Deliquesce

Chapter 1

Her left hand-spun the turntable while her right hand meticulously worked on piping the pink icing. This was her last cake of the morning.

"Gosh, Koto. I don't see how you do it all. You'd made 4 cakes before I even clocked in!"

Her co-worked smiled back at her. "Thanks, Ichika. I try."

"Yeah, no problem. We open in five. I doubt I'll need help on the register, but I may need help on bar."

Mikoto Wynn sighed. "I'll put this cake out front and then make sure the bar is prepped before I leave. It's Friday. The high schoolers may be in for breakfast smoothies."

Wiping her hands on her apron, Mikoto applied a few finishing touches. A flick of the wrist multiplied a bit to create a flower.

Moon's Bakery was, until recently, known for its breakfast. High school kids would crowd in during the morning hours to grab a donut and breakfast smoothie. After a while, a new university for heroes was built 20 minutes away from the town. Popping up around it like weeds, new homes, shops, and higher-end stores. The bakery took a turn for the financial drain until Mikoto and her baking came along.

The familiar chime of the shop's door rang. In poured a loud group.

Mikoto had just finished pre-slicing the cake. It was now housed in a glass container and ready to be shuffled to the front of the shop- near the window for display.

"These loud ass kids better not make me drop my cake," she thought to herself.

With both hands on the cake's container, she pressed her back to the swinging door. Looking up at the group she noted that they weren't kids at all. The group, she counted six, mostly looked college-aged.

A pink female was arguing with a man about the quality of the cakes.

"I'm telling you. I bake all the time. These cakes are definitely made in-house," the male assured.

"Meh. I'm sure they just bought them from somewhere else, sliced them up, and sell them to customers. No way they have someone in the back just making cakes all morning," the pink female responded. As she talked, both hands were on her hips and she swayed back and forth.

'Tst. How far from the truth.' Mikoto thought.

'Wannabe heroes' she thought.

"Sato, have you stocked up already? It's my turn to buy for you".

The male who spoke looked like a treat himself. His hair was of peppermint, white and red.

The male idtentified as Sato waved back. "You guys are so sweet. I swear I'd go broke if it wasn't for baking myself and you guys helping out on my before-class tab". The peppermint waved back, "It's not a problem. It's Bakugo's turn starting tomorrow anyway".

Closest to the register was a blonde. He had mucles galore and rather large hands- at least in comparison to the muffin he was holding. He nearly dropped it to yell "I do what I fucking want asshole. Not my problem Sato's gotta eat house and home just to be useful."

"Damn, he has the nerve to call other's asshole while he insults him?"

That was not said in her thoughts, like she assumed it was. It was said from her mouth. She was setting up the cake in its display at the front of the shop. However, it was small enough where tabs could be kept on everyone. Great for the co-workers. Not great for the employee with a smart mouth.

"You say something, gingerbread girl?" Bakugo growled. From behind the register, Ichika was blushing. She knew her co-worker had a smart mouth, but these students were about to give the small shop a lot of business. She was even counting on a tip.