'I can't wait to hear what he says about it,' She wanted to hear what he thought of her food, the last time he praised it Ai was over the moon. But after practicing she had made rapid improvements both in taste and repertoire of the dishes, so she held high hopes.
"What do you think Mister?" She asked with almost every bite he took, and just when it felt like her eyes couldn't shine any brighter.
"It is tasty, more rice please." Her eyes continued to defy logic, she hadn't taken a bite yet but she was satisfied. Adam didn't lie to her, the food did improve considerably since last time, and thankfully there were no accidents too.
It took Adam two hours to eat as he kept on answering Ai's questions, the two kids had long gone to sleep from overeating plus the chocolate-filled donuts really pushed them over the edge.
Being left alone in the living room with a cup of tea, it was the first time in the evening that there was silence between them.
Ai was too busy enjoying the donuts to speak even if she wanted to as it left her speechless, all she could do was twist and turn in place with silent squeals in consideration of the sleeping children. Though it came to an end with the last piece, and she looked dejected by that fact.
"The shop is ready, we can start tomorrow," Adam said after she finished the last one of the three that were left for her.
He figured this was a nice time to start the main conversation, and it immediately took Ai's attention. Rather than being amazed at him being so fast, she seemed more motivated by the fact that she could start baking from tomorrow and finish the cake for her kids.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep today, I want to start now!" Ai whined a little, but it came off more as a joke and was nothing serious.
"We can start tomorrow morning after the kids go to school. You should also sleep when you can, or you won't learn anything," She pouted at his words but still nodded.
He was teaching, so it was natural to follow his words. But there were more things other than baking that she would like to discuss with him.
Unfortunately, that too will have to wait like that cake.
"Don't forget to pick me up in the morning, okay?" Ai saw Adam off even if she didn't want to, it was possible to ask him to stay the night but now wasn't the right time.
'I still need to prepare a little more and if he stayed then…' She sat on the sofa again letting her mind go in some rather curious directions, but there was no need to rush even if she felt that way.
In the end, it turned out to be a sleepless night. The thoughts kept her wide awake but she still sent the kids off with a smile, and soon enough Adam arrived to pick her up.
Now it was time to bake a cake so all of the energy came automatically when she locked the house. Ichigo said that he needed some time off and wouldn't be around, so the two left the building with no worries.
"Also don't worry about your fans," Adam said.
It would be rather troublesome if Ai is spotted with a man, idol fans were troublesome, and that too in the worst way. With her current popularity, it wouldn't be unnatural if fans crowded around her if she was in public, and with him it would complicate things.
Ichigo might really try to strangle him, though he made sure that it didn't become a problem with simple illusions.
"Hmm, thanks." Ai already trusted him to take care of the matter without any need to speak about it. For the first time in a while, she could enjoy this leisurely stroll along the streets, and it was a refreshing time.
Walking alongside him on the less populated streets of the neighborhood, a humble-looking shop named Heavenly came into view. It meshed well with the surrounding small buildings and old family-run restaurants. But this resemblance was only limited to the outside.
"Woah!" It was like she had just walked into a storybook where the simple-looking hut turns out to be massive palaces within.
This shop was something similar, the shiny wooden floor and tables provided the place with a forest-like scent with fresh flowers at every pillar, it was different than the picture of an average café that she thought of. Providing this level of aesthetic and a pleasing atmosphere that did not feel artificial, this would become a luxury cafe no doubt.
"Mister with your food this place will blow up in no time," She said picking up a fresh flower, this place was magical even if it looked simple, but therein was the charm.
Ai could already see SNS posts recommending this place as salarymen (known for finding excellent dining spots in Japan) and trendy teenagers ('The type to post more than they eat' mob) rush here in droves.
"That would certainly be nice, but leave that aside." He said.
They had to finish what was going on first, there were still many things that needed to be done before this place could start in earnest, and one of them was teaching her.
"Yes let's start," Ai nodded, she followed him through the doors behind the display counter and arrived in the kitchen.
The spotless area was nearly as big as her house but understandable, this was supposed to be a café and the place she would be using today was tucked away in the corner.
"I have everything ready, the ingredients and the recipe are on the table too," Adam said handing her an apron, a hat, and a pair of gloves.
The last two were necessary for hygienic reasons, putting them on Ai eyed him. He didn't put on anything, at first she thought he wouldn't be touching anything, but soon he rolled up the sleeves of his purple shirt. He placed utensils on the counter before scooping out flour from the bag and a few other necessities for her.
"Hmm, you aren't going to wear that?" Ai stared at the extra apron placed on the counter.
"I don't need to. I always keep this thin film of mana around my body, so even if mix the batter with my hand it wouldn't make direct contact." The transparent film around his arms glittered slightly and there was no trace of flour on his hand.
The only reason he gave the apron to Ai was so that her white dress wouldn't get stained while the cap was to help keep her hair at bay when she was working with the mixture. Itchiness when you can't use your hands was irritating on a different level, but with gloves, she can take them off and be done with it.
Though the reason Ai wanted him to wear an apron was different, she had no idea of her liking for men in aprons till she saw him wearing one. Somehow the thought of him wearing a pink apron with rabbit prints just got her going, she couldn't refute that it drew a funny image but was also worth seeing.
"That's convenient. I always thought that Mister just didn't care about having his hand everywhere." However, she didn't let it slip.
"I kind of forget sometimes that I am not cooking for myself alone, but there is no need to worry. I always check the food and maintain the mana layer so nothing harmful is carried over." He explained as Ai chuckled.
"That's just what I'd expect from you," He was through in the most random of things.
It was rather amusing to see him use his hands to cover meat or tofu with panko, but it wasn't something she would stop him from doing. Being around him she knew that he took cleanliness seriously, the contract shop was spotless and so was this shop.
The last time he borrowed her kitchen it was spotless after he was done. The place was so clean that she wondered if the entire area was remade with new materials and appliances. Yet in truth, nothing had changed, it was just a force of habit to check and keep the kitchen clean on his part. Clean to the point that he could detect any anomalies that might've been added.
"Did you look through the recipe?"
...
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