Mochi Master [River]

River dusted the rice flour off his hands onto his black apron and huffed, tossing his hair back out of his face. He had been part-timing at Dan’s Dango and was finally getting the hang of making his own Dango. 

The recipe book Dan gave him helped as well, as it made practicing outside of the shop exceedingly easy. River never would've guessed getting all the ingredients together would be so simple, and it would taste all the more rewarding when made with his own hands!

“That doesn't look so bad! See, I told you practice makes perfect,” Dan complimented on another batch of Dango River managed to complete, this time of Ube flavor. River smiled proudly and turned to the pastry chef.

“So, what next? I haven't had a chance to make any goma yet,” he said, glancing over to the recipe book. Dan shook his head and opened his hands wide apart.

“I have something way more serious in mind. I think you're ready to try making mochi.” River’s eyes sparkled at the idea. Mochi was similar enough to Dango but softer, pillowier, and oftentimes filled to the brim with delicious mixes. River shook his head excitedly.

“Great!” Dan said, and waved River to follow him to a large wooden bowl on a simplistic stone table. Dan picked up the heavy wooden mochi hammer and patted its handle against his other hand. 

“This is the tool of greatness. Since I've been doing this for a lot longer, I'll make the mixes to begin with and you just need to swing the hammer, alright? And don't worry– If I lose a finger I'll just take one of yours.” Dan finished with a cheeky grin, passing the hammer to River and going off to get a bowl of softened cooked rice to pour down into the wood bowl. 

River felt its weight in his hands and sighed. He guessed it was time. He wondered if he would make any embarrassing noises while swinging. Dan waved a hand down at the softened rice and nodded for River to begin swinging. 

River felt the jolt up his shoulders as the rice resisted. He swung again… and again… and finally realized why he'd hear Dan grunting and panting in the back of the shop while doing this. His breathing was elevated but he tried to maintain a strong pace.

To help keep rhythm, Dan would let out a sharp hum when he was ready for another swing. In between recoils he'd toss the rice and fold it to make it into a more pasty-like texture and keep the airiness of the mochi. 

After the mochi dough was completed, Dan took it out and put it up on a counter to roll up. He tucked it into small rounds in his hands and stuffed a rosewater-strawberry mixture inside, folding the Dango into an almost in bao-shaped ball before moving it off to the side to set. 

"Now, be careful, this is a Rosewater Mochi. I hear it can cause you to become love drunk if you have too many. Sulfur forbid an imp find it..."

River had leaned against the wall to huff and get his breath back while watching Dan perform a master’s work. He couldn't wait to sample the completed mochi once he recovered.

“You did good,” Dan said as he worked “Perhaps good enough to move up to the next recipe book to hone your skills.” Rivers ears perked a little, and he looked up with raised eyebrows.

“Really? You think so?” He excitedly choked. Dan nodded with a grin and gestured to the shelf in front of them where the book laid with tabs and bookmarks through it.

“Borrow my copy, just make sure to return it around the holidays when I need to rouse up old recipes or anytime you're visiting the shop.”

“Thank you so much!” River chirped, picking up the book and gently slipping it in his crossbody bag.

“Now to take a seat, we’ll have ourselves a tea party after this is all done,” Dan said, tilting his head to the unoccupied dining table at the edge of the kitchen. “You've earned your keep.”