Me: GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN.
Kashino: How long has it been, you wanna tell them?
Me: I haven't published a new chapter since... The one year anniversary. And even then, it was a bonus chapter. And that was... um... Almost 3 months ago.
Kashino: You're unbelievable.
Me: Gomen... I'm just incredibly busy. But I decided enough is enough and a new chapter had to come out. We're nearing the end anyway, I want this story finished before the end of the year, so you won't be dying in suspense any longer. This is chapter 27, which means there are 6 chapters left! Chapter 33 will be the finale.
Anyway, as a note, I went back and fixed I mistake I made in MJMS chapter 26. I said the top 8 teams will be advancing, when I really meant top 4. A horrible mistake on my part. Gomen.
But please enjoy the newest installment of MJMS, I'm sorry it took so long!
As always, I do not own Yumeiro Patissiere! :)
My Journey, My Story
Chapter 27: Distracted or Not, Here I Come?
I think coming to terms with feelings like I have are difficult. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with them. Recklessly, I almost let my emotions get the best of me and I almost kissed Himoto out of nowhere. How would he have reacted if I did? I get shivers just thinking about it. I almost destroyed our friendship in a second. I'm so lucky the oven went off just in time.
These troublesome thoughts cloud my mind for the next few days. I can't even think about anything else. I'm aware that I'm distracted, but I can't stop. The grand prix drifts from my mind, and it approaches without much warning. Suddenly, it dawns on me that it is the next day. We practised and everything, but I hardly felt present.
The sweet princes are worried about me. I know they are by the looks on their face. When we are together in the locker room, getting ready for the grand prix, I'm aware their all staring at me.
"Are you ready Lynne-chan?" Isho-kun asks.
"Y-yeah!" I sum up the courage to sound cheerful. Adjusting my chef's hat, I try to contain the embarrassed blush growing on my face.
"You've been acting strangely for the past few days," Komanda-kun agrees, "Are you sure you feel well?"
Suddenly, Himoto comes from behind me, placing a hand on my forehead, "You're not sick, are you?"
His presence, suddenly so close to me, sends the fluttery butterflies in my stomach in a fit, "N-no! Of course not, I'm fine!"
"If you say so..." Himoto says reluctantly. "Come on, we have to get to Salon de Marie before we're late." His hand reaches for my wrist. He always pulls me along when we're going to be late. But the idea of him touching me... My heart starts to hammer. I don't know how to handle my crazy feelings. "Don't!" I exclaim, before I can think about it.
Himoto flinches, stepping backward. He looks confused and I cover my mouth. That was normal. I just told him to stop doing something he's always done. What is he going to do?
His face is solemn, and he looks down so that I can't see his expression. "... Sorry Kashino. Didn't realize I bothered you that much."
"It's not that! I just-"
"Now, now, this is no time to fight!" Komanda-kun interjects, "Come on, we have to get a move on."
"That's right Lynne-chan, we've got a match to win, right?" Isho-kun takes hold of my hand, and I can feel Himoto's eyes, burning holes into my neck. His expression looks quite upset and angry, staring at Isho-kun's hand in mine. He huffs before brushing past us and storming ahead. That makes my stomach do a weird flip.
XxXxX
"Welcome teams, we'll be started the first match in a few minutes," Aunt Lemon announces. Everyone is stationed at counters speckled around the Salon de Marie dining room, everyone has their sweets ready to sell.
There are so many different kinds of sweets, I'm tempted to try other peoples', but I don't think the sweet princes would approve. "If any teams are in need of the kitchen, Salon de Marie will be open for the duration of the match. Gauge your sales accordingly, and make sure you don't run out of product, you want to make the most out of the time you have!"
"Hai!" Everyone chimes.
Aunt Lemon, along with the rest of the judges look at each other. Blowing the whistle around her neck, Aunt Lemon announces, "Alright, you've got 2 and a half hours to give it all you've got teams. Good luck!"
And just like that, the first match of the official grand prix has started.
