Me: I'm back!
Ichigo: I'm kind of getting used to this now...
Me: Well, today I'm publishing a little early, I usually publish at 9, but for today... I'll publish now. I have plans this evening. Hehe...
Kashino: Mikashi doesn't own Yumeiro Patissiere.
My Journey, My Story
Chapter 4: Alert, Stormy Weather Ahead!
How could we tie? I didn't really think that was possible. I look to Himoto and he looks quite scary. It's almost like he has a storm brewing in his eyes. "Yamagishi-sensei," He says slowly. I can tell he's trying not yell at Aunt Lemon. Even if he is a devil, he has the common sense not to be rude towards a teacher. "Why... Why does she get THAT score?"
Aunt Lemon looks confused. No matter, she goes into her explanation. Setting down the cupcake, she says, "Today's lesson was to use chocolate, correct?"
Himoto nods slightly. I quietly giggle to myself. He's too frustrated to speak.
"You were judged on creativity," Aunt Lemon counts her fingers, "taste and your skill of using and making chocolate." She then points to my cupcake, "Have you tried one of Kashino-chan's cupcakes?"
"No," He replies shortly. Staring at them, he finally answers, "They look like boring old chocolate cupcakes to me."
Aunt Lemon holds up a finger, "That's where you're wrong. Inside each of Kashino-chan's cupcakes, there is dark chocolate cream cheese frosting. It contrasts with the semi-sweet milk chocolate cupcake, which I think, is worth points in both creativity and taste."
Himoto is not pleased. "But... How can her score be the same as mine?" Why can't he let it go? It's not like he even lost.
"Well," Aunt Lemon ponders her thoughts for a moment. "Your cake was very impressive Himoto-san, you used the three kinds of chocolate, which earns points in skill of using and making chocolate. I can tell by its texture, that you know how to temper chocolate." An emotion passes Himoto's eyes. Maybe, pride?
"Your creativity is at the top too," Aunt Lemon continues, "Your idea to use all 3 types of chocolate is truly remarkable."
There's this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. So what was wrong with the cake? I look at it; its appearance is beautiful and elegant. It was creative and I know firsthand that Himoto's chocolate skills are at the top. So why was his score not perfect?
"But," Aunt Lemon says slowly, "Even with your technique, your pastry was weak in taste." Himoto seems a little taken a back, but doesn't say anything. "When you taste Kashino-chan's sweet, you can feel her emotions and her feelings in it. Your pastry seemed a little robotic and lacked the flavour of feeling."
"... Okay," He says, painfully slow. He's really trying hard not to lose his temper.
"All in all," Aunt Lemon smiles, "Well done A Group." Then, she saunters off to another table to grade another group.
I smirk playfully, "Neh Himoto?"
He glares at me with his arms crossed, "What?" He snaps bitterly.
"I'm better that you thought, aren't I?" At times like this, it's always fun to rub things into people's face. It's a habit I can't help, even if my parents told me it's wrong to do.
Moodily, Himoto replies, "I guess. It's just a fluke. I know for a fact that you already know Yamagishi-sensei. She's probably going soft on you." He stares at me, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Urk!" I take a step back. No matter what, he always finds a way to push on every single one of my nerves.
"Now now," Komanda-kun says, "It was just a little healthy competition. It's in the past now."
Isho-kun nods in agreement, taking my hand, he asks, "Now, Lynne-chan, may I have the pleasure in trying one of your cupcakes?"
"Um..." I stammer sheepishly, "Of course."
Isho-kun takes one of the 11 cupcakes left, peeling off the foil, he takes a bite. "It's very good Lynne-chan," He beams happily at me. My heart flutters, so the cupcakes are really good. Not just Aunt Lemon thinks so.
Komanda-kun asks me if he can try one as well. I allow him and he too gives me a positive review. Finishing his cupcake, Komanda-kun says to Himoto, "Ka-kun, why don't you try one?"
"No," He replies stubbornly. He's sketching into that black notebook he showed me yesterday. His face is blank, but I can tell he's still stuck on the competition's results.
"Now Himoto," Isho-kun says, "Don't you think you owe Lynne-chan that much? She did tie you fair and square."
Sighing loudly, he finally extends his hand out. I'm confused for a second. "Well?" He asks me, his tone expressionless and flat, "Are you going to give me one or not?"
