Unlikely Friends

Dan turned as the bell to his sweet shop dinged, signaling a customer entering. He was used to seeing Tsubaki regularly, but he wasn’t used to seeing her so… bedraggled. Tsubaki trudged in, looking absolutely exhausted as she slowly shuffled towards the counter. “Hey, Tsubaki…” Dan greeted, lifting an eyebrow. “You look awful.” He was nothing if not blunt, which was a quality that Tsubaki typically liked about him, but not in this instance.

“Wow, thanks,” Tsubaki responded sarcastically. “You sure know how to make your friends feel better.” She leaned against the counter as a way to rest for just a bit.

“I only say that to you because you are my friend. I would never comment on it otherwise; that would be bad for business.” Tsubaki could at least agree with that. Dan continued, “So why do you look like you just ran a marathon?”

“I may as well have,” Tsubaki sighed deeply. “I started the day with an exercise and training routine. Nothing too bad, just some jogging and sword techniques so I don’t get rusty. I did work up more of a sweat than usual, but only because I didn’t have anything else planned for today. Well, then my sister calls and asks for my help because she wants to rearrange all of her furniture for some reason. Fine, whatever. We finish that up, and then Hutch calls me to ask for my help wrangling some imps!” She groaned. “So many of them got loose, it took hours of running around chasing them.”

“Why didn’t you tell Hutch no?” Dan asked, curious.

“They offered me a ton of carats to help, I couldn’t possibly refuse.” Tsubaki propped up an elbow on the counter and rested her head against her hand.

“I take it now would be a bad time to ask for your help pounding some mochi.” Thanks to Dan’s deadpan delivery, it took Tsubaki several moments to realize that he was actually joking.

“I was about to punch you,” She laughed, which drew a chuckle from him as well.

“So how much mitarashi dango would you like this time?” He asked, knowing that at least that would cheer her up.

Given that it was late and she might very well be Dan’s last customer for the day, Tsubaki didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty as she answered. “All of what you have left.”

Dan nodded, expecting as much. He went to package it up, but while he did, he was sure to include a few extras. Two orders of strawberry dango and some rosewater mochi. He cared about Tsubaki and she definitely looked like she needed the pick me up.

“Here,” He finally said as he set her bag on the counter. “I included some extras on the house.”

Tsubaki instantly perked up, looking like she had regained some life to her. If there were two things she loved the most, it was sweets and free stuff. “Thanks.” She smiled as she took it. “See you again soon.”

“Take care.” Dan waved as she left the shop, looking much better than when she came in.