*= definition located at the bottom of story. ❤
Small hands worked quickly around the dough, toppings and decorations added with fine touch. Set out into glass cabinets for customers to view this tasty artwork. It was hard to make a perfectly beautiful treat, but it made others happy. Which meant it made Rukia Kuchiki's day.
It was the grand opening of "Sugarplum Smile". A sweet shop that the woman ran herself. She had battled for years to buy the space from the current owners. It was a perfect area. Busy streets, hungry tourists, and business men who were hunting gifts for their wives. There was nothing better then shack, and truly it was all she could afford.
The bell wrung and a tall, burnt orange hair, and brown eyed girl strolled inside. Yelping when Rukia called out, asking if she needed any assistance. The female blinked, blushing and walked over to the counter.
"Hello, I'm Rukia welcome to Sugarplum Smiles! How can I help you?"
"I'm Orihime! Nice to meet you! I have a question, do you um carry Kushidango*?"
"Of course we do, how many would you like?"
"2 please!"
The two woman chatted on until another ring echoed through the walls. This time it was a handsome, carrot-top, with a large scowl on his features. He trudged his way toward the Inoue and kissed her cheek in greeting. The petite chief lifted an eyebrow. Could such a gruff man be dating a bashful princess like Orihime?
The customers said their goodbyes to the shop owner and she smiled in return, hoping they would enjoy her cooking. She let her gaze linger on the man's, and saw his eyes were also on her. She felt a tint of red , turning around into the kitchen.
Why had he given her such a...a adult look?
Shoving the idea of a total stranger checking her out, she placed her attention toward the new couple that entered her store.
"Time to wake up Rukia!"
She rubbed her swollen orbs of purple and yawned at the sound of her roommate from across the hall. She had been dorming in a large loft with one other person. Renji Abarai, a personal trainer at the local gym. He was large, muscular, and stern. Red strands hanging loosely from the ends of his pony tail. He had no problem housing with a short, defenseless, cute, girl. Which seemed to puzzle many of their visitors into thinking they were an item. WHICH THEY WERE NOT.
"Ready for your second day at the job honey?"
"...mehmm...sno"
There was a toothbrush lodged in her mouth, so the male's face twisted into confusion. Spitting out the foam, she nodded giving him a reasonable answer.
"Thank you come again!"
Her voice boomed over the table. A small 8 year old giggled, thanking her for the cupcake.
She sighed, wishing one day she could have children of her own. She'd grow them to be strong and talented with food! That way she would have a heir to the family business! Straightening out her pink apron, she heard a jingle. She waved at the new comer and saw a familiar face.
It was the man who had been with Orihime. What was he doing here again?
His slit pupils dashed across the menu, written in chalk, bunnies dancing on the side of the names of treats. She tried to guess what he would order, but his look was traveling so fast that it was impossible he was truly reading each label. Finally, he settled himself in front of the female.
"I would like some green tea, non-sweet, and Daifuku* with strawberry filling."
"Sure, that will be 450 yen!" (About $5.33)
He payed the bill, and awaited his dessert. The woman worked frantically, something was telling her this man wasn't one to take imperfections, so in 5 minutes she had wrapped the sweets in a soft cloth, handing it over with a smile of certain happiness.
"Hey do you have a trash can?"
"Yes, right in that corner."
The man huffed, dropping the food into it, sipping the green tea from it's cup, but pouring the rest out. He shuffled back to the counter were Rukia looked as pale as a ghost. He thanked her for the delicious meal, and whispered into her ear:
"I only came here for you.'
And vanished out the door.
To be continued in Chapter 2 ❤
*Kushidango are Japanese sweet dumplings in skewers.
*Daifuku is a kind of Japanese mochi cakes. Serve daifuku with hot green tea.
*Mochi is a sticky rice cake