Authors Notes: Ah, it's all coming to me now! YAY! Look for more updates soon as well...and lets see if I can crank out something for To the Top and (yeah get that there is an "and" in there) Memories on the Road. I also thought up another two story plots (curses her brain) and who knows maybe I might do a one-shot lime story one of these days. Ah, if only I could think of random one-shots and yet my plots turn out so darn long and twisted. Anywho, enjoy Misao's thoughts of Aoshi-sama in this! Ja!
# ENJOY #
Glazed Affections
I heard a strange consistent beeping under my pillow which was conveniently right near my ear and began to grumble and moan wishing for it to disappear. Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep, need more sleeeeeeeeeeep and yet here was this stupid ringing that just wouldn't shut the hell up! The nerve of it disturbing my beautiful sleep.
'When can you start?'
I murmured lightly before rolling over on my nice comfortable bed at that persistent deep voice. Where had I heard the before?
'Fine, tomorrow at 4.'
There it was again and it seemed to want to drill this information into my brain as though there was something I needed to do. I had to admit though, in my half asleep phase it sounded so sensual it made a shiver run down my spine as it was a deep throaty voice. At those thoughts I moved deeper under my covers.
'In the morning.'
Yeah, in the morning...
"MORNING?!?" I shouted as I snapped my eyes open to look around my dark room and then towards the peeping which happened to be my watch alarm going off. Pressing the button to turn on the light to check the time, my eyes widened as it read 3:30am.
"OH CRAP!" I flew from bed, sheets pooling to the floor and tripped over the junk on the carpet and fell head first into a pile of washing. Oh thank god! Clean clothes! Diving into my shower I had to resist screaming as the hot water system wasn't kicking in and flew out in record time. Glancing at my watch once more as I desperately dried off I noticed it was 3:40am now.
"Ah, good going Makimachi, way to go on your first damn day!" I complained to myself as I picked up my bag, shoving what I needed into it before slipping into a pair of sneakers and ran out the door as it slammed behind me.
My lungs felt like bursting from my ribcage as I high tailed it to Shinomori Delights. Oh man he better not be excessively early or else my plan to show him I can keep to my word is going to be ruined. Thank you very much television and cute actors for keeping me up till a late hour! Then I saw it, the bakery store and cheered happily as I ran across the dead street and slumped against the door puffing heavily. Peering down at my watch it was 4:10am and I sunk to the ground in a happy yet tired way. He wasn't here yet.
# Half hour passes by #
The nerve of that bastard making me get up this early and yet he has the tenacity to just decide not to come. Why I ought to...
"What are you doing here?" Snapping my head up from my updrawn knees I stared my ocean blue eyes up at the tall and slightly shadowed figure.
"What am I doing here? I work for you dammit!" I know, real mature, but the nerve of him making me wait for like 40 minutes is truly a pain. I could have slept in more.
"I realise this, but what are you doing here this early?" I stared confusedly at his back as he opened the bakery shop door, turned off an alarm system and then flicked on some lights. I blinked rapidly to get used to the brightness before watching the silent baker head for the back of the shop, but before he did so he pointed to the wall. My eyes drifted the way he pointed and rested on the clock.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Its only now 4 in the morning!" At this news I crumbled to the tiled floor. My watch...was ahead of time. I felt like crying now. I ran all this way, completely forgetting that I set my watch ahead of time so I wouldn't be late and yet here I was complaining my butt off about him being tardy.
"Would you like some coffee?" I snapped my head up to see my new boss with a mug in his hand as it was directed at me. Ah, coffee, my saviour! When I took it from his hand I now focused my full attention on him and nearly gasped. Okay so I did, but not too obvious...I hope. There was 'Mr Baker' looking oh so damn fine in black jeans, muscle shirt and leather coat that rested mid thigh on him.
"Are you any good at finding and mixing ingredients?" I blinked up at him before mentally kicking myself to answer him lest he think of me as more of an idiot then he probably already does.
