Work Text:
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes or until thick. In a small bowl combine milk and melted butter. Add the flour mixture and milk mixture alternately to the egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until-"
"(YOUR NAME)!!!" You looked up when your name was called, and there from the doorway of the kitchen the cafe barista, named Sonde-san, came barreling in with an annoyed expression. You looked at your working table it was a mess. You looked at him questioningly after.
"What are you doing?!" He asked you or more like yelled at you but you're already used to it. You looked at your working table and lifting the small bowl with mixture in it. You actually want to tell him what you're doing but you have a problem with your voice. He seems to get what you mean though. "Argh! How many times do I have to tell you not to experiment here! Do that at home!" He chastised you as you look down sadly.
"She can't do that because the tools she needed are here. Let her be." Another voice joined the two of you and you saw your uncle, who is not only one of the store owners but is also the chief pastry chef of this store.
He went to you and smiled warmly and then he looks at Sonde-san. "When someone wants to learn you let them be. And besides you know more than anyone else that (your name)-chan's creation are always the wonders of this store." Your uncle said as Sonde-san just grumble something you didn't hear and then he left.
"What are you doing this time?" Your uncle asked as you pointed at the open book lying on the counter. "Ohh! Donuts! I'm not gonna ask what kind of donut it is because I'm pretty sure it will be good. And when I see the finish product let's try putting it on shelves on a trial basis. What do you think?" He said with a smile and you beamed back happily at him and nodding your head enthusiastically.
With that he patted your shoulder and left you on your own as you turn back to what you're doing before you got interrupted.
You love baking so much that it was the only thing that puts your mind at ease. It was the only gift your parents had left behind aside from this café. Your parents owned this café but then they got into an accident along with you. Unfortunately you're the only one who survived but then when you woke up not only did you discovered that your parents are gone, even your voice is gone. They said it was the trauma from the accident but the doctors reassured you that someday your voice will return.
You're supposed to handle the café but then you think you're not ready yet so the café is now run over by your uncle who is the pastry chef and along with the chief Barista, Sonde-san, that is a friend of your father. They took care of you too. Though Sonde-san is a gruff man you know that he cares about you.
One of the things you love to bake is doughnuts. You are just so captivated by those round things for some reason and you love decorating them. But among all the kinds of doughnuts you love the traditional glaze doughnuts no matter how plain looking they are.
A few more minutes had passed and then the kitchen was filled by a sweet aroma of freshly baked doughnuts. This prompts your uncle and two of the staffs to peek at you inside the kitchen.
"Well... That certainly smells good!" Your uncle exclaimed. "Ehhh what's that? What's that?" Yuji one of the staffs asked excitedly. "Ah! (Your Name)-san is baking something again! I want a taste!"
"Did you just say that (Your Name)-san baked something?" Mayu, who is also one of the staffs, came barging in.
You smiled at them all and presented a fresh batch of newly baked donuts in a platter. They each took one and takes a bite as you wait with bathed breath for their reaction. Their eyes widen after and they looked at you in surprise and then at the donut they're holding.
Their suspicions got confirmed. There's chocolate filling inside the glazed donut. "(Your Name)-chan! This is good. It looks like a simple holed glazed donut but then the fillings surprised me. It's mint chocolate right?" Your uncle asked as you nodded your head. "Isn't it hard putting a filling inside a holed donut?" He asked again as you shook your head.
"(Your Name)-san!!! This is so good!!!" Mayu said as she eagerly took a bite. You laugh at their reaction. "Looks like we'll have another addition to the menu, right chef?" Yuji said as your uncle nodded. "Yeah we'll put it up tomorrow for trial."
"Why wait tomorrow? Let's have that guy be our taste tester. He always buys doughnuts." Yuji suggested as you look at them questioningly. "Ah right. You haven't met him yet. You see we have a regular customer who always comes by to buy doughnuts only!" Your uncle explained.
Well isn't that weird? That guy must've loved doughnuts so much. But then again you have nothing to say to that since you love doughnuts also. "Now that you mention him, I remember one time that he was asking me who made the doughnuts because he really liked them so much." Yuji said as he looks at you with a scheming look and you gulp nervously.
