Author's Notes: YEAH!! My fifth chapter WOOO!! I'm shaking in my chair...not really but I'm so happy to have gotten this far. Be sure to expect the next chapter soon as well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ojamajo Doremi or its characters, they are the copyright of Toei Animation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clusters of red and yellow leaves rushes by in streaks as the bus wheeled down the barren countryside path. It wasn't a particularly sunny day, mainly because of the abundance of cotton white clouds, but it was a pleasant fall morning none-the-less. Eager students stared out the windows, watching the leaves blow to the ground with every gust of wind.
The scenery broke off into a clearing, where endless rows of corn stalks gently swayed. Following their path, the students eyes were lead to a large wooden building, the farmhouse.
Dust and leaves where kicked up as the bus came to a stop in front of the enormous driveway. Students were practically bouncing up and down in their seats, waiting for the teachers to signal them to get off.
A lady in overalls and a plaid bandanna was waiting by the entrance, one hand in her pocket. Seki-sensei motioned to the bus driver to open the door and she stepped off, seemingly organizing things with the other woman.
Everyone chattered on and some slipped on their jackets, for the air that was coming from the door was chilly. Others sat up patiently, staring expectantly at the front of the bus.
"Settle down everybody, we'll be getting off in just a moment," Nishizawa shouted in her high pitched voice. The tone of noise quieted and only a few whispered to each other across the aisle.
Seki-sensei boarded back on the bus. "When we get off, you will be split into groups for visting different sections of the farm. We will cycle around every half hour and then break for lunch. Afterwards there will be a special event, which was organized by Kagawa-san herself. I want you to be very polite to the workers."
She gave the students a stern look. "If I hear that any one of you has been misbehaving, you will have detention for the rest of the year. Is that clear?"
"Yes," the class answered.
Her tone softened slightly. "Are there any questions?"
Marina raised her hand.
"Yes Koizumi-san?"
The sweet girl clasped the handle of her lunchbox. "What's the special event Seki-sensei?"
The beautiful woman winked. "That's a secret."
She stepped back and gestured for the class to follow. "Come on, everyone off!" The students shuffled around for their lunches and lined up in the aisle, eager to get outside.
Aiko hopped off the bottom step with Hazuki in tow. Doremi, Onpu and Momoko were already up the path a little ways, chatting with Kagawa-san, the lady from before.
Momoko was on the tips of her toes, interested.
"Wow, I've never seen a girl run a whole farm as big as this one."
Kagawa-san looked down at the American.
"Of course! Women can be farmers too ya know!"
The witch waved her hands, looking apologetic.
"Oh! I didn't mean it that way! It's just . . . I've never seen a farmer that was a woman before. I'm sorry if I offended you!"
The middle-aged women grinned at her. "Nah I understand. You don't usually hear about female farmers in them story books." She looked slightly frustrated. "They should change that..."
Onpu smiled, her side ponytail rustling with the facial movement. "It seems like you're doing a very good job. This farm looks well-organized for such a large place."
Hazuki and Aiko had caught up and were listening intently on the conversation.
Kagawa stared at Onpu's face, her eyes squinting like she was trying to remember something. She gasped in realization.
"Are you Segawa Onpu, the child idol?"
The pop star flushed, leaning her cheek on her hand. "Ah, yes . . ."
Everyone in the group crashed to the ground.
"Of course," Aiko mumbled under her breath. They suddenly felt less interested.
The farmer grinned widely, her freckles stretching across her face. "You don't get to see celebrities much around these parts. I'm honored to meet ya Segawa-san!"
She pulled a notebook and pencil out of her pocket. "May I have your autograph?"
"Thank you very much Kagawa-san.." Onpu took the paper and pencil and scrawled her signature with a few flicks of her wrist, having done it so many times.
Kagawa stashed it in her overall pocket happily. She looked around afterwards, hands on her hips.
"I think its about time to get started." Putting two fingers in her mouth, she whistled shrilly, easily catching everyones attention.
"Whelp we'd better move out. There's only so much time to waste ya know!" She smiled and started to separate people into groups.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A graceful breeze flew over the empty fields, causing blades of grass to prickle in its presence. It mingled with a stray leaf, before falling to surround several tables, which were situated a ways away from the barn.
But it wasn't employes that relaxed there. They were occupied instead by cliques of sixth-graders, who had just returned from the main tour.
"Ahh, so delicious!" Momoko chewed her food slowly, savoring the taste.
She swallowed and nudged Hazuki's arm. "Weren't those horses beautiful? They looked like they were in great shape."
"Kagawa-san must take really good care of them. The other animals looked very happy too." The brunette smiled and bit into her rice dumpling.
