… I'm am REALLY SORRY for not uploading chapter 9. T-T I actually did upload chapter 9 a looong time ago. Just that I didn't post it. Completely forgot about the posting part.. haish… really sorry about that. Anyways, I'm really happy to see that more people are adding this story to favourites and reviewing~ On to the new chapter! The arrival of Hara Masako.
10th Bake: Paris Brest
"Mai, I can't believe you're working in this sort of place" says a certain female customer in a elegant kimono.
Mai was currently serving the customers while Naru was tending to the counter. Naru had an ominous aura which clearly shows that he was in a very bad mood and Mai was trying her best not to irritate him any further. The reason for Naru's terrible mood is… John is apparently late, VERY LATE, for work. He didn't contact Naru about being late and John was still missing for the whole morning shift. Due to the fact that John was absent (maybe), Naru had to help out at the store front since Uwagusuri was packed that morning.
"What do you mean by 'this sort of place' Masako?" Mai asked the kimono girl.
Masako gracefully drank her drink and gave Mai a look which says 'I meant exactly what I say', which Mai obviously did not get. While Mai was serving the customers, Masako talked to her every once in a while and when the store seems to calm down a bit, Mai would take the seat across hers. The store was finally empty and Naru was giving off the vibes of a murderer. He quickly retreated to his 'lair'.
Mai and Masako kept talking since the number of customers seemed to have reduced to zero nearing lunch time. Despite the harsh comments of Masako, Mai retorts back in a 'polite' manner and both of them have a genuine smile on their faces which shows that it was a normal thing between them. Naru, who was spying, 'looking out' he says, doesn't understand how women can be friends when they are like that with each other. Mai was starting to feel hungry and was about to take a plate of cake which Naru had already prepared for her, when the door bell chimed and John walked in.
"Oh, John! You're VERY late.." Mai tells John, signaling to him that their boss was extremely angry at him.
John gave a small smile and was about to walk to the kitchen to inform Naru of his arrival, when Masako intercept his way. Masako stood very close to John and batted her eyelids at him, asking his name and other personal questions.
"What's your name? I'm Hara Masako, I work in the clothing store in the next street. When's your birthday? Do you have a girlfriend? Though I think not… Do you prefer a younger woman or older? Have you ever been in a relationship? I hope not. What do you do in this store? What time does your shift end? Can we meet up later and talk? I hope—" before Masako was able to ask anymore questions, Naru stepped out of his 'lair' and John greeted him.
"Brown-san, do you know what time it is now? You are more than an hour late and you didn't even inform me or Mai. I hope this the last of such a behavior. I did not expect you to be a tardy person like Mai, Brown-san," Naru reprimanded John and despite being insulted, Mai kept her mouth shut.
Masako, seeing how Naru was treating John, wanted to stand up for him but what Naru says next made her mouth shut. "He's late for work. You've already wasted his time, if you do wish to continue, I guess you don't mind being the reason for his loss of job."
Masako was shocked at what Naru said. Naru had already entered his 'lair' once again, with Mai following him. Mai was saying things like 'I can't believe you', 'that's too much' and 'you're so mean!'. John smiled at Masako and told her that Naru is naturally like that so she should not take his words to heart.
Things at Uwagusuri returned to normal, except for a certain customer that sits at her seat without budging. Mai was worried, so she brings a glass of juice to her table but what she saw surprised her. Masako was grinning maniacally to herself, muttering "hehehe… that stupid boss of his should just die… hehehe". Mai decided to leave her alone, half creeped out by Masako's actions.
It was closing time and Masako was still at her seat. She did not utter a single word out. Naru was even done with his (stupid) clean up. Seeing Masako, Naru was about to bark at her to leave but Mai quickly latched onto his arm and told John to close up the store. Although Naru was glaring at Mai for doing such a thing, he kept quiet and went with it. Now, only John and Masako was left in Uwagusuri.
John took a seat across Masako and placed a plate of Paris-Brest in front of her. Masako finally looked up and her eyes met John's. "My name is John Brown. My birthday is on 5 January. I don't have a girlfriend and I don't have any age preference to love a woman. I am Mr Oliver's assistant and my shift is usually from 8am to 8pm. You can come by and talk to me any time, as long as it is not during the busy hours," John begins to tell Masako. Masako's face light up and she begins telling him about herself. They talked to each other for a while before Masako had a curious question. "Your boss… how did you meet him? He doesn't seem like the type to hire people he doesn't now beside Mai that is."
John smile and began to laugh a little, "He hasn't changed at all from the time I met him…"
Flashback
John was getting ready for his baking lesson.
Sensei said that there'll be a new student attending… wonder what he or she will be like. Though sensei seems reluctant to teach the new student..
Suddenly the door to the kitchen was opened and a certain dark haired male walked in, it was Naru. Naru went to his designated station and quietly wait for the Sensei to arrive. When the Sensei arrive and all the students, except Naru, bowed, Naru asked only one question. "What will today's menu be?" After the Sensei told him what they'd be making, Naru instantly began to make the said cake. His movements were swift and precise. While everyone else was still in the midst of putting their ingredients together, Naru was already done with his. He presented his cake to the Sensei and the Sensei was speechless. After that, Naru simply walked out of the class. The other students were asking why Naru got to leave early.
"It isn't like his cake is that incredible. It looks normal to me," says one of the students.
John boldly walked to the front and took a taste of Naru's cake. It left his speechless. John asked the Sensei, "This is incredible! Why was he even in this class?" The sensei gave a sad smile and relayed what Naru had told him earlier. " 'Seeing as to how you are speechless, it means that my skills are definitely far better than this class standards. Also, let me tell you that the cake you made for me the last time was definitely only a two star rate.' Is what he told me."
John simply laugh to himself.
That guy… Oliver Davis. He's not just arrogant for the sake of it. He has the talent to back it up.
End of flashback
Masako simply laughed, fully expecting that kind of situation to happen in the past. So, John walked Masako home after their long talk and they exchanged email addresses and phone numbers.
The next day, Mai walks into Uwagusuri, happy that the situation in the store returning to normal. However… the first thing she sees is Naru glaring at a customer and guess who it was, a certain kimono-wearing customer. Masako was once again in Uwagusuri. This time at least, she orders something with a smile and most certainly an insult directed to Naru (not Mai this time :)). John was smiling in the background. Things were going along smoothly until Mai brought up a certain topic.
"ne, Naru. Can I have a day off tomorrow?" Naru askes Mai for her reason and she simply replies, "I have a date tomorrow. I'm going to the Summer festival."
End of 10th Bake
…phew.. I am finally done with this chapter! I had a writer's block at the start so it took me a looong time to start. I'm not really happy with the starting but along the way, I find it okay. Decent enough I guess? Once again, sorry about chapter 9! I totally forgot about the posting part.. :#
Now, time to thank the followers:
AssailantAngel
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Naruisawesome
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Next, those that favourite this story and reviewed:
Little Red Ridinghood01
Rocke
rosaji
kagome1590
Naruisawesome
Today's chapter is pretty long… I had to listen to Detective conan OST to keep myself motivated hehe. By the way, Detective conan is one of the anime and manga that I really recommend. Though if you really wish for a comedy manga/anime, Lovely Complex is a MUST watch!~ Anyways, that's all from me. :3 See you next time.
Next update will be on 13th – 16th of June. (latest will be on 20th June)