4th☀

It's been a week since the conversation I had with Mijoo. The conversation about letting time decide. Also four days until my monthsary with Sang Hyuk, to my dismay. I had to think of something soon enough. 

If there was one thing I hated dealing with the most, it had to be this relationship currently. Or maybe it wasn't the relationship. Maybe it was just the person who I was dating who made it feel rather uncomfortable. Or hard to deal with. 

Ugh.

 I glanced again at Sang Hyuk, who has been ignoring me for the past three days. I mean, give me a break. I really couldn't deal with him. One moment, he was clingy and the next, he was ignoring me as if I never existed in the first place. Way to go, Sang Hyuk. 

I really wanted to end things with him, but I couldn't find myself doing it. You know the guilty feeling that will linger until a very long time? Yeah, that was going to be a problem. 

I took out my notebook used for notes that I know I'll never take down and stared at the blank page before me. Then, I grabbed a pen and began scribbling forcefully in frustrating. My grip on the pen was starting to get intense and I was getting closer to breaking a pen for no apparent reason in the middle of class. Oh, wait, there was a reason. And he was ignoring right now.

Mijoo noticed this and asked out of concern, "Should I buy you a stress reliever item some day? I think you'll need it."

As frustrated and stressed I was over the situation, I found myself laughing a little. Looking at Mijoo, I said, "Thanks for that."

"For what? Staring at you?" Mijoo said jokingly. 

"Maybe," I played along once again. "I think I've finally came to a decision."

"About what?" It took Mijoo seconds to finally understand what I was on about. "Oh. Oh. I see. So... are you going to talk to him later during break?"

"That's my plan." I took in a mouthful of breaths. Okay, I wasn't ready. I wasn't even sure what to say. I guess I'll have to say sorry then... bam! I'll finally tell him. 

"Oh, okay. Good luck," were the last words I heard Mijoo say to me before I drowned into my thoughts and possible words I will be telling him. 

☀

The moment that break bell rang, I got up from my seat. And before Sang Hyuk would disappear into the running track field, I grabbed onto his wrist and brought him to the place we frequented lately—the deserted third floor. 

"What's this about?" Sang Hyuk asked, sounding uninterested. 

Wow. He even sound uninterested in me. Not like it really mattered because after what I've been training myself to say—with endless practices in front of a mirror like some insane person—he wouldn't be so uninterested anymore.

With a mouthful of air, I finally began, "Sang Hyuk, I think this is wrong. I think we're wrong."

It was honestly really pathetic to see Sang Hyuk keep up the act of looking uninterested when I saw his eyes flash with surprise for a quick second. "What? Are you saying you want to break up? Is that it? You don't love me anymore? End of story?"

I tried to stay strong, even if I could feel every single one of those guilty strings being pulled inside of me. "Look, I did love you. For nearly a month, you were the only one. But seeing as things have taken a turn like this, I really can't take any more of this. It's an emotional ride, and I'm not getting on that train."

"You're going to leave me alone now?" Sang Hyuk looked at me—dead serious. Yikes. Remind me how to sleep soundly tonight. 

"I'm sorry," I blurted out, lowering my head, "but I think it's time we finally go our own ways. I would ask you something as silly as 'Can we still stay friends?' but I already know the answer to that. Also, thank you. For everything. Please take care of yourself and your health but this is finally where our story together will end, Sang Hyuk."

I didn't want to glance up to see his reaction, afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle it after all the things I've said. Since I couldn't stand there awkwardly waiting for an answer for five minutes, I slowly walked away. Purposely slow, in case he wanted me to hear something or if he had any last words. 

There were none, so I got the idea. With that, I walked away, leaving behind a chain and finally welcoming the freedom I once lost. Finally, I was able to smile better. 

☀

Sang Hyuk did a great job on ignoring me up until school ended, and I really didn't mind. Sure, I still felt guilty but Mijoo told me I did a great job. I believed in her words and walked to Love + Flour with the both of them. This called for a celebration, really.

"I would like to avoid Love + Flour because of Myeong oppa but it's my only happy place. Other than a few places, of course," Mijoo told us as we approached the cute little bakery that was none other than Love + Flour. 

"Just ignore him if he tries to talk to you again," I told her, pushing the door open as we entered the bakery. The sweet smell of pastries, breads and cakes filled our noses in a heavenly way. 

