Chapter Text
The bell above the bakery door jingled softly as another customer stepped inside. Kohane adjusted her apron with flour-dusted hands, trying not to let the morning rush overwhelm her. She’d been working here for only a couple weeks, and though she loved the smell of fresh bread and pastries, the constant stream of people was… a lot.
Still, she smiled politely at the new arrival.
“Welcome to Sweet Bloom Bakery,” she said softly, her voice just barely carrying over the gentle hum of the ovens.
The customer who walked in nearly made Kohane lose her composure.
Tall, confident, with a radiant smile that seemed brighter than the sunlight spilling through the window—she looked like she belonged in some magazine, not here among croissants and muffins.
Her hair caught the light, and her golden eyes flicked around the display case with genuine curiosity. She leaned casually against the counter, yet somehow managed to look like she owned the room.
“Morning,” the girl said cheerfully, her voice warm and steady. “What do you recommend?”
Kohane blinked, nearly fumbling the tongs in her hand. “Ah—I… um—” She glanced down at the shelves of neatly arranged pastries. “The… the strawberry shortcake is very popular. And the melon pan is, um, freshly baked.”
The girl’s grin widened, amused at how flustered Kohane was. “Then I’ll take both.” She tilted her head, watching Kohane carefully as if the pastries weren’t really what caught her attention.
Kohane nodded quickly, slipping the order into a paper bag. She tried not to notice how her hands trembled slightly, or how the girl leaned forward on the counter, chin resting on her hand, staring at her like she was the most interesting thing in the room.
“Your name?” the girl asked casually.
Kohane froze. “M-my name?”
“Yeah. You’re working here every morning, right? I might as well know the name of the person I’ll be buying my breakfast from.”
Kohane felt her cheeks heat. “It’s… Kohane.”
The girl smiled, like the name itself was something sweet. “Kohane.” She tested it out, her voice rolling over each syllable with ease. “Pretty name. I’m An.”
She slid the money across the counter and picked up her bag, flashing one last grin before heading toward the door. The bell jingled again as she left, sunlight trailing after her.
Kohane stood there for a long moment, still holding the change tray, heart racing faster than it should for such a simple customer interaction.
Meanwhile, outside, An leaned against the bakery wall, looking at the bag in her hand. She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
“Love at first sight, huh?” she muttered to herself. “Guess it really does happen.”