Now then…here begins the cook's true work…
Finely chop the best dark and milk couverture and mix. Melt over bowl of 60 degrees Celsius water. After boiling and then cooling slightly, add some fresh cream. Cool while stirring, and add some Cointreau when the mixture is at body temperature. Then pour into the ould-!
"MAO! Table 9 is experiencing low supply on fresh earl grey!"
I went over to the table and gently with a smile, served the people sitting there some fresh tea that I was able to make this morning. This bed and breakfast inn was a place that was so clean and what I wanted in a good hospitality business. People could relax and it's beautiful.
"Now…where was I?" I asked myself, taking a skillet and then looking at the ingredients.
Place the butter and water in a skillet and bring to a boil. Extinguish the gas. Sift the flour and baking powder in the mixture. After stirring the mixture quickly with a wooden spatula, Heat on a low flame –"
CRASH
"What the hell!? What is it this time!?" I yelled, looking out from the kitchen window and towards the eating room and saw a person that broke some dishes by accident. I quickly acted in picking up the broken pieces and made sure to replace the old ones now.
I left the scene and walked back to my work place, slamming the door.
"I gotta finish right away." I said, taking out the brown sugar from the cabinet.
Spread the brown sugar on a baking sheet. Heat the oven at 80 degrees Celsius.
"MAAAOO~!" Mika came out of nowhere and starting bragging about how there was a fight going on and I was the only one I could stop it. I tighten my apron around my waist and headed outside where the fight was.
Let's just say that the guys will never piss off another girl ever again after what I did to them.
I went back to the kitchen and there were not really that many customers left because they had left and Haruhi have taken care of it. With the chocolate that I was making, I was creating a little statue of Big ben that will be seen by in coming customers. If there was any more left, I would be able to make the Tokyo Tower. Oh and later today, I'll be making some bento boxes that have anime characters in them due to popular demand…..*Cough*Mika*Cough*
You're probably asking why I'm here at this bed and breakfast with Haruhi and my sister, Mika, in Karuizawa.
Well, it's a long story….
FLASHBACK
"MAAAAAOOO~! I'm bored! Do we have to run the business while Mom is visiting her family in Korea? I wanna do something fun this summer!" Mika was complaining that the café at our house was not really exciting to do for the summer. Mom went to Korea with a relative of hers since you know I can't trust her with her condition. (BTW, Mika and I gave her a list of Manwha and I gave her a list of all the new CD's that were available. GO MBLAQ and U-KISS and BLOCK-B!) I kind of agree with that. For the summer, I expected to at least go to the country side and enjoy the nice and clean air over there.
As if God was hearing me, my cell rang and it was Mom's house number in Korea.
"Mom? What's up?" I asked her.
"Hi Mao-chan! Guess who I just got on the phone with?" She asked me with a really happy tone. I shrugged and asked her who. "I spoke with Ranka right now and he's taking his daughter to an old friends' bed and breakfast in Karuizawa. Since me and Ranka are good friends now, he's asked me if you and Mika would like to go with Haruhi-chan~!"
"…Sure…that sounds nice…..can we close the café? …Okay…I'll call at five every day okay? Take care of yourself, Umma. Bye." I hung up when the other line hung up. Mika looked at me curiously, noticing that I was changing the "open" sign to "closed." She gasped loudly, almost making me worry if she forgot to breathe or something.
"Mao! You never close the café! Is something wrong?! You don't have a fever do you?!" She said, placing her hand on my forehead to check my temperature. I groaned and slapped her hand away.
"No, you silly Otaku. Haruhi's dad asked mom to ask us if we want to go to Karuizawa for the summer." I plainly said, already in our room, taking out my luggage bag and packing up.
"Karuizawa? Are we going?!" Mika asked excitedly, really wanting to grab her luggage bag to pack.
"Do you not see me packing my clothes? Of course we're going!" I said, grinning slyly. "Yay! Mom's the best! So is Ranka!"
