Author's Note: So I've decided to toy with this idea a bit. I'm not promising regular updates like I normally do for my stories. This is purely something that I'll work on when I fancy. So I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Kaichou wa Maid-sama! I own my OC, so please ask if you wish to use them.
Part 1
Gen smiled to herself as she restocked the display case with fresh baklava. Business was surprisingly booming. The reason could be any number of things. The shop had the soft cozy feel she remembered her grandparents creating in the past. For the most part the place was quiet. She was on a main street, but there were other businesses serving food too, including a maid-café a few blocks down. Maybe her success was because she handled the fast paced life-style here in the city well, having been exposed to a slightly less severe version in the U.S. Or maybe it was the tourists that seemed to like having more options than fast food restaurants and expensive coffee shops.
The bell over the door rang yet again. Since it was a slow part of the day, the woman looked up and greeted her new customer. Or not so new in this case.
Aoi-chan, the internet celebrity that had entered her bakery about a week ago, came strolling in looking as cute as ever. The cute girl had become a regular, normally causing an influx of patrons when she sat and enjoyed herself. She always had a hot chocolate with her food. Her favorite so far was apple turnovers.
Aoi-chan could also be part of the reason for her success too now that she thought about it.
"Good afternoon, Aoi-chan," Gen greeted warmly.
"Good afternoon, Baker-san," the celebrity replied.
"How many times do I have to tell you? You can call me Shiro-san at least." Gen gave a tiny pout, before smiling at the blush showing through the young girl's make-up.
"That's not proper though!" Aoi-chan protested.
The older woman chuckled softly at the reaction. "You'll cave eventually." The blush grew darker, finally at a shade of red that clashed with the pastel colors she wore. "So what will it be today? I just put some fresh baklava out."
"Fresh what?"
"Baklava. It's the flakey looking triangle shaped pastries. They're pretty sweet and rich tasting so they might be a bit much. There's nuts in there too just in case you're allergic. It originates from the Ottoman Empire. I personally love them."
"I will try that then." Gen nodded in acknowledgement.
"So how are things today?" the backer asked as she started making the hot chocolate.
Aoi-chan started talking. Well, it was more like ranting. It was the favorite topic again; the girl that worked for the celebrity's aunt that did nothing to look cute or pretty. Every few days or so the young star would rant about this girl and how it was unbelievable that she had guys falling for her still. Gen would wisely keep her mouth shut about the fact that Aoi-chan constantly had men of all ages falling over themselves to please her.
Bringing the small dessert and drink to the usual table, the baker smiled to herself as the still ranting girl followed. She was still going even after her first sip of hot chocolate! The other regulars were accustomed to this by now. Aoi-chan was a young celebrity and thus was allowed to get away with such behavior. Well, that and the lack of simpering fans the followed her everywhere meant Gen had a moment to spare for her. While the customer influx was appreciated, it was extremely annoying to hear they sigh and swoon over the young girl.
When the curly haired blonde paused for a breath, the older woman jumped at the chance to tease her again. "You know, with how much you talk about that girl, one would think you had a crush on her."
"I do not like her!" the girl sputtered. "She is nothing compared to the person I like!"
A devious grin spread on Gen's lips as a blush took over Aoi-chan's face again. "Oh? You like someone? What are they like?"
"I—um—th-they are smart, tall, passionate about wh-what they do, and—um—they l-look really nice every time I s-see them," Aoi-chan stuttered endearingly.
"Awe, they sound really nice. I hope they return your feelings." This was the first time Gen had heard concrete evidence of Aoi-chan liking someone. She wanted the best for the girl.
"Th-They don't know I like them." Was the displeased response, complete with a little pout.
"Are you going to tell them?"
"Maybe? I'm not sure if they would even want to date me."
Gen placed her hands flat on the table a few inches from the small, doll-like hands of the other. "I can't see why they wouldn't. If you're really worried then try being they're friend first. Maybe once they get to know you they'll want to date you."
A bright red blush overtook Aoi-chan's face, telling the business woman just how bad this crush really was. The blonde was about to speak when something caught the older woman's attention. Seto-san, a man in his thirties who was one of her favorite regulars, was looking extremely pained, clutching at his chest.
"Excuse me, Aoi-chan." The usual friendliness the black haired woman usually exuded faded away to deep concern. She hurried towards the man only to have his collapse just as she was going to ask if he needed assistance.
A startled shriek escaped her, drawing everyone's attention. If they hadn't noticed before then, they certainly were now. In a panic, Gen knelt on the floor next to the pained man. She pressed two fingers on the neck pulse point feeling the frighteningly slow heart rate.
"Someone call an ambulance!" she shouted in a panic.
Someone did and it felt like forever for the medics to arrive. Gen stayed with Seto-san for as long as she could before moving out of the way. Even after they left she stayed on the floor, staring at the door.
Aoi carefully watched the baker like everyone else in the small shop. Seeing someone collapse wasn't all that uncommon. Obviously Gen-san wasn't used to it. She was clearly hyperventilating, or at least trying to take deep breaths. The woman shakily stood, a feat made more difficult by her floor length black and red skirt. A delicate, yet hard working hand rested against the solid red T-shirt as the baker moved to the coffee machines. She poured herself a cup of coffee, taking several sips of the likely scalding liquid before the business owner heaved a great sigh. She returned to her seat across from Aoi, a look of worry and resignation on her face.
"So, um, where, uh, what were you going to say?" Her voice was shaky and loud in the silent shop.
"Are you alright, Baker-san?" the boy quietly asked. The baker sighed, taking another sip of her black coffee.
"I will be. The shock will wear off after a while." She rested her cup on the table. "I'm sorry for making a scene," she raised her voice the slightest bit, to make it obvious she was addressing all the customers in her establishment.
Aoi felt his chest ache at the shaky smile directed his way. He didn't like that fake cheer, or fake confidence. It rubbed him the wrong way. Seeing the woman he liked desperately trying to hold the shattered pieces of her easy going confidence made him feel like an ice sculpture with a sledge hammer posed to strike him.
For her sake he started talking about the new clothes he was going to buy as a distraction. He wasn't going to entertain the idea of restarting the previous embarrassing conversation.
