A Quick Treat

A few stray droplets dripped to the floor as Itsuki and Sayaka entered the sanctuary of the bakery, a cozy warmth covering the room like a blanket. Immediately, their eyes were drawn to the glass display with rows of goods proudly shown, both things he was familiar with and foreign things he'd never known.

Breads that resembled brioche and baguettes, various sweets and rolls, and a few cakes with topped with fruit on the top row. There were butter-herb flatbreads, loaves stuffed with meats, and even a few selections that looked like puff pastries.

The smell of the goods all wafted from the display, immediately getting a few stomach grumbles out of both of them.

They both blushed at the noise.

"Guess we're hungrier than we thought, huh?" Itsuki chuckled, almost drooling as he imagined himself biting into one of the rolls.

Sayaka looked away as she nodded. "I-I suppose."

There didn't seem to be many people in the store aside from them despite the atmosphere, the only other person being the guy behind the counter. He was a tired-looking man with medium brown hair, small horns, and a well-kempt goatee, sporting a white apron that just screamed 'I'm a baker'.

As the two of them slowly approached he gave a polite wave.

"Welcome, you two want anything in particular…?" He trailed off and rubbed his eyes once they were more in view. "Wait, a sec. Aren't you two the adventurers who helped in the last raid? Saved some people from being taken prisoner?"

Itsuki rubbed the back of his head at the question as he continued scanning the selections. "I don't know about adventurers, but yeah, just a little. Though it was Velena who did most of the fighting."

He scoffed. "Oh, you're one of those guys. Downplaying what you do. My aunt told me how you two rushed in to save her and the others. Heard you were fast—way more than just a normal human."

The man turned to Sayaka. "And you. Heard you stopped a few attacks from Reathe of all people. That's something to be proud of, that fiend is quicker than the wind."

Both of them coughed awkwardly in bashfulness; the baker shrugged as he waved them off.

"Well, regardless, what will the two of you be having? Figured you're probably hungry with all that ruckus from the training grounds. Got a few customers mentioning screams and blasts from that place all the time."

She nodded back courteously as her eyes gravitated toward some of the cakes, still a little embarrassed. "Yes we are, but um, sorry, but could we have just a little more time? There's a lot to choose from."

"Of course," he sighed, retreating further behind the counter. "I make a pretty big variety after all, even with the sugar costs—damn raids and taxes are adding up. Just let me know when you're ready, and I'll be here to ring it up."

"Thanks," Itsuki said, looking at what else there was on offer.

There were a few things that looked nice, though he eyed what Sayaka was staring at the most: shortcakes and sweet rolls on a middle shelf. They were one of the few things on display that had frosting or icing over them—reminded him a little of what he'd usually see in coffee shops on his way to work.

"You're a fan of those?" he asked as he leaned in, startling Sayaka slightly. "Um, just curious since you're looking so intently."

She hesitated before responding, the sound of rain filling the brief quiet before her voice.

"…Mostly, though it's more for other reasons. I, uh, used to buy them all the time for someone else."

"Then what do you get for just you then? When you want to eat?"

Her expression quirked slightly as she looked to him.

"Well… normally if I had to choose for just me, I'd be fine with just about anything with mochi. I grew up making it and… well, got a bit addicted."

"Mochi, huh?" Itsuki smiled slightly at the info but tensed a little at the otherworldly term. "Uh, not bad of a choice. Though I don't think they really have any of that here in this town."

He quietly gestured at the baker, worried that their secret might be in danger, but she but didn't catch on as she replied.

"Yeah, I can see that, but I guess it's to be expected. There's a ton of stuff that probably doesn't exist in this—"

The last of her sentence cut off as he tapped her shoulder.

"Usami, remember? Secret?"

Her eyes widened. "Ah, s-sorry. I almost forgot."

Itsuki glanced up at the baker, who thankfully didn't look like he was listening too intently. He gave a side-eye their way but seemed to be more focused with writing on something beside the register. He quickly returned to it, scribbling sales into a notebook as fingers drummed against the counter.