"Yeah…Ranka-Ujjushi is amazing…" I muttered, smiling that Ranka was such an awesome person. I was in my happy place until Mika said something that I didn't want to hear.
"Hey, didn't the guys invite you to different places?" She said. If you were in the room, you could actually hear me freeze up in the stance that I was in.
"Y-y-y-yeah! But I didn't want to go and leave you here by yourself you know! You eat potato chips with ramen! Do you know how unhealthy that is!?" I said, grabbing her shoulders, crying crocodile tears.
"You turned down Honey-senpai's offer to go to Switzerland, The Hitachiin twins' offer to go to Bali, and Kyoya-senpai's domestic resorts in Osaka with discount? You turned down three trips that were sort of free! I COULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF MYSELF! I WOULD HAVE GONE WITH MOM TO KOREA! YOU SHOULD GO AND HAVE FUN WITH THE GUYS!"
"I DON'T NEED A GUY TO MAKE ME HAPPY! I CAN ALWAYS HAVE FUN WITH YOU! BESIDES, THEY ANNOY THE LIVING HELL OUT OF ME! THEY DO THINGS TO ME WITH MY HEART THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT!"
"MAO! I THINK YOU'RE EXPERIENCING LOVE! Geez, and after all those dramas that you watch, you might have known what you're going through. You're so oblivious!" Mika said, putting her hands on her hips and did one of those common sassy poses that I've seen a lot.
"SHUT UP! NO I AM NOT! DON'T BE RIDICULOUS! LOVE IS IRRATIONAL! LOVE LIKE THE DRAMAS DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY! I'M NOT A ROMANTISIST SO I DON'T KNOW! OKAY?! ANYWAYS! SHUT UP AND START PACKING! WE'RE HEADING TO RANKA-AJJUSHI'S PLACE IN THRITY MINUTES~!"
And that is how Mika and I ended up going along with Haruhi to Karuizawa. At first, I was a bit anxious about leaving the place unattended when there shall be people wanting to go to the restaurant, but then after seeing the place, I was kinda glad that mom made up the plans with Ranka-Ujjushi to make Mika and I stay here in Karuizawa.
It's so calming and peaceful.
On the plus side, there's no host club to embarrass me more than they need to and there's no stress. It's just a peaceful vacation at a remote location where I can breathe fresher air and relax. Finally a place to study and work quietly.
"Ah! Who would have thought working at a bed and breakfast could be the ideal work place?" I said and tightened my apron and went back into the kitchen and stayed there until my shift ended. After that, it's my duty to change the bed sheets of every room and put new ones and clean the rooms as well.
As I was working, I heard loud giggling from Mika, who was on window washing shift. I took off my bandana mask and looked at her seriously.
"What the hell are you giggling about?" I asked and Mika giggled more.
"Oh nothing. It's just, when you clean, you remind me of Levi Heichou from Attack on Titan." She said. We're already three day into summer vacation and she finally thinks about an anime right now, and it's Attack on Titan for Pete's sake. When I finished cleaning all the rooms, I went outside and decided to start cleaning the patio where some of the guests have tea at. From that place, you could see Haruhi-Noona put up the bed sheets up on the clothing lines for them to dry out. For dramatic effect, the wind started blowing.
Haruhi-Noona and I both agreed that this was the perfect spot to have come here.
Things are turning great for all of us.
You know….I was iffy about the situation. I never really have gone to the country side in a long time so I was a bit nervous. Also, I didn't even want to tell the guys about my plans for the summer. It's not like they have to hang around me 24/7 you know? This place has fresh air and a quiet setting. It's the perfect place for me and my friends to relax….
Well…that was the plan until…..
"HARUHI! MAO! DISPAIR NOT! DADDY'S COME TO SAVE YOU!" I heard Tama-Hyungs voice from that helicopter above us and then the bed sheets flew away.
When I meant great….I meant a nightmare…but..
That helicopter noise…
"Daddy, what's going on?"
