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Bae’s bakery was a little slice of heaven tucked away on a quiet street corner. The smell of freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes wafted out every time the door swung open. The cozy little shop was known for its warm atmosphere and the irresistible allure of its signature cinnamon rolls. But what made it even more special was Bae herself.
She was always behind the counter, bright and cheery, greeting customers with a smile so warm it could melt the coldest of hearts. She had a knack for making everyone feel like family, even if it was their first time walking through the door. And Jiwoo, Bae’s best friend and employee, was always there by her side, adding to the charm of the place with her infectious laughter and playful nature.
Sullyoon had been walking past the bakery every day for months, her eyes drawn to the inviting little shop. She would catch glimpses of Bae through the window, always busy with something, whether it was kneading dough or arranging a fresh batch of pastries. Sullyoon had noticed Bae long before she ever stepped foot inside the bakery.
At first, it was just a passing thought—how cute Bae looked as she bustled about behind the counter. But over time, Sullyoon couldn’t help but be drawn to her. There was something magnetic about the way Bae seemed to shine, even on the most ordinary days. She wasn’t just pretty—her personality, her kindness, the way she treated everyone like they mattered—it was what made Sullyoon’s heart flutter every time she saw her.
One afternoon, as Sullyoon walked past the bakery yet again, she finally decided to go inside. She had been waiting for the right moment, unsure of how to approach Bae, but today felt different. Today, she was going to do it.
The little bell above the door jingled as Sullyoon stepped inside, immediately greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked goods. Jiwoo, who was behind the counter arranging a tray of cookies, looked up and smiled brightly.
“Hi there! Welcome! What can I get you today?” she asked, her voice bubbly and friendly.
Sullyoon hesitated for a moment, but then she saw Bae, standing near the oven, her hands covered in flour as she carefully pulled out a tray of golden-brown croissants. Bae looked up, her eyes meeting Sullyoon’s for the first time. Her smile was soft, inviting, and instantly put Sullyoon at ease.
“Well, well,” Bae said with a playful glint in her eyes, “looks like we have a new customer. How can I help you?”
Sullyoon’s heart skipped a beat, and she cleared her throat. “I… um… I’ve seen your bakery a lot lately, and I thought I’d finally stop by. I’ve heard so much about your cinnamon rolls.”
Bae’s smile widened. “Oh, you’ve heard about them, huh? Well, you’ve come to the right place. You won’t regret it.”
Bae walked over to the counter, taking the warm, cinnamon-scented rolls from the display. As she slid them into a small box, Sullyoon found herself captivated by the way Bae moved; so graceful, so confident. It made her heart race a little faster, and she felt the sudden urge to say something more, something to keep the conversation going.
“Do you… do you always work here? Or is it just today?” Sullyoon asked, mentally cringing at how awkward she sounded.
Bae chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling. “I own the place. Been running this bakery for a couple of years now. And yes, I’m here most days. It’s a lot of work, but I love it.”
Sullyoon felt a warmth spread through her chest. She couldn’t help but admire Bae even more now. She was passionate, driven, and so effortlessly kind.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Sullyoon said, her voice soft. “I’ve been walking past for a while, and I’ve always thought it looked like such a cozy place. It’s really cute.”
Bae’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you. That means a lot. We try to make it as welcoming as possible. It’s not just about the pastries, it’s about the atmosphere, y’know?”
Sullyoon nodded, her heart swelling. “Yeah, I can tell. It’s… it’s really nice here.”
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, as Bae finished packing the cinnamon rolls. Jiwoo, sensing the subtle shift, grinned and excused herself to the back room, leaving the two of them alone.
“Your first time here?” Bae asked as she handed the box to Sullyoon, her smile never fading.
Sullyoon nodded, her fingers brushing against Bae’s ever so slightly as she took the box. “Yeah. I’ve been meaning to stop by, but… I guess I kept putting it off. But I’m glad I finally did.”
“Well, I’m glad you did too,” Bae said, her eyes sparkling. “If you ever want to try something new, feel free to ask. We’ve got a lot of goodies that aren’t on the menu. I’m always experimenting with new recipes.”
Sullyoon couldn’t help but smile, her heart feeling lighter. “I’ll definitely take you up on that.”
“Good!” Bae said, her voice bright and cheerful. “It was really nice meeting you, Sullyoon. I hope to see you again soon.”
Sullyoon blinked, surprised that Bae knew her name. “Wait, you—how did you know my name?”
Bae gave her a mischievous smile. “I’ve seen you walking past the bakery for a while now. I may have noticed you.”
Sullyoon’s cheeks reddened as she tried to hide her surprise. “Oh, uh, yeah… I’ve been walking by for months. But I never—”
Bae laughed softly, cutting her off. “Don’t worry. I’m glad you finally came in. It’s nice to see new faces, especially pretty ones.”
Sullyoon felt her heart swell even more. Bae had noticed her all this time… That made her feel a little less self-conscious.
“I’ll definitely be back,” Sullyoon said, her voice a little quieter now, the warmth of Bae’s kindness settling deep in her chest.
As she turned to leave, Bae called out to her. “Don’t forget the cinnamon rolls! And don’t be a stranger, okay?”
Sullyoon turned back with a soft smile. “I won’t. See you soon, Bae.”
____
The days that followed felt like a dream for Sullyoon. She found herself walking past Bae’s bakery more often, sometimes stopping just to catch a glimpse of her through the window, and other times, to buy something. Every time, it felt like fate had conspired to bring her back.
Bae seemed to always notice her, smiling warmly when she came in. Jiwoo had started teasing her, saying, “You’ve got a thing for our Bae, don’t you?” and while Sullyoon tried to play it off, she couldn’t deny the flutter in her heart every time Bae’s eyes met hers.
It had been a week since their first real conversation, and today, Sullyoon was determined to do something a little more than just buying pastries. She wanted to talk to Bae again, to get to know her better. It wasn’t just the way Bae looked that made her heart race—it was the way Bae made her feel, the way she could light up the room with her presence.
As Sullyoon walked inside the bakery again, she saw Bae and Jiwoo chatting behind the counter. When Bae noticed Sullyoon, her face lit up with a smile that made Sullyoon’s heart skip a beat.
“Hey there!” Bae greeted. “Back for more cinnamon rolls?”
Sullyoon laughed softly, stepping up to the counter. “Actually, I was wondering… if you’re not too busy, would you like to hang out sometime? I don’t know, maybe grab a coffee or something?”
Bae blinked, then broke into a smile that was so bright it could’ve lit up the whole street. “I’d love that. How about tomorrow afternoon? We can go to that little café around the corner.”
Sullyoon’s heart soared. “I’d love that.”
____
The next day, as Sullyoon sat across from Bae at the café, laughing over coffee and sharing stories about their lives, she couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something special. Bae was everything Sullyoon had imagined and more—kind, funny, easy to talk to, and so, so beautiful.
And as they sat there, surrounded by the quiet hum of the café, Sullyoon realized that Bae had captured her heart, not just with her smile or the way she moved, but with her heart. The way she made everyone around her feel important, the way she brought warmth to every conversation, and the way she made Sullyoon feel like she mattered, too.
Bae smiled at her, and in that moment, Sullyoon knew she was exactly where she was meant to be. With Bae.
And for the first time, Sullyoon wasn’t afraid to admit it.