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THE MORNING sun streamed through the large windows of Seokjin's diner, casting warm golden rays across the worn wooden tables and brightly colored booths. The familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of sizzling bacon, creating a comforting atmosphere.
It was a typical bustling Saturday morning, with regulars chatting and laughing, the clatter of dishes punctuating the air.
Jin moved behind the counter, a smile plastered on his face, cracking jokes with the customers to keep up his upbeat persona.
"You know, if I had a nickel for every pancake I flipped, I'd probably be rich enough to buy a new spatula," he quipped, earning a chorus of chuckles from the diner patrons.
But beneath his jovial exterior, Jin's heart raced. Today was Sydney's birthday, and he had planned something special—a Baked Alaska, her favorite dessert. As he filled orders and served plates, his mind drifted to the evening ahead.
He could already picture her radiant smile when she saw what he had prepared.
"Babe!" The brunette would gasp, "You didn't have to do this, oh my gosh." Her eyes would well with tears and her arms wrap around her around his neck, so tight it almost chokes him.
Yet, as he glanced at the clock, anxiety bubbled up. "I can do this," he muttered to himself, but doubt crept in. Jin had never baked a Baked Alaska before. He had watched videos, scribbled notes, and even practiced a few times, but each attempt left him feeling more frustrated than the last.
With a deep breath, he turned back to the bustling kitchen. "Alright, let's make this happen," he whispered, pulling out the ingredients for the dessert. As he cracked eggs and whisked the mixture, his confidence wavered. What if it turned out badly? What if Sydney didn't like it?
He could already hear her sweet laughter in his head, teasing him about his "stupid matching rings," the other gift he had bought.
He chuckled softly to himself but quickly shook it off, focusing instead on the task at hand.
As the morning turned into afternoon, the diner remained packed. Customers came and went, but Jin felt increasingly detached, the noise around him fading into a distant hum. He poured his energy into the baking, but his hands trembled slightly as he tried to balance the flavors, and his mind was a whirlpool of insecurities.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows in the diner as Jin stood in the kitchen, the clock ticking ominously. He glanced at the mess on the counter—flour dusted everywhere, bowls stacked haphazardly, and the remnants of a failed attempt at making meringue. Panic surged within him, and he wiped his sweaty palms on his apron, trying to regain focus.
"Okay, deep breath," he muttered to himself, pulling out the ingredients for the Baked Alaska again. "This time, I've got it."
He started whisking egg whites vigorously, but as he did, his mind wandered to Sydney. He could already picture her face lighting up when she saw the dessert, but the vision was quickly overshadowed by the fear of disappointing her again. His concentration faltered, and he accidentally knocked over a container of sugar, spilling it everywhere.