Itsuki sighed and shook his head as he whispered back.

"It's fine, I think. Might want to be a little more careful though."

"…Right. Sorry again, Kisaragi."

She slowly nodded and went back to browsing, fidgeting with the hem of her dress as she crouched down. She looked clammed up now, existing but only just.

Itsuki's heart clenched as he took in the sight.

He hadn't meant to do this to her. He'd just wanted to remind her to keep their secret. Seeing her in this state was the last thing he wanted. They'd just trained an entire day after all, they didn’t need anything else to worry about, especially not from talking about her interests.

This wouldn't do.

His lips flattened as he thought of some way to cheer her up, an idea eventually forming in his head. Then, his eyes locked onto the baked goods of the upper shelf.

"Usami… is there anything else here you might like?" he cautiously asked. "Perhaps something sweet? There's a lot of fruit topped things over here."

"Mm?"

She quietly looked over at him, blinking slightly, but gave no answer but a mumble to confirm she'd heard.

The rain began to grow a little louder outside, streams appearing now on the outside glass.

"…" A sigh.

Itsuki crouched next to her slowly and gestured with his finger next.

"…I um, have a bit of a sweet tooth myself—used to cram down sugary things before the doctor warned me not to—so was just wanting to know if you're similar. After all, you sorta give me that kind of vibe too, like you're a sweet lover. I can tell in the way you gaze at the desserts."

Her eyes wandered toward the cakes again, her lips quirking upward slightly now.

"…I guess. I do like berries a fair amount." Her brow flattened. "What do you mean by 'that kind of vibe' though? Do I really seem like a sweets person?"

"Erm, sorta?" He shrugged, happy enough to get a response. "I mean, unless you're more of a bitter-sweet gal."

They stared at one another for a moment in the soft ambience of the rain, unsure for a moment of what to do.

Eventually though, Sayaka chuckled.

"You really don't like to see people moping, do you? I barely even got a pout in. Couldn't you let me at least get a tiny bit of self-pity in?"

He awkwardly smirked as he scratched his cheek, glad for change. "Sorry, but no can do. Letting people mope just isn't my style—not if I can do something to help at least."

"You're such a dork." She deflated. "But fine. I guess I'll bite."

She stood up slowly, brushing her dress off as she pointed toward something that surprisingly resembled castella.

"I'd like that one then. Used to love sitting down with one and cold milk after a bath."

"Oh wow, I didn't even see that," he muttered, appraising the smooth-topped sponge cake as he began salivating. "Now I'm sort of wanting it too."

"Finally found something? About time," the baker said abruptly, leaning slightly over the counter from the registered. "Oh, is that the westerling bread? Good eye for quality. How many you want?"

"Um, two please," Itsuki said, reaching for some of the money they'd been given as a reward, plopping down a few bronze coins on the counter.

"Great. I'll get that wrapped up."

It didn't take too much longer after that until they were walking out, cakes in hand preciously swaddled in wax paper. They exited the bakery and out into the street—

*CRACK*

—just in time for the weather to worsen.

"Oh… great."

For a good minute, the two of them stood beneath the storefront canopy, blankly staring as the rain poured in sheets.

"So um, what now?" Sayaka eventually asked, holding out her hand to get drenched.

Itsuki sighed as he looked in the direction of the matron's estate—a five-minute run away without his power. Then, he slowly turned his head downward at their snacks.

He flexed his calves, still slightly sore from their training.

"How recovered are you, Usami? Do you think you could sprint while covering something?"

Her eyes flattened at him in grey slits.

"…You're not seriously thinking about doing that. Are you, Kisaragi? I would rather risk eating it here than running back."

He chuckled softly as he took a deep breath, then took up a ready position, holding his left hand above his chest.

"Maybe. Though didn't you say you liked eating it after a bath, not before?"

Her cheeks turned pink. "I mean, I did, but really? Running through this weather?"

Itsuki flashed a smile as he gripped his hand, warmth and strength surging as he burst from cover.

"That's why it's best to start now before things can get worse!"