A 'couple of days later' like her parents said, Henri Lucas was there to pick her up like promised. Ichigo didn't have that many clothes, so her stuff went in one suitcase easily. Then some other important things she had, like pictures, keepsakes, bedding (pillows were to be provided in dorm), snacks, toiletries and essentials that she had lying around she packed.
Placing them in the trunk of the car, she was about to sit in the backseat, when Henri said, "Oh no, you can sit next to me in the front."
Ichigo was slightly nervous but nonetheless complied with what he said. After she sat down and put on the seatbelt, Henri started the car.
The car ride started painfully awkward. Not that she was on bad terms with him, but he's a stranger! She only met him once, heard about him from her grandmother a couple of times and heard that he's a world class patissier. No big deal, just sitting next to a total professional. All good.
"So, I have a question for you," Henri stated, not breaking eye contact with the road.
"Yes, sir?" Ichigo asked.
"What were you and your sister talking about?" Henri asked.
"W-What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"She seemed panicked for some reason so I could hear her practically yelling through the phone, so I was curious," Henri said, not telling her the obvious that he knows what she said.
"Um, well, my sister had a piano recital and after the recital, she got swamped with so much attention from everyone, especially my parents. I felt kind of… left out so I just snuck out the hall and wandered around, which is how I found the sweets festival," Ichigo admitted, "She was calling me because if I didn't hurry back to the car, my parents would leave me behind."
Henri's eyes widened and he had an urge to steal a glance at Ichigo but didn't want to crash into a car. But nevertheless, he asked, "Why would they?"
"I'm not their favorite," was all Ichigo replied with.
"And why do they not favor you?" Henri asked.
"Because I don't have any musical nor artistic talent," Ichigo answered, "My mom's a musician and my dad's a painter. But Natsume can do both so they love her more than they love me, if they do at all."
"I'm sure they love you," Henri insisted.
"Did you see their faces? They were so happy to see me leaving," Ichigo sighed, "They don't want to see my face back ever again. I know."
Like she had suspected, rest of the car ride was painfully silent, and she wished right then and there that her parents dropped her off. Because nothing is better than possibly making the wrong impression on a complete stranger who is a celebrity among the world for making sweets. NO BIG DEAL.
"You know, grandma used to talk about you," Ichigo said, looking out the window, a habit she developed when on silent car rides with her family.
"She did?" Henri asked, curiously.
"Mhm," Ichigo nodded, "She talked about your grandfather too. Said he was her mentor. And that the last she heard from him was a picture of you and him. So, she told me he had a grandson."
"Anything else?" Henri asked.
"She said that your grandfather was a very tough teacher," Ichigo laughed, "But she attributed all of her success to him. She's grateful and only had positive things to say about him, his skill and technique."
"I never told you this… but she was his favorite pupil," Henri said, "The smartest one of them all. He compared her to a sponge; she always seemed to soak up what he taught her."
"I see," Ichigo nodded, and understood his statement; her grandmother was so skilled and talented, it wouldn't be a surprise if she was a teacher's favorite.
They didn't talk after that, but at least Ichigo was content to know that the silence wasn't tense or awkward. At least she didn't feel like she made it an uncomfortable one. Soon the car drew up to the entrance of a very grand school.
Ichigo undid her seatbelt and was about to open the car door for herself, like she always does, when it suddenly opened. Henri opened the door for her, like all those princes in storybooks her sister fawned over when they were little.
"Thank you," Ichigo nervously smiled and saw that her luggage was out, "I could've gotten them myself though."
"It's okay, I did it anyways," Henri smiled and grabbed them before Ichigo could.
Natsume would smugly grin at her and say how chivalry is not dead after all, in this society filled with hormone crazed adults. She isn't as innocent as I thought she was, but then again, neither am I, Ichigo thought to herself as they walked past the gates.
People were whispering to themselves when they saw Ichigo standing next to Henri Lucas, the grandfather of the founder of St. Marie's. They thought one thing: Ichigo was some kind of leech.
She looked down at the sidewalk as he led her inside the school. When they went to his office, he had her sit down in the chairs from across his desk and Henri made some phone calls and did paperwork Ichigo had no idea about. Suddenly he swiveled around to see her. He passed a key to her.
"This is your dorm key. On the envelope, it says the room number," Henri explained, "Your roommate will be here shortly to help you to your dorm. She is excited to have a roommate, so I think the two of you will get along well."
"Thank you so much," Ichigo said as she pocketed the key.
"Don't mention it," Henri smiled and said, "Also your uniform will be on your bed when you get there. There will be a summer and winter uniform. You wear the summer uniform in spring and winter during fall semester. Also… your parents said you prefer longer skirts so I ordered the long knee length skirts as opposed to the short ones."
"Thank you," Ichigo nodded and was thankful that her parents remembered at least one detail about her, if any.
A couple of minutes later, someone knocked at the door and in entered a girl also Ichigo's age. She had straight ginger hair that went to her waist, warm ember eyes and a beautiful smile. Ichigo could only guess she was popular. Someone with such a sunny personality and good looks must be well-known and have many friends.
