She hadn't meant to drop them. But for some reason, they just slipped out of her grasp.

It was the final test. If they failed, their future would be shattered.

And it was all her fault.

Kashino whipped his head around, his golden eyes widening with rage. "Are you an idiot?! THOSE CAKES TOOK HOURS TO MAKE!"

Ichigo knelt down, picking up the shattered pieces of glass. "I... I'm so sorry! It was an accident..."

The chocolatier slammed his fists on the table. "AMANO! Do you know what they meant to us? Without passing the final year, we can't be Patissiers!" He gritted his teeth. "IT WAS EVERYTHING! My dreams, my hopes, my FUTURE!"

"I..." Her hands were trembling. A piece of glass cut into them, forming a small pool of blood on the ground. But it was nothing, nothing compared to the pain inside of her.

Kashino glared at her. "This is all your fault. You always mess up everything! Just GIVE UP!"

Ichigo averted his glance. Tears were threatening to overflow, but she blinked them back.

It was true she was clumsy. But she had tried so hard. Had it all been pointless? Had it all been a lie, that she was stupid enough to believe?

"It's alright, Ichigo." Andou laid a hand on her shoulder.

"We can always try again," Hanabusa comforted. "I'm sure Ameya-sensei would understand."

But their words went unheard. To her, it didn't matter anymore. Nothing did. Kashino was right, she was a failure. She didn't matter anymore. Wordlessly, she stood up and raced out the door.

"Just go away and never come back!"

Ichigo didn't make a sound, but Kashino knew she was crying. Serves her right, he thought to himself.

But deep within, there was a part of him that was sad to see Ichigo leave.

A part of him that would do anything to have her back.

For a while, the three sweets princes stood still and silent. Ichigo's footsteps faded away until all that could be heard was the steady pattering of rain outside.

Then, Andou spoke up. "Ma-kun, she's just a girl!"

"I can't believe you would do anything like that!" Hanabusa frowned.

"She'll just come back in a few days. As if nothing has happened." Kashino replied, unfazed.

"How can you assume that? Don't you see? This isn't like before. Your words really hurt her."

"Well, I don't care anymore! I hope she never comes back!" The chocolatier fumed.

Andou's voice was low. "I'm sorry, Ma-kun."

Then they were gone.

"Fine! Do what you want, see if I care!" Kashino regretted the words the second they slipped out of his mouth.

He sighed, sitting down with a heavy heart.

Why had he said those things? Why?

His life was ruined.

And it was all his fault.

Class was over. Kashino was about to make his way out of the classroom when his eyesight fell upon something out of place.

There, in the corner, was a small cake left out. He immediately recognized it as Ichigo's.

It was a coffee cake. A chocolate ribbon decorated the top, making it look beautifully simplistic. Kashino blinked. Coffee? Why...?

I guess it won't hurt… Kashino took the plate in his hands. Closing his eyes, he took a bite.

Instantly, memories came flooding back to his mind. The pattering rain. His cold, heartless words. But most of all, the tears in Ichigo's eyes.

All described perfectly in the bitter coffee.

That was when the truth hit him.

It was like the moment when he woke up from a good dream, the moment he realized it was nothing but a lie.

Kashino froze. His fork fell to the ground, the sound of it echoing throughout the room. And for the first time, he found himself filled with regret.

He had gotten into a fight with Ichigo a countless number of times. But now, Kashino knew it.

This time, she was never coming back.

There was only one thing to do.

Kashino Makoto, possibly the most stubborn person in the world, had no choice but face the impossible...

...Apologize.

Utsukushi Yume: Thanks for reading!

My friend and I were messing around. And this was the result... (: This isn't my usual style, but I felt like trying something new.

Chapter 2 will come soon. Cookies for everyone who reviews! CX