Students are beginning to trickle in to choose sweets to pick. Whoever sells the most wins, gaining attention is most important right now. I think back to the Halloween event, and how it was difficult for us to get going at first. Then I think of Himoto and I dressed up as a fairy princess and prince. I remember how it was like taking pictures with kids, chasing each other around, and having lots of fun. I think about the stuffed animal Himoto gave me around that time. It's still on my bedside, I sleep with it every night. Suddenly it feels like my heart jumped into my throat.
"Oi, Kashino, what are you doing?" Speak of the devil, Himoto's voice slices into my thoughts. His hands land on my shoulders, and his head on top of mine, "Stop standing there and attract people! That's what a loudmouth for you is good for."
"H-Himoto!" I stammer furiously, slithering away from his grasp on me, "What are you doing? Stop touching me!"
He seems taken aback for a moment, "Since when did I bother you so much?" He asks finally. His face is stern, his eyes clearly flickering with annoyance. "I don't know what's up with you Kashino, but you've been acting weird ever since that time in the kitchen."
I can feel the blood rushing to my head, "N-nothing's wrong," I insist. "I-it's just... You've been on my nerves, lately!" I wince as soon as the words leave my mouth. That is definitely not what I meant to say.
"Oh, well sorry for being annoying," Himoto replies sarcastically, "It's not like I'm the one sulking and acting all weird."
"S-shut up!"
"Hey Ka-kun, you wanna help me?" Komanda-kun cuts in, grabbing the other boy by the arm.
"Huh? Fine." Himoto sends one more glare in my direction, before following Komanda-kun to help some customers at the cash register.
"Now that he's gone..." Isho-kun says behind me. Similar to Himoto, he rests his arms on my shoulders, "Lynne-chan, Komanda-kun asked me to take you to the Salon de Marie kitchen to make more cheesecakes. Shall we go?"
Squirming out from his hold, I pout, "What is with all of you and using me as an armrest?"
Isho-kun laughs, and opens his mouth to answer, when Hana-chan pops up behind us, "Hey Lynne-chan! Isho-kun!" She chirps sweetly, "I'm here to buy your amazing cheesecakes, can I get some?"
Almost immediately, I see Isho-kun tense up, if only slightly. "Hana-chan!" He says, surprisingly calm for his tense body language, "It's nice to see you. Of course you can have some! Right Lynne-chan?" He turns to me, and I'm stunned to see a rosy pink blush taking over his cheeks.
"O-of course!" I say quickly, "Which ones would you like Hana-chan?"
Hana-chan picks the sweets she wants, looking at Isho-kun the whole time. Her face is pretty red too. Isho-kun hands her the packaged sweets and for a second, their hands brush. "Good luck," Hana-chan says quietly, before withdrawing, quickly disappearing back into the crowd.
Isho-kun stands there for a moment, a small smile emerging on his face. "Hey Isho-kun, shouldn't we be going to Salon de Marie?" I ask finally.
He makes a surprised noise, like he forgot I was there, "Ah. O-of course Lynne-chan," He replies sheepishly, rubbing his cheeks with the back of his hand, "Let's go."
XxXxX
Once we're in the kitchen, Isho-kun and I get to work quickly on the cheesecakes. He's got me working on the actual cakes while he starts on decorations. "Hey Lynne-chan?" Isho-kun says finally. We're working side by side, though silence hangs in the air.
"Yeah?"
"Are you really okay?"
I was expecting a question like that, though not so bluntly. Nevertheless, I don't really know how to answer. "I-I don't know," I reply finally. Shifting a little, I lay a bowl down on the counter, I reach to grab something else. I need something to do while talking. I'm getting nervous about the subject. My hands are trembling as I fumble around.
"I've been worried about you," Isho-kun continues, "You're my friend you know? I want to make sure everything is okay. Is anything bothering you?"
Silence on my part. What can I say? "Sort of," I say finally. Grabbing a spatula from a drawer, I begin to fold more cream cheese mixture together, "It's... It's hard to explain."
