Hideki was on the early shift at his job, so he had time to walk through town on his way home. Chiroru Patisserie, the bakery at which he used to work, stayed open until five o'clock; so he decided to stop by and say hello to his old boss, Hiroyasu Ueda.
As Hideki turned the corner onto the street where Chiroru stood, he could already smell the aroma of baked goods. Ueda-san sometimes left a cart filled with mini cakes and croissants outside the bakery window to attract passersby.
Hideki must have hit the early evening rush of customers. The entire block must have been buying ingredients to make dinner and tasty treats for dessert, because when he walked into the patisserie, it was full of people waiting to be helped. Ueda-san was running in and out of the kitchen at a frantic pace, filling everyone's orders.
When he finally noticed the boy, Hideki said: "Good evening, Ueda-san. May I give you a hand, since you're busy?"
"I've got it all under control, but thanks for offering," Ueda-san said, as three more customers walked in. Then he changed his mind. "On second thought… Sure!"
Hideki got behind the counter as quickly as he could, pushing his way through the crowded store.
When he got his bearings, he called: "I can help the next customer, please!"
A woman with long, brown hair stepped up and said: "Hello sir, I would like to have three of those," as she pointed towards a row of chocolate roll cakes, iced with tan, hazelnut frosting.
Hideki reached into the glass dessert case and pulled the pastries out with a piece of wax paper, then placing them in a box with a label that read: 'Chiroru Patisserie'.
"Will that be all?" Hideki asked the woman.
"Yes. Thank you very much," she responded, as Hideki placed the box on a scale.
Then, Ueda-san came rushing out of the kitchen with two mixed dessert platters, wrapped in colored cellophane plastic. He put them down on the counter to the right of Hideki, where a man was waiting to pick them up.
He thanked Ueda-san and handed him a bill bigger than necessary. "Keep the change, sir, and give your helper a good tip," the man said, as he left the bakery.
After helping several more customers, Ueda-san and Hideki were finally able to have a normal conversation.
"It seems like business is doing really well, Ueda-san," Hideki said.
"It sure is. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming, actually. Take tonight, for example; I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up," said the baker.
"I'm glad I could help out," said Hideki, cheerfully.
"If you wouldn't mind thinking about it, I could really use another employee here during the week," said Ueda-san.
"Once my college entrance exams are over, I would definitely like to come back and work here!" Hideki exclaimed. "Right now, cram school has become my first priority."
"It would be fantastic to have you back, but school is much more important for someone your age. Drop by again sometime if you'd like, and let me know when you'll have time to start here again once you're ready."
"Of course! I always love coming in here. First of all, it smells heavenly, and second, I always enjoy talking to you. I don't usually have time to socialize anymore. Luckily, after next week, cram school is over. Two weeks from now is when all my testing will take place," said Hideki.
"That's coming up, so good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do just fine. You're a hard worker, and very bright," said Ueda-san, encouragingly.
"Thank you," Hideki replied. "I just hope I pass them. The exams are becoming more and more rigorous each year, as far as I know. See you soon," the boy said, as he started towards the door.
"Wait, before you go, I have to give you something for your time helping me out just now," said Ueda-san, presenting Hideki with some money.
"Please don't- I was just doing it as a favor, you don't need to pay me," Hideki insisted.
"Well, I have to give you something for your time. I can't just let you leave empty-handed; work is work!" Said Ueda-san, putting a few handfuls of shortbread cookies into a box. "This is about all that's left! I'm going to have to come in early tomorrow and get baking, because pretty much everything has sold out," he continued, as he handed the box to Hideki. "At least have these."
"Thank you for the cookies. I can't argue when it comes to sweets," said Hideki, happily. "See you!" He called, as he left the bakery.
-Please R&R- ;D