Just looking at them makes you feel warmth.

Ironically, people find the most ideal warmth in this cold season. To Jen, winter was a dreadful season where not freezing to death was lucky enough.

‘Damned winter.’

Usually, Jen wouldn’t walk this slowly. Considering the length of his legs.

But now, Jen neither hastened his pace nor resented the reason behind his slowed steps. He just led the way leisurely, ensuring it was easy for her to follow.

Even while looking ahead, his ears were attuned to the sounds behind. Jen’s steps abruptly stopped. When he glanced back, he saw Deborah, unable to take her eyes off the brightly lit show window.

The bright bulbs beautifully illuminated her, smiling gently.

Thinking she only suits drab colors? Nonsense.

“…….”

Jen slowly widened his view, which had been solely focused on Deborah. He then realized she was looking at a snow globe.

A snow globe? She showed discomfort at far more expensive and valuable things, but smiled at a mere snow globe?

Jen didn’t bother saying, ‘Do you want this?’ or ‘Why don’t you take a closer look?’ Her answer was too predictable. She would say it’s fine.

So, without a word, he grabbed the door handle of the shop.

“Mr. Baker?”

Surprised by Jen’s sudden action, Deborah called out to him. Hearing her voice, he pointed to the snow globe while quickly attending to the shop owner who had come to greet them.

“Wrap this up, please.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m saying I’ll buy it.”

Jen’s assertive attitude made the shop owner take another look at the item Jen was pointing at.

Swallowing nervously, the owner said,

“This is a decorative item.”

“I know.”

Who wouldn’t know that? Jen replied with a frown. The intimidated owner tried to explain again.

“No, I mean…”

Jen didn’t like the owner’s hesitant behavior.

‘What, can’t sell it then?’
Thinking that someone might have reserved the snow globe, Jen proposed to the shop owner.

“I’ll pay triple the price. How about that?”

“No, no, that’s not it!”

Just then, Deborah approached Jen closely.

Why does this woman approach so readily? While she always firmly draws the line with that prim and proper face.

Jen’s heart fluttered. Yet, the voice of the woman who approached like an untimely petal carried an unusual tone.

“If you need a snow globe, wouldn’t it be proper to purchase it from a general store?”

What is this now?

Jen frowned at Deborah’s serious expression and looked around slowly. The store was filled with cutesy things that didn’t suit him, and the sweet smell was overwhelmingly strong.

‘Ah.’

Jen finally realized what the shop sold.

‘It’s a chocolate shop.’

Jen felt a headache. He had been so fixated on the snow globe that he hadn’t noticed the chocolates filling the store.

But it wasn’t just Jen’s mistake. The shop also had an issue.

‘There are more decorations than chocolates.’

Even the packaging materials looked more like decorative items.

So this was a blunder committed by Jen, distracted by Deborah’s presence.

‘…Right. Damn it.’

Eventually, Jen purchased chocolates. A lot of them.

“Do you like chocolate?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then you’re planning to give them as gifts?”

“How can I gift something I don’t know is tasty or not?”

“But they tasted good.”

After buying loads of chocolates, the shop owner, who initially looked terrified, gradually brightened up and offered Deborah a piece, insisting she try it.

Naturally, Jen refused, but Deborah, despite being full, ate it. A piece of chocolate wouldn’t burst her stomach.

“Then you should eat them all.”

“If I ate all these, I wouldn’t have to eat for a month.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Jen frowned and continued.

“While we’re on the subject, why don’t you eat more heartily instead of pecking like a bird? Will something terrible happen?”

“Me? I’ve never eaten like that.”

Indeed, it was true. Deborah had maintained dignity and manners while eating, but she never ate too little. On the contrary, she ate quite a bit.

“No, you eat too little. Your body is proof.”

Deborah was indeed on the slimmer side, but not pitifully so.

‘But arguing about this will lead nowhere.’

Deborah fiddled with the small box in her hand. Unlike the large box of chocolates Jen was holding, this box contained the snow globe she had seen earlier.

Deborah had just been looking at the snow globe. The reason was simple: it was pretty. A small family inside, smiling brightly under a soft layer of snow when shaken.

Then Jen barged into the shop and decided to buy it outright. Though it was a bit shocking, having the snow globe in hand felt good.

“Mr. Baker, thank you. For the chocolates and this snow globe.”

Hearing Deborah’s thanks, Jen hesitated for a moment before resuming his walk.

“I didn’t buy that. The shop owner just added it.”

Jen replied crookedly. Deborah shrugged.

“He gave it because you bought so much chocolate.”

As he was about to respond, something bumped against Deborah’s thigh from behind.