Chapter 1: First Encounters
"Riiiiiiip"
A lady bent down to pick up the apples, oranges, and pears, which had fallen out of the flimsy paper bags from the store. Hunched over the elderly lady continued picking up her fresh produce which rolled along the path. Her hand pushed the wispy silver strands of hair out of her face.
"Oh my, you're quite a handsome man." She exclaimed in a soft voice as fingers grazed her own weathered cheek. Her gaze examined the young, green eyed blonde which had picked up a pear for her.
"I haven't seen you in Shirapo before. It's quite a small town, so my memory must be failing because there never new people here." She rambled as they continued collecting the fruits.
"No, ma'm. I'm from Tokyo." He replied walking beside her with an armload of fruit.
"Ahh, you're a city boy. What would someone from Tokyo need in a small town like Shirapo?"
"Just looking for some inspiration." He replied with a soft smile.
"I'll show you inspiration! In exchange for your kindness, I'll treat you to the best bakery in town. Their grain will surely inspire you!" She announced chuckling as they walked down a cobblestone path toward a row of cottages with large slanted roofs.
"That's very kind of you, Oba-san, but I don't…" He replied before being cut off.
"Humor this old lady for a day. Let her have the pleasure of introducing someone new for once, alright?" She laughed as she pushed open the bakery door with a sign hanging over it saying Ayuzawa Bakery.
A cheerful ring-a-ling notified the bakery girl of his arrival. The early morning crowd formed a line in the small, cozy bakery. The sweet smell of warm, freshly baked loaves of bread and pastries filled his nostrils and teased his taste buds. A couple wooden tables were pushed to the side near the windows, but it seemed like most people purchased their bread and left.
"Welcome back, Granny Yumi!" The black haired girl at the cashier said as she rung up a customer. A couple kids accompanying their parents turned around and greeted the old lady next to him in a similar fashion. Their large, curious eyes stared at him in wonder.
His blonde hair stood out in the sea of dark haired townspeople. Granny Yumi patiently made her way through the line till she reached the front.
"Let me grab you a bag for those fruits." The girl at the cashier said before running off in search of a sturdier bag. She returned with another brown paper bag inside a paper bag and placed it on the small wooden counter. Usui unloaded his bundle of apples, oranges, and pears into the bag.
"What will you have today?" The girl asked as she grabbed another brown paper bag from under the cashier register.
"I'll have two rolls with the raspberry filling. Misaki meet…" The old lady referred to as Granny Yumi gestured at him. He had yet to tell anyone his name.
"Usui Takumi." He filled in holding a hand out. The girl, Misaki, quickly tied the bag up before placing the two rolls on the counter. Her small hand embraced his. They had that powdery feel of flour but also that smooth texture associated with the hands of a baby. She looked slightly confused as she shook his hand. Maybe she was more comfortable bowing? Regardless of her discomfort, she hid it with a mask of cheerfulness,
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Usui. I'm Ayuzawa Misaki. That'll be xxx yen." She said in a friendly but cautious manner letting go of his hand. Money was exchanged for food.
"The pleasure is mine." He replied following Granny Yumi to a small table where she unwrapped and distributed the pastries between them.
"Can you tell me about this town." He asked after he said thank you for his food.
"Shirapo is a small town nestled at the base of the mountains. Few people visit here because the only way here is by train. Shirapo is named after the brilliant red flower that flourishes here. We mostly keep to ourselves and are isolated from the outside world." She said taking small bites of her pastry.
"What are the people like here?"
"We're a small town, but we're all one big family."
It made sense to him because everyone referred to her as Granny, but she probably wasn't blood related to all of those children. This town seemed like the opposite of Tokyo where it was all about one person, yourself.
"Where are you staying?"
"I haven't decided yet." Usui replied finishing the last of his pastry. It was pretty good. It had that thick fluffy crust with the slightly sweet filling that melted in his mouth.
"Misaki." Granny Yumi called. A minute or so later, Misaki came hustling over. Her hands were behind her back as she untied her beige colored apron.
"Perfect timing as always, Granny Yumi." Misaki smiled as she folded her apron draping it over her arm in a similar fashion of a butler to a white napkin. Underneath her apron she wore a plain grey blouse and white shorts. Suzuna managed the bakery for a bit while Misaki went on break.
"The space in the attic is unoccupied isn't it?"
