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After the incident in the Town Square, Jagae Cookie’s mind wandered to the events that occurred, especially the ones that involved her with Manju Cookie. She then looked up at the beautiful night sky, as she continued sitting there on one of the wooden benches of the Jagae Guild’s ship.
She continued to sit there, knowing that the Manju Cookie that she had spent time with in the Town Square wasn’t truly him, but a mysterious imposter whose identity was unknown. The real him was stuffed in a sack.
“I’m so foolish, ugh.. I should’ve known that that wasn’t him.. How did I not notice that his red eyeliner was missing?..”
The lone merchant sighed softly, knowing how the fake Manju Cookie was so close to her and even clung to her in “fear”. It just hurt her to know that it wasn’t the true Manju Cookie that seemed so in love with her. “How he clung to me like that.. how he complimented my strength.. that mysterious Cookie just wanted to mess with my feelings, do they not? Oh, I’ll allow him to break my heart again.. like when his Guild defeated mine in a competition.”
As Jagae Cookie replayed the events of the Town Square’s incident in her head, she suddenly remembered how “Manju Cookie” always flustered her and even made her heart beat so quickly. Despite their rivalry, Jagae Cookie couldn’t help but long for that same closeness with the real Manju Cookie, but she kept denying it.
Just by thinking about it, Jagae Cookie’s heart ached. “I should hate him, we’re rivals! Our Guilds are always at each other’s necks yet he’s just so,” Jagae Cookie paused, blushing softly. “Damn that sly Buttershell Fox! Making me feel things that I’ve never felt before!..”
“So, so, so charming, yet so sly, and so cocky!” Jagae Cookie stood up, grumbling to herself. She had tried so hard to pinpoint the reason why her heart ached, but she just couldn’t.
She continued to reminisce about her times in the Town Square with “Manju Cookie”, thinking about his charming smile, his eloquent speech, his cheeky attitude, and just simply everything about him. Her fists clenched in frustration as she yelled, “How foolish am I to fall for him?!..”
At that moment, she finally knew what made her heart ache; it was her deep feelings for Manju Cookie, which she had tried so hard to deny. “I just can’t help but love him.. he’s just.. who I love.”
She just wished that the real Manju Cookie could cling to her like how the fake one did.
Jagae Cookie was now very deep in thought, as she continued to think about her rival, Manju Cookie. All of a sudden, she felt a presence beside her. It was none other than Manju Cookie, and of course, the real one.
Seeing her rival-crush, she jumped and gasped, “Mandu Cookie! How long were you there?” She had not expected to see him this late, on her ship, even.
Manju Cookie chuckled softly, and replied, “Heh, just a few seconds ago.” He then crossed his arms, his eyes lying on Jagae Cookie’s face.
Jagae Cookie just huffed in annoyance, but the corners of her mouth curved up. “You’re so cheeky, as always.”
“Cheeky?.. how funny. Just look at your cheeks, they’re red as a tomato!” Manju Cookie laughed, teasing Jagae Cookie.
“Shut up! I’m just.. hot, yeah! Just.. hot!” Jagae Cookie’s cheeks got redder, which made Manju Cookie smirk more. “Hot? It’s actually quite cold here,” Manju Cookie sat down on a wooden bench on the deck, “Just come sit next to me, Jagae Cookie.” He patted the space beside him.
“Fine! If you want me to..” Jagae Cookie sat down, like what Manju Cookie had said. “Now, Jagae Cookie, tell me why you’re blushing. Is it because of me?”
Out of embarrassment, Jagae Cookie froze. She didn’t know that he just read her like an open book. “M-Mandu Cookie!.. I.. what if I said yes?”
Manju Cookie blushed as well, but his usual cheeky smirk didn’t falter at all. “Hm, of course! The Manju Guild’s Guildmaster is just too charming, I know.” He then placed his hand on Jagae Cookie’s softer one.
The two then leaned closer to each other. “E-Enough sweet talk! Sigh, I just have no choice but to say what’s on my mind, Mandu Cookie.” Jagae Cookie looked at Manju Cookie, and just silently admired his face. “So, ahem… it’s a no-brainer that we still remember the events of the Town Square that took place a week ago.”
Manju Cookie nodded, then smiled. “Oh, yes.. what about it?”
Jagae Cookie continued. “I just think about the fake you, who always managed to make my heart flutter. I just wished that..” Jagae Cookie paused, feeling the touch of Manju Cookie’s hand on her cheek.
With a shaky sigh, Jagae Cookie continued again. “Mandu Cookie… I have to confess that,” Manju Cookie teasingly interrupted, “..that you like me.”
“H-How’d you know?”
“Don’t you remember? I was in that sack the whole time. I overheard your mumbling about me. You once mumbled that you wanted to kiss me. I wanted to, but the mysterious Cookie kept me away in that stupid sack.”
“Damn it, Mandu Cookie! You just.. ugh! You just know everything, don’t you-”
In a quick motion, Manju Cookie captured Jagae Cookie’s lips in a soft, gentle kiss. It was short, but it was still sweet.
After they parted, Manju Cookie’s eyes softened and laid on Jagae Cookie once again. “Jagae Cookie, just know that I love you as well.”
“Oh! You.. do?”
“Yes, yes.. I do. How could I not fall for this short-tempered merchant who’s always so close to me?”
The two Guildmasters embraced, and just looked at the beautiful night sky as the clouds passed by. They now just have to think about how to announce their relationship to their respective Guilds.
Jagae Cookie then kissed Manju Cookie again, not getting enough of his soft lips on her own.
“Oh..mm.. Jagae Cookie.. not here!.. Any of your guildmates could catch us..” Manju Cookie sighed softly, but he was still smiling softly. He then brushed a strand of Jagae Cookie’s hair, so it wouldn’t get in the way. He lovingly gazed in his beloved’s eyes, seeing how they twinkle in the night sky.
Manju Cookie then added, ”The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”