With a pat on the back and a cheery “Good work today, Hoshino!” Ichika was free to spend the evening as she pleased. On a usual night,  she would call someone and arrange that they may rest at that comfortable bar that she frequented throughout the week. However, tonight, Takeru had invited her over, saying that it’d been a long week and he wanted to spend some time with her once he could get home. He let her know that she was welcome to go make herself comfortable in his apartment while she waited.

 

Knowing that Takeru was probably feeding himself poorly when she overstayed her shifts at work, she deemed that she still had enough energy to prepare a meal as well as dessert as surprise to him. Shifting through her mental cookbook, she picked up ingredients according to what she can remember to fit to his liking, and happily carried herself to his apartment humming a tune or two along the way.

 

Meal preparation seems to pass along within minutes, it was always so fun, though so fast. But now, the part that she’d been especially excited was approaching… baking. This is where twice the fun rooted itself for Ichika.

 

She pulled all the tools needed, preheated the oven, rolled up her sleeves. She’s going to do her best!

 

And it first starts with...

 

1 1/4 cup of sugar + 2/3 cup of butter

 

A lot of sugar, she thought. Just the way that Takeru enjoyed his desserts. Though the hefty amounts of it reminded her of their relationship, strangely enough. Ichika and Takeru, they started off grainy. She rarely found herself happy around him, it was aggravating. Harsh words, a cold shoulder, an annoyed gaze any time of the day, how could someone be so standoffish? She struggled to understand him. Even if she was a rookie, inexperienced, Ichika tried to do what she could, she wanted him to see that. Still, for how much she thought she’d thought she’d dreaded him, feelings are a confusing thing. Why was it that she’d began to love this person who contrasted her so drastically? Her heart thumped in her chest, remembering the sweetness in his words when he knew she needed it. When his eyes had looked at her with warmth that was foreign to her before. These layers beneath his shell, sugary and soft, one seldom shown, she’s sure. Recalling all of his gestures, all of these motions that she’d not noticed before… her chest felt warm. She might've hated visiting him before, but now… there’s anticipation that swells. She wanted to see him, she couldn't wait to.

 

The memories that they have, the memories they'll make, all that they share, the idea brought excitement to her. She shook her fists a bit, riding of the excess energy. For now, she’ll focus on her tasks at hand, but look forward to what’s in store. From the uncomplicated moments, troublesome misunderstandings that beat and batter them together, yet no matter what it’ll be, she’ll cherish them all.

 

4 eggs

 

Hitting each egg on the counter, breaking them apart, her thoughts trailed off. She’d always knew Takeru was no simple person. Many sides, shells, that she’d seemed to love a little more with each steady crack of it. The side that teased Kazuki with a smile on his face, the side that teased her when she slept in his arms, the side that still held sadness from his pasts, it seemed every day there was something new to learn. Even if it was something small, minuscule, like the kinds of expression that crosses his face when he can eat something he enjoys, the way he furrows his brows when lost in his concentration. There was always something new and Ichika… Ichika was eager to find about every bit of it. One at a time, opening up to her, the things he does consciously and not so, how could someone’s heart not be enamored by those little quirks?

 

3 large oranges

 

The cuts of orange stung small cuts on her hands. Squeezing each one, she continued to think about the past. It’s a shame that to get to where she is now, she had to drop things once vital to her. Drinking nights with that person to soothe her nerves, relax when she was always  the workaholic. In the moment, she truly thought those times would last forever, never end. In about a week, they would be drinking, crying, laughing. Though relationships had turned sour and that person had faded from her life, she can’t help but feel bittersweet. Sad that it’s over, happy that there’s more to start. Lost friendships peel away, the rind weaker than she’d realized, they fade into the wind like ashes, and dust. The sadness will rest in the back of her mind, but she’ll move on. She has to. Ichika can only go forward now. Holding close the people she loves, making time for them when she may.

 

2 cups all purpose flour

 

The flour puffed into the air like clouds, in turn, Ichika moved to cough. She needed to be more careful, she thought! Takeru wouldn’t appreciate a mess in his kitchen. She had a good head on her shoulders, but here she was daydreaming left and right, it seemed. Words reinforced in different ways by her loved one. Ichika was often told that she wouldn’t equate to much. Her parents had their expectations left on Kazuki, with Ichika simply going out into the word to do something… much smaller. That feeling in her that puts a spring in her step when she helps people, when she can complete a recipe once difficult, when she can put a smile on someone’s lips. She had a purpose, she had dreams.

