Just Like Magic
SNK AU! Levi Ackerman x Petra Ral
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin nor any of it's characters. This fiction is solely for amusement purposes.
If you asked me where would my most favourite place in the world be, I would say... the bakery from when I was younger.
Ever since I was little, my mom used to bring me there everyday after school to get my favourite buns. I remember how magical it looked, filled with beautiful oak wood racks lining with freshly baked bread and buns that come in all different shapes and flavours. It was my most favourite place to be.
But not soon after that my mom landed a job somewhere else and we had to move with her, I had never returned back to that bakery ever since.
Now after all these years, I've finally decided to move back here, just to work at this bakery! The most well-known bakery in the whole country originated from the small town I grew up in, also known as Saint Molly.
I walked closer to the bakery, after moving my luggage into the room I rented nearby, I still couldn't believe my biggest dream will no longer be a dream.
Just then, the bakery doors swung open as the aroma hit the air. A dark haired man in uniform walked out clutching a large rubbish bag. This was my chance!
"Please, allow me to work at Saint Molly's!" Well that didn't sound right.
"Who exactly are you?" The man simply showed raised eyebrows as he accessed my current form. He is.. rather good looking. Wait no, what I should say is..
"Umm... I've, I've always dreamed of landing a job here is this bakery, I've been to so many others but ever since I was little, only Saint Molly's has ever caught my attention! I really love the bakery and it's bread quality so please! Allow me to work here!"
I continued to plead, well maybe I was being a little pushy on my part but hey.. I really do want to work here. It's my passion!
The man stopped to take a look at me again, "Well I was in the middle of baking, why don't you step in first?"
Score! The man stepped back in and smiled albeit slightly /okay so maybe my memory here is a bit hazy/ and I followed in. I was beyond amazed, sure it had changed a lot since my younger days, but undoubtedly, it still held the same old nostalgic Saint Molly's distinct flavour to it.
As I explored the racks and the aromatic atmosphere, my eyes caught sight of something and "Hey! Isn't that the new melon bun you guys have been promoting? I heard that the insides are filled with thinly shredded fresh melon, is that true?"
He simply gave a small smile as I chattered on and on enthusiastically about the buns. "Why don't you try on the uniform first? Then can I only start evaluating your skills and determine if you're fit to work here. " He gestured towards the back door where there was a uniform on one of the racks. "Take your time."
And I am not exaggerating when I say that the uniform is beautiful! Red beret, white dress shirt, chequered red tie and red skirt! Could I ask for anything better? It's just like all those magazines I've seen!
As I walked back out, he looked me over. But now his expression darkened and all my previous daydreaming vanished.
"Now listen here, I'm the boss of this bakery right now and what I say goes. Baking is an art, so you better brace yourself. Now, start working." He pointed to me.
Wait what me? Is he for real?
"I don't even know the first thing about baking!" "IT'LL TAKE ANOTHER 100 YEARS FOR YOU TO STEP IN THE KITCHEN NOW MAN THE COUNTER, NEWBIE." His eyes narrowed. "Did I make myself clear?"
I didn't need a second warning.
"It's time to open the bakery..."
Just as soon as the doors were opened, a sea of people swarmed into the bakery as they began lining up.
-the counter
"Pack the buns faster! Our customers are rushing to work or school!" He grumbled out at me.
-the bread racks
"Every bun and bread has different prices, you must memorize them all properly!"
-the kitchen
Then another man peeked out from the kitchen doors, "Hey, we don't have enough people today! Come help me knead the dough!"
"Don't stand in the hallway blocking everyone else!" He yelled at me again for the umpteenth time.
"Why are you kneading it so slow? Don't you have bones?" As he looked at me kneading, the blonde could only stare and watch as he drills me on kneading dough properly, efficiently and so on...
"Now get over here and mix the cream!" He grabbed my collar and pushed me towards the big, hot, steaming pot of substance. Here we go again... This is so hot... Even the cream is hand made? No wonder the bakery is so well-known...
The blonde walked over, took a look and "That's enough mixing now get back out there and man the counter!"... just as soon as I was about to catch my breath.
The moment I stepped out... "Excuse me miss?" I looked down to see a frail old woman as I smiled, "What ingredients are used in this bun?" my smile dropped immediately. The ingredients?!
Why, is it so hard to work at the bakery! My hands are numb from all the kneading and I'm dizzy from all the different customer's needs! It felt like years before the day was done and they closed the bakery.
"I'm.. I'm so, tired.." I sat bent down on the benches, finally giving myself the rest I needed. He said he wanted to evaluate my skills, but right after that he dunked me into 14 hours of non-stop working!
"If you're already complaining on your first day of work, it's better if you just give up. A job at a bakery is hectic work, customers from all different ages, buns of all different kinds, it's just like labour." He didn't even glance over at me as he changed out of his uniform.
I gritted my teeth. "I will not give up so easily, I will never give up, because this is my dream, I will never stop striving for it!" I glared at him.
