The Secret Neighbor's
III. Co-workers

Caramel stuffed the supply box into her backpack. Then, unconsciously his hand took another box of supplies the longest neat on the plate rack. He would give it to Taehyung before leaving school.

Tok tok!

Tok tok!

Cclek

"Neighbors? Come in" said Taehyung. The man looked neat and invited Caramel to come in.

"That's it, next time. I just wanted to give you this. I cook more, so I'll share it with you" Caramel handed me the blue box.

Taehyung fell silent, seemingly weighing his decision before picking up the box provided by Caramel.

"Thank you, Neighbor. I happen to not have breakfast. But, you don't have to bother like this actually," Taehyung said with a boxy smile.

"Ah, didn't I just tell you? I just cook more. Then I'll go first, brother," replied Caramel.

Taehyung pointed his hand over Caramel's head, scrambling the girl's brown mane, leaving the owner stunned without Taehyung noticing.

"elright. Studying hard, Neighbor. Be careful on the road."

♡♡♡

Caramel plays her phone while enjoying her favorite milk box. His eyes were on his friends who were still playing in the pool. Caramel actually likes to swim, but now the conditions are different. His friends will certainly do unpleasant things if he is too mixed. All along, the reason Caramel wasn't the subject of bullying was because the girl kept her distance.

"Why not join?" ask someone with an alma mater.

Caramel looked at him with a confused look.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, sweetheart," he said.

"You... who?" caramel asked with both eyebrows linked.

"I'm Jungkook, don't you recognize me?" Jungkook looked at Caramel witfully. While the one being stared at increasingly linked his two eyebrows.

"I'm Kookie, don't you remember me?"

Caramel almost took off the milk box in her hand because she was too surprised. He looked at the man closely. Jungkook, is he really his childhood friend?

"No way, you-"

Jungkook's gaze softened. His raised hand rubbed the water droplets that had suddenly flowed down Caramel's cheeks.

"Sweetheart?"

Caramel squeezed the milk box in her hand. His feelings suddenly stirred.

"Am I dreaming again?" lirih Caramel's. His nanar gaze made Jungkook feel tightness.

Suddenly, the loud whistling sound of the hour sport ending caught Caramel's attention. The girl stood up and headed straight for the dressing room. However, just a few steps away, Caramel stopped and turned to look at her resting place again. However, what he saw made his heart cramped without being able to compromise.

Jungkook is not. Jungkook's not there.

Caramel. Slowly, his body began to shake. Her tears washed her cheeks. The girl was crying in silence. The tightness in his chest made Caramel want to give up.

"Kookie, how can it be? How'this? How can I step back?" isak Caramel's.

The passing students noticed Caramel's behavior with disturbed gazes. Caramel stayed in position for a long time. After getting tired, the girl tried to adjust her breathing to calm down again. Jungkook wouldn't like it if he was like this.

♡♡♡

"Today, we will have new friends" Jackson said as he passed carrying an empty tray to the kitchen.

Caramel who is calculating the cost of monthly expenses stops its activities for a moment.

"Really brother? Wow, when? What else does it know?" ask Caramel.

Jackson took the time to pinch Caramel's cheek while carrying the customer's order.

Caramel showed a sour face. Why tell if you don't intend to tell the whole story? It will only invite curiosity.

"Jackson sucks," Caramel said a little loudly so Jackson could hear him.

It was like the days in general. Caramel makes drinks for customers with pleasure. One of the reasons why high school girls like Caramel are accepted to work in restaurants like this is because of his ability to do several things at once. In addition, Caramel is very careful in calculating the income and expenditure of restaurants.

Once in a while, Caramel thought back to Jungkook. His childhood friend who disappeared since his house was burned down by the mobsters. Since three years ago, Jungkook really did not leave any traces. Some say that the entire family in the house died on the spot. Caramel didn't want to believe it, but the fact was that the mansion was almost flat on the ground.

Jungkook's parents had always forbidden him from being friends with Caramel. However, the man who owned the bunny smile did not care and remained a shoulder for Caramel who was a year younger than him.

If Jungkook were still around, the man would definitely attend Jeguk High School and become his only friend.

"Consider for employees! Come here!" said Mr. Choi.

Caramel's reverie has stopped. His eyes glanced at the wall clock that showed at 6 p.m., where the restaurant would be closed for the rest of its employees for an hour.

Caramel glanced at Jackson with a gaze What is this about the new employee?

"So, my dear children," pause Mr. Choi.

The opening greetings invited the laughter of all employees.

"Today there is one new employee who will help you. I hope you can work well and professionally together" said Mr. Choi.

The middle-aged man turned towards the door of his room. "New employees please come in."

Caramel rolled her eyes in disbelief.

Taehyung?

"Hello, I'm Taehyung. Thank you to Mr. Choi for accepting me here. Please help everyone" Taehyung said with a friendly smile.

When his eyes found Caramel, Taehyung smiled witfully.

"Hello Neighbor," Taehyung said without a sound.

"Okay, now the restaurant is re-opened. Work with all your heart. The spirit of my children." Mr. Choi clenched his hands in the air and patted Taehyung on the shoulder before entering his room.

After the departure of their boss, the employees approached Taehyung to get acquainted. Then, they return to their respective world because customers come back.

"Neighbor, don't you welcome me like they do?" taehyung asked as Caramel did not greet him.

Caramel smiled a little. "I wonder why Brother Taehyung can work here. I'll bombard you with my questions later," he replied before returning to the back of the cashier's desk.

Taehyung followed Caramel and stood beside him.

"Sir Taehyung? Why are you here?" ask Caramel.

Taehyung shrugged his shoulders. "The boss told me to help you."

"Wow, really?" ask Caramel enthusiastically.

Taehyung nodded. "She said, I have to help the high school kid who works here."

"Ah Mr. Choi is really," Caramel murmured.

"If I'm a new employee, but I'm still older than you, so show me your manners, Neighbor," Taehyung said with a satisfied smile.

Caramel snorted at Taehyung's words. Although it is undeniable if he is very happy with the fact that Taehyung became his coworker. Without Caramel noticing, Taehyung now looked at him with a faint smile.

'I didn't expect to get along with this girl. In fact, I never had a girlfriend in the past.'

Bonus Pict