26. Yeong-Gi- Macaron Shop
agskhskhsks while quimchee has been on hiatus, i myself don't really find the passion to write in this book, but i'm going to try and write a oneshot that hopefully you all enjoy
(and whoop dee doo would you look at that she's back off hiatus)
(sorry for not writing in such a long, long time)
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Clock in, clock out. Bake, cool, decorate.
In Korea, the popularization of macarons has been phenomenal for my little shop. Everyday we sell out completely, and honestly I couldn't be happier. People get them for weddings, for birthday parties, even some of the higher-class idols come by and get them just for their enjoyment.
Today was a particularly busy day, and one of my regulars came in. I was busy wiping the counter, the register empty. He stepped up and peered at me, clearing his throat. I whipped my head up and gasped, sheepishly grinning as I cleaned my hands and went to man the front.
"Kosuke, sorry about that." I apologized, awkwardly scratching my cheek. He huffed and gave a small smile. "The place is kind of a wreck today and everyone's currently in the kitchen baking more cookies."
"It's alright," he responded. "I realize how popular this place is. You must be very happy that your business is running well." I nodded, confirming his comment.
"Very. But you've been with me since the start. I remember when we just opened, and you came in." I chuckled, remembering the memory. "I was quite surprised to see the heir of a large company so comfortably waltz in." Sighing to myself, I looked back up again at Kousuke energetically.
"So, what would you like today?" He looked at the menu in deep thought, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Actually, just the usual, but replace one of the vanilla with rose. I'd like to try them." I nodded, pushing in his order. He pulled out his card and paid for them, and waited for the receipt. I handed it to Kousuke, he nodded, then walked away to a table to wait.
Seeing that there was currently no one in the waiting area, I quickly headed to the back to check up on everybody. I popped my head through the door to see what was going on.
"Everybody okay?" I asked, and some either hummed, gave a thumbs up, or just nodded. I smiled and raised a fist in the air.
"Keep up the good work, you guys! Thanks for doing your best!" Heading back up to the front, I noticed Maya finished boxing Kousuke's order. I strolled by her and picked it up, giving her a thankful glance.
"I don't know what I would do without you, Maya..." I whined, slumping down. "Thanks for helping out." She laughed and patted my hat-covered head, slightly messing up the positioning of the accessory.
"It's alright (Y/N), I mean, what are friends for?" I nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry I can't pay you for this... I'll give you a box to take home, promise." She giggled again and lightly pushed me off to go back to work.
"Okay, okay, c'mon, get back to work. Are you the boss or am I the boss around here?" I smiled at her commentary and readjusted my hat, walking over to Kousuke, who was patiently waiting at the end of the counter.
"Here you are, Kousuke. Your twelve macarons." He gently smiled at me, or at least, tried to. The smile didn't reach his eyes, but he doesn't do that face a lot, so I'll give it to him.
"Thank you, (Y/N). Pleasure to visit your shop everyday." I nodded and big him farewell.
"Good luck in your meeting!"
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"Whew."
8 pm, and the shop finally closes. It was currently 7:55 pm, so I thought I could clean up early. I was busy brushing off the tables and scrubbing them and whatnot, until I heard a knock on the door. I rolled my eyes and looked up, facing a person on the other side of the glass. His emerald eyes glittered from the light inside the shop. He opened the door and peeped his head in.
"Is this place still open?" he chimed cautiously. I sighed, plastering a fake smile on my face and went to the register.
"There's still a couple of minutes left, so I guess we're still open," I muttered, a forced lilt in my voice. "What would you like, sir?" He murmured to himself, staring at the menu.
"I guess I'll just have the box of six. One rose, one vanilla, one lavender and honey, two blueberry, and one matcha." I typed in his order and waited for him to slip his card into the chip holder. As it processed, he tried to make a light conversation.
"Sorry for coming so late, I was caught up in some business." I nodded tiredly, pressing a button to release his card and printed out the receipt. I immediately rushed into the backroom to fetch his macaron orders, as well as a box for the six.
