Hey guys! I've finally updated a new chapter! This is an Anna- Kitsu oneshot!
Summary:
Anna Umenomiya has always been known as the Cooking Specialist. The Pastry Queen. The Master of the Kitchen. Everyone loves the food that she makes, even the infamous Kitsuneme Yome. But is Anna's cooking the only thing that he likes about her? Or is it more than just the cakes, the cookies and the desserts that she makes?
A Piece of Your Love
*I love you not for what you've accomplished, but for who you really are.
"Congratulations, Anna-chan!" Mikan exclaimed as she gave Anna a tight hug.
Anna returned the hug with a smile.
Mikan, Hotaru, Anna, Nonoko and Sumire were all huddled up together in front of Anna's desk. It was still very early in the morning, and the bell signaling the start of homeroom period had not yet rang.
"As expected of Anna-chan," Sumire grinned. "You've gotten into the final round of the competition!" She squealed. She immediately gave Anna an enthusiastic pat on the back.
"That's my twin!" Nonoko clapped her hands excitedly as she wound her arm around her best friend's.
Anna couldn't help but smile at her friends' enthusiasm. They were always the most jubilant of all the students here in Alice Academy. Even Hotaru, who seldom shows any emotion at all, was smiling.
Anna has always loved cooking ever since she was a child. She loved making all kinds of dishes especially cakes, cookies and other different kinds of desserts. She loved the feeling of being able to make something that other people will enjoy. She loved seeing other people enjoy the food that she makes. It gave her a sense of pride and heartfelt happiness. And ever since she was a child, she always dreamed of sharing her dishes to the world.
Recently, Fukutan-sensei, their substitute English teacher and Home Economics teacher, asked her if she wanted to join "The Rising Chef", Japan's number one and top-rated cooking competition. At first, Anna was very hesitant in joining the contest. After all, she wasn't sure if her dishes would even qualify her to the preliminary rounds, let alone the semi-finals and the finals. But after a continuous prompting session from Fukutan-sensei, and an encouragement speech from her best friend Nonoko, Anna finally decided to fill out the registration form.
Actually, that was the greatest opportunity for her to be able to attain her dream. The perfect stepping stone. A good start. The first step. And now, she will be able to fulfill it.
"So, when's the day of the final round?" Hotaru asked, peering over the letter in Anna's hand. It was the letter of qualification that Anna received earlier that morning.
"Saturday." Anna replied as she placed the letter on top of her desk for Hotaru and the others to see?"
"Wait a sec," Mikan spoke up, her eyes widening in surprise. "You don't mean this Saturday, do you?" She reluctantly asked.
Anna nodded.
"Why? Is something wrong Mikan-chan?" She asked.
Mikan didn't answer. Instead, she gave a loud, ear-piercing shriek.
"No freaking way!" She screamed. Several of the other students in the classroom glanced at their direction in curiosity but Mikan didn't even notice.
"What's wrong Mikan-chan?" Nonoko asked, her expression full of concern.
"Yeah, what are you so worked up about, Mikan?" Sumire added.
Mikan gave an exasperated sigh.
"I have a photo shoot starting this Saturday, remember?" She reminded them. "I won't be able to come and watch the competition live with you guys." She sighed again. She immediately grabbed both of Anna's hands, clasping them in between hers. She gave Anna her infamous puppy-dog expression. "I'm really sorry Anna-chan!" She cried.
"It's okay, Mikan-chan." Anna gave her an assuring smile.
"Don't worry about that Mikan-chan." Nonoko spoke up, a smile on her face. "We'll videotape the whole event if you want."
That immediately cheered Mikan up.
"Thanks a lot you guys!" She beamed.
Anna and the others couldn't help but smile at their friend's cheerfulness.
Just as when the bell rang, the door of the classroom opened and five boys entered the classroom. They were none other than Natsume Hyuuga, Ruka Nogi, Yuu Tobita, and Kokoro and Kitsuneme Yome.
"Well, I better get back to my seat." Nonoko excused herself.
"Me too." Mikan added. Hotaru and Sumire also made their excuses.
The four of them immediately went back to their desks. Anna reread the letter on her desk. Suddenly the seat next to her, which was earlier occupied by Nonoko, moved and another person sat on it.
"What's that?" Kitsu asked as he peered over her side of the desk.
Anna looked up from the letter and faced him.
"It's nothing. Just a letter." She stated. She folded the letter in half and tried to return it to its envelope but Kitsu managed to grab it from her.
