A Bite of the Cherry

Plus a Cherry on Top

I had good parents and a good, but slightly eccentric, Older Sister. It was a shame that I had to pass away. I hope they didn't grief about my passing for too long. They had to live their life properly, even without me in their midst.

As for me... I too, will live this new life of mine properly.

A family of three, owning a bakery in Seis City of Uno Kingdom. We are known as Rosolare Famiglia. Personally, my name is Luca Rosolare.

That much of an introduction is enough, isn't it?

Ah, that's right. My goal in this life... Hmm, it's not that hard to figure it out. I will be a baker and success this bakery, Rosolare.

☼

As a child, I have my fair share of meeting children my age. They are all... children. There is nothing more I can say about them. Children, innocent children, will always be children.

But, there is someone who does not really get along well with the children, despite being a child herself.

Even as I say that, I am the same age as her. 5 years old. I am two months older than her though, so there is that.

The girl is sulking, hiding behind a tree as she watches the children playing together. She is wearing a fancy dress, so she must be someone... important, perhaps. I can't say I see her a lot around this playground.

I am currently resting after a round of playing Hero vs Demon King, as a Demon King's henchmen. Truthfully, I want to spend my time in the bakery, to learn baking. But, because my parents think I am still too young to go near the fire, I have to wait two more years before they will contemplate on teaching me how to bake.

Life is short. But, I think I still can wait two more years to learn baking. That's why, I decide to spend my childhood playing as a child before I start to work in the bakery.

Ah, the girl hiding behind the tree and me, our eyes meet.

I hesitate briefly before giving her a small smile. The girl's eyes lit up in excitement as she returns my smile. Then, shyly, the girl detaches herself from the tree to visit me.

"Ciao," the girl greets, doing a clumsy curtsy

I don't know how to reply to a greeting like that. But, it would be rude to not reply in kind. So, I stand up from my sitting position and take a clumsy bow myself, "Ciao,"

The girl presses her lips together, as if suppressing a smile. Glancing at the playing children, she asks me, "May I join you?"

I tilt my head slightly, "Don't you mean, join them? I am currently taking a break. If you wish to play with them, I will introduce you to them,"

The girl shakes her head, "I don't mind not playing..." she trails off briefly, as if unsure of what to call the game. Yet, she continues soon enough, "I just want... Umm... May I sit here?"

I have no reason to reject her. Thus, I invite her to sit beside me.

Shifting uneasily half a minute later, the girl speaks, "I am Oriana, what's your name?"

"Luca," I introduce myself shortly

Oriana bites her lips again, sending an uncertain glance my way. I mainly focus on the children, to watch over them. But, I also try to pay attention to Oriana. Perhaps, she has questions?

"Do you mind, umm... May we be friends?" Oriana asks bashfully as she plays with the hems of her dress in nervousness

Being taken off guard, I am slow to reply. I blink at her for a long time, to which she interprets as a rejection, having shown a dejected expression. To clear the possibility of misunderstanding, I speak up, "Of course,"