Fragments of Memory 9

The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen of Minami Bakery, warming the quiet morning air of the town.

Haruka called out to Yuta across the counter. "The croissants are coming along nicely this morning too." "Yeah, they look and smell perfect," Yuta replied while organizing the shelves.

Haruka carefully arranged the freshly baked croissants on a tray, a gentle smile crossing her face. "Do you remember what your father used to say? 'Croissants are like life.'"

Yuta paused his work and chuckled. "What's that supposed to mean? That life has layers?"

Haruka laughed at the joke but her eyes softened. "Yuta, want to try one while it's still warm? Sora's been eating them lately too, and I'd love to hear your thoughts."

Yuta couldn't help but smile. "Sora always looks so happy when she's eating. Her eyes light up every time she sees a croissant." "And that's perfectly fine. That child always seems to be holding back somehow, so I want her to feel relaxed here at least."

Just then, an energetic voice echoed from the back staircase. "Big brother, is Mom spoiling you again?"

Asuka came down lightly, her small frame in a sweater giving her a kitten-like softness, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "She's not spoiling me. She just asked me to taste test," Yuta protested, breaking off a small piece of croissant.

Asuka sniffed in amusement. "Hey, is Sora coming today? I kind of like waking up to her voice." "Not sure. She doesn't mind early mornings, but today..."

Just as Yuta began to answer, the entrance bell chimed softly.

---

The entrance bell rang gently as Sora quietly entered the shop. "Good morning."

Despite carrying the cold winter air with her, Sora maintained a dignified presence as she greeted Haruka. "Good morning, Sora-chan. Early as usual."

Haruka greeted her cheerfully, and Sora nodded slightly as she removed her scarf. "It's quiet here in the morning... it's peaceful."

Yuta glanced at Sora while organizing the back shelves. "Sora, it's fine to come early, but did you eat breakfast properly today?"

"Yes, just a little at home," Sora answered matter-of-factly, but at that moment, her stomach growled softly.

Haruka and Yuta exchanged smiles at the sound. "Sora-chan, are you perhaps hungry?" Haruka asked kindly, and Sora furrowed her brow slightly. "...Not really. Just a little peckish."

"Then don't hold back. We have fresh croissants." "No, I'm fine. I'm not that..." Another small growl from her stomach interrupted her words.

Sora turned slightly red and averted her gaze. "You're actually quite the big eater, aren't you, Sora?" Yuta teased casually. "If that's what you see, then it must be a trick of the eye." Sora responded coolly.

Their exchange made both Yuta and Haruka chuckle. "It's okay, Sora-chan. You don't need to hold back here. After all, you're family." Haruka said this while offering a plate with a fresh croissant.

Sora hesitated for a moment before quietly accepting it and taking a seat. "...Then I'll accept your kindness."

Though her expression remained neutral as she bit into the croissant, there was a subtle air of satisfaction in her movements. Haruka smiled at this sight and glanced at Yuta. "See? It's so obvious." "Really is. She should just admit it sooner." Yuta laughed softly while Sora continued quietly eating her croissant.

---

Yuta and Asuka began their cleanup. "Well, we'll go upstairs to tidy up," Yuta said, and Asuka called out "Hurry up, big brother!" as they climbed the stairs.

Sora briefly watched them go, but as silence returned to the shop, she turned back to Haruka. "...These croissants really are special." "Thank you. It's all thanks to Takeshi's recipe."

Haruka smiled while carefully arranging freshly baked bread on trays. "Takeshi-san...?"

When Sora inquired with interest, Haruka's hands paused momentarily. "Yes... my husband. He passed away over ten years ago." Her voice was gentle, with a faint trace of loneliness.

"Was baking bread something he really loved?" "More than love... it was probably his reason for living." Haruka's eyes softened as she held a croissant.

---

More than ten years ago, this building was just an ordinary house. Haruka was an elementary school teacher, and Takeshi worked as an architectural designer. Though physically weak, Takeshi always baked bread on his days off.

"My bread is a bit different, isn't it?" The bread Takeshi proudly baked did indeed have something special about it. Haruka loved watching him quietly work in the kitchen on holidays.

"Haruka, what do you think about turning this house into a bakery?" One day, Takeshi suddenly suggested this. Haruka thought it was a joke at first, but Takeshi was serious. Despite his declining health, he wanted his final design project to be renovating their own home.

When the renovation began, Haruka was pregnant with Yuta. Despite morning sickness and work challenges, Takeshi kept drawing detailed plans. "The kitchen here, the counter there..." he would say, always excited. Every morning, he would bake test batches for Haruka to try.

The bakery took six months to complete. Haruka quit her job to focus on baking, learning from Takeshi. Though she struggled at first, Takeshi would encourage her, saying "My recipes are tricky, after all" with a smile.

Three years after opening, as the bakery gained regular customers, Asuka was born. Takeshi held the baby with his weakened arms and whispered, "I want to leave her with the smell of good bread too."

But when Asuka was two, Takeshi quietly passed away. His final words to Haruka came with a gentle smile: "Haruka, make my bread a family memory."

True to his words, Takeshi's recipes became a precious legacy connecting Haruka and her family.

---

Haruka took a deep breath of the bread aroma from the oven. She exhaled quietly and returned her gaze to the tray before her. "It was hard at first. But when Yuta said 'It smells like Dad's bread'..."

Sora listened quietly, glancing down at her croissant. "Haruka-san, baking bread must be... difficult."

Haruka smiled, carefully choosing her words. "At first, yes. But you know, once you get used to it... it becomes interesting. Even failed dough can become something else if you work with it right."

"You can... redo the dough?" As Sora inquired with interest, Haruka nodded with a smile. "Yes. In bread-making, you can always start over."

After a brief pause, Haruka added as if struck by an idea: "Sora-chan, would you like to try baking together sometime? I'd be happy to teach you."

Sora's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly nodded. "...Yes, please."

As Haruka smiled happily, Sora hesitated before gathering her courage to speak. "Um... before that..." "Hm?" Haruka turned around.

"...Mom." At that word, Haruka froze. Sora's face had turned bright red, and she was looking down. "Will you teach me?"

Haruka stood motionless, speechless. By the window, Ten purred contentedly as the morning sun cast a warm light throughout the bakery.