Rainy Morning

Kisaragi Shun winces as the first droplets of rain begin to pepper against the fabric of his crisp suit. His father's chauffeur has already left to park, leaving him virtually stranded as his gaze flits around the nearby suburban streets.

Just my luck, he thinks to himself, bracing his briefcase above his head as he finally spots a small shop tucked between taller apartment buildings, the warm golden light streaming from inside inviting as can be.

With haste, Shun rushes into the shop, triggering the soft chime of a bell hung above the door.

"Welcome!" a gentle voice calls from behind the counter, though Shun doesn't see anyone at first glance. He peers around the bakery before approaching the closest table, slumping down and setting his briefcase atop the oak.

The bakery smells of cinnamon and sugar, a pleasant sensation that washes over Shun as he rests his elbows on his knees, reaching for his phone to update the politicians he is to meet with in just an hour.

Suddenly, a head bounces upward from behind the counter. "Welcome, sir! Can I help you?"

Shun finishes his email before his eyes slowly pan toward the counter, catching glimpse of the girl at last. 

She's of a petite figure with hazel, doe-like eyes and caramel brown hair tied into a loose bun, wispy strands still framing her face. "What are you looking for?" she prompts with an innocuous tilt of her head.

Shun reluctantly allows his gaze to drift toward the display case of various sweets and pastries, his inner, childlike sweet tooth threatening to consume him.

Finally, Shun stands, drawing closer to the counter. His gaze is still locked on the lights of the display case, as if afraid to look elsewhere. Every sweet seems as though it's been dropped from a magazine, with picture-perfect swirls of buttercream, shiny, jubilant fruit decorations, and the softest, spongiest textures.

"What would you recommend?" Shun finally asks, voice monotone as he refrains from looking at the girl.

"Hm..." Her voice trails off as she abruptly joins him on his side of the display case. She taps her index finger against her chin before looking up at him. "Well, what do you like?"

"What?"

She chuckles. "I mean--what type of desserts do you like?"

Shun pauses for a moment before he finally meets her gaze. She grins up at him, a slight gap between her two front teeth. She doesn't seem to recognize him--not from the numerous news articles or political reports he's often featured in.

"I like mont blancs," he responds, gesturing to the sweetened chestnut purée topped with whipped cream piped onto a shortbread base.

"Perfect, then!" she chirps, returning to the opposite side of the counter and strapping on a pair of gloves. She delicately removes the mont blanc from the display case, setting it on a tray and placing it on the counter. "Is there anything else you'd like?"

"Pick something for me."

She pauses before nodding her head. "Well... if you like mont blancs, maybe you can try one of these!" She reaches for a different dessert before plating it elegantly, doing the same for the mont blanc. "It's a chestnut éclair."

"Alright. I'll take those two, then. Thank you."

She nods. "Of course!" As she begins to sort out the payment, she spares another brief glance at him. "I've never seen you around before, sir. Are you new to the area?"

"I don't live here."

"Well, I figured, but what brings you here? We don't tend to get many tourists."

Shun hands her his card before she finishes the transaction. "Business," he responds bluntly.

"Oh, I see," she hums. As the payment is completed, she hands his card back, smiling. "Enjoy, sir!"

"Thank you." He reaches for the two plates, returning to his seat from before.

He hesitates as he glances down at the two plates. For a brief moment, he considers eating on his own, as he always does when out in cafés or restaurants. But as he thinks back to the woman's effortless, unguarded smile, his resolve falters.

"I... would you like to join me?" he asks, voice slightly stiff.

She blinks from behind the counter as a faint pink dusts her round cheeks. "Me?"

"Yes." Shun quickly clears his briefcase from the table.

A small smile tugs at her lips before she takes a seat opposite him. The golden light of the bakery softens the edges of the bakery, and for a brief moment, Shun feels time slow down.

"What's your name?" he finally inquires, slowly reaching for one of the gold forks and slicing into the edge of the chestnut éclair.

"Koharu," she answers. "And you?"

"Shun."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shun!" she exclaims. "It's not every day I get to meet new people like you."

"Yes--it seems to be a small neighborhood." Shun slowly lifts his fork, eyes zeroing in on the chestnut cream filling before finally taking a bite. The pastry gives way with a gentle crunch, rich flavor encapsulating the length of his tongue.

Koharu watches him intently, her lips quirked upward. "So? How is it?"

"It's... good," Shun replies under his breath, almost surprised at his own adoration for the dessert. For a brief moment, he catches himself wanting to smile, though he quickly masks it with his typical blank expression.

Koharu's eyes glint with playfulness. "I can see it, you know," she giggles. She leans forward slightly.

Shun clears his throat, pushing a stray crumb from the table onto the floor. "I don't often have the time or reason to smile."

Koharu hums under her breath, though she still continues to smile. "Well, I think that smiling makes the desserts taste better." She nudges the éclair toward him, urging him to take another bite.

After another moment of hesitation, Shun's fork brushes against hers, sending a jolt through him before he takes another bite. He savors the intricate balance of the flaky pastry exterior and the cloudlike nature of the chestnut cream. He swallows gradually, meeting her gaze for a split second.

A comfortable silence soon settles over them, filled only by the distant hum of ovens and the patter of rain against the windows. Shun leans back in his seat, observing the flour dusting her gloves, the vanilla scent that clings to her.

As Shun casts his glance back toward the window, the cameras, politics, and expectations that so often hang over his head disappear. In the small, warm environment of the bakery, contentment is instead what consumes him.