The warm bell above the bakery door chimed softly as Haruya pushed it open.
The familiar scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee beans immediately wrapped around him, comforting in a way only home could be.
"Ah, Haruya-kun!"
Behind the counter, Hiroki glanced up from arranging a tray of baguettes. His easygoing smile spread across his face. "Well, well, look who finally decided to visit. Been a couple of days, huh?"
"Haven't seen you since last week," Rina added, stepping out from behind the register with her apron neatly tied.
Her kind eyes softened slightly as she dusted flour off her hands. "First week of school has been keeping you busy, huh?"
Haruya rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Something like that. Thought I'd drop by the bakery today."
"Well, good timing." Rina nudged him lightly toward the back. "Since you're here, make yourself useful. Customers won't wait on us to catch up."
Hiroki chuckled, sliding a tray of croissants into the display case. "You heard her. Come on, Haruya, grab an apron."
Moving closer to the counter, Haruya peeked into the glass display case. "Baking bread? Haven't really tried that yet. Mind teaching me?"
Patting his hands free from the flour, Hiroki turned. "You've only tried making pastry, huh? How could you skip the fundamentals of bread-making? Come on, I'll teach you."
Before long, Haruya was moving around the bakery with them, the rhythm oddly natural.
He helped wipe down tables, carried trays from the kitchen, and even stood behind the counter for a bit when Rina stepped out to check on the oven.
The kitchen bustled with warmth, quite literally.
Standing near the big oven, the heat was enough to sting, but Haruya noticed he didn't flinch the way he used to.
His skin adjusted quickly, a thought that made him pause before getting back to work.
Haruya had once again soon impressed the duo by making his first batch of bread.
Baking bread wasn't inherently hard, but it can be quite intimidating for beginners.
Especially if they don't understand the role of ingredients like yeast and time.
Fortunately for Haruya, the boy with a Lv.2 Adaptability, this was no issue for him.
By the time the morning rush began to slow, the three of them finally had a chance to breathe.
That was when the door opened again.
"Good morning!"
A familiar, gentle voice greeted them. A middle-aged woman with neatly styled hair and a soft smile stepped inside, her hands carrying a small tote bag.
"Ah, Fuko-san." Rina immediately straightened, her tone warm and respectful. "Welcome back."
Fuko Waguri smiled brightly, then her eyes landed on Haruya standing behind the counter. "Oh my… Haruya-kun? It's been a while."
"Waguri-san," Haruya greeted politely, bowing his head. "Yeah, it has. How have you been?"
She looked him over with the kind of fondness older people often had for cute children. "I'm doing alright. More importantly, how is your mother? I haven't seen her around lately."
"She's fine," Haruya answered quickly, returning her smile. "Seems like she's as busy as always, but doing well."
"That's good to hear." Fuko's shoulders relaxed, a small breath of relief escaping her. "Your family's bakery hasn't changed one bit; it still smells wonderful every time I step through the door."
"That's all thanks to Rina-san and Hiroki-san." Haruya chuckled, giving praise to the usual employees.
The bell above the door rang again.
This time, a tall man stepped in, adjusting his glasses as he brushed a hand through his slightly messy black hair.
His expression was calm, the kind of face that didn't draw much attention at first glance, but carried a quiet steadiness.
"Oh, Yosuke." Fuko turned toward him with a warm smile. "Perfect timing."
The man gave a small nod of greeting to everyone inside.
Fuko gestured between him and Haruya. "This is my husband, Yosuke Waguri. And this," she turned back to Yosuke, "is Haruya Sumeragi. The son of the bakery's owner."
Yosuke stepped forward, offering a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Your store makes some of the best bread in the district. I pass by often with my wife."
Haruya quickly bowed back, feeling an unexpected ease around the man. "Thank you. Nice to meet you, too. This is all thanks to Hiroki-san and Rina-san. I've just recently started visiting here."
"You can get some credit, too," Rina laughed lightly from the counter. "Akari-san was the one who helped us master our skills, after all."
As he straightened, Haruya studied Yosuke quietly.
There was something in the man's eyes.
Gentle, calm, grounded.
Even though he seemed like a person who doesn't speak much, he gave off the air of someone who puts family first, the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to put others before himself.
"Just came from the hospital, actually," Fuko continued lightly, as if brushing away any worry. "I had a quick check-up this morning."
"Oh? Everything alright?" Rina asked, her tone polite yet slightly concerned.
Fuko nodded reassuringly. "Nothing serious. Just routine."
Then, with a cheerful clap of her hands, she leaned a little closer to the counter. "Rina-chan, the usual, please. One blueberry pie."
"And just coffee for me," Yosuke added, his calm voice steady but kind.
"Of course," Rina said, already turning toward the back. "Give me just a few minutes."
Hiroki moved to prep the coffee, while Haruya took out a box for the pie, quietly observing the Waguris as they chatted lightly between themselves.
For some reason, watching them together, the way Fuko's smile softened when she looked at Yosuke, and the way Yosuke listened so patiently.
It gave Haruya a strange warmth in his chest.
'What a nice family.' He commented in his heart.
Before long, Hiroki slid a steaming cup of coffee across the counter toward Yosuke, while Rina carefully returned with a neatly sliced blueberry pie.
"Here you go," she said with her usual professionalism, placing the plate gently before Fuko.
"Thank you, Rina-chan," Fuko replied warmly, before turning her attention back to Haruya.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "By the way, Haruya-kun, which school do you go to these days? And what grade are you in now?"
Haruya straightened slightly, answering politely. "I'm attending Kitabashi Elementary. I just started as a sixth-grader."
"Oh?" Fuko tilted her head, clearly trying to place the name. "Kitabashi… hmm, I can't say I know where that is." She waved the detail off with a soft laugh, then turned toward her husband with an expression of mild surprise. "But a sixth-grader, Yosuke. That makes him the same age as Kaoruko."
Yosuke glanced at Haruya briefly, nodding in quiet agreement.
"Kaoruko?" Haruya curiously raised an eyebrow.
"Kaoruko's our daughter," Fuko explained, her smile widening as she looked back at Haruya. "She's a bright girl, very diligent. And cute, too. If I may say so as her mother."
Haruya blinked, unsure how to respond, so he settled for a polite, "I see…"
Fuko chuckled at his careful expression. "Ah, don't look so stiff, Haruya-kun. If there's ever a time you're here while I'm visiting with Kaoruko, I'll be sure to introduce you two. Who knows? You might become friends."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice playfully as though sharing a secret. "Though I must warn you... she really is adorable. Careful, or you might end up falling for her."
"Eh?" Haruya was caught with his tongue tied at the sudden comment.
"Fuko," Yosuke murmured with amusement. "Don't tease the boy too much."
"Oh, come now, it's just harmless fun," she said cheerfully, though her eyes sparkled with mirth.
Haruya let out a small sigh, finally managing to regain his head, though he couldn't hide his embarrassed smile. "You're really something, Waguri-san…"
Her laughter was light and genuine. "I'll take that as a compliment."