Myeong was coming again. Leaving his post—which was the cashier—he walked up to us with a smile on his face as he looked at Mijoo. Someone please stop the guy before he gets on my list of guys to get rid of my life from.

"Hi," Myeong greeted, giving Mijoo a wave. 

I glanced over to Wonwoo—secretly—to see if he had any reactions. But as usual, Wonwoo only had a blank expression over his face. Bummer. 

Mijoo gave him an awkward smile in return. "Hi? Well, you better get to work. My friends and I are going to take a seat now." Mijoo grabbed a hold of our hands and pulled us to the seats area of the bakery and shook her head disapprovingly. "I swear, he won't ever stop. This is just a malfunction of his heart, isn't it?"

"I don't know," I answered, turning around to find Myeong. He was back at his post and was currently staring at Mijoo with googly eyes. "Ugh, someone please blind him."

"I can do it now. You got a blindfold?" Mijoo asked, looking ready to walk over to Myeong just to cover his eyes. 

I ended up giggling. "I wish."

"I'm going to head to the bathroom for a moment. Remind me never to mix both cheese and lemons together," Wonwoo said, standing up in a hurry and clutching onto his stomach. In a quick moment, he had totally disappeared from our sights. 

"Well, that boy has an emergency," commented Mijoo. 

I nodded. 

"So, you didn't tell me what happened," Mijoo said all of a sudden. 

"What are you referring to?" I asked her. Though I already knew, but I just wanted to make sure. 

Mijoo made a hand movement. "You know. Your "freedom" and everything."

"Oh," my tongue clacked as I licked my lips that were turning dry, "we ended. It's over. I'm actually happy. Also really relieved. I finally got what I wanted."

Mijoo's lips pulled into a smile as she held onto my hand. "I'm proud of you, Sarang. It was a tough move, but it's over and done. I hope you find someone better in the future."

I ended up laughing on that one. "Right. Yeah, I'll start seeing other guys and I'm actually excited. I can't even believe myself. Do you hear what I'm saying? I sound like a playgirl."

Mijoo ended up giggling on that one. "Maybe it's because of your first. He wasn't great and wasn't worth remembering, that's why you're acting this way."

I gave it a thought. "Maybe."

"Maybe," Mijoo parroted. 

The bell of the front door of Love + Flour chimed and since we were always curious on who entered the bakery, our heads turned to check who was at the door. I noticed that it was a real tall guy, making me feel conscious about my own height. He was handsome too, but he definitely wasn't my taste. 

Who was I kidding? As if I had a taste in the first place. 

On the other hand, Mijoo seemed to look captivated. I mean, she didn't stop staring at him. I mean, she did but when she did, she was shyly looking down at the table. 

Wait. No, it couldn't have happened... could it just have?

The tall guy—I'm just gonna go ahead and call him Tower—made his way to the cashier, where Myeong was and gave him a smile. 

"Hi! Welcome to Love + Flour. Is there anything I can help you with?" asked Myeong, going on with his act. I mean, saying the words he was trained to say ever since he got accepted on the job. 

The guy took a black folder out of his bag and showed it to Myeong. "Hi, um, I got accepted on the job and got called over. I'm supposed to start training today?"

What?

I skimmed through all my recent memories regarding a new worker and remembered that two nights ago, when Dad and I were eating dinner together, he mentioned something about a new worker in Love + Flour. 

"Handsome one, really," he said at that time, "I think he'll be able to lure in the customers real well."

I frowned. "Dad, you're always hiring handsome guys. Well, counting out Myeong oppa and all."

"What's wrong with Myeong?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously. "He's a handsome guy."

Not to my eyes. "Maybe I just have different tastes."

"You and your expectations. Tsk. They're higher than your height."

"Dad!"

So this was the new guy? I didn't catch his name from Dad but today seemed like the day I would. 

"Seo Yejun?" Myeong asked, looking at the folder. 

Seojoon came to the area and gave Seo Yejun a smile. "Hey. New guy?"

Yejun nodded and gave him a quick bow. "Yes, that's right."

"Cool. Follow me," commanded Seojoon before he walked deeper into the bakery. 

Myeong briskly handed Yejun back his folder before Yejun followed after Seojoon. And the two disappeared into the bakery. 

