Can the Camellia bloom? (2)

"Yoko-san! If anything happens, you have to let me know, alright?" Shouichi said eagerly, his face filled with concern. They were both inside a closed store in the early morning, and the boy seemed even more anxious than Yoko.

"Understood!" Yoko smiled warmly in response. "Wait, your tie's crooked." She casually pulled him back and meticulously adjusted his tie, making sure it aligned properly with the seam of his shirt.

"Oh…" The boy didn't object and quietly let her make the adjustments. After she finished, he added, "Thanks..."

"There, you look great now." Yoko complimented him. She herself was dressed in a short-sleeve shirt, black tie, and black trousers — the standard uniform for Seihei School students during Summer and Autumn.

"Hey hey hey!" A familiar voice called out as a tall figure appeared in front of the transparent door. It was unmistakably Aoyama Shinji in the same summer uniform. Next to him, the girl with jet-black hair, Morimura Ayane, waved at them, catching Shouichi's eye. Shouichi awkwardly stepped aside, embarrassed. He would rather not have people think of him as the 'mommy-type'.

"Good morning, Ayane-chan, Shinji-kun!" Yoko greeted them cheerfully as they entered the store. The shop owner, as beautiful as ever, was wearing an apron over her blouse in pastel blue and a long flowing skirt. Her graphite-black hair was styled into a large flower bun.

"Good morning, Yoko-san!" The teenagers greeted back joyfully, looking around curiously at the store.

"Wow, you renovated the store?" Shinji asked, his voice tinged with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, isn't it nice? Shou-kun's been helping me a lot with it." Yoko exchanged a brief glance with her son, and Shouichi nodded in agreement.

"Shinji-kun, Ayane-chan, Shou-kun. Thank you for helping me out with everything." Yoko bowed low in gratitude, her voice filled with appreciation.

"Anytime!" Shinji beamed from ear to ear.

"Yoko-san! Please!" Ayane gasped in astonishment, cupping her hands over her mouth.

"Mom…" Shouichi was speechless but understood his mother's affectionate gesture.

"If you have time, please visit me after school. I'd like to treat you to some cake I'll prepare…" Yoko spoke softly, almost like a whisper. Her face flushed with a deep shade of red. For a moment, she looked like a young teenager confessing her feelings.

"Yes! I've been craving cake!" Shinji eagerly accepted the offer without hesitation.

"I'm planning to visit the shop in the afternoon anyway. I'll join you for sure," Ayane added.

"Thanks, guys." Shouichi slung an arm around both Shinji and Ayane's shoulders. It was the first time he'd physically clung to his friends, and the surprise on their faces was evident.

"Let's have a great re-opening of the store," Shouichi concluded with a smile. He was thrilled to see things turning out so well.

"Yay!" "Free cake!" "Fufufu," they cheered, the happy atmosphere filling the Yoko Sweet Shop once again.

***

"Wow!" The teenagers gasped in awe as Yoko carefully set a five-pound citrus cake on the table. The cake's top was beautifully adorned with candied lemons and oranges, each piece shimmering like stained glass. The smooth pastel yellow Swiss buttercream covering the exterior looked almost too perfect to touch. As Yoko sliced into it, the layers inside were revealed — delicate sponges alternated with pale orange zesty cream, each one promising a burst of fresh citrus flavour. It was the perfect cake to mark a new beginning.

"Mom, you really outdid yourself. This cake is huge!" Shouichi commented as he spoke in hushed tones, the chatter in the background calming slightly. Yoko served the first slice to him as he was closest to her.

"I might have gone a bit overboard, but I really enjoyed the process. Think of it as good practice." Yoko smiled, serving another slice to Ayane, who sat next to Shouichi in the same booth.

"Thanks, Yoko-san! Your black coffee is perfect as well!" Ayane received the plate with both hands, beaming brightly at the shop owner. Yoko returned a quick smile and nod as acknowledgment.

"And for the hero and his beautiful girlfriend," Yoko added with a smile to the couple sitting opposite, Shinji and Emi, who exchanged bright smiles and giggles with her.

"Thanks! Yoko-san."

"Thank you, Yamamoto-san."

They both expressed their gratitude respectfully.

Yoko shook her head slowly, saying, "It's my turn to thank all of you properly. Please bear with me as I try to recover." She bowed slightly at the waist, and the group shared a collective smile.

"Thanks for the cake!" The gang chorused before diving into their slices.

"Mmhh! It's so good!" Emi exclaimed joyfully as the perfect mix of sour and sweet hit her taste buds.

"Wow! It's delicious! The sweetness is just right!" Shinji nodded vigorously as he chewed.

"I can't believe it! This is the best cake I've had in ages," Ayane exaggerated, clearly enjoying it. Her praise prompted Shouichi to take a bite, and he found it just as amazing.

"Incredibly refreshing!" Shouichi added after finishing his slice.

"I'm so glad you all love it, tee hee," Yoko said, resting her chin on her palms as she observed their reactions.

"Why don't you have some too, Yoko-san?" Shouichi asked, pointing at the remaining cake.

"Fufufu, I've already had some earlier. Please enjoy the rest, okay?" Yoko replied nonchalantly, wearing her sweet and gentle smile. It was clear how much effort she'd put into making the cake, perfecting the recipe, and now enjoying the reactions from her customers.

"How's your first day going, Mom?" Shouichi asked, reaching out and grabbing her arm tightly.

"Oh! Overall, it's going alright! The customers were upset about my sudden absence, though." Yoko replied, her brown eyes sweeping across the shop. There were no other customers at this time.

"I know it's tough, but I'm here for you," Shouichi reassured her, giving her arm a firm squeeze.

"You'll always protect me, right?" Yoko asked seriously, her expression shifting.

"Yes. I'll do anything to protect you. Call me, and I'll jump the school fence if I have to," He promised, absolute resolve in his tone.

"But… I don't want you to sacrifice your youth just for me," Yoko added, torn. She'd feel safer with Shouichi by her side, but that would mean he'd have to sacrifice his club practice, outings with friends, and other things he enjoyed. It wasn't a life she wanted for him.

"Don't worry, Shouichi. I'll always be here too, since I don't have any club activities," Ayane interjected, offering Yoko a sense of security.

"That gives me peace of mind, thank you, Ayane-chan," Yoko smiled gratefully. "Since when did Ayane become your favourite child…" Shouichi pondered with a slight twinge of envy.