Salmon Bagel and a Hot Chocolate

13 - Breaching the Comfort Zone

Minjeong headed to Vivid in the evening, Yizhuo already there and waiting for her. The younger one was still fresh out of the best night of her life, so Minjeong let the geeking slide.

Walking in, Minjeong noticed Giselle was behind the counter without her partner in crime. Karina wasn't anywhere to be seen, but Minjeong wasn't going to ask anyone about it. She did not appreciate all the teasing that came with such a simple question.

"Took you long enough." Yizhuo scoffed.

"I was dropping mom off at Jihyo's," Minjeong told as she took a seat first. "Did not know they were that close."

"They bond over your problems." Yizhuo smiled.

"You're annoying," Minjeong let out a fake laugh. "Have you ordered or is your girl gonna just give you whatever you want?"

"I think it's weird if I don't order for the first six months at least," Yizhuo said. "But you could order for me if you'd like."

"Yeah, I'll go ahead and do that," Minjeong hummed. "Same?"

"No, I wanna try your salmon bagel and hot chocolate today," Yizhuo told. "See what all the buzz is about."

"Sure," Minjeong nodded. "But I don't think Karina's here to make the hot chocolate the way she makes it for me."

"I'm sure it'll be just fine," Yizhuo chuckled. "She left early, by the way. I was just waiting for you to bring it up."

"Alright," Minjeong muttered and walked off to order, giving Giselle a bright smile. "So, I heard the good news."

"Ah, yeah," Giselle let out a shy smile. "I guess I'll be seeing you a lot more now."

"Definitely." Minjeong laughed lightly.

"Is she- uh..." Giselle cleared her throat. "Is she happy?"

"I've never seen her this happy in a while," Minjeong told. It was true, she wasn't just saying that to make Giselle feel good. The last time Yizhuo was this happy was when Minjeong took her go-karting 2 years ago.

"Oh... that's- good to hear," Giselle blushed before shaking it all off. "Before I explode, what can I get for you guys? Yizhuo said she felt weird ordering from me?"

"She thinks you'd give it to her for free."

"Ohh," Giselle chuckled. "I wouldn't. I'm not like Karina."

Minjeong looked at Giselle in slight shock. So Yizhuo wasn't lying about that either... what a weird week.

"She told me you paid her back." Giselle brushed it off, noticing Minjeong was getting a little stiff.

"Yeah, it felt... weird," Minjeong sniffled. "So, uh... two salmon bagels and two hot chocolates. Yizhuo wants to try my order out today."

"Good choice," Giselle hummed. "But I don't make the hot chocolate like Rina does, so be warned."

"Hey, I like yours too," Minjeong let out a small laugh as she paid. "Where is she, by the way?"

"She left early today," Giselle told. "Had to deal with a few things."

"Is she alright?"

"Yeah, don't worry," Giselle nodded. "I made sure she was with someone I could trust."

"That's good," Minjeong inhaled sharply. She just wanted to check up on a friend. Nothing weird about that. "Well, shout Yizhuo's name, I'll get her to pick the food up."

"She'll be hanging around the counter in no time." Giselle joked... but it was actually very true.

Minjeong laughed once more before making her way back to Yizhuo, who was smiling at Giselle from her spot.