Isho-kun nods, pausing to think. "You could always try to explain. I know I'm not your go to person to talk to, but I'm always willing to listen."
Isho-kun really is a good friend. How could I possibly tell him what I feel without admitting that I kind of, maybe, feel something for his roommate of all people? Since when did friendships suddenly turn into something complicated and weird? I don't understand, and I don't like it.
Tears burn in my eyes, and I blink quickly to keep them at bay. "H-have you ever felt something that you don't understand?" I ask finally.
Isho-kun continues working on his work, taking care not to look at me. I'm glad he isn't. If he was, I'd be full out crying by now. "... Maybe. What do you mean?"
"Have you ever seen someone, and your heart just starts thundering in your chest?" I ask quietly, "Your stomach is suddenly full of butterflies, you feel sick? It's like every time you see them, a bomb goes off in your head and you can't think, your face feels warm and you get this weird cloudy feeling. I don't like how it feels, and I don't know what to do about it."
Trembling, I stop working. Tears start crawling down my face, landing on my clenched fists atop the counter. "I don't know what to do with my feelings," I murmur, trying to take a deep breath, "I-it's so hard!"
I feel Isho-kun's arms wrap around me in a hug, and look up to see his face. He has an empathetic look on his face, "Lynne-chan, there's no need to cry."
Sniffling, I begin to wipe my eyes with the back of my hands, "I-I've been doing it a lot lately."
Patting my head, Isho-kun gives me a tissue to wipe my face with, "I know exactly how you feel. Feelings are stressful, aren't they?"
"Yeah," I mumble, turning back to the sweets in the making on the counter. I pick up the spatula and begin working again, "I'm sorry to have an outburst like that, Isho-kun."
"It's quite alright Lynne-chan," Isho-kun says, "Can I let you in on a secret?"
"Sure?"
"You promise you won't tell?"
"Of course I won't."
"Those feelings that you feel about that one person?" Isho-kun whispers, "I have those feelings too. They've been in my mind for a long time now, and I know what exactly you're feeling, Lynne-chan."
"What would that be?" I ask.
He gives me a friendly smile, his green eyes warm, "Love."
My eyes widen a little, and I take an uncalled for step back, "Love?"
"Well, not love yet," Isho-kun says, "But the beginning of it." He looks at his hand, and then back at me, "You know how I know?"
"... How?"
"I have those feelings for Hana-chan," He says quietly. His eyes show joy, endearment, though there's a hint of regret hidden in there. "Don't tell her I said that though."
"You like Hana-chan?" I repeat; awestruck. Doesn't Hana-chan feel the same way about him? Can he tell? Does he know?
Isho-kun nods, "But... I'm not ready to tell her that. With how I am now, I wouldn't be able to make her completely happy. I'm not ready to treasure her the way she deserves, so I haven't said anything to her about it. Maybe that's what the person you're thinking about feels. It's all a matter of time before things work out, you know? For now, you shouldn't worry about how he feels, or how you feel, being friends is good enough, isn't it? Don't let feelings like those get in the way of making memories with the friends you have in the here and now, okay?"
"Isho-kun..."
He smiles at me, ruffling my hair, "Don't go crying again Lynne-chan!" He says jokingly, "Come on, let's get these cakes finished so we can get them back to Komanda and Himoto before they run out."
"Y-yeah, of course!"
By the time we're finished with the cheesecakes, there's only about an hour and a bit left in the match. Luckily enough for us, the cheesecakes have been selling like crazy. Isho-kun gives me one last smile before continuing his post at the cash register with Komanda. I start filling our stocks with the new cheesecakes.
XxXxX
Talking to Isho-kun has led me to realize a lot of things. Everything has really just begun. This is only the first real grand prix match. There's still a long way to go until we can go to Paris, if we can even make it there. I've only known my team for a few months, there's no way I could know what real, true feelings I have right now. Just like Isho-kun says he's not ready, I don't think I'm ready for anything either. If I were to make something out of the feelings I have, would anything turn out well? I don't want anything to affect the relationships I have with the sweet princes, right now, being their friends is all I could ask for.