"Yes!" I replied a little too eagerly it seemed as he raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me. Don't blush Makimachi, don't you dare blush!
"Follow me then." I staggered to my feet and was practically bouncing behind him as we headed out to the back where the place was loaded with cabinets, fridges, ovens, you name it. I gazed my eyes around before turning them to a large bench that he was currently standing at.
"I know my recipes off by heart, but you don't, so I made some cheat sheets for you." At those words I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. Damn you hormones, its nothing like that!
"Um, thanks..." I muttered and looked down at the sheets. Oh man his writing is impeccable.
"You can bring the flour from the cabinets to your right and the eggs are in the fridge while I grab the rest." I heard him quietly tell me. It was like a soft demand, but never meant to be placed down as one. It was like he was actually wanting my help...and for that I felt myself smiling happily as I nodded my head and went to the fridge for the 2 cartons of eggs we would be needing for now. The tiredness I had felt before had suddenly disappeared as I bounced about the place getting ingredients. And then...I felt it. His eyes, those mysterious green pools were watching me, watching what I was doing. Probably making sure that I didn't grab the wrong things, but just feeling them on my back made my stomach flutter. It felt like butterflies. Just what was he doing to me? No, it wasn't time to think about that and time to work! I had to show him just what I was capable of and...ACK!
"You should be more careful." I stiffened in the arms of my boss as my back lay against his chest. He was crouched on the concrete floor, strong arms...oh how they were strong, wrapped around my mid section. What did he mean by be more careful anyway? And then I focused my eyes at my feet as I'd tripped over a 2kg packet of flour while I had been getting another one. I'd absently forgotten about that one in the process of over thinking too much. Heat rose to my cheeks as I was brought safely to my feet by Shinomori-san. Yes, must remember respectfulness. Call him Shinomori-san.
"Arigatou...Shinomori-san." I muttered and left the confines of his arms. Damn...
"Don't need you dying in my bakery ne?" Was he trying to joke with me? I turned my eyes in his direction and felt my breath catch once more. He was standing at the bench grinding some herbs together and his leather coat had all but disappeared, so now he stood before me in his muscle shirt and jeans. Oh...kakko ii...
"Are you bringing the flour over?" Oh crap! He knew I'd been momentarily stunned by his very presence. Makimachi don't blush! For the love of God just stay cool, grab the flour packets and head on over as though nothing happened. You didn't fall into his arms...nope, nope, nope!
"Ah, yeah sure..." Scurrying over I plonked the flour onto the counter, which stupid me didn't realise one was slightly open as flour came flying out and hit me right in the face! Crap, the horror and the embarrassment of it all! Makimachi just crawl into a dark space and die of sheer mortification why don't you!
"You should wash up and place on an apron. There are some in the bathroom just over there." What? He wasn't...going to laugh at me? And then I observed him, in a professional way this time and realised he was hard at work mixing dry ingredients. He had finished with his herb mix for now and was working on fruit and nuts.
"Today would be good Misao. We need to keep on schedule."
"Oh right, I won't be long!" I ran off then and headed for the small bathroom and washed my face. That's when I looked into the small smudged mirror and realised I was still dressed in my sweat jumper and my backpack was still strapped to me as well. I decided to place it on a hook in the bathroom and took off my jumper as well. It had flour on it anyway so I best get rid of it too...and it was getting warm in there. I'm sure he had turned on the ovens before he brought me coffee. Ah! My coffee! Quickly grabbing an apron I rushed back out into the preparation and kitchen area of the bakery before rushing past a quietly blinking Aoshi and headed for the main area where I left the mug on the floor. Taking a large gulp I sighed happily before heading out the back to see Aoshi placing a lot of ingredients into a huge mixer that would automatically blend everything together when he switched it on.
"I'm sorry..." I felt myself mumble to him as I looked at the ground where a fair amount of flour lay.
"You think flour is the only thing that's been spilt on this floor?" I blinked owlishly up at him before placing a hand behind the back of my head. I smiled sheepishly at him and watched as he waved me silently over to the bench once more.
