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She was there again, the little Sheikah girl who came by a few times a week to stare at the goods displayed in the window of Link's bakery.
He allowed himself a small smile, seeing the almost literal stars in her eyes. In a way, she reminded him of how the others said he used to be before—
He shook his head. No need to think about that. It was in the past and he was finally able to do what he loved.
Some customers walked in, pulling him out of his thoughts. Once he had finished helping them and they left, he glanced at the window. She was still there.
He bit his lip as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He made a decision.
Opening the display case under the counter, he selected a mini apple pie and placed it in a box. He headed toward the door, patting his pocket as he went to check that his notepad was there. The Shiekah usually raised their children learning sign, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared.
The girl looked up as he stepped out of the shop. He signed a quick 'Hi.'
Her eyes widened. "Oh, Koko is sorry!" she said, while signing at the same time. "Koko didn't mean to be a bother. Koko was just looking."
Link gave her a reassuring smile and waved his hand to indicate that it was fine. He held out the box.
Koko looked at the box in confusion before understanding hit. "Oh no, Koko doesn't have any money."
Once again, Link waved his hand, then gestured for her to take the box.
Koko grinned and reached out to take it, then stopped. "Koko isn't supposed to take things from strangers."
Link blinked. Oh, right. He hadn't thought of that.
He placed the box in his apron pocket so he could more easily sign.
'You could come in and pick one out yourself. If you pick yourself from what I have prepared for customers there wouldn't be any chance for me to have messed with it.'
Koko brightened. "Koko would like that!"
Link gestured for her to follow and opened the door to the bakery. Koko darted in and looked around in awe before rushing to the display case at the check-out counter. Link placed himself behind the counter as Koko looked at the assortment of baked goods.
Koko looked up at him. "Koko can have anything?"
Link nodded. 'Anything.'
With a delighted smile, Koko pointed at the mini apple pies. Link suppressed a smile of his own at the coincidence.
He took out a pie, placed it on a napkin, and handed it down to Koko.
Koko wasted no time taking a bite. Her face lit up and within seconds the pie was gone.
She beamed at Link. "That was so delicious mister! Koko hasn't had an apple pie that good since—"
She cut herself off and her lip began to tremble. Link straightened up in alarm and rushed around the counter, crouching down by Koko as tears began to stream down her face.
Koko wiped at her tears. "Koko is sorry. Koko didn't mean to cry. Koko just hasn't had an apple pie that good since Mother died. Apples are Koko's favorite and Mother would always put them in recipes for Koko. Mother was the best cook and she taught Koko all sorts of recipes.
"But now Mother is gone and Koko has to be strong for Cotla and Father. Koko tries to recreate Mother's recipes but Koko can't get them quite right. Koko wants to be an amazing cook like Mother, but Koko can't do anything right."
Oh, this poor girl. Link didn't remember his own mother and he was estranged from his father, but he tried to imagine what it would be like for him, Time, and Twilight if something were to happen to Malon. Nothing any of them did would ever be able to fill the hole she left.
It would be the same here. Nothing could fill the hole Koko's mother left. But maybe he could at least help Koko with her dream in the absence of her mother, like Malon did for him.
Lightly, he tapped Koko's shoulder to get her attention.
'I could teach you,' he signed once she was looking at him.
Koko gasped. "You would teach Koko to cook better?"
Link nodded. 'You would need to get your father's permission first.'
He pulled out his notepad and tore out a page. On it he wrote his cellphone number, along with a note to text him, as he couldn't speak.
He handed the note to Koko. 'Give this to your father and he can contact me if he wants to vet me and give this a shot.'
Koko stared at the note in her hands for a moment. Then she rushed Link, throwing her arms around him. He froze for a moment, before relaxing and patting her back.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Koko will do her best and be the best student ever!"
'If your father is okay with it,' Link reminded her once she pulled away.
Koko nodded her head seriously. "Right. Koko will get permission first."
She held up a fist. "Koko will go and ask him as soon as he gets home. Thank you so much mister!"
She started to rush away, then turned back hesitantly. "Um, mister..."
Her brow furrowed as she realized she still didn't know his name.
'Link.' He finger-spelled it before giving her the sign he used for his name.
She nodded. "Right, Mister Link, could...could Koko take back some pies for Cotla and Father?"
'Of course.'
Link got up and retrieved two more pies, placing them in a box and handing it to Koko.She bowed. "Thank you so much, Mister Link! I really hope Father says yes."
With that, she rushed out of the bakery, the box cradled carefully in her hands.
I hope he says yes too. Link thought as he watched her leave.
Luckily, after meeting Link in person to judge how trustworthy he was, Koko's father, Dorian, gave his permission. He insisted on being present for the first few lessons, but soon trusted Link with both of his daughters alone. Thus, Link gained not only a student, but two little sisters to add to his arsenal of adopted family.