Prologue

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"A date? sorry, but i have to go home and laugh about that idea"

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[Ｃａｋｅ－ａ－ｌｉｃｉｏｕｓ]

Ｐａｒｉｓ（威億卸）

１９６７

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"Thank you, sir, please come again" Jimin bowed a little to the French customer as The man walked out of the exit with the fresh vanilla cake prepared by him.

he was today's last customer.

Although Jimin's family was never traditionally into the field of baking, his dad was a humble locksmith, and his grandfather a farmer but he was always interested in cakes&eclairs, the smell of various flavors made him levitate in the air.

Can't describe how proud he was when he finally opened his bakery. That day Jimin was shining, he was radiating happiness. He put all the effort into his little magic shop. he also shed some tears watching his dream come true.

However, he was nervous because of one thing, The location of Cake-al-icious --- 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢.

France was always heavily involved in bread and bakery, foreigners come here for this place's infamous bakery products like croissants and eclairs. In this case, he was doubting his skills. he was not sure if French people would like his baking.

Thankfully, everything went pretty good. His shop is running pretty smoothly, enough for him to have two helpers. Marie and Louise. They look after the shop when he is out to buy ingredients or for some other personal work. He pays both of them 2500 Euro monthly. It's a decent amount, at least Marie and Louise don't seem to have a problem with it.

Everything seems pretty perfect in Jimin's life except- except he has to steal. yeah, he robs a house once a year. It's not that he's not able to fulfill his needs. The only problem is that he isn't able to fulfill his hobbies.

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His love for books...

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He loves to read those rare and expensive books owned by the rich in Paris, He instantly recognizes the books by looking at their cover. He adores those paper stacks. He wishes someone could understand his love for those exclusive books but Instead, he has to face taunts from his family members and friends, just because of his soft interests, and his soft masculinity. he doesn't like to go shooting on weekends. why would he kill little lives for entertainment? he neither enjoys buying wood-carved weapons and guns. Such a waste of money. Right? And cigarettes? Nah, they stink. instead, he would enjoy an evening walk in the flower field down the street of Rue de l'Abreuvoir. isn't it so fresh and clean?

Once when a girl came to his bakery, she ordered a chocochip pastry. When he went to serve her order, he noticed a paper stack in her hands. He was shocked to see a book with a blue cover page, the same one he saw in the magazine advertisement the other day.

he was in awe, he even tried to talk to her but she didn't agree to his request.

nothing else he could do, that day.

Jimin dried his hands with a clean cotton fabric which he had just washed. He took out the brown apron and kept it inside a cabinet. "Marie! Louise! come on, it's time to close" His voice was calm. He was satisfied with today's sales. everything sold out except for two pineapple-flavoured cakes. All these years he has noticed that French people are obsessed with chocolates and berries, They don't seem to enjoy other fruit flavors, especially in cakes. probably that's the reason these pineapple cakes are left.

"Yes sir" Although Marie wasn't Korean she always greets Jimin with a bow. Marie was romantic towards Jimin. She was impressed by every single gesture Jimin gave towards her. She was impressed by Jimin's fluent French and English, How he would always enter the shop with a big bouquet and decorate the shop with them, how he was so delicate and careful while baking, How he inhales the scent of cakes after taking them out of the oven. She was a simp for him.

According to her, she was in love.

and he has no idea about this.

"i wanted to tell you both that i am going out for some work tomorrow, so both of you can have your day off," Jimin was packing the two cakes in boxes. "And yes take these cakes home with you." his delicate was echoing in the empty shop, he sounded, as if he was singing. Sweet. Jimin flashed his famous smile while handing both of them the cakes.

"Thank You, sir, My kids will be happy" Louise showed his gratitude by bending forward a little.

"Ahh, no need. Don't do that, I've already told you, You're older, just call me Jimin" Jimin instantly bowed back, as he laughed at Louise calling him 'sir'. Marie was looking at this view with a small smile on her face.

"OK Jimin, it's already half past eleven, we should head home." Louise smiled and headed out with the cake. Marie followed him not forgetting to turn back to catch the last glimpse of Jimin.

Cake-a-licious was glowing in the empty dark Paris street along with Jimin.

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Jimin wore his black overcoat over the emerald green turtleneck he was wearing, grooming his head with a black beret he got ready to go home. He turned off the lights and locked the door while humming a tune.

putting the keys inside his pocket, he took steps forward heading home, his boots making a rhythmic sound. Since his pied-à-terre <apartment> is not far from his bakery he decided to walk till there.

"Tomorrow is a big day, I've to rob a safe from Maison du Lierre, this year's work is to be done tomorrow," he whispered while walking with his hands inside the pockets of his overcoat. the chilled winds were running against him."Tomorrow is going to be a long day" Jimin whispered to himself.

𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝒥𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓃 was a good and respectable person-----but not completely honest.

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BLUE.