The time is now to make memories, and I think I know what's best to do. I'm a fourteen year old girl. Dad always went on about how when you're young, your interests change quickly. The things you think you love can change in a matter of minutes, and you're not really mature enough to deal with some sorts of things.
I think the feeling of love for someone other than family is something I'm not ready to deal with. Maybe someday in the future I can go back and figure out what I feel, and what is best, but for now, it's better to leave it alone and let this roller coaster adventure take its' course. For now, I'm going to have to put those feelings emerging inside me for a certain blond tucked away in my heart.
That's fine with me, really. Like Isho-kun said, now is the time to make memories with my friends. I have the grand prix to worry about, the sweet spirits recording all the sweets we make for their own marks, the sweet princes, Hana-chan, my family, they're all waiting to have an adventure with me. I couldn't add another thing to make life any more complicated.
"Kashino, are you just going to sit around and stare into space?" Himoto barks from the front, pulling an angry face, "Team leader, get off your butt, and do some work."
Standing up, and feeling re-energized, I smile brightly, "YES HIMOTO!" I say rather loudly, "I was feeling a little bit down, but I'm totally ready to do this now. Team Lynne, listen up!" Isho-kun and Komanda-kun turn around as well, "We're going to win this thing and go to Paris, are we not?"
They all nod in agreement, "We sure as hell are!" Himoto yells back determinedly.
"Alright then," Stepping out from behind the counter, I begin to call out, "Cheesecakes, super delicious and extra amazing! Who would like to taste Team Lynne's dream coloured sweets?"
From behind the counter, Himoto smiles at me, "Hey Kashino..."
"What?"
"I'm glad you're feeling better."
Looking at him, the crazy nerves are gone. I feel flutters in my heart, but they just make me feel lighter, and smile brighter, "I'm glad I am too."
XxXxX
"And teams, time's up!" Aunt Lemon says, with another blow of her whistle. "Excellent work! We had an amazing turn out today. Though, I'm saddened to say that even though you all did exceptionally, we can only allow the top 4 teams to advance into the semi-finals. I would like to ask the team leaders to bring forth their sales evidence and money earned, and we will determine which teams have sold the most."
Komanda-kun hands me the money box and receipts and along with the rest of the team leaders, march up in a line to Aunt Lemon where they begin to count all our earnings. As time goes by and we go through more grand prix events, I'm getting better at standing amongst the older kids, but I'm never going to look any more intimidating. They all tower over me, except for maybe Maya.
In fact, there are only 3 middle school teams that have made it this far; my team, Maya's team, and a third year team. The fact that two of the teams are only made up of first years is apparently unheard of. From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the second year middle school team leader, Kachiso-senpai.
Despite being older than us, they were just a few points away from us when it came to reputation points. I've heard Kachiso-senpai also comes from a well known family. Definitely, nothing as huge as my Mom and Dad, it's honestly ridiculous how famous they are, but the Kachiso family has their own legacy of sweets. They are the forefront of French sweets, and Kachiso-senpai is a transfer student from the Paris branch. If we ever get paired up for a match, I can see it being a difficult match to win.
But first comes today, judging whether or not we get to advance at all. After handing in the money box and receipts, I retreat back to the sweet princes, where everyone sits around anxiously to know the results. "That's a pretty tense face you've got there," Himoto jokes to me. Of course, he isn't laughing so much when I backhand his arm.
"Alright teams, the results are all accounted for. There are some surprising things to share, others not so surprising. So here we go, 4th place earners, making a total of 75 sales and $110 dollars, Team Lynne!" There is a small round of applause. The four of us sit in somewhat stunned silence.
"Fourth?" Himoto whispers.
"We... We almost didn't make it," Komanda-kun adds.