"R-right," I stutter squeakily. I take one of the cupcake and put it in his hand. Setting down his pencil and closing his book, Himoto rips off the foil and tastes the cupcake.
I watch closely, trying to see if there might be any sign of emotion. From observation, I notice that Himoto tends to keep his face blank to hide his emotions. But in the end, you can still tell what he's feeling from his eyes. Not that I stare at him of course.
There's a flicker in his eyes and he swallows. Setting down the cupcake, he opens his book again. My jaw drops. "Um... HELLO?" I say loudly, "Aren't you going to say anything?"
He looks up at me, "... Like what?"
Himoto really does now how to get me angry. "What did you think of the cupcake?" I ask, my voice escalating.
Smirking a little he replies, "The cupcake wasn't soft. It was really packed together; it needs to be more airy. Your icing is too heavy and over powers the whole thing. The strawberries are already sweet without sugar glaze, so it makes for an only decoration kind of topping."
I blink, trying to take in all the things he said. He has more to say then Aunt Lemon did! "Urgh... You... You..." I can't think of something to say. "JERK!"
He's laughing to himself, I can see it. Himoto goes back to looking at his book. "Hey Himoto," Isho-kun says, "That wasn't very nice."
"I'm only telling her the truth," Himoto sighs and pockets his book. "If you baby her forever, she won't improve."
"Complimenting is not babying," Komanda-kun also comes to my defense. "Can't you be a little bit nice? If you're like this, soon you'll become bitter and no one will like you."
I have to admit, what Komanda-kun said was a little harsh. "Well I agree with Himoto!" A little voice exclaims. Himoto suddenly jerks in alarm. "Just because you're new doesn't mean everyone will favour you!"
My eyes widen. Himoto's front pocket begins moving. Something is kicking and screaming. It couldn't be...
Popping out of his pocket, a little spirit lands smoothly on the table. She has long blonde hair and brown eyes. She's wearing an orange dress with white hemming and a yellow apron on top. She has an orange lace head band on her head and she holds a golden fork, "You can't expect everyone to love you just because you're a new student," She says curtly, "Why don't you just take the criticism?"
"Well... Even when you say it like that..." I pout my lips at her.
The 3 boys' eyes widen at me. Himoto points to the little spirit, "Kashino... You can see her?"
XxXxX
Isho-kun and Komanda-kun stare at me. I feel my cheeks grow warm, "W-well, is something wrong with that?"
"No," Isho-kun replies, "But... Does that mean that Lynne-chan has a sweet spirit too?"
Fraise has impeccable timing. She jumps out of my pocket and sits atop my shoulder. "Oui!" She grins happily, looking at Isho-kun, "My name is Fraise."
"Well," Komanda-kun says, "I guess it's time everyone introduces themselves." So Himoto, Komanda-kun and Isho-kun all have sweet spirits?
A little spirit with short red hair is hiding behind Komanda-kun's neck. She has big emerald eyes and light skin. She's wearing a red dress with a white apron on top. She looks very shy. Komanda-kun smiles, "This is Raspberry," He reaches back and takes her by the wings. Raspberry squeaks quietly. Komada-kun sets her on the table. "She's a little shy."
"H-Hello," She whispers softly, "It's nice to meet you-desu."
I smile at her sweetly, "Aw, you're cute!"
The little spirit blushes pink, "U-um, thank you."
Isho-kun also introduces his sweets spirit. He has dark brown hair and green blue eyes; in fact, he looks a lot like Isho-kun does. He's wearing a white dress shirt with the sleeves pushed up to the elbow. A blue tie is around his neck. "Bonjour," He says politely.
"This is Toffee," Isho-kun introduces.
"Hello," I wave my fingers at him.
He bows and says, "It's a pleasure to meet you mademoiselle." He's like a miniature Isho-kun. I turn to Himoto and his sweet spirit. He seems annoyed, most likely because we're distracted from him talking bad about my sweets.
"This is Kumquat," Himoto says plainly. Kumquat has an equally blank expression on her face. She reminds me of someone, though I'm not sure who.
She looks to Fraise and says, "So this is who you chose as a partner?" She rolls her eyes, "I thought you said you were waiting for someone special!"
Fraise jumps up to defend me, "She is special! Lynne is a very bright girl; did you see the score she got?"
