Love Without Time Limits
CHAPTER 4: GIFT FOR EUN SEUNG

This morning was very cold. The air that is not so cold makes everyone start to move. Eun Seung, too, has decided to return to the city center. He dreams of opening a cake shop there. The long-cherished desire of his father. Now the successor to the father's cake shop has been passed down to his daughter. Their family used to have a small cake shop. Their lives are so beautiful. A small house with a father who can make cakes and a smart mother who manages her shop. The once famous shop no longer exists. Many people do not like the cake made by their father. There's a rumor that says that dad used preservatives in his cake. There was not a single bread and cake that he sold using that ingredient. There's someone who wants to take down my dad's cake shop. That's why I stopped making cakes because it was no longer trusted by the surrounding community. Eun Seung doesn't understand. It's too early to know that.

Eun Seung picks up a large suitcase and prepares to get off the bus at his destination stop. He had indeed left his mother's house, his desire for a career without burdening his family. He had enough for four years to live with his parents. This time he had to fight on his own and take care of himself. Dad's gift was very useful to him. This is the most beautiful gift he got. Although not from the competition but this is his father's support for him continue to try and become a famous baker. One day, he wants to make his father's good name shine again by becoming a famous baker.

Eun Seung walks down the path to the store address his father gave him. He was still dragging the big suitcase carefully. The wheels of the rotating suitcase clashed with the ground. His voice sounded in Eun Seung's ears deafening some of the people around him feeling disturbed. Eun Seung ignored them, he focused on his phone who kept looking for the address of the store.

"aww.." Eun Seung's moaned something about her. He endured the pain. "...the.klontang...!!" The sound of a can falling right next to Eun Seung. Someone has kicked him. Eun Seung fell silent, he held back his anger. Even though his face was still upset. He quickly looked at her. A tall man, just silently looking at Eun Seung who is not far from him. He showed no change, no good intentions from her. He feels innocent though. Eun Seung took the suitcase he was holding and then took the empty can to give it to the man.

"i remind you if you want to take out the trash. Put the trash in its place...!!" Upset Eun Seung gave her advice. He put the can on the face of the man standing in front of him.

"heiii watch...!!" Shouted a woman from the balcony of a shop house. Eun Seung saw that water droplets would fall on his face now. Very much. But suddenly an umbrella opens above Eun Seung. Someone saved him. Eun Seung saw the guy. A face he hadn't seen in a long time. The face changes slightly with age. The serious face he always showed. The face he always hated when he was in competition. The tall male face with a cold gaze just silently looked at Eun Seung. The girl was still surprised. An unmoved look though he winked. Eun Seung is still glued to the man. He was still holding an umbrella to save her from falling water.

"are you okay?" Ask a woman who is near them. An unfamiliar voice resuscitates Eun Seung from the man who saved her.

"Soo Ra.." call Eun Seung who is still dumbfounded. Lots of surprises today.

"Eun Seung's.. Is that you? Right, you're Eun Seung." said Soo Ra who now approached him. He went back to making sure with his glasses. Eun Seung nodded slowly. Soo Ra smiled with relief, he hugged Eun Seung tightly. His friend has returned.

"Other times be careful...!!" The man closed his umbrella. Soo Ra took it off.

"sorry Seung Ho, I didn't see...!!" Said Soo Ra then looking at Seung Ho who had just passed between them. Eun Seung just silently watched Seung Ho.

'why do I have to meet this guy again?' his inner.

**

"you already have a bookstore, great...!!" Amazed Eun Seung noticed the room is not too big arranged some reading books for rent and sale. Most comic books he's had.

"this belongs to my family's business. After graduating from college I went back to my grandmother's place, it turns out that all this time my father had a shoe store in the city center. Because for two years, there was no income from the shoe store. I turned him into a taa.raa like this.."tukas Soo Ra recounted his journey all along. Right, four years have passed. The life lived. Just like Eun Seung who keeps fighting to survive. "...how about you, I'm looking everywhere for you. But no one knows where you are. Why did you just disappear, Eun Seung. I'm worried about you after you send a message like that..." Soo Ra really vented his emotions to the one-on-one friend he had. Eun Seung grimaced. Right, he was wrong all along. Forgetting himself and living with his family. That's a wrong decision.

