I miss writing about Najika and the others so here's chapter 7!

Matsumoto-sensei owns the world of Yumeiro Patissiere! I just own the OCs and the story plot!

The kitchen defiantly did not look like a kitchen at all. For one thing, it looked like a ballroom, minus all the counters and ovens. The ceilings were really high, along with the tall windows that aligned on the sides of the walls. Walking in more towards the end of the room to Sensei and the students, I turned and looked up at the giant mural of the Queen of the Sweets Kingdom. I sighed, thinking of the kitchen in my parents' shop and the kitchen at home. I guess for now, this is what I'll have to put up with.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Kami-chan coming up from behind me, a nervous smile on her face before she spoke. "Even though it makes your heart race, it's actually more nerve racking isn't it?"

I couldn't help but nod with agreement. "I know! This is also my first time cooking with so many people. I'm used to cooking just by myself or with any of my family. How about you?"

"I cook with my brother most of the time, both meals and dessert," said Kami-chan. "Our Dad is a nurse and or Mom is a police officer, so they're always out."

"Cooking with Tachibana, huh?" I asked, taking slight interest. "I wonder what that's like!"

I felt Kami-chan stop walking beside me. When I looked back at her, she still had the same uncertain yet excited look on her beautiful face, though her body appeared tense and her hands were clutched at her sides. "Kami-chan?"

"Huh? O-oh, sorry. Um, I'm fine, really! It's just got a little distracted just now."

"Well, okay- if you're sure. If there's anything on your mind, please don't hesitate to ask!" Kami-chan just nodded as we reached the back of the kitchen. I scanned around for Yoshirou-kun and Tachibana. When I finally did, Kami-chan already beat me to them by pushing past the other students to get to her brother and his roommate. I flinched, remembering the first time I saw them together on the first day. No, stop thinking about it!

"Hey you look great."

I look at Yoshirou-kun, looking ridiculously good looking in his white cooking uniform, it's bright color bringing out his dark skin tone. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his bangs were pinned back by bobby pins under his hat.

"Thanks," I said giving a small smile from the compliment. I glance at Tachibana and we lock eyes for a second before he looked away. Well alright then...

"Alright students, settle down!" Sensei's voice echoed the kitchen followed by a silence from everyone in the room. Only now did I notice that Sensei was Nakajima-san, a friend of Mom and Dad back in middle school. Back when I was little, I would see her and other old friends at the shop time to time. I remember looking through a few photo albums with Yume, catching the sight of Nakajima-san in a few pictures of my parents' wedding. Mom did say at first she never really got along with Nakajima-san and her group back then, but it seemed that they eventually warmed up to each other. I was glad.

"Now, before we start cooking, I'm going to assign you to your groups. The people you are about to be working with are going to be your teammates for the rest of the year. Make note that all of you are responsible for getting your work done that includes ingredient preparing and clean up. When it comes to sweets however, you will be graded individually- unless it's a group project. I myself was a student here before, so I know it will be difficult working with other people and putting your trust in them, but I guarantee you, it will all be worth it." She gave off a warm smile before turning to the whiteboard with a sheet of paper in her hand.

"When I call your names, please step forward and gather together with your teammates. First, I will announce Group A."

My heart started to race. Group A. The group of students with the highest grade with the highest expectations. Just like Mom and Dad. Just like Yume and her friends.

"Yoshirou Daichi-san."

Yoshirou-kun grinned and step forward. "Here!"

"Um, Tachibana P-"

"Kami." Kami-chan stepped forward and smiled nervously. "Tachibana Kami is fine, Sensei!"

Nakajima-san looked back and smiled. "Alright then. Tachibana Knight-san."

Tachibana said nothing as he walked to stand next to Kami-chan and Yoshirou-kun. Around me, I could hear the girls from the locker room giggling. Of course they would.

"And Kashino Najika-san."

At first it was silent, then erupted into hushed exclamations and whispers. I kept my calm as I walked to my friends- my team.

"Kashino? As in the Kashino?!"

"Isn't she the daughter of those middle schoolers who won the Grand Prix back then?"

"Duh! They own a popular shop in Tokyo AND London!"

"I heard her sister is also a student here- in the high school division, third year!"

"And along with the children of the other teammates too!"

"Ne, you think she'll shake my hand?"

I let out a breath when I looked at my new teammates. Tachibana looked sullen as usual, Kami-chan still gave off her radiance as some students still admired her beauty, and Yoshirou-kun looked determined and pumped.

Nakajima-san turned towards us and smiled with satisfaction. "Group A, your station will be in the corner to your right near the kitchen entrance." She looked at me and nodded, remembering who I was, before turning her attention back to the board. "Once I call all of the Groups, you may head to your stations. I will now continue with Group B."

~xXx~

"For your first assignment, you will be making cookies. While this may be simple and easy for you all, it never hurts with starting out with something you're used to right? Also, remember that practicing the basics and cooking with easy recipes is just as important than doing more complex sweets. The basic ingredients are already placed at your stations but any extras are at the table beside me in order to make the cookies of your choice. After everything is finished, you will be able to share them with your classmates. Good luck!"

Cookies, huh? A simple yet very delicious snack that's easy to share and will break the ice in any situation. I see... Looking around at everyone else, they were multitasking with their work and me. I knew this would happen, but I really can't let it get to me. As I walked toward the supply table, I scanned the different ingredients. I could do something super easy and go with sugar cookies or oatmeal. I tapped my fingers on the cold surface as I kept looking. When I glanced to the left, a medium sized jar with a golden lid caught my eye. Curiously, I reached for it. Apple jam? Come to think of it, Mom always uses apple jam for apple flavored cream in cakes. Maybe I could... I looked across the table again for the other things I needed and took them with me.

Rushing back to my station, I decided to go with apple cream sandwich cookies, using the apple cream recipe by Mom. I immediately start on the cookies itself by preheating the oven and mixing the ingredients: flour, eggs, butter, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon- along with a little bit of vanilla and a pinch of salt. Once the dough was formed I scooped them one by one on the cookie sheet. The dough was enough for about less than 20 people (the recipe calls for 3 dozen but you use two cookies to form the sandwiches) so my cookies were basically a first-come-first serve basis. Of course the first priority being Nakajima-sensei (it's kinda weird calling her my teacher now) and my team. I walked them to the oven and set the time for about 8-10 minutes. Kami-chan and Tachibana also walked up with their sheets and used the ovens below and next to the one I'm using.

"Can't wait," I said to Tachibana as he set the time for his. His eyes flicked towards me before mumbling, "Yeah." and walking away. Gee, sorry for trying to bring up the mood.

"I'm really excited," Kami-chan said as she slid her sheet in the oven. "Though everyone is giving off such a professional vibe it get's my blood boiling, you know?"

I couldn't agree more with her. "You bet!" When I got back, I started on the apple cream. Mom used to make it all the time with her cakes. I would remember sitting by the counter at the shop, watching her as she did her magic on taking things so simple and creating them to sweets that would bring smiles to the most unlikely people. Dad would be on the other side doing his own stuff, Yume would be running around the kitchen and the front of the store being a like a little assistant. It was one of the things I enjoyed the most about back then. And now here I am.

"Hey, Najika!"

It surprised me to hear Yoshirou-kun's voice so loud. I finished up mixing the cream before turning my attention to him. "What is- " When I inhaled, I didn't just smell the aroma of the apple cream, but also the sent of burning cookies.

It's been months but here there it is! Hope you liked it!

Chapter 8 should probably be up during the holidays this month or the next, we'll see!

Thanks for reading!

- Yuki