"Who... was that?" Mijoo asked, slowly. She sounded out of breath, which was odd since all she's been doing was calmly sitting down.

"Oh, the new guy?" I clarified. 

"Sweet. He works here?" Even if Mijoo tried to sound casual, I could hear her voice get excited. 

I wanted to frown, but I knew that if I did, Mijoo will question why. After all, Wonwoo secretly likes her and here she was, looking at someone else. Heck, we didn't even know if this Yejun dude was our age. 

"Cute," Mijoo ended up saying in a low mutter, but loud enough for me to catch it. 

"Mijoo, you couldn't possibly have..." 

"What? I'm not in love. Just a little awestruck," Mijoo answered before I could even finish the sentence. "Maybe it's just a one time thing. Like a current attraction now that will ended up either wilting or growing."

Well, it wasn't like I could control her heart and who it will beat for. Although, I do feel sad for Wonwoo if Mijoo ever starts liking this Yejun guy. And if they went out together. Like, date. 

How hurt would Wonwoo be? Oh, gosh.

Shaking my head, I tried to let the fact Wonwoo likes Mijoo slip out of my mind, just as Wonwoo asked me to. He said he will try to end his feelings so there would be no complications but Wonwoo seemed to be smitten by her charm. It was sad that Mijoo didn't know a thing. 

I really wanted to play cupid, but I didn't know who should I aim for. I mean, this Yejun guy was admittedly cute and he and Mijoo do look like a great pair but I still shipped Wonwoo with her.

Who's heart should I break here? Mijoo's or Wonwoo's?

Snapping out of my thoughts of cupid and the make belief couple, I eyed around the bakery and noticed Yejun coming out again. He was wearing the Love + Flour apron and respectfully put his hands in front of Myeong, asking him if it looked okay. 

I also noticed the way Yejun was talking to Myeong with honorifics. Could it be that he was younger than Myeong?

"You like fine. Heck, handsome even," Myeong answered, giving him a smile. 

"Really? Thanks, Myeong-sshi," Yejun replied. I noticed how nice his voice was. It wasn't as low as Wonwoo's, but it was somewhere near. Lower than Myeong's voice, for sure. 

"Myeong-sshi? Ey, no need to be so formal. Just call me hyung," Myeong casually told him. I guess they were all buddy-buddy now, weren't they?

"Yejun," his name escaped from Mijoo's mouth, in a low, dreamy whisper. 

Even if I shipped Wonwoo and Mijoo, it was nice to see Mijoo happy. 

Wiggling my eyebrows, I teased her, "Are you sure you're not in love?"

"What?" Mijoo looked like a criminal who was found guilty in the middle of the act of a crime. "I am not! That would be taking it too fast. Plus, it's not like he'll ever notice me. I'm too shy to approach him."

"Mhmm," I hummed back, unconvinced. But she wasn't lying. She never had the guts to approach the guys she liked. 

"Come say hello to the owner's daughter," said Seojoon all of a sudden, dragging Yejun to our table. "This is Cheon Sarang."

Yejun was now standing right next to our table and had his hands tucked in front of him respectfully. He gave me a smile. "Hi, I'm Seo Yejun. I'm the new worker. Please take care of me!"

"I'm probably younger than you, so you don't have to use honorifics," I told him casually, smiling. "Oh, and this is my friend, Kwon Mijoo. Mijoo, Jeon Wonwoo—another friend of mine—and I frequent here often. So you'll be seeing the three of us a lot."

"Oh, really?" Yejun asked, sounding friendly. He turned his attention to Mijoo and smiled. "Nice meeting you, Kwon Mijoo."

Mijoo wasn't looking at him at all but she managed to nod her head and answer, "Nice to meet you too, Seo Yejun."

I could almost hear her stammering.

Whoops. Weren't those one of the signs that told me that Mijoo was in love? Or close to it? Tell me if I missed the cues, because I was also bad at my own love life. 

After Seojoon pulled Yejun back to show him around the bakery a little more before beginning with his training and Wonwoo coming back from a short—long—trip from the toilet, I wasn't sure what I should think about now. 

Maybe Wonwoo's right. Maybe he should end his feelings. He said something about putting their friendship at risk, and I'd like to agree. I think it was time for me to ship another couple. 

