longer, not that he wanted to.

                It was time. Jeongmin lifted the hat off his head, and ruffled his tousled honey-brown hair. He felt more at ease, knowing that after so many years of missing her, he didn’t have to anymore. “You didn’t tell me you were back.” He pouted, pretending to be offended.

                “Jeongmin?” Inhee gasped, her hand flying over to grasp the necklace around her neck. Jeongmin noticed the necklace right away, which was his necklace he gave to her all those years back. What a relief, she still had it.

                A crowd of jealous fan girls and co-workers piled up around them, circling the two like hawks. Jeongmin stepped forward, and placed a gentle hand over her cheek, which was smeared in flour. He rubbed it away with his thumb. How cute. “It’s been a long time.”

                Inhee wasted no time to wrap her arms around his neck, forgetting about how so many people could be watching them. She laughed as she felt her weight sway, Jeongmin trying to catch both her and his balance, gripping her waist. They were holding each other so tightly it was as if they both thought the other one would disappear if they let go.

In the midst of their perfect reunion, Jeongmin couldn’t help but think that this was the best part of his birthday.

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Did you guys miss this story? Whoa, how the time has gone by. When was the last time this story was updated, like last year? XD

Bad joke, bad joke, sorry.

Well, until our awesome author gives the okay for me to do another chapter, I guess you'll be patiently waiting, right, right?

Enjoy the winter season (well if it's winter in your area!)

~sendohime