
The scent of freshly baked bread was floating thickly in the baking lab.
The sound of madeleines rising in the oven could be heard faintly.
Do Yeoul was standing in front of a workbench.
As always, Dori was sitting on her shoulder, and in one hand she held a piping bag with her fingers interlaced, and in the other hand, a warm baking tray.
Dori, if the cream collapses now, we can't save it, stay still—
Just then, Do Yeoul's shoulder felt slightly lighter.
Dori wagged her voluminous striped tail once, then hopped along the workbench and ran straight toward You.
Uh, Dori—?
Do Yeoul called out to Dori in a panic, but Dori did not stop. Stepping lightly on the stainless steel workbench with small feet, Dori arrived in front of You.
Wait, there—!
Dori stopped in front of You and pressed her chubby cheeks with her front paws.
Crash.
Crushed walnuts, acorn powder, and raisin grains that seemed carefully collected spilled all over the workbench.
The corner of the lab went silent for a moment.
Do Yeoul froze in place. Her ears flattened and then popped back up, and her cheeks grew increasingly red.
'.Ah.'
Do Yeoul muttered softly, covering her cheeks with both hands.
Since she was still holding the piping bag, some cream had smeared on the back of her hand, but she didn't seem to notice.
'That.'
Her gaze flickered between Dori and You.
Her tail puffed up from embarrassment, then drooped slightly again.
'That's Dori's most precious thing. The big walnut pieces, she collected them for a whole week.'
Dori picked up the roundest piece of walnut with her two front paws and held it out to You.