"Hey, that's rude you know!" Anna protested but Kitsu just ignored her. He quickly read the letter.
Anna tried to grab it from him several times, but Kitsu was just too quick. He always managed to move away to the other direction just when Anna's hand was only an inch away. Crossing her arms in annoyance and slumping back to her seat, Anna finally gave up. She shot Kitsu a glare which he just completely ignored.
"Wow," Kitsu muttered breathlessly as he tossed the letter back to Anna. "That's so cool." He grinned.
Anna raised an eyebrow.
"Cool?" She couldn't help but ask.
Kitsu looked at her with those slanted, fox-like eyes.
"Well, isn't it?" He grinned again. "After all, to be able to actually pass through the finals of one of the hardest competitions in the whole country on your first time is quite an achievement already, right? That's why it's so cool." He chuckled.
Anna couldn't help but smile.
"Well, yeah." She said thoughtfully.
"So, what are you going to make in the final round?" Kitsu asked.
"Well," Anna started, her mind coming up with several recipes all at the same time, but none of which she could consider much of an option. She gave a sigh.
"Well?" Kitsu prompted.
"Actually, I'm not really sure on what I want to make." Anna admitted.
"What's the theme for the finals anyway?"
Anna couldn't help but grin at the question.
"Desserts." She gladly stated.
Kitsu grinned back at her.
"It seems to me that someone's already confident that she'll win." He pointed out.
Anna shook her head.
"Not really. The competition is fierce and the other contestants are really good." She stated. "But I'm really glad that they chose desserts for the final theme of the competition." A smile immediately formed on her face.
"But you know what?" Kitsu spoke up from beside her. Anna turned to look at him. "I believe that even if the judges wouldn't have chosen desserts as the final theme, you'd still win hands down." He smiled at her.
Suddenly, Anna's face started to get warm and her heart fluttered in her chest.
Why am I reacting like this? It was only a compliment. I shouldn't get so worked up about it! She chastised herself continuously.
Fortunately, the two of them didn't get to continue their conversation again since Narumi entered the classroom and homeroom period already started.
The rest of the classes passed by in a blur and without even realizing it, the day had already come to its end.
"I'll see you guys later. I'll be in the Home Economics room if any of you need me." Anna made her excuses the minute that the bell signaling the end of classes rang.
Nonoko and the others nodded in her direction and bid her goodbye. Anna immediately went to the Home Economics room and prepared her ingredients and cooking utensils. She was planning to make a chocolate chiffon cake for her practice. If her recipe goes well, it'll probably get her the opportunity to be named as Japan's new Rising Chef.
After a few minutes of mixing and stirring, Anna finally placed the cake mixture that she made in the oven. Checking the time, she decided to make some cookies as well, a treat for Mikan and the others when she got back to the dormitory later.
But after a few minutes…
"Oh no!" Anna shrieked when she saw her first batch of cookies after getting them out of the oven.
The cookies were slightly burned, the edges a little bit darker than the rest. Some had little burn marks on them.
Anna sighed and placed the tray of burned cookies to the side, planning to throw them in the trash bin together. She checked her watch for the time. It was still early enough and the cake wouldn't be fully baked until at least thirty minutes have passed. Gathering what was left of her ingredients, Anna prepared to make a second batch. But before she was able to start, a voice spoke up from the door.
"What 'cha cooking?" Kitsu grinned as he approached Anna's table. His gaze went to the burned tray of cookies. "Are you going to throw these out?" He asked.
Anna managed to nod as she kept mixing flour, eggs and other ingredients.
"But isn't it a total waste?" Kitsu interjected.
"They're burned. I can't give those to Mikan and the others." Anna insisted.
"Fine. Give them to me then." Kitsu suggested.
Anna stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you serious? I can't let anyone eat those. I won't even feed them to a stray dog!" She exclaimed.
"And why not? I'm sure even a stray dog would be willing to eat anything, let alone a delicious batch of cookies like these." Kitsu retorted.
"But they're burned!"
"So?"
Anna gave an exasperated sigh and finally gave up the argument. There was no point in continuing it anyway. Kitsuneme Yome was just too persistent for his own good.
"Fine." She grumbled under her breath. "Take them if you want, but I don't see why anyone would actually want to eat those." She muttered.
"Why wouldn't anyone eat these?" Kitsu returned as he stuffed three cookies all at once in his mouth. He grabbed three more and another and another and another. He gave a satisfied smirk after he finished the whole tray.