"To me, I think that the smell and the warmth of the bun, makes people happy when they buy them. Isn't it great? Working at a place which gives people happiness? That is why I will not give up my dream." I smiled at the memory.
I could hear the dark haired man sigh.
"It's late, let me send you home."
"Eh?"
"Yeah, let's get going. Where do you live?"
"On south street, xxx..."
"I live there too."
Why, do I feel butterflies for this scary man? When he's out of his uniform, it feels like he's a different person in all.. even his voice is softer. He does look very gentlemanly that way, escorting me home.
We both walked on silently on the dimly lit streets. I didn't bother looking up at the sky, it was cloudy tonight after all.
"Where's your house? I live here." Wait what?
I looked and stared at the building he stopped in front of. "Well?"
"Uh, I live here too." I looked to the ground, this is embarrassing. "Are you serious?" He dropped his stance, "You must've looked for an empty apartment at the estate agency in front of the train station right?"
So he knew about it too? "Yeah! She said that the apartment is quite well managed, it's even close to Saint Molly's!" He simply grumbled off on his own, though I'm pretty sure he said something along the lines of "Stupid, meddling old hag.."
Soon as we reached our doors, he opened his door and said to me "Hard work today, thank you for working." And promptly slammed the door in my face. It took me a while but, what was I supposed to do? Did I get accepted?
I slammed on his door as hard as I could, "Hey boss! Open up! Am I accepted or what? Do I start working tomorrow? Answer me damn-" The door opened and I just punched my boss in the face.
"Oh.. my I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to!"
"No.. no it's okay," he held up his right arm to his nose. I looked into his room and saw a few buns on the table, they looked familiar..
Without realizing it I had just walked into his house and stared at the buns. He excused himself into the toilet and checked for wounds. I feel bad but, isn't it inappropriate for a girl to be in the toilet with a guy? Even though I am the one who caused the injury..
I could hear the water running for a moment then the faucet squeaked close.
"For one small girl you sure give a mighty punch." He rubbed on his nose, I could see feint bleeding but he didn't say anything about it, so I didn't pry. Instead, I caught sight of the buns once again. "These are the buns from the bakery right?"
He looked at me for a moment then replied, "Yes, these buns are crispy, but plain. I always add stew in it to bring out the flavour. The bun's already sweet enough, so even just ready made stew will do." As he emptied the cold packet into the bun, he placed it all into the oven to heat.
When he returned, I had some questions for him. "Boss, so-"
"How ignorant, I'm not the boss. I'm only 16. The boss is my father but he left me in charge."
I feel like I just missed out on something. "Ehhh? So, we're the same age after all?" I laughed lightly. "I really couldn't tell with that crease between your eyebrows all the time." I could see his frown deepen even more.
The oven beeped and he went to fetch the bun. Soon as he return, the aroma wafted to me again and my stomach rumbled. He lightly chuckled, and I dug in.
"You'd move this far to work at a bakery?"
"Yup."
"You'd walk into a man's room alone to the smell of bun?"
"Y-" I froze. He has a point.
"So what are you doing here at this hour? You should get back to your own room." He simply mumbled tensely as he sat up, ready to send me off.
"But hey! Its so rare that we'd be the same age! We should spend some time talking to each other you know? Get to know one another." I smiled. I really don't know why, but he just had this, charm to him.
But his facial expression darkened as I saw something more sinister in him.. Did I snap a line?
"Get to know each other more?" He stepped closer to me as I backed up. What exactly, is he planning? "You mean like this?" He slammed his palms on the wall either side of me. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement.
He simply leaned his face closer, and I couldn't stand it anymore and punched him again in the exact spot I hit just now. Soon as he flinched I scrambled out the door.
"Jeez, if you wanted to reject me all you had to do was say 'No'. That seriously hurt."
My heart was beating wildly. I'm outside his apartment. After my breathing slowed down and I could finally think rationally, I realized I hadn't once asked about my job at the bakery. Ahhh how stupid of me. At least I left my resume in there.. I hope he sees it.
I swiftly walked into my apartment, getting ready for a busy day tomorrow.
*knock* *knock*
Huh? Who could that be? I got off my bed and opened my apartment front door, to find that there was no one outside and the night air was chilling me. I gave another look, gave up and shuffled to close the door when I saw something on the floor.
It was a note with scribbled writing.
Wake me up at 5 in the morning tomorrow
if you want to continue working at the bakery.
- Levi Ackerman (Replacement Manager)
I smiled in glee, I, Petra Ral, am about to live my dream!
The next morning I woke up early and got ready, I sure am a bundle of nerves, can't help it if it's my first official day of work!
Soon as the clock showed 5 I immediately locked my front doors and knocked on his apartment.
"Heyy, Levi, it's 5 in the morning!" I knocked again.
He groggily opened the door, not a morning person I suppose? "You need only knock once, I work there too you know?"