Recipe 6 It's Love

(Recipe 5 continued)

Hello! Guess who's back from the dead! I am so sorry for updating late! Please forgive me! So this one has a LOT of Kashigo moments, I hope that will make up for my lateness.. And they speak "like this" and think like this. Kashino and Ichigo finally go on a date! Please tell me what you think of this chapter. Should I make more super fluffy fic like these? Thanks!

Ichigo put on her clothes, looking at herself nervously in the mirror.

I'm so excited! Wait.. Why am I excited for this? I sure am stupid.

Then she headed out of her room, again tripping down the stairs and her father again rushing to her side.

She smiled when she remembered the time she had tripped over the stairs in St. Marie's Academy. Kashino had carried her bridal style, run to the hospital wing as fast as he could, and had been extremely embarrassed when the nurse told Ichigo the state he had been in.

Remembering this made her nervous again.

"Kashino that idiot! Why does he always make me feel like this?!" She whispered at herself, though she already knew the answer.

She sat down for her mother's delicious breakfast, but for once she couldn't eat properly.

"Ichigo! What's wrong? You haven't eaten that!"

She smiled sheepishly at her fussing father.

"Sorry. I don't feel like eating." Her mother gave her a knowing smile. "And besides, there'll be lots of food there!"

Natsume smiled. "Be sure to come to our music club!"

Ichigo nodded, smiling. "Of course! I won't miss it!"

Her appetite regained, Ichigo wolfed down the rest of her breakfast and grabbed her bag.

"Natsume! Hurry up!"

She laughed. "Yeah, yeah. We all know that you just want to see your boyfriend."

Ichigo flushed. "Oi, Natsume!"

She just laughed again.

A few minutes later, they were ready to go. Ichigo's father whined and cried like a baby, telling her not to go.

"Nonsense," said Ichigo's mother. "This is perfect for her! Darling, please do shut up."

The three of them got into the car and somehow dragged Ichigo's dad in. (I hope they don't get pulled over by he police, being tied and thrown in the back does seem suspicious 😁)

Twenty minutes later, they were in front of Natsume's school. They had decided on a meeting point- the food section.

Kashino clicked his tongue in impatience and glanced at his watch for the sixth time.

I shouldn't have come so early.. I already know she'll be la-

His thoughts were cut off when he spotted a familiar brunette head bobbing in the crowd.

"Ichigo!" He waved. Ichigo pushed through the crowd and went to Kashino.

"Did you wait too long?" She asked sweetly as the rest of her family squeezed through.

What, is she expecting me to say the usual romantic dialogue "No, I just got here"? No way am I saying that.

"Yes. Way too long."

Ichigo pouted, and Kashino had to laugh. He patted her head. Ichigo's family finally came out, and Ichigo turned to them.

"Everyone, this is Kashino Makoto. Makoto, they are-"

"I remember. Natsume, your younger sister, and your parents. Nice to see you again."

Ichigo's dad stepped forward. "You better treat her like a princess or I'll have your head!"

He continued ranting at Kashino, while the chocolatier just rolled his eyes.

Ichigo's mother smiled at her.

"So.. You call him by his first name? And he calls you by yours?"

Ichigo blushed and nodded.

"I think he's the perfect guy for you. Now, go enjoy your date!"

She turned to Kashino.

"Nice meeting you again! I knew you were perfect for her. Please take care of her, okay? We'll be off now. And be sure to see Natsume's performance at 2!"

Kashino nodded and bowed.

Soon the bakers were by themselves. Ichigo dragged him everywhere and emptied her pocket money (and filled her stomach). Kashino looked at her exasperated.

She's going to ask for my money next..

Suddenly, there was a spotlight on them.

"He-loo! You look very lovey-dovey! So please try this game out!"

Both of them looked at the door. People were pushing them from behind, so they couldn't head back.

"I-I suppose we can give it a try.."

He wrapped his arm around Ichigo so she didn't get lost, and he went inside. It was definitely not what they expected.

An almost empty white room. There was a red arrow pointing to another door, and two ropes.

"Tie your right hand with her left hand," He read aloud. "And your right foot to her left foot. This is just crazy."

Ichigo jumped. "No, it's really exciting! Tie us up quick, Makoto!"

He tied the rope very tightly to their hands. Ichigo blushed, because holding hands was unavoidable now. Her leg rubbed against his, and his face heated.

Don't tell me I have to endure this for the sake of a stupid game!

Ichigo seemed to sense his thoughts. She blushed deeply. "Then would you endure.. For a k-kiss?"

Kashino blushed. "S-sure.."

