Chapter 10
Mikan's POV
"First love?!" I freaked out. "That's the theme?"
"Obviously yes." Luna who is standing beside me replied back. I never expected for her to reply me. I just looked at her with narrowed eyebrows and she just smirked back at me "And, I guess it is game over for you, Sakura."
"And what made you say that, Luna?" I retorted.
"Pray tell me, have you ever had your first love in the first place?" she asked with a grin
I didn't reply back at her and she was quick enough to talk back once again "I believe that silence means yes but I guess it is not suitable for this situation. Let me guess, you cannot answer my question because it is true that you haven't had your first love right? So, tell me how can you even win this if you cannot even make a dessert that can be related to the theme?"
"Oh shut up Luna" I sneered and walks out of the stage.
As soon as I get into the backstage, a lot of things started to run through my head. I am still thinking about the things that Luna had said to me. Maybe she's right that I haven't had a first love yet so how can I really make a dessert that is fitted for the theme. I mean, I am just 18 years old for goodness sake! Yeah, I know it is quite mature enough but I am different compare to other girls who had their boyfriends since 16 or younger. I don't know what first love is. Hey, wait...is having a crush counted on that? I mean, yeah I am still a girl that developed crushes towards the opposite sex so maybe I can consider it love? But, wait...urggghh! What am I going to do? I cannot consider my love for my friends because it is not first love. This is harder than I thought. I need some advice, yeah Narumi sensei told us that we have an hour to plan for the dessert we are going to make and another one and a half hour to visit the pantry they built inside the Main Hall for our ingredients and stuffs. Who am I going to ask? Narumi sensei specifically told us that we are not allowed to ask help from other people especially our classmates since this is an individual competition and so, to ensure that we will follow the rules, Jinno-sensei had our cellphone confiscated and will return it when the judging began. Now what am I going to do? This is giving me lots of headache.
I was still immersed in my thoughts when a certain backstage crew approached me and handed me a red-colored envelope. I muttered a simple thank you and asked the crew about who the sender was but he only said that an elementary kid handed it to him and so I just stared at the envelope that was in my hands. I am now wondering, who will give me a letter at this critical point of time? There was no sender but my name was clearly imprinted on it. To be able to answer my own question, I decided to open the envelope, and it revealed a letter which was handwritten beautifully:
Polka dotted panty girl,
...After hearing the theme for this event, I already knew that you are going to have a very difficult time thinking on what you are going to do because of all people in this crowd, it was I who knew you too well since our childhood and so I am fully aware that 'first love' isn't something that concerns you up to this point. I am not your best friend, I am not your confidante, and we are always at each other's throats. We are always spouting words that are full of hatred towards each other. But in spite of that, we are still partners right? And I felt that what you needed the most right now is some words of encouragement if that is what it is called. You know very well that this is the very first time in my 18 years of existence that I ever wrote a letter right? So you better not tell this to anyone especially to your blackmailer best friend. This is a secret between the two of us.
Anyway, enough with those sweet talks...It gives me the creeps you know. I wrote you a letter to give you bits of ideas that might help you in conceptualizing the dessert you are going to make. Try to think of things that makes you feel that you are loved, that you felt that you are giving much importance. Experiences that you think is out of the ordinary and are really special to you. It may not be considered your first love but I tell you, thinking of those things might help.
Do your best, and make sure you'll win this or else, I will post that souvenir photo that we had when we were in the Haunted House.
~Nat.
After reading his letter, I didn't realize that I was crying until someone tapped me and asked me if there is something wrong. I quickly wiped the tears away. I don't know why but it seems that during my difficult times, Natsume is always there to help me even though he is not physically present. He always knew what to do and it makes me so happy that he is my partner. Yeah, being his partner has pros and cons but to tell the truth, there are more pros compare to the cons. And, this sweet little gesture of his is one of the pros. I'm going to thank him later when I see him.
I read his letter for the second time and I began thinking of the things that are really special to me. I thought about meeting Hotaru the first time back when we were kids, my first encounter with Natsume, the first time that our teacher assigned us to be partners, the day when Natsume peeked at my underwear back in our elementary days, the first time I cried because I couldn't stand him teasing me, my first dance with Ruka-pyon, the first time that Natsume ever called me by my name, the time when I got a high fever and Natsume surprisingly stayed with me for the two days I was at the hospital, when I met the three patissieres in Morceau de gateau and made friends with them, when I visit the school during my training break and met Natsume and spent time with him during the entire day, when Natsume accidentally stole my first kiss and when he intentionally stole my second kiss. Wait, come to think of it, why is it that most of my special memories were with Natsume?
