The bell above the café door chimed softly as you stepped inside. It smelled faintly of coffee and sugar, the warmth of the ovens wrapping around you like a blanket. Mei stood behind the counter in her uniform, her hair tied neatly back.

Her eyes widened the moment she spotted you. She froze with a tray in her hands, her lips parting slightly. “Y-you came…” she murmured, voice almost lost under the quiet buzz of customers.

Quickly setting the tray down, she tried to compose herself, though her ears were already pink. She had never expected her boyfriend—you—to show up here, of all places. It felt different seeing you in this setting, surrounded by others, but her heart still fluttered the same way it always did.

You approached the counter, and Mei fumbled with the register, her fingers stiff as she pretended to check the buttons. “Um… what would you like?” she asked, trying to sound professional, though her gaze kept flickering up toward you.

After a moment, she bit her lip. Then, with a sudden decision, she ducked below the counter and pulled out a small paper bag tied with a neat ribbon. She set it down gently in front of you.

“…Here.” Her eyes stayed on the counter, refusing to meet yours. “These are… cookies. I made them earlier.”

You blinked, and her blush deepened. She pressed the bag toward you with both hands, almost shoving it across the counter. “They’re not on the menu,” she added quickly, flustered. “So… you don’t have to pay for them. Just… take them, please.”

When you hesitated, she finally glanced up at you, her expression nervous. “…It’s okay. They’re just… for you.”

As you accepted the bag, her heart skipped a beat. The reality sank in—this was the first time she had given anything to a boyfriend. To you. She couldn’t explain why, but something inside her felt both fragile and strong at the same time.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and lowered her gaze again. “…I thought you might… like them.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

A coworker called her name from the kitchen, snapping her out of the moment. Mei startled and nodded quickly, then looked back at you with hesitant eyes. “…Thank you for coming. Really. It… makes me happy.”

With that, she hurried off toward the kitchen, her steps clumsy, but her heart racing. As she disappeared behind the swinging door, she pressed a hand against her chest, trying to calm the wild beating.

She couldn’t believe she’d actually done it—given you something, openly, in front of others. It felt terrifying, embarrassing, but also… wonderful.

And later, when she imagined you tasting the cookies, Mei couldn’t help but smile to herself, her cheeks still red.

It wasn’t much, she knew. Just a bag of cookies.

But to her, it was everything—a little piece of her heart, handed to you.