[ Clumsy Baker ]

• sprinkled with love ✨️❤️

The bakery felt cozy today. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything. I was determined to make it a good day, focusing on perfecting the chocolate raspberry tarts.

"Morning, Lisa!" I called as I tied my apron and got to work.

"Morning, Komiku," Lisa replied, giving me a thumbs up. "Let's make today great."

I smiled, feeling more confident. I started preparing the tarts, carefully measuring and mixing the ingredients. As I worked, I glanced at the door, waiting for Mika to arrive.

Right on cue, she walked in, her usual confident stride catching my eye. My heart did its usual flip, but I tried to stay focused. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect today.

"Hey, Komiku," Mika greeted as she approached the counter. "How's it going?"

"Hey, Mika! I'm doing well," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm making more of those tarts you liked."

"Awesome," Mika said, her eyes lighting up. "I can't wait to try them."

As I finished preparing the tarts, Hendry and Liliza walked in, laughing and holding hands. They headed straight to their usual table, chatting excitedly about something.

I placed the tarts in the oven and took a deep breath, feeling a bit more relaxed. Just then, Mika leaned against the counter, watching me with a curious expression.

"You know, Komiku," she said, her voice soft, "you're really talented. I can see how much you love baking."

Her words warmed my heart. "Thanks, Mika. That means a lot to me."

Mika smiled, and for a moment, it felt like everything was perfect. As the tarts baked, we chatted about different things—her favorite books, my baking experiments, and even Hendry and Liliza's adorable relationship.

When the tarts were finally ready, I carefully placed them on a plate and brought them to Mika. "Here you go. Fresh out of the oven."

Mika took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the taste. "Komiku, these are amazing. You outdid yourself."

Hearing her praise made me feel on top of the world. "I'm glad you like them."

As Mika enjoyed her tart, I realized how much her support meant to me. She always seemed to be there, cheering me on, even when things got tough.

As the day went on, I felt more confident and happy. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place. And with Mika by my side, I felt like I could handle anything.