It was simply perfect, in her honest opinion.
Hands turning the dish currently before her, blue eyes narrowed the slightest bit as she looked at the finished product with a critical eye.
Golden crust with just the lightest shine to it, a good choice to use a bit of egg before baking for this one, said crust was also proportionately cut and designed to allow everyone to see the delicious apples beneath. Yes, a perfect pie.
With a happy smile and a hum, she skipped to put it up on display with the other already finished baked goods. After making sure it was just right, she chanced a quick glance at the clock to see how much time she had before nodding her head. She had just enough time to wipe down the few tables before her best customer arrived.
Skirts twirling around her, she hummed, so happy that she once again got to enjoy her favourite season. She did prefer early autumn to be honest, where it was still warmer at night as well, but autumn in general was just so magical in her opinion. Not only that, everything that she needed for baking was also just so readily available and cheaper in the autumn.
The door to her little bakery opened, allowing the fresh autumn air to mingle with the sweet scents of her baked goods, quickly followed by the voice that belonged to her best costumer. "'Gome!"
"Honi!" she spun to greet him, a bright smile that mirrored his own. "You're just in time, as always!"
With a few skips, he quickly closed the distance between them to wrap his arms around her waist, to which she returned his greeting. And to think, she used to be scared of him, just because he was a sorcerer. Ah, witch. How could she forget he preferred to be called a witch?
Not only that, he was just too adorable!
Even though he was older than her, she doesn't know by how much since he is a witch, he looked younger. His pale hair appeared fluffy and soft, large brown eyes in a youthful face. His shorter stature compared to her own petite one also aided in his youthful appearance. Claimed he got it from his mother, as his father had been a giant of a man. Or perhaps was it part giant?
However, she wasn't fooled by his appearance, she had witnessed the rare occasions where he actually appeared and acted mature. The first time, some thugs had attempted to rob her, and the other time, it had been directed towards the doctor's son. The second time, she wasn't sure why, but it sure had her relaxing without having to worry about Hojo forcing all sorts of medicinal gifts on her.
"Is that apple pie I smell?"
Humming at being brought out of memory lane, she looked down at Honi who appeared to be still comfortably wrapped around her.
"Ah, it is. But!" she raised a hand with a flourish, gently easing herself out of Honi's hold, so she could scurry back behind the counter and display. "I have something special, and I want you to be the first to try it!"
His brown eyes widened, if that were at all possible, and seemed to quite literally sparkle. "Oh? Something new that no one else has tried yet? Yay!" light feet brought him to his usual spot, one that not only had the best view of the village square, but was also the most comfortable; sunny and warm when it was cold out, and sunny and cool when it was hot out.
"Now, like I said, this is new, so I'm not sure how you'll like it." she pulled out an already prepared plate, showing a few square cut pieces, dark golden looking spongy and moist with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar on top. It was added to a tray with a tea pot and cup and some honey.
Seeing his expecting gaze, Kagome couldn't help but blush at his unwavering gaze. She easily recognized the excitement, he was always when she introduced him to a new recipe, and the hunger for said treat, but this time there was something new in his gaze that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"Try it first, and if you like it, I'll tell you what it is." she took the seat across from him, hands clasping in order to keep them still. Having him try something new was always a little nerve wracking, since his reaction to the one time he hadn't liked something she presented him had left that much of an impression. "And I can sell it, because if it's good enough for you, then I'll know the villagers will love it just as much!"
As always, Honi removed his hat before beginning to eat, it was an essential part of his outfit as well as a way for others to identify him as a witch. The villagers would not have been so accepting of him, even if he had screamed for days on end that he was a good witch, if it had not been for her kindness towards him.
When he picked up one of the squares, her eyes zeroed on him, watching everything, so she wouldn't miss a single reaction. Seeing his nose twitch the slightest amount when he took a sniff, she had to bite down on her lips, otherwise she might end up cooing or squealing at just how cute the action was.
"Hmm, smells sweet, but spicy too?" he turned his hand this way and that, as if trying to figure out how it could possibly be both.
Giggling, she motioned for him to continue on. "You'll have to try it to know!" nerves at ease, she swore he did so to help calm her down. Every time too. Raising her hands, she rested her chin atop them, simply now content to watch and wait for his reaction and verdict.
"Okay, if you say so!" mouth opened wide, he took his first bite. At first there was no reaction, causing her heart to skip a beat, until his entire face lit up, and his cheeks took on an actual rosy hue. How sweet! "It really is sweet and spicy, but more like…" he stared at the square in his hand as he chewed, as if trying to figure out how to describe it. "It reminds me of that spice cake you made last year. It's a sweet and warm sort of spice, not a hot and burning sort of spice."
"Ah, you mean the ginger bread. Yeah, it is pretty similar, but this time I thought to try and add honey to sweeten it up a little." head tipping to the side, she was content when he finished his first piece and went for a second. "I take it, it's to your liking."
