It had been 3 days since my encounter with Mr. Faust and I had almost completely forgotten the encounter. I was currently in the kitchen of Happy Bakery icing some hot-cross buns; I had made them for the staff shortly after I started working here as a thank you gift and they fell in love with the sweet bread treat; so now we sell them in the shop. I was more than happy that I got to bring a bit of home with me to Japan. My mother used to bake these all the time, after all. I inhaled the scent of the icing crossed cakes. Bread, currants, icing... So nostalgic…
"Alice, we have a delivery order for you."
I blinked at my manager, confusion etched onto my features.
"But I'm supposed to be working the kitchen today."
"I know, but the man said he just had to have the pretty eyed girl to deliver to him again!"
Pretty eyed gi- don't tell me… My manager winked a brown eye at me, wiggling her round bum lightly.
"You sure are a lucky one, catching the eye of Mr. Faust!"
Dammit! I dropped the tube holding the icing, raising a frosted hand to cover my face in shame. Why was he calling me?! I looked desperately at the manager, clenching my fists to my side.
"But Kira is the delivery girl today!"
The manager placed her hands on her chubby cheeks, a small blush covering them.
"I know she is, but when he made the request in such a distinct yet needy manner I just couldn't refuse him! He sounds quite taken by you Alice dear."
"But he scares me!"
The manager folded her arms over her chest with a smile, looking off into something I couldn't see.
"I know he can be quite the handful but he is a paying customer my dear."
Despite her smile; her tone was icy, meaning there was no more words for me to say unless they were 'okay'. I sighed in defeat.
"Alright, just let me get changed then I'll go."
"Wonderful! I'll have Kira cover you kitchen shift. After this delivery you can get yourself off home. Thanks a lot!"
Well that was one upside I guess, I got a half day. With a sigh I quickly changed out of my kitchen wear before picking up the cake order and heading towards True Cross Academy for the second time this week. I hope this didn't become a regular thing.
It wasn't long until I stood in front of the principles door. A feeling of déjà vu washing over me, hand raised in a knocking position. Just do it Alice, get in and out. I bit my lip as my knuckles rapped on the door, but to my surprise I didn't get an answer. I tried again but got the same response. Was he not in? I opened the door and peeked my head into the office, I saw a thousand sweet wrappers but no Mr. Faust.
"Hello? Happy Bakery delivery."
I walked fully into the office and looked in the blind spots I couldn't see behind the door. Nobody. Not a soul. I grinned, happy with the outcome and walked over to the table and placing the cakes on it. I then took out my notepad and begun to write a note for Mr. Faust letting him know I had been and gone.
Squeak…
Eh? I looked up and around to the door but no one was there. Strange. I thought I heard it squeak open.
Squeak…
I blinked, the noise was coming from next to me… I looked down and saw a little green hamster, quick to pull a face at it. Could you get green bred hamsters? I don't think so… Maybe he was someone's pet and they dyed him?
Squeak…
I smiled and cooed at the little thing. I was a soft touch for small cute things. Being fluffy was just a bonus.
"Hey little guy, what're you doing running around here?"
I ran a finger down its small spine as it lay down, chubby belly fanning out as it enjoyed the contact.
"Oh, you're just the cutest little guy aren't you?"
I picked the hamster up in my hands as it looked at me with little pink eyes. I smiled back at it and begun to fuss the small poof ball with cuddles and pets. He seemed to enjoy it, small squeaks emitting from him every once in a while.
"He seems to like you, belle."
I jumped lightly, turning to meet the evergreen eyes of the principle. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment, realizing what he'd just walked in on.
"I'm sorry for just barging in here, no one answered and I was just going to leave you a note..."
I looked down at my chicken scratch handwriting which only read 'dear Mr. Faust.' I had gotten caught up with the green ball of hamster fluff after that.
"Do not fret Belle~ I'm glad I managed to catch you before you left. It seems Amaimon did a good job at keeping you here."
Amaimon, wasn't that the name of his brother?
"You… named your hamster after your brother?"
It came out more drone then I wanted it to, but I couldn't help it. Mr. Faust waved his hands in a nonchalant manner.
"Well, you could say they are exactly the same, belle."
I guess with the hamster being green he did resemble that Amaimon guys hair colour. I held out the soft creature to Mr. Faust, an embarrassed blush returning to my face.
"I'm sorry for touching your property."
A hearty laugh left the man's throat, sharp teeth becoming visible and making me cringe. They looked like wolves fangs. And I found it very unsettling.
"No, no belle~ don't fret over such a trivial matter! In fact, why don't you keep him?"
I tilted my head slightly, and I swore I saw the hamster do the same thing. I must be losing it. Mr. Faust gave a feigned heartbroken look and a dramatic flailing display of his arms.
"You see as the headmaster of True Cross Academy I simply do not have time for the little fellow.~ And such a heart-breaking thing it is that I cannot shower him with the love and attention he deserves. But you my belle~"
He cupped my hand that held the hamster in his warm cotton gloved ones, causing me to step back a little, albeit only managing to stretch my arm out fully to get away from his presence.
"You are exactly what he needs. Someone to play with."
Was it me… or did he direct that sentence to the hamster? He was an unusual man, so I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he did. He released my hand and I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"I… I don't know Mr. Faust, I mean…"
"Na-ah-ahhh belle, I won't hear any of it. I know Amaimon will simply love playing with you."
I don't know why, but that sentence sent a cold chill down my spine. There seemed to be something cynical behind it. The hair at the back of my neck rising at his cool tone. I shook it off as nothing, he's only giving me a hamster. It must just be the way he speaks sometimes. Everyone has their quirks after all.
"Alright then, thank you very much for the gift."
"And thank you for delivering me these delicious sweets again! I must say my brother wolfed the last batch down like there was no tomorrow!"
"O-oh, I'm glad he enjoyed them."
I felt pride build up in me, a cheesy grin making its way to my face. I had made that batch of sweets, and it made me happy when people enjoyed them. He nodded lightly before waving his gloved hand at me, retreating to his desk.
"You're very welcome, but I'm afraid I must now bid you auf wiedersehen, as I have a lot of work to catch up with."
A sad sigh left his lips as he plopped himself at his desk, interlacing his fingers and resting his head on them as he stared me down.
"Err, yes. Goodbye Mr. Faust."
I turned and left his office quickly, clutching the small hamster to my chest. What the hell just happened?
"I guess I better go home…"