They awkwardly opened the door and went in.

It was a colourful place with bubbles floating around, and lots of couples tied together. It was a racing track, and there was no roof.

"Okay, last couple's here! On your marks!"

The two of them realized that they had to run all the way to the end like this.

"Get set.. Go!"

The two of them put a foot forward, and immediately fell. Ichigo fell of top of Kashino.

"You okay?" She asked.

"No.." He said, redder than an apple.

She tried getting up, but they could only roll around. Finally, Kashino worked together with Ichigo and they were up. Most of the couples had run ahead, and a few more were rolling like our couple.

"Okay, Ichigo. Listen to me. One, you put your right foot forward."

She put her right foot forward and he put his left forward.

"Two, our tied legs. That's it. One, two. One, two."

They went faster, and they began outrunning the other couples. They placed second.

"And, as second prize.." A second year girl with blonde hair said. "A ten minute advantage in the maze!"

Huh? What maze? Both of them thought.

They exited the sports area and went into another room. It had cardboard and wood structures arranged like a maze, painted in different colours.

"Okay, second couple. Go!"

They were still tied together and Kashino felt even more uncomfortable than before.

But what is this weird feeling? I feel.. Content. No, no! Expel it from your mind!

But it was true. She was leaning on him and he was relaxing. The bare skin of her leg rubbed against his.

"Okay, Makoto! Which way?"

"I don't know. Here, let's flip this coin. Heads is left."

"Tails! Right then!"

They were walking along for a while when suddenly, a rope appeared before their legs. It was supposed to make you trip and fall. Kashino saw it, but it was almost too late. Ichigo was walking straight towards it, and they were so close to the rope that even if Kashino stopped and his rope (tying their feet together) pulled her, she would fall.

Ichigo tripped. Kashino caught her, but the balance was off and he toppled too. He fell on top of her.

He suddenly had an idea.

Before we get up..

"Ichigo, that kiss you were talking about earlier? Can it be now?" He asked, redder than a tomato.

Ichigo flushed too. "Yes!"

They slowly moved closer to each other. Twenty seconds later, they pulled apart, panting and blushing a lot.

"Okay, let's finish this maze!" Said Kashino, the first to recover and suddenly very enthusiastic.

Ichigo stood up with Kashino, but wobbled. Kashino caught her.

"Ichigo! What's wrong?"

"Um.. My legs suddenly feel weak.."

Kashino blushed.

Is that my effect on her? Wow.

Ichigo leaned on Kashino as he kept walking. He soon reached the end.

"Congratulations! You finished the maze and overcame the surprise obstacle with *cough cough* EXTREMELY desirable results!"

Both of them blushed.

Oh man.. I didn't know she saw..

"You didn't finish first, but because of those *cough* awesome results, you get a coupon for an 'All you can eat' buffet with special cakes! It's at 8 in the night, and there will be fireworks and a romantic setting! Enjoy! "

Ichigo squealed at once. "Yayy! CAKE!"

Kashino just smiled and patted her head. "Baka Ichigo."

After they ate lunch, they sat under a tree in the grass.

"Ne, Ichigo. Don't forget about your sister's song thing. It's in an hour."

"Mm." She said, half asleep. She laid her head on Kashino's lap, and he blushed.

Why am I blushing so much today?!

He stroked her hair fondly. "Baka." He whispered softly into her ear. A cool wind blew leaves into the air. Kashino kissed her forehead. "Baka."

Half an hour later, Kashino nudged her softly. She still wasn't getting up.

"What a sleepyhead," he said, though he already knew this long ago.

He had an idea. A red tint appeared on his face as he leaned towards the sleeping Ichigo.

She woke up, startled, feeling his lips on hers.

"M-Makoto! What the hell are you doing?!" She said, moving away.

"You're such a sleepyhead. There was no other way to wake you up." He smirked. "Now let's go!"

They were soon sitting in plastic chairs in a fairly large air conditioned room. They were in the front row with the rest of Ichigo's family.

Natsume came to the stage with the choir, and sat down in front of the piano in the right side. A boy her age sat on the lower end. He was her ex-rival, and now her best friend. She nodded, and they started playing the duet. A few seconds later, the choir started singing.

Ichigo smiled. Natsume is doing a wonderful job! I'm happy she didn't quit! I'm so lucky to have her as my sister! It's beautiful..

Kashino smiled at Ichigo's face.

The same face she makes when she sees yummy cakes… No, this one is slightly different. This one is not greed.. She looks at me with this expression.. What could it be?

Ichigo's mother looked at Kashino, beaming.

It's love.

Thank you for reading!