"excuse me. I didn't mean it that way. My father asked me to live with my mother in the area. Our lives are very difficult. I can't tell you this. You've helped me a lot. That's why I left without saying goodbye to you. I'm sorry..." Eun Seung grabs Soo Ra's hand hitting the back of Soo Ra's right hand.

"it's okay, I forgive you this time. I'm glad to have met you like this..." Soo Ra gives a drink to Eun Seung who is already sitting on the reading couch. "...where are you going, carrying such a big suitcase...?!" Soo Ra is sitting next to Eun Seung. The girl smiled.

"my achievement is realized, I will open a cake shop around here. Although it was from my father, but he wanted me to continue it..." Eun Seung is full of smiles taking a glass and drinking it.

"great !! You've managed to open your own business, Eun Seung..." Soo Ra was amazed to hear that from Eun Seung.

"i'll move to that place and live there..."

"what could be that store that has been uninhabited for so long. Give address. I'll help you find him..."

"really, you're my best friend..." Eun Seung showed her two thumbs.

"you know, Eun Seung. Everything changed when you left. Everything disappears. I never met Seo Woon again after that. Several times he did ask you about it, but after that I didn't see it, as well as the university competition, they always made Cha Joon Young the first champion, lonely if there was no you..."

"then Seung Ho? I was surprised to meet him..."

"Seung Ho took off his lecture to focus on opening his business. You remember him getting the ArtBakery competition shophouse prize..."

"yes, maybe I'd be like that too if I were him..."

"i also didn't expect Seung Ho's shop to be two blocks from Dad's store. I'm tired of seeing each other every day." lamented Soo Ra.

"really !!" Eun Seung looked at Soo Ra who was in front of him. His mind began to move toward things he did not want to hear. Soo Ra also looks at Eun Seung, she knows Eun Seung is starting to worry.

"i understand what you mean. If it's true that the shop you're looking for around here, then you'll be Seung Ho's opponent back, Eun Seung." Soo Ra said. Eun Seung just gulps, still staring at Soo Ra hoping that his father's shop isn't around Seung Ho.

**

Eun Seung stood up straight watching the one not so big room in front of him. His shadow began to adventure into a fragrant pastry shop, lots of cakes in the storefront and people waiting in line to buy his homemade cake. Eun Seung ruffled his waist, he smiled with satisfaction. Her imagination begins to disappear when Eun Seung tidies things up and tidies up the place.

What Soo Ra and Eun Seung thought was true, the uninhabited store was right in front of Seung Ho's store. This time it really made her, confused.

"why fight that man again?" Eun Seung narrowed his eyes looking at the cynical Seung Ho store that was right in his sight. His shop is facing Seung Ho's shop. Eun Seung couldn't take his eyes off, because every time he opened the store door. There is always a shop of his. Sometimes Seung Ho's activities can be seen by Eun Seung. That's what makes Eun Seung always look on with an annoyed look.

La cafe, Seung Ho's business is indeed a cafe. Not a cake shop, for some reason. Though he was good at making cakes but he took it for his efforts. There is another reason for him to decide to take the cafe as his business. Eun Seung only noticed from the glass screen that had not been covered in gordyn.

"this time I won't lose, Seung Ho. I will fight to be number one and famous throughout the city center." Eun Seung shouted confidently. He began to get excited again.

**

The inauguration day arrived. Eun Seung has been getting ready since this morning. He made cookies and bread to sell. There is so much that he shows in his storefront. All have 10 kinds of cakes and bread. Tart cake, wheat bread, croissant bread, bagel, baguette, bread, doughnut, korean garlic bread. Eun Seung does take the French and Korean menu as the hallmark of the store. He could make it all the most.

