Yoojin hummed happily as she smoothed the icing on the double layered chocolate cake. The bakery where she worked at hadn’t

opened yet. She took it upon herself to come early. Sungjae, a close junior of hers, had asked her to make a cake special. He didn’t

specify for who it was, just that he wanted it chocolate.

Using the edge of a spatula, she made a crosshatched design on the sides. In the center went a bow that she crafted out of fondant, one

side colored golden. Around the piece she strategically placed small edible pearls in blue.

She smiled as she heard the ring of the bells from the door opening.

“Yoojin noona?” Sungjae sang.

“Over here~” She popped her head out.

He grinned as he put his elbows on the counter.

“It looks amazing! You’re so creative noona.” he said.

“Aw, thank you Sungjae-ssi.” she smiled. Yoojin carefully took it off the cake stand and prepared a box.

“No! Wait, noona…I brought along the guys. Can we just eat it here?”

“Cake at eight in the morning?” she raised a brow.

He nodded, “It’s for Ilhoon hyung.” he continued.

“Ilhoon? I haven’t met him, have I?” she placed the cake on a clean cake stand and walked over cautiously.

“Aniyo.” Sungjae brought out a pack of candles.

“Oh, don’t use those!” Yoojin squatted and searched for her trick candles she had.

“Use these!” she smiled brightly.

He pouted, “Those are the candles you used on me!”

She giggled, “You just kept blowing and blowing! Oh that was so funny~”

“No it’s not!” he rolled his eyes, “I’ll be back, can you put them on the cake?”

She nodded and put one on each corner, then three in the middle of the bow.

Pulling out a drawer under the cash register, she found a small lighter.

“Yoojin-ah!” Hyunsik opened the door, “Can we turn off the lights?”

She nodded, and began lighting the candles.

“Whoaaa.” he smiled, “It looks awesome!”

She beamed, “Thank you~”

They both turned as they heard the sound of the bells.

“Guys this isn’t funny!”

She held back her laughter as they brought in a boy, Minhyuk was behind him with his hands over his eyes.

“Where am I?!” he tried prying off Minhyuk’s fingers.

“No you don’t~” Eunkwang slapped his hand.

Sungjae clapped happily and helped Yoojin carry it over.

“Okay, one~ two~ three~!”

Minhyuk removed his hands and they all began singing.

Yoojin put the cake down and as they finished she laid eyes on Ilhoon for the first time. He had on a bright smile and slowly looked up,

seeing her.

“Hyung? Hyung? Hyu~ng.” Sungjae waved his hand in front of Ilhoon’s face.

“Huh?!” He turned towards him, breaking their eye contact. “What?”

The boys laughed, “Blow the candles out!”, they beamed.

Yoojin felt her face heat up as he looked at her again before lowering his head towards the cake.

He blew them all out in one breath. “Yay~!” Changsub clapped.

Sungjae nudged Yoojin as one by one they all lit back up.

“What the-” he furrowed his brows, blowing them out again.

Again, the tiny flames came back and Ilhoon pouted as he looked back and forth between Sungjae and Yoojin, “That’s not cool!”

Yoojin giggled as she went to the counter and grabbed a small paper cup filled with water.

“Here.” She helped him pull out the long candles and put them flame first into the water.

“Cut the cake!!!” Peniel whined, “I have class in a little bit.”

“Neh and I have to work.”

“I have an interview.”

The boys named off their to do list as Ilhoon grabbed the knife.

“But we’ll celebrate with you tonight.” Hyunsik assured.

He chuckled as he cut them each a piece. Yoojin had already gone back to decorating another cake. There were some other orders she

had to finish since the customers would be by soon to pick them up.

The boys left at staggered times.

“You don’t have class today hyung?” asked Sungjae.

Ilhoon shook his head, “I don’t, why do you want me to drive you back home?”

“Oh ani, I’m good. I want to take my sweet time before my mom makes me do chores.” he frowned.

“Well, I’m going to stick around here for a while longer.” Ilhoon smiled.

Sungjae nodded, “Arasso, I’ll see you later tonight.”

As he left a customer walked in. “Yoojin-ah~” The lady smiled.

“Oh, Annyeonghaseyo.” she bowed. “I just finished your order.”

The girl brought out a white box. Ilhoon watched as she made small talk with the lady. When ever she smiled he found himself smiling as

well.

“Thank you again Yoojin!”

He snapped out of his daze as the bells jingled.

“Did you like the cake?” Yoojin shyly walked over.

Ilhoon smiled, “I did, I never got to thank you.”

“Oh, it was nothing really.” she assured.

“You didn’t get to eat any.” he frowned.

She shook her head, “Oh no, it’s your birthday cake. Besides, I have other ones to finish.”

“Do you have to finish them right now?” he asked.

“I guess I could take a break.” she smiled.

Taking the seat in front of his, he cut a piece of cake for her. They talked for hours, luckily Thursdays were considered slow days in the

bakery. When she remembered the other orders she invited him to the back. They continued talking as she decorated more cakes.

“You’re really good.” he rested his forearms on the counter and watched closely as she covered a round cake in cherry blossoms.

“Thank you.” she said for the umpteenth time.

As she finished it, he helped her place it in the box.

His phone rang, it was him mom.

“Yoboseyo? Neh omma.” he said lowly.

Yoojin giggled, “I’m busy…” he glanced at her.

“Right now? But om-Fine.” Ilhoon rolled his eyes as he hung up.

“Uhm…I have to go.”

Yoojin hid her disappointment, “But…”, he continued.

“Do you want to come tonight? Hyunsik and Changsub are throwing me a party and…I’d like to see you again.” he shyly twiddled his

thumbs. “I mean…I don’t think you could deny me that, I am the birthday boy after all.”

She laughed, “Sure…I’d like that.”

He smiled, “Alright then, I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight.” she agreed. “Bye Ilhoon-ssi.”

“Ah ah ah.” he waved a finger a her.

“Ilhoon oppa.” she corrected.

“Bye Yoojin.” Ilhoon exited the bakery, the leftover cake in his hand,s and a grin on his face.