Natsume.
Natsume.
In most of the special events in my life, Natsume was there.
Now, it hit me. Thanks to the letter that Natsume gave me, I now know what I must do.
"Okay, participants your one hour of conceptualizing your masterpiece is now over! Now let's proceed to the next art of the competition, all five of you must now go to the pantry that were built here in the Main Hall and do your shopping for the ingredients that you will use! I must remind all of you that you can only enter the pantry once. Once you left the pantry, you cannot go back anymore so make sure that you've got all the ingredients and other stuffs that you need, understand?" Narumi announced on the microphone.
I nodded my head and took a peek on the notebook that they gave us a while ago for jotting down the ingredients that we may need. When I heard the signal for us to start, I hurriedly grabbed my pushcart and entered the pantry.
Normal POV
"Mikan has now entered the pantry, I wonder what dessert she will make" Anna said while munching on some cheese flavored popcorn as if she was watching a movie. They were still sitting on the bleachers and waiting for the participants to come out of the pantry.
"Who knows" Nonoko shrugged her shoulders "I'm quite nervous. This is her first time that she will make sweets not just one but she needs to make as much as possible! That's so tiring!"
"No worries, the food expo will just last for a day so she doesn't need to make that much" Sumire butts in.
"Still, I'm nervous. They didn't even allow us to communicate with them to give them some advices. That's a bit harsh you know" Nonoko replied back.
Suddenly, Kashino interrupted their little chit chat "The theme is First Love right? May I ask you guys, does Mikan have her first love?"
The group was taken aback by Kashino's sudden interrogation but Sumire was quick enough to reply at his query "In all honesty, Kashino-sama Mikan doesn't know anything about first love until now. She is too innocent to these things."
Kashino sweat dropped. Is Mikan really that dense? She really doesn't know a thing about first love? She doesn't have a first love up to this point? He thought.
"Then, this is going to be very difficult for her. Making any dessert is easy, but if there is a certain theme and you doesn't know a single thing about it, then the pressure on your shoulders will be doubled. Since she doesn't know the feeling of having a first love, it will be tough to communicate that feeling through her sweets. Whatever it is, let's just hope that she will be fine."
Since the group were now talking about first love, Sumire suddenly asked Kashino "Ne, Kashino-sama have you already had your first love?"
Kashino was taken aback. He never expected that someone he barely knew would ask him that question.
"Why are you asking me that question, Sumire?" Kashino asked back.
"I'm just curious. I mean, you are a famous patissiere of course, a question like this is commonly asked you know."
"Well, to tell you the truth, yes Sumire. I have my first love"
Sumire squealed upon hearing this and continued her little interrogation "Can you tell me who that lucky girl is?"
Kashino looked at his surroundings. He was quite shocked to see that all of Mikan's friends were now looking at him, eager to know the answer to the question that Permy asked.
Kashino sighed and then took a quick glimpse at Natsume who was seated one seat apart from him. (A/N: Here are their seating arrangements: Anna, Nonoko, Hotaru, Sumire, Kashino, Ruka, Natsume, Koko)
"I cannot tell you who she is but I can say that my first love and Mikan is very much alike."
Natsume almost snapped the moment he heard this but he chose to keep his control and just listen to the conversation not wanting to gain attention of course.
"You mean, Mikan and your first love have similarities?" Anna questioned
"They have lots of similarities. If I didn't know both of them personally and I am just a stranger, I might think that they are twins" Kashino said.
"Oh gosh! Does that mean that there is a possibility that you will fall for Mikan too?" Nonoko asked. This question made Natsume clench his fist.
Kashino just shook his head "I don't really know. But who knows what destiny has in store for us"
"Uhmmm, is it okay for us to talk about Mikan and Kashino? I mean, Natsume is here you know. He is Mikan's partner after all" Koko interjected earning a glare from Natsume.
"And so?" Hotaru said "He does not even care about her anyway, right Hyuuga?"
Natsume just glared at Hotaru.
"Oh really?" Kashino asked "Then, if I may ask, why did you become her partner if you don't care about her?"
Natsume replied nonchalantly "None of your business"
To ease the tension, Ruka who has been so quiet the whole time interrupted their little talking "Hey look, Mikan is now coming out of the pantry!"
