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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Was This the Trigger?
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Was this incident the trigger?
The two of them no longer shunned me like before.
If anything...
"You're here? I made egg tarts today. Give them a try."
Bell greeted me warmly and offered them up.
They were delicious, as expected.
"They're the best today too! They just melt in your mouth!"
As my praises piled up, their wariness melted away bit by bit.
"Today it's dacquoise."
"This is delicious too!"
"Come on in! Why didn't you come yesterday? Today's mont blanc."
Now it seemed like they were disappointed if I didn't show up.
I was happy every time I visited, getting to sample new desserts.
They were so good that I even felt bad eating them for free every time.
So at some point, I started paying a little.
Of course, the two insisted it was fine.
But I stubbornly paid, insisting it was only right.
There was no way such delicious desserts could be free.
While praising, I didn't miss chances to offer advice.
"This is so good, but how about trying a dessert with chestnut compote?"
"The flavor is rich. It's great, but if you toned down the cream cheese just a bit, it'd be even better."
I shared my opinions without holding back.
"Chestnut compote? That sounds good."
"I'll have to adjust the cream cheese ratio."
They actively took my suggestions.
As a result, the desserts got tastier day by day, and my investment itch grew stronger.
When I first tried the brownie, her reaction suggested Bell had some emotional scars, so for a while I deliberately avoided mentioning investment.
I was too busy showering her with endless praise to puff her up.
Lately, Bell seemed full of confidence.
"Wow, this is my masterpiece, right?"
"Is it okay?"
"Yeah! It's flawless. The pie crust is perfectly crisp, and the apple compote on top has just the right crunch. It's perfect."
It was the kind of taste that truly made you happy.
Bell smiled in satisfaction at my gooey expression.
"I think so too. It turned out just as I envisioned."
She brimmed with confidence, unlike before.
That woke my dormant greed.
'Maybe it's time to tempt her again?'
I tested the waters casually before bringing it up offhand.
"Still no thoughts on it?"
"On what?"
"The shop. I'm saying I'll invest."
Bell's satisfied smile froze.
Her face gradually paled.
It wasn't rejection—it was fear.
Her eyes darted about busily before slowly dropping to the floor.
"Hmm, creating new things is fine, but opening a shop is different... Selling is a whole other story."
Her attitude was the same, so I glanced at May.
It was a look that said, *You try convincing her.*
She seemed like she wanted to help Bell.
Catching my gaze, May gave a small smile.
"I'm not confident about running a business either."
A firm refusal.
*Even you, May...*
"Why on earth lack confidence? It's this delicious! It'll sell for sure!"
"Thanks for saying that."
They just smiled it off like empty flattery.
No, these people.
I'm serious!
Something this delicious should be shared!
I can't be the only one who knows!
"What do others say? Don't they all say it's good?"
Bell hung her head, and May watched her expression.
'No way...'
"No one but you, miss, has tasted our desserts."
It was what I expected, but still shocking.
They gave them to me so freely that I thought they'd gotten over it.
"No, why? I keep saying it's good!"
They made so much—couldn't they share with someone at least once?
What happened to the leftovers?
"We just felt they weren't good enough to show others."
Bell forced a smile, her voice trembling.
This won't do.
They seemed to have some unspeakable circumstances, and I'd tried pretending not to notice, but this couldn't go on.
"Who was it?"
"Pardon?"
"Who said Bell's food was bad?"
I went straight for the confrontation.
Bell's face drained of color in an instant.
Her whole body trembled.
"H-How did you..."
How could I not know?
"You keep fearing others eating Bell's desserts. There's only one reason for that, right?"
"......"
She must have gotten some horribly bad review somewhere.
But I couldn't fathom how vicious the insults were to shatter her confidence this much.
"I tried to understand at first. That's why I pretended not to notice."
Bell and May exchanged odd looks.
As if they hadn't expected such consideration from me.
"But this can't go on. Not for my investment—for Bell. Tell me."
At my firm tone, Bell clutched her arms tightly instead of answering.
Avoidance wouldn't lead anywhere.
"Who's the tasteless idiot who said Bell's desserts were bad?"
Stunned by my angry shout, Bell blinked slowly before bursting into laughter.
"Pfft, tasteless idiot?"
"Exactly. If they can't appreciate this deliciousness, they have no taste!"
