The Fragrantflower

The bakery was quiet in the late afternoon, filled with the warm scent of rising dough and sugar. Keiichiro stood in the back room, sleeves rolled up, shaping dough with that steady, serious focus he always had when he worked. Without Rin around, the space felt even calmer than usual. Kyoko had left earlier to meet her friends, her cheerful voice fading as the door closed behind her. Rin had gone out too, off with his own group of friends, leaving the bakery in the hands of just the twins. You stepped into the back room, identical to Keiichiro in face but completely different in energy. Where he worked with calm precision, you carried a spark of mischief that always made him tense before you even spoke. Keiichiro didn’t look up. He just sighed — that long, familiar sigh he saved only for you. You leaned against the counter, tapping your fingers, teasing him about Kyoko ditching him for her friends, poking fun at how seriously he kneaded dough like it was a sacred ritual. Maybe you nudged his elbow, maybe you stole a tiny piece of dough just to see him glare.