A Date With Mochi

Dan had taken good measures for today, preparing seasonal mochi for the Mochi Moon in batches over the weeks prior. He had finished sending out the last order just before closing the shop early. Shibani peaked out from behind the counter, sloppily rubbing a fist against one eye to clear his vision. "You're done already? You worked really hard today." He slinked from behind the counter to Dan's side.

"I wanted to spend the day in peace. Even if I had to prepare hundreds of mochi a day, it is worth it to spend the new year without the added stress of last minute customers." Dan sighed and turned to face Shibani. "I would like nothing more than to spend the day with you. No interruptions, no work." He walked towards the fridge of back-stocked mochi. It was mostly empty now with the incredible density of requests. But he kept some of his confections specifically for the two of them. 

Shibani peeked over Dan's shoulder. Eyeing the small selection of seasonal treats. "Did you keep a Rosewater for me? Or any Milk Mochi?" Dan smirked, pulling out a clear plastic container filled with all of Shibani's favourite confections. Even including some whose ingredients are harder to find this time of year. He then slid out another tray of his own before shutting the fridge and delivering their meal to the Pillow Pile. Dan didn't spend much time in the pile unless it was for his self proclaimed 'important business' with Shibani.

Once they were settled in, Dan took to the first of his Mochi. Tearing it into two so he could share it with Shibani. "You know I don't tend to eat as many of my Mochi as most would think. I'm glad you taste test them for me. I enjoy coming up with flavours you enjoy." He took a bite of the special Matcha Mochi he had made for the Mochi Moon. Tea and mochi went together better in his mind than most of the overtly sugary flavours. He liked its subtlety. Shibani also seemed to enjoy the flavour as he cooed with delight as he chewed the lump in his cheek. Taking little time to dig into the container for another mochi ball.

The two of them went back and forth picking out a different flavoured mochi, splitting and sharing each one between each other. A Chocolate Sprinkle Mochi left Dan rubbing his jaw from a tooth ache, while Shibani fanned his face from a small bite of the Demon Pepper mochi that Dan had picked out. One by one, the containers quickly emptied out. Leaving Dan and Shibani lying in the pillows, stuffed to the brim and barely keeping themselves awake. Shibani rolled over, placing a hand on Dan's arm. "Thank you for eating with me. I am glad you stayed here today. It's nice to relax with you too sometimes. Even though I like my naps, it gets a little lonely when you're always working so hard. I worry you'll never have time for me."

Dan gave a very serious look, his mouth curling down into a grimace. "I will always have time for you. If I didn't want to spend time with you, I wouldn't let you sleep in the back of my shop and hoard pillows for free. Your company is worth more than any amount of carats I could make selling dango and mochi. Although, you have to admit they do pay the bills. Unlike someone." Dan's expression turned playful as he sat up briefly. Shibani feigned offense, but he held no guilty conscience over their agreement. He knew of other ways to pay back the larger man. "If you want me to take a break. I am not opposed to closing the shop during the week to spend the day with you every now and then. But to me, pounding mochi is quite therapeutic. Although when I am making batch after batch for several weeks, it can definitely be a bit... Tedious." 

Dan had to admit that the days leading up to the new year were very busy. Orders for Wagashi and specialty mochi were plentiful. Not to mention that he was now giving lessons to aspiring confectioners seeking to learn how to make the seasonal variants of his Mochi at home. He had filled his plate up with much more than he could deliver. Shibani wrapped himself around one of Dan's arms, keeping the large bicep against his cheek. "Well just remember, if you want therapeutic. I have something you can pound off the clock." Dan lingered his eyes on Shibani for a few seconds before leaning in to give the top of his head a gentle kiss. 

"Perhaps we can later. But I think I need a nap. I am stuffed."