"Don't worry, everything will be fine. Just stay behind me…"
"…..!" I don't remember if I told you guys but every time I try to remember something from before I was five, I get these headaches. Mom always said that I must have gone through some mental and tragic pain as a kid and blocked out all memories but I don't know. Even if I do remember, I have some trouble knowing if these memories are just made up ones like Mika has. For example, she tells everyone that she remembered when Wall Shingashina fell down.
It's only an anime. Even if it did happen, we'll somehow make through it. I mean, humanity went through the Black Death and both world wars, plus natural disasters. I think we can get through the Titans if we work together…
~/+/~
"Oh my! What dashing young men you are! These hunks must belong to Haruhi and Mao!" Here at Pension Misuzu, there is a person that owns it and that person is who is talking right now. Forty-two year old Misuzu Sonda, who is also a transvestite. He started giggling like a school girl the moment he saw the guys as they followed us inside and we had to explain the sudden arrival. I stayed in the background, Mika holding me down so I wouldn't go and attack the guys in a choke hold.
"Why don't you call me Misuzu-chi?" Misuzu-Ujjushi said, somehow having a blinding background of light around him. I went temporarily blind because of that.
"MY EYES!" I exclaimed.
"He's an old friend of Rankas. They used to work at the same shop years ago." Kyo-Hyung said casually. Tama-Hyung got a little hissy fit and glared at Kyo-Hyung.
"Naturally, you would know!" He said. Beside me, I heard Haruhi mutter, "Kill me". Poor thing, I feel your pain. "Another time…" I muttered back.
"I went into business myself two years ago and believe you me, running this adorable little pension is like living in a fairytale!" Misuzu-san said, twirling around.
"So is Haru-chan and Mao-chan like your indentured servant?" Honey-Oppa asked, using his cuteness that always had an effect on me. That cuteness!
"They're more like unpaid employees. This also happens to be Ranka's preferred method on keeping track on his daughter while he's busy working." Kyo-Hyung said casually. Damn him and his freaking brain of his! What's his IQ anyways? 350 or something?
"What the?! How do you know all this stuff?" Tama-Hyung asked. That's what the universe is asking Tama-Hyung and so far, the universe doesn't know. I don't even know that much.
"Take my little girl under your wing he says. He practically begged me and since I still can't afford the expensive hired help, it works out for everyone! Haruhi and Mao are model employees really! It's such a shame I can't pay them anything!" Misuzu-san said. I like how they still haven't asked how I even came to come here in Karuizawa along with Mika, who was now wor- er…well she was working but she then decided to read her Attack on Titan Doujinshi with one of her OTPS, Levi x Hanji. I gave her a "WTF" face.
"What do you guys think of these cute little aprons on these girls? I made it myself!"
"You are quite an exquisite seamstress!" Tama-Hyung said, followed by five thumbs up. Honey-Oppa noticed me and walked towards me, using his cuteness! Oh god, that cuteness!
"So, Mao-chan, how did you and Mika-chan end up here in Karuizawa?" He asked me and I got into my thinking pose as I tried to recall the memory of just one day ago.
"Let's see. Well, my mom's cousin from Korea came over and took her to South Korea to visit her mom so we were left to tend to the restaurant. However…"
"However, her mother asked Ranka if she and Mika could go with Haruhi to Karuizawa until she returns." Kyo-Hyung interrupted. He interrupted my story while I was telling it! That bastard!
"Geez Kyo-Hyung, you're so nice." I said sarcastically and I got a smirk in return.
BA-BMP BA-BMP
DAMN YOU!
~/+/~
"A summer job huh?"
"I don't get it, you and Haruhi turned down our invitation to Bali for this?" Hikaru asked Haruhi and I, guilt tripping me. Mika wasn't affected because she's not a part of this, no matter how much she wanted to.
"We even asked them to go with us to Switzerland, didn't we?" Honey-Oppa asked me and Mori-Oppa ended up agreeing with him. By the way, he was standing right behind Honey-Oppa. Kyo-Hyung was at another table all by himself, writing down god knows what in his little book. Does he always have to take that thing along with him everywhere?
