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“I’m sorry, I know business has been though, but I might need you to look for another place if you can’t pay the rent by the next 3 months.” the building owner says as he walks around the bakery shop to get one of the red-bean bread.
“I understand, sir..” Kyungsoo replies respectfully, trying hard not to bow his head down from disappointment.
The building owner brings the bread to the cashier and moves to pull out his wallet, but Kyungsoo stops him.
“I-it’s okay sir. It’s on the house…” the baker says with a small smile, "Thank you for giving us another chance.."
The old guy nods, opening the bread’s wrapper to take a bite. He lets out a deep sigh.
“Thank you, it’s really good, Kyungsoo.. I hope more customers would acknowledge your potential.”
“I hope so too..”
After the sudden visit from the landlord, Kyungsoo rakes his brain to think of a way to save his small business. Having little to no customers every day sometimes kills his confidence. Especially whenever he hears his only employee, Sehun, advising him to make dough with small measurements because he knows no one would come to buy it and nobody wants the baked goods to go to waste.
Kyungsoo takes a deep breath. He’ll get through this. He’ll make it. Though it seems impossible, he knows he’ll survive. He just needs to… find a way.
After closing the store and parting ways with Sehun, Kyungsoo thought it would be a good idea to stop by the library and find some inspiration. He got the leftover baked goods with him and plan to have them for dinner as he read the books.
He arrives at the public library then strolls around the cooking and business aisle. He thinks about what’s lacking from his bakery as he picks the books. Tips on how to run a small business, unique recipes, etc. He takes 4 books with him before walking back to the reading area where a lot of people read in peace.
Kyungsoo heads over to an empty table fit for four. He sits there, unwraps a custard cream bun, and starts studying.
He chews and reads quietly, slowly realizing the flaws of his business, and admitting it bravely inside of his mind. Apparently, what’s lacking is good marketing and product uniqueness. He knows his bread is pretty good, but most bakeries can sell the same thing. So what makes his bakery unique? What more can The Dough’s Bakery offer? How can he make this work?
His deep thoughts are suddenly broken by the sound of a loud rumbling stomach, from a stomach that wasn’t his. He must’ve been in a deep concentration that he didn’t realize a stranger is sitting next to him with a pile of books right in front of his face.
The stranger’s tanned skin flushes with pink out of embarrassment. His almond-shaped eyes look around hoping no one notices the noise his body just made. But as he turns his face to the left, he locks eyes with Kyungsoo and ducks his head down bashfully.
“S-Sorry..” the guy says in a hush.
Kyungsoo slowly moves to grab his bag and pulls out one of the bread. He offers it to the stranger with a small smile.
“I hope you’re okay with blueberries..”
The guy fixes his glasses before reaching out for the bread with a grateful nod.
“Thank you.. I really appreciate it..”
“No worries. I got more if you want,” The baker says in a friendly tone “You’re studying for finals?” Kyungsoo continues as his eyes travel to the books the guy is reading. Animal health care. Interesting .
“No..” he shakes his head “I’m a vet.. and something happened at the clinic today that made me feel like I should re-learn everything that I’ve thought I already knew..” he says, sounding a little upset.
Kyungsoo nods understandingly. A bit curious but he doesn’t want to be nosy to a stranger, so he turns his eyes back to the books.
But then a satisfying hum takes his attention away, “Holy wow, this is really good! Where did you buy this?” The guy says mid-chew. His face lights up and it automatically stretches Kyungsoo’s lips into a smile.
“Well, thank you. I made it myself.. I own a bakery..” he said bashfully.
“Whoaa.. That’s so cool.. You must’ve made a lot of people smile with this..” Jongin says with a bright grin as he takes another bite.
“I wish..” Kyungsoo says meekly, and the stranger turns to him with a confused expression, “the business isn’t doing well. So I have to fix it if I want to save it.” he truthfully says, tapping on the business book on his hand.