"Yes, it is…" She said unsure of where this conversation was going.
"Why not have Usui stay there for his visit?"
"Ummm… Well, let me ask my mom first." Ayuzawa stammered a bit shaken by the elderly lady's proposal. She was torn between denying the kind Granny Yumi and letting a man stay in her home while she walked behind the counter and behind a cloth that draped over the entrance to the kitchen. A few seconds later she was hustled out of the kitchen by a bright, cheerful woman with her hair in a messy bun.
"Of course, Usui can stay in the attic!" The woman resembling Misaki replied. Smile marks were visible on her face.
"But Mom..is it really safe…" Misaki began before silencing herself as they neared Usui.
"That's very kind of you, Ayuzawa-san." Usui replied standing up and bowing in respect. Misaki looked like she wanted to continue what she had said, but she remained silent. Her eyebrows were scrunched in thought but relaxed a few seconds later.
"I'll go prepare the extra room in the attic. Mom, can you tell Suzuna I'll be back a bit later?" Misaki called as she began walking away. Her departure was slowed down as Suzuna approached her with a question.
A customer leaned over the counter eagerly awaiting an answer. He was a young man with rich brown hair. He looked a bit like an excited puppy. Misaki shook her head in disapproval of something.
"Why don't you follow Misaki. She'll help you settle in." Ayuzawa-san said.
"Thank you, Ayuzawa-san, Oba-san." Usui said bowing.
"It's not a problem, Usui." Minako said waving him off.
"He's such a well mannered boy." Granny Yumi said to Misaki's mom as Usui walked away towards Misaki whose hand was propped on her hip as she lectured the customer.
"How many times have I told you, You-kun? We can't give you free hand outs of food. We're trying to run a business here."
That was the first time he had heard anyone from this town use honorifics. As she lectured the customer, You-kun, she resembled the sweet cheerful bakery girl from earlier less and less.
"Ayuzawa-san" He said.
"Ayuzawa is fine. My apologies for the disruption. This way." She said waving a hand in his direction. The use of honorifics made her feel uncomfortable. She only used them with You-kun, and even than it was more of a nickname. He followed her through the kitchen and up the stairwell. The floor above the bakery seemed like a home with a living room, dining table, and bed rooms. They continued climbing the stairway to the attic.
There were a couple medium sized windows letting in light. It wasn't too dusty either. A bed and nightstand were nestled in a corner. The center of the attic had a table with two wooden chairs. The far wall had an old fashion stove too.
"Do you have any luggage?" She asked.
"Just the backpack on my back." He replied setting his bag down and taking off his coat hanging it up on the back of a wooden chair.
"I'll be back with something to clean this place up." Ayuzawa said climbing down the stairs. Usui walked around his new quarters examining it. His hand ran across the coarse bed sheets and poofs of dusts floated into the air. The only part of the attic that didn't look dull was the white and blue porcelain vase filled with vibrant red flowers on the nightstand.
"Those are shiras." Misaki said with two sponges and a bucket of water clenched in her hands. She placed them on the floor and walked over to Usui who was still staring at the flowers.
"Hmm." He mused still observing the delicate velvet petals. A single finger gently brushed the flower.
"I'll change the bed sheets." Misaki turned away from him and began stripping the sheets off the bed. Her hands swiftly pulled the pillow out of its cover.
While Misaki removed the bed sheets, Usui dipped the sponge into the ice cold water and began scrubbing the floor. Misaki made two trips to bring all the sheets down and another trip to bring up a clean pair of white sheets.
She lifted the mattress to tuck the sheets under it. The pillow was placed in a simple pillowcase with an embroidered red flower. The comforter had a similar design with large red flowers scattered across the white cloth.
"I'll help you." She announced and without waiting for a response, grabbed the other sponge from the floor and dipped it in the water. Getting down on her hands and knees, she began scrubbing the floor while Usui began washing the table and chairs. They worked in silent harmony although the lack of conversation made the atmosphere tense and awkward.
He glanced up occasionally taking in her determined expression. Her hands moved quickly and efficiently not leaving a speck of dirt behind.
She looked up at him as she felt like she was being watched.
"What are you looking at?" She demanded.
"A determined Misa-chan."
"Shut up and clean. We're wasting time." She ordered with a faint reddish tint on her cheek. Not many people had a nickname for her. It was always Ayuzawa or Misaki. Anyways only Shintani called her "Misa-chan", and they were just friends.