The girl waved at Ichigo and said, "Amano-chan! I'm your roommate, Katou Rumi. I can take a bag, and you take the other."
Ichigo nodded and took the heavier of the bags, already feeling bad that she didn't carry her own on her way here. The two girls waved goodbye to Henri and walked out the door. Henri smiled but then his smile dropped once they shut the door behind them, obviously racing down the hall.
Ichigo looks so similar in appearance to Michiko, Henri mused, pulling out a photo of his grandfather and Michiko (who was about 14 years old). Possibly Ichigo could find the power within herself to surpass her grandmother rather than following her footsteps and shadow. He also mulled over how his grandfather loved Michiko but Michiko was too dense to return his feelings.
Ichigo only told me that her grandmother saw my grandfather as the best teacher she had, never mentioned any other feelings, Henri thought bitterly, what if I make the same mistakes my grandfather made by falling in love with Ichigo?
He didn't know he already was making a mistake, as this was the tip of the iceberg of falling in love.
-x-
"Home sweet home! I guess… for like 9 months?" Rumi laughed awkwardly to herself, "Not counting the breaks, I guess!"
The dorm was the size of Ichigo's tiny room at home, and Ichigo knew instantly that half was Rumi's space so she would have to accommodate with less space. Rumi sensed her roommate's uncertainty and placed a hand on her shoulder, gaining Ichigo's attention.
"I know it's not much space. But when you adjust, you'll realize that you can really make do with anything, even a tiny cubicle of space! Welcome to student life! Or at least living in a boarding school," Rumi smiled, "C'mon let's unpack your stuff."
The girls had completely unpacked Ichigo's things, and in no time, Ichigo's half of the room was a cozy nook like her room was at home. Rumi gave her a quick tour of the dormitory, showing her the dining hall and the laundromat, as well as the big bins to empty out their trash and recycling bins.
"That concludes my tour. I guess you're tired," Rumi smiled, as the two were sitting on their beds.
"I think so," Ichigo smiled, "I'm just happy to be away from home."
"Most students are homesick, is something wrong?" Rumi asked, frowning.
"I'm not on good terms with my parents. They're bitter because I don't want to be what they want me to be. I guess they hate me more for taking up Henri-sensei's offer," Ichigo said.
"So, rumors went around that he recruited you, is that true?" Rumi asked, eyes shining.
"Yes, it is," Ichigo nodded, "Why, is that a prestige?"
"Of course it is! You have to be some kind of wizard to sway him!" Rumi laughed, "All of us had to apply to be here, and only a handful get accepted. To be recruited by him is a dream only accomplished by you and two others."
"Who else did he recruit?" Ichigo asked, feeling a twinge of jealousy.
"Oh, his first one was Francois Adjani, and his second one was Mari Tennouji," Rumi sighed, "They're insanely talented and I think since he informed of your recruitment, they possibly view you as a rival."
"Oh god how can they know? I just got here!" Ichigo exclaimed.
"Yeah but he recruited you before you came here, right?" Rumi asked.
"A couple of days…" Ichigo's face paled.
"Enough time for word to spread around. But don't worry, you're now my friend and I won't let anyone bring you down," Rumi said, "How about I take you on a tour of the campus?"
"Okay, that seems like a good idea," Ichigo nodded.
Rumi had shown Ichigo the buildings of the Japan branch of St. Marie's Academy. When they were in the last one and walking down a hall, the two girls heard shouting. Upon inspection Ichigo could identify that these two voices were male and around their age as well.
"DOES IT HURT FOR YOU TO WASH UP AFTER YOURSELF?!" Someone yelled.
"Geez you can't handle a couple of petals? What a ninny," another voice hissed.
"Guys let's not get into another argument! S-Shake hands!" A third voice panicked.
"Ahh… that would be the sweet princes," Rumi whispered with an all-knowing smile.
"Princes?" Ichigo asked, almost laughing at the nickname.
"Yep. The blonde is Kashino Makoto, the coldest in the group. Hanabusa Satsuki is the second one, and he's a flirt, almost a narcissist. The third one is Andou Sennosuke, and he's basically the middle man of the three, always has to break up the fights within the group," Rumi explained, "However their group is not complete without one more member. And it is every girl's dream to be in their group."
"Do you wish to be a part of it?" Ichigo asked.
"Hmm? No," Rumi shrugged, "I seem like I am the only girl, possibly besides you, who doesn't pine over them because I have a boyfriend."
"Oh. Does he go here?" Ichigo asked.
"No, sadly not. We have a long-distance relationship. People call it stupid because they think it won't work out," Rumi said sadly.
"Well do you love him?" Ichigo asked after a pause.
"Yes," Rumi answered, puzzled.
"And does he feel the same way?" Ichigo asked.
"Why of course!" Rumi said, shocked.
"Then you shouldn't worry, really. As long as you're both in love and loyal, then the relationship can stand any hurdle or distance," Ichigo smiled, "I think you both are meant for each other."
Rumi looked shocked as she expected Ichigo to just judge her like other girls here, but then smiled, knowing she's different and said, "Thanks, Ichigo."