Golden hair bounced as he nodded his head. "Yeah, it's really-! Wait. Honey?" his hand froze before he could take a bite of his third piece.
Blushing, she turned to watch the villagers bustle about the few stalls in the village square.
"Ah… hum. Yeah. You were the inspiration for this one." feeling his stare makes her nervous all over again, and her mouth begins to run off with ideas of how much further she could go with this new recipe. "I was thinking of adding nuts; perhaps almonds, but I think walnuts would be better. Maybe raisins? Though not everyone really likes those. And perhaps toppings. Powdered sugar is good, but what about a cream or frosting? Maybe even honey if it-!"
Her face is turned and a soft pair of lips are pressed against her own, she can taste the lingering powdered sugar and spices as warm hands cup her even warmer cheeks. Blue eyes wide, she just manages to blink when she realized that Honi was so close to her because she was being kissed by him. Her blush grew hotter when she saw that there were flecks of gold in his brown eyes, a gold that reminded her of the honey she had used to sweeten the cake inspired by this very man.
Slowly, he pulled away, lips curling up in a smile. "You're very sweet, Kagome, much sweeter than any cake I've ever had."
Hearing him say her name properly, she was sure her entire face was resembling a tomato. "Hon-Hon…" voice wavering, a trembling hand was pressed to her lips as her mind attempted to come up with something, anything, to reply to his comment.
His eyes narrowed slightly, the smile tipping into a grin that just reminded her that he was in fact an adult and entirely male. Fingers trailed down her jaw to take hold of her chin, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were attempting to bewitch me, sweet Kagome." his lips trailed against her cheek as he ducked in close to whisper in her ear. "It seems I was right about you the first time."
A nip to her ear had her shaking in her seat, and it was only the rush of cool air that had her breaking out of whatever trance she must have been in. Standing to her feet, nearly tripping in her haste, she was a flurry of movement as she flew to the safety behind the counter to greet her next costumer. "He-hello!"
She made it a point to ignore Honi as she greeted her newest costumer, one that he returned warmly. "Ah, Kagome! I see your best costumer is already here!" the man waved at Honi, pausing when he spotted the remaining squares. "Oh, a new recipe?"
"Yes!" thankful to have the distraction, Kagome was ready to launch into explaining, only to have Honi derail her by butting in.
"Spiced honey cake!" Honi propped his chin in a raised hand, taking a break from enjoying the sweet treat to sip at his tea. "Kagome used it to confess her feelings for me, which I gladly accepted."
Face once again burning, her heart stuttered when the man looked between Honi and herself. "Oh-ho! It's about time!" a loud laugh filled the space as he watched Kagome bury her face into her hands. "Poor Hojo. Heard him say he was going to once again attempt to woo you."
There was a loud crack, causing both to turn to Honi, though he smiled as he sipped at his tea.
Clearing her throat, Kagome turned back to the man. "R-right. What'll be today, Ryan?"
"Ah, the usual. Do you also have that spiced bread? The wife has been craving it something fierce the last little while." he leaned against the counter, watching her as she began packing the basket he brought with him. "Could I also have some coffee and something to eat? Been a long day in the orchard."
"Of course!" but before she could reach for the items that were Ryan's usual, she paused when they floated over to a ready available table. "Oh, thank you, Honi!"
"No problem! Glad to help." his smile turned a little devious that had her flinching, his eyes just glimmered. "But I would prefer you called me by that cute nickname from before!"
"Nickname?" Ryan sat down with a weary sigh, first taking a sip from his served coffee. He appeared to be only too comfortable to be watching the proceedings, obviously entertained, much to Kagome's embarrassment.
"Mmm, Kagome called me Hon-Hon! Don't you think it's cute?" he raised his cup, finishing it if only to wave his fingers, the teapot to refill it for him. With another wave of his fingers, the now filled basket left her hands and floated over to Ryan's table.
"Please… stop." she ducked behind the counter as the two of them laughed. While it was embarrassing, she was actually pleased.
Honi likes her! Her of all people out of the entire village!
Taking a few moments to gather her thoughts and breath, she stood back up. "Well, since I confessed my feelings to you with a whole new cake recipe, I'm expecting something similar from you in return."
To witness the sudden shock on his face was absolutely priceless, she couldn't help but giggle. Ryan seemed to agree as he began to laugh out. "I have a feeling that'll be something worth paying to see!"
As for Honi, his expression soon turned and was replaced, determination giving him that mature look once again. "I'm looking forward to the challenge, Kagome dear. You can be sure to expect it at the Harvest Festival!"
Despite blushing, she turned to busy herself. "I better be impressed, Hon-Hon." She was sure she would be, along with the entire village, but she could now hardly wait, and he had only just declared his intent! Who knew her life would be so exciting, simply because she decided to open a small bakery.