Chapter 25

I got a refill of rosé wine and slowly enjoyed the pot-au-feu.

While lost in thought, I realized that both the pot-au-feu and the hot wine had cooled down completely. Still, the taste wasn't compromised, but I thought it would have been even better if I had enjoyed them while they were warm.

I ate slowly and drank slowly. Then I thought a little more.

Just as I finished the pot-au-feu, someone patted my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

It was Emma, who skillfully stacked the empty plate on the tray she was holding in one hand.

Looking past Emma to the table, I saw that it was already empty. I hadn't even noticed that the other customers had left; I must have been too absorbed.

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just spacing out a bit."

"Are you tired? Worried about something?"

"No..."

As I hesitated to answer, Emma smiled and nodded slightly. She told me to wait a moment and hurriedly disappeared into the kitchen behind the counter.

I watched her go and started to crush the strawberry in my glass with a spoon. I tried drinking it more crushed this time, and it was delicious. The flavor of the strawberry spread more, making it taste more like a juice than an alcoholic drink.

Emma, who had moved from the kitchen to the hall, opened the door and went outside. I wondered what was going on, and at the same time, the sign that had been brightly illuminating the snowy road suddenly went out.

"Is it closing time?"

"I thought maybe it's okay to not have any other customers tonight. So... would you mind if I join you for a drink?"

"Of course not, but is it okay to close the shop?"

"It's fine, it's fine."

Emma laughed brightly and pulled out the chair next to me, sitting down. As if waiting for this, the master placed a cream puff in front of me and Emma. Then, in front of me, a glass of hot rosé wine. In front of Emma, a steaming glass, but it seemed to contain white wine.

"This is on me. Please enjoy."

Amused by my surprised face, Emma chuckled. Then, encouraged by Emma, who held a knife and fork, I also picked up the cutlery.

The cream puff had two layers: custard cream and whipped cream. The custard was piled high, and the whipped cream was beautifully swirled on top. A halved strawberry was embedded at the boundary of the creams, glistening in the light.

"It looks delicious. Let's dig in."

The choux pastry, which looked like a hat or a lid, was lifted with a knife and fork and moved to an empty spot on the plate. When I cut it into bite-sized pieces, it was surprisingly light.

I put a bit of whipped cream in my mouth. The crispy choux pastry melted with the perfectly sweet whipped cream.

"It's incredibly delicious. Wait, I could eat this all day."

"Hehe, I'm glad. There's more, so feel free to eat as much as you want. Right, Alicia?"

In response to Emma's words, the master nodded and showed me a box. Inside were six cream puffs.

"There are two more boxes."

On the preparation counter behind the master, two more boxes were lined up.

"What's going on? You didn't buy them, did you?"

"I just made too many because it was fun."

Emma, who answered, had already finished her cream puff. Without a word, the master placed another cream puff from the box onto Emma's plate.

"So, eat a lot. And take some home with you."

"Thank you. Everyone loves sweet things, so they'll be happy."

Having finished the top layer of the choux pastry, I moved on to the bottom layer. Cutting a bite-sized piece from the edge, I was about to spill a lot of custard. When I put it in my mouth, the bottom layer was heavier and even more delicious. It seemed to have absorbed more moisture from the custard, lacking the lightness of the top layer. However, it was soft and went well with the custard and cream.

"I don't know what to do, I really want to eat a second one."

I ate the strawberry, which was decorated and mixed with the custard cream.

The strawberry, with its strong acidity, seemed to be balanced to prevent it from being too sweet.

Before I knew it, my plate was clean.

Before I could ask for another one, the master was already quick to place another cute cream puff on my plate.

I was so surprised by his speed that I almost choked on my wine.

"You're just like usual, Alicia. You never eat anything, and our staff were worried."

"I thought I had made a mistake with the taste."

I alternated my gaze between Emma, who was sitting next to me, and the master, who was behind the counter.

These people are truly kind, and realizing this made my nose tingle.

"Sorry. Of course, today's pot-au-feu was delicious, but recently, my chest has been tight, and I haven't been able to eat much. My brother laughs at me, saying I eat more than the average person, but..."

"Feeling tight in the chest and not being able to eat... Alicia, that sounds like love."

Does falling in love make everyone lose their appetite? I should check the romance novels I've read when I get home.

"Love makes you lose your appetite. You like the person, but you're also anxious, and just thinking about it makes your chest tight..."

Emma, who nodded vigorously, started on her third cream puff.

I also picked up my cutlery to face the cream puff, and a box of cream puffs was placed on the counter.

"I'm preparing in the back, so call me if you need anything."

The master, who said this and went to the back of the kitchen, must have been considerate.

As I cut the cream puff more calmly than before, I could see Emma smiling at the corner of my eye.

"What are you worried about, Alicia? Whether your feelings will be reciprocated? Or is there something wrong with the person you like?"

"There's nothing wrong with the person. I only recently realized I like them... But, yes... I guess I want them to like me."

"Of course. Just liking someone isn't enough. You want them to focus only on you, and that's natural."

"That's true. But... I'm a broken engagement, and to put it bluntly, I'm damaged goods."

"Damaged goods? No, it's not that bad."

Emma, who frowned, poked my head. Her cheeks were slightly red, and she might have been a bit tipsy.

"Thank you. And, I'm afraid that if I express my feelings, our current relationship will be ruined. But I also don't want to do nothing and see him become someone else's boyfriend... and never see him again. I know this, but I can't move."

"Changing the status quo takes courage, whether it's love or something else. But I think... when the time comes, you'll be able to move. There's always a right time or a moment, and when you think it's the right time, you'll be able to take that step. For now, it's okay to wait for that moment."

Her soft voice resonated in my heart.

My eyes welled up, and my vision blurred. I wiped away the tears with my fingertips.

"...I don't have to force myself to do something right now."

"No, you don't. Because those feelings are just beginning. If you nurture them, they will surely give you the courage you need."

I borrowed a handkerchief she offered and wiped my tears. As I took deep breaths, the vague anxiety that had been bothering me seemed to fade away.

"Thank you, Emma."

"You're welcome. Now, eat, eat. There's still a lot left!"

Emma laughed and reached for her fourth cream puff.

After a double take, I burst out laughing.

Because, four!

It's delicious, and I said I could eat a lot, but I didn't expect it to be four! Ignoring my laughter, Emma continued to eat the cream puff.

Until Marc came to pick me up, I spent a pleasant time listening to Emma and the master's story of how they met.

In the end, only one box of cream puffs was left, and I took it home to share with everyone after breakfast tomorrow.

Just a little more until a month passes.

I don't know when I'll see him, but I thought that when I do, I'll be able to smile as usual.