Chapter Text
Caelus likes his job, but sometimes, it gets tough selling ice cream especially when it rains during the day.
It's already nine at night, but half of his tubs were still filled. The streets were usually busier on this hour, but due to the rain forecast, people were in a hurry to go home since it's expected to rain late at night.
He'd stay for a few more hours longer, but he doubts that he'll get any more customers. The streets were looking emptier every minute, and the sausage stall beside his cart had also already started packing-up.
Feeling defeated, Caelus started preparing to leave. There wasn't really much to clean on his cart since the ice creams were just covered most of the time, but he prefers having everything in place before he returns home.
Did Stelle buy them dinner already? Or is it his turn to buy food for today? He was about to message his sister, when a voice called his attention.
"How much would it take to get this entire container filled?"
When he looked up, he saw a handsome man with a black hair, and a piercing blue eyes. He was wearing a formal work attire, but his outfit had teal accents on the buttons and other accessories.
Would it be rude to think that he looks like a walking mint chocolate ice cream?
"Let me see..."
The dark haired man's container was made with stainless steel but it had the same size as a typical store-bought ice cream, appearing to be around 2 liters. Caelus sells a cup or a cone for 600 credits, so if he were to fill it with 16 full scoops, which could make 8 cups...
It would be 4,800 credits, but Caelus is worried that may be too expensive.
"Um, 4,000 credits."
Since he was about to go home anyway, and the man was buying a lot, he supposed that a discount won't hurt.
"That cheap?"
Cheap? This man is probably rich. He should have told the real price.
"I added a discount." Caelus admitted, "What flavors do you want?"
The vendor opened the lid, showing him all available flavors. His customer appears to be having a difficult time deciding.
"Do you have any mint chocolate?"
Caelus couldn't help but chuckle a bit. He was just relating him to a mint chocolate a few seconds ago.
"Oh- sorry. I don't have that flavor right now..." he told him, "But if you promise to come back tomorrow, I would make one tonight. I have most of the ingredients, and the store isn't far."
To be exact, he only needed to buy a peppermint.
"You make them?"
"Uh-huh."
"I see. Then, I'd like a scoop of all flavors available."
"Do you want any syrup, chocolates, marshmallows- sprinkles?"
"No, I'll have it as it is."
Caelus did what the customer requested, filling his container with all the flavors he had. He couldn't help but feel a bit conscious while doing it, since the handsome man was watching him with such intensity as if he was watching an intern on their first day at work.
When he was done, he closed the container's lid and placed it in an eco bag, "Here."
In return, the handsome man handed him 10,000 credits. It wasn't a whole 10,000 bill, but rather ten separate 1,000 bills, implying that it was intentional.
"This is too much- Even if you brought 2 containers, you'll still have a change left with this amount."
"Consider it as a tip." he said, "I'll be buying again tomorrow."
Caelus was going to insist, but the handsome man left almost as quick as he appeared. However, once he was gone, Caelus was overwhelmed with a happy feeling.
He still had a lot of ice cream left to sell, but the kind gesture from his customer made him earn more than he was supposed to if he had just left a minute or two earlier.
He was humming around as he continued cleaning, but all of the sudden, his phone rang.
"I'll be home a little late, I still haven't finished the paperworks that my boss gave me." His sister sighed , "Just order some chicken or whatever, or if you still have the energy, drop by the grocery store. I want curry."
Caelus was going to tell her about his generous customer, but Stelle didn't even let him utter a single word, ending the call almost immediately.
He went home after tidying his cart, and once he arrived home, he decided to shop in the grocery store in order to buy the ingredients for their very late dinner.
He got stuck inside the grocery for an hour when the rain poured, and a part of his brain thinks that ordering would have been better.
It normally would have soured his mood, but Caelus was just thankful that he already had his cart home. Besides, it's not everyday that he cooks for his twin sister, and thanks to him going to the grocery store, he was able to buy peppermint needed for the chocolate mint ice cream.
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The sales were a lot better the next day, and Caelus was growing quite worried that he'll run out of ice cream to sell soon. Selling out is a good thing, but he promised to sell the handsome man his mint chocolate today.
Thankfully, that specific flavor actually isn't as popular as the other flavors. Most of the customers like buying the cookies and cream flavor, followed by strawberry, chocolate, and cheese. Maybe it's an acquired taste.
He had a few regulars he recognizes, but there's different people buying from him everyday. But, it's not everyday that someone gives him an extra 6,000 credits as a "tip", and Caelus feels like he owes him a high quality ice cream.
If the handsome customer from yesterday requested to be spoon fed, he might just do it.
"Is the flavor I requested available?" a familiar voice asked, and Caelus couldn't control his smile from forming when he saw the customer again.
"Of course, I never forget my promises."
The handsome man took out the same container from yesterday, "All chocolate mint. No toppings."
"Got it."
As he scoops the ice cream from his tub, he could feel the customer staring at him again, and somehow, Caelus began feeling nervous.
"Um, did you like the ice cream from yesterday?"
"They're good." the handsome man quickly replied, although Caelus couldn't tell if he genuinely liked it.
His expression was unreadable, and his eyes were kinda intimidating.
Now that Caelus had taken another look at him again, the man was in no doubt, rich. He doesn't understand why he's bringing his own container, or why he's buying a 2 liter ice cream from a random vendor on the street, but it's not really his business to know.
However, his question was soon answered when the handsome man suddenly asked him a question, "Excuse me if I'm prying too much, but are you related to 'Stelle'?"
Oh.
The man probably saw him and thought he looked like his twin, and he bought from him since he's curious if they're related or not.
"Yeah, how did you know my sister?"
"So she's your sister... I guess it makes sense." he mumbled, "We're colleagues, although I'm from Astral Express' accounting department."
"Okay...?" Once he finished filling his customer's tub, he extended his hands to give it to him, "Here, thank you for buying again. I really appreciate the tip from yesterday- you don't have to pay for today's ice cream!"
"No, I'll still pay."
The handsome man handed 10,000 credits once again, but this time, Caelus was firmer on declining, "I'm sorry, but I really can't accept this. I'll feel guilty if I accept it again."
"But you deserve it. It's only natural to pay the equal amount for something of quality."
His compliment somehow made Caelus a bit embarrassed, but something finally clicked on Caelus' head.
"Hey... do you like my sister?"
The handsome man's eyes went wide, looking taken aback by his question, "What makes you conclude that?"
"Nothing. But I want to repay you. So if you like her, then I'll sing her praises of you whenever I have the chance to," Caelus grinned, making the other man unconsciously place his palm on his face.
"You're getting the wrong idea." The handsome man said, "I have more interest in you than I do with her."
What?
"You're interested in me...? I don't even know your name."
"I'm Dan Heng."
After saying his name, 'Dan Heng' left, and Caelus was in too much shock to return the credits once again.
He didn't understand what just happened.