"The mixer is done. You can start kneading the dough for me." Heading on over I watched as he floured the bench and then poured a generous amount of dough onto it.
"Flour your hands." I did as he requested and then felt everything in my body tighten as his larger body was behind mine. Oh he smelled good. A nice hearty musk scent fluttered to my nose and was that a hint of tea on him as well? What an interesting combination.
"The dough will be ruined if you don't knead it properly." I fought a shudder as his warm breath fluttered to my right ear...and then my heart literally stopped in my chest as stronger experienced hands moved over mine to teach me how to work the dough. Mind, don't you even think about wondering elsewhere!
"Do you think you can do it?" Jerking my head into a nod I felt his body heat move away from my back. I had to remain calm and collected and focused too! Must remain focus, must not think about jumping boss on the first day of the job in his shop. That would do me no good...and the same goes for these thoughts! Leave my mind right now!
"You seem tense?" I darted my eyes up at him as he was currently kneading the rest of the dough. Wow, look at how fast his hands moved. Truly amazing... Wait, he asked me a question. Quick, think of lame excuse.
"Well, it's my first day and how many times have I screwed up already?" I spoke back while continuing to knead the dough before stopping as I felt it was done. Okay, not really it was more like he finished and so I stopped as well. I silently observed as he grabbed two metal bowls and filled them each with either herbs or fruit and nuts.
"Are we making herb and fruit loaves?" I finally questioned after my brain decided to have a slow day at not knowing this simple fact sooner.
"More like buns." He commented before getting back to work as he kneaded the dough with some fruit and nuts and then placed it onto a greased tray in a perfect circle. His eyes finally turned to mine behind his long bangs and I read the message within them and began to do the same with the herbs and spices. Though I had to admit my circles weren't that great.
"I'll fix them up later." I nodded and tried desperately to keep up to his pace but knew it was hopeless. He was so skilled.
I had to admit to myself that the herbs he was using had a nice fragrance to them. I darted my eyes to his floured hands but soon jumped when an alarm went off and watched Aoshi wipe his hands on a towel hanging over his left shoulder before he wondered off to bring out some bread from an oven. When the hell did he do that? I observed him place the large tray on another bench as he headed back over to where I was and took his tray and placed it on one shelf. My eyes widened as within seconds my crappy circle shaped buns were now actually circles this time. I watched him take those as well and placed them on the second tray before he closed the lid and reset the timer.
"It smells good." I heard myself mutter and as usual, I wouldn't be me if something completely embarrassing didn't happen and that's when my stomach growled. I felt the heat rush instantly across my cheeks as my hands went down to try and suppress the growl from my stomach over the apron I had on. My ears caught the sound of clinking metal and I watched as Aoshi had brought out a bread knife to cut one of the freshly made and baked loaves. In one swift movement slices were cut and he was placing some butter onto them. His eyes froze mine instantly as they beckoned me over. I moved stiffly towards him until I stood on the other side of the bench as he handed me a slice.
"Oishii..." I spoke with my hand against my lips savouring the freshness of warm bread with melted butter spread across it. He was a damn fine baker that's for sure.
It wasn't long before I finished off three slices and then happily pat my now quiet belly.
"Shall we continue?" I nodded my head, giving the tall man a hundred watt smile as he silently showed me how to work the cutting machine to turn the loaves into slices and then the way to bag the sliced bread in clear plastic bags as well. Simple as pie it was. Hmm, I wonder if he makes pie too. No, don't think any other thoughts. Just concentrate or else you'll cut your delicate fingers off.
Time ticked by as the silence grew between us. I looked behind me while waiting for the cutting machine to finish off slicing this wholemeal loaf and noticed small windows near the ceiling of the bakery building. The sky had begun to change colour which meant time was moving quickly for sure, hence why he worked so fast, but so efficiently as well.
Cracking my neck I was getting sore from standing up so much. It wasn't that I hated it; it was more or less I was used to wondering around so much with Jiya at the Aoiya. My eyes drifted once more to the concentrating face of my new boss and blinked as he was ditching more ingredients into another mixer. Not only that, he had more loves of bread where he was as well as some other assorted buns.