Time passed and Mijoo left for home, as well as Wonwoo. I stayed behind in the bakery to help with the staffs. I should really try to tend to Mom sometimes. I thought about how lonely she would be at home with no one around. 

Then, I decided that starting tomorrow, I'll head home early from the bakery just to take care of here. As of today, I'll wait for Dad. 

When I came out from the bakery—where the bread were usually baked as well as other pastries and cakes—I noticed a figure slumped by the corner of the seats area of Love + Flour. When I came closer, I noticed that the figure seemed to be sobbing. 

Why was he sobbing?

Myeong, who was nearby and probably the same person who saw the figure enter to sit there and cry, was standing there by the cashier, playing with his phone. I tapped on the cashier's counter top and asked him in a whisper, "What's with that dude?"

"That dude?" Myeong asked in a whisper, following where my eyes were. "I don't know. He entered Love + Flour to buy some bread and then sat down there in the corner and began crying. No one disturbed him. I thought it'd be rude to. So I left him there."

"Was that supposed to be normal?" I asked him. I recognized the figure. It was the guy from nearly a week ago. The one who came to Love + Flour to buy some bread before it closed. 

"What? The crying?" Myeong asked in a whisper, in case the customer might get angry with us talking about him. 

"Yes," I answered, in a whisper as well. Coming into a bakery, buying bread then crying in the corner was definitely not normal. "Should we call an ambulance?"

Myeong hit the top of my head. "No. We can't be that rude. Unless he suddenly needs help, then yes, an ambulance would be needed."

"Hmm..." I tapped my chin whilst thinking. "Should I go talk to him?"

"No, I don't think that would be a smart idea—"

"Why not?" I cut him off, making Myeong squint his eyes at me. "He looks like he needs some consolation. I can help him. I don't with what, but I can try."

Myeong held me back just as I was about to walk over to the customer. He threw me a disapproving head shake. "I don't think that's a smart idea."

I pulled his hand away from my arm and told him, "You wouldn't know what a smart idea is since you've never had one in the first place. I'm going now."

Myeong only shook his head but didn't hold me back anymore. 

I ignored him and went over to the crying customer and lightly tapped on his shoulder, clearing my throat as I asked, "Hey, um, is something wrong?"

The customer stopped his sobbing and wiped his tears in a hurry before turning around to face me. "No, um, everything's fine."

"Sorry. You were just crying and I was a little concerned. You okay now?" The first thing I noticed were how sparkly his eyes were even if they wet coated with his tears. Then, his school uniform. Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies, it read. 

"Yeah... yeah," he answered, sounding unsure himself. 

"I know this is stepping out of the line for a stranger but if you need anything, like comforting good food from this bakery, just call me." I gave him a smile before walking away.

But I was held back when the customer asked, "Hey, what's your name? You know, in case I want to claim those food to console myself."

I stopped walking and turned around. Giving him a smile, I answered, "I'm Cheon Sarang."

"Cheon Sarang?" he repeated with a smile. "That's a nice name. It's like saying angel or something."

"Yeah," I answered, scratching my nose. "My mom had a dream of an angel once and decided to name me that. Since my family name's Cheon, it was only fitting to add 'Sa' at the back. And so she came up with Sarang."

"Angel and love," he concluded. 

"Well, that's one way to put it." I smiled. Not even Mijoo or Wonwoo talked this much about my name. "So what's your name? You know, just to have some form of identification from you."

He pointed at his name tag on his uniform. "It's right here."

I took my time to read his name. Choi Hansol. Oh, so he was Korean? Wait, he looked so foreign. Mix blood?

"Are you full Korean?" I asked slowly. I didn't want to embarrass myself so I took my time for each word to come out of my mouth. 

Hansol smiled in return. "No, I'm half. I have American blood in me too."

"Oh, that explains it." I lightly laughed. "Well, Hansol. I'll see you around, then."

"Sure," he said in return.

I wanted to ask him why he was crying in the corner of our bakery but decided that there were just things we couldn't share with someone we've just met. I'm sure I wouldn't have shared my story if some stranger came up to me once they caught me crying. Just like Hansol, I've got my own story to tell and it was up to me to decide whether or not I want to share or not. 

~Author's Notes~

Nam Joohyuk as Seo Yejun because Nam Joohyuk is bae <333 Also, thank you for 100+ views hehe :) 

xoxo

Byun Sang Kyung