"Yeah, well I still don't have a passport, remember?" Haruhi said.
"Which is precisely I recommended one of our domestic resorts and at a discount no less." Kyo-Hyung said, intentionally saying that to the two of us.
"Yeah, well, I had a restaurant to run so I can't!" I said. Out of nowhere, Mika came and started skipping everywhere.
"Eh? That's not what you told me Mao! You said, 'THEY DO THINGS TO MY HEART THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW! IT ANNOYS THE LIVING HELL OUT OF ME!'" Mika said, doing a really good impression of me. As she said that, I started blushing tomato red and turned my head towards the west, not really going to put up with the guys looking at me with a blush of their own on their faces.
"That's not a good impression of me you stupid! I w-w-would never say that!" I said, crossing my arms and then heard something rustling around the bushes. Then I realized it was Tama-Hyung, who was now covered in leaves and twigs.
I didn't listen to half the things he said and just turned to the guys.
"Why were your cellphones turned off?" The twins asked us. To tell you the truth, I actually put my phone on vibrate and ignored all their calls because I was 'busy' working.
(Kyoya: Mao, that's 1000 yen added to your debt.
Me: SAY WHAT!? NOO!)
"Haruhi and Mao have a cell phone?" Tama-Hyung asked. I almost did a face table as he asked that and I pulled out my cellphone, which had a really cool charm of Donald duck, a tiger, and a strawberry! Disney is great and by the way, Tiana is one of my favorite Disney princesses. One day, I was thinking why they don't do a Korean princess or something?
"Well of course I have a cell phone you ditz! How else would I know if Mika's in some kind of trouble or not? I have the family and friend plan too." I said and clang my cell with Mika's who pulled out hers as well. By the way, she had a dozen cell phone charms, which were Sebastian, the Survey Corps wings, some Totoro, Pikachu, and a lot more. Those were just examples.
"I already have Kyo-Hyungs number!" Mika said, "He's on my top ten!" She said and giggled, continuing to skip around. I was going to yell at her but then I remembered that she and Mom were talking to Kyo-Hyung behind my back several weeks back.
"Wait, I'm both your daddy and your buddy so am I in the plan too?" Tama-Hyung asked. I dropped my expression and handed him my cellphone. At first he seemed confused but he figured it out as I told him.
"If you're gonna whine about it, let me save you the trouble. Put your contact information at least so then you don't complain in the future." I said. He did as I told him and then gave my cellphone back. I looked at it and saw his contact information.
His contact information….Kyah! I just got Tama-Hyungs contact number! Now I can call him for no apparent reason whatsoever!
WHAT!? And waste all those minutes on calling Tama-Hyung!? No way!
"Hey, Mao-chan! Can I add my number on there too?" Honey-Oppa asked me. I gave him my phone willingly and smiled at the sight of him typing his number quickly on my phone. Soon enough, Mori-Oppa, Haruhi, and Kyo-Hyung put in their contact numbers and I looked at them.
WE GOT ALL THE HOTTIES NUMBERS! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT SPECIFIC RINGTONES ON THEM!
Shut up. They're not that hot and I guess your right about the ringtones….
Meh. I'll do that later…
"Well, now that that's settled, why did you guys drop in unannounced? I think Haruhi, Mika and I have the liberty to spend our vacation time away from you guys." I said and then I covered my ears because this is usually the part that I would start hearing the bad news that Kyo-Hyung had to pull out.
"According to the handbook, jobs are prohibited." He said and I froze in place. That means, I've been taking on part-time jobs without permission? OH MY GOD! WHY DO RICH PEOPLE HAVE TO BE SO LIKE THIS!? THAT'S NOT RIGHT! GAHH!
"Hey did you hear? Haruhi and Mao got themselves some jobs without the schools permission." Hikaru said and that just made me freeze more. I felt like that scene in Frozen when Anna was completely frozen.
