________

Jungkook follows the route on the maps and enjoys the cool wind that brushes against his exposed skin as he follows along busy streets. One foot after the other lands on the ground with a thud as he gets off from the bike. He parked his bike in front of a modern building that carries the name 'Sweet Inc' in big letters above the entrance. It's almost astonishing for Jungkook to see how different patisseries can look.

Just before coming here, he thought 'The Cake Whisperer' looked fancy, but this- not only does he have the feeling that if he were to get the dream cake, he would not only do it perfectly but also spend a lot of money which hasn't been his plan.

As soon as he sets foot inside the building, he's greeted by a fancy seller in a red uniform and a fantastic smell of fresh-baked pastries that throws him off. The given examples in the vitrine look stunning and perfectly done. Jungkook couldn't be more astonished but unfortunately so is the price - perfectly calculated on what seems like every gram.

"Welcome to Sweet Inc. How may I help you?" A man in a white uniform welcomes him from the side. His hands are tucked in white see-through gloves and his black hair is tucked underneath a headwear, holding it back from falling into his face. Furthermore, he wears a white apron that is tied behind his back.

"I would like to place a custom order."

"Then please follow me to the counter, so we can discuss all the details," the pâtissier says and leads the way, where he then checks the screen of a computer at the counter and looks up at Jungkook once he's ready to ask for more details.

Relief spreads through Jungkook's chest. It seems like he finally found a place that could manage his order.

"May I know what kind of cake you want and don't hesitate to tell me all the details."

"Sure. It's a birthday cake for my sister and she wished for a fairy themed cake with flowers, and it has to be big." Jungkook explains somewhat sheepishly and observes how the man notes everything down.

"What's the date for the event?"

"I would need the cake in two days."

The hand of the pâtissier halts on the white paper sheets he's writing on, causing Jungkook's stomach to fill with uneasiness. He feels his hands getting sweaty as the pâtissier looks up at him, facial expression unreadable.

"I regret to say the following, but we don't have enough work capacity in this time span. I can only suggest that you get one of the finished cakes from the display if it's urgent."

Jungkook shakes his head, hell-bent on not paying for one of the expensive ones when it's not even something similar to the cake he wants.

"I'm sorry but I need this specific fairy cake. If you excuse me, I need to continue my search and find another patisserie." With that said, Jungkook turns around and leaves the building. Cool, he's basically right back at square one. He groans innerly as he notices the sun setting, meaning that he has only a little time left, and the only other choice left that comes into his mind is searching in the small back streets for a patisserie although it's highly unlikely that he'll find one.

The motor of his bike echoes through the streets as he drives off. However, his plans of driving around go to waste when, as he's about to turn into the next street, he's faced with a sign saying that it's a street only for pedestrians. An exhausted wail leaves past his lips, and he turns off the bike and leaves it at the side of the road to search further by foot.

Shortly after, the streetlights turn on, evidence that the shops will soon close. Jungkook, frustrated, kicks a stone on the ground like a football as he still hasn't found another store, and there is nobody around to ask for a direction or a suggestion.

Jungkook goes deeper into the city, yet when the church clock strikes the hour, he simply gives up and turns around. He will just confess to his sister that he has forgotten about the cake. No, actually he might pick up a generic strawberry cake from the next supermarket. Jungkook knows she loves strawberries, and she can't be forever angry at him, right.

Back on his bike, Jungkook pushes it backwards until the tyre completely touches the surface of the street. He feels not only tired but also disappointed and mad at himself for forgetting such an important event. He stops at one of the traffic lights and lets his gaze roam through the street. Jungkook is caught off guard at the sudden light flicker to his right. One of the shops must be about to close, he thinks.

However, what really makes him gasp is the door of the shop opening and a short man with silver hair stepping out to take in the big sign that reads 'Newly opened bakery - special offer: 10% of purchases amounting to ₩13,500.00. We sell self-made bagels, cakes and sweet goods and even offer to make custom-made cakes--'. Due to the dwindling lights, he has to squint his eyes to see better in the bad lighting. Realization hits him and he doesn't notice when the red light turns to green, a car horn behind him pulling him out of his thoughts.

He throws another short glance at the bakery. It can't be true that the universe is giving him this opportunity, right? The brown-haired rider panics when he sees how the young boy steps out again and moves the chairs and tables, making Jungkook quickly realise that he's indeed about to close.

Fuck it.

He panics, but he's somehow able to get close enough and safely make it to a free spot where he can leave his bike. Jungkook takes off his helmet and literally runs as much as his tired legs allow him to as he sees the baker is about to close the door.

"Wait!" The racer yells at the top of his lungs, causing the other man to halt in his motion and look at Jungkook as if he's crazy. Nonetheless the latter makes it there in time before the employee changes his mind and closes the door to the shop in his face and thus his only open door.

Jungkook puts his hand on his knees to support himself as he breathes heavily, his gaze directed on the ground as his breathing eventually evens out. He silently thanks the employee for remaining in the same position and not closing the door instead.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." With one of his hands outstretched towards the unknown man, Jungkook finally straightens up while he adjusts his jacket and squints ahead in the dimmed street.

