I'm Not a Therapist! I'm a Baker

Chapter One

It was another bright morning in the village of Konoha, Yasuko, as per normal, spent it alongside his kaa-san baking. Flour smudged on their faces and aprons marked with white among the other things. Aprons never stayed clean for long. Vanilla overpowered the kitchen as they mixed the batter for hotcakes, the morning special that caused many people, ninja and non-ninja alike, to stop by.

The hotcakes were made by first, combining cake flour and baking powder which is then sieved into a bowl with a mesh strainer. Then, a whole egg is beaten in a bowl, sugar is mixed in until it dissolves. Milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract are added. By then, the scent of vanilla will waft around the room. After that, the wet ingredients will slowly be added into the dry ingredients. After this, they are ready to be cooked. The best part, adding toppings. Yasuko's kaa-chan, Anzu, always placed them perfectly.

Their loyal customer walked in, his signature blue eyes wildly darted across the room. Almost exactly how a scared animal would act. Anzu peered into the seating area, looking at the blonde boy who seated himself in the corner. His lips drooped in a frown, much more than any other day. Yasuko's mom looked at him with pursed lips as she handed the tray of food. Anticipation bubbled up into his stomach, of course.

"Dear, won't you please keep him company while he eats?" she asked.

"Yes, kaa-chan."

Pulling on his customer smile, Yasuko greeted the small boy cheerfully and set down the plate of food. Steam rose from the fresh and homemade hotcakes. Soon, many people would be entering to get them just out of the pan. Brown strands of hair fell into his eyes which he pushed away while he paused for a second, allowing their young customer to take in the sight of food.

"Enjoy your food, Naruto-san," he said, getting ready to head back into the kitchen and tell his kaa-chan his company was obviously not wanted.

"D-do you think I can be a ninja when i'm o-older," he blubbered, tears falling down his cheeks while looking at Yasuko with a trembling lip.

Yasuko withheld a sigh, he stood for a moment too long. "Naruto-san, anyone can be a ninja if they try hard enough. It's all about hard work and determination."

"How do I work hard?" His blue eyes were staring at Yasuko with the curiosity of a young child, tears edging away.

"Well, you have to train lots, eat lots of good foods and be ready to do things that aren't always fun," Yasuko said with a soft smile, similar to his soft spot for children younger than him, "Now eat up before it gets cold."

Kaa-san always lectured him about treating the Uzumaki gently, as she would. Anzu was someone who everyone would consider as sweet, besides the fact that it was mostly for the business, not that anyone else knew. But she also happened to have a soft spot for young children who fell on hard times. That is why Yasuko always delivered the young boy his free breakfast, because Kami-Sama knows that nobody else would be feeding him. Kaa-san had great faith in him, saying one day he would be Hokage and it would definitely be great for business. To be branded Hokage's favourite bakery was a dream come true. Although he wasn't sure how she had come to the conclusion that this young boy would be their future village leader. As per normal, he went along with it.

"Better?" he asked upon entering the kitchen.

"He's smiling," she confirmed, "Dishes before you head out."

Yasuko was home schooled by his kaa-san while also apprenticing underneath her to learn the art of baking. His schedule was hectic, if anything more was added he wasn't sure how he could keep up, his kaa-san was definitely a slave driver. A young boy from the Uchiha clan named Shisou worked there occasionally, only dishes and taking orders as no one besides family is allowed to serve food in the bakery. That was only during "school days" for him when Kaa-san was by herself in the bakery.

Just as he got his bag ready to leave, the Uzumaki waited with fidgety hands at the bakery's entrance. A startled noise emerged from his throat. The blonde boy looked at him with wide eyes.

"Is there something you need, Naruto-san?"

"Wouldya come to my entrance ceremony...?" he asked shyly, twisting his fingers.

"If you'll have me, I would love to participate," he said, his face twisting in a crooked smile that looked a little bit too forced, as his mothers eyes stared into his back.

"Thank you! It's next week.. I think?"

"I'll walk you after breakfast just tell me the day soon."

This meant Yasuko would now have to spend his free time catching up on homework, all because of lingering for a few moments too long.