"No way," Said Kaoru, "That grounds for expulsion." THOSE DAMN BASTARDS! THEY KNEW AND THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ME BECAUSE THEY WANT ME TO SUFFER! ME AND HARUHI!
"Well, I guess I should go since this really doesn't do it in for me since I'm not part of the Host Club! Well, see ya later Mao!" Mika said, skipping off towards where she's really not needed. There's no way she was getting off easily that way. I ran at her and tackled her to the ground without a second thought and pinned her down to the ground, glaring at her.
"You're not getting out of this one! We're in this together! Got it!?" I asked and she nodded quickly.
"I think Karuizawa is much better than Switzerland anyways!" Honey-Oppa said, already on Mori-Oppas shoulder, looking over a Karuizawa guide book.
"And overseas travel is exhausting." Said Kyo-Hyung.
"Of course, you're allowed to spend your summer vacation as you please. However, like it or not, so do we," Tama-Hyung said, starting to freak Haruhi and I out. Mika, she was not affected since she really doesn't go to our school. He turned around to look down at us, which I didn't like at all, "You know, I for one, find Pension Misuzu to be exceptionally charming." He said. Haruhi and I got into our depression stage and did that freakout eye twitch.
"NOOOOO~! NOOOOOO! NOOOOO!" We both yelled out at the same time and fell down to our knees at the same time due to depression. Watch, one day, I will have post-dramatic stress due to these idiots, just watch! I'm going to send the medical bill to them because there's no way Mom and Mika will pay it because they already have too much on their hands, I don't want them to worry more.
Wait…does that mean the sane one is going to be here? When I mean sane, I mean Kyo-Hyung…
WAIT A TICK! I CAN'T THINK LIKE THAT! HE'S KYO-HYUNG! THIS IS A HOST CLUB! I DON'T WANT TO! I CAN'T FREELY DO WHAT THE HECK I WANT TO WITH THESE IDIOTS HERE!
Hooray for summer vacation….
…
TAMAKI'S MIND THEATRE
As Tamaki was waking up towards the shining light that came through the window, so did the soft knocking on the door that could be heard, even though he was still half asleep. As he woke himself up even more, he paid attention towards the figures that entered towards the door. The familiar sight of both the brown eyed girl, Haruhi Fujioka, and the green eyed girl, Mao Kurosaki was upon his view. Both of which, had a tray full of breakfast.
"Rise and shine! My sleepy headed senpai!" Haruhi said, wearing a smile on her face.
"Good morning Tamaki-Oppa! Time to get up!" Mao said, also wearing a smile. "We both made some special breakfast, just for you!" She continued and the two walked towards the table near the bed and placed the two trays on them.
And cue the unnecessary amount of sparkles around Tamaki because that's what was around him.
"Oh, how lovely. Come sit with me. Stay awhile." Tamaki asked the two girls as he drew their faces closer to his. Both Haruhi's and Mao's faces had turned a bight shade of pink and quickly pulled away.
"No, we can't," Haruhi began. For some reason, Tamaki had his bed sheets wrapped around him on his waist, which was pretty weird if you ask me. Mao blushed still and had to cover her eyes since this was her first time seeing a male, much less her older classmate, in such a situation. Not including that she had seen
"We're employees here and you are one of our honored guests. We're not allowed." Mao said, blushing some more.
"But who's to find out if it's only the three of us?" Tamaki began and slowly walked towards the two girls and wrapped his arms around them, sitting them on the bed with him. "Stay here with me and silly rules will no longer matter." He said in a soft voice. Haruhi and Mao both shared the same blush at the offer that their Tamaki had offered.
"S-senpai…."Haruhi said.
"O-oppa…" Mao said.
END OF TAMAKI'S MIND THEATRE
Haruhi and I both looked at Tama-Hyung like he was insane, which I'm pretty sure he was. We sweat dropped and tried to get him out of his little trance or whatever he was in, but he seemed stuck in his own little imagination, which I hope I won't find out what it was about.