 

Throughout their investigations, Ichika couldn’t deny she was rather still… Technology was not her area of experience, far from it, really. Even when it came to her job itself, she’s a mere rookie, low in rank, but she’ll do what she can. She’ll find her footing, and pick up Takeru when he falls, rely on him when she stumbles. She’s learning, she’s living, she’s here. If her high school self could see where she was now… She would be proud. Mochida is proud of her. Yanagi, Mineo, all of them.. And Takeru especially. They are proud of her. She may have not been expected for much from the people around her but she’s… Ichika’s making something out of herself. She had to make a few mistakes, so much has happened, but she’s grown.

 

1 tsp baking powder

 

As she measured the ingredients, she can’t help the feelings in her stomach, realizing that the batter is almost done and soon it’ll be time to bake it. She was so, so excited to share it with him! In different ways, he leveled her out, rose her up, brought her down. Rewarding her with treats when she was good, scourning her when she was lost, but still helping her when she was weak. The warmth of his hands on her head is one she remembers vividly, how could she forget? As for herself, she for him, kept him together, helped him leave the sour feelings that stirred in his chest behind. The two of them, though an odd duo, worked out. In a way, she couldn’t imagine how things would be if it hadn’t been for Takeru. Would she have paired up with Enomoto? Shiraishi? Yanagi? What kind of person would she have become? The questions swirl about in her mind but what’s done is done, and she would never turn back on her choice of partnering with Takeru, let alone falling in love with him.

 

He had always rewarded her for being good, and this was her chance to do so for him.

 

Bake at 180 degrees Celsius, for 35 to 45 minutes.

 

The aroma of vanilla and orange that filled the air wafts around the apartment. She remembered the way she felt when she’d first come here. Nervous. That was the first feeling that came to mind. It was his home, and yet, it lacked the warmth. It was clean, it was neat but it lacked something. With his monitors and equipment that took up the desk, this didn’t feel like a home to her, it was work. And yet, now those anxious feelings have blown away like ashes in the wind. She’d brought cooking utensils and necessities to his home, and slowly, it became a second home to her as well.

 

As long as he was around, any place could be home. Wherever fate wanted to bring her, it would be okay.

 

Ice the cake after it’s cooled.

 

She cocked her head, looking at the pastry, wondering what would add the finishing touch to her treat. Something cute… something that needed to hold meaning, after all, so much of thoughts had gone into this!

 

It’s in that moment, an idea sprung into her mind.

 

A flower meaning hope… she remembered it. During the time in which she was still receiving training from Mochida, she remembered it. As he looked at her in the eyes with a smile, telling her not to panic because… those wildflowers that spring from the soil where they can, the anemone, meant hope, faith. Just like those flowers… that’s what they are, signs of hope for people to believe in, where ever they can be, they’ll bring a sign of hope.

 

Takeru and all of them… are her blossoms of hope.

 

With that in mind, she cut the tip of her piping bag, carefully, having her heart set on decorating the pastry with small anemone flowers where she saw fit. She pulled a reference up on her phone, and began to pull each petal meticulously, going back in with each colour. Her focus is firm, unwavering, heart going into each piece of the bigger picture. Takeru… Would he be able to tell of her feelings? The thought brought a smile to her lips. Would he call her by that nickname? The one that never failed to bring a flush to her cheeks? Only time could tell.

 

Her hands pulled the tip away from the layers, finishing another flower to decorate. She wanted to do her best for all of them, showing it in any way she can. She didn’t notice the noise of the front door clicking open, but rather, she’s in the clouds,  her eyes sparkle at her finished creation, elated to share it with the one she loves so much. Her mouth watered slightly at how good it would taste… however, any home cook’s first rule, after all, is always that food tastes much better when shared with the loved ones. Though she held pride in that this cake she’s made would be delicious alone as well.

 

Serve.

 

She’s only pulled from her focus when his arms wrap around her waist from behind, burying his head into her shoulder, the tips of his hair tickling her skin. The warmth passed between their contact is soothing, comforting, she thinks, familiar. The kind of warmth that, should it linger for seconds too long, she would drift off into a gentle rest. As long as he was there, as long as his arms were around her, she came to realize everything would be okay. Their heartbeats would sync up, his breaths steady while her stomach fluttered. Everything up until this point had been so complicated, but it’s clearer when he’s here, right by her side.

 

They were partners, after all, be it in justice or love, they were partners until the end. And for him… she wishes to be his sign of hope just as he for her.

 

“I’m home.” He says, voice low and tired, yet peaceful.

 

She placed one hand on his arm, squeezing it gently. Everything running in her mind, now coming to a stop to focus on him and only him. “Takeru,” The name leaved her lips in a gentle voice. “Welcome home.”