Hana's Heads-Up: Yo! I've decided to take a shot at the 100 Themes Challenge! Though it may seem a bit old by now, I thought it would be fun to write a Kashigo collection. And I haven't seen any challenges like this around in the YP fandom, so why not? :3

Disclaimer (which goes for each one-shot): I do not own Yumeiro Pâtissière. Or Professional.


Theme 1: Introduction

"Andou. I, uh, need to ask you something." Kashino beckoned to his childhood friend and gestured toward the door. Andou nodded and left his unfinished cake on the counter, following the blond out of the kitchen of his Japanese sweets shop.

"So, what did you want to ask me?" Andou wondered curiously once outside.

"Shh, quiet! Someone might hear you," Kashino hissed frantically.

"Why must we be so secretive?" Andou lowered his voice.

"Because... This is private," Kashino gulped nervously.

The raven-haired male raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"I-I need advice." Kashino's cheeks were tinted with a soft scarlet. "On dating."

Andou nodded in understanding after the explanation. "Oh, I see. Specifically what? Wait, so you and Amano-san...?"

"We're dating, yeah." The blond tried hard to fight back the harsher blush he felt coming on. "Only I'm not sure what to do now... You know what I mean?"

"Ah, got it." Andou grinned toothily at his friend. "You basically just have to show her that you love and care for her."

"That's pretty vague. Not enough." Kashino bit his lip. "Isn't there anything else to it?"

"Well, you just have to go for it and experience it yourself. I shouldn't be telling you what and what not to do. Every couple's different. What exactly are you worried about?"

"Everything."

"Ma-kun, don't force yourself. Go see what Amano-san has to say. I believe that you're capable of being a good boyfriend to her," Andou assured him.

"I suppose you're right." Kashino flashed him a teeny grin. "Thanks, Andou. I'll do my best!" He gave his friend a pat on the shoulder before taking off down the street.

Andou watched him run, smiling to himself. "You can do it, Ma-kun."

~x~

"Amano." Kashino spoke to the brunette walking beside him. The two were bundled up in winter clothes, holding thermos bottles full of steaming chocolat chaud. Their boots crunched in the snow with every footstep as they followed the faint path of a park trail.

"Hm?" Ichigo took a sip of her warm beverage and peered at the blond.

"Do you want to go somewhere with me this weekend?" he hesitantly asked. "I mean, we'll be less busy then."

Ichigo wore a look of surprise before beaming happily. "A date? Sure, that sounds like fun!"

"Where do you want to go?" Kashino inquired, relieved that she'd accepted.

"It doesn't matter really. Even spending some time alone with you like right now is satisfying enough for me." Her eyes shone with gentle passion.

The blond reddened furiously. "Well, I'll think about where for the next few days." He lowered his head and fixed his gaze upon the sparkling snow at his feet.

"Don't overthink, Kashino!" Ichigo teased.

"I won't," he laughed, his breath forming a small cloud of condensation in the cold air.

The brunette drank more chocolat chaud. "Wow, this stuff is amazing. I never get tired of it!"

"You like it that much?"

"Of course! It tastes especially good outside in winter!" She took another mouthful.

Kashino smiled inwardly to himself.

"And it's made by you, so it's no doubt amazing."

The sincere joy that he felt then was breathtaking. She made him feel so calm, so complete. It was amazing how powerful love could be.

Before he could utter a word of thanks, she dragged him toward a bench. "Here, let's rest for a bit."

Kashino could not stop staring at her hand that gripped his.

The two of them plopped onto the long seat and proceeded to sip their drinks. A long minute of silence followed with merely the sound of a small gust of wind whooshing by.

Kashino felt the urge to do something. Just anything to break the quiet period of no happenings. He took a deep breath before working up the courage. Trembling slightly, he slowly set a hand atop hers as gently as possible.

She glanced at him in slight shock. "Kashino?"

"Hey... Ichigo." He intertwined fingers with her and clutched her hand tightly. "I've been feeling worried lately."

"About what?" Her eyes dilated at the sound of her given name.

Kashino set his thermos down on the snowy ground. Ichigo did the same before glancing back at him curiously. "What is it... Makoto?"

He gazed straight at her dark chocolate orbs. "To be honest, I don't know what to do in a relationship. I'm totally new to dating."

Ichigo swallowed hard and looked down. "Me too. I've been pretty anxious about this." She formed a teeny smile with her lips. "At least we're both on the same page."

Kashino still looked concerned. "That may be true, but I don't know how to act lovey-dovey as most couples do."

Ichigo flushed at the thought of acting intimate with her boyfriend. "Wait, you don't have to necessarily try. Everyone shows their affection differently, right? That's not what really matters, isn't it?"

Kashino pondered her words and perked up in realization. That's right. Andou said so too. I just need to love and care for her in my own unique way.

"Besides, I think you're a pretty romantic guy anyways," she admitted sheepishly.

"How so?" he taunted playfully.

"You just held my hand and called me by my first name," Ichigo stuck her tongue out at him.

"Oi!" He blushed madly and retracted his hand.

"Ooh, look! Snow's falling." The brunette tilted her head up toward the sky and marveled at the sight. Kashino copied her and watched the soft flurries drift their way to the earth.

Ichigo opened her mouth widely and held it up high for snowflakes to fall into. "They're so cold and fresh! You should try it too, Kashino!"

"Sheesh, you're always so..." He chuckled fondly to himself. "Do they taste that good?"

"Definitely! Much better than raindrops."

"You're such a glutton that you even enjoy the taste of precipitation."

"Hey! I thought you stopped calling me that." Ichigo pouted.

"Do you still think of me as a devil?" A smug grin adorned Kashino's face.

"Of course not! Well, sometimes," she laughed. "Wow, it feels like it's been forever since we used to pick on each other every minute."

"And look at us now. Lovers sitting together alone," Kashino added.

"Lovers..." Ichigo grasped the ends of her coat and squeezed hard. "What do lovers... do?"

"Well..." Kashino gulped uneasily. Tension was rising within his body and his heartbeat quickened. "They... you know."

Ichigo's cheeks flamed bright pink. "K-kiss?"

Butterflies swarmed in Kashino's stomach. That one word caused an unexplainable chill to crawl down his spine. Blood rushed to his face as he slowly nodded.

"Want to try?" Ichigo shyly questioned, her voice barely a whisper. "Last time it wasn't exactly..."

The blond's throat felt parched. "Y-yeah. Sure, it won't hurt to..."

"Okay." Ichigo swallowed hard before leaning closer to Kashino's face. He did the same, his pulse racing faster and faster as she drew nearer.

The distance between them soon became no more and they felt the cool touch of each other's lips press upon their own. Hers tasted like chocolate to him, the sweet flavor intoxicating his taste buds.

Although it had only lasted for a few seconds, the kiss had seemed to occupy hours of time. They withdrew eventually with embarrassed smiles, the sky showering them with beautiful flakes of snow.

I may not exactly be a pro at this dating stuff, but hey.

It's just the beginning.


Hehe, it's my first time trying something like this. Did I portray this theme well? ^^ I'll do my best to continue consistently. Anyway, hope you enjoyed and please review! :D