That woman gripped the lemon, rubbing it up and down the grater to extract the final garnishing zest. Little yellow pieces fell elegantly onto the cake, giving it a final sprinkle of beauty to finish off.

Immediately after, a wave of boisterous applause echoed and vibrated the room, filling it with cheers and warmth. A hundred dreams were soon to set sail across an ocean of obstacles to reach their destination and stand where that woman stood this very moment. The air was filled with so much hope, dreams and aspirations that it seemed like a fairy tale to Joohyun. She walked towards the patisserie, sensing a connection that seem to draw her closer and closer toward the store, her eyes and heart filled with the same sentiment as a hundred others swarming around the demonstration. She placed her cold hands on the glass window, her eyes searching for the pâtissière. Her gaze was soon fixated on the beautiful young woman, smiling as she held up the finished lemon meringue pie. She too, will stand there one day, inspiring lost ones to have a passion for confectionery.

"Obviously, this is my customised version of the lemon meringue pie. By adding the grated lemon zest, I'm also adding another layer of simple decoration to contrast the plain colour. By using this simple illusion, your already scrumptious lemon meringue will have this complication to it that differentiates a unique one from the common. Of course, it's not just the lemon zest but all the adjustments and additions of flavour you have witnessed throughout the mise-en-plus and baking stages," the pâtissière stated, holding up her prized pie for show.

Joohyun's tummy grumbled. She had skipped out on breakfast as usual to avoid any complications at home, but she could not ever resist walking past this franchise without having her legs automatically rewinding and take her to the store. She would spend almost every morning just observing the treats and dreaming about the process of making it, the taste and the satisfaction that derives after one bite.

"Any questions?" the pâtissière asked, placing her pie down. Reporters started snapping pictures of the session; five photos per second.

A curious hand shot up from the crowd.

"Is it true that Kim's Confectionery will launch a new product toward the beginning of next year?"

Murmurs hummed in the room as all heads turned toward the woman.

"Kim's Confectionery?" Joohyun repeated to herself, making her quiet entrance into the store. She squeezed her way in and managed to stand in the front where the big deal was. Her eyes rounded in admiration, trying to comprehend that this is not a dream.

"That's correct but we haven't released any news about this yet… How did you find out?" the pretty pâtissière asked.

"It was circulating around just this morning," the reporter replied.

The woman cocked her head to the side in deep thought. Joohyun scanned her name brooch. Im Yoona, station chef. On the left is a logo with the initials 'KC'. Joohyun assumed it was the 'Kim's Confectionery' that they were talking about.

"Eonnie, did you not leave the curd to cool before placing the meringue on top?" Joohyun asked.

Yoona smiled and nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Because the meringue looks perfect how it has thoroughly cooked from the bottom and it really bonds well with the curd," Joohyun commented.

A few of the reporters and a majority of the audience have their focus on Joohyun after hearing her intelligent comment. Yoona's smile broadened, impressed at Joohyun's sharp eye and knowledge.

"Student, what is your name?" she inquired, eyeing her nametag.

"Kim Joohyun," she whispered in reply.

Yoona nodded. "That's right. Everyone, here is another tip I'm disclosing. If you had noticed, as soon as my lemon curd was finished, I immediately placed it into my pie crust and the meringue right after. Because weeping is a common mistake and issue often faced when making any pie with meringue, it is vital to add the meringue to a hot or warm curd because it cooks the meringue from the bottom as well as help the two layers bond well together," she explained. "Isn't that right?" she asked Joohyun.

Soon later, the demonstration was over. Unable to leave, Joohyun lingered around the store, looking into all the different desserts and baked goods. Her stomach grumbled for the second time as she quickly placed a hand over it to silent it.

"Excuse me, Joohyun-ssi?"

Joohyun quickly spun around. She breathed a sigh of relief to realise that it was Im Yoona. Even without any proper introductions, she could immediately feel a sense of connection with this eonnie. They both share the same passion and more importantly, Yoona's eyes were filled with warmth and especially sparkled with excitement whenever she's talking about the patisserie… just like Joohyun.

"Yes?"

"Eat this," she beamed, holding a mini cake box. "I want you to try it,"

"Me? Really?" Joohyun's voice tinged with excitement. Her hands were shaking as she extended them and accepted the gift, then peered into the box with curiosity.

"It's the lemon meringue pie that you saw earlier. I gave you a section of it. I want you to try it and tell me what it taste like,"

"Kamsahamnida, I will,"

They walked out of the bakery and sat on the bench under the tree's shade.

"I'm curious about one thing. How were you able to spot that so quick? I don't think you were there from the beginning…" Yoona questioned, facing Joohyun.

"Ah that. I learnt it from my mum. We used to sneak out at night and my younger brother and I take lessons…" her voice trailed off.

"Why at night?"

"Uhm…" she started but unable to finish. Just because. Yoona checked her watch.

"Oh, aren't you late for school? I think school started 15 minutes ago!" she exclaimed.

"School!" she had totally forgot. There goes another late day and another lecture she will have to endure. "Eonnie, I'll get going!"

Joohyun ran down the street and spun around to face the back of Yoona eonnie heading back inside. With all her might, she yelled "Yoona eonnie! Kamsahamnida!" and waved the gift box in front. "I'll eat it well!" and with that, she ran back down the street, avoiding bike riders and ahjummas doing their morning grocery shopping.

Yoona turned around and watched the back of Joohyun go and exhaled, crossing her arms and reacting like a caring mother every time Joohyun almost got herself into trouble while racing to school. As she headed back inside the bakery, her phone rang.

"Hello?"

Kim Joohyun… she hope they would meet up again in the future. She really hope so.

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A/N: I know this chapter is off its supposed feel but I don't want to compound it and make it too complicated and layered especially on the very first chapter. Things will change though, please be assured of that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and anticipate the next! :)

Subscribe, enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment! <3

-whitechocolatte