I had been wondering why they were so hesitant about starting a business, but it turned out Mei had gone through something like that.
Glancing at Bel, she seemed to have known about it all along.
“So, you used to run a business? May I ask what kind it was?”
“My family had a small fabric shop.”
“It wasn’t that small…”
Bel muttered softly from the side, only to snap her mouth shut under Mei’s pointed gaze.
“It was the family business, a fabric shop that I inherited, but it ended up failing.”
Mei’s explanation was crisp and to the point.
I’d assumed it might have something to do with cooking, given how much she enjoyed making desserts, but apparently not.
“May I ask how it failed?”
“My father passed away suddenly in an accident, so I took over the shop without having learned the ropes properly.”
“Your father died in an accident?”
“Accidents come without warning. It couldn’t be helped.”
Mei offered a bittersweet smile, as if to say she was over it now.
“Selling fabrics on consignment isn’t easy. You have to stay sensitive to trends. I spotted a new fabric from abroad and had a gut feeling it would sell well.”
She paused there, her voice catching as if her throat had tightened, and took a sip of tea.
With another wry smile, Mei continued.
“I went all in, thinking it would turn a profit. But it flopped with the trends. Inventory piled up, and issues arose with other suppliers, stalling the cash flow.”
In business, a halt in cash circulation was incredibly dangerous.
“I tried to hold on somehow, but in the end, I couldn’t settle the payments properly and had to hand over the shop. Fortunately, someone came along just in time to take it over.”
Mei’s account was straightforward, as if to show she harbored no regrets.
Yet something about it didn’t sit right.
It left a nagging unease.
I wanted to probe further into the details, but I hesitated to open my mouth, afraid of reopening old wounds for Mei.
“I don’t have an eye for these things. Do you still want to invest?”
There was a hint of lament in Mei’s tone.
It seemed like one failure had stripped her of all her confidence.
“It wasn’t that bad. The clothes made from that fabric ended up trending the next year. If you’d just held on a little longer…”
“No. My perspective was too narrow. I should have prepared for the risks, but I didn’t. Business just isn’t for me.”
Bel tried to defend her, but Mei cut her off firmly.
And that firmness only highlighted how little confidence she had left in business.
The sense of discord grew thicker.
‘Have I read too many romance fantasies? I keep suspecting some conspiracy behind it all.’
Just as my thoughts started to deepen, I caught sight of Mei’s hollow expression.
She seemed to assume I’d back out of the investment after hearing her failure story.
“Mei, I’m still going to invest in you two.”
At my response, Mei’s gaze, which had turned bitter, fixed back on me.
“It’s actually a good thing. Any business experience is valuable. If anything, it makes me trust you more.”
Mei’s wavering eyes took on an odd hue.
She worked her lips as if choosing her words carefully.
“I’ve failed once already, you know? What if I fail again?”
The question she finally posed was laced with fear of failure.
“I don’t believe for a second that you two will fail. You’re going to succeed, no doubt about it.”
Mei couldn’t easily accept my bold declaration.
“But if we do fail…”
I understood the anxiety murmuring in her voice.
But this wasn’t just blind faith based on the original story.
I’d seen enough of their efforts.
They sought out new flavors every day.
They strove to improve their creations.
And they had the skill to bring it all to life.
And besides…
“You’re not alone this time.”
At my calm words, Mei’s eyes rippled with emotion.
“If Mei makes a reckless choice, we’ll stop you. Bel’s here, and so am I. We’re in this together, so don’t be afraid—just give it your all.”
Mei’s expression, which had been rigid as if carved from stone, crumpled.
It was the face of someone barely holding back tears.
One wrong touch, and they might spill over.
Do I look that sad or something?
Lately, people burst into tears at the sight of me.
“Don’t cry. You’ll make me feel like I caused it. Billy, this isn’t me making her cry, right?”
Before she could really start sobbing, I hurriedly patted Mei and proclaimed my innocence to Billy.
In all conscience, this shouldn’t count as me making someone cry!
“It is because of you, miss.”
Billy shook his head dismissively, ignoring my desperate plea.
How is this my fault!
As I trembled with indignation, Mei let out a faint smile.
“Can we really do well?”
“Of course. There are three of us! Bel will help too, right?”
At my call, Bel nodded with grave determination.
“I’ll work hard, if only for your sake.”
Bel must have already made up her mind to open the shop long ago.
That’s the spirit.
Watching Bel like that, Mei steeled her expression.
“All right. Let’s give this business a go together.”
Finally!
It was the beginning of Mabel, destined to become the finest dessert shop.
* * *
Just because Mei and Bel had agreed didn’t mean we could open the shop right away.
The two of them weren’t prepared at all for launching a business.
So, we decided to take things slowly.
In the meantime, I gave them a special assignment.
To sell desserts at the markets held on Gratitude Day and Apology Day.
It was essential for rebuilding their battered self-esteem.
And along the way, they’d develop a menu of sellable products.
Plus, it’d be great if word of mouth spread before the shop officially opened.