"Ah…Tama-Hyung? Hello!?"
…..
MAO'S MIND THEATRE
I had a tray full of breakfast that I made all by myself, all was by hand. And in front of me, there was door that separated me between me and my seongbae. I smile a bit and keep the tray close by, knocking the door and quickly opened it to finally see Kyo-Hyung already up and ready for a new day.
"Anneyong Kyo-Hyung! I brought you your breakfast today!" I said, setting the tray on the table a few feet away from the bed. As I was turning to leave, I felt someone's arms around my waist and saw that Kyo-Hyung was the one hugging me.
"K-k-kyo-hyung!?"
"I didn't say you could leave Mao.." Kyo-Hyung mutters in my ear with a still sleepy tone. "B-b-but, I have to get to work!" I said and then I felt his lips press against my neck. "Work will come later…"
~/=/~
Oh boy, that was not what I had imagined my morning to spend with Kyo-Hyung. Anyways, that was a few minutes ago. Right now, I have to get the twins their breakfast that they ordered. I knocked on the door and quickly entered.
"Annyeonyaseo! Good morning Hikaru and Kaoru!" I said, setting their breakfast tray on their bedside table and then bowed down to them, still wearing that smile that Misuru told me to wear when greeting the guests. What I didn't suspect was a pair of arms wrapping around my waist and then a hand grabbing my wrist and the next minute, I was looking up at Hikaru and Kaoru as they looked down on me, resting on my back on the bed they just slept on.
"W-w-what are you doing?" I asked, my cheeks probably turning red for the second time that day, "I gotta get back to work." I said, trying to get back up, but I was pushed back down by some aggressive gingers.
"Ever heard of the new sensation that's sweeping the nation, Mao?" Hikaru whispered in my ear while Kaoru went on my other side and whispered before he bit on my ear.
"Double your pleasure, double your fun…" Kaoru said.
END OF MAO'S MIND THEATRE
OH MY GOD! I slapped myself silly and pouted, looking at the guys and that blush returned. Damn it! I really should not be thinking about this!
I'm working and hoping they really don't do anything rash!
~/+/~
"I'm so sorry boys, I'd love to have you all as guests but I'm afraid there's only one vacant room left." Misuzu-san said. I smiled about that news and then went up to them.
"Oh, that's too bad. Well, I guess you guys gotta look for another place to sleep at~!" I said, smiling as best as I could to make it seem real but sarcastic looking.
"Only one room you say?" Tama-Hyung said, "Well that settles it. I'll have to stay to represent the club!" He said.
WHAT?! HELL NO!
"Hey, that isn't fair!" Complained Honey-Oppa, hugging his Usa-chan, which Tama-Hyung had to see. I saw it too because it was a cute scene I had to watch.
"Have you no feeling of loyalty?" Hikaru asked. "Of any solidarity Boss?"
"Togetherness is our guiding principle." Said Kaoru.
Well, long story short, the guys had decided that they were going to throw a refreshing battle. The only good thing about this game was that they were going to help around the place instead of sitting around and doing nothing. Haruhi and I really didn't want to be a part of this plan so we stayed out if it. The only sane one around here was probably Kyo-Hyung, who was still at his table, drinking the tea that I had prepared for him.
As Misuzu was going about how the guys would win by how refreshing they should be, I looked around and tried to find Mika. I looked over to where the fence was and saw her talking to some boys, who were flirting with her. God, she so reminds me of that girl from Avatar. What was her name? Tai Lee?
"MIKA! GET AWAY FROM THEM! THEY'RE TRYING TO HIT ON YOU!" I yelled and glared at the boys, who screamed and ran away just around the time they saw me. Mika turned around towards me and pouted.
"You're no fun Mao~! I was trying to find a boyfriend for you!" She said and I just looked at her like she was insane, which she was since she is an Otaku and Otaku's are crazy.
"I don't care if you're trying to find me a husband! Right now, you're going to help around the inn while the guys are having their contest!" I said.
