Hunger

Chapter 18

After counting down the days the time to bake had finally arrived for Natsuki. Truthfully the wait wasn't all that bad. Despite her pride threatening to stop her she was slowly getting acclimated to her daily lunches with Naota. And although she hated to admit it, it was having good effects on her. It was easier to stay alert during class and even during gym she found herself wanting to get up and move more. It was like food was an energy source or something, who knew? It was almost worth giving up her manga time.

All day she had been watching the clock, counting down the hours. With no club that day she rushed home as quickly as she could. Barely even saying hello to her dad she gathered and packed everything she could think of she might need. Her homework, cook book, apron and manga were all safely packed away in her book bag.

Natsuki decided to pick up the pace when she saw a familiar figure standing out front of the small store, just like the last time they baked together. As she observed her boyfriend absentmindedly tapping away at his phone's screen her good mood planted a silly thought in her head. She formed her hand into a makeshift pistol with her fingers and snuck as quietly as she could behind the distracted boy.

Readying her best heroic voice she lightly jammed her 'gun' into Naota's back. "Freeze evil doer or my 'Shortcake shot' will make quick work of you!"

It took Naota a minute to realize what was going on, and he'd picked up on the Parfait Girls reference right away. He reached for the sky and played along. " You've got the wrong guy! I mean no harm. I'm waiting for a friend. She's going to help me make provisions for my friends tomorrow."

"Likely story villain!" Natsuki grinned as she poked his back a little harder.

"It's true! I'm to escort her back to my kitchen to ensure her safety!"

"That's quite a risk you're taking in parts like these. Are you sure this person is just a 'friend'?" Natsuki usually wouldn't push this point but she liked hearing it from his mouth sometimes.

"No, I lied. She's secretly my girlfriend and baker extraordinaire!" Naota admitted.

Grinning ear to ear Natsuki put her "gun" away and allowed Naota to finally turn around and face her. "Sup dork?"

The sight of her smile made the words get caught in Naota's throat for a moment. "You come up to me role playing Parfait Girls and I'M the dork?"

"You're always gonna be dork to me and you played along so you're a double dork for that." Natsuki reasoned.

Naota smiled, resigning himself to the label. "I was just texting Sayori before you got here. I invited her to help us decorate the gingerbread men when she's done with her chores for the night."

Natsuki took his side and the two began walking at a steady pace. "We're making cookies and you're inviting THE cookie monster herself?"

"I bought extra gum drops and cinnamon buttons, maybe those will satisfy her sweet tooth?"

"You better hope so! We can only make so many cookies with the time we have." As the pair walked Natsuki's hand brushed against Naota's and she immediately noted how cold it was. "You're so busy with your phone you're letting your hand freeze dummy. Gimme that!" Natsuki clenched her boyfriend's hand in her own before stuffing both in her hoodie's pocket.

The two spent the rest of the walk talking about manga and T.V., about characters and story points. Before they knew it they were entering Naota's house. Even before they could fully get their shoe's off upon entering Naota's house they were greeted by one excited mother.

"Hello kids! So Naota, who is your friend here?" Naota's mother asked, grinning ear to ear at her son's already reddening cheeks.

Natsuki's demeanor had also changed. Her boisterousness seemed to evaporate in the air as she stood quiet and rigid. "Good evening Mrs. Fujiwara." She managed to greet. "I'm Natsuki. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's all my pleasure Natsuki. I hope my son hasn't caused too much trouble for you. It's been so long since Naotas had a friend besides Sayori over."

"Your son may have his moments but he's been a very good friend ma'am ." Natsuki said, now wearing a matching blush.

"That's good. Well, I guess I'll let you two get to work. Naota raves about your baking so I hope to smell good things coming from my kitchen." Mrs. Fujiwara said as she gave the two teens some space.

"You will ma'am. And just wait till you get a chance to taste it." Natsuki promised.

