A/N: Sorry folks but it looks like the fan in my laptop has died completely which may put a dent in my "update every few months" sort of deal I seem to got going on. I'll try to write more by hand as opposed to by typing so then hopefully this will make me update much more frequently. Hopefully.
"Takashi did you have a sleepover with Rye-chan?" Honey asked when he ran into his tall cousin in the hallway. Mori felt horrified at being caught so early in his budding relationship with Riley and felt even worse that it was by Honey of all people. Before he was able to think of something to say, honey suddenly smiled and held Usa-chan closer to him, "You should bring her some food. She'll really like that." With that, Honey continued making his way to the dining room, leaving a mildly petrified Mori in the hallway. It took Mori a few moments before he was able to make any clear thoughts on what he wanted to do. He looked back at the door leading to Riley's room where his baker was still lying and sleeping peacefully. She would like some food... he thought to himself and made his way to the kitchens.
Riley woke up feeling a bit happy and sad that Takashi wasn't still lying beside her. The very thought of what happened the night before made the baker sigh and smile. "Oh Takashi..." she muttered quietly. She couldn't believe that her feelings were not quite as "unreciprocated" as she first thought. "I need to call Dakota." Riley said out loud and was barely able to stifle a giggle as she grabbed her phone. Of course her friend didn't answer and Riley was greeted by an answering machine. "Dakota you will definitely need to wake up and call me. You are going to love what I'm gonna tell you... once you wake up and call me back! So wake up lazy!"
Just as she was deciding on whether or not she should get up or stay in bed, Ghost came padding into the room with something in his mouth. The baker propped herself on her elbows to watch her dog, "What do you got there mutt?" Whatever was in his mouth crunched when he bit it and little black flakes floated from his mouth to the floor. "Ghost don't, oh jeez." Kicking off her blankets which kept her encased in warmth, Riley stood and walked to her dog before plucking the foreign object from him. "Is this a," she muttered out loud while inspecting the slober covered black object, "a burned sausage? Where'd you get this?" That's when the smell hit her: the smokey scent of burning food. So she put on a warm sweater and pair of pyjama pants to go and investigate.
It wasn't hard for her to follow the smell to the kitchen where a thick gray cloud of smoke loomed. Inside the kitchen she didn't see any of the usual cooks that accompanied the hosts when they went on trips. Instead she saw Mori hastily try to flip some sort of food which was beyond recognition. "Mori? What are you-"
At the sound of her voice, he accidentally dropped the pan in his hands which fell with a loud clang. Seconds before it landed Mori tried desperately to catch the falling pan but did it so clumsily he ended up knocking over a bowl of some sort of batter he made and it spilled all over the floor. The host's cheeks instantly went bright red and she could see the embarrassment he held in his gray eyes. Everything about the situation was so hysterical to the baker she began laughing so hard she doubled over. "I'm sorry Mori but this is so," she wiped a tear from her eye, "No I'm not sorry this is really funny."
Her display of uncontrollable laughter got Mori to smile and forget about how embarrassed he felt just moments before. Riley hadn't stopped laughing when he stepped over the batter mess and stood in front of her, his arms going around her waist. Being so close to him so suddenly is what got her to stop laughing and get bashful. "So... trying to make breakfast?" Now that she was past her hysterics, she was able to glance around the kitchen and see the mess Mori had made. There were egg shells everywhere, some sort of powder which was probably flour all over the counters and a couple milk puddles here and there. "Oh Takashi," she chuckled and looked up at him, "you're such a mess! I bet you never cooked a day in your life." She ran her hands up his chest and rested them on his shoulders, "Do you need help?"
His smile never waivered since she walked in and he couldn't help but feel foolish. "I do need help," he answered, referring to more than just her offer. Taking advantage of their solitude he leaned close, pressing his forehead against hers and felt her lips brush his.
"Takashi?" The sound of Honey's voice made both Riley and Mori immediately break their embrace and take a step from each other. Honey then walked in from the hallway, wearing a knitted sweater with a bunny on it. "Did you make Rye-chan breakfast yet?" Then he saw Riley and smiled, "Rye-chan! Did you like your breakfast?"
"Sweets I didn't eat yet," she said while cleaning the egg shells from the counter, "Mori here needs some help making breakfast though. Do you wanna help us?"
Honey's eyes lit up at the suggestion and nodded, "Oh yes!" He immediately went to the sink, looking positively estatic and started washing his hands. While his back was turned, Riley stood on her toes and gave Mori a quick peck on the cheek. His cheeks, which had just regulated back to their original colour, flared once again though he tried to control himself. He tried to make himself look busy as Riley and Honey were bustling around the kitchen, cleaning the mess Mori had made earlier.
While they were cleaning, Riley found the box of pancake mix he had used along with a carton of eggs and a jug of milk. After quickly glancing over the back of the box, she turned to the tall host. "Takashi? Was this the mix you used for this pancakes? And did you add eggs and milk?" He shrugged, still trying to control his blushing. "You know," she began while trying to stop laughing, "you're just supposed to add water." She started laughing much like earlier and covered her mouth, "Don't worry. I'll show you some good cooking tips," she said once she calmed down, "... like reacing instructions!" She started first with a cackle which then progressed into her old hysterics. Mori was not offended by her jab but instead felt playful, something her was not accustomed to feeling.
"Mitsukuni," Mori started, "don't you think Usa-chan will feel left out?"
Honey, who was putting dirty dishes in the sink, covered his mouth in shock, "You're right Takashi! I'll be right back!" Doing exactly what Mori thought he would, the small host bounded out of the kitchen to retrieve Usa-chan.
The moment he was out of sight and earshot, Mori immediately enveloped his baker into his arms and kissed her. The two stood like that for a few minutes when the host pulled away, trying his best to keep his emotions under control. "Wow good morning," Riley muttered, "I didn't expect that first thing." She looked both shocked and bashful at once, completely enthralling the host. "Well then Takashi," she began and wiped her hands on her apron, "let's start prepping."