Junheon stood up again with a quiet, "Alright." He took down the old curtains, replaced them with spares, vacuumed the seats and floor with a silent cleaner, wrapped the couches in sheets, and tossed the torn curtains into the trash. By the time he finished, the clock had moved from 6:02 to 6:45. Just then, his phone buzzed with a message:
Holiday today. I gave you leave because of school, but today is packed—you must come in. Be there by eight.
Opening the fridge, Junheon pulled out some ground meat and vegetables. He threw together a quick meal, sprinkled in spices and sauces to make it better, then covered the pan with a lid so it wouldn't cool too fast. He left a note and some money beside it:
"I'll be back earliest around noon—or maybe six. ❤️"
As he was about to leave, Harin shuffled out sleepily. Her hair was a mess, and she wore cat-pattern pajamas. She rubbed her eyes and asked, yawning:
"Are you leaving already?"
Junheon nodded.
"Yeah. My boss is usually understanding—he lets me skip if there's danger during school hours. But today's different, there's no school, and I really have to go."
Harin opened her mouth to say something, but Junheon cut in:
"Mira's in your care. I cooked enough food for both of you, and there are plenty of snacks too. It might take me a while to finish everything. The TV is on; watch whatever you like. But I need to head out now."
Harin forced a smile, though her eyes betrayed her worry.
"It's fine. I'll handle it. Good luck at work."
Sensing her mood, Junheon turned toward the door. But Harin couldn't hold back—she rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"You're the best, you know that, right?" she whispered, before letting go.
Junheon's lips curved into an involuntary smile.
"The little bear usually takes one or two hours to wake up. If you want, you can visit in four or five hours—but please, come with Kenny."
Harin's eyes lit up instantly.
"There's no way I'd miss that. I'll bring the whole team," she said, gripping his shoulders and leaning in to place a small kiss on his forehead. "Take care."
This time, her smile was real.
Junheon forced himself to keep his shy expression from breaking under Harin's sudden "attack."
"Have fun, you two," he said, and closed the door. He drew a deep breath, steadied himself, and headed out.
In the elevator, he ran into Karen—the troublesome neighbor.
"Out early again, are we?" she grumbled.
"Good morning," Junheon replied calmly.
The doors slid open; he stepped out without looking back.
Outside, the morning felt brighter than it looked. People were smiling; the street shimmered with the shine of a new day. Junheon started toward the bus stop.
Halfway there, a familiar voice called out, "Junheon!"
Lenny waved from across the sidewalk and fell in beside him as they walked to the stop together.
"I see you everywhere but school, kid," Lenny said with joking sternness.
"My apologies, Vice Principal Lenny," Junheon answered. "But this time I really do have a solid excuse."
"Just say Aunt Lenny, that's enough," she laughed. "We've known each other since you were little. Where are you off to?"
"To work. KN Patisserie."
"Still there? Scholarship not enough?"
"It's more than enough for me," Junheon said. "But I'm looking after a young girl. My boss gave me special leave at the start of term, but I'll need to work more to cover the gaps."
"I get it, honey," Lenny said, face softening. "If it gets too hard—"
"I know," Junheon cut in. "I'm grateful. For now, we're okay—we can eat and we have a roof over our heads. That's enough."
With a proud smile, Lenny hugged him. "My crazy mother's leaving town in a few days—then you two can come stay."
Before Junheon could speak, Lenny mimicked his voice: "I know you're going to say 'no'… So here's the deal: you're definitely coming for dinner. We'll even talk about staying a day or two."
Junheon, a little bashful, said, "I need to ask Mira first."
"Understood. Then the plan's set," Lenny said. "I'll drive you."
"It's not for sure yet… and your car isn't even here," Junheon said.
Right then, Lenny's car appeared beside them as if it had teleported.
"This…"
"Ridiculously cool, right?" Lenny grinned. "Anyway, fun's over. I've got a meeting. Grab that bag and hop in."
As soon as they sat down, Lenny said, "Seatbelt."
Junheon reached for it, but his phone slipped from his pocket. He grabbed for the phone—
—and the car shot forward.
Seconds later, they were at KN. The speed tossed Junheon side to side; by the time the car stopped he crumpled to the floorboard, a few bruises blooming as if he'd blacked out for a moment.
"Junheon?!" Lenny bolted out, sprinted to the garage, and snatched the first-aid kit from the car. Just as she reached for the door, a bright yellow light flared inside. A heartbeat later the door swung open and Junheon stepped out, perfectly upright. Every mark on him was gone; his face looked fresh.
"Did something happen?" he asked—surprised, but oddly calm.
Lenny blinked hard. "You… Never mind. I've been watching too many horror movies. Have a good shift, honey." She started to get back in the car.
Junheon caught her hand with a smile. "Want a cake, as a thank-you?"
"Sure—but make it quick," Lenny said.
"Alright then—last one's a rotten egg!" Junheon called, breaking into a run.
"I'm in heels! That's not fair!" Lenny shouted after him.
Junheon dashed inside, greeted his boss, changed in the staff room, and assembled one of their favorite cakes in four minutes flat. He set it on the counter just as Lenny walked in, finishing a phone call.
"Okay, thanks," she said, hanging up. "How much do I owe?"
"On the house this time, ma'am," said Junheon. "But being perfect about attendance again would be amazing."
Lenny flashed a devilish grin. "Deal. But if you cause trouble for me or yourself, I'll erase those fixed absences and let the school toss you out. Do we have a deal?"
"Ahh… ma'am…"
"Deal?"
"…Deal, ma'am. I won't ask for anything," Junheon surrendered.
With a smile, Lenny took the cake and headed for the door. "Even in a world like this, you're too good to lie—be proud of that. I'll text you about dinner for you two." And she left.
A few minutes later, an elderly man stepped in.
"Welcome, sir," said Junheon.
"I'd like one of the strawberry cakes," the man said, approaching the counter.
"For children, or for yourself?"
"The whole family's visiting today."
"I see. I have a healthy-for-you yet kid-pleasing option: three medium chocolate cakes. They're 120 Nols each—I can do 80 for you."
"A generous offer, thank you," the old man said. "But I can pay full price."
"Very well, sir—just a minute."
Junheon grabbed cakes #21, #22, and #23, packed them quickly, and tied the bags.
"All set, sir."
"Fifty-nine seconds—under a minute," the man smiled. "I'm impressed. The total?"
"360 Nols in total."
The man counted out the money, then added an extra roll of bills.
"Here's 160 Nols more—your tip, young man. For being this skilled and courteous."
"Thank you for the kind words, sir. If you insist, I'll gladly accept."
"See you again," the old man said as he stepped out.
"We'll be glad to have you back, sir," Junheon replied with a slight bow.
The shop fell quiet for a moment. Junheon took a glass of water. Right then, his phone buzzed—Mira.
---
Messages
Little Goofball 🧸😸:
Big bro… We have a problem.
Junheon 😎:
I cooked enough for both of you. I left extra cash on the table in case your friends drop by. If you didn't see it, check carefully.
Little Goofball 🧸😸:
That's not the issue… Harin and I ate—thanks, by the way.
Junheon 😎:
…? What happened? Tell me, quick.
Little Goofball 🧸😸:
Harin is coming to work with you. She wants to help as staff.
Junheon 😎:
I don't see the problem with her helping.
Little Goofball 🧸😸:
Harin's bringing members of her noble family—especially her mother and father. She said she couldn't come tonight, but now they're all going there.
Junheon 😎:
…
Mira:
Say something, big bro. 😭
Junheon:
When is Harin arriving?
Mira:
I'll be with her in an hour; she asked me to let you know and to say she's sorry. Her family might arrive in two hours—three if we're lucky.
Junheon:
Got it. You're coming with Harin, right?
Mira:
Yes. She'll pick me up when she's ready. See you.
Junheon:
Understood. Come safely. 🙏
Mira:
🙏
---
Junheon set the phone down and thought,
"How am I going to tell the manager this… without giving them a heart attack?"
Junheon stopped at the manager's door and knocked.
"Come in," came the voice from inside.
He slipped in, polite but tense. "Manager Lee, I've got one very big problem—and one good thing."
Lee pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please don't ask for more leave."
"No, sir," Junheon said. "But… I'm not sure how to say this."
"Then say it quickly so I can survive it," Lee muttered.
"An extremely wealthy group of nobles is coming here to eat dessert," Junheon said.
"What?!"
"I'm not finished. We've got at least two hours before they arrive."
Manager Lee fainted on the spot.
Junheon caught him, settled him neatly into the chair, and ran a quick check—no real emergency. Relieved, he stepped back onto the floor… just as Harin and Mira walked in—both in maid uniforms.
"You do realize this is a patisserie, right?" Junheon said, blinking. "Change. Now."
"Come on, big bro," Mira pouted. "We dressed up so much! Maybe I'm cuter, but Harin looks great too, doesn't she?"
Harin kept her eyes down. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused," she murmured, staring at Junheon like his next words were a verdict.
"Let's go, brother," Mira urged. "They'll be here soon."
"I don't know how this all happened, Harin," Junheon said, softer, "but I trust you. Don't worry—tell me the details after. And if you really want me to say it… you both look amazing as always."
Harin's cheeks went crimson. She grabbed Mira and hustled her into the changing room.
Junheon ducked into the supply closet, grabbed tools, and blitzed through the place—ten minutes and half the shop was already clean. When the girls emerged, he handed off.
"I've finished half," he told Harin. "The rest is yours. It's a small space—you'll wrap fast. I need to make urgent calls for special orders. Can you handle it?"
"Yes, boss!" Harin beamed.
"I'm your coworker right now," Junheon corrected gently. "Please don't call me boss."
Mira slid between them. "Sorry to interrupt, but do I get a job, too?"
"I almost forgot," Junheon said, setting a small cake on a table. "Your mission is critical: sit here and finish this. Don't get up."
"I want a real job, please!" she begged.
"Keep pushing and you might get fired, miss," he deadpanned. "If you finish the cake, you can have another." He turned to Harin. "I'm counting on you."
"It's going to be perfect when you're back," Harin promised.
"See you in a bit," Junheon said, snatching his phone from the counter and heading out front.
Mira, dutifully eating without even enjoying it, made Harin sigh. Harin leaned in with a smile. "Want to wash the windows, Mira?"
Her sister sprang up. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Harin laughed. It's just windows—what could go wrong? A sudden pang in her stomach sent her to the restroom.
When Harin returned moments later, she froze. Mira was on the floor.
"Mira?"
"I—I didn't mean to!" Mira blurted. "I just pressed a little and—"
The front pane was shattered. Mira was trying to gather shards by hand; some pieces wedged tight in the frame. She tugged harder—too hard—
The glass splintered in her palm.
"Mira!" Harin rushed over, grabbed tissues, and pressed them to the cut. "It's not that deep. Breathe. You're okay."
But all Harin could think was how Junheon would take this—and how she'd allowed it to happen. Tears pricked her eyes.
Mira hugged her back, voice small but steady. "It's fine. The bleeding's already slowing—it's just a nick. If my brother sees you like this, he'll be even more upset. Come on, help me up."
Harin helped her to her feet. Mira managed a sheepish smile. "Since I'm okay… maybe we should move on to the bigger problem." She glanced at the yawning frame.
"What are we going to do about this door?"