Jiro had accepted me as his student, the training was just as tough as I’d imagined it would be. I awoke up early in the morning thinking about bread. I rolled dough, ate bread, and baked bread. Day in and day out.

****

“Not like that. Mao. Take it out. Here! Here yer gonna burn it.”

“Coming.”

I rushed to the oven and shoved my hand in without thinking.

“What the hell are ya thinking, don’t shove your hand in there!”

It was a little too late to stop, there was a slight burning as I dropped the burnt rolls. My hand was relatively fine even so Jiro had Hana wrap up my right hand.

****

“We have a number of orders. I’m going to need you to help me fill the first three. Then ya need to run out to get some ingredients got it?”

“Got it master.”

Customers were coming left and right. I helped Jiro finish the orders that he had asked me to with only a few mistakes.

“That’s not what I ordered.”

“Sorry, sorry. Here you go.”

“Where’s my order?”

“I’ll have it ready in just a moment. Chuu you help out too. Don’t just sit on the counter eating.”

Chuu bobbed up placing jam on top of his head he took it over to a customer and then a second later he dumped it on them.

“You little idiot the hell do you think your do! I’m so sorry about that it won’t happen again.”

Without think about it I bowed as I apologized. Since when do I bow to anyone but master. Freakin Chuu I’ll make you pay.

“Helping. Don’t yell at me Mao. Chuu can’t handle a stressful work environment.”

“That’s it Imma…”

“Mao! Don’t yell at Chuu. Come here Chuu try some jam.”

“Thank you, granny. Mao is always being mean to Chuu.”

Hana came to Chuu’s defense, Chuu floated over to her as she spoonfed him some jam. My eyes narrowed on him.

“I’m gonna throw him in the oven later.”

“I’m sorry what was that?”

“Oh, nothing here’s your pastries.”

****

Jiro, Hana and Chuu all watched me with such intent. My hands were stead as I controlled the flames I used on the oven. Sweat dripped down my forehead.

“I can do this. Focus.”

I started easing up on the flames before stopping them completely. Jiro, Hana and Chuu all watched as I brought the rolls out slowly. There were three rolls that were about the half the size of a watermelon. The rolls resembled Chuu in design.

“Now for the presentation.”

I placed the three rolls in a basket and headed over to the table where Jiro and Hana watched me from. Chuu floated just above my shoulder as I placed the basket on his head.

“Ready Mao.”

“Let’s do it.”

Two fireballs appeared one in each hand. I tossed them in the air and they burst into little embers. Chuu danced around while balancing the basket. I continued to decorate the area with small sparks as well as creating rings of fire for Chuu to fly through. And then I dropped to one knee and let off a series of small explosions.

Chuu placed the rolls down on the table. Hana clapped seemingly impressed while Jiro nodded while stroking his beard.

“Very flashy. Let’s see if these taste any good.”

My eyes watched as Jiro picked up a roll and took a bite he chewed for what felt like forever. Come on tell me is it any good? Come on? Jiro paused then swallowed. His eyes opened wide.

And then he gave me a thumbs up. “Ya can finally call yourself a baker.”

“I’m up next granny try this jam.”

Chuu pulled out a bottle of jam that he had stored inside his body. It seemed like he could do that at will which made me question whether he was actually eating anything or simply storing it. Either that or he was storing the jam in his stomach which would be disgusting. If that was the case he shouldn’t serve it to granny.

Damnit. Chuu’s got me calling her that now too.

Granny took out a spoon and tried the jam she was a lot easier to read than the old man. It seemed like she liked the jam. We could tell in an instant.

“You two boys have come a long way.”

I bowed while the old man spoke. There was a strange feeling in my chest which caused me to scratch it but that didn’t stop the feeling. What exactly was this? I don’t understand I made a arrangement and now this was the end of it. So, what exactly was this? And now that I think about?

****

A younger demon Mao stands in front of a large demon who places a hand on his head.

“Mao, my son you must always remember that the humans want nothing more than to see you dead.”

“Why father?”

“For you are a demon. If you do not wish to be killed by the humans you must become strong. Strong enough that you can kill them before they have a chance to kill you? Never allow yourself even a moments weakness. Weakness means death.”

Young Mao stared at his father for a moment before nodding.

****

“Weakness means death.” I whispered the words to myself as Chuu danced around in the air.

I clenched my fist. It was time to leave here. I had gotten what I was after so there was no longer a reason to stay.

“Master, Granny. I am grateful…”

“But you must get going. We understand. Could you wait for a moment there was something I want to…”

“Can’t I’ve spent too long here I’ve got something important to get back too.”

Without letting Granny finish I left the bakery and headed out. It was probably because I was more concerned with leaving before the feeling in my chest got worse that I didn’t pay too much attention to a random man hanging outside the bakery.

He looked at me then looked away and started whistling. Weirdo. Chuu pouted as he followed behind me.