Eun Seung watches the clock showing the number ten on the wall of his shop. The opening signboard had also changed at the entrance. He waited for the people who stopped by his shop. Half an hour passed and no one came. He still lives in his shop. Sometimes he notices people passing by from his shop window. Most of them were just surprised that there was a store that had stood in the area and did not go inside.

Eun Seung started to get nervous, he kept going back and forth to pay attention to the people from inside his shop. He peeked out from behind the window. The clock has shown twelve o'clock in the afternoon. No one has come. He was sad, no one bought the cake. His hope is now running aground. The struggle all this time had no results. The wishes of his father could not be realized. The cake shop in this area is not true. There are so many rivals. Especially with the cafe Seung Ho so crowded. Eun Seung covered his face, started crying. He's tired.

"tringgg.." The bell rang a sign someone had entered the store. Eun Seung saw her, a man and a woman were standing at the entrance. Eun Seung knows them. The woman with the waist ruffled bared her white teeth while the man only crossed her arms or crossed her hands on his chest. Not a smile just looking coldly at Eun Seung. He knew that the man was just following his invitation.

"what are you doing ?" Ask Soo Ra, the woman mentioned. Eun Seung shook his head smiling at everyone. The two friends knew Eun Seung's current state. The cake shop was empty of visitors.

"excuse me, can I come in?" Asked someone from behind the store entrance, Eun Seung replied with a nod.

"please enter...!!" Soo Ra's voice opened Eun Seung's cake shop.

"hey, Soo Ra. I've brought clown clothes." said a man who is now standing at the door of the store.

"in that case, you put it on and stand in front of the store until I call you back..." Soo Ra pushes the young man out of the store.

"Seung Ho, I'll spread this brochure at the crossroads.." Said a man who was his age pointing at the brochure he had in his grasp. Seung Ho just nodded and walked towards the front door of the store. He kept talking to the man. Eun Seung watched them. Suddenly two women come to Eun Seung's place. They carried a flower standing in the hands of the young lady.

"helloo, Eun Seung." said the fifty-year-old woman but her face still looks young. "... we're your neighbors, you must know the florist shop. Right next to you. That's our flower shop." the old woman explained.

"it's mom, Eun Seung already knows. Happy cake shop opening. I'll put a flower standing in front of your shop." said the young woman, she was very beautiful with the long curly hairdo.

"but I didn't order it..."

"it's okay. This is our introductory gift. I'm Kim Hyu Ri and this is my mother kim jung sim.." Hyu Ri introduced their family. The woman walked towards the exit, putting a flower standing near the entrance.

"call me, I'm auntie nei. Everyone in this region only knows my name is aunt nei." whispered jung sim who did not want to be called like that. Eun Seung nodded with a happy smile to them.

"thank you very much..."Eun Seung lowered his head in salute to them.

"already. I can see your cake and bread." said aunt Nei hugging Eun Seung from the side.

"yes, please...!!" Eun Seung's voice showed the cake and bakery window to auntie Nei.

"excuse me, can I pay for this?" Asked another customer to give Eun Seung baguette and wheat bread.

"of course, I'll hit her." Eun Seung replied excitedly, he turned to the cashier. Counting all the shopping items of the buyer.

The day was getting noon, the sound of spirit music echoed in front of the entrance of the shop. Many people are interested in entering the store. Clown dolls also entertain in front of the store. I don't know who it is, Soo Ra called him. All the neighbors are helping him right now. They are very family, Eun Seung feels it. They appreciate Eun Seung working hard all this time. Now everyone has helped him open the shop. Eun Seung was really moved to see them also helping him.

**

"thank you so much for helping me." said Eun Seung, giving her tarts and some bread to all the neighbors. He paid his respects to everyone. There are nine people who are with Eun Seung at the moment. All of them were his neighbors who had shops in the area. Soo Ra invites them all to welcome the arrival of a new member in their region. Soo Ra wants Eun Seung to be in their neighborhood. His friend who made a small welcoming event in the minimarket owned by his neighbor. Minimarket that has been booked for them, although there are some who visit but do not discourage Soo Ra to make the event. Soo Ra chooses late at night so that no one else visits her neighbor's minimarket. All the shops have been closed since this afternoon.