"I look forward to it! Naota if you need anything your father and I will be upstairs." With one last cheerful smile Mrs. Fujiwara left.

The pair made their way into the kitchen where Natsuki gave Naota a playful elbow in the side. "You really raved to your parents about my baking?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and small smile.

"Well, yeah. Doesn't everybody rave about your baking?" Naota asked innocently.

"Mostly, I guess it's just different coming from an adult. I'm not that great with 'normal' parents." Natsuki admitted.

"I can tell. You did great though, I think mom likes you." Naota reassured.

"Well that's a relief at least." She young woman then cracked her knuckles and stretched her arms and back. "Now how about we get started?"

As the two took their stations in the kitchen Naota watched as his partner donned her apron and then retrieved something from her book bag wrapped in a small blanket. She gently placed it on the counter and unwrapped it. Inside the wrap was a well worn, but well loved cookbook. Intrigued, Naota joined his girlfriend at her side. "What's this?" He asked softly.

"This is the cookbook my mom used to use." Natsuki answered just as softly. As she carefully flipped the pages Naota observed that each page had hand written notes on them. Little additions, changes to ingredients and even little self affirmations were neatly scribbled on every page. "She taught me how to bake without even being here."

"Wow, she's a great teacher then." Naota's compliment seemed to fall on deaf ears as a sullen mask took Natsuki's features. The same mask threatened to overtake Naota. He didn't want Natsuki to be sad but he had never lost a parent like she had. He was completely lost on how to approach this problem. Taking a moment to think while Natsuki continued to slowly flip pages Naota did the only thing he could think of. He closed his eyes and bowed his head, bringing his hands together in front of his chest with a little clap.

The noise caught Natsuki's attention, confused at the sight of Naota in a prayer position. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"You got to talk to my mom, I'm going to talk to yours." Naota explained as if it were as clear as day. "Mrs. Hanase? Hi, I'm sure you know who I am but I've never introduced myself. I'm Naota. You daughter and I are going to be baking today and I ask for your guidance. She doesn't need it of course but I might mess something up. I promise to back your daughter up with whatever she needs and do my best so please look over us."

Natsuki looked at Naota speechless for a moment. She would talk to her mom sometimes, but it was something else hearing someone else do it. She hated to admit it but it was just the right mix of dorky and heartwarming. Her somberness gone, she shared a little smile with Naota and she finally found her page. With a playful little hip check and renewed vigor she turned to Naota. "Alright, lets get this gingerbread party started. Ready to back me up partner?"

"Yes chef!" Naota exclaimed, glad to have lifted Natsuki's spirits.

A little more than an hour later the pair were shoulder to shoulder, deep in a volume of Parfait Girls when there was a knock on the front door.

"That must be Sayori." Naota surmised as he tore himself away from the manga in front of him.

"I'll start hiding cookies." Natsuki joked as she closed her manga and put it back in her book bag.

After brief greetings Naota and Sayori returned to the kitchen. Sayori took a big, dramatic breath through her nose. "It smells amazing in here guys. I swear I could smell it as soon as I left my house."

"That's just one of the gifts of baking." Natsuki said sagely.

"Natsuki!" Sayori cheered, rushing into the kitchen and enveloping her friend in a big hug.

Natsuki squirmed in Sayori's vice grip in a bid to breathe normally again. "Settle down Sayori! We just saw each other at school."

"I know but I never get to see you outside of school like this!" Sayori explained as she released her hold on the shorter girl. Sayori attention was quickly snapped away as she caught a glimpse of the many gingerbread men cooling off on racks. "Oooo..." she cooed as her eyes lit up and she approached the cookies.

Natsuki barely had time to roll her eyes before she had to catch Sayori by the back of the collar and reign her in."Sayori! You can't eat any cookies yet. They're still naked!"

"They are naked little men aren't they?" Sayori observed with a little childish giggle. "Where are their dressings?"

