Vanilla: She's back!
Chocolat: I vaguely remember the shape of your face... Maybe.
Me: *sweatdrop* I-it's not my fault! I ran out of ideas for DCCT! But that's okay! I have a new Yumeiro Patissiere story now!
Kashino: Oh god...
Me: ...it's good, I promise! Totally different. This chapter may seem slow, but please keep reading! I promise, this chapter is only really an introduction. Excitement shall ensue! I don't own Yumeiro Patissiere.
"Midori! You're back!" my mom came flying at me and I accepted her with open arms, hugging her tightly. But something was off.
My mother pulled back and stared at my face, and her vision slowly trailed down my torso until she saw the bandages around my chest. Her eyes widened in
shock as she discovered the real reason I had come home. I signed and prepared for a long story.
"No matter how bad this becomes, I can rightfully blame Hiramashi Kujo," I told my mom seriously. She looked at me in confusion.
"What do you mean? What did that monster do to my poor little Midori?"
I dragged her over to our couch; the was going to be a long tale. "For starters, Kujo isn't really a bad person."
"YOU CALL THAT MONSTER BY HIS FIRST NAME?" she screeched. "LOOK AT WHAT HE DID TO YOU!"
"Mom, listen!" I begged. She calmed down. "Kujo isn't a monster, he's just..." I faded off and sighed. "Okay, let me start from the beginning. It all started when I got into that blasted Group C..."
-x-
I took out all of my clothes and neatly rearranged them.
Again.
Organizing by color, type, and season, I quickly put each and every piece of clothing back into the suitcase.
Again.
And then I did it all over once more, just to check.
Again.
Hi, my name is Kashino Midori. I'm thirteen years old and on my way to the most famous, most widespread school in the world, focused solely on baking- St. Marie.
My parents are like legends there. I guess they were the youngest people to ever win the Grand Prix or something. That might be part of my nervousness, but in all reality, I think it's more because I'm not going to be at home.
It's always been my dream to become a patissiere like my mom and my dad. I've loved to make sweets since I was just a little girl, and thanks to my mom and dad, I think I can call myself a pretty decent patissiere.
"Ri-Ri!" my mom's voice called from downstairs. "It's time to go! Hurry up or we'll be late for orientation!" Yeah, right. Because my parents know nothing about the school. I wanted to tell her that, but instead I snapped my suitcase shut and choked out an anxious,
"Coming!"
-x-
I bounced in my seat impatiently. "How much longer?" I asked again.
My older sister, Violet, sighed and rolled her eyes. "Didn't mom just say twenty minutes more? Do the math, Midori . Twenty minus five equals...?" she asked playfully.
"SHUT UP!" I exclaimed. "You didn't even WANT to go there!"
"Stop fighting, you two," dad said angrily from behind the wheel. I could tell he was angry by the way he was driving.
"I would suggest you slow down, Makoto," my mother whispered warningly. He sighed and the car started moving straighter, just not slower. My mom shook her head and turned around in her seat.
"So, are you ready for your first day at St. Marie?" she asked me excitedly. I nodded furiously. I could tell from the sparkles in her eyes that she had been waiting for this her entire life.
"I'm going to miss Mio, though." I lovingly stroked my little brother's hair. He was draped over my shoulder, fast asleep and drooling.
"We're here," my dad groaned suddenly, and the car came grinding slowly to a halt. I jumped up and shot out of the car to get a better look at the school.
I drew in a breath of awe as I stared at the castle. The stormy grey sky seemed to make the building itself twinkle, the dorms standing proudly on either side. A fierce wind blew behind me, whipping all of my green (no, it doesn't run in the family) hair in front of my eyes.
Disgusted, I turned to see my parents also staring at the building. "Do I really have to do everything around here?" I asked, annoyed. I walked around the car and over to the trunk. I pulled out my two bags- one with school supplies like any normal middle schooler, and the other with thigs like cookbooks, little decorations for my dorm, and of course, my DS. I slung one on each shoulder, slouching from the weight, and tried to pull out my suitcase of clothes and other essentials.
"Come on," I told it impatiently.
Well, I guess that made it pretty angry, because next thing I knew I was on my butt, my books scattered all over the pavement.
Somebody laughed behind me. I whipped around, ungracefully twisting my entire body and flinging it to the ground again before finally facing the right direction. Again, the laugh. I looked up, embarrassed, and saw a blue-haired boy with dark eyes standing a few feet in front of me.
"Shut up," I groaned, letting my face fall to the ground again.
The boy walked closer and started picking up my books. I tried to tell him not to worry about it, but he only replied, "That looks like a heavy load. Let me help you."
"T-thank you," I told him quietly, sitting up and picking up another book. I finished stuffing my books into my bag and zip it up securely.
"It's no problem," he replied.