"My little participants, are you all ready for the highlight of this competition?" Narumi happily asked.
"Let's see if you can make very good sweets out of first love, Sakura" Luna whispered in Mikan's ear.
"Well, I am excited to know what your first love would taste like" Mikan retorted "I hope it doesn't taste disgusting"
"Before we begin the cooking portion, my dear participants I want you to go to your respective mini kitchenette and prepare yourselves okay? Once you get to your places, wait for my signal to start okay? Remember you only got six hours to cook! Oh, you must only make 300 pieces of your masterpiece okay? The food expo is just limited edition just to remind you!" Narumi hollered.
As soon as Mikan and the others went to their respective kitchenette, Narumi then blew his whistle and soon, the cooking begins!
Fast Forward... After six hours
"And now, the long wait is over my dear Gakuen Alice students!" Narumi said as he goes up to the stage once again. "Let us now call our dearest five participants together with their creations!"
One by one, each participant entered the stage with a pushing a trolley in front of them with their creation that is hidden inside a stainless lid. The rest of their creations that will be available for public are currently stored in some fridge with security passwords so that no one can touch it.
"To add some thrill, I will call each participant in no particular order okay? So meaning, you will be called randomly to see who will introduce their creations first" Narumi added.
Then, Narumi took a box which was lying on top of a table and picked up a piece of paper and read it out loud "The first one would be...Class E's Mizuki Yamamura-chan!"
(A/N: I am too lazy to write the other participants and their creations. Forgive me! I'll just focus on the most important participants namely Mikan and Luna okay? But anyway here is their sequence, Class E first then Class A, then Class D...And...Just read it now okay? 3)
"Now, we were down to our two participants, Class C's Luna Koizumi and my ever dearest Mikan Sakura from my lovely Class B! Now, who will go first between the two of them? I'll draw the paper now!" Narumi excitedly announced before fishing a paper out of the box.
"I've got it!" Narumi happily exclaimed "And the next to present their creation will be...Class C's Luna Koizumi!"
Groans and hollers engulfed the Main Hall when Luna stepped forward with her trolley. She lifts up the lid from the trolley revealing chocolate flavored shortcake.
"Nicely done, Miss Koizumi" Jinno commented.
"Oh thank you sensei" Luna smiled.
"Urghh... Luna smiling really gives me the creeps" Mikan thought
"Would you like to tell us the name of your creation?" it was Serina who asked this time.
"I call it chocolate dome, sensei" Luna proudly said.
"Dome? Hahahaha...maybe it's chocolate DOOM" Mikan giggled inwardly. Oh, she loves imagining things!
"Can you describe your chocolate dome, Koizumi-san?" Misaki-sensei asked.
Luna cleared her throat and gripped her microphone tight so that everyone in the crowd will hear her "I named it Chocolate Dome because first love is like the chocolate, it is really so sweet and I believe that the moment you met your first love, you will feel like as if you were stuck in a dome or arena wherein only the two of you were there, savoring the sweet taste of first love together."
(A/N: Sorry I suck at explanations! Hahahaha I don't know what to say!)
"What a...very nice explanation, Koizumi-san" Misaki-sensei commented.
"Very well, now the taste test begins! Koizumi-san, you may now hand the three judges your creation so that they could taste it and give their judgments" Narumi said.
Luna promptly obliged and handed each of the judges a platter with her creation. Luna looked at them with sparkling eyes as they shove a spoonful of shortcake in their mouths. She then took a quick stare at Mikan who was still at the back waiting for her turn "You're going down, Sakura" and she smirked.
"That Luna is really getting on my nerves!" Mikan thought as she saw Luna stare and smirked at her.
After a few minutes, it was now time for the judges to comment on Luna's Chocolate Dome.
Misaki goes first "I really liked your chocolate dome, Koizumi-san. I stared at it for a while looking on how it was beautifully presented to us. And when I tasted it, I may agree with you that this cake is really so sweet. So, this is your first love? It's too sweet I must say"
Applauses were heard from the crowd, obviously coming from the students of Class C.
Serina was the next to give her comment "In the exterior, your chocolate dome was indeed really splendid. And when I tasted it, I can say that it is too sweet. I know we have different views when it comes to first love and I must agree with what Misaki-sensei had said, your first love is indeed too sweet."
Last but not the least, it was finally Jinno's turn to comment "Your first love is superficial, Koizumi-san"
Luna was taken aback "W-what do you mean, sensei?"
