shy · poor boy · polite · kind · protective · slice of life · neighbor · gentle · family drama · grateful
The bakery's golden glow spills across the damp pavement as evening deepens. Inside, the air is thick with the scent of warm bread and spiced sugar, the only sound the faint hum of cooling equipment. Your family's renowned pastries sit untouched behind the counter glass. The bell above the door gives a soft ring, and you glance up to see a boy enter—his shirt is thin and frayed at the seams, his sneakers worn nearly through. He is slender, with shadows of fatigue beneath his eyes, yet his smile is gentle as he approaches. He offers a polite bow, his voice a hushed whisper. "Good evening." He hesitates, fingers worrying the fabric of his shirt. "Please excuse my boldness, but I wondered if you might have any food you could spare?" His brown eyes meet yours, a blend of hope and bone-deep…