Chapter Text
Sprout was confused, his best friend has never been absent for a week at school. Weird, he thought, but still continued the day as usual. Another week passed, Cosmo still hadn't got to school, this is also the last week of high school. And now he was worried. Why? Because he hasn't gotten any news from Cosmo, and Cosmo hates missing out on the last day of school.
Sprout and Cosmo have been best friends since childhood, baking with each other on fridays, hanging out together every other day and whatnot. They were in the same neighbourhood so hanging out was easy as pie. Sometimes, they even had sleepovers when Ginger -Cosmo’s cousin- was around during Christmas.
He tried going to Cosmo’s house next door, but no one was there. Did they move away? Sprout tried texting Ginger, but she doesn't have any news from Cosmo either. She only told him that she's gotta go somewhere ‘permanently’ as said by her handler.
Now Sprout in his bed, laying down and thinking about what could possibly happen to Cosmo. Suddenly, he got a call from Cosmo. Phew, at least he knew that he was still alive, not that he's dead but still. He answered the call immediately after seeing that Cosmo was the one who called. He asked so many questions that Cosmo wasn't even audible at the sheer amount of questions.
“Sprou-” Cosmo was interrupted almost immediately, “COSMO! Where have you been? I haven't seen you in two weeks!” “Sprout” Cosmo chimed in, but he continued asking “When did you guys go?” Sprout continued, not hearing Cosmo calling his name multiple times. “Sprout! SPROUT!” Cosmo said loudly, enough to make the strawberry stop.
The call was silent for a moment. “Oh… were you talking..?” the strawberry was shocked at the other’s scream, the cakeroll nodded right after. “Sorrysorrysorry, I just got carried away! I was just worried about you Cosmo!” The cakeroll audibly sighed “It's okay Berry boy, I know you missed me! Sorry for not telling you sooner though.”
“And of course,” Cosmo started, “I'm gonna answer your questions!” Sprout gave a thumbs up. “My handler told me we were moving away, but didn't tell me why or where. I didn't get to tell you because I kinda got grounded after we got there… But hey don't worry, we can still chat and call”
After that, they both talked about what Cosmo had missed for the past two weeks and whatever blah blah blah, nothing much important. Just two friends who miss each other.
The next day Sam, his handler, called him downstairs saying that they needed to move to a place called ‘GardenView Center’? Sprout didn't quite hear that properly, but Sam didn't explain twice and got him to pack all his stuff immediately. Weird, first Cosmo, then Ginger, and him? Why are they all going somewhere in less than a month? He thought, but he did think much of it as he got to Sam’s car with all his stuff.
. . .
He was in the car, on his phone while talking to Cosmo, talking about what the cakeroll missed on the last day of high school. And after what felt like an eternity, Sam stopped the car and told him that they're gonna be living there from now on. And of course Sprout was shocked but Sam reassured him “Don't worry Sprout, you'll be happy to see what's in there! And also, your college dorm room will be there after summer. This is still a school”
Now the strawberry was even more shocked, they were gonna live here? Inside a school? But before he could ask what the heck Sam meant, his handler answered. “Yes Sprout, we're gonna be living here. Besides, school just ended, so you'll have time to get to know this place.” Sam’s voice was reassuring, making sure their toon was calm about the news
. . .
It's been a week since he's been in GardenView, the room was nice and Sam even works here so they would be easy to spot by the strawberry, well, mostly. Sprout hasn't been outside his room that much, only times is when Sam called him out to eat at the cafeteria.
He's not that socially active when new faces arrive, but he's quite happy to meet new friends. After eating breakfast, he always looked around to kinda get used to the layout. At summer break, only the ones that lived at GardenView were present, he counted 15 at the first week including the handlers, but he knows there will be more people he will see
As he looked at the small line at the serving counter, he swore he saw a familiar face appear in the kitchen door. He looked closer but the same person didn't appear anymore, maybe busy cooking something.
He got his plate and handed it to the kitchen, thanking them for the food in the process. He got to his room, messy as always, but still happy that he didn't have to share one with Sam. He always has a lot of paperwork, Sprout reasoned.
