Spiced Mochi-Munching

There was an intricate art to making confections: both in terms of crafting and perfecting for consumption. It took a careful and practiced hand. A clear mind and a vision for creation.

However, this was just Spice’s own flowery thoughts as she watched Dan finish making a batch of dango. What a wonder it was to watch his chest heave as his biceps flexed with each hit of his mallet. Personally, she didn’t think she was strong enough to pound the dango herself. It was only because of her kindness in bringing Dan a coffee and piece of cake from the cafe she worked at, Everything Nice, that he so graciously was going to let her have a dango for free. Not to mention he had already given her a tour of his sweets workshop, it seemed her kindness gave her the chance to connect with another bun that loved sweets as much as she did.

She adjusted her skirt from where she sat, patiently waiting with sparkling eyes. “Dan?”

He looked up from where he was inspecting the rice cakes. “Hmm?”

“You have a lovely form when you swing the mallet,” She clasped her hands together, intertwining her fingers as she rested them against her check. “I don’t think I look so graceful when I make coffee for the cafe. Oh! But I am good at foam art.”

Dan decided to kindly ignore her absence minded rambling at the end and instead, bowed his head. “Thank you.”

He was pleased that Spice took note of his skill, she might not seem like it at first, but Spice was deeply passionate about her work. She had answered him a lot questions during the tour and he was silently impressed by her desire to learn. Even if she didn’t have the confidence to try to mallet.

“Here.” He held out a freshly made mochi, his hands still carrying a soft dusting of rice flour as he pressed the dango stick into her hand. “Don’t eat too quickly.”

Dan might seem gruff and never straying far from his perpetual frown, but Spice thought he was kind. She had never met someone overtly cruel who also made sweets with such effort, who was willing to show her around his workshop and answer each other her numerous questions. He had to be patient because she knew she asked too many and yet he still responded to her with his collected knowledge.

She carefully grabbed the dango stick and smiled brightly, “Thank you, Dan!” She leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek, before turning her attention on her treat.

Dan watched her quietly, raising a hand to lightly touch his cheek.

Spice bit down on the dango’s soft texture, her eyes shutting for a moment. “Mm!” There was a burst of watermelon flavor in that one chewy bite and she couldn’t help her excited giggle. “Oh! I’m never tried your watermelon one before, it’s delicious!”

Dan nodded his head, crossing his arms as he let himself feel a sense of pride. He had a feeling she would be able to appreciate his dango in any form they took. If only he had more time, he would have also make a batch of this season’s mochi to really surprise her.

Spice tried to make sure she eat her dango slowly, after all there was no greater compliment than allowing herself to savor Dan’s creation. She could practically taste the hard work in each chewy bite.

“Oh Dan! I should bring you my signature drink from the cafe next time, I have to show you my hard work too.” She laughed softly, twirling around her empty dango stick. “I have a red velvet Frappuccino, oh or if you like a darker brew, the shop just got some brown rice coffee.”

Dan stared at her for a few moments, before nodding his head. “I would try them.” Just as she respected his ability, he would respect herself with whatever she wished for him to try. Her kindness was open without any motive, it would be disrespectful to such a person to dismiss her. She didn’t complain either that he didn’t smile or that he was grumpy either, she was just happy to be here.

Spice giggled softly, “I knew you were secretly sweet.”

He raised an eyebrow, “I think most buns would disagree with you.”

She shook her head, “Just because you don’t smile all the time doesn’t mean you’re a mean bun. Not everyone needs to look happy to be happy you know.”

Dan paused for a moment, before he set a hand on her shoulder. “Come, I have another dango you can try.”

Spice cheered, eagerly following after Dan when he led her forward. She was already thinking about more gifts she could give this wonderful dango master, he had a soft side she was sure of it.

Maybe it was the same love of sweets they both had.