During that time, I’d requested various bits of information from Delia.
About the shop, and about the two of them.
I’m the type who looks after my people—and I hold grudges!
“Luci.”
‘There’s something off about Mei’s situation…’
I’d decided on the investment for my own convenience, yet somehow it felt like I was doing a lot of work.
“Luci.”
The voice calling me with a bit more force snapped me back to attention.
“Huh?”
Luciano was staring at me intensely from across the way.
“What were you thinking about so deeply?”
I couldn’t mention the investment.
“Nothing at all.”
“Nothing, yet you didn’t hear me calling?”
Luciano’s tone turned sharp.
He must be displeased that I’d zoned out while visiting.
His sensitivity showed no signs of waning.
“Oh! I have something for you.”
As always, I changed the subject.
I noticed Luciano’s eyebrow twitch up, but I pretended not to see and rummaged through Tosuni.
“Here.”
I pulled out a neatly wrapped knotted bracelet and held it out to him.
Instead of taking it, Luciano just stared at the packaging.
“Take it already.”
“What is it?”
Just unwrap it—why ask after accepting?
“See for yourself.”
The wrapping crinkled as it came off in Luciano’s hands.
He gazed quietly down at the revealed bracelet.
I’d expected at least a little delight, but Luciano looked impassive.
Not exactly thrilled, it seemed.
“Don’t like it?”
Was it too cheap?
Luciano’s eyes drifted to my wrist.
“You’re wearing one too.”
“Yeah. The colors suit us perfectly, don’t they? It’s almost uncanny how well it’s made.”
It was truly astonishing—the design matched our hair and eye colors to a tee.
“And it’s a wish bracelet, apparently. Make sure to wish when you put it on.”
Luciano didn’t try it on, just traced the bracelet with his fingertips.
His stoic reaction left me feeling a bit deflated.
“Not your thing? Too similar in design?”
“Not this one.”
‘Not this one?’
After I’d gone to the trouble of gifting it.
I’d even spent money on it!
Just as my mood started to sour at Luciano’s words.
“Give me that one.”
“What?”
“The one you’re wearing.”
Luciano’s red eyes bored into my wrist.
“Mine? But that one’s colors suit you better. This one’s tailored perfectly to me.”
“I like that one more.”
His gaze was stubborn.
“But that’s the new one. This one’s already been worn by me?”
“Even so. That one.”
“…”
Stubborn in the strangest ways.
I didn’t want to argue over something trivial.
In the end, a sky-blue bracelet ended up on his arm, and a golden one on mine.
* * *
Time flew by remarkably fast.
Mei and Bel were on their second sale at the Apology Day market.
The menu featured the same macarons as before, plus added salted bread.
Just when you’d tire of the macarons, the savory, salty bread would keep you coming back for more.
This time, they’d expanded the macaron flavors and varieties to create an animal brigade.
Doubling the cuteness factor.
“Hoo, hoo, do you think it’ll sell well?”
Bel took deep breaths.
“Aren’t we overprepared?”
Mei paced in anxious circles.
They’d committed to full-fledged business, yet they still seemed unready.
That’s why I’d insisted on selling today.
“You sold out quickly last time. Word of mouth from previous buyers will bring even more sales this round.”
My words were meant to boost their spirits.
“Oh my, you’re back. I tried them last time and have been waiting.”
“Oh, is this the chick macaron? I heard rumors about the ones sold on the last Apology Day. So cute.”
“It’s a chick macaron! Wow, there are so many animal types this time?”
But they turned out to be prophetic.
As people approached with interest, the tense, trembling expressions on Bel and Mei’s faces bloomed into smiles.
“Each animal has a different flavor.”
“Pick what you like. We put even more care into them than last time.”
They dove into selling, a bit dazed at first.
“How much?”
“One copper coin each. Buy five, get one free!”
This was a tip I’d given them in advance.
Service is always a winner.
“Oh, then I’ll take five. There are exactly six kinds, after all. One of each, please.”
And we’d deliberately made six macaron varieties.
To employ this 5+1 sales strategy.
“Yes, thank you.”
Mei’s voice bubbled with excitement on the first sale of the day.
She’d forgotten her earlier nerves and was brimming with energy.
A smile tugged at my lips unbidden.
Nothing beats real experience.
This time, we’d applied for a spot in advance, so the location was far better than before.
“What’s this? Why the crowd here?”
“Looks like food.”
“Something tasty?”
As customers gathered, passersby took even more notice.
I watched contentedly as the area around their stall buzzed with people.
“Business is really booming. Did you know this would happen, miss?”
Billy was watching Mei and Bel sell with a sense of wonder.
“I told you. Those two are destined for success.”
“Your eye for talent is impressive.”
“Of course. That’s me.”
As I replied triumphantly, something caught my eye.
A vibrant golden blond head towering above the others.
An unforgettable massive build!
A bear-like physique, but with shoulders slumped in dejection!
I had a feeling I knew who it was.
The time for revenge had come sooner than expected!
That was my immediate thought upon spotting the man.
I dashed toward him.
