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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Butter, Banter, and Boiling Blood

The next morning, Jun-seo walked in, hair still a little damp, shirt tucked in like he cared what people thought of him—which he definitely didn't. Not that Kwang-su was staring.

"Wow," Kwang-su said, leaning on the counter. "Someone's trying really hard to impress the flour."

Jun-seo didn't stop walking. "Someone's trying really hard to be annoying before 8 a.m."

"Me? Never. I'm a delight. The scent of cinnamon and crushed dreams."

"More like burnt toast and delusion."

Kwang-su actually laughed at that, which annoyed Jun-seo more than it should've.

Then the bell rang.

In walked Min-jae.

Kwang-su's jaw tensed.

"Oh, he's back," he muttered.

Min-jae, looking like a toothpaste commercial, waved. "Good morning, Jun-seo! I brought coffee again."

Jun-seo smiled politely. "You really don't have to—"

"It's no trouble. You looked tired yesterday, thought you could use the pick-me-up."

Jun-seo took the coffee with a shy "thanks."

Kwang-su dropped a metal tray behind the counter. Clang!

Min-jae glanced over. "You okay?"

"Yep," Kwang-su said. "Just getting my daily dose of public flirting and caffeine-based bribery."

Min-jae gave a small chuckle. "Well, I'd like to get to know my competition."

Silence.

Jun-seo blinked. "...What?"

Kwang-su, somehow grinning, said: "He means me. Your boyfriend."

Jun-seo snapped.

"I am NOT your boyfriend!"

"Don't be shy, Bread Boy," Kwang-su cooed, leaning close. "You sleep on my shoulder once and now we're emotionally married."

Jun-seo's eye twitched. "You're a disaster."

"But a lovable one."

"You're a flour-stained gremlin."

"You still let me near your dough."

Jun-seo made a strangled noise and turned back to Min-jae, cheeks flaming. "We're NOT dating. He's just an idiot who lives in my proximity."

Min-jae raised an eyebrow. "Uh. Got it?"

He backed out of the shop like he was escaping a crime scene.

As soon as the door closed, Jun-seo spun on Kwang-su and shoved him—not hard, but enough to make a point.

"You think this is funny?!"

"Yes?" Kwang-su said, trying not to laugh.

"You don't get to just call me your boyfriend in front of people!"

"Why not? You're cute when you're mad."

Jun-seo stared at him.

Then, very calmly, he picked up a bag of flour and dropped it on Kwang-su's foot.

"OW—WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

"That's for 'boyfriend.' Call me that again, and the next bag won't be flour."

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