Anime: Yumeiro Patissiere
Requested by: @VelenAdrias
(A/N): Hey, I'm terribly sorry if I get all of their personalities wrong. It's been a while since I've last seen this anime. But please, enjoy

(Y/n)'s POV

Letting the sweet aroma of the chocolate gateau soak the air, I finally relaxed and found myself breathing a sigh of relief. The cake had to be made into something that reflected the definition of perfection.

It would tarnish my family name if I had made a cake with deplorable taste and an unappealing appearance. The decoration was expected to be excellent, something that embodied extravagance and class.

"That looks amazing," exclaimed Mari.
"Oh, thanks. I didn't see you come in at all."
"I knocked a few times but you were too caught up looking at your chocolate gateau."
"Hehe sorry. I was just happy that I made something that mother may be proud of for once."
"Your family's too harsh on you."
"Don't worry, Mari. If they weren't then I'd never be where I am now."
"Well, I'm glad that you let me work with you. This shop really means a lot to me, to us."
"Yeah, it does..."

Mari began cleaning up the equipment I had left in the sink, making me smile apologetically as I took the cake outside. Placing it inside the glass cabinet, I looked up to see Henri chatting politely with my mother.

Although she had a nonchalant look on her face, her eyes held a sternness that she couldn't hide. Henri, however, seemed unaffected by her judgemental eyes and kept up with all her fast questions.

"Oh (Y/n), I didn't see you standing there. Let me see the cake," mother said.

I gestured towards the one I had just placed in the cabinet and hoped desperately that she would approve. Henri flashed a teasing wink as he joined me behind the counter.

"I guess this is good enough. Next time, I expect an even bigger improvement. You shouldn't hold your boyfriend back," she exclaimed.
"Yes mother."

She left without another word. Henri gave my hand a squeeze as if to reassure me that I had done fine. Earning mother's approval was like gaining resurrection from an omnipotent being. It was...almost impossible.

"(Y/n), you did great. That cake's amazing," he reassured.
"I'm not sure if that's just lip service or your genuine feelings."
"I'm not that heartless."

I raised an eyebrow, making him laugh. He placed a small kiss on my knuckles before motioning towards the door. He let go of my hand and went outside after.

"Hey Mari, I'm going to hang out with Henri. Can you close up shop today?"
"Sure, I don't mind. Have fun."
"Sorry for the trouble. See you tomorrow."
"Bye."

I took off my apron and placed it underneath the counter before heading outside. Henri immediately took my hand and tucked it inside the warm coat pocket.

As we walked across the snow-covered path in the high-end shopping district, a group of high school students gasped and stopped us in our tracks.

"Omg! You're Henri-sensei and (Y/n)-sensei!"
"Yeah, that's us. How may we help you?"
"We just want to say, your sweets are some of the best we've ever tasted! My friend's aspiring to be a patissiere like you two."
"That's pleasing to hear," Henri replied with his practised smile.
"*blush* W-we have to go now, see you later!"

The three girls rushed off. I tried to elbow Henri in the stomach but he swiftly dodged it and instead, had an arm wrapped around my waist with his gaze on my eyes.

"Now (Y/n), that wasn't very nice."
"Says you. Don't give the girls any wrong ideas."
"But I can't help that they love me."
"Then don't play with their feelings."
"You should know that you're the only one I love."
"...baka."
"Let's get something to eat, Miss 'I chose to date an idiot'."
"Hey!"

He simply smirked in reply to my annoyed statement. I waved it off before a small smile graced my face, making him chuckle at my reaction.

Our days out were always of similar feelings passed subtly between the two of us. I had no intention to ruin the atmosphere we had made and wished that nothing ever would for this was my happiness in this world of restrictions.

I inspected the pastries and sweets lining some of the cafe windows, comparing them with my own. Although they might have plated them to be fit for royalty, it would have to depend on their flavour and aroma.

These I had spent my whole life trying to perfect but my parents had always dismissed my work as an object that needed improvement. Not ever a 'that's perfect' or even a 'good job'.

"Those are all satisfactory. They don't deserve your praise," Henri suddenly exclaimed.
"Hmm, if you say so."
"I'm serious. You wouldn't be the daughter of some of the world's most renowned sweets makers for nothing."
"I-"
"Henri-sensei!"
"Oh, Amano-san. What are you doing here?"
"Are you on a date with (Y/n)-san?"
"I guess you could say that."
"I came shopping with Makoto."
"Oi (Y/n), I made this this morning. Care to give it a try?" Makoto asked while handing me a piece of chocolate.
"Sure thing."

I plopped it in my mouth, feeling the chocolate melt almost immediately. Something slightly more bitter than milk chocolate but not to the point where it could be considered dark chocolate. A fruity aroma combined with this texture...it was perfect.

"You've really grown, Makoto."
"Hmph, that makes it sound like you doubted me at the start," he replied.
"*laughs* I would never doubt someone I've come to consider as my little brother."
"Well, bye (Y/n)-san. We're gonna go look around for a bit more," said Ichigo.

I waved goodbye as the two left. Henri started pulling me along the streets, seemingly a little annoyed that we were stopped twice during our time out. I couldn't help but giggle softly seeing as how I found this undeniably cute.

He gave me a friendly glare but I ignored his irritation and continued to search for a restaurant to suit both our tastes. But I did not manage to do this.

Henri had pulled me in for a passionate kiss. I was glad that there were very few people walking about as I wouldn't have been able to walk with the confidence of an average citizen afterwards if there was.

He deepened the kiss, seeing as how I was too caught up in my own thoughts. I kissed back, but not before I could tease him for a bit.

"You taste like chocolate," he said jokingly.
"And you taste like a teenager only too happy to be able to tease his girlfriend."
"I'm an adult, thank you very much."
"*laughs* I love you."
"I love you too...baka."