"So… when's school going to start?" Ichigo asked.
"In a week. Maybe we can go shopping for school supplies and maybe do something about your look," Rumi stroked her chin in deep thought, taking into account Ichigo's ridiculous pigtails with that irritating curl at the end.
"W-What's wrong with my hair?" Ichigo asked, self-conscious all of a sudden; she reached a hair to play with the end of one pig tail.
"Why do you have your hair up like that?" Rumi asked, pointing to Ichigo's hairstyle.
"I did it so that Natsume could look better than me," Ichigo admitted.
"So… some sort of rivalry between siblings?" Rumi asked.
"No, I was never at her level anyways," Ichigo said sadly, "She was the favorite and I was the… well… did I even exist in their eye? Not really, unless Natsume reminded them that I was there in the room."
"Oh," Rumi said, sadly; truth be told she felt kind of bad for Ichigo. Sometimes she felt like her parents were a little bit overbearing but at least they loved her and never neglected her like Ichigo's parents did.
"Well… maybe for the holidays, you can spend it with me!" Rumi said cheerfully, after some thinking, "That is… if your parents are okay with it."
"I might have to tell Natsume, because I do care about her a lot, but other than that, I will take your offer!" Ichigo smiled, happy that she won't have to spend the holidays all by herself in the dorm.
-x-
Over the span of the week remaining before classes, Rumi had convinced Ichigo to let her hair down and suddenly feel free. Ichigo felt convinced that now she was here, she didn't have to run the risk of being a disappointment to her family anymore. She can be herself for once.
It was first day of classes and right before she left, she looked at the picture of her and Natsume. She remembered her promise to Natsume to fulfil her dreams. She can't let her sister and grandmother down.
No, not anymore, her mind thought sarcastically.
Slinging her bookbag around her shoulder, Ichigo quietly walked out of the dorm herself, as Rumi had to leave earlier. Apparently, Rumi has a large friend circle and she was meeting up with her other friends for a breakfast together. And lonely Ichigo slept through breakfast. Luckily she managed to pack herself a muffin to eat between classes.
As she walked to classes, Ichigo heard a shrill voice… someone Rumi didn't tell her about.
"There you are… MA-KO-TO KUNNNNNNNNN~!" A girl's voice cackled.
Ichigo cringed but she saw a red-headed girl run up to Kashino, offering him a chocolate sculpture. It was creepy, it had her face carved into it. But Ichigo could see clearly that this girl genuinely loved this boy, and the thought made her smile warmly… until he smashed her offering into the ground, completely ruining it.
This redheaded girl stood in shock and crumpled to the ground, crying, "I worked all night to make it for you, my dear!"
"Well maybe this can teach you to quit trying," Kashino yelled rudely and stomped off, the other two sweets princes hurrying after him, not really saying anything.
Others were whispering, some were pointing to her and laughing, calling her all stupid names and jokes, making the girl bow her head in embarrassment. Ichigo checked her watch and saw she has twenty minutes until class starts, and she's standing right outside her first period, so she could help this girl.
"My that was pretty harsh on his part," Ichigo said gently, kneeling besides the girl and gesturing to the sculpture.
"H-Huh?" The girl asked, shocked to see that this girl wasn't making fun of her.
"I saw the whole thing. Sure, you came on strong, but I could see past that, I could see a girl genuinely in love," Ichigo smiled.
"Yeah… and I bet you think it's stupid," the girl muttered, embarrassed.
"Why would I?" Ichigo asked.
"I was so stupid to think he might like me, or maybe accept what I made for him," the girl sniffled.
"No, I disagree. There's nothing wrong with being in love. He's quite harsh and cold, causing most girls to shrink away from him and choose another guy who has good looks as well as a charming personality, like Hanabusa-kun. But you didn't waver, and you keep approaching him. That's admirable," Ichigo praised, "I wish I can love someone as much as you love him, really. Be proud of it."
The girl's eyes widened as she said, "T-Thank you. When you look at it that way, it makes me feel better."
"Of course, because it's the right way to look at things, with positivity. You know, I think maybe there is a way for him to reciprocate your feelings but maybe you might want to try a slightly different approach," Ichigo suggested.
The girl nodded and said, "That's true. I would love to talk to you but classes are starting. But let's eat lunch together. My name is Koshiro Miya."
Ichigo smiled and said, "Amano Ichigo. The new girl."
"Oh, I heard you're the recruit Henri-sensei recommended," Miya smiled.
"Yeah, but I'm worried I will mess up," Ichigo laughed uncomfortably.
Miya laughed and said, "Hey, even if you do, don't worry. What the students won't tell you is that everyone had messed up several times before we got the hang of making sweets with precision. It will come to you. If others laugh at you, I won't be joining them."
Ichigo smiled and said, "Thanks. Hey, let's clean up this mess, though. I don't want you to be late as well."
As the two girls cleaned up the mess and exchanged phone numbers, promising to meet each other during lunch, Kashino watched Ichigo from the classroom's window, muttering "So she's sensei's third recruit… hmph."
TBC…