Kotoko Strikes Back!
Chapter 6 – Baking Battle!
"Kotoko, please don't go." Naoki pleaded as he pulled Kotoko into his arms.
"But, I have to prove to you I can forget you." Kotoko said in such a firm manner that it kind of surprised her.
"Forget about that kiss. Let me show you how passionate a kiss can be." Naoki assured and brought his face closer to Kotoko.
"Irie-kun…" Kotoko closed her eyes, waiting to receive the passionate kiss, which Naoki had promised.
"Baka!"
"Huh?" Kotoko opened her eyes and saw Yuki's face instead of Naoki's.
"Yuki-kun? Why are you doing in my dream?" Kotoko asked, still in a dazed state.
"Dream?" Yuki wanted to tear Kotoko into pieces if he was able to do so. In the meantime, he would have to stick to his old method. That is by painting a distorted Kotoko on a piece of paper and then shedding it into pieces.
"It's already 10 a.m. and you are still in your bed? Mama asked you if you are ready for your BATTLE? Your ENEMY would arrive in about an hour's time." Due to Mama's earlier persistence pleading, Yuki had to repeat every word that Mama has told him.
"Battle? Enemy?" Kotoko was starting to get confused again and Yuki could sense it from her expression.
"Haiz~~" Yuki sighed.
"Cake? Reiko? Do these ring a bell?" Yuki hinted.
"KAAA!! I almost forgot! I need to bake a cake today!" Kotoko jumped out of the bed.
"She's definitely awake now." Yuki shook his head before walking away.
*******
It's already 10 a.m. and that baka is still not awake? Naoki thought as he was scanning through the content of the newspaper. Suddenly, series of loud footsteps were heard from the stairway.
Oh, she's finally awake. Naoki thought with a smile.
********
"Ohayou!" Kotoko greeted out loud as she dashed into the kitchen.
"Are you ready for the BATTLE?" Machiko asked excitedly.
"Hai!" Kotoko replied.
"Then, let's start! Ganbatte!"
For the next one hour, all Naoki heard was lots of screaming and shouting coming out from the kitchen.
********
"Ding~ dong ~"
"Kotoko." Michiko hissed when she heard the doorbell ringing.
"Eekkkk! It's burnt again!" Kotoko was still busy with the melting of chocolate, looked like it was another failed attempt.
"Kotoko!" Michiko leaned closer to Kotoko.
"Hai!"
"ENEMY is here." Michiko informed.
"Reiko-chan is here? *ICK…my chocolate." Another failed attempt.
"You remain here until the chocolate is done, don't worry, I've got tons of chocolate right here. See!" Michiko opened the cupboard and inside the cupboard Kotoko could see boxes and boxes of chocolate stacked neatly.
"Obachan!" Kotoko was really touched by Michiko's kindness.
"I am sure your cake would be the best today! Now you continue trying while I make sure that girl won't get too close to Naoki. Ganbatte!"
"Hai! Eekkkk!!! It's burnt!" Yep, yet another failed attempt.
********
"Konnichiwa!" Reiko greeted after Naoki opened the door.
"Konnichiwa." Naoki greeted back.
"Well, you didn't tell me what flavour you like so I made two. Strawberry and chocolate!" Reiko brought up two boxes of cakes and passed them to Naoki.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Everyone excluding Michiko exclaimed when Reiko opened the cover of the two boxes.
"You are really good in baking. I am sure it would taste good." Papa praised.
Machiko went in between Reiko and Naoki and took a seat, separately the two people.
"Are you sure you made these by yourself? I thought I have seen similar design in some cake shop." Machiko asked coldly.
"Mama! Don't be so rude…" Papa intervened but stopped short when he received the murderous glare from Machiko. Short moments of silent followed.
"Well, why not we try it first." Sai suggested, breaking the awkward silent.
"Good idea!" Papa quickly seconded the idea.
*********
"Eekkkk!! I have forgotten about the time again!" Kotoko quickly turned off the stoves. Without any choice left, she sadly threw away the burnt chocolate before taking the 6th box of chocolate from the cupboard.
********
What took that baka so long? Naoki thought as he started eating the second piece of cake that Reiko had offered him.
"Eh…where's Kotoko-chan?" Reiko asked.
"Oh! Kotoko is baking a cake ESPECIALLY for our Naoki." Machiko informed.
"Oh, I see." Reiko replied while looking at Naoki, but Naoki kept his concentration on the cake in this plate.
I better go and see how Kotoko is doing. Machiko reminded herself when Kotoko had been in the kitchen for such a long time. "Yuki! Come over here." Machiko called out.
"What?" Yuki reluctantly got off from his seat.
"Sit here while I am gone." Machiko instructed.
"No, it's not comfortable to sit in the between." Yuki protested.
"I said SIT HERE!" Machiko commanded.
Mama used to be so gentle in the past. Baka Kotoko! Yuki reluctantly took the seat between Naoki and Reiko after Machiko left for the kitchen.
*******
"Urghh!" Kotoko sat on the ground, fully exhausted and feeling very helpless as she stared at the burnt pot. Then, her gastric started to protest and she realised she was hungry because she hasn't had her breakfast.
I can never do it! Irie-kun is right. I am really a baka! Kotoko thought sadly.
"Kotoko!" Machiko rushed towards Kotoko.
"Obachan…I don't think I can fight the battle."
"Why?" Machiko asked, feeling sorry for Kotoko.
"See." Kotoko pointed at the cupboard, it's already empty.
"I've burnt all the chocolate!" Kotoko wanted to cry out.
"Don't worry, we don't need any chocolate when we have so much Kotoko's love." Machiko comforted. "We will bake a cake using only KOTOKO'S LOVE FOR NAOKI!" Machiko continued.
"Obachan…" A glisten of hope shone into Kotoko's hearts.
One hour later…
"Done!" Kotoko retrieved out a freshly baked cake from the oven.
"Ehhhhh…" Machiko didn't have the heart to tell Kotoko that it was the ugliest cake she had ever seen.
"It's a cake with Kotoko's love for Naoki! Hooray!" Kotoko shouted out happily.
"Well, yes. Let's bring it out!" Machiko suggested.
"Hai!" Happily, Kotoko placed the cake on a plate and brought it out to the living room.
******
"What?" Everyone couldn't believe that the thing they had seen on the tray was actually called a cake.
"Irie-kun! Have a piece." Kotoko quickly cut out one piece of the cake and passed it to Naoki.
"No thanks, I am full." Naoki rejected and got up from his seat.
"Naoki! You should at least taste it!" Machiko protested.
"I don't want to end up with a bad stomach." Naoki replied.
"Reiko, didn't you said you want to borrow some CD from me? Let's go up." Naoki continued before walking away.
"Hai!" Reiko got up from her seat and follows behind Naoki, not forgetting to give Kotoko a look of victory.
"Irie-kun…" Kotoko was totally depressed by Naoki's reaction.
"Don't worry, Kotoko, we will eat it." Machiko said.
"Huh?" The rest of the members (including Sai) started staring at Machiko with disbelief.
"It's okay. I know this thing is not edible. I am tired, I need to go back to my room." Kotoko said sadly.
******
Kotoko was standing outside Naoki's room listening to the laughter coming out from the room. Maybe they belong to each other. Maybe I should go. Kotoko thought to herself.
"Irie-kun, I love you." Kotoko whispered softly before going into her room. Naoki stopped laughing.
"What happen?" Reiko asked.
"Nothing." Naoki replied.
Baka! I love you too. Naoki thought.
To be continued…