Sugary Thoughts

Shinya was alone in the apartment, preparing to head out that afternoon. With a touch of magic, he adjusted his clothes, making them clean and brand new. Then, he made his way to the door.

He couldn’t get a scene from the drama Flowers of Tomorrow out of his head, one where the main character buys sweets from a shop and gives them to his girlfriend as a gift. He decided to do the same, hoping that by giving something like that to Hana, he might better understand the meaning behind such a human gesture. Besides, he wanted to get out for a bit, take a walk, and observe people’s daily lives.

Still, something kept nagging at him. He could easily summon the sweets on the spot, or even the ingredients to make them himself. But something about that felt off. It wasn’t what he had watched on TV. It felt like it lacked authenticity. That’s why he decided to stick strictly to the script he remembered from the drama: leave the house, find the right shop, pick a treat, and buy it. Money, of course, wouldn’t be an issue.

There was also a certain charm to walking through the streets. In the middle of the crowd, he felt like just another person. Even though he was a god, that feeling of anonymity suited him. Little by little, he felt like he was becoming part of that world, like a regular person, doing regular things.

Some people passed by in a hurry, dressed in suits and formal clothes. He could see the rush and exhaustion in them. But others smiled as they walked past: elderly ladies, shopkeepers… And in those moments, Shinya felt a warmth shared by others. His returning smile was always sincere.

He hadn’t thought much about the streets or shops before. But now, he was starting to see beauty in everything. The flowers and trees, the sound of cars, the rhythm of footsteps, the sighs of people passing by. It was as if witnessing the everyday nature of things brought him a new, inexplicable peace.

He wandered until he found a candy shop. As soon as he saw the display window, with its neatly arranged treats, he thought of Hana and how she might react to receiving something from there. He knew she loved sweets, and part of him wanted to buy them all for her. But he remembered the drama: the important thing was to choose something unique. Something special.

He pushed open the glass door, and a soft bell chimed. Instantly, he was surrounded by a blend of sweet and comforting aromas: strawberry, vanilla, and something he guessed was matcha. The atmosphere was pleasant and cozy, with soft instrumental music that made the place feel even more magical.

The shop was small and tidy. The wooden décor stood out, and the display cases showcased desserts so perfect they looked like miniature works of art. The colors caught his eye: pale pinks, matcha greens, cream, and deep reds standing out against the elegant and subtle setting.

Shinya walked up to one of the displays and leaned in slightly. There it was, a strawberry shortcake. Instantly, he thought of Hana, and how she always devoured that kind of dessert whenever he made it. A spontaneous smile appeared on his lips.

There were other desserts too: fruit-filled roll cakes, tiny sweets he didn’t even recognize, shiny little tarts that reflected the shop’s soft lighting. Everything looked like it had been made for the sole purpose of warming someone’s heart.

As he took in each item with care, he felt a familiar presence. Slowly, he turned, and his eyes met Mayu’s. She was holding a dorayaki, smiling in that way he was starting to recognize: curious, teasing… but kind.

She put the sweet back on the shelf and walked over, looping her arm through his.

“Well, what a coincidence,” she said, closing the distance even more. “Just for the record: I’m not following you.”

“H-hi, Mayu. I came here because I thought about buying something for Hana,” Shinya replied, still awkward with her sudden closeness.

“Hmm… how romantic. Should I be jealous?”

“I saw something like this in Flowers of Tomorrow, so I thought I’d try doing the same.”

“Or maybe… you just want to see her smile, huh?” Mayu stepped back a little but kept that smile full of secrets.

Shinya couldn’t find words. He truly believed his actions were meant to help him understand humans and their emotions. But hearing that from Mayu made him reflect. Maybe… maybe it wasn’t just that.

“What do you think of this choux cream?” she asked, pointing at a pastry in the case. “I got that for her once, and she loved it. It’ll be even more special coming from you.”

“I’m not so sure… I feel like she’d love everything here. But I also feel like I have to pick the perfect one.”

“The perfect one will be the one you choose,” she said, letting out a playful giggle.

Most of the time, Shinya didn’t fully understand what Mayu meant. Her words always seemed to carry something extra. Still, he felt she was being genuine and so close to Hana that maybe she really knew what she was talking about.

“All right. I’ll take that one.”

“Great choice,” she replied, clearly pleased.

After buying it, the two left the shop together. Mayu mentioned she was heading to the apartment to visit them, and since everything lined up perfectly, they decided to walk back together.

On the way, Shinya began noticing things he hadn’t seen when he was walking alone. Mayu walked close to him, throwing those provocative glances that left him blushing.

“Noticing those stares? I bet people think we make quite the couple.”

Shinya just stared at her, as if to say that wasn’t exactly the case. But his mind was already drifting to a certain image. What if it were Hana walking beside him instead? Would people think they were a couple?

He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought that made his chest tighten.

“You’re kinda distracted… I bet you’re wondering what it’d be like if Hana were the one walking next to you, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say… if she invited you out, like this. Would you say no?”

Shinya didn’t reply. But maybe he didn’t need to. His eyes and silence said enough. Maybe he didn’t know the answer himself. Or maybe… he was just afraid to admit it.

Now that he thought about it, in every place he’d been, in everything he’d seen… Hana was always on his mind. He imagined her eating at a restaurant, trying on clothes, walking beside him. She had slipped into his thoughts without asking for permission.

“She’s always on my mind…” he muttered, barely realizing he had spoken aloud.

“She’s got that way about her, doesn’t she? Sticks in your head,” Mayu said. “It’s hard not to think about her all the time.”

And he agreed. It really was.

They kept walking. Shinya was starting to get used to Mayu’s outgoing nature. Gradually, he realized how much she truly cared for Hana. And in a way, he felt that same desire, to see her happy. To be part of that. Whether it was watching a drama or offering a sweet.

When they were already in sight of the building, Mayu stopped. Shinya stopped too, sensing she wanted to say something.

“You know… I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s something about you that intrigues me. Your presence is… intense. Like you don’t quite belong here. In a good way, maybe.”

The comment caught him off guard. It wasn’t a secret that he was a god. Hana had known from the start. But Mayu’s perception bothered him. As if being who he was might distance him from people. The thought that Hana might feel that way too… unsettled him.

“Or maybe you’re just… eccentric,” she said, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile.

Shinya chuckled, unable to hold back a smile in return. Maybe he was overthinking things.

They went up the stairs together. Mayu seemed excited. Given the time, Hana probably wasn’t home yet, so it would be just the two of them. And she quickly picked up on that, back to her teasing:

“Hey, think she’ll get mad when she sees us together?”

“You really like teasing, don’t you?”

“Only sometimes.”

Smiling, the two stepped into the apartment. There was something different about being among humans. A feeling he’d never experienced in the celestial world, and one that grew stronger by the second.

Shinya thought of Hana again, without even realizing it. And he wondered how she would react when she received the sweet he’d bought for her.

That simple anticipation… was already enough to stir something inside him, a thrill he couldn’t yet name.