A Bar of Chocolate

A/N: Kind of related to my previous story 'A Tub Of Ice Cream'. Make sure to check it out! Thank you~

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“From the very own brand of the famous Double Chocolate Chip Nougat Caramel Nuts and Glaze Vanilla Ice Cream-”

My eyes darted from my phone to the ad playing on T.V. at the speed of light.

“- Stary Scoops presents… the all new limited edition of Berry Chocolate! Indulge in the great taste of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and all other berries you can imagine! Find this at your local stores only on Valentines. Don’t be late, for this very limited Chocolate!”

Wow, I couldn’t decide whether this company was plain dumb or manipulative geniuses. No idea what Stary Scoops was going for by selling their products only 4 times a year, but it was working wonders. People go mad for Stary Scoops, trust me, I know.

It was the thirteenth of february today. I had one day to prepare myself. Last time I messed up real bad, and ended up having to share the special edition of Double Chocolate Chip Nougat Caramel Nuts and Glaze Vanilla Ice Cream+ Cookie Dough with Minki, but not this time. I’ll have the whole bar of delicious chocolate for myself this time.

I looked over at my phone again, and sighed. It was pretty late and I had to wake up early the next day.

I turned on the alarm on my clock, and set my phone alarm too. 

~~

I woke up with a bang of noises and fiddled around trying to turn off all the chaos.

I felt super sleepy but it was okay. Only 3 hours of sleep was worth it. Anything for the chocolate.

I jogged all the way to the general store in fifteen minutes.

The usual crowd was there. The Aunties, the local knitting group kids- who just rose to fame with their beautifully knitted clothes, and so many other people… but one thing was… missing? I couldn’t make out what but-

“KEEP. THAT. AWAY. FROM. ME!” 

Ah, there it was.

The Mr. Green Jackets.

I still didn’t get to know their names so I refer to them as Mr. Green Jackets because, well, I’ve only seen them in the mornings- when they wear those -probably infamous- green tracksuits.

Mr Green Jacket- an avid lover of animals was standing there with his dog, on the side, while the other Mr Green Jacket, who absolutely detests them was trembling in fear.

“What did I tell you about putting a leash around that thing, huh?!” He screamed.

The other Mr. Green Jacket looked at him, outraged, “‘That thing’?! How dare you call my little-wittle baby Dognald Trump ‘that thing’!”

The dog barked at the scared Mr Green Jacket, sensing the tense atmosphere.

I had to turn around to laugh. I couldn’t believe it. Dognald Trump. He actually named a pug Dognald Trump. 

Wow, this neighbourhood is crazy.

The attention was diverted towards the salesman with bags under his eyes, “Everyone.” He yawned, with no excitement or energy in his voice, “due to issues with capacity of people and considering the mishaps which happened last time-” A tinge of embarrassment could be felt as he eyed us all, “-the timing for the sale is now 5AM. Yes, it sounds absurd but I think we already… have a crowd over here, so…”

That did nothing but cheer people up even more. Only a ten minute wait now! Possibly no one could start any drama in this less time.

“Baek Bora?”

I looked around trying to find out who was calling me.

A guy with curly hair waved at me.

“Um… hi?” 

He put his hands in his backpack shuffling for something, “You see, I live a floor below Minki. It was pretty windy yesterday, and he usually hangs his wet clothes out in the balcony.”

He handed me a cloth.

I frantically threw it back to him when I realised what it was.

“What the hell is that?!”

He gestured to me to take it, “Your boyfriend’s underwear?! Give it back to him on behalf of me, please.”

I had oh so many questions bottled up. “Why are you even walking around with some random guy’s underwear in your bag? And why can’t you give it to him yourself? How do you even know who I a-”

“Woah there, chill! Minki talks about you a lot and I see you at the general store this early whenever there’s something related to Stary Scoops selling.”

“But that doesn’t answer my firs-”

“I kept it to give it to you today. And well… whenever I see Minki he gets reminded of the juice mixer I borrowed once and um… well nevermind just take it.”

He threw the underwear to me and jogged away.

I had never in my life stood so clueless and embarrassed.

I took some newspaper from one of the Mr Green Jackets and wrapped it around the underwear. Really don’t want some questions to arise.

I looked over at the time. It was 4.59AM.

Oh my god the sale was in one minute.

As I started panicking a loud ding was heard.

Without thinking I sprinted in with the crowd who were fighting as if it was war. 

Everyone was swarming around the counter already. 

I grunted in frustration and anger. 

I sucked at this.

