Spring
She was out front, sweeping up the fallen blooms from her hanging plants, when an unfamiliar voice asked politely, "May I?"
Makoto turned to face the interloper, who stood with his shoulders straight and his hand out. The first tentative rays of spring sunshine glided curiously over his fair hair, then settled there as if they had found their new home, making the tousled curls gleam brightly.
She paused, then handed the broom over to him. "Thank you."
He inclined his head courteously and bent to his task while she went back inside to pipe peach-golden raspberry jam into the waiting donuts and whip up a fresh batch of éclair cream.
Twenty minutes later, he came inside, and her newest experiment was just about ready. The filling was warm almond apricot with just a touch of ginger for spice and for strength. She drizzled red raspberry sauce in the shape of an open-winged phoenix on top. The surprise was concealed in the bottom layer of pastry, where the phoenix motif reappeared, baked into the crust. It had taken her several tries to get it right, but she thought she had the hang of it now.
Makoto took the broom back and ushered him to a seat, placing one of the tarts fresh out of the oven before him. A customer at the next table motioned her over imperiously, and she asked him, "Would you mind waiting?"
"Not at all," he responded, and sank his fork into the delicacy while he watched her move around the bakery with efficient ease. She addressed the man's complaint, checked on the cheerful redhead at the register, restocked the bread bins, and bused some dishes on her way back to him. Finally, she sat down with a grateful sigh, glad to be off her feet for the moment. He was studying the bottom of the tin with a half-started, half-appreciative look.
"Very impressive," he commented, pushing up the bridge of his glasses as he met her gaze. "And what is your creation called?"
"Phoenix Tart. I hope you enjoyed it?"
With a slightly bemused smile at his empty plate, he set down his fork and remarked, "I think it was just what I needed." He paused, looking around the room with a slower and more careful glance than Zoisite's. "You seem to have a talent for discovering what people need."
"In some areas, I suppose." She leaned back, regarding him as closely as he was inspecting the premises. "And what are you in need of, Jadeite?"
He smiled faintly, as if what he left unsaid was a private joke between them. "At the moment, a gift, and I was told by a somewhat reliable source that you would be the one to go to."
"Ah. Would this somewhat reliable source be a mutual acquaintance who has taken up residence in Germany?"
"It would indeed."
"And who is this gift for?"
"Rei." He smiled at her unsurprised expression. "You may have heard that I am studying part-time at the local university. I needed a job to finance my studies, and she graciously offered me a position."
Makoto hid a smile, remembering the numerous times Rei had come by first fuming, then reluctantly thoughtful, about Usagi's bold suggestion.
"You said it yourself, Rei, that your grandfather is getting too old to handle the maintenance of the shrine by himself. He's the only one of the Shitennou who hasn't been able to find a job yet."
"Well, he's not my responsibility." Rei sighed, shredding her chive biscuit into crumbs. "What does he want to do, anyway?"
"He's willing to do anything, but Mamoru says he knows that what he really wants is to be able to pursue his studies in anthropology. A part-time job that would allow him to take some classes at the university would be ideal."
Jadeite continued, "Since I was already…familiar with the Hikawa Shrine and the hours are quite flexible, it has greatly facilitated my studies. I wanted to bring her a small token of my appreciation."
"I see. Well, I think you've come to the right place. Now, Rei likes things that are useful. But what woman doesn't like something a little beautiful and frivolous – especially one who's being courted?"
He opened his hands, and the scarlet flush in his cheeks confirmed her guess. The fact that Rei hadn't been around to express her outrage and complain onerously about the affront gave her some idea of how he was being received. "I am at your mercy, Makoto."
She rose with a lofty shake of her apron and returned with a good-smelling, paper-wrapped loaf and an armful of brilliant, many-petaled crimson flowers.
He took both, but regarded her warily. "I'm told that your goods are often more than they seem, and my experience seems to have proven the statement to be true so far."
She laughed in delight. "Have you been talking to Ami, as well?"
Jadeite nodded solemnly. "We sometimes have lunch together at the university."
"Very well. This is rosemary olive bread – one for remembrance, the other for peace. And these flowers are red camellias, framed by ferns and some hawthorn berries, to express the sincerity of your intentions and your hope for the future."
She did not tell him about the purpose of the red camellias, tickled by the thought of the secret message he would be carrying to Rei: "You're a flame in my heart."
Although she loved Makoto's cooking and appreciated her artistic hand with flower arrangements, Rei believed in the kind of messages she received from the sacred fire. No matter – Makoto suspected her friend would find out soon enough what lay between her heart and his.
She accepted the thanks and the bills Jadeite offered and as he left, peered out the window. He had done a superlative job with the sweeping.