Doremi's eyes sparkled dreamily. "The cows were really cute!"
Aiko laughed. "What she means, is that they were really edible." The blue apprentice smirked accusingly at Doremi.
"Shut up!" The clumsy girl glared at her friend and bit her fried octopus a little harder then necessary.
Onpu sighed. "You guys were so lucky to be in the same groups. I got stuck with a whole lot of boys..."
"Oh . . . right," They all said at the same time. What Onpu meant by 'boys' was her unofficial school fanclub, who fawned over the pop star to no end. Lately, they had taken the liberty of asking her to touch them with her fingertips, only to faint with a flourish of hearts every time she gave into their request.
"But...it doesn't matter. I still had a wonderful time." The purple witch's words dispelled any disappointed feelings she may have had from the others minds.
They finished their homemade lunches in silence, throwing any trash in the wastebasket beside the table. Just as everyone had finished, another shrill whistle pierced their eardrums.
The 6th grade class turned to face the source of the sound. Dressed in her casual work clothes was Kagawa, with Seki-sensei and Nishizawa-sensei standing on either side.
"Listen up y'all! We're hostin' a competition and everyone is entering!"
The students whispered to each other in confusion.
"Quiet!"
It fell silent. Kagawa thrust her arm to the right, pointing at the corn fields.
"I'll fill ya in over there. Hurry up!" The moment she headed over, the classmates shrugged at their friends and herded to the fields, curious to find out what was going on.
They came to a halt when Kagawa held up her hand. Before them were several clean-cut paths that appeared to connect to a trail through the fields.
"Huuh," Everyone said out loud.
"Enough dillydallying! It's time to explain the competition." She indicated with her thumb to the paths.
"This here, is a corn maze. It isn't needed for the farm, but we like to host it as the main attraction for tourists. Now y'all are going start at one of these entrances with a partner. Pick carefully, because this could decide whether or not you win or lose. I'm going to give each pair one map, but it ain't going to help as much as you think it will." Nishizawa held up her pile of maps. "First one to the exit wins the grand prize."
The classmates gave each other looks, excited at what it might be. Kagawa cleared her throat to hold their attention again.
"This here prize is on of our famous home-style sirloin steaks, that have gained a reputation in these parts and others."
Most of the class moaned in disappointment, expecting something better, but Doremi hopped up and down, hearts already in her eyes. "Steak?!"
Hazuki put a hand on her shoulder trying to quiet her down. "Shhh, Doremi-chan she's still speaking."
"Choose your partners now. When everyone's ready, we'll start the race!"
Everyone immediately went for their friends. Doremi grabbed Hazuki's hand, still shaking with anticipation.
"Hazuki-chan, you want to be partners?"
Hazuki smiled and nodded. "Sure!" They waved to the other witch apprentices who were a few feet away, paired up as well.
Running a hand through his hair, Kotake waltzed over to the two girls from behind. He smirked.
"Hey, Dojimi!"
Doremi whipped around to face her tormentor. "What do you want Kotake?!" She crossed her arms, glaring at him. Hazuki giggled.
He grinned lazily at her. "Nothing . . . just came to say you're lucky you're partnered with Fujiwara. You probably wouldn't be able to find the entrance without her- ah, scratch that. You wouldn't be able to find it if Einstein rose from the grave and tele-ported you to the exit." The soccer player shook his head in mock-disappointment.
Doremi uncrossed her arms, gaping at him, her face flushing an angry red color. She didn't reply as steam started to pour out of her ears, building up a string of insults.
Kotake pointed to Kimura who was talking with Marina, oblivious. "Kimura and I are going to make it through that maze before anyone else does, whether you like it or not."
He leaned towards an enraged Doremi.
"Guess you won't get your hands on that steak this time around." He didn't actually care about winning the prize, but teasing Doremi about her steak obsession was too fun to pass up.
The witch tried to think up a good enough comeback, but all that came out was a very loud and immature raspberry. She grabbed Hazuki's hand and forcefully pulled her. "We'll show you Kotake! When we win, you'll be the one crying, right Hazuki-chan?"
"Um . . . well . . uh. ." The shy girls' glasses glazed over.
Doremi didn't notice her friends lack of hostility, and marched over to where the other groups were waiting.
Kotake shrugged, not even fazed by her insult. He managed to drag his partner away from Marina, ready to start.
Soon every pair had a map, and each had been placed at the entrance to one of the trails by the teachers. Kagawa stood in front of the fields, straight and tall.
"Is everyone ready?!"
"Yep!" She held her right arm above her head like a checkered flag.
"On your marks, get set, GO!"
The students jogged down the their respective trails, disappearing one-by-one into the forest of corn.