"When did you do that?"
"I usually come in around 3am, but usually though the back." My eyes widened at his words and I remained quiet as he was hard at work. I stood at the bench, the last loaf of bread bagged and sitting neatly stacked amongst the others. I didn't know what else to do...and I really didn't want to interrupt him either.
"Can you get the cream and the jam in the metal bowl for me from the fridge?" I quickly did as he asked and brought it over to him. My head turned just like I'm sure his did when another timer went off in the far corner where another lot of ovens were.
"Can you grab that for me and turn off that oven?" I nodded and headed over and opened the oven and felt a gust of heat attack my face and upper body. There sat about a dozen sponge cakes as I grabbed oven mittens and careful pulled the trays out. Placing them on the counters I turned off the oven and closed the door. Finally I'd done something right! Knowing the sponges needed to cool before applying any cream or jam I moved back over to where Aoshi was and found him mixing what looked like icing sugar, cocoa, some water and some melted butter together. My eyes drifted up to look at him, as he began decorating caramel slices and tarts with strips of chocolate, to see that a thin sheen of sweat was staring to form against his forehead and temple area. I fished in my pockets, found clean tissues and instantly without thinking I lifted up my hand and brushed it over the right side of his face. All activities stopped as his head jerked in my direction.
"Ah, gomen!" I spoke rapidly before pulling my hand away and then raced off towards another oven where a timer was going off. Stupid Makimachi, real stupid...again in fact! You can't just touch him whenever you damn well feel like it! Grabbing the bread buns out of the oven I placed them on the bench before hearing another two alarms go off...and this time I watched Aoshi move on over to them as I was busy grabbing the bottom tray from the same oven. Geez he made a lot of food.
"Can you open the counters and turn on the coolers. It's nearly time to open." Oh thank God he wasn't going to bring up what I had just done earlier. I left the back room and did as questioned and realised a small group of customers were already waiting outside. Damn, no wonder he made a lot of bread and confectionery, he was extremely popular.
"Misao, can you change and then open up?" I darted my eyes away from the customers and went back into the back room where he was now placing different breads and sweets onto different trays and brought out signs with prices attached to them and what everything was.
"There should be uniforms in the back for you to change into. If none fit, just try and wear one of the shirts and I'll get a fitting for you later in the day." I narrowed my eyes slightly as I headed for the bathroom once more. He better not be making fun of my size or else! I closed the door behind me and found a box in the corner of the bathroom and opened it up. There were three different shirts inside, two of which looked too gigantic for my petite frame and the other seemed to be a baby tee. I picked it up and turned it around and smiled. On the front in white fancy writing was the 'Shinomori Delights' but ironically it was written in English and every dot for the "i's" were in fact small bakers hats. I took off my shirt and placed it on the hook my bag was on and once I placed the shirt on I realised it was a little small in length. My black trousers hung at my hips, held there by a silver loop belt while the shirt revealed two inches of my flat stomach. I picked up another apron, which was navy blue like the shirt and tied it around my waist. I'd have to get an approval before anything and slowly headed out of the bathroom.
"Umm, it's a little small, but can it do for today?" I felt myself mumble and grew self conscious when he silently turned to stare at me. At gaining his full attention I fisted my hands into the apron growing even more nervous. It was like he was silently undressing me with his eyes. Stop right there you damn perverted mind! You will not proceed in those thought directions any further!
"Customers are waiting." I blinked as he headed back out the front with two more trays packed with slices and sponge cakes which would go into the rotating cooler. So, I guess that meant 'it will have to do for now' and thus I headed out flipped the sign to 'OPEN' and unlocked the door. Moving back to the counter I watched customers' head inside.
"Thank you for coming to Shinomori Delights, what can I get for you today." I spoke with a wide friendly smile on my face.
Here goes nothing Makimachi Misao. Time to make an impression!
# To be continued... #
