"Thanks for walking me here, Kotori."

I craned my neck towards the flower shop Miko had gotten the job for ways back. The little shop was gleaming inside and out, adorned with countless flowerbeds of sweet scents. More flowers sat idly inside along with another employee whose uniform was immaculate and bright.

"I see your coworker is as hot as ever," I cooed, peering into the glass.

Though standing at a rather short stature, he was an incredible sight. Navy blue hair cropped his head, gentle cerulean eyes and warm smile stunning me as he organized a couple of flowerpots. If his parents were florists and were the owners of this shop as Miko had notified me, I wasn't exactly surprised he'd grown such a strong affinity to flowers. Moreover, from the stories she'd told me about this mysterious male, his personality was apparently as handsome as his face.

"Don't tell me this is the reason you decided to walk me here?"

"Maybe." I gandered as the boy rose an arm, riding up his shirt and exposing his toned stomach. I oohed. "Hell yes. Look at those abs—"

"Kotori," she chastised.

Stiffening, I hesitated before catching her eyes. Nothing but disapproval coated her countenance, making me sweatdrop. Guilt rippled through me. "I-I promise you're the only one I want, Miko. Hot men don't attract me at all."

Rolling her eyes, she shooed me off. "Just get out of here."

"Fine, I'll go," I said as she nudged me onto the sidewalk. "Cheapskate."

"See you tomorrow, Kotori."

By means of a final wave and head-shake, Miko twisted on the heels of her shoes and entered the petite shop, the above bell ringing to signal her arrival. Sighing, I briefly observed as Mr. Handsome went ahead to greet Miko, an even more gorgeous smile in place.

Seriously, it must be nice having ridiculously good looks like that. Not only him, but Koyuki must live a good life as well, considering he was also oozing hottie vibes.

Stuffing my hands into my coat's pockets to keep them as warm as possible, I ambled down the snowy cement. The sky was still rather bleak, seeping into my surroundings, as well as dousing the passing citizens in an almost monochrome effect. My breaths flew out in little puffs of white, and I buried my face into my scarf to keep my face warm.

A wide variety of shops lined the streets; from antique and art stalls to luxurious jewelry boutiques. People flocked to them like fireflies to a lamp, enthusiasm accentuating their features. When I passed by a coniferous tree positioned outside the window of one, I was no different.

I approached the tree, glistening red and green ornaments as well as other minuscule decor. A smile flitted onto my lips when I caught sight of other illuminations hanging around the windows of the shop itself. They still had their Christmas decorations up. Well, the holiday was only a few weeks back.

I poked my face into the window, surveying the beautiful lights and cute little Santa Clauses they had propped up on the pane. When my gaze landed onto the centrepiece of the shop, my mouth collapsed.

It was a tall tower of puff pastries, erected by profiteroles dipped in gooey caramel. The beauty of the dessert seamlessly blended with the sugared almonds and melted chocolate seeping like tiny waves down it all. It sparkled—most definitely because of the spun sugar around this pyramid, but also because of the sugar art. Roses, daisies; even makeshift ornaments and a huge red-green bow were pasted directly in the middle.

A Christmas themed croquembouche, I'd realized, gaze entirely fixed on the creation. It was so beautiful. And it looked so very—

"—delicious."

The sudden voice nearly gave me a heart attack. I pried my face from the window and aimed it at the source. A familiar face was equally awed as they stared through the glass. Green eyes widened from their typically droopy state, mouth parted and dripping drool.

"Chiaki?"

This underclassman of mine snapped from his daze. Puzzlement crossed his face as he slowly reeled from the window and turned my way. It took a long while of awkward staring before a flicker of recognition flashed in his eyes.

"Teru...?" he said, eyebrows rising on his forehead. "What are you doing here?"

A forced smile made its way onto my face in an attempt to suppress an awkward laugh. Still with that nickname? And more importantly, he had no idea I was beside him? Here I assumed he approached me because he saw me.

The dumbfounded look of his wiped away that assumption.

The corners of my lips twitched. This boy was seriously in his own little lethargic world.

Due to the awkwardness that began to arise, I returned my attention to the croquembouche inside the bakery. Chiaki followed me with his eyes.

"It looks extremely delicious," he said.

I touched the glass, joy encasing me like heat on this cold evening. "I bet whoever made this is really proud," I agreed. "It's very beautiful."

The heaviness of my heart deepened after the words left my mouth. My smile faded. How many years of trial and error did it take for them to make such a complicated piece? There's no way someone like me could make such a thing. How did I ever think I could make it in such a distant world?

Feeling Chiaki's eyes on me, I hurriedly wiped away my expression, replacing it with a grin.

"What are you doing here, Chiaki?"

As if I had struck the right chord, his features returned to their awed state from before. "Anmitsu."

My eyelids fluttered. "Huh?"

"I was... going to get some anmitsu," he went on, extending his finger over my shoulder. I followed it to the small shop next door to this bakery. He went on, still fumbling over his words from exhaustion. "There's a shop over there..."

"Anmitsu?" I reiterated in disbelief. "In this weather? It's way too cold for that!"

But Chiaki's mouth had primmed, chubby cheeks adding to a cute sense of dejection. "But... cold desserts are delicious."

His cuteness tugged on my heartstrings. "I didn't say it wasn't delicious!" I defended, unable to handle how adorable his pout was. "Anmitsu both looks and tastes utterly delicious. But I'd rather have it on a hot summer day when the sun is burning me alive, you know? Along with some shaved ice."

