Chapter 10: WHAT?

Me: Mwahahahaha... Can you tell what this chapter is about?

Everyone else: nooooo...

Me: Well, I guess that's good because I don't either! (yet)

Anna doesn't own Yumerio Patissiere!

- - - dream - - -

"WHAT?" Ichgio screamed. "We aren't even in the last year of high school for another 3 weeks!"

"You don't say?" Hanabusa asked. "But anyways, you get a week by yourself with your family, a week with my family and a week with your family and me! How about it?"

"Umm... I'll ask dad when I get there tomorrow, and call you?" Hanabusa laughed at this.

"Sounds like a plan. See you in a week!"

"Bye!" Ichigo called. They were leaving St. Marie's for 3 weeks. They were ALSO taking different buses. Ichigo sighed. At least she had Rumi.

"That makes 37," Rumi said. "How sad can you be? You ARE going to see Hanabusa-kun next week! Don't be so down about it!"

"Thanks Rumi-chan, but let's just talk about random stuff. How's your life going?"

"Awesome!" She started rambling on and on, and Ichigo smiled and silently thanked Rumi for saving her soul from depression.

Because right now, all she really needed was some chatter.

Wait, backtrack just a little bit there.

Why was she so depressed?

Let's rewind to earlier that week.

Her mom had called her, confirming Ichigo's travel plans and also asking her something she really needed to know.

"So what's the story between you and Kashino?"

After heading this, Ichigo stood in utter shock.

"K-k-Kashino?" She had replied, shakily.

"Yes, Kashino. I know you are going out with Hanabusa now, but Kashino was just so adorable~"

"Mom. I haven't talked to Kashino since his Graduation. What did you expect? I don't even know if he's still in the country. Now do you have any other questions?" She interrupted coldly.

"No, sweetie, I only wanted-"

"Then goodbye!" She shouted into the phone before slamming it shut. "Geez! You would think my own MOTHER would be more respectful. I can't believe I am WILLINGLY visiting them in only 4 days."

Was this a mistake?

There was nothing Ichigo could do but hope that it wasn't.

- - - dream - - -

Back in the present time, Hanabusa boarded the bus. He say next to Johnny, because Lemon was being picked up by her parents. Also because he was alone.

"So, how are things going with Lemon?" Hanabusa asked.

"Hmm, fine I guess..." he replied, skeptical.

"Aww, it can't be THAT bad!"

"'Tis, my cheerful, over exuberant, narcissist, extreme optimist friend. Nothing seems to be going right in my life."

"How so?"

Johnny whispered something in Hanabusa's ear.

"Wow," he said in shock, "It really IS that bad!"

"Told you," Johnny replied, smirking.

- - - dream - - -

You may ask, 'Who is Johnny going to visit? He came from America!'

My answer would be that his older sister Kathrine came to Japan with him to study, and now lives in an apartment in Tokyo.

Lemon's answer would be something along the lines of,

"Well, I'm not sure, but I'm sure it has something to do with me!"

And his own answer would be America.

But who was correct?

Johnny, the character in question?

Lemon, the lover in disguise?

Or me, the author?

Why, I'm surprised you doubted me for a second!

- - - dream - - -

Ichigo put on a happy face and approached the Amano household. When she turned the key in the lock and slowly opened the door, Streamers exploded around her.

"What?" she exclaimed, confused.

"WELCOME HOME, ICHIGO!" Natsume exclaimed.

Natsume, now in 3rd year [?] middle school, was very beautiful. Her hair had grown to end at about her middle back, and she had cut her bangs to look more fashionable. She still wore headbands, yet she alternated them and even had a whole collection so her outfits would always be unique. She was wearing jeans and a maroon-colored top.

"We baked you a cake!" Ichigo sighed.

"Does it have strawberries in it?" she asked in anticipation.

"Yep! Of course it does!" Her mom answered happily. "Why on earth would you have a strawberry shortcake without STRAWBERRIES?" Ichigo's face lit up instantly.

"Can I eat it now?" She pleaded.

"Ichigo... WAIT UNTIL DINNER!" Natsume exclaimed.

"ICHIGO-CHAAAAAAAAAN~!" A new voice rang out, getting closer by the second. Ichigo braced herself...

"WELCOME HOME!" her dad jumped onto her seemingly out of nowhere and knocked her over. Damn, Natsume was quick! She had placed a pillow underneath Ichigo when her dad had been heard. Ichigo would have to thank her later.

"Ichigo-chan..." her dad whispered, "You've grown. You really AREN'T daddy's little girl anymore, are you?" he started to cry. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOURSELF?" Ichigo, Natsume and her mom all sweat dropped at his dramatic act.

"Papa..." Ichigo said, "Can you POSSIBLY GET OFF ME?" Her dad was in an extremely awkward position- right on top of her, in fact. He had caught himself with his face hanging right over hers. When her mom realized what was happening, she quickly dragged Ichigo's dad off of her.

"Honey!" She exclaimed, "I thought you were above this!"

"I AM!" he insisted, "But I haven't seen Ichigo in SOOO LONG!"

"It's been 3 weeks, dear. Ichigo, why don't you go up to your room and unpack your things. I can see that I need to have a... DISCUSSION with your father here."

Ichigo nodded and walked inside the house.

"Now honey," her mom continued, "About Ichigo-chan..."

-dream-

Beep! 'New message from Hanabusa Satsuki 3,' the cell phone's screen read.

Ichigo-chan,

Talked to my parents, they would love to meet you! But I've been thinking and maybe it would be better as just a day visit, instead of a whole week... Haven't asked them about either, though. Tell me what your parents say!

-Hanabusa

She quickly replied back-

Hanabusa-

Okay, I'll ask over dinner. Day visit sounds good! I agree, a whole week would be... Awkward. I'll text you what happens!

-Amano Ichigo

Who was she kidding? Her parents would be thrilled to host Hanabusa- kun for any length of time, as proved by that one time all the Princes visited unannounced. [A/N: not sure what episode #, but season 1 when Natsume wants to give up piano!]

Well, that was true for her mother.

But how would her dad respond to having a boy visit her? Ichigo sighed. Would he NEVER grow up?

-dream-

Dinner at the Hanabusa household was always extravagant and filled with roses. As of now, a vase containing a single beauty decorated the center of the table.

"The beauty of a rose," Hanabusa Satsuki murmered to himself upon his entrance of the dining room, "Can only be compared to the beauty of certain individuals, these including Father, Mother, myself and Amano Ichigo."

His mother walked into the room and heard Hanabusa whispering to himself and looking at the rose.

Guessing correctly that he was thinking about his late father, she tiptoed quietly out of the room.

They could talk later.

But with his dad, he couldn't any longer.

She wept for him.

[A/N: 'him' being Hanabusa's dad, who if you weren't smart enough to WATCH THE ANIME BEFORE READING (Teto...) he passed away in a car accident, and I would reccomend watching the anime.]

-dream-

Dinner at the Amano household had only one rule: talk. It was always happy and lively. Natsume was telling a story about her piano class, and it was really funny. When she finished, though, Ichigo knew it was her turn to shine.

"Mama, Papa," she said, breaking the short silence, "What would you think of me brining my boyfriend here for a day?"

-dream-

Me: CLIFFHANGERS OFFICIALLY ROCK

Thanks to all my wonderful readers and reviewers!

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