I desperately looked around. The salesman had a confused look on his face and was slightly pointing towards something.

My eyes followed to where his fingers were pointing.

Another… counter of Stary Scoops?!

I ran towards it and started taking out as many Berry Chocolates I could get my hand on. 

When I was satisfied I had enough for probably a week’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I rushed towards the billing counter.

The cashier didn’t even look surprised at the sight of at least 30 chocolates.

I ran out with a bag full of chocolates feeling ecstatic.

After running for a while I realised I’m human and can’t possibly run consistently for more than 2 minutes. 

Today is the best day ever and nothing could possibly make me sad in this lifetime. This is the best life. Why was I even sad a few days ago?

I ran into the other crowd on my way back, who each had a bar of chocolate. But… their chocolate looked a bit different from mine… Oh no, I possibly didn’t buy the wrong one, did I?!

They noticed my bag and approached me.

“How did you get so many?” I heard Mrs Bang ask, as I failed to hide the bag.

“Uh, well you see-”

One of the knitting group kids let out a whine.

“Everyone! Hear me out!” 

The attention diverted towards her, making me sigh in relief.

She grasped her phone and read, “Amidst the release of the new product by Stary Scoops, a company named ‘Starry Scoops’ copied them and released their version of Berry Chocolate- which has turned out to be very dangerous for health! Please know, the original company is ‘Stary Scoops’ with the wrong spelling! Immediately consult a doctor if the fake product is eaten.”

Everyone checked their chocolates in distress.

I checked my own bag which had nothing but Stary Scoops’ chocolate. 

No way… I bought all the real ones and all these people didn’t?!

“We all got Starry Scoops?!” Mr Green Jacket said, and I could swear he looked like he would cry any second now.

I silently looked around at all the worn out and gloomy people.

“I have the real ones! And I'd like to share it with you all!” I spoke up.

Never in my life had so many people look at me with so much happiness.

I distributed the chocolates among the crowd.

It did sting to have less than what I originally had but the cheeriness in the atmosphere made up for it.

I bid everyone a farewell and went my way.

I suddenly realised I was left with just two chocolates.

Well… it’s better than nothing at all… I could give one to Minki and have one for myself. 

I took out my phone to call Minki as it was already noon. Wow, I could swear it was literally 5AM just now.

I saw a little kid sitting on the roadside.

“Hey kid, something wrong?” I asked.

He looked up at me with teary eyes, “I accidentally threw my lunch in the playground and I’m very hungry right now… mom said she won’t be back home by 2. My stomach hurts!”

Hunger attacks sure were painful.

I felt pity and gave him one of the chocolates.

His eyes widened immediately, “Stary Scoops?! You’re really giving this to me, aunty?!”

“AUNTY?! DID YOU JUST CALL ME AU-” I took a deep breath and clenched my fist, “Yes kiddo, you can eat this chocolate. Au… Aunty has to go do some work alright? You’ll be fine by yourself?” 

He nodded and opened the delicate golden wrapper of the smooth and silky chocolate and stuffed it in his mouth.

At this point, I didn’t even want this chocolate anymore. Guess I’ll give the last one to Minki.

“Bora~” I heard the man creep up from behind me. “Happy Valentines!” 

Oh yes, today was Valentine's Day. Crap, I was so indulged in buying the chocolate I forgot.

“I got you this.” I handed Minki the chocolate.

He furrowed his brows at the sight of it, “Is this some prank? You’re giving me a bar of chocolate from THE Stary Scoops?”

I hummed, still not feeling very good.

“Well, you absolutely won’t believe what I got for you though.”

He opened his backpack and took out… another Berry Chocolate?!

“How did you even get this?!” I was overjoyed.  

“Oh I pre-ordered this online.”

“But it’s double the price online!”

He just shrugged, “I guess I don’t mind spending some money on buying things for you.”

I couldn't even express how happy I was. This man knew everything I would ever want in life and I don’t have to hint it a slight bit. I went in for a hug then remembered something.

“Wait, take this!”

I gave him the newspaper wrap and instantly regretted it. Very wrong timing. 

“Wow, did you get another gift for me?” He started unwrapping the newspaper.

“Don’t!” I screamed, turning my head sideways, “The guy who lives a floor below you… the one who took your juice mixer… he said last night your clothes were hanging outside and the… uh…”

His eyes widened, “the juice mixer.” he whispered.

I frowned, “Wha…” 

Wait a minute. 

Minki doesn’t own a juice mixer?!

Now that I think of it… I haven’t seen my own juice mixer in a while…?

Oh my god. Oh no.