"The audacity-" I muttered under my breath, angrily but gently stuffing the dessert cookies into their packaging. "He decides to come up now? And make a damn excuse about it?" I huffed, carrying his case outside and placing it in a bag. He waited near the end of the counter for me to walk over and place the bag on it.
"Thank you sir, and have a good night!" I chirped, my voice exaggeratedly high pitched and cheerful. He nodded timidly and picked up the bag and went off into the night. I checked my watch and shook my head, as it was already 8:05 pm. Finally ending the closing routine, I shut down the shop and locked it, bringing along my bag and a few plans for tomorrow.
Hopefully it wasn't as hectic.
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Waking up early and getting ready for the day was the morning I was used to, changing into my uniform and going to my shop. It was almost dawn as I arrived, jingling my keys and finding the right one to put into the keyhole.
"Damn tired," I yawned, murmuring to myself. "Hopefully I can get to sleep early today." I opened the door and took off my coat, setting both that and my bag in one of the storage cabinets in the back.
"Alright, let's get to work." The next hour was spent trying to organize orders that were made online, my mind figuring out the correct amount of time in order to bake every single one. Until the time we opened, I made and baked those orders, boxing them and bagging them, ready to be sent to their designated locations.
Finally, it was opening time just as I finished. Turning on the LED sign at the front of my store, I waited for customers to file in. The mornings were peaceful on weekdays, since nobody really came because of work. But of course, the small bell that was hung on the door rung as the usual guest came in, ready to start off his morning trip, then returning in the evening for a late snack.
"Kousuke," I sighed, turning to him. "It's so early. What gives?"
"You know I always come at this time." I nodded, painfully smiling.
"To my utter disappointment, yes," I sarcastically remarked, snickering at his expression. "The usual?"
"Of course. But cancel the vanilla. I'd like the rose ones." I raised my eyebrows, looking at him.
"Change?" I gasped dramatically. "Are you sure you're the Kousuke I know?" He groaned, rolling his eyes. I laughed and typed in his order, waiting for his card to be accepted.
"So how's the business going?" He let out a long breath, crossing his arms.
"We've required several new workers, and the stocks are pretty high. I'd say it's faring pretty well. Nol has been working unusually diligently."
"Who, your brother?"
"Yes."
"Thought you said he was a slacker," I commented, printing out the receipt, typing on the screen of the checkout. "Had a change of heart, huh?"
"Fortunately, yes. Maybe he's realized the business is a serious matter, and not some game to play." I nodded slowly, giving him his card and receipt. Taking them, Kousuke swiftly went to the end of the counter, waiting for his box.
"Be there in a second!" Packing up his order, I quickly delivered it to him, muscle memory knowing which trays to select from. I made my way to the front, hearing the bell at the front ring again, too busy to see the person that had walked through.
"Alright, here you are, Kousuke. Have a nice day." He nodded, bidding me farewell, but stopped as soon as he saw the person that had come through the door. I turned my head to look and felt my heart drop. It was the guy who had come so late yesterday.
"Hey," the ginger murmured awkwardly. "I really liked your macarons..." I cocked an eyebrow and waited at the register.
"Nol, what are you doing here?"
Huh?
"Wait, wait, wait," I stammered, shaking my head, looking at the two of them, rubbing my eyes. "You mean you two are related? Brothers?" Kousuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"If the statement entertains you, that is. Yes, I suppose that this is my brother." I stood there, shocked, whipping my head back and forth to try and confirm by height and personality that these two were siblings.
"God, why are you such a complicated person?" I complained, gesturing to Kousuke. "First you're the heir of a company, next you got a brother that doesn't even- Oh whatever." I massaged my temples, regaining my composure to take Nol's order.
"Could I just have what I had yesterday?" I nodded, pressing in his order, completed the payment transaction, then went to fetch his cookies. Getting them, then re-emerging from the back room, I handed them to him with a smile.
"Good luck with your work today, boys," I called, watching them head to the door. Suddenly, Nol turned back to me and winked. My heart jumped, the action completely unexpected.
"It's Yeong-Gi, by the way."
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