"Contest? What type of contest?" She said excitedly and then looked towards the guys with shining eyes.
"Um…they're having a refreshing contest to see who'd get to stay at the pension." I said and Mika just squealed with delight.
"EEEEK! HOW EXCITING! They're doing this just to get close to you! My money's on the twins right now!" She said.
(_ _)||||||| ╬
~/+/~
"Five refresher points!" I heard Misuzu said and Haruhi made her appearance, asking what the heck a refresher point was. You're not the only one that's confused Haruhi. I'm as lost as you are.
"What do you think guests are after when they come all the way out here to Karuizawa?" Misuzu-san said and looked at the two of us.
"Um..the nice weather?" Haruhi said.
"The peace and quiet?" I said.
"Oh, it's much more than that! They come for what they can't get at the city! Refreshing air, refreshing scenery and refreshingly—."
"GORGEOUS YOUNG MEN!" Mika joined in on Misuzu-san and imagined all these images of gorgeous guys. If you want refreshing Misuzu, you should check out Lee Min Ho and Taemin-Oppa.
Yeah, I was secretly rooting for this contest…
"And thanks to your friends, my pension would be the hotspot for eyecandy Karuizawa can offer!" Misuzu-san went up on top of the building, twirling around and joining him was Mika, who was also twirling like they were insane. What is it and everyone wanting to twirl around the roof? That seems more dangerous than dramatic.
What's even stranger is that Misuzu rememinds Haruhi and I of someone else, but who?
Ohohoho~! Girls are a sucker for guys with tragic backgrounds!
!
Oh…I remember now…..Come to think of it, I haven't seen Renge-Noona in quite some time after the Lobelia incident….
~/+/~
"Geez, just wait. One day, because of their dumb games, they're going to give me post-dramatic stress or something! They're going to send me to the hospital, I just know it!" I said, kneeling down on the ground outside and crying out to the sky.
"That would be quite a shame if you ask me." I heard Kyo-Hyung say and then drink more of the tea I left him since he couldn't get enough of it. You know, now that I think about it, I haven't seen him participate in the contest as of yet. Haruhi must have noticed it too. Hey, when the heck did she get here?!
"Kyoya-senpai, you're sure keeping your distance from all this." Haruhi said.
"Of course. Winning means I'd end up staying here alone, which frankly doesn't appeal to me, unless someone would like to volunteer." Kyo-Hyung said, and then looked at me when he said that. I turned around to see if someone was behind me that might have peaked Kyo-Hyungs interest, but then there was no one. Oh god, so he was looking at me.
"I'll just sit back and watch things unfold and head back to the cottage." He said.
"Cottage? You mean your families?" Haruhi asked and Kyo-Hyung nodded.
"That's right. We all have one in the area." He said. The mental image of the guys having their own cottage in Karuizawa just burned in my head and then I super facepalmed.
"Those damn idiots…" I muttered out loud, clenching my fists together, "They can always visit! WHY MAKE A FUSS ABOUT IT!? GAH! I'm going to kill them!" I said, glaring at the land in front of me, thinking that there standing were the idiots I was talking about. I should have known they had their own private homes in the area; they're rich for crying out loud! This is just making me so mad that I can't even explain how angry I am. Dammit!
"So who's your favorite to win? There must be someone you have in mind. Do you care to bet?" Kyo-Hyung asked.
…..Ha…Why do I get the feeling that he was asking me?
"Hm..no thanks..I don't have a clue." Haruhi said.
"I want no one to win. I actually liked this place more before you guys came along." I muttered out loud on purpose for him to hear, which amused him I guess.
"Really? Well, it's easy enough to tell at a glance. Honey-senpai's brand of cuteness doesn't quite fit misuzu's notion of refreshing so I'm afraid he's out. Tamaki comes a little closer to the ideal, provided that he keeps his mouth shut." Kyo-Hyung said and I tried my best to stifle my laugh that wanted to come out, "But we know the likelihood of that. Ordinarily, you'd figure Hikaru and Kaoru. Then again, seems we have a dark horse." He said and then I thought of Mori-Oppa.
