It started with Mrs. Han. Of course it did.
One innocent walk through the market, one wave from Jun-seo and Kwang-su, and suddenly—
"Did you hear? The bakery boys are dating!"
By noon, half the village believed it. By closing time, someone had already crocheted them a matching couple's oven mitt set.
"We are not dating!" Jun-seo yelled, holding the mitts like they were cursed.
"Should we be flattered or filing a lawsuit?" Kwang-su asked, sipping his soda with a smug grin.
"Why are you smiling?! This is your fault! You flirted with Mrs. Han!"
"I flirt with everyone! Equal opportunity charm!"
Jun-seo groaned and slammed the mitts on the counter. "I swear, I'm going to bury you in cinnamon dough."
"Oh no, not the sexy kind," Kwang-su said. "Wait. Is there a sexy kind?"
"GET OUT!"
Unfortunately, the rumors weren't even the worst part of the day.
That came when he showed up.
Tall. Clean cut. Broad shoulders. A flirty smile that practically sparkled.
"Hi! I'm Min-jae. I just moved here," the guy said, leaning casually on the bakery counter. "You must be Jun-seo, right? I heard your bread is famous."
Jun-seo blinked. "Uh... yeah. Thanks?"
Kwang-su appeared from the back just in time to witness the new guy wink.
WINK.
"Do you take volunteers?" Min-jae asked. "I'd love to learn from someone as talented as you."
Jun-seo smiled, a little pink in the cheeks. "Well, I don't know about talented…"
Kwang-su exploded into the conversation.
"We're full. No volunteers needed. We're actually anti-social here. Bread only. No people."
Jun-seo frowned. "What are you—?"
"I'm Kwang-su," he added, stepping in front of Jun-seo like a bodyguard. "Co-baker. Equal partner. The other half of the 'Sweet Boys' thing."
"Oh," Min-jae said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you guys, like, together or something?"
Jun-seo opened his mouth. "No—"
"Yes," Kwang-su cut in. "Absolutely. So taken. Both of us. Especially him."
Jun-seo turned to him, horrified. "What the hell are you saying?!"
Kwang-su smiled through clenched teeth. "Nothing, darling."
Jun-seo nearly slapped him with a baguette.
Min-jae laughed. "Okay. Got it. Message received. I'll see you around, Jun-seo."
As he walked away, Kwang-su kept glaring at his back like he wanted to bake him into a pie.
"You good?" Jun-seo asked, arms crossed.
Kwang-su scoffed. "Fine. Just didn't like his vibe. Or his jawline. Or his flirty little—"
"Are you jealous?"
"No."
"You're jealous."
"I'm protective. Of the brand. Our bakery. Our flour reputation."
"You're ridiculous."
Kwang-su looked at him, serious now. "Maybe. But I meant it, you know."
"Meant what?"
"The 'taken' part."
Jun-seo stared.
And for once, he didn't say anything.