"Best cookies I've ever eaten." He grinned.
Anna stared at him in surprise and then at the empty tray on the table. He really did eat them all.
"Really?" She couldn't help but ask.
Kitsu leaned back against the table behind him.
"Well, yeah." He replied nonchalantly. "After all, anything you make is always delicious."
Anna blushed at the compliment.
"But they were burned and they weren't my best batch." She muttered.
Kitsu gave a thoughtful expression.
"Well, I do admit that they were slightly burned." He agreed.
"Slightly? The edges were already black!" Anna protested.
"Fine, they were badly burned." Kitsu grumbled. "But even if they were as black as charcoal, I'd still be willing to eat them."
Anna rolled her eyes.
"You're crazy." She muttered. "Why would any sane person do that?"
Kitsu's expression suddenly turned serious.
"That's because the food that Anna makes is my favorite food and I'd eat it even if it's inedible." He stated.
Anna blushed even more.
"You're…crazy." She managed to say despite the trembling in her voice.
Kitsu chuckled.
"Well anyways, good luck with your competition. I'll be rooting for you." He grinned. He turned around and approached the exit. "See you tomorrow." He bid as he got out of the room.
"See you tomorrow." Anna managed to whisper.
The oven dinged. Her cake was ready. But Anna didn't move from her position. Her feet were glued to the floor. She placed a hand over her chest. Her heart was pounding like crazy and her knees were shaking. She had to grab the table for support.
Because the food that Anna makes is my favorite food. Kitsu's word's replayed on her mind.
She blushed again in an even brighter shade of red.
What the heck was happening to her?
On the day of the competition…
"Good luck on the competition Anna-chan!" Mikan cheered on the other end of the line.
Anna couldn't help but smile.
"Good luck on your photo shoot too, Mikan-chan." She replied.
Mikan giggled.
"I'll do my best!" She beamed.
"Attention to all participants, the final round of the competition will be starting in a few minutes. Please proceed to your places." The announcer spoke through the intercom.
Anna gave a nervous sigh. She looked at Nonoko and the others, then back to the phone in her hand.
"Well that's my cue Mikan-chan." She tried to sound confident but her voice shook. "We'll inform you about the results later." She promised.
"Good luck Anna-chan!" Mikan cheered again.
"Thanks Mikan-chan. I'll talk to you again later. Bye." Anna made her excuses.
"Bye!" And then the call ended.
Anna sighed and handed the phone to Hotaru.
"Well, wish me luck." She said nervously.
Hotaru, Nonoko and Sumire grinned.
"Good luck. We'll all be rooting for you!" They cheered.
Anna managed to smile. She then hurriedly went to her assigned table and prepared all her needed ingredients. But for some strange reason, her gaze was continuously being drawn to the audience area.
Where is he? She thought.
Suddenly, realization hit her.
What am I doing? It's not like I'm expecting him to come or anything! Nope. Absolutely not! I'm not expecting anything! Her mind chastised over and over again.
But why was she feeling so uneasy without him there?
Suddenly, the intercom buzzed again.
"And now, we will be starting the final round of the competition." Said the announcer. It was followed by an introduction of the judges, the rules and finally, the criteria. "Who will be the next Rising Chef? To all of the participants, please prepare all of your ingredients because your one hour to make your best dessert starts now!"
And thus the timer started.
Anna immediately started mixing flour, eggs and butter. She was going to make the chocolate chiffon cake that she practiced a few days ago. Nonoko and the others said that it was the best cake that she ever made that's why she was going to use it as her dessert dish in the final round. But her hands were shaking as she mixed her ingredients together. She had to calm down.
Without her realizing it, her gaze once again went to the audience. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him.
Kitsu was here.
When he found her looking at him, he gave her grin and a thumbs-up. Then, he mouthed the words, "Good luck."
Anna immediately felt calmer, her nervousness instantly fading away. She can do this. She can win it.
After an hour, the participants were asked to present their dishes one by one to the judges. There were only three finalists, but all of them were really good. Anna's heart leapt when she heard her name being called. She immediately went to the judges' table.
The judges looked at her and then at the cake.
"And what is this dish that you have presented us Miss Umenomiya?" The first judge, a famous food critique, asked.
Anna calmed herself down and tried to look confident.
"This is a chocolate chiffon cake with creamy chocolate frosting." She stated.
