sim.jaeyun → macarons & motorcycles

26

→ A FEW DAYS LATER

Waking up on my birthday felt like every other day, it was nothing special at all, and I just treated it like a standard day.

But of course, me and Yoonsik always celebrated together, so, after waking up decently late, I changed, pat down some basic makeup, and organised my hair so it wouldn't look like I just woke up - I made my way towards the bakery.

It wasn't necessarily the most ideal thing, heading to work despite not working today. But I'm sure it'd only be like a half an hour thing, so, I didn't mind it too much.

Upon my entry, Yoonsik had this huge grin on his face, and quickly pulled out two balloons somewhere from below.

I laughed at him, holding the two balloons like an absolute idiot, this massive smile across his face.

"Happy birthday!!" Yoonsik handed me a balloon as I made my way over to the counter.

"Happy birthday to you too." I chuckled, twirling the string of the balloon in my hand.

"Listen, I decided that I didn't want to make macarons, instead, look at this. I spent last night attempting this super cool cheesecake recipe." He guided me to one of the counters, where two plates of perfectly triangular-cut slices of cheesecake lay.

They looked soft, fluffy, and importantly, delicious.

"You made this?" I looked up at him, literal awe.

"Yeah! To be honest, it wasn't that hard." Yoonsik had to say, but nonetheless, he tied his balloon to a handle of a counter, and I did the same.

He went and grabbed two small dessert spoons, along with two candles and a lighter.

He gently placed one candle in the centre of my cheesecake, and one in his, then proceeded to light them up and dim the lights of the bakery.

We just laughed together, this was the most interesting part of my birthday each year, and after this, my day carried on as normal.

"Ready?" He looked up at me, staring into my eyes. I knew there was something more he wanted to say to me, but I didn't want him to say it.

I looked down at my cheesecake, the light flickering on the candle as he counted down, and after one, we both blew out our candles.

I wished for nothing more but peace and happiness in my life, but what Yoonsik wished for? I have not a clue.

I began eating my cheesecake, and I couldn't lie, it was very good too. He always had this skill for baking, in a way, I was jealous.

I placed my plate down after finishing, clearing my throat and checking the time on my phone.

"Well, have a good birthday then." I was about to leave the area behind the counter, until Yoonsik stopped me.

"Ji-eun, wait.." Yoonsik gazed into my eyes as I looked at him, dumbfounded as to what he needed.

"Yeah?" I gave a light smile, wondering what he wanted to say.

He hesitated at first, you could see it on his face, his eyes dart from the ground, to the side of the counters, up at the lights and then back at me before he even said a word more.

".. Wait I don't know.." Yoonsik gave a nervous chuckle, resting his hand on the nape of his neck.

I gave a gentle smile, leaning on the counter.

"Is everything okay Yoonsik?" I asked him sweetly, I could see there was a little bit of distress in his face.

He looked back up at me after further hesitation and thinking hard. His eyes gazed into mine, with some hope, and nervousness, a glimmer in his eye every now and then.

"Listen Ji-eun, I don't even know where to start.." He gave a large exhale, probably cursing at himself internally for how much he's stalling, "Okay, I'm just gonna say it straight."

He took another deep breath as I just looked at him, a smile on my face from how he was acting.

"I like you Ji-eun, I really do. Ever since I started working at the bakery, and ever since I saw your smile, I just couldn't help but like you. I want to be near you, to work with you, and even go outside with you." Yoonsik suddenly confessed, and it felt to me like I - all of a sudden - lost my breath.

My eyes widened, and I almost began choking on thin air, but just to not upset him, I tried my best to silently cough.

"I hate how we only see each other at work, and that's it. I want to do simple things with you like; go shopping, walk around, you know.." He gave a sigh, looking to the ground, "I like you Ji-eun, I really do."

I don't think any words could even force themselves out of me, I just looked at him, blankly.

"Yoonsik.. damn.. I wasn't expecting this.." I gave a nervous laugh, trying to still, sound as nice as I usually did.

"I know.. I just couldn't hold it in anymore, I see all these guys hitting on you and all, I just.. I didn't want them to take you away from me." Yoonsik said, and though his wording made me a little uncomfortable, I gave a light smile anyways.

Thankfully, something saved my day.

My phone rang, and it turned out to be Heeseung.