I stared into his eyes and gasped. It was like staring deep into outer space, black with flecks of green in gold. I tore my eyes away. "I'm Kashino Midori," I told him, smiling cheerily. "What's your name?"
"It's nice to meet you, Kashino-san. My name is Hiramashi Kujo. I hope we can be friends."
We both grinned and nodded. I hopped up and, waving goodbye to my new friend, walked calmly over to my parents and frowned. They hadn't moved.
"Something isn't right," my dad said mysteriously. My mom nodded.
"It's just... Off."
They turned to face me and smiled, in sync.
"Well, are you ready for your first day at St. Marie?"
-x-
After heading for the Dorm Master's office, I calmly walked with my mom up the flight of stairs and down a short hallway. I was carrying my bags on my back and my mom dragged my suitcase. Part of me wishes that she wouldn't, because I know of her clumsiness, but then again, I'm pretty much the same way. It's a lose-lose situation.
"This should be your room!" my mom exclaimed, pointing at the door. On it, there was a card that read 'Kashino Midori' and 'Shirotaki Ishi'. "I think the dorm master said your roommate is already here."
"I can't wait to meet her!" I told her excitedly. I knocked on the door.
"Hello! Come on in, the door's unlocked!" a sweet, female voice rang through. I grinned. I liked her already.
Confidently, I reached out to the door and turned the knob...
"Hi! I'm Shirotaki Ishi! It's nice to meet you! You must be Kashino Midori," the black-haired girl said all in one breath. I was surprised. Usually, people started spazzing when they found out who my parents are. They're just too well-known here.
"Uh, yeah, I am. It's very nice to meet you, Shirotaki-san," I replied less energetically.
"Oh, call me Ishi! Please! If we're going to be spending the next year living in the same room, it's good not to be so formal, right?" she grinned. I smiled cheerily back.
"Then you have to call me Midori!" I laughed. "It's nice to meet you, Ishi-chan!"
"And you as well, Midori!" we giggled, and I turned back to my mom. She was smiling as well.
"This," I told her, "is going to be an amazing year."
-x-
My mom spotted Ishi's sitting on the bed, sorting out her clothes. With a smile, she walked over to the other lady and struck up a conversation. I guess I know where Ishi gets her talkativity.
We explored our room together (and the two small closets, and the bathroom) and I instantly felt at home.
"Mom?" I asked, breaking her conversation. She looked up at me, and I could tell she was tired of nodding. "Are the sheets and stuff still in the car?"
"SHOOT!" she shot up and dashed out. "YOUR FATHER WAS GOING TO GET THEM AND WAIT OUTSIDE THE DOOR!"
We three remaining girls laughed at my mother's antics.
"Now, if you don't mind," Ishi's mother said, rubbing her daughter's hair, "I'm going to check on Iko. He might be feeling kind of lonely without a parent to guide the way."
Ishi nodded. "Bye, Mom!" she hugged her and walked away.
I looked at Ishi curiously. "Who's Iko?" I asked.
"He's my twin brother. We're identical- well, except that we're different genders. I think you'll really like him. And, because I know you're dying to ask, my father is dead."
-x-
Mom replied soon after with bedclothes. Plopping them on the bed, she sighed, "I saw your mother on the way out. Going to check on your brother, huh? How old is he?"
"We're twins, ma'am." ah, so HERE was the built-up respect and awe.
"Well, I guess I should get going now... The school wants us all out by 8:00." she pointed to the clock on the wall, it was 7:45. "Midori, why don't you come downstairs and say goodbye to your siblings? Shirotaki-chan is welcome, too." I nodded and followed her out the door, but Ishi stayed put.
"I'll stay," she whispered. I shrugged and walked down the hall.
For once, my mom managed not to fall face-first down a flight of stairs. It might have been because she was clutching the railing with her entire arms, looking like she was going to die, but I think it's just luck.
My dad was quite obviously trying not to cry as he hugged me goodbye.
"I'll really miss you," Mio uttered while hugging me, also. I teared up.
"I'm going to miss both of you, too."
"Ri! Don't forget to use what I taught you!" Violet said when it was her turn. I groaned.
"Believe me, it's hard enough to remember." I pushed her away playfully, both of us laughing.
"It's time to go," my mom said, sadly. I smiled.
"Don't worry mom! I'll be fine!" it seemed like no time had passed, but suddenly, they were backing away. I stared at our car until finally, I couldn't see it anymore. Again, the wind whipped my hair, but I didn't mind.
I was alone.
-x-
If you're looking for a Grand Prix story, turn back now. This is going to be about Midori's journey as a first year... With excitement... And such.
I hope you enjoyed! Please leave a review! It helps me write better in the future.
Your Humble Author,
Plantty
EDIT: intro is, in fact, at the top now.