They ended up talking more comfortably with each other. Kyungsoo shares that his passion for baking was the driving force for him to start his own business. He learned everything from his mother and manages to get a baking license after college. He used to be a normal office worker, but he wasn’t happy with his job so he left. But it turns out, running a business is a lot harder than he expected. He has loyal patrons who like his goods, but it’s not enough to keep the store running. The competition is also tough, especially nowadays most people buy food from well-known brands because it feels more credible and trustworthy. He shares that the landlord came today to remind him that he needs to save the shop to save himself as well. The stranger respectfully listens to Kyungsoo’s concern without interrupting him.
The conversation then shifts to the Vet’s previous statement. The stranger admits that it was a very sad day at work today. A little girl and her parents bring in a dog who seems to be weak and sick, but the vet has trouble diagnosing the issue because he wasn’t sure if he examines everything well. He requests time to do a more thorough checking. But the girl starts crying, mistaking his words as a rejection to help. The parents also look unimpressed and proceed to ask for an appointment with 'a senior vet who might be able to do a better job’. Though it stings a bit, the junior Vet understands that it’s okay if their clients want to hear second opinions from another doctor. It was also not wrong for him to take his time to diagnose his patients, but it’s upsetting to feel like you’re not good enough. So he thinks, even though he got his degree and his license, he should learn more from now on in his free time.
The lighting in the building starts to be dimmed, signaling that the library is about to close. Their conversation continues as they return the books and pack their bags to leave. Once outside of the building they cheer each other up for their dream and decide to meet again at the library for the next study session. Kyungsoo feels his heart flutter with joy when Jongin, the vet, asks if they could exchange numbers, to which he says yes.
“It was fun talking to you, Kyungsoo.. I hope you’ll find your inspiration soon..”
“I enjoyed our talk too, Jongin. Keep the spirit up! I believe in you!”
Jongin chuckles as he pushes the glasses resting on his nose bridge. They wave and say goodnight before parting in different directions.
After a few meet-ups, their study meeting at the library becomes regular. And as usual, they will start by reading books on their own, then Kyungsoo would give Jongin his bread, then they would start sharing about what they learn today.. With a little joke here and there, the conversation would shift to what they’ve been up to lately, their other hobbies, and other casual topics.
“Soo, why did you want to become a baker?” Jongin says, turning his body to face Kyungsoo.
“Hmm.. I see bread as a symbol of comfort. When you eat bread you feel energized and happy. You can have sweet, savory, spicy, or even tangy bread.. There’s soft and hard bread too.. Everything is available for you to your way of comfort. So to be able to provide that peace.. it feels nice. Cheesy, no?”
“No, not at all.. That’s nice.. You’re very thoughtful.” Jongin hums, giving Kyungsoo a soft smile.
Kyungsoo can feel his cheek warm thanks to the compliment, but he keeps his cool before throwing Jongin a question.
“Why do you decide to become a vet?”
“Well.. I believe animals’ health is just as important as humans’. Some people are blessed to have friends and companions in a form of pets.. It’s not easy to feel lonely, you know? Especially when you only have your pets around. So I think it would be great if I can help pets be healthy and happy so they can live for a long time..”
Kyungsoo looks at him with a warm smile before he blurts out: “You have a big heart, Jongin. Do you know that?”
Jongin looks surprised to hear that, before nervously biting his lips. Kyungsoo wanted to apologize but Jongin cuts him before he speaks,
“It’s okay.. Thank you Kyungsoo..” He says with a sigh of admiration, “Thank you for always being kind to me.”
Kyungsoo feels like meeting Jongin is such a great coincidence. His heart feels lighter and his mood got better when he talks with the soft-spoken vet. His knowledge of animals has also broadened thanks to Jongin. After almost two months of knowing the cute guy, Kyungsoo starts experimenting with new recipes and techniques for his bread. He spends days baking different types of bread. Going through countless trials and errors, with Jongin unconsciously becoming his source of inspiration.