"He's there right now right?" Your uncle asked Mayu and Yuji who nodded their heads. "Why don't we let (Your Name)-chan serve this to him for a taste?" Your uncle said as they look at you and you shook your head.
How do you talk with customers anyway when you don't have a voice? They seem to notice your distress as your uncle patted you on the shoulder encouragingly. "Don't worry I'm here to back you up. And besides it's part of an owner's job to get to know their customers. Especially the valued ones. Let's go!"
And off he drags you out of the kitchen which surprised Sonde-san because you rarely come out. Your uncle drags you to a table where a young man who looks to be about your age is sitting and eating a doughnut.
"Akisawa-san! Thank you for coming here! It's nice to see you again." Your uncle greeted the young man on the table who smiled at the two of you. "Ah! Keiji-san! Well your doughnuts are really good I'm addicted to them." He, or Akisawa-san said excitedly like a little kid with a candy which is very refreshing to see.
You felt yourself smiling at his reaction. It's nice to know the people who love the food you created. Akisawa-san seems to notice you as he looks at you. "Ah right! Akisawa-san this is (your name)-chan. She is also one of the pastry chef here."
Akisawa-san smiled at you as you return the smile and bow a little. "Akisawa Kentaro desu. It's nice to meet you (Your Name)-san." He looks questioningly at you when you didn't say anything which is noticed immediately by your uncle.
"I hope you don't mind Akisawa-san. You see (Your Name)-chan here can't talk. Her voice hasn't returned yet." You nodded your head and was a bit sad when you saw Akisawa-san's pitying expression. You kind of didn't like it when people give you that look when they learned that you can't talk but then again you always get used to it.
"I'm sorry to hear that."Akisawa-san said as he looks at you and you just shook your head. Instead of being sad you smiled at him again and offered the plate you're holding. "Eh?"
"Oh right! You love the doughnuts here right?" Your uncle asked. "Yes! They are very tasty and good!" Akisawa-san replied his expression had changed to being excited. "You see those doughnuts are all made by (Your Name)-chan." Your uncle explained.
You blushed when you saw Akisawa-san's amazed look. "REALLY??!! WOW! That's amazing. They are really good and I really love them (Your Name)-san." You nodded your head in thanks and Akisawa-san seems to get it as he smiled at you.
"And also the reason we are here is because (Your Name)-chan made a new recipe for doughnuts. Is it okay if you can try it? Rest assured it is definitely safe." Your uncle and Akisawa-san laugh together. "I doubt that it's not safe. I really love your doughnuts." Akisawa-san said.
"Then go ahead and have some." Your uncle motioned to the plate you are holding as you put it in front of Akisawa-san. "Itadaikimasu!" Akisawa-san said as he grabs one and took a bite. His eyes widen and he looks at the donut he's holding then back's at you with a genuine look of surprise and amazement.
"This is really good (Your Name)-san! I mean it's really tasty!" He said again as he eagerly takes a bite. You smiled at him widely and you noticed him blushed but then he averted his gaze immediately.
When his blush subsided he looks at you again. "Thank you for making this. It tastes really great. Though I think I've said it a lot of times now. Thank you." He laughed a little as you did too though yours is soundless.
You wanted to say thank you too but then you can't. You were frustrated that you can't even talk. If only you can talk. Then you can say to Akisawa-san how happy you are to be praised like that.
Little did you know that that was the start of your road towards happiness that will lead your voice back to you.
~~~~~~ A year and a half later ~~~~~
You were pretty busy today. You've been baking ever since this morning because there is this special event that will happen this evening in the café after it closes.
What event? Today is Akisawa-san's birthday and you have a big surprise for him. It's been more than a year that you knew each other and somethibg more than that. Though you can't talk Akisawa-san iss always there to talk to you.
He spends a lot of time in the café to visit you and of course to buy doughnuts. Those visits led to the two of you getting close until the point came where Akisawa-san confessed to you that he likes you in a romantic sense and asked if you'd like to go out with him.
