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My name is Jagae Cookie. I’ve known the sea my whole life — even when I was just a tiny cookie. Now I run my own trade ship with my own crew, traveling all over Earthbread to do business.
Unfortunately… I’m not the only one running a business in the trade market.
There’s that dumb, annoying fox who calls himself Manju or whatever, sailing around with his oversized ship and along with his own crew taking orders from him. I had hoped I wouldn’t see his smug face anytime soon today — but of course, out of all the places he could have visited, he showed up at my favorite trade area.
Me and my crew have finally arrived at the north trade market. I looked around my area and saw a group of birds flying everywhere, cookies trying to get the most coin through trading.This is a sight to behold every time I visit during the summer. The smell of this place brings back memories of when I first started becoming a merchant and ended up getting my first successful trade business deal here at this spot. Funny enough, this is where my crew and I are setting up shop.
Two crew members were seen carrying a crate to Jagae
“Captain! Where do you want this crate to go?”
Jagae looked over to where they are
“Place it in front of our shop so you two can put the item on the front!. So customers can see the goods we have in store.”
“Yes Captain!”
They left with the crate and went to the shop. But then Jagae noticed Manju cookie standing in what appears to be his shop.
Manju Cookie glanced around and immediately noticed her staring at him.
She quickly looked away.
“You’ve got to be kidding me… Why is Manju Cookie here!? AT MY FAVORITE TRADE AREA!?” Jagae said panicking
“Maybe if I pretend not to notice him, he won’t—”
“Why hello, Miss Jagae Cookie. Or should I say… ~~my dear rival?.”
Jagae froze, it was too late
Her eyes twitched.
Ugh, not him again.
“Oh great. It’s you again, Mandu Cookie.”
His left eye twitched. “For the last dozen times, it’s Manju — not Mandu. Understand, my dear rival?”
He then smirked at Jagea
“I must say, I’m surprised to see you so soon after our last meeting. Don’t tell me you’re following me around the sea to get an advantage in our competition. If you wanted my trading route, you could just ask to make it fair for you.”
“Whatever,fox.” she hisses. I’m here to trade, not deal with you. And this is my favorite trade market. How do I know you’re not following me around, huh? Dumb fox.” Giving him a glare.
“Please,” he scoffed. “As if I’d waste my time following a cookie like you, Miss Jagae. I got here first because my products are the best in all Earthbread. Cookies line up for my stock long before yours.”
“Tch. I bet they buy from me more than you. Cookies prefer an honest trader, unlike you — who probably sweet-talks them with lies.”
He pressed a hand to his chest dramatically.
“My, my, Miss Jagae. It truly wounds me to hear how little you think of me. How will I ever recover from this pain?”
He smiled as he said it, obviously not hurt at all.
“Oh cut the act, you stupid fox. If you think you are so big and strong, then I challenge you to a bet — whoever earns the most coins by the end of today wins. Loser give 25% of their profit. Unless you’re too scared to go up against The Famous Jagae Cookie.”
His tail flicked in annoyance. “You really get on my nerves, you know.”
He crossed his arms. “Fine. I accept. But don’t come crying to me when you lose, ‘Famous Jagae Cookie.’”
“We’ll see about that, fox.”
He stared at me for a moment, letting out a low chuckle.
“Heh. My, my, Miss Jagae… You truly want to prove you’re better than me. I honestly came here just to talk to you and watch your cute reactions,but I can't help myself every time you look.”his gin sharpened.”
Jagae's eyes blinked. “Hello? Manju Cookie? Earthbread to fox? I’m talking to you.”
“Huh? Oh—apologies, Miss Jagae.I was thinking of how I’ll win the challenge against you .”
She frowned. “You’re weird, you know that?”
“Me? Weird? You flatter me. Besides…”
He leaned forward slightly. “You looked deep in thought yourself. Thinking of something interesting, Miss Jagae?”
“If you really want to know, fox, I was thinking of how I’ll beat you.”
This fox really got on my nerves. And yet… Why were his eyes so stupidly cute?- wait what am I saying, do I just call his eyes cute?! WHAT HAVE GOTTEN INTO ME?! Oh this dumb fox is infuriating to be around, why did he get to be so cute! his eyes and fluffy ears! Oh his ears! I really want to touch them so bad! Damn this fox is even get my face burning-
(Ugh, no. No, no, no. His stupid fox ears aren’t cute. I don’t want to touch them. Why am I even thinking about this—)
“My my, Miss Jagae,” Manju said suddenly, “your face looks a bit red. Thinking of something other than the challenge?”
“Shut up, Mandu, you weird fox.”
“Hehe. Still can’t get my name right, hm, dear rival?”
“So what, Mandu?”She glared at him.” No matter how many times you correct me, I’ll keep calling you Mandu. Even if you tell me straight to my face. Mandu.”
(Oh, you really want to do this? Fine, dear rival~~, he thought with a smirk. Two can play that game…)
“Very well. He stepped back from jagae's face."Then we shall see at the trade market place tonight. Miss Jagae.
A smug smirk tugged at his lips.
He gave her a casual Goodbye. his tail flicking left and right as he leaves back to his spot to prepare for the challenge.
“That annoying fox,” she huffed, planting both hands on her hips. “Why does he talk like he owns the entire ocean?”
“Are they fighting again?” someone nearby snickered.
“Huh—who said that?”
She looked around and spotted two cookies whispering and gossiping about her and Manju. The two seemed to be wearing red and blue dresses with matching black shoes, and a sign above their shop showed that they sold footwear.
“HEY! Don’t you two know anything about privacy?!” she snapped.
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Every eye in the area turned toward her.
Her face burned with embarrassment.
The two cookies glanced at each other, then looked back at Jagae Cookie, completely unfazed.
“Ahh, sorry, miss,” one said with a sheepish grin. “We couldn’t help it… you and Manju are kinda cute together, isn’t that right, sis?”
“Of course!” the younger one said brightly. “You two remind me of me and my husband. We argue all the time—but at the end of the day, we still love each other.” She clasped her hands together dreamily. “It’s like we were made for each other.”
Jagae folded her arms, clearly annoyed.
“First of all, me and Manju are NOT together and definitely NOT cute. Second, Manju is a dumb fox who’s wayyyy below me and not even worth my time—let alone imagining being with him. And third, when I win, I’m going to show that stupid fox he never had a chance against me in the first place.” She huffed angrily. “So yeah, no chance, okay? Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a game to win that already has my name on it.”
Jagae then stormed off angrily while everyone watched for a moment before slowly returning to their business.
“I give her two weeks before she confesses to that fox guy. What about you, sis?” one of the sisters said, turning toward the younger cookie, Mi, with a smile.
“Two weeks?” Mi replied, her eyes widening dramatically. “I’d bet my whole life savings, she'll confess this week. You could totally see it in her eyes that she loves him.”
“Speaking of bets, sis,” Eun said with a grin, “what do you say we bet twenty-five coins on who confesses first—the lady or the fox guy? Maybe even today.”
“Oh? You think they’re gonna confess to each other in one day?” Mi asked, both shocked and excited.
“Like you said, sis,” Eun replied with a knowing smile, “you can just see in their eyes that they love each other.”
“Very well, sister,” Mi said with a mischievous grin. “But I have a feeling today is going to become very interesting for them.”
“Me too, sis. But enough small talk—we’ve got a business to run.”
The two turned around and continued working on their shoe business.
The End
:)