"Misaki, it's your turn to go shopping." Suzuna informed peeking into the attic before disappearing.
"Alright. I'll be there in a moment." Misaki informed squeezing the life out of her sponge. Water poured right back into the bucket. Without a word she climbed down the stairs leaving Usui alone in the attic.
Washing her hands in the bathroom sink, grabbing the small grocery list off the fridge, and slipping on a pair of sneakers, Misaki began her walk to the market with two large wicker baskets in hand. Shirapo's markets were not known for the quality of their shopping bags.
Near the center of town there was a cottage with an oak green door. A sign hung over the entrance and engraved in its worn wood was "May's". The store was named after the owner's stillborn daughter. She opened the door and was greeted with "Welcome to May's!"
"Good morning, Mrs. Shintani." Misaki said as she stood in front of the counter and slid over the grocery list to her. She placed both wicker baskets on the countertop. Behind were shelves and shelves of food.
"How's business at the bakery, Misaki?" Mrs. Shintani asked as she began loading the baskets with flour, sugar, fruits, and other groceries.
"It's been good. How about your store?" Misaki asked as she eyed the some of the lavender scented oils. Maybe she should get one for Suzuna.
"Business has been same old same old. If we were in Tokyo, running a business would be tiring since business is unpredictable; but in Shirapo the customers are quite consistent. Not to mention there is not a lot of competition here."
"Speaking of Tokyo, this man from Tokyo is staying in our attic for his visit."
"That's nice of you, Ayuzawas. Do you know why he's here?" asked as she rung up Misaki's total.
"Wait, can I have a bottle of the lavender oil too?" Misaki asked.
"Sure of course." She replied grabbing a small bottle off the shelf.
"I actually don't know why he's here, but Granny Yumi brought him to our bakery. He seemed to have gotten on her good side."
"That'll be xxx yen. You children always obey Granny Yumi. I wish my boy listened to me the way he listens to her." said sliding the two wicker baskets over to Misaki after receiving the money.
"I'm sure You-kun will get better, . Thank you and have a nice day." Misaki smiled and took her groceries back home. The more she thought about it the more suspicious Usui seemed to be. He somehow charmed the most influential lady in Shirapo. He decides to stay in her attic without a word, and he didn't even give an explanation to why he was here.
She stomped back into the bakery only to find Usui in the kitchen making dough. Placing the baskets on the powdery counter she exclaimed, "What are you doing here, Usui!"
"He's helping us bake, Onee-chan." Suzuna said peeking through the cloth to see what the commotion was about.
"Aww, Suzuna, I'll take care of the store." Misaki informed grabbing her apron off the hook.
"Alright. I'll bake with Usui." Suzuna said fully entering the kitchen.
"Don't you dare touch her." Misaki growled leaving with one last suspicious backward glance towards Usui who replied with a mocking "yes, ma'am."
"Mom." Misaki called as she stood behind the counter. By this time of day, the bakery was usually quiet; so she took this time to restock the paper bags and baked goods.
"Yes, Misaki?" Minako, Misaki and Suzuna's mom, replied walking over to her daughter with a broom in hand.
"Is it really wise to let Usui stay here overnight. The last time we were kind to a man, our father, he runs away. Is it even safe to have a man in a house full of woman?"
"I'm sure. Usui will be fine. He helped Granny Yumi with her groceries."
"But Mom. He could've just been…"
"Shh, Misaki. Have some faith in your mother." Minako said placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Alright." She replied letting herself relax in her mother's grip
.
"What would I do if I moved back to the city?" Misaki asked out loud to herself as she rolled onto her side. Being in bed made her think about life. She could never be satisfied in Shirapo. Maybe she would start off in a small city and gradually move to a bigger one. Would it damage her health if her environment changed too drastically?
"I don't want to just be a bakery girl. I mean I can't even bake bread." Misaki sighed. She felt restless knowing that Usui was sleeping right above her head. I mean he probably wouldn't do anything to her family, but still. She didn't feel safe even after having her family lock their bedroom doors. How silly not to feel safe in her own home.
With that final thought she fell asleep
A/N: Hello! Okay so I've been having issues uploading. This so this is like the third author's note I've had to type sooo... I'll just say this. Thank you all f you for your support but especially for those reviewing and telling me to update!