The silver-haired man observes him and tilts his head, unsure how to react. He looks a bit annoyed that someone stopped him from closing the store. "What would you like?"

"I need a cake."

"I- Uhm, sir. We're about to close. We don't take m-" The baker begins with a serious frown on his face, slightly irritated as the mysterious customer in front of his bakery takes a step closer. His words get cut by the latter.

"Please, you don't understand. You're the last person who can maybe help me." It's the desperateness and hopefulness in Jungkook's eyes that make the baker falter. The sigh that leaves his mouth has Jungkook looking up and stepping forward.

"Okay, come in." The baker opens the door wider and steps aside for Jungkook to come inside, flipping the open sign to closed as he shuts the door behind him.

Now that Jungkook can see everything clearly under the shop lights, his gaze is drawn almost at once to the baker's side profile. He is even more attractive than he first looked like with his silver hair and his white apron tied around his hips. Also, Jungkook takes note that the other is slightly shorter than him. Then the baker moves around the counter and faces Jungkook, who just stares at him with his mouth open, almost as if he can't believe what a beautiful man is standing in front of him.

"So... How may I help you?" The baker clears his throat to hide the fact that he is a little annoyed about not being able to lock up to prepare for the upcoming inventory.

"I'm sorry for the short notice, but I need a custom-made cake in two days." This makes the head of the handsome baker jump up and he studies Jungkook now that he can see him more clearly under the lights. The rider wears his brown, almost black hair parted in the middle and his silver earrings sparkle in the shop light. The baker's eyes roam over his face and follow down over his cheeks, down to his remarkable thin lips. At first glance, the young customer with his dark outfit and eyebrow piercing looks like someone who smells like trouble, and he should stay away from.

Cheeks flush pink when he realises that he has been caught staring at Jungkook. The shorter one tries to concentrate again on the task at hand.

"Two days? That's indeed on short notice, I'm not sure if we have the capacity."

"Please take a look, it's really important to have this specific birthday cake.

"Birthday cake, you say?"

"Yes, it's uhm- for my little sister. She wants to have a fairy-themed cake with flowers."

"Oh, how old is she if you don't mind asking me?"

"Of course not. She's five and will turn six in two days."

"So, a little princess, I see. Alright, just let me check, be right back." With that, the baker, dressed in a pastel blue sweatshirt under the apron disappears into the back room and comes back with some kind of book in his hands. He's about to speak up when a voice sounds from the backroom, catching Jungkook off guard.

 "Jimin!"

"Yes, grandma?" The baker, whose name apparently is Jimin, tilts his head in the direction of the voice and is just seconds away from walking to the back again when the person speaks up again, this time closer.

"Just grant this gentleman his custom order."

"But grandma–" At this moment Jimin's grandma appears from the back and throws Jungkook a gentle smile.

"Before you came to get it, I double-checked the orders in the book."

"Grandma, we don't even know the details of the cake; how can you just say it's fine if we might not finish it on time?"

"Alright, ask him, Jiminie and make your decision then, but I can assure you that we have no orders for the next two days. We can ask Nora to work in the bakery while we work on the cake."

"How-" Jimin begins, but he is interrupted by his grandmother, who leans in so close that only Jimin can hear her.

"His eyes," she whispers. "It seems really important for him, and others must have declined his order. Don't you want to help out this young gentleman?"

Jungkook steps forward, ready to just give up on the cake he wants. "I can- I can leave if that's a problem, really. I don't want to impose. I'll just get a generic cake."

"Oh, dear. Don't be silly, young man. Just tell Jimin everything you need. He'll make the final call." Her lips curl into a bright smile as she moves her gaze to the backroom. "Please excuse me while I head up to my apartment. I need to sit down."

"That's alright, get some rest, grandma," Jimin calls after her before turning his attention back to the customer. He watches the latter open his mouth, and Jimin thinks that a stupid joke would now escape his lips, but instead, to the baker's surprise, he thanks his grandmother.

"Thank you, wonderful lady." Jungkook slightly bows even though she can't see it, but does it out of respect, nonetheless. Jimin blinks as he looks into the eyes of the brown-haired man in front of him and feels something blossom in his chest.

"Stop flirting with my grandma and tell me how you want the cake if you don't want me to come up with a chocolate muffin and let you pay for it." Laughter fills the bakery as Jimin leans against the counter, hands propped up on the marble tiles and head thrown back. His eyes form two crescents, and his silver hair falls back, revealing his forehead. Jungkook knows it's rude, but he can't stop staring.

There is something different about the other man.

"I'd rather flirt with you, but right now I'm kind of stressed so I'll get to the point. As I've mentioned before, my sister wants this fairy-themed cake with lots of pink flowers, I can only imagine." Jungkook rattles off the words, missing the faint blush on Jimin's cheeks.

"I can work with that. What about the size of the cake?"

Jimin can hear a hum from Jungkook who is clearly pondering his answer. "I don't know much about cake sizes. It should be big enough for six people."