The judges looked at one another and nodded. The first judge took out a slice and had a taste. He passed the slice to the other two.
"It is delicious." The first judge stated, a smile forming in his lips.
"It is, in fact, absolutely delicious." The other judge, a famous pastry chef, agreed.
Anna couldn't help but smile. But there was still the other judge.
The last one is a famous chef that owned several of the best five star restaurants in Japan. Unfortunately, he didn't look quite pleased. The nervousness that Anna felt earlier immediately started to return.
"Well, to be honest, I'm not really a fan of chocolate pastries." He admitted. Anna's face fell. "But," Anna looked up to find the judge smiling. "It was the best cake that I've ever tasted."
The audience cheered and applauded. Anna felt like a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Thank you very much!" She beamed at the judges. She went back to her table and breathed in a huge sigh of relief.
They liked it! The judges liked her dish!
And after a few minutes, the results were finally out. The announcer stepped onto the stage with a huge smile on her face. She was holding a red envelope in her hands.
"The results are out and the judges have decided." She announced. "This year's Rising Chef is none other than," She opened the red envelope and read the name of the winner. "Anna Umenomiya!" She cheered.
The crowd immediately screamed with delight. Anna couldn't believe her ears. She won? She actually won?
The announcer pushed her onstage and the judges gave her a huge cheque worth a hundred thousand dollars. They also gave her an apron with the words, "The Rising Chef" printed in big bold letters at the front.
Anna blinked back the tears of joy in her eyes. This was the happiest day of her life. She glanced at the audience and found Nonoko, Hotaru and Sumire smiling at her.
But where was Kitsu?
She immediately approached the audience and handed Nonoko and the others her reward.
"Congratulations Anna-chan!" They cheered.
Anna managed a smile but she was still looking for Kitsu.
"What's wrong Anna-chan?" Nonoko asked worriedly.
"I have to find Kitsu and tell him that I've won." She hurriedly said.
"Kitsu? You mean, Kitsuneme Yome?" Hotaru asked.
"Yes." Anna replied impatiently, still searching in the crowds.
"But what would he be doing here?" Sumire asked.
Anna didn't manage to answer Sumire's question because she caught a glimpse of spiky blond hair outside of the auditorium.
"I'll be back." She hurriedly said. She immediately went out of the room before any of them could stop her.
"Anna-chan, wait!" They all called out, but Anna was too much in a hurry to respond.
She found Kitsu leaning against one of the trees near the auditorium, his back onto her. She was about to call him when she realized that he wasn't alone. He was with Minami Kubo, a student from Class 2-C and one of the finalists.
"I know that this doesn't match the cake that Umenomiya-san made and I'm only second best, but please accept it!" Minami handed Kitsu a slice of her lemon raspberry cake.
Anna's heart ached and she immediately turned around and ran away.
Because the food that Anna makes is my favorite food. Kitsu's words once again ran through her mind.
But based on what she saw earlier, that was hardly true. What a stupid lie!
Without realizing it, fresh tears were rolling down Anna's eyes and blurring her vision. She would have fallen down the flight of stairs in front of her had Kitsu not grabbed her in time.
"That was so close." Kitsu said breathlessly as he pulled her up.
Anna managed to stand. She immediately wiped the tears in her eyes before Kitsu could see them. But unfortunately, he did.
"Why are you crying?" He asked.
Anna looked away from him.
"I'm not crying!" She insisted.
Unexpectedly, Kitsu hugged her from behind.
"Please don't cry." He whispered.
Anna took his arms away and faced him.
"How can I not be crying?" She screamed. "I only realized my true feelings for you but it seems as though that the only thing that you like about me is the food that I make!" She cried even harder.
Kitsu took her in his arms and gave her a tight embrace.
"It's not only the food that you make that I like about you." He whispered. "Actually, it's only one of the things that I love about you." He looked at her. "I love your smile. I love your personality. In fact, I love everything about you. And most of all, I love your passion for cooking and your determination. Because that's what made me fall in love with you." He admitted.
Anna looked at him in surprise.
"You…love me?" She couldn't help but ask.
Kitsu grinned at her.
"That's what I said, didn't I?"
Anna couldn't help but cry again, but this time, the tears that came out were tears of joy.
"I love you too." She whispered.
Kitsu grinned and leaned down to kiss her.
And that was probably the sweetest thing that she'd ever tasted.
So guys, how was it? Reviews are greatly appreciated!