Chiaki's dazzled look was back. "I love shaved ice."

The idea summoned the delectable dessert to mind. Today's coldness no longer mattered. "Right?" I agreed. "Strawberry shaved ice is especially amazing! A nice sweet and fruity taste. And the strawberry sauce complementing the melted ice is to die for!"

Chiaki balled his fists, equally excited. "I love matcha shaved ice! It's creamy, and smells really nice."

I breathed out dreamily, already missing the taste of the treat. As it was the first time I'd seen Chiaki so happy, I also couldn't help but admit how endearing it was. The other day he mentioned he wanted ice cream, too. Maybe he really liked cold desserts?

Grinning, I reached for his wrist and whisked him off. Chiaki relented, still lost in his daydream of eating matcha shaved ice. I left him behind after arriving at the stand then went up to it, purchasing two anmitsus with both strawberries and matcha ice cream; something I was sure we'd both enjoy.

When I returned and handed Chiaki his cup, he woke from his daze. He stared at the treat, wide-eyed and speechless for a good while.

"You didn't have to," he finally told me. "I... could've bought myself."

"Consider it a thank you for yesterday."

I led him to an empty bench and took a seat. After slipping off his one-shouldered backpack and setting it near him, he fell into the vacant spot beside me.

"Yesterday?" He was still processing my words. It seemed to be eating at him. Finally, however, he made a face and cocked his head to the side. "Did... I do something worthy of being thanked?"

Was he being modest, or did he sincerely not remember what happened? Knowing Chiaki, it was most likely the latter. Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't recalled. He was more the type of person who forgot what they had for breakfast once lunchtime came around.

Nevertheless, I laughed, reaching to scoop out a bit of my cold treat. The harmony between the agar jelly, the red beans, and the brown sugar syrup was enough to make someone crave for more. "It's so good," I said, chewing blissfully.

Without even looking I knew Chiaki had an equitably content countenance, cheeks flushed from delight. Especially upon contact with the matcha ice cream.

I finished the treat in no time at all, letting out a dreamy sigh. Winter or not, this unique dish was tasty and healthy. It would've gone even better with tea.

"Teru, you like sweets a lot don't you?"

I turned toward Chiaki. His cheeks were slightly puffy as he chewed on the mochi. He was such a cutie.

"Is it that obvious?" Giggling, I tossed the cup and spoon into the nearby garbage bin. "I love them. When I was a kid I was so sure desserts were magic. It didn't matter if I was sad or even happy because they always made my day countless times better. While eating them, nothing else seems to matter. As if all my concerns vanish into thin air."

My laughter ensued for a while, the nostalgia hitting me hard.

"Plus, there's so many different kinds out there in the world that I could only dream of having. I'd seriously eat them all day if I could."

My smile stretched back to my ears, imagining a reality filled with only desserts. It'd be a dream come true. Ignoring the fact that I'd definitely get fat.

Although, Chiaki didn't comment on my lengthy spiel, having his stare on me was enough to make me sheepish.

"Sorry," I said, suppressing a blush. "I tend to run my mouth a lot—"

"Teru."

I carefully blinked, confusion washing over me. "Yes?"

"When you talk about them," he continued, placing the last of his anmitsu in his mouth, "you sparkle."

He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. He faced me, a small smile playing on his lips. I couldn't help the heat that claimed my cheeks. My mouth twitched. The chortle that pushed past my throat filled the air soon after.

"What are you even saying, Chiaki?" I said as I slapped his shoulder. "Sparkle? Are you flirting with me?"

My snickers grew hysteric. Passersby shot us startled looks. Chiaki himself was a stupefied mess, completely jolted from the force I'd used to hit him.

"Flirting?" he repeated before long. "But I was only trying to compliment you?"

Wiping away the tears that appeared at the corners of my eyes, I brushed it aside. "My dad says the same thing."

"Your dad?"

"He runs a bakery over in Miyagi," I enlightened him. "Whenever I visit him, he always lets me stuff my face with his desserts. Then tells me I sparkle brighter than the stars themselves when it comes to them."

"That's because you get really happy," Chiaki reasoned. "Do you bake?"

My exuberance wavered and disappeared. "I'm not any good at it," I replied. "Eating sweets is enough for me."

"Is... that so? I love desserts, too. And because I love them, I try to make them. Eating them is fun. But making them... then getting to eat them is way more enjoyable."

I couldn't fight my surprise. "You can bake, Chiaki?"

In a daze, he placed his finger to his chin. "I do it sometimes. You should bake too, Teru."

I bit the inside of my cheek, a frown making the most of my expression. "I told you I'm not any good at it. It's because of my baking that Tadakuni got sick yesterday. And it's due to that, the Film Club lost actors to finish the film."

"That's only because you're a beginner."

I faced him, unconvinced. "I've been baking for ten months."

"Oh... that's a while."

My smile wallowed. "And I haven't gotten any better at it."

"Did you have any help?" he then asked.

"Help?"

"A mentor. There're only some things you can learn on your own. But if you have someone teaching you, you'll definitely improve."

"A mentor," I reiterated, the idea hitting me hard. "But, I don't think even a mentor can help me get better. Besides, the Cooking Club won't let me join them, and we only learn gourmet dishes in home economics. There's nobody else who'd be willing to teach me how to bake—"

"I'll do it."

My heart reeled to a halt as he held up his empty treat.

"As a thank you for this," he told me, a warm grin reaching his eyes. "Will you let me?"

***

Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully 2020 will be a great year for us all!

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