Did my sincerity get through? Bell's expression softened.
She glanced at May, then at me, and began her story calmly, as if resolved.
Bell had worked as an apprentice baker at a famous dessert shop.
It was currently the talk of the capital for its delicious treats, and the head pastry chef there was extremely strict.
"This is the best you can do?"
"I told you to develop new products, not copy others."
"No originality. This is derivative trash."
"No talent!"
"You've ruined your palate. Who'd pay for this garbage?"
"Did they really say that?"
That wasn't instruction.
It was words that ground a person's pride to dust.
As I fumed, Bell gave an awkward smile.
"The head chef's harsh words were okay. Even I thought his desserts were all delicious."
"Then what was the problem?"
"My fiancé."
"!"
Bell wore a bitterly sweet smile.
Bell had a fiancé who shared her dreams.
"I want to be the best pastry chef. I want lots of people happy from my desserts."
"You can do it. Let's become the best together."
He supported her work more than anyone, as they chased the same dream.
"Why so down?"
"I got scolded again. Said it tastes like something from elsewhere. Feels extra strict with me."
"The head chef has high expectations for you. You can do it, Bell."
"Thanks to you, I feel a bit better. Thank you."
"What can I do? Sorry I can only offer words."
"I'm grateful even for that."
He was there for her every time the head chef scolded her and she felt down.
"Sorry, Bell. I have to go in for new product development. Head chef wants to practice with me. Sorry to cancel our date."
"No, it's unavoidable. Good luck."
Even when work kept him from keeping promises, he was understanding.
Feeling sorry and grateful, she worked harder.
She vowed to succeed quickly and treat him better.
Then the end came quietly, suddenly.
"Sorry, Bell. Let's break off the engagement."
"W-What do you mean?"
"You heard me."
The abrupt breakup snapped her alert.
"Is it because I've been too busy and not paying attention? My fault. I'll do better. No more delaying with work excuses."
She apologized for neglecting him in her work obsession and clung on.
But he was cruel.
"I've found someone else."
He was resolute, and an ominous feeling crept in.
They worked together, always side by side.
No time to meet anyone else.
Yet he claimed there was someone.
"Someone I know?"
"......"
Worst case.
She'd hoped not.
"Someone I know, huh. Who?"
"......"
"Who is it! I have a right to know!"
He hesitated long, then met her eyes firmly.
As if deciding clean break was best.
"Pam."
The name from his lips was unbelievable.
"......The head pastry chef?"
Why.
Anyone but her.
He'd comforted her through every scolding from the head chef.
He'd seen how harshly she was treated.
"How could you? With her of all people!"
"You tried Pam's new dessert too. Impossible not to fall for that taste."
Her heart ached at his ecstatic face.
That's not love for Pam.
Admiration for her skill.
"I-I can make it too!"
"No."
He crushed her desperate plea.
All her efforts so far.
"Compared to Pam's, yours is trash."
He trampled her ruthlessly.
She'd thought he'd be her lifelong partner.
That's why it hurt so much more.
By the end of Bell's story, I was seething inside.
Rage boiled to my headtop.
I slammed the table with my palm.
May and Bell startled.
"You're giving up your dream because of someone like that?"
"That hurt scarred me deep. I couldn't make desserts for a while."
At Bell's bitter murmur, I stated firmly.
"Let's open the shop."
"I'm not confident."
At her refusal, I raised my voice.
"No. You succeed spectacularly to shove it in their faces! Why abandon your dream for trash like that? This is a blessing!"
"......A blessing?"
"You found out he's trash early! Imagine learning after marriage? How much regret?"
They looked thunderstruck.
"That kind stays that way forever. Count your blessings and move on. Reclaim your life, Bell."
Bell's expression grew strange.
Seemed convinced by my words, yet hesitation lingered.
"You don't still have feelings for him, do you?"
"No. I've moved on from him."
Her tone was firm.
Good.
Would've been a headache if not.
"But making desserts daily as a hobby means you haven't let go of the dream."
Her eyes wavered.
"Isn't your life too precious to waste on some guy?"
Deep conflict crossed Bell's face.
She seemed persuaded.
But the scars he left blocked that final step.
*I need to shake off that hesitation...*
*Ah, a great idea just hit me.*
I Thought I Was the Protagonist