At a place like this, he could be chopping firewood and he'd still get refresher points. Which he did, about twenty did he get. While I was thinking about that, the sign, 'Cutting Firewood, for some reason' popped up in front of Mori-Oppa.
GASP
"I can see how that can happen! Ah!" I said, having a silent battle with myself.
"So do you think he's the one?" Haruhi-Noona asked.
"Except that Honey-senpai drops out, then Mori-senpai bound to go along with him. His competing in the game at all is more or less conditioning to them." Kyo-Hyung answered.
"Which means…" Kaoru says, grinning. "Victory is ours." Hikaru says. The three of us turned our heads toward the twin's direction and then I dead panned.
"Well, I couldn't help but notice that the only room available has a single bed." Haruhi stated. "Yeah, and if you guys did win, you guys wouldn't have separate beds." I answered.
"No big deal, we can just bring another bed from the cottage anyways," Hikaru told us. "Yeah, we can even squeeze into the single bed." Kaoru says.
"How sweet. I guess you guys really are always together." Haruhi says smiling while I tried not to think so much about it in a perverted way and slapped Mika's head, who popped out of nowhere, for blushing red. Idiot.
"Always." Kaoru answered to Haruhi, looking up to Hikaru. Well, more like a glance. "The two of us have been together since we were born. So we haven't ever needed anybody else." Hikaru says.
Never need anybody else…?
"We never bothered making friends until a few years ago. We thought the world was made up of idiots." Kaoru says. Damn….
"Oh really?" Haruhi and I said in unison. We looked at each other for a moment and we chuckled together.
"But then…"Hikaru said and paused to think, "That was before we knew you two." Hikaru looked at us, "We'd totally let you both sleep with us."
"I'll pass." Haruhi said. I made an 'X' with my arms, "No thank you. I prefer sleeping on my own bed." I muttered.
"Well, what about those times you crawl into my bed saying you want to sleep with your big sister?" Mika jumped in like she was part of the conversation since forever. I froze for a couple of seconds until I covered Mika's mouth with some tape that I had before she said anything else that was embarrassing.
"I never said any of those things…she's high on Doujinshi, don't listen to her." I said.
"The contest winner hasn't been decided yet. There are still a number of ways to make this game more interesting." Kyo-Hyung said, pushing up his glasses.
Haruhi looked at each other and had the same thought about it.
'This guy always has something up his sleeve….does that count as refreshing?'
'Why does he always plot something?'
"Thinking about helping the boss are you?" Kaoru stands up. "We're not going down easy, you know Kyoya-senpai. It's no use." Hikaru straighten up as well while I was ready to walk away.
Kyo-Hyung just smiles and I watched…
Wow…he actually looks sexy smiling like that despite the fact he's plotting something…
And the twins look pretty hot the way they're so determined….
My cheeks started burning up and turning red I guess from what I could tell with my hands and I swiftly turned around, hiding my face.
"You guys do what you guys want. I'm leaving." I muttered to myself and I went to the room Mika, Haruhi and I share, and started packing up my clothes and a tent.
~/=/~
And goes another day of a promising chef.
Mix together the tomatoes the 3-4 tomatoes that have been peeled, seeded and chopped, the fresh ½ cup of basil that have been coarsely chopped, the tablespoon of olive oil, the minced clove of garlic, the quarter teaspoon of salt and the quarter teaspoon of pepper.
To make garlic butter, mix together in a separate bowl the quarter cup of softened butter, the minced garlic, and the salt and pepper. Slice the bread (a baguette) and top each side with a little bit of garlic butter. Broil the bread for a few minutes until it is lightly browned. Put tomato topping on bread, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and put back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese just slightly starts to melt. Removing from oven and, if necessary, drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over the top…
"And that is how Bruschetta is made." I said, cleaning off my hