[It's so unexpected that Akira snorts before he can hold it back.]

Not exactly like that, no.

[Any joking edge to his voice slips away quick enough, turns soft again.]

If there's any magic anywhere, it's the smile itself and how you feel when you see it. [Coriander, black pepper. Has hand passes over the cinnamon and plucks up the nutmeg instead. Not this time.] It doesn't matter if someone else can make the food better. It doesn't matter what you think you can or can't do. There will always be worth in what your hands make.

[Akira gives Dolph a long look, before it breaks into a smile again.

"Is it... important to you?"

"You could said that. There's a customer I'm waiting on."]

Never let anyone steal the joy of putting a smile on the face of someone you like. Not even yourself.