“Hey..” Kyungsoo whispers to his study partner who has his nose on the books, “Jongin, I made something new last night..”
The vet adjusts his glasses before taking the lunchbox Kyungsoo offers him…
He slowly opens it… then he let out a gasp,
“Awww!!” Jongin accidentally coos loudly
“Shhhhh!” Kyungsoo tells him with a smile full of adoration, “What do you think?”
“It’s a paw-shaped bread…” the vet says cutely.
“It is..”
“It’s so cute..”
“You think so?”
“I don’t think I can eat it, Soo.. It’s too adorable..” he looks at Kyungsoo with glassy eyes.
Kyungsoo reaches out to pinch Jongin’s cheek lightly, “Yes you can and you will.”
Jongin crunches his nose cutely before taking the bread out of the lunch box, only then did he notice the napkin placed under it.
There’s a red lipstick stain in the shape of ‘presumably’ Kyungsoo’s luscious lips, a small drawing of tiny paws, a smiley, and a hand-written note that says.. “Everything is paw-sible! Fighting!”
Jongin's jaw drops to the floor. His cheeks are beet red. Seeing his reaction, Kyungsoo decides to diverted his gaze somewhere else,
“Too much? uh.. Just thought I should let you know that.. the bread was made with love..” the baker says shyly.
Kyungsoo hopes that he’s crossing any lines. He has been secretly crushing on Jongin for a while now, and he thinks it’s better to let the guy know. If his feelings got rejected he could just laugh the awkwardness away and--
A soft kiss suddenly lands on his right cheek, turning Kyungsoo’s brain into mush.
Jongin covers his mouth immediately as if he’s afraid that Kyungsoo would be mad.
They stay silent for a couple of seconds before chuckling nervously.
“The bread is really nice.. I love how fluffy and sweet it is.. I think your customers will love it..” Jongin clears his throat, “The paw-pun is also super cute.. Though, I’m not sure if you should sell them along with the--”
“The kiss is only for you…” Kyungsoo cuts his teasing immediately.
“Good to know…” Jongin leans in to give Kyungsoo another peck on the cheek. This time, Kyungsoo can feel his smile through the kiss.
ONE YEAR LATER
There’s a long line on The Dough’s bakery. People walk around the shop, cooing over the cute pet-themed baked goods, thinking which bread should they buy today.
“One Bunny Delight bread, Three Im-paw-sible Cookies, and two Chocolate Ruffin, the total will be ₩46.000,” Baekhyun, a new employee, opens the cash register and finish the transaction, “Thank you! Next!”
The kitchen is as busy as the front store, with Sehun rolling batches of doughs with two other new bakers, as Kyungsoo helps them as the supervisor.
It feels like a dream now that his business runs well. One day, he visits Jongin’s clinic for lunch so he thought he’d bring his bread to give it out to his boyfriend’s colleagues. They were surprised by the taste and the cuteness, that all of them post their testimonies on social media without being told to. After a while, more people start noticing his baked goods and decided to visit the store themselves. Ever since that, Kyungsoo and his team works harder and happier.
Kyungsoo’s face beams with joy when a familiar face pops up on the small window of the backdoor.
“Still on for lunch?” Jongin mouths.
The baker smiles and gives him a thumbs-up, “Wait for me, okay?” he mouths back.
“Guys, I’ll be back in an hour okay?” Kyungsoo says before taking off his apron. He washes his hands and walks towards the backdoor.
His presence is welcome with a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead,
“Hi Hyung..” Jongin greets.
“Hello, love..” He replies with a peck to Jongin’s cheek. “How’s work?”
“I treated the cutest kitten ever today! Her name is….”
Kyungsoo listens to his boyfriend as they take a long walk to the restaurant. He feels proud and grateful to know someone like Jongin. They learn a lot from each other. Sharing strength and comfort. It’s amazing how meeting a stranger can bring such a big change to one's life. To Kyungsoo, meeting Jongin feels like a sweet fate, a delightful treat from the universe just for him.