He got to his phone to try and message Cosmo about how this new place is actually nice, but Cosmo left a message this morning that he did not see. “Sorry Sprout, I have to do some work early, I have to cook breakfast or something? My handler told me that Ginger and I were the only ones that know cooking and baking so they got us here. They said they'll get other people for lunch or dinner so I'll be back at 11 every day”
“5-11am to be exact” Cosmo added another message below that right after. Sprout looked at the time it was sent “4:59 am”. Damn it is that early, oh well. “I guess I'll have to wait for him every day now” He shrugged to himself as he looked at the time right now. It's 9:30am, well, guess he'll do whatever now…
Before he could even go clean his room up, Sam opened the door, breathing fast like they were running a marathon. “Sprout, you're good at cooking and stuff right?” Sam asked, “Yeah why? You already know this?” Sprout answered, stopping his plan on cleaning the room
“Just confirming. Anyways, can you be our cook for dinner? Like work, you're gonna be working. Can you?” Sam said while trying to keep his breath. “Yeah sure! Why not? I love helping!” The strawberry was joyful after hearing about cooking. “That's my berry boy!” the taller figure ruffled Sprout’s leaves. “Yeah yeah don't call me that!” They both laughed and continued their morning.
. . .
After his handler left the room, it was already 11am. Sprout got his phone and checked if Cosmo was online, and he is, amazing news for berry boy. “Hey Cosmo, how's work?” Sprout started the conversation. “It was okay! There weren't very many people cuz it's summer break” Sprout giggled slightly. “Isnt that a good thing?” “It is!” Cosmo replied fast.
“Okay okay! I also have some news! Do you have the good news or the bad news first?” Cosmo thought for a minute, and typed “Bad news!” the strawberry didn't expect him to choose that, immediately replying “Well actually, there's no bad news! I was saying it for dramatic effects”
The cake roll giggles at the conversation, “Now berry boy, what's the ‘good news’” “I'm also gonna work! Like, I'm gonna be cooking here because they have limited people at the moment. Sam told me! And they also told me that I'm gonna be cooking dinner so I won't be online every night. Most of the time”
They both had their conversation about work and stuff, and eventually they decided to call. Sprout fixed his leaves while waiting for Cosmo to answer. It took the cake a while to answer because he forgot where his hoodie, which was actually behind him.
. . .
They said goodbye to each other, ending the call. The whole call took five whole hours. They spent the first two hours talking, then played some games the next three. Sprout thought about how they even took that long, they didn't even realise it took them five hours. “Damn, time goes faster when I'm having fun” He talked to himself as he grabbed the charger, his phone at 1%.
Now he looked at his room, still messy. But as he started to organise the room, someone knocked on the door, stopping his plan to clean his room. Sprout walked up to the door and opened it, his handler on the other side. “Sprout, you ready?” Sam started, the strawberry tilted his head, confused at what they meant. “Ready for what?”
Sam gave him a serious look, slightly disappointed he forgot. “Did you forget it already? Seriously?” But their expression immediately changed. “Don't worry, I heard you calling with Cosmo, it's fine.” Sprout let out a sigh of relief, now he remembered.
“So, I'm gonna cook now?” he asked and Sam nodded “Well, not exactly. You see, you have to debut first on what you can cook or bake to Delilah, to see if you're acceptable for this!” “Who's Delilah?” he asked, tilting his head on the other side. “She's my boss. She's pretty chill after knowing her.”
“Now let's go.” They grabbed Sprout’s hand and got to the kitchen. The way there was okay, he saw a trio on a table talking to each other, Shrimpo screaming about how they hate everyone here. Sam told him to ignore the hate from Shrimpo because he's always been like that, and Shrimpo was actually the first person he got to know the name told by Sam themselves.
Now, they're in the kitchen, the layout basic but still manageable. The sink is also empty, telling Sprout that he didn't have to do anything extra. And finally, the main thing, the stove and oven. Near it were two people, Delilah and someone he never got the name of.
“Sprout? Is that correct? My name is Arthur, and she's Delilah. Your handler, Sam, has probably introduced at least one of us to you and has told you about cooking here. But first, we need you to make a meal for us to know if you are qualified to be our cook and/or baker. Are you ready?”
