A Casual Introduction

Neo leaned slightly against the wooden counter, watching the baker's stunned expression.

She hadn't answered his question yet.

The hesitation lingered, stretching between them in the quiet air of the bakery.

Instead of pressing further, Neo sighed lightly, reaching out toward the tray of freshly baked loaves.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself."

His fingers curled around one of the warm loaves, lifting it effortlessly.

"I'm Neo," he continued, tearing off a piece of the bread as he spoke.

The woman's eyes widened, a flicker of alarm crossing her face.

Before she could say anything, he took a bite.

The First Disruption

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Soft.

Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. The light aroma of flour and butter mixed perfectly with the warmth of fresh baking.

It was delicious.

Neo chewed slowly, letting the taste settle. Then, he looked directly at her.

"This is good," he said, his tone casual, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

The baker froze completely.

For the first time, the cycle had changed.

A Staggered Reaction

Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides, as though her body was trying to react before her mind could catch up.

Neo watched carefully.

She was struggling—struggling to process something that wasn't supposed to happen.

Every day before this, her routine had never been broken.

She made the bread. She adjusted the dough. She erased the imperfect batches.

She had never sold a single loaf.

And now—he was eating one.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

The First Question That Truly Matters

Neo took another bite, savoring the taste, before glancing at her again.

"How much?"

The baker blinked.

Neo tilted his head.

"How much for the bread?" he repeated, his tone light.

Her breathing faltered for a moment.

Neo could almost see the battle happening in her mind.

For a brief second, he saw something flicker in her expression—confusion, doubt.

And something else.

Something like... fear.

The Breaking Point of Perfection

Her hands clenched slightly at her sides.

Neo could see it—the way her body wanted to respond instinctively, to give him the price, to complete the transaction like any normal baker would.

But at the same time—her mind refused.

Because if she accepted his money...

If she acknowledged the bread was done, complete, good enough to sell...

Then she would have to admit—

There was never a need for more changes.

There was never a need to start over.

The bread was already fine.

Neo took another bite, watching the emotions flicker across her face.

He didn't say anything.

He didn't have to.

She was starting to understand.