Winter Treats
In all her life, for as long as she has lived, not once or ever had she ever done anything involving cooking or baking.
Why should she even attempt it anyways? She had an older brother who did that and he kept everything very clean afterwards. Plus when he did it it always tasted better to her when she ate. There really wasn't any need for her to do it at all.
So when she had been approached by that Kamado kid's younger sister who invited her to come make karukan manju. she would have normally scoffed and blown her off. After all why would she ever want to bake with a girl who carried bread around in her mouth every morning that she wakes up and whose older brother butt heads with her own big brother?
Except she had said yes. She had blushed deeply at how quickly she had agreed and then more so at the cute sparkling light in Nezuko's eyes when she had agreed to go to her home. God why did this girl have to look at her like that? Like she was the best person to be around in the world?
Ume sighed as she made her way down the street wearing her school uniform of a simple white button up and plaid skirt. Over it she wore her favorite lime green and pink jacket with flowers on it as she follows the directions given to her by that little cowardly blonde Zenitsu. Honestly why did she even agree to this? After all that girl's brother could be such a goody two shoes when it came to school, shouldn't Ume be the last person she would ever want in her home?
As she approached the Kamado bakery though, she felt her heart start to pound away in her chest. Ume swallowed thickly the closer she gets to the door, still trying to process what she was doing until her hand wrapped around the door knob. Even though the sign said it was closed, the door opens with ease to let out warm air that smelled of spices and warm bread, as well as hazelnut coffee. Ume breathed it in and before she knew it she was walking through the cozy little cafe and towards the counter.
"Hello?"
Nezuko said to meet her in the cafe part right?
There's a loud crash that makes her jump before Nezuko rushes out with her pink eyes widening with that same glimmer from when she asked her to come over.
It was strange seeing her without the bread in her mouth as she runs to her, smiling brightly, "Ume-chan you maaaaade it! I was starting to get worried you got lost or decided not to come! Niisan has already gotten the yams and rice flour mixed together so all we have to do is put in the red bean paste!"
"Oh! Uh...wow okay so..." Ume gulped a bit. She felt so nervous. Why, why did she feels so nervous?
Ume blinked as she was tugged back, her eyes widening a bit at how warm and soft Nezuko looked as they went to the back where the kitchen was.
"S-so why karukan manju? Isn't that like a Kyushu thing?"
"Well our Kaasan is from Kyushu so we make it every year in the winter time to remind her of home," Nezuko explained, opening thedoor for her with a grin, "This is going to be so much fun! I'm so happy you could come Ume-chan. it makes me really really happy."
Ume coughed into her hand as she swallowed and looked to the side in order to hide the pink blush on her cheeks. Honestly why did she have to be so nice to her when there are so many other cute girls at school? It made no sense whatsoever since their brothers fought so much and well...Ume's reputation at the school would make any girl not want to be around her.
Still she was already in the bakery and she was here so she may as well follow through.
After all how hard could it be to make Karukan Manju?
...
Apparently having no experience in the kitchen and used to having her brother do things for here did Ume no favors.
She whined when she failed her next one and had to resist throwing it at the nearest wall. How did the kamados even make them look so perfect and neat? It was criminal how good they looked, like little snow balls. Ume was trying so hard not to pick up her phone and cry to Gyutaro especially after all the flack he had given her about going there.
Plus she really hoped she could learn to do it quick and impress Nezuko.
...Wait why would she want to impress Nezuko? Why was she even putting so much into this? She hardly knew the rest of the Kamado family save for her and that goddamn brother of hers and she only came because she had agreed too quickly like an idiot.
She should just leave before she embarrassed herself and gave Nezuko a reason to never invite her over again-
"Aw, Ume-chan those are so good for your first try!"
Ume blinked before she slowly turned to stare at the other girl with wide eyes. Surely she was just being nice to her out of pity. She hated when people did that and she opened her mouth to snap at the other girl before Nezuko picked them up and went to go and steam them happily.
"They'll still taste so good once they're done! You really did do good and I bet they'll be just as tasty. Oh there's a batch ready if you would like to eat one!" Nezuko smiled as she pushed her pretty long black hair back over her shoulder, "You really worked hard and earned a treat."
She stared at the other girl, slowly blinking her green eyes before she sees the treat presented to her. She blinked as another blush comes to her cheeks.
Carefully she reached up and took one of the sweets before looking back at Nezuko. The only person who has ever given her something to be nice was her older brother and only him ever since she was old enough to walk. Everyone else was just trying to get something in return out of her when they gave her something. Nothing came for free.
Yet...Nezuko was there, giving her a sweet despite her failed attempts at marking it.
There's a moment of silence as the scent of these sweets fills the air and she gulped when she feels like her heart has jumped to her throat.
"Go on, Ume-chan! It's tasty!" Nezuko smiled at her so kindly, not even a hint of ulterior motive in her face.
It was right thne, seeing Nezuko being so sweet and kind to her, how she was being so sincere despite not knowing Ume that well...she realizes something right then and there.
She had feelings for Nezuko.
Fuck.