Jinno fixed his glasses before continuing "Indeed, your shortcake was beautiful on the outside. But, as what I had said a while ago, the beauty is just superficial. The moment I tasted your creation, that's the time that I realized that your chocolate dome was too sweet. And that's when I came to a conclusion that your perception of first love was so shallow. Maybe your definition of first love is that when you saw a very handsome guy, and you just felt that you like his looks you may consider it as first love. If I am right, then indeed your first love is so shallow. First love isn't supposed to be so sweet that it may almost seem to be unreal. But anyways, your creation is delicious"
(A/N: What do you guys think about Jinno's comments? Are they alright? Gosh, I really suck at interpreting things! Forgive me!)
"Wow, that was too deep, Jin-Jin" Mikan thought. "So, Luna's first love is shallow? It totally fits her. She's nothing but a whore who clings onto guys that looks hot"
Luna gritted her teeth, obviously irritated with what Jinno had said and walks away from the stage to join the other participants. "Damn that Jinno" she thought.
"What a very deep judgment, Jinno-sensei! I was so impressed on how you interpreted Koizumi-san's creation in just one taste!" Narumi commented.
"Now, last but not the least, let us welcome onstage my precious student, Class B's Mikan Sakura!" Narumi called.
"It's Mikan's turn" Nonoko said, her hand clasping Anna's hand tight.
"I know and I am getting nervous. I hope the comments were good" Anna replied.
"I know she can do it." Kashino confidently butts in.
"How can you be so sure?" Hotaru asked.
"Instinct" Kashino meekly replied
Natsume adjusted his seat; his gestures were showing that he is quite anxious on what the outcome will be.
When Mikan finally unveiled what is hidden under the stainless lid, the crowd fell into a deep silence. (A/N: The crowd can see what is happening onstage up-close from the LED Screen that were placed in some places around the Main Hall just like in the anime Yumeiro Patissiere during the grand prix on the last episode I think?)
"That...was...gorgeous" Anna muttered, her eyes still fixed on the LED screen.
It seems that all blood was drained on Kashino's face. He was as white as a paper the moment he saw Mikan's creation. It is just like Ichigo's strawberry tart only that Mikan's has some tangerines on it (A/N: To those who didn't know what Ichigo's strawberry tart looked like, take a peek at Yumeiro Patissiere Episode 50!)
"Hey, are you alright Kashino-sama? You looked pale!" Sumire asked in panic
Kashino quickly regained his composure "No, I'm alright Sumire. I was just surprised with what Mikan made"
Natsume on the other hand remained speechless.
"Can you tell us the name of your very beautiful creation, Sakura-san?" Serina asked.
Mikan nodded and grabbed her microphone "It is called... Crimson"
"Crimson?! What the heck is that name?" Sumire hollered.
"Oh shut up Permy" Hotaru hissed.
"What a very simple name for this very sophisticated masterpiece. Do you have a reason why you named it crimson?" Misaki-sensei asked.
"I want you all to taste it first then I will tell you the story behind it" Mikan replied.
"Now, I am getting curious." Misaki-sensei added.
And so, Mikan each gave them a platter of her creation. After the three judges tasted Crimson, Serina was the first one who spoke "Oh my gosh, Sakura-san, I can say that this is the most delicious tart I ever tasted! It is sweet yet sour due to the tangerines and strawberries that you've added. I love this!"
Misaki-sensei followed suit "Yes, indeed Sakura-san, your Crimson is one delectable treat. Not too sweet, not too sour...just right. I don't know what to say, it's just amazing"
"Oh thank you sensei" Mikan smiled.
Now, it was Jinno's turn. Mikan composed herself, waiting for Jinno who was the only judge among the three who gives the most detailed and deep comment in their creations.
Jinno cleared his throat and muttered "This is what you describe your first love, Sakura?"
Mikan gulped and nodded.
"Your first love, for me is the most wonderful among the sweets I've tasted in this competition."
Mikan gaped. She couldn't believe this.
"I want to hear the story behind Crimson, Sakura" Jinno commanded.
Mikan nodded once again and spoke "In all honesty, I have a vague idea when it comes to first love. The moment I heard that it was going to be the theme for this food expo, I totally panicked. I don't have a single clue on what to make that will be able to show to all of you what my perception of first love is. Not until I received a word of encouragement from a certain person. That person told me that if I don't know what first love is, then all I need to do is to think of the memories that I considered very special, when I felt that I was loved and was given utmost importance. And so that is what I did, I counted on my fingers the countless moments that I considered special and I ended up realizing one thing, I may not have my first love yet but I already experienced the feeling of being loved. And I guess, that what matters most right? The feeling that someone is always there during your happy times and most especially during the times that you were so down and you needed someone to lean on. Having that feeling is almost the same as having your first love, I guess?"