"heii, congratulations, your store has opened. I'm sorry I couldn't help you. My clothes are nothing to look after. But I've lent my clown clothes to myung dae. He's so silly, isn't he !! I kept laughing looking at her who was always jogging in front of your shop." said the young woman in her thirties who was next to Eun Seung.

"really hahaha.." a man's laughter came from the end of his seat.

"...I also saw it earlier when coming out of the minimarket, you are so stupid hahaha !!" The other man hit the shoulder of the man next to him. Eun Seung smiled at her. The man named myung dae was simply enduring the embarrassment.

"i didn't know that Soo Ra pranked me. I was told to borrow clown clothes to kyung mi noona. But I'm wearing it. Say thank you to me Soo Ra.." Myung Dae was upset.

"yes yes, thank you, myung dae.." Soo Ra's voice sounded behind Eun Seung. He was bringing ten glasses of drink to the table. "...All right, before that I'll introduce you guys. This is Lee Eun Seung. My pal. Since college, we have been fighting hard to achieve our dreams. Until finally, he managed to achieve his dream of opening a cake shop in our region. We welcome Lee Eun Seung..." Soo Ra yells to allow Eun Seung to talk to everyone. Many are watching themselves. This is a very big welcome.

"hello everyone. I'm Lee Eun Seung. I've long dreamed of having my own cake shop. If you feel like cake and bread, come visit. I'll make a lot of cake and bread for all of you. I also thank you all for helping me. Honestly, I was afraid that no one would come to the store when I had everything ready. But I'm glad to see you all helping me. Thanks..." Eun Seung saluted everyone.

"welcome, Lee Eun Seung. We are very happy to have a new member in the region." said myung dae pouring soft drinks on Eun Seung's glass. Eun Seung took it.

"right, I am also happy every day to always smell the sweet smell of cake from my room." said Hyu Ri took a glass and asked for a soft drink to pour into her glass.

"thank you." Eun Seung replied smiling to all of them.

"all right, let's toast to our dreams, our hopes and this welcoming event..." Soo Ra gave a cue so that everyone prepared to sip the drink that was in his grasp. Once ready, Soo Ra starts to drink it first and the others follow as well.

"ayooo, let's burn the meat...!!" Myung Dae's spirit begins. He began to light the stove in front of him. Some near myung dae also help.

"Eun Seung, I will introduce you to everyone." Soo Ra said. Eun Seung nodded his head to look at every person his best friend pointed at. "...from here, there's kyung mi eonni. He has a dress shop right next to my bookstore. If you want to buy clothes. There must be a discount from him." point Soo Ra at the forty-year-old woman.

"just calm. I'll give you a 50% discount" he said later.

"hey, Kyung Mi. When I shop at your place. You only gave me 15. You're cheating...!!" Aunt nei chimed in.

"it's a different shirt, auntie nei." replied kyung mi regretted talking to Eun Seung that way.

"okay, eonni's side. There's Woo Jae, he's Seung Ho's assistant. His job as a barista at Seung Ho's cafe..." Soo Ra points at the smiling man to Eun Seung. He waved to Eun Seung. Not saying anything.

"continue, that's Seung Ho and that's oppa jin hyun. Oppa is the owner of minimarket and food court. It's so good that this place we plow for your welcome.." Soo Ra told me.

"hi, Eun Seung.." greet this oppa kindly.

"hii.." Eun Seung's smile expands. The man is friendly.

"ahh, it's aunt nei, Hyu Ri, and Myung Dae. He works at oppa jin hyun's place. The shift is always night." added Soo Ra explaining everything that plays an important role in this region.

"what the fuck are you Soo Ra, you introduce just that. You can say I'm still single !!" Myung dae's. He always teased Soo Ra. Everybody laugh. When myung dae embraces Soo Ra from the side.

"be careful you're Eun Seung, Myung Dae is getting naughty...!!" Shouted Kyung Mi told. Everyone laughed too. Eun Seung laughed with them.

**

Bae Suzy \= Lee Eun Seung