IS 39.3

As the student council was making there way off the island, Ichika asked "So can I ask why we're going to watch the practical exams ."

Tatenashi explains "It's the student council duty to view the strength of our first years. Plus there's a special prize for the one with the highest score."

Slightly scared , Ichika asked "Please tell me that this doesn't involve a date with me like all your other prizes are."

Utsuho smirks and said "Don't worry it's nothing like that. It's something a lot cooler."

Honne says "The person with the highest score becomes the freshmen representative."

Ichika asked "Wait so is that how you became the freshmen rep, Kanazashi."

Kanazashi answers "Yeah my scores were good enough to become the cadet for Japan."

As the council made their way to where the practical exams , gossip from several applicants about Ichika.

Right when they got good seats to watch the fights Kanazashi said "It seems that there's not as many people this time around."

Utsuho explained "With news of male students, their were a lot more applicants. So the standards were slightly raised."

From the corner of his eye, Ichika saw Ran gearing up for her test and thought "Guess Ran managed to pass the written test."

Tatenashi looks at the same direction as Ichika and says "Hey Utsuho isn't that girl your future sister in law."

Utsuho blushes and said "Come on we're just dating Kanazashi, it's too early to think of marriage."

Suddenly the match started as Ran took the initiative and landed the first strike.

The instructor was surprised at the attack and attempted to retaliate but due to being off balanced , Ran managed to get more and more attacks in.

Impressed Tatenashi said "She's doing well, Utsuho do you remember what her score was for the written test."

After pulling the scores up on her phone , Utsuho answers "Out of the normal applications she's ranked 8th. Usually those in the top ten are guaranteed a spot in the school."

The match went on as the two exchanged attacks until Ran landed the finishing blow with a tenth of her Shield energy left.

Honne smiled and said "Based on that performance, she might be the freshmen representative."

Meanwhile back at the academy As Charlotte finished making a dish in the school's cooking club. She saw Alice and Djbril standing outside the room.

She invites the two inside the club room and asked "So can I ask what the two of you wish to ask me."

Djbril explains "You see the princess wishes to learn how to become better at baking. Since you're apart of the cooking club , I ask for your assistance."

Charlotte says "Okay so is there anything in specific that you want to make."

After giving it some thought, Alice says "Maybe we can make a cake or something?"

Charlotte says "Alright, if I remember we have the ingredients to make a strawberry shortcake."

The two begin to get to work as the each managed to make a cake of their own.

Charlotte smirks and says "Okay it looks good, now let's have a taste."

As she took a fork and take a bite of Alice's cake, Charlotte was surprised at the weird flavors. The sugar was mistaken for salt and it tasted slightly charred .

Alice asked "So how is it, it must taste amazing right?"

Before she could answer , Charlotte saw Djbril mouthing the word "lie" to the French girl.

Charlotte says "Well there's always room for improvement, besides there are people who's cooking I consider weapons rather than food. So you're not too bad."

The three look at the amount of cake they had as Djbril says "I feel we made a bit too much just for the three of us."

Charlotte sighed "And just my luck that my taste tester isn't here."

Alice says "Then why don't you just call them to help us out. She should be on the island."

Charlotte explains "That's the thing, Wyatt's usually the one I test these recipes with."

She thought back to a week before the school festival on an afternoon such as this one.

Flashback starts-

A bored and slightly hungry Wyatt attempted to grab a strawberry or two from a bowl within reach. But before he could lay a finger on one of them, Charlotte smacked his hand away with a wooden spoon.

Charlotte states "What did I tell you about eating the ingredients?"

Wyatt sighed and answers "Not to eat them while cooking."

Charlotte says "And what were you about to do before I stopped you?"

Wyatt grins and says "Eat a couple of strawberries?"

Charlotte groans and says "Look it's not that I don't appreciate you coming by but don't you have anything better to do than to watch me cook."

Wyatt says "Not really, the prez is drilling IS lessons into Ichika and Dr. Maxwell had an emergency trip. That leaves you as the only choice."

Charlotte says "Come on there's should be other people you can hang out with."

Wyatt says "Well me and Laura's friendship is doing okay. But Houki is an acquaintance at best, while I just end up arguing with Cecilia and Rin whenever we talk."

Charlotte counts the names he listed and asked "So what about Kaitlynn, you two did hangout when you were younger."

Wyatt blushes and says "Look it's a lot more complicated than you think."

Charlotte says "Yes I know , you can't love her because of some sort of self hatred. But explain why even if you believe you shouldn't love her, you will do?"

Wyatt says "Kaitlynn probably told you her side of the story. So I'm willing to give you my point of view."

Before he could say anything else , Charlotte puts her batter in an oven and says "We got time , so tell your story."

Wyatt says "As you know I got into the hospital for getting jumped by older kids. After I tried to escape several times Kaitlynn was put in charge to make sure I didn't. What you don't know is where the marriage contract comes in."

Charlotte says "Yeah that part was always confusing for me. I mean it had your signature and thumb print, so you had to have known about it."

Wyatt says "It doesn't seem like it but I had a lonely childhood. No one around could keep up with me, so I was bullied or ignored. Yet Kaitlynn was just the first friend I had but the first person to beat me in something."

Charlotte asked "What game, I remember Kaitlynn said you two played video games."

Wyatt says "She would always beat this card game called Memory. Like the first day we played she beat me more than 30 times. She then decided to bet that if I would win once she would marry me."

Charlotte says "And since there's a signed contract, I guess you managed to win."

Wyatt says "Yeah it was the last couple of days she was still there and all I did was sign and put my thumb on a piece of paper. Plus I didn't think she would come back."

Charlotte says "Well like she said , she's willing to settle being your girlfriend for now. So get over your issues and ask her out."

Wyatt says "Not so fast, I told you my story. So tell me what got you to fall for Ichika."

Charlotte responds "You were there, I fell for him because he helped keep my secret."

Wyatt says "And yet you didn't fall for me as I did the same, is there a reason for that."

She flicks Wyatt in the forehead and answered "Sorry but your more like an older brother to me, plus even if I did have feelings for you it's clear Kaitlynn would win."

Wyatt smirks and said "I'm touched by that, you're really are a good friend."

Charlotte says "How's about this, I'll put more effort into asking Ichika out and you consider dating Kaitlynn."

As Wyatt secretly reached for the strawberries, he said "That seems like a very tempting de-." He winced in pain as once again Charlotte whipped his hand with a wooden spoon.

Charlotte says "Stop trying stuff your face and focus."

Wyatt groans and says "But I can't focus if I'm hungry, I just want a single strawberry."

Charlotte picks one of them up and hands it's to Wyatt. She smiles and says "Looks like we have a deal then."

⁃End of Flashback.

Alice said "Alright if he's not here then who can we have eat all of these."

To the threes surprise, the student council enters the room as Tatenashi said "Good the cooking club did make something."

Charlotte asked "Wait didn't the student council go to the watch the practical exams?"

Ichika answers "We just got back, most of the matches went by fast especially due to less applicants making it this year."

Honne adds "Plus after a long day, we thought the cooking club was baking something."

A smile formed on Charlotte's face as she said "Well you're just in luck, we have some cakes ready."