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"WHEN i said i wanted a taste of freedom, this is not what i meant."
hoseok stiffles a laugh as the pair gazes at a window display. a woman with tan skin and braided hair comes into view, placing an iced cake with fruits atop it on a stand for everyone to see. kitchen equipment and utensils are visible behind her. jimin's eyes trail above the door, spotting a sign: repostería martínez.
jimin simply shrugs, not knowing what it means. looking back down at the dislplay, he watches the woman observe her cake. she stands back with her arms on her hips, a proud smiling tugging at her lips. for some reason, this makes jimin feel warm inside.
she suddenly notices the two men staring at her, causing her eyes to light up at the sight of hoseok. she waves at hoseok for him to come in. oh, and his friend too.
"come on, jimin!" hoseok excitedly giggles, grasping the pink-haired boy's hand and dragging him inside. bright white walls, marble countertops, and a white-and-black checkered floor adorns the bakery. it all seems very pristine
"amy, ¿cómo estás?" hoseok happily greets the woman in perfect spanish. it still surprises jimin how hoseok was able to learn the language so easily and quickly.
"hobi, te he dicho mil veces que no me gusta ese apodo," the woman groans before caving in and giving hoseok a hug.
"jimin, this is amelia: owner and baker of repostería martínez. amelia, él es jimin: mi mejor amigo, vino desde seoul para visitarme."
jimin shyly smiles at amelia as hoseok introduces them to each other. he must admit, she's gorgeous. however, amelia simply gives him a disinterested smile before returning her attention to hoseok.
"it's very nice to meet you," jimin sweetly and slowly says, hoping that she'll understand him. however, her face remains blank.
"dijo que es un placer conocerte," hoseok quickly translates. he stands between the two, secretly hoping they'll get along.
for the first time, amelia genuinely smiles. "déjame buscarles algo de comer. jimin debe estar hambriento después de ese viaje."
and with that, amelia disappears into the kitchen. jimin can't help but look after her as she leaves. something about her has captivated his attention.
"she's going to get us something to eat. i swear, she makes the best baked goods i've ever had! you're going to love them."
"that amelia is quite the character, huh?" jimin remarks, completely ignoring hoseok's words.
"amelia's a bit rough on the outside, but a real softie on the inside. she's been through a lot of stuff, so i don't really blame her," hoseok explains.
jimin nods in acknowledgment. even though he wants to know more, he decides not to pry. "so this really is your favorite spot?"
"for sure! everyone here is so cordial, although it's mostly amelia all of the time."
"les traigo postres!"
amelia's cheerful voice rings through the empty bakery. her sudden energy is contagious. jimin can't help but smile as well.
"no es nada fuera de este mundo, pero quería darles algo que acabara de salir del horno," amelia says, sounding a bit disappointed in herself. she gives the boys what appear to be vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing. a small strawberry slice sits on top, giving all of the white a pop of color.
a light and bright flavor erupts in jimin's mouth. it's unlike anything he's ever had before. the cupcake is just right: not too sweet, not to savory.
"this is delicious!" jimin exclaims, covering his mouth. even though she might not know what he said, jimin's reaction is enough to bring a smile to amelia's face. "what's the secret ingredient? and don't say love, that's too cliché."
after a quick translation, amelia raises her eyebrows at jimin's question. "tienen un toque de limón y sal, justo como y el amor."
"what'd she say?"
"they have a touch of lemon and salt, just like love," hoseok quickly translates, beaming at amelia's words.
suddenly, jimin spits the cupcake out onto the wrapper. amelia's face falls at the sight, anger rising within her. "who puts lemon and salt in a cupcake?!"
"what is wrong with you?!" hoseok scolds jimin, trying his best to salvage the situation. he loves amelia like a sister- he doesn't want jimin's picky taste damaging their bond. he opts for not translating, but amelia already has an idea of what's going on.
"¡lárguense! ¡los dos!" amelia exclaims, her voice ridden with fury. nobody disrespects her baking skills like that, not when she's worked so hard for them.
"amelia, espera-"
"¡fuera!" amelia's voice resonates throughout the bakery, gluing the men to the ground. having had enough of them, she whips around and enters the kitchen. the young girl wipes a runaway tear off of her cheeks as she does so.
amelia thought that jimin could've been different than the other tourists who come to her bakery. but no, they're all the same.
