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It was around four in the evening, like usual, when Baekhyun saw his favorite customer come into the market. He quickly straightened the creases on his clothes.
The customer was very loyal to Byun's store. Who wouldn't be when the owner's son would always offer them something for free.
Baekhyun's father was frustrated with his son offering his precious fruits to a total stranger for free just because he had a crush on them.
As soon as Mr. Byun saw the regular customer at the Kim store choosing some fish, he kicked his son who was busy staring at the customer and said, “If you give anything for free today without asking them their name at least, I will make the Kims cut you into pieces like they are cutting their pomfret right now.” Baekhyun coughed a bit at his father's threat.
The regular customer made their way to the Byun’s shop. Baekhyun greeted them like usual, stuttering some words while asking what they would like to have.
The customer bought some apples, green and black grapes, and bananas. Baekhyun tried his best to not sell anything for free as he could feel his father’s eyes watching him like a hawk.
When the customer was paying for the fruits they bought, they said, “Oh, the oranges look fresh out of the farm.”
“Oranges are on sale,” Baekhyun said instinctively. After those words left his mouth, he bit his tongue in an attempt to take back his words. Mr. Byun coughed a little, warning Baekhyun about his mistake.
“Oh, are they? How much are they for? I would like to buy them too,” the customer said.
Baekhyun thought for a while and said, “They are for free. Free oranges on sale.” Mr. Byun’s coughing got vigorous and Baekhyun knew he was in danger if he didn't ask the customer their name.
“They are for free?” The customer asked Baekhyun, looking at Mr. Byun and his son.
“Yes! Free!” Baekhyun said. “But...” He paused and looked at the customer hopefully.
“But?” The customer asked while tilting their head to the side.
“There is one condition,” Baekhyun said while fiddling with his fingers. Mr. Byun had a proud smile on his face. After pinning on the customer for almost three months by giving them free fruits, Baekhyun has made his move on the customer.
“Condition? What condition?” The customer asked confusedly.
“Your name,” Baekhyun said.
“Jongdae. Kim Jongdae. But what does my name have to do with the oranges being free or not?” The customer—Jongdae, asked.
Baekhyun didn’t answer their question and started packing a few oranges in a bag.
“Is it because of my surname? Is it because of my name? Is it because I shop every time from here? Is this some kind of a lucky draw?” Jongdae kept bombarding Baekhyun with questions. At that time another man, around Jongdae’s age came to the shop, and Mr. Byun escorted them.
“Will you give this man free oranges too?” Jongdae asked Baekhyun who had handed them the bag of oranges. Baekhyun looked in his father’s direction so quickly that he almost snapped his neck.
“Free oranges?” The newly arrived customer asked Mr. Byun.
Mr. Byun instructed his son to take Jongdae out of the shop and Baekhyun immediately complied.
“I am sorry,” Mr. Byun apologized to the new customer.
___
“Hey, why are you dragging me out of the shop?” Jongdae asked.
Baekhyun didn’t stop till they got behind the shop successfully and while panting he said, “Are you gonna make us go bankrupt? And you’re dense too.”
“What makes me dense?” Jongdae asked while huffing.
“Why would a shop owner’s son give you fruits for free? Do we want to go bankrupt?” Baekhyun asked.
“Because they are free…?” Jongdae says but it feels more like a question they are asking themselves. “Don’t tell me… Those were rotten fruits?”
Baekhyun pulled his hair in frustration. “You have been coming to our shop for three months now. I have diligently given you free fruits for three months now. You have been eating those free fruits and complimenting them about being good to us every time you come to our shop. Now answer your question. Were they ever rotten?”
“No, they were very good indeed. Then why would you give me free fruits if they weren’t free?” Jongdae asked.
Baekhyun faked a sob and thought ‘It’s a do or die situation. Either I confess and go on a date with Jongdae and give them free fruits or I get rejected and for the sake of the shop I don’t give Jongdae free fruits.’
“Jongdae,” Baekhyun inhaled sharply, “I like you. All this time I have been liking you and that’s why I gave you free fruits.”
“Me too,” Jongdae said, flustered.
“WHAT?” Baekhyun shouted.
“I like you too, Byun,” Jongdae said, making Baekhyun freeze on the spot.
Baekhyun shakes his head in an attempt to get out of the shock, cleans his ears, and then looks at Jongdae who is smiling at him all this time.
“Baekhyun. My name is Baekhyun. People call my father Byun,” Baekhyun said.
“Okay, I will call you Baekhyunie,” Jongdae said, making the other blush at the cute name. Baekhyun was playing with his fingers while Jongdae was looking at him with a sweet smile on his face.
Baekhyun looked up at Jongdae quickly, almost snapping his neck for the second time that day. He grabbed Jongdae’s hand and ran into the shop. He took the oranges bag from Jongdae’s hand, added three more oranges, and said, “This is a bribe to take me out on a date.”
“I guess bribes are going to be my favorite thing now. I will take you out on very good dates to compensate for all the free fruits you gave me in the past three months.” Jongdae said and kissed Baekhyun’s cheek.