"Right here." Naota answered while digging through a cabinet. He came back to the counter with several bags of gum drops, cinnamon buttons and gel icing.

After that time seemed to fly by as the three friends decorated the cookies. The kitchen was warm and alive with chatter and laughter about school, T.V., really anything that crossed the three teens minds. Natsuki didn't get to bake as often as she would like, and she swore she could remember every time she got the chance to. Tonight felt so much different then all those times before. With how much she was laughing and smiling she could've sworn this was a carnival and not a kitchen. As things were winding down and Sayori was finishing decorating her last cookie Natsuki finally sobered up a bit when Naota's parents came back to check on the kids.

"How's the baking party going in here?" asked cheerfully with her husband by her side.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Fujiwara!" Sayori greeted as she worked on the last cookie. " We were just finishing up..." Sayori took a moment to add a few more gum drops to a cookie that was already overloaded with them. "Now! All done!"

Natsuki nervously stood by Naota as the two adults looked over the evenings work. Naota picked up on his girlfriend's shift in mood and gave her a nudge and encouraging smile.

"This look marvelous dears." Mrs. Fujiwara complimented. She pointed to one of the more modestly decorated cookie. "May I?"

"O-of course! Please try one." Natsuki said timidly.

Taking a cookie the older woman offered it to her husband first, who proceeded to break off a piece for himself. Natsuki couldn't help but sweat a bit as the two adults tried her food.

"Mmmm." Naota's dad rumbled.

"Yes this is very good. So warm and just the right amount of holiday spice." Mrs. Fujiwara complimented. "You've got some talent Natsuki!"

"Thank you ma'am!" Natsuki said stiffly.

"Isn't she the best though?" Sayori added. "I wish I could find something to be good at."

"You and me both..." Naota added.

"Now kids." Mr. Fujiwara chimed in. "Miss Natsuki has a passion for baking but I'm sure she got to this level with plenty of practice. It wasn't just granted to her. Right miss Natsuki?"

"Yes sir!" Natsuki responded stiffly.

"You're all still young, I'm certain you'll find something you're passionate about and will work hard to excel in." The older man assured them.

"Again, good job everyone. We'll get out of your hair and let you three clean up. Naota? Come get me before your guests leave, okay?" Mrs. Fujiwara requested.

"Yes mom."

As Naota started dish duty the two girls took to cleaning the counters and packing away the cookies. Sayori eventually came upon the cookbook. "Is this your recipe book Natsuki?" Sayori asked as she scoped out the book, afraid to even touch the worn book.

"Yeah, it's kind of my family heirloom." Natsuki explained.

"Wow you must use it a lot. It's very well loved." Sayori commented.

"It is. I'm gonna have to copy all the pages down someday so the book doesn't fall apart on me." Natsuki said sulking a bit.

"I can help with that." Naota chimed in from the sink.

"How? I can barely read your handwriting sometimes." Natsuki jabbed.

"If you're willing to leave it here for a night or two I can scan all the pages and get you a digital copy.
That way you can look it up or even print a whole new copy if you need to and you can keep the original book safely locked away somewhere." Naota explained.

It sounded like a plan, but Natsuki felt a bit unsure about it. She had never been without her treasure safely hid away in her room. "I guess we could do that... but you realize that this book is family to me right? If anything were to happen to it I don't know if I could forgive you."

"Well the choice is up to you. If you do trust me I promise to protect it with my life." Naota promised.

"I wouldn't be able to get to it tonight but I could return the book to you Monday morning. I'll even meet you at your locker nice and early to return it to you."

"Fine. I'm trusting you Naota, I'm serious. I refuse to lose what little of my family I have left." Natsuki warned sternly.

"Oh Natsuki! I would fight a million dragons just to see you smile." Sayori cut through the seriousness in a mocking baritone. "Oh Naota! Please say you'll be my love forever!" Sayori answered herself in a much higher pitch.

"L-L-love?" Natsuki stammered in embarrassment.