Suddenly the air around is feels heavy, "B-but, we did so well!" I try to be optimistic, "And we're in, there's no need to stress about it now."
Isho-kun agrees, though there's some stress in his expression as well, "Lynne-chan's right."
"3rd place earners, Team Kuroa, making a total of 85 sales and $127.50."
"2nd place earners, Team Kachiso, making a total of 89 sales and $133.50."
There's a silence, everyone straining to hear who the last team that made it into the semi-final will be. "And finally," Aunt Lemon announces loudly, for us all to hear, "In 1st place, making a total of 135 sales and $202.50, Team Takashima."
"135 sales?" Himoto blurts out, as soon as the murmuring in the room picks up.
"They're on a totally different level," Komanda-kun replies quietly.
"This is what the real grand prix is, isn't it?" Isho-kun agrees.
"And it's only getting harder," Himoto says.
"Come on guys, stop being so pessimistic, cheer up! We're in to the semi-finals, so what if our skill levels are far apart, that just makes me want to work even harder!"
"That's the perfect way to look at it!"
All four of us turn around, there is Kashiso-senpai, a smile on his face. He's a year older than us, and it's really obvious. He towers at least an inch taller than Himoto, who is the tallest of all of us. He has dirty blond hair, similar to mine, with crystal blue eyes. "I'm surprised a first year team made it all this way, and judging by your attitude, I can definitely see why!" Kashiso-senpai says, looking straight at me.
All of a sudden, Himoto is in front of me, an arm out to hold me behind him. "What do you want?" He asks, his body tense.
"Woah, no need to get offensive," Kachiso-senpai says, holding his hands out in surrender, "I really just wanted to congratulate you! You've come a very long way when you're so young. I didn't get anywhere this far last year!"
Himoto eyes Kachiso-senpai very suspiciously. Though, finally, he drops his tense guarding. I can tell he's not very happy though, "... Whatever."
Kachiso-senpai extends his hand out to me, "Kashino Lynne, you're just as amazing as I thought you would be. I've heard a lot about you, and your parents growing up."
Shyly, I take his hand and shake it, "T-thank you Kachiso-senpai, I've heard a lot about you too."
"Really? That's embarrassing," Kachiso-senpai says, "And please, don't call me senpai, that's weird."
"Ah... Sorry, Kachiso...-kun?"
He smiles, ruffling my hair in a way similar to that of the sweet princes, "Let's meet again, 'kay?"
"Sure!" I say nervously. I can feel Himoto radiating some sort of anger from behind me, "Definitely!"
When Kachiso-kun leaves, Himoto yells, "Kashino, you can't be so nice! He's a rival, you can't let your guard down, for even a second!"
"Sorry, sorry..." I apologize, "But, he was just trying to be nice! Besides, we're going to face him sooner or later, better to be friends than enemies."
"Kashino-chan is right," Komanda-kun says, "And he seemed to have good intentions."
"Well I don't like him," Himoto replies crossly.
And to that, Isho-kun just laughs, "I think I know why."
"And those are the teams competing for the semi-final. Good luck teams! Pair ups will be decided in the coming weeks, so keep your ears open!" Aunt Lemon advises.
"Come on guys," I tell the sweet princes, "Let's get out of here and get to practise."
"Right after a match?" Himoto asks.
I smile, "Come on, you're the one saying I'm always lazy. Let's get to it Himoto!"
"Whatever you say, Kashino."
With a smile on my face, the four of us walk back into the cold January air. It may be cold, but deep inside my heart, it's definitely not.
Me: Meh. I kinda rushed the ending. But whatever. I hope you all enjoyed! I know it's been a while, and I've missed hearing from all of you lovelies. Please leave a review and tell me what you think, say hi, or whatever else suits you. And thank you to the previous chapter reviewers as well!
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Did I mention you're all so super amazing? Look at all of you, giving me advice and responses. I couldn't ask for more. I love you all! Here's a thank you from me to you! Arigatou!~ Mwah~
xoxo
~Mikashi-chan :)