"So, fifteen centimetres and two layers?" Jimin looks at him attentively and sees him nodding his head in agreement. "Lovely. So, we have the design and the size. What about the filling or frosting? Chocolate or yellow cake? Chocolate filling? Strawberry buttercream? Salted caramel filling maybe?"

"Wow, that's a lot," Jungkook says, feeling a little overwhelmed at all the information at once. "She has a sweet tooth so I will go with a chocolate cake and strawberry buttercream."

"Perfect," Jimin mumbles and writes down the information, then he pauses as the pen hovers over the name section. He needs the name of this handsome customer. "Would you be so kind and tell me your name so that I can write it down for when you'll pick up the cake?"

"Jeon Jungkook."

"Alright, Mr Jeon. Then you can come pick it up around three, that's fine with you?" Jimin clarifies and waits for the other to agree, eyes widening at the answer he receives instead. A dust of pink spreading over his cheeks.

"Thank you so much! I could kiss you for--" Jungkook chokes, catching up to what he just said. His face slowly turns pale, and he looks at the silver-haired man with wide eyes. He didn't really just say that, did he? This has never happened to him before. The other just laughs in amusement and leans forward on the counter, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"How about a date first?" he suggests with a grin, playing with a strand of his silver hair that falls in front of his handsome face and covers a bit of his pink cheek. Cute.

"I'd love to, but you have to give me your number for that," Jungkook flirts back, leaning forward to show off his toned muscles.

"Why so eager? Do you think I'll give my number to any random man? You'll have to earn it," the shorter one whispers with a sweet chuckle, but there's something dirty about his grin.

"How?" Jungkook tilts his head, groaning mentally at the stubbornness of the baker.

"Come up with something," Jimin winks at him and adds, "Now I have to ask you to leave because the shop is already closed." He points to the door, to which he escorts Jungkook and waves his goodbye. Reluctantly the taller follows and can't stop thinking about the cute baker on the way to his motorbike, recalling how much he blushed but also flirted. Just as he is about to sit on his motorbike, his phone rings.

He takes it out of his jacket pocket and looks for a moment at the caller shown on the display. He picks up the phone. "Hello?"

"JK! Have you heard the news about the upcoming race?" A familiar voice sounds through the loudspeaker into his ears. Jungkook draws his eyebrows together in wonder and stares thoughtfully at the motorbike key in his hand. News?

"What kind of news?"

Has the race been postponed? Then, however, his friend's voice would not be layered with excitement.

"Don't tell me you haven't heard about the new racer competing in next week's race? It's totally odd. He is a mysterious racer who has already won a couple of times. Nobody knows his identity or his real name. All they know about him is that he calls himself Star Flame and is supposed to be amazingly fast."

Jungkook's brown eyes widen in amazement and he mounts his motorbike while pressing his mobile phone to his right ear with one hand. His steady gaze fixes on the surrounding trees and then the passing cars. He ponders.

A new racer in the race? That could bring something exciting and thrilling.

"You're honestly the first person to tell me about it. Do you know where the street racer comes from?"

"No, like I said, I only know that his name is Star Flame, but I heard he has raced a few times in Daegu before."

"That sounds quite interesting. Who knows how good the racer really is when racing? It could make things interesting and while we're on the subject, will the road be empty where we will be racing?"

For Jungkook, it is a decisive factor that the roads are clear when he takes part in a race. Under no circumstances does he want to risk anything if there are cars on the track. Some may disagree and say that it is not that thrilling or exciting, but for Jungkook, his priority is not to put innocent lives at risk. You never know what could happen so when they drive, they choose areas where not many people live and are on the road. Not risking innocents' lives should always be a priority but unfortunately during a race adrenaline runs high so it's better to take all precautions.

"Yes, Minho will make sure the streets are empty like the races in the past... and? What do you say? Are you interested?" His friend's voice sounds challenging and raspy.

"In driving or being there as a spectator?" Jungkook asks. Going along with it would mean messing up all his efforts with planning ahead for his plan. After all, he doesn't know what to expect if he races against the unknown opponent.

"Racing. I don't know what your decision will be. You still have a little time to think about it, but I will definitely be there. I can't miss such an interesting challenge," he chirps on the other side of the phone line.

Contemplating, Jungkook thinks and hangs his head for a brief moment so that his gaze falls on the motorbike seat.

Perhaps it would be better to watch "Star Flame" race first or maybe he can look through various sources to see if he can find out anything about the newcomer.

"The time and place will be announced today, won't it? I will be there, but I will still think about whether I will join."

"Alright, see you," Jungkook's friend says goodbye and hangs up, making the young man stare at his mobile phone in horror. His gaze falls on the four white digits at the top right of his display and he looks up at the bright stars above him in the sky.

Only now does it dawn on him how late it really has become. His mother must have already started dinner. He quickly pulls his helmet over his head and turns the key in the ignition, kicks the kickstand and accelerates before driving into the dark illusion of the city that is enveloping him.