[Kyosuke POV]
Before I knew it, I found myself on the 1st floor of our building in the heart of the research and development department. The sweet scent of pastries filled the air and wafted across my nose with its delicate essence.
Shimmering stainless steel appliances adorned the walls. Giant vats of mixing bowls, towering ovens, and an array of employees dressed in white coats scattered about the area. This may have looked chaotic to outsiders but insiders knew it was a symphony of efficiency.
This place looked more like a laboratory than a kitchen. Credit to that had to go to the manager, Fumi Hasegawa. You would think by just looking at her she was still in high school but most people are surprised to learn she's 4 years older than I am. Perhaps it was the fact that she dyed her hair pink and styled it in a pair of twin pigtails but that was neither here nor there. While she was definitely on the cute side, her face was almost always buried in research, documents and the like which made her personality more to be desired.
I pressed the warm can of coffee against her skin in a surprise greeting. She was always so focused on work it was easy to sneak up on her. The adorable little yelp she let out was worth the oncoming insult she'd be prepared to dish out.
"Morning Fumi-chan."
She lifted her eyes from the computer for a moment. The screen was filled with equations and ingredients that looked more like an experiment than a recipe. She snatched the can of coffee from my grip and cracked it open.
"Good morning puppy-kun."
I winced a bit. Hearing her refer to me in the same manner as the demon was a low blow but I expected no less after what I had pulled. Her words were cold and calculated much like she was. It was as if she took as little as effort as needed to speak.
"What brings you sniffing down here?"
Her continued insults did little to wound me but at the very least, made her feel better. From the outside looking in, it may seem like we're not well acquainted but in actuality, she was my second closest friend in the company.
I made it a point to know the ins and outs of the research and development arm of the business. It made me much more of an effective salesmen if I knew everything that went into the products we sold. Some areas frown upon this approach, namely the marketing department, but I didn't really pay their concerns any mind.
"I'm just curious as to what you've been working on."
"Shoko-san is going to be upset if she finds out you're down here asking questions."
Fumi-chan didn't hesitate to heed a warning but I wasn't much to listen nor did I fear anything of what the demon had to offer.
The summer was coming to a close which meant the fall and Christmas pastry assortment was next on the line. Typically, it takes anywhere between 1-2 months to develop, bake, and ship the product en masse which translated into only a small window I had to hit up our vendors and try to sell them on this new batch.
Mikihara Snacks was unique as it only dealt in limited edition and seasonal products. You'll never know if something is going to come back so you better snatch it up while you can. This made for some tough sales as every unit counted but it was way more fun to go on calls when you had something new to sell.
"I'm not afraid of her. Right now, I'm curious as to what you've got cooking."
Fumi-chan didn't even bother to turn around. She pointed a thumb over her shoulder with one hand and took a big gulp of coffee with the other before resuming her work.
I peered over at the table and found four peculiar looking treats. They were shaped like Christmas ornaments all iced in different colors of holiday themed frosting. I picked the red one up carefully and brought it up to my nose for a closer inspection.
"The ornaments are white cake frosted with white chocolate but filled with a different colored jam inside. We're planning on selling them as a set for 1000 yen so that everyone gets a chance to experience each flavor and no one gets left out."
I nodded in approval. It was a bold move, there were clearly flavors that some people preferred over others. Lemon tended to fair better with older customers versus strawberry and peach which were preferred by the younger crowd. This would be a tougher sell because someone who preferred one flavor wouldn't be able to pick and choose but it would make a great snack to take home to the family.
Strategies and pitches were swimming in my mind.
"What flavors did you decide to go with?"
"Custard. Strawberry. Macha. Choco."
She answered so matter-of-factly that I had barely enough time to process it all before the obvious question arose.
"But those flavors are popular amongst young people. What about –"
"We're working on a complimentary snack cake in the shape of a star. It'll be filled with lemon custard."
Before I could even get the words out of my mouth, Fumi-chan had already anticipated what I was going to say and had a beautiful response. She really is a genius.
"The idol of Mikihara does it again."
I nodded with a satisfying smile while placing the pastry back on the table.
"Are you making fun of me?"
She didn't particularly like that nickname I have bestowed upon her. No one ever had the guts to call her that to her face but being bold was a part of my natural charm. I rested my back against the wall beside her and crossed my arms over my chest.
"Never. In fact, I'm afraid by the time I realize my true feelings for you, it will be too late and someone would have already snatched you up."
"Idiot."
Her response was as cold as ever. She didn't even bother to pay me an angry glance nor did her cheeks flush. Despite my incessant teasing, Fumi-chan was one of the few people in the office I can talk normally with and share practically anything. She didn't particularly have too many friends and was pretty good at keeping secrets since talking too much annoyed her.
"How many cakes will I get to demo this week?"
"A dozen will be ready by Wednesday morning."
"Perfect. I knew I could count on you."
I pushed myself off the wall and gently patted her on the head while she continued to meticulously click away at her mouse.
"Do you treat all of your seniors like children?"
My smile widened. This was the response I got every time but I couldn't help myself and deep down, I think she appreciated it as well because she never once asked me to stop.
"Only the ones as cute as you."
"Gross. Idiot. Pervert. Enemy of all women."
She fired those insults off so quickly and coldly it actually stung my heart a bit. If any of her subordinates heard me I'm sure they'd believe it. Rather that sink my reputation further, I pulled my hand away.
A chime from the elevator drew my attention. The numbers above it were clicking downward and since no one was standing in front of it that meant someone was coming. A shiver immediately ran down my spine.
"The demon approaches…!"
"Right. Right. Better get moving puppy-kun."
It was just two floors away so I had to act fast. Typically I'm not afraid of confrontation but the R&D department was a sacred area. If we had a heated shouting match here, some of the staff members and perhaps even Fumi-chan will see a side of me I'd rather they not bear witness to.
I darted towards the staircase and waved goodbye to our genius baker. The fight was inevitable but at least I'd rather do it on my home turf.
"Please don't give her my regards."
From the corner of my eye I saw Fumi-chan lift her hand off her mouse briefly to wave back before I started sprinting up the stairs. Climbing six floors was going to be rough but it was better than dealing with the devil who was only growing in anger by this point.
I kept telling myself I'll deal with it later but in reality I was hoping for one argument; one major blow-off shouting match that would end all of this and finally get her to see everything on my terms so we could finally be on the same page for once. Sweat began to drip down my face which only stirred my ire against her for making me do this.
Damn you Devil Shoko!