Chapter Twenty-Six: Getting Ready

Hello! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and now here's a new one!

The Autumn Festival is almost upon us! Be patient and I will update as soon as I can.

So enjoy!

Have fun~Nya!

It was now Thursday, two days before the festival.

Ichigo looked over the recipe page Minto had given her. The classroom theme had been decided and much to Ichigo's dismay, a Maid Cafe.

All week there were preparations of the classrooms as well as the courtyard between the schools. Ichigo was currently making her way to her class with a packet of recipes that Mint had given her to look over.

Since the theme for there class was a Cafe, they needed maids and cooks. Ichigo, being modest, decided to work as a cook to make the sweet treats for the customers. So Mint had given her some recipes for sweets and Ichigo was going to check up on the classroom.

Ichigo slid open the door to the classroom only to drop the pages in surprise.

The entire room was completly different.

The desks were rearranged in groups of two, four and five. They were spread out to allow walking access, some 'tables' were moved towards the walls or windows. Each one had pink or white lacy table cloths with a small white vase. Inside each was a single red rose.

There were many girls bustling about with pink material, scissors, tape and other decorative objects in their arms. Some were on tables, hanging large pink and red drapes across the windows.

The walls had been decorated with curtains and small paintings. There were also girls placing boxes in the back, most likely for storage. In the back, some were designing the signs to place outside. Bottles of paint, wood, paint brushes and glue were surrounding them.

Ichigo then noticed Mint at the front of he classroom with clipboard in her hand. She was directing some girls who were hanging the draperies on the tops of the widows.

Wow, I've never seen Mint work like this... I guess there's a first time for everything.

Mint checked off things on the clipboard as she looked over the work going on. The room almost seemed ready and Ichigo was surprised to believe that Mint was able to coordinate it all.

The redhead walked over, after picking up her papers of course. "Minto!"

The blue-haired girl turned to look, a smile appeared on her lips. "Ichigo. I'm so glad you finally came, usually you're late." she sneered.

The redhead frowned as she narrowed her eyes.

She is still such a brat.

"Listen, I looked over the-"

"You are no longer going to be a cook."

Ichigo looked at Mint in confusion, "What?"

Mint's dark eyes flashed, "I just looked over the amount of personnel. We have enough people to take care of the cakes and sweets." She looked down and skimmed over the clipboard with her pen, "We are short one maid."

"No!"

Mint scowled at the tone, she looked over at the redhead. "Ichigo, we need you to help. And I'm not taking 'no' for an answer.

A girl with brown hair in a high ponytail and a girl with dark braided pigtails appeared with creepy smiles on their faces, a maid's uniform in their hands.

*After class*

Ichigo groaned as she plopped down onto a bench in the maze of roses. She sat under the gazebo as she placed her hands on the table.

"I'm am so tired..."

Ichigo had been forced to try on the different designs of maid uniforms that Mint had made. There were over twenty designs and Ichigo was so sore.

Suddenly a pair of hands placed themselves on her shoulders. Ichigo squeaked as nimble fingers began to rub into her shoulders, "You're so tense, honey."

"Kisshu." Ichigo moaned as he rubbed her tense shoulders. Ichigo felt his head on top of hers, "How's my little strawberry?" he cooed.

"Fine."

Kisshu let go of her and then placed his head on her shoulder. "I take it you passed your midterms?"

Ichigo nodded solemnly, Kisshu smirked and kissed her cheek. "You're so smart. I'm proud of you, Ichigo." he said gently in her ear. Ichigo's spine tingled as he kissed her ear.

"W-What about your m-midterms?" she asked shakily. Her cheeks grew warm as he nuzzled them with his own. "Don't worry, you'll be able to attend the festivities with your prince."

Ichigo squeaked as she felt him kiss her cheek again. "You-"

"Come on, lighten up! I know you're excited."

Ichigo pouted as she felt him hug her, smiling against her skin. "No need to worry, I passed my exams. We can enjoy the festival together."

Kisshu chuckled as he moved over and sat across from Ichigo at the table. He crossed his legs and placed his elbows on the table, his face in his hands. He concentrated his golden eyes on the redhead he was smitten with, he smirked as she looked at him.

"Anyway, how are the preparations for your class?"

Ichigo pinched the place between her eyes, "Fine, it's still busy..."

Kisshu nodded, "Well, my class has a strange theme." he said, Ichigo looked up at him. "Oh?" she asked, Kisshu nodded. "Yeah, the theme this year is a butler cafe."

Ichigo's back stiffened as the words left his lips. Her brown eyes widened, "A-A butler c-cafe?" she managed to say. Nervousness edged in her mind as he nodded.

"Kinda strange huh?" he said plainly as he scratched his head. "I guess some of the guys wanted to have a lot of girls come. Crazy bastards."

Ichigo swallowed heavily.

I can't tell him about the maid thing. He'll tease me forever! What do I tell him?

Kisshu finished scratching his head and placed his hand in his palm, leaning on the table again.

He then smiled as he looked at his girlfriend, "So. What's your class theme...?" he hissed cooly. His golden eyes trained on Ichigo, who was silent and stiff. The redhead licked her lips, "What's your theme, honey? Is it something cute? Hot?" he chuckled as he leaned closer.

"It's a Farming theme!"

The table fell silent and Kisshu stared at Ichigo, his look was not of surprise or disappointment. In fact, Ichigo could not tell what his emotions were.

His golden eyes were trained on ichigo and they flashed with amusement as he slowly chuckled. "Okay, well. I'm sure you'll look cute in your overalls and straw hat." he snickered. He watched as she blushed and looked away, squirming in her seat uncomfortably.

Getting up, Kisshu made his way over to Ichigo's side. A strange smile on his face made Ichigo look at him fearfully. Her boyfriend stroked Ichigo's red hair before palcing a kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you soon. Okay?" he said cooly. Ichigo looked up at him, "Kisshu-"

His lips locked with hers tenderly. The redhead blushed as he shut his eyes, enjoying the kiss.

After releasing her, he smiled. "Bye bye." he hissed, a smirk replacing his smile.

In the blink of an eye, he was gone...

Fin!

All done!

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There may be a new chapter tommorow! Keep an eye out!

Ciao!