"Yeah it's way too early for talk like that Sayori." Naota admonished.

"I know, you guys are just too cute sometimes. I can't help but tease you both a bit." Sayori explained with a giggle.

With the kitchen clean and everything packed away the three teens got ready to brave the weather outside. They stood in the entryway as Mrs. Fujiwara came downstairs to say goodbye.

"Thanks for coming by tonight girls." Naota's mom said with a warm smile.

"Thank you for letting me use your kitchen again Mrs. Fujiwara." Natsuki said bowing slightly.

"Anytime dear. Next time you'll have to let me sit in and teach me some tips." Mrs. Fujiwara laughed as bashfulness overcame the pink haired girl. "Sayori please say hello to your parents for me."

"I will ma'am."

"And try to hurry home Naota, it'll be late soon."

"Sure thing mom."

As the three milled out onto the outside world the matron of the house bid them a goodnight. They silently walked to the sidewalk and Sayori turned to walk back home.

"Goodnight guys, see ya tomorrow! Take care of my gingerbread children for me." Sayori waved before making haste back home and away from the cold.

"I will Sayori. I'll see you in the morning." Naota waved back. Natsuki stayed silent but waved.

It wasn't until she was a few blocks into her trip home that the fatigue of the day really hit Natsuki. She lazily took Naota's hand into her own and swung their arms as she released a huge yawn.

"The night wear you out?" Naota asked.

"Yeah..."

"You had fun at least right? I hope Meeting my folks wasn't too stressful."

"No, everything was wonderful. That was the best time I had baking since I don't know when." Natsuki squeezed his hand to emphasize her point. "It kinda sucks to have to go home to a big, empty, cold house."

"I'm sorry. I'd stay with you if I could..." Naota admitted with a little blush.

"You would?" Natsuki was too tired to even care about her boyfriend's embarrassing comment.

"Yeah. Even if I had to sleep on the kitchen floor." Naota said with a little chuckle.

Shaking her head Natsuki moved closer to her boyfriend, leaning over to rest her head against his arm as they walked. "You may not have found your hidden talent yet but you're not bad at this whole boyfriend thing you know?."

Naota was speechless at the rare moment of sincerity coming from the young woman at his side. He decided that the moment didn't need anymore more words to clutter it up and settled with stroking Natsuki's delicate fingers with his thumb.

The walk ended under the streetlight outside 'their' little grocery store. Natsuki turned to face Naota but she refused to look him in the eye. The pink haired girl just followed her feelings and snatched Naota's other hand up so she could hold both in hers.

"You're getting pretty brave with the hand holding." Naota observed.

"It's a lot nicer then I thought it would be. You're just lucky I'm letting you go home with them tonight. I could steal them away like I did your hoodie." Natsuki threatened with a playful snark.

"But I wouldn't be able to work or cook lunch." Naota countered.

"That's too bad. The girlfriend handbook says I can take anything I want of yours at anytime." Natsuki said with a catty smirk.

"You got a handbook? That's B.S.! I've been guessing this whole time!"

The two shared a little laugh and Natsuki was fighting with herself to llet go of Naota's hands. "I guess this is goodnight."

"Yeah. Are you sure you don't want me to walk you the rest of the way?" Naota asked a little forlorn.

Natsuki shook her head. "I want you to, but you know we can't risk that."

"Part of me already knew that." Naota said with a little sigh. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Nice and early if you can manage it. I'll be at my locker."

With one last squeeze Natsuki found the strength to overcome her bashfulness and look her boyfriend in the eyes. Although a chilled wind blew around them the two never felt a hint of it in the moment. The world only resumed existing when the two separated and they made their way home.

That night Natsuki had a wonderful dream of the future. One where she owned her own little bakery. Safe within it's walls everyday was filled with laughter and good smells, and more importantly love.

A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing everyone. Some shorter, fluffier chapters are one the horizon so please come back for more!