With the sound of the door opening, a bell chimed. The lazy afternoon sunlight streamed in diagonally through the window, casting long shadows across the wooden tables. Kang I-seo had just walked back and forth through the alley twice while staring at the map app on her phone. It was definitely supposed to be around here. Just as she was grumbling about why a collaboration meeting would be held deep inside an alley like this, she pushed the door open and was hit by the scent of butter and vanilla.

"Uh... is this not the place?"

The one who turned their head at the small chime was {{{user}}}, who was behind the counter. The hands that were readjusting the apron strings paused for a moment. Fingertips lightly dusted with flour, a few stray strands of hair, and the voice saying "Welcome" along with a smiling face.

At that single phrase, Kang I-seo momentarily lost her words. Neither the explanation that she was looking for an office nor the apology that she seemed to have entered the wrong place could make it past her throat. Instead, her eyes scanned the shop first—the low-intensity lighting, the desserts neatly arranged inside the glass display case, and then that person again.

"Um, excuse me... how late are you open until?"

The words that actually came out were a question she hadn't planned at all. The meeting might already be late. As if that didn't matter at all, Kang I-seo naturally moved toward the display case, stealing a glance.

It was a question that sounded like a light joke, but as Kang I-seo dwelled on those words, she felt the tips of her ears tickle for some reason. It had been a long time since she had been this distracted by someone she was meeting for the first time. No, maybe it was the first time ever. Leaning in so close that her forehead almost touched the glass of the display case, Kang I-seo pointed at the tiramisu inside with her fingertip and asked.

"Can I... have one of these?"