If you were a normal girl then you would've agreed and said yes immediately. But you were afraid that your lack of voice will destroy your relationship. You relayed those fears of yours by writing him a letter but then he came barreling down to the café after reading it and telling you that even if you can't speak it does not matter.
As long as the feelings are mutual then it's all that matters.
With that the two of you started going out, of course with the knowledge of your uncle.
And today is another special day for you because it is Akisawa-san's birthday. Your gift for him is already wrapped up nicely and is inside your bag along with the letter you wrote for him. Writing a letter is the only medium you have so you can tell him how you really feel. Though deep inside you know that it's not enough.
That special things, special feelings are ought to be said aloud.
"(Your Name)-chan! You better start cleaning up any moment now and the guests will start arriving soon." Your uncle said as you nodded you head and starts cleaning up.
You manage to bake the doughnut tower in replacement for the birthday cake. Most of the foods are doughnuts. Well it can't be helped when the guest of honor loves them so much.
It was a blast when the party started. Most people are Akisawa-san's friends from his works and you know most of them since you watched the plays he is casted in. Everyone seems to enjoy the foods and one by one the people starts giving Akisawa-san their gifts and greeted him a happy birthday.
Aksiawa-san looks happy to see his loved ones together. As you observe them you can't help but be envious as you see and hear the others greeting Akisawa-san.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how great he is.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how kind he is.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how you loved to see him smiling.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how happy you are when he spends time with you.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how you always look forward to his reaction when he eats your new creations.
If only your voice is back then you can tell Akisawa-san how happy you are that he is born and greet him a happy birthday.
If only your voice is back then you can tell him how much you love him.
"(Your Name)-chan?"
You were taken out of your thoughts by Aksiawa-san's voice and you saw him looking worriedly at you. "Are you okay?" He asked you as he was surprised to see your hand shaking so he took a hold of it.
'No. I'm not okay. I wanted to tell you... I wanted to... Why can't I say it??!!! Why?' You thought as you bit the inside of your cheek because you're willing your tears to not flow down.
You opened your mouth. Akisawa-san looks confusingly at you. The others seem to notice the two of you and were watching quietly.
'Say it! Say it to him! He deserves to hear your voice more than anyone else! Say it!' You screamed inside your head and then there is this nagging feeling inside your head that made your mouth move and form words that have sounds.
"Ha-Happy Birthday! Akisawa-san!" You said loudly and everyone got surprised especially Akisawa-san who stood rooted on his spot and was surprised at what he heard so suddenly.
Akisawa-san gulped down the lump in his throat as he spoke, his voice shaking, not believing what he just heard. "You... You can talk now?" he asked and you were surprised by what happened too. "(Your name) please say it again. Please say it again." He said and you can see the tears gathering at the corner of his eyes.
You swallowed and opened your mouth again. "I... I love you Kentarou-san." You finally said with a relief sigh because your voice is back and because you were finally able to say the one thing you wanted to do from the very beginning that you two started going out.
Those words you said had finally opened the dam in Akisawa-san's heart as he hugged you tight and cried there on the spot, even you too are crying. But those are tears of happiness.
"I'm so happy! I'm so happy to hear you say it. I'm so happy. Thank you for trying so hard for me. I love you too (Your Name)." Akisawa-san said as he looks at you with tears still on his eyes but with a smile on his lips.
You too smiled widely at him and shook your head. "No... It was all thanks to you. I don't know if my voice will be back if it wasn't because of you. You were the push that I needed to be able to gain it back. So thank you for everything. Thank you for loving me. Happy Birthday Kentarou-san." You said and you felt like you're floating now that you have let it out.
The two of you were surprised when everyone starts clapping and both of you flushed in embarrassment. The teasing came of course and your uncle hugs you tight as he was so happy to hear you talking again.
Akisawa-san grabs your hand and looks at you.
"This is the best birthday gift that I've ever received." He said with a wide smile as he kissed you then and there in front of everyone.
And this time it was your breath that was taken away as Akisawa Kentarou sweep you off your feet.
THE END