“Yes!” He nodded, “Great! Now, can you tell us what you will make for us?” Delilah chimed in. Sprout was joyous, afterall, he's gonna be making the food for other people. His favourite food to bake were cupcakes, he was amazing at baking them. Cosmo taught him how to bake a cookie on a random Friday when hanging out.
“I can bake cupcakes or cookies! But which one do you two want me to make?” Delilah and Arthur both looked at each other and whispered, discussing which one to pick. Eventually, they picked one. “We will choose cupcakes, since the last guy we chose made us cookies this week on his debut.”
“We have the ingredients in this kitchen that you might need to make the cupcake. We have labeled where they are on each cabinet drawer. This is done to make sure you get used to where each ingredient and equipment is. But it will be removed once you tell us to do so.”
“Now, you may start!” Arthur declared, starting a timer with an hour and five seconds. “You have an hour to bake your cupcakes, even better if you finish before time runs out.” Sprout started almost immediately. Looking for strawberries which he found in the fridge, getting eggs too in the meantime. Then grabbing the necessary ingredients on the cabinet labeled “Dry Ingredients”.
. . .
After getting all the ingredients he needed, he placed it all neatly and in groups. After that, he started by preheating the oven to 350°F. As Sam told him before, “If the oven is not at the correct temperature, then the cupcakes will fall flat”
Grabbing a new bowl, he got the All Purpose Flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and combined it all. Setting it aside for later. Then he grabbed a larger bowl, whisking the melted butter with sugar and vanilla extract until it's well mixed. His movements were calculated and practiced, making both Arthur and Delilah amazed. But still, he just started, the final product is what gets him in.
He got the eggs, milk, and sour cream closer to him so he can add them one at a time. He added eggs first, mixing it well. After that, he does the same thing with the milk and sour cream. Mixing before adding the next ingredient, to make sure the batter isn't lumpy.
Then, he added dry ingredients he had set aside from earlier. Whisking it together until it all combined, he didn't over mix, he just mixed the batter evenly and smoothly. He then grabbed the chopped strawberries, adding it to the batter and mixed it once again. He now filled the cupcake liners with the batter, more than half on each one, before putting it all in the oven for 20 minutes.
. . .
20 minutes have passed, and while waiting, he made the frosting and filled the piping bag with it. With oven mitts, he grabbed the tray of cupcakes and turned the oven off, setting it on the counter. And with the piping bag in hand, he carefully added frosting on the cupcakes and placed a half strawberry on each cupcake.
“Voila! Strawberry cupcakes!” Sprout presented the cupcakes to both Arthur and Delilah, handing it in a plate. The two complimented on how good the final product looked, and Delilah, was the first to grab one and to take a bite. Her eyes widened, making Arthur grab his too.
They were surprised at how a cupcake so simple like this can taste so good. “Wow… This cupcake…” Delilah said with food still in her mouth. “This is amazing, Sprout!” Arthur continued her sentence. They both faced each other now, talking about how good this is.
After a short discussion, “Sprout, you're in. Sam, Sprout really cooks really well.” Arthur announced. “Now that we have enough cooks in here, are you okay with a whole day next week? Sprout?” Delilah asked after wiping the excess frosting on her hand.
“I'm fine with that!” He happily said after the news came in. “Are you sure Sprout? You can call me if you want to take a break.” Sam told him, “Yeah, I'm sure!” “If you say so.”
. . .
Sprout got to his room, excited that he's gonna work, just like Cosmo. He immediately got his phone and texted Cosmo. “Cosmo you won't believe what happened.” “Wait what happened? I thought you're gonna be cooking dinner like you said earlier?” Cosmo replies
“Yeah but Sam told me that it was a debut to make sure I would be accepted to be one, AND I GOT IN” the cake roll was shocked, “Wait no way” “Yes way”. The conversation continued through the night about what had happened and what he made.
. . .
“His strawberry cupcake was good, Sam. I can't believe he made that so well.” Arthur told Sam. “Well you better believe it because I taught him that. He's been making those cupcakes every Friday before we got back here.”
“Do we tell him though?” Sam asked, “Let him know on his own.”