Without any warning, Jinno stood up from his seat and clapped his hands after Mikan's statement, then Serina and Misaki-sensei followed suit and soon enough Narumi who was teary eyed clapped as well. Suddenly, the whole crowd started to stand up and clapped their hands as well.
Mikan was in the verge of tears. She is the only one who received standing ovation from the crowd!
Narumi then ruined the momentum as he grabbed the microphone and announced "Now, calm down my precious students! As of now, I want all of you to know that the creations of our participants were now delivered in Central Town and in a few minutes or so, we will now receive the tally for the total sales of each creations and we can now declare the winner after adding the score form the sales and the scores from the judges!"
Fast Forward...After one and a half hour
"Ehem" Narumi cleared his throat. "The people from Central Town have spoken! And, I want you to look at the LED screen carefully. I will now show you how many were sold from the participants' three hundred pieces of their creations!"
And as soon as Narumi gave the signal, the LED screen now shows the total sales of each participant:
Class A- 290 out of 300
Class B-300 out of 300
Class C-289 out of 300
Class D-300 out of 300
Class E-287 out of 300
"And now, we will add the scores from the judges" Narumi continued and the LED screen flashed another set of tally board revealing the judges' scores:
Class A- 45 out of 50
Class B-50 out of 50
Class C-40 out of 50
Class D-48 out of 50
Class E-47 out of 50
"And, the participant who garnered a perfect 100% in this food expo is none other than Class B's MIKAN SAKURA!" Narumi happily announced and hugged Mikan who was still frozen in her spot, "Congratulations my Mikan-chan! You made me so proud to be your class adviser!" Narumi said.
Mikan was now crying as she hugged Narumi back "I can't believe I won sensei"
That night...
"Congratulations Mikan. I know you can do it. You even received a standing ovation" Kashino said.
"It was all thanks to you, Kashino. Without you, I don't think I can even start cooking" Mikan chuckled.
Kashino shook his head "All I did was to teach you how to make sweets but I didn't teach you the specific sweets to make. It was all your idea, and I never expected that it will be successful. I am proud of you, Mikan" and then he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Thank you Kashino" Mikan muttered as she hugged him back.
"I need to go back to the diner now. And you better go back to your room; you've been away for a week right? You probably miss being in your room." Kashino replied.
"Yeah right, I missed my place. And I guess, leaving for a week is all worth it. Thanks again, Kashino"
Kashino gave Mikan a peck in the cheek before leaving the grounds of the academy.
When Mikan entered her room, she was surprised to see Natsume sitting on the edge of her bed. "W-Why are you here Natsume? How did you get inside?"
Natsume replied nonchalantly "I am your partner. I've got the spare key remember?"
"Oh right, I shouldn't have asked. So, why are you here?"
"I saw you and that guy talking outside the dorm"
"And so?"
"I saw him kissing you."
Mikan was taken aback. "He just kissed me on the cheek. That's all"
Natsume, who was being grumpy the whole time, seemed to be relieved after hearing what Mikan had said "Aren't you going to say something to me?"
Mikan answered back "Actually there is...I want to thank you Natsume for giving that letter to me. If it wasn't for that letter, I might have lost the competition. Thank you very much."
"Hn."
"I am expecting that you will not answer me back besides it is not in your personality." Mikan added.
"Yeah right, but I am sure, you are not going to expect this" and without further ado, he planted a chaste kiss right on Mikan's lips. "See? I stole two kisses from you on the same day."
"Why did you kiss me again? Is stealing kisses your hobby now? Or is it just to tease me?" Mikan asked as soon as Natsume broke the kiss.
"Both" Natsume replied
"Urrgghh! I hate you Natsume!" Mikan retorted but then Natsume made his way out of her bedroom and muttered "Sleep now, Polka" and with that he left...
End of Chapter 10!
Oh gosh! It is quite longer than I thought! Sorry if it is too long...Sorry for any grammatical errors if there are any
So what can you say?
Hope I can receive some reviews from you guys 'coz it is what motivates me to continue with this story.
~Natsumi Yuki Hime