"Simple by luck," Kumquat retorts with a shrug, "It's easy to see that her sweets lack standard."
"Why you!" Fraise yells, getting out her spoon. The two spirits are soon in a fight, clashing their spoon and fork angrily.
Finally, I ask Kumquat, "You look familiar, do I know you?" I pick up Fraise by the wings and she protests at me to let her down.
Kumquat sighs, "I would suspect you know my mother."
"Eh?" I say confusedly, why is it that I know all the sweets spirit's mothers?
"Your father," Kumquat continues, snapping her fingers to get my attention again, "He's my mom's partner."
Himoto raises an eyebrow, "What?"
"My mom, Chocolat," She says, rolling her eyes. She doesn't seem like the type of person who likes explaining. "She's Kashino Makoto's sweet spirit. It's her," Kumquat points at me, "Father."
I think back to when my father was baking. Sometimes I would imagine a fairy working beside him too, but I always thought that was my imagination. "My Dad has a sweet spirit too?" I knew because of Fraise that Mom has one, but I didn't realize Dad had one too.
"Of course," Kumquat says dryly, "Why wouldn't he? He's an accomplished patissier isn't he?"
"Well..." I stare at her, "But, your mom has brown hair." It is true. The fairy I'd see beside my Dad had long brown hair. Of course, Kumquat still looks a lot like her. The facial features of the two are the same. Plus, they have the same eyes.
"I get my hair colour from my Dad," Kumquat drawls on. Her tone implies she's bored and just wants to get the explanation over with. "Kasshi."
I guess it kind of makes sense now. Realizing I'm still pinching Fraise by the wings, I let go off her. She puffs up her cheeks and glares at me. "Don't ever do that again!" She stretches out her wings and lands on the table.
Kumquat looks at Fraise, "I know you were having trouble finding a partner, but did you really have to settle... For her?"
"I did not settle for her!" Fraise replies grouchily, "I chose her!"
Kumquat shrugs her shoulders and tosses her blond hair behind her, "Well, I guess gluttons attract each other."
"WHAT?" Both I and Fraise react at the same time. This spirit really doesn't like me; no doubt she's Himoto's spirit.
"Okay!" Aunt Lemon calls from the front of the room, "Class is over. I'd just like to briefly go over what we will do tomorrow."
I have to put my argument with Himoto's sweet spirit to a pause. Our group looks towards Aunt Lemon as she tells us. "Tomorrow's lesson will be a team effort," She says, "You are to create a cake that each fit your own personality and compliment your team mates' cake."
Oh no. A group assignment? I can't imagine working with Himoto. I'm perfectly fine with working with Isho-kun and Komanda-kun, but considering both Himoto and his spirit have this kind of hatred towards me, I'm a little sceptical.
"Okay, that's all," Aunt Lemon finishes. "Off to your next classes!"
"A group assignment?" Himoto growls moodily, "That's stupid."
Komanda-kun sighs and puts a hand on his shoulder, "Come on, you've got to be more open to others."
He rolls his eyes, "Whatever."
Isho-kun smiles at me, "So, we'd better all get together this afternoon so we can discuss what we're going to do."
Komanda agrees. So, we settle for 5:00 in the afternoon to meet back here. I wonder what kind of cake I can make to compliment my personality. Himoto isn't very happy. "More time with her?" He groans, "Just my luck."
I narrow my eyes at him, "It's not like I enjoy your company either."
XxXxX
Later, after classes, I go back to the dorms to drop off my stuff. Hana-chan is sitting on her bed, reading a book. "Hi Hana-chan!" I say cheerfully, dropping my book bag at the foot of my bed. I open my closet in search for another outfit to wear for my practise with the rest of my team members.
"Oh you're so lucky Lynne-chan!" She gushes, putting down her book.
I take out a pair of jeans and lay them out on the bed, "Eh? Why's that?"
"You're in the same group as the Sweet Princes!" She says; her tone airy and dreamy.
Sweet Princes? That's what they used to call Uncle Hanabusa, Uncle Andou and my Dad. I'm surprised that name is still around. "The Sweet Princes?" I ask her.
"Of course," Hana-chan continues, "Everyone knows them. First, there's Isho-kun, the candy art prince. His fingers are like magic, he can make candy into almost anything."
Okay. I knew that. The candy flowers from my first day were very impressive.
"Next is Komanda-kun," Hana giggles excitedly, "He specializes in classic sweets. Especially from Japan and France. He even tries to make sweets that use both cultures. It's something that's not easily done."
To me, it kind of sounds like Uncle Andou. Once, while Mom and Dad were visiting him, he showed me how he makes Japanese sweets. At the same time, he tries to fuse them with European sweets, especially from France.
"Lastly is Himoto-kun," Hana finishes. Himoto, a sweet prince? I laugh at that thought. He's more of a sweet devil if anything. "He specializes in chocolate. His skill in that area surpasses anyone else's in our grade."
Himoto really does remind me of Dad. He's top of class and a master of chocolate. Of course, Dad was forced to be top of class by his parents. If he didn't, he would be kicked out of school. But then again, Dad was smart enough to stay on top. Himoto must be smart too.
"And those are the 3 boys," Hana says sweetly, "That make up the Sweet Princes of St. Marie. You're so lucky to be friends with them!" She rubs the back of her neck, "I'm actually so jealous."
"Don't be," I laugh. I take out my pink striped long sleeve shirt and lay it on the bed, "Isho-kun and Komanda-kun are really nice. But you definitely don't want to be friends with Himoto."
"Eh..." Hana-chan sighs, "Why do you say that?"
"He's mean," I say, it comes to my head quite naturally. "And rude, stubborn, emotionless and bitter."
Hana-chan sweatdrops, "Well, I see you two get along..."
I hope she means that sarcastically. I take the clothes I've picked out and saunter into the bathroom. Coming out, I re-hang my uniform and put it in the closet. "I hope you were being sarcastic," I tell her, picking up my hair brush from my desk.
"I was," She assures me. I tie my strawberry blonde hair into a high ponytail. Hana-chan watches me sling my book bag over my shoulder. "Hey, where are you going?"
"I have to go meet the 'Sweet Princes' so we can work on tomorrow's assignment," I sigh. I really don't want to spend any more time with that devil Himoto. But, I can't let Isho-kun or Komanda-kun down.
"Oh, the one about cakes that fit your personality?" Hana-chan asks. She looks to the window; storm clouds are looming over head. "Hm... Are you sure you guys still want to get together? It looks like a storm's coming in."
"Oh whatever," I say casually, "It shouldn't take long. I guess I'll be back before it even starts."
"Okay..." Hana-chan agrees reluctantly. "Good luck!"
I smile and open the door. I'm going to need luck if I want to get through this alive.
XxXxX
"Oi," I walk in and right away, Himoto has something to say. He's the only one there. Just my luck. "Do you know where Isho and Komanda are?"
"No," I roll my eyes and sit across the table from him. Placing my book bag on the floor, I tell him, "They're probably just late." Himoto stares at me. "What?" I ask finally.
He points to my shirt; it's a long sleeved shirt with pink and magenta horizontal stripes. "That shirt makes you look fat," He says blankly.
"YOU JERK!" I exclaim loudly. How am I supposed to put up with him for the next while? URGH. I wish Isho-kun or Komanda-kun would get here already.
"It's the truth," Himoto shrugs as if it's no big deal.
I try to avert the subject. If I just act professional, maybe he'll stop insulting me. "What kind of cake were you thinking of making?" I ask, "To reflect your personality?"
He should probably make a dark chocolate cake, to reflect his bitter soul. Of course, I'm not going to say that. I'm trying to be professional.
"Chocolate," Himoto says simply, "I am a chocolate master, plus, chocolate easily compliments anything."
"I guess," I reply. I hate it when he's right. There is a roll of thunder in the background. The storm is getting closer. Where are Isho-kun and Komanda-kun?
Himoto seems to hear the thunder too, although he does his best to ignore it, "What about you?"
"I was thinking maybe strawberries?" I say carefully, not sure whether he's going to insult me about it. Strawberries are my favourite fruit of all time. Not just because my mother loves them and is named after them. Strawberries are sweet and very summery. Even though I was born in the winter, I love summer. Fraise de bois are my favourite kind of strawberry, my Mom introduced them to me when I was a really small girl.
"Strawberries?" Himoto repeats. There is another clap of thunder. "I guess that should be okay. Strawberries are fine with chocolate."
I want to say we don't complement each other with our personalities, but Isho-kun and Komanda-kun finally arrive. "Sorry we're late!" Isho-kun apologizes, "We got held up by a teacher."
Komanda-kun confirms the story. Another loud roar of thunder booms from the sky. "We'd better get started before the storm picks up," Komanda-kun says. He looks to Himoto, almost with concern.
He rolls his eyes and grumbles something under his breath. "So," I say, a little bit tensely, "What were you guys thinking about making for your cakes?"
Isho-kun flips his hair, "Well, I consider my personality to be as beautiful and flawless as a rose. I was thinking of making a rose cake."
So he likes roses? He's just like Uncle Hanabusa, if anything, he's worst.
"I was thinking of Mille-feuille," Komanda-kun tells me, "It's an interesting French sweet."
"Why do you think that reflects your personality?" I ask curiously, placing my elbows on the table.
"Well," Komanda-kun says, slightly embarrassed, "I've always thought there were different sides of me. Each of them could be represented by a layer of the cake."
I smile, "Aw! That's sweet."
He blushes slightly; I do tend to embarrass people. "What's your cake idea Lynne-chan?" Isho-kun asks.
"Strawberries," I say, lifting my index finger, "I especially love Fraise de Bois, my Mom introduced them to me when I was small."
Himoto interrupts me, "All of our ideas clash."
I narrow my eyes at him, but let it go. "What do you mean?"
"The task is to create a cake reflecting our personality," He says, in an emotionless tone, "but the cakes have to complement each other."
Sighing, Isho-kun and Komanda-kun agree, "That's true," I answer finally.
The hardest thing for me is I don't know these guys too well. How do I compliment my cake with theirs? I don't know what kind of cake they can make to help balance all of our opposite personalities.
Another clap of thunder echoes through the whole room. To my surprise, Himoto flinches slightly. Is he afraid of thunder storms?
The sky lights up in a flash. There's lightning now. I stare out the window to see the oncoming storm, rain is falling in sheets and headed straight for the building.
"Ka-kun..." Komanda-kun says slowly. This is the first time I've ever seen Himoto in vulnerability, his eyes are darting around in fear. For whatever reason, this storm is getting him really riled up.
"What's wrong with him?" I whisper softly to Isho-kun, hoping Himoto can't hear me.
Sighing deeply, Isho-kun whispers back, "He has bad experiences with thunder storms."
I heard once that you can become afraid of something because of an experience. For me, I'm afraid of the dark. If it's too dark, I get really scared. It's because when I was little, the power went off and my night light stopped working.
Then, the shadows seemed to transform in front of my eyes. I've been scared of pure darkness ever since.
Himoto is shaking slightly. The rain begins pounding down on the roof of the building. I'm about to say something, when the light flickers. My heart starts beating double time. No, it can't get dark. It CAN'T.
I see Himoto stare at me, seeing the sudden look of terror on my face. "Kashino...?" He says softly. Thunder booms over head and he jumps back. The lights flicker again, before shutting off completely.
The whole room is dark. I can't see anything. Pure darkness. I'm so scared, I'm shaking all over. But I can't think about myself. What about Himoto? Why is he afraid of thunder storms? There's got to be some reason.
Another clap of thunder roars from above us. I feel someone jump, nearly landing on me. I fall back in surprise. I reach for something, anything to hold onto. Grabbing onto someone's wrist, they are taken by surprise and fall down with me. In an attempt to save myself, I twist around and end up falling on top of them.
My face is buried in their chest and I feel myself blush and try and sit up. "You clumsy..." The person hisses. Lightning flashes and the whole room is lit up for a second. I find myself staring straight at Himoto, his face just two centimeters from my own.
EHHHH?
Me: Mwahaha. Another cliffhanger. Hehehe.
Ichigo: Woah. O_O
Me: I wonder if you could count that as a HimotoXLynne moment. :3
Ichigo: Well, kind of... But nothing's really happened yet.
Me: Well, all I'm going to say is, think about it. These two in the same room, both of their worst fears coming true. Just saying.
Kashino: What happened to Isho and Komanda?
Me: They're still there, they just happened to be in a different spot than Lynne and Himoto...
The reason for Himoto's abnormal fear of thunder storms will be explained in later chapters. What do you think is going to happen next? ;)
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