The air in the village had cooled since the last emotional chaos—days now gently ripened by golden light and the smell of bread wafting from Jin-woo's bakery. Even Hye-ran had quieted down… for now.
In the warm kitchen of the bakery, Kwang-su and Jun-seo were tangled in one of their signature arguments over something completely ridiculous: a sandwich.
"You can't put strawberry jam and kimchi in the same sandwich, are you insane?" Jun-seo scowled, pulling the plate away.
"It's called innovation," Kwang-su said, taking it back with a wink. "Besides, my weird food combinations are part of my irresistible charm."
Jun-seo crossed his arms. "Irresistible? You're about to be un-kissed for a week."
"Oh no," Kwang-su gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. "Don't threaten me like that, angel face."
Jun-seo rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched with a smile.
Mr. Min walked in just as Kwang-su sneakily kissed Jun-seo's cheek. "You two are either fighting or flirting. There's no in-between," he said gently, chuckling as he wiped flour from his hands.
Jun-seo turned red. "We're... both."
Suddenly, the cheerful air shifted.
"I'm heading to the city for a few days," Kwang-su said, picking at the strap of his backpack. "Family stuff. My mom will murder me if I skip another visit."
Jun-seo's smile faltered.
"Oh... yeah. Of course."
Kwang-su tilted his head. "You're not going to pout?"
"I don't pout," Jun-seo replied, instantly pouting.
Kwang-su stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Jun-seo from behind. "I'll bring you something from the city. Something stupidly romantic. Like matching socks."
"That's... actually really cute," Jun-seo muttered into his chest. "Ugh, I hate you."
Kwang-su grinned. "Love you too."
Later, across the garden, Mr. Jin-woo and Mr. Min were sipping tea under the persimmon tree. The air was quiet, but tension pricked underneath.
"Min-ah, are you alright?" Jin-woo asked, noticing how his partner's shoulders tensed every time a door creaked.
"She's still here, Jin-woo. She smiled at me this morning. Like a wolf in a skirt."
Jin-woo reached out and gently placed his hand over Min's.
"If she tries anything again," he said lowly, "I'll bake her into a pie."
Min gasped and smacked his arm, giggling. "You're terrible."
"But you love me for it."
From the distance, Hye-ran watched. Her eyes narrowed at their closeness, lips twitching into a thin line. The sight of Jin-woo smiling at someone else—especially someone like sweet, gentle Min—gnawed at her pride.
"Don't get too comfortable," she whispered under her breath.
The next morning, Jun-seo stood in front of the stop where Kwang-su was first left for the village, trying to act unfazed while Kwang-su ruffled his hair one last time.
"Text me when you get there," Jun-seo mumbled.
Kwang-su leaned close, lips grazing Jun-seo's ear. "Miss me, but don't get too pretty while I'm gone. I don't want the whole village chasing after you."
"You're ridiculous," Jun-seo said... but he was smiling.
As the bus pulled away, Jun-seo sighed heavily, arms crossed.
Behind him, Mr. Min gently rubbed his back.
"He'll be back soon."
Jun-seo nodded, eyes fixed on the road. "I know. I just hate empty mornings."
Mr. Min smiled. "Then let's fill them with cake."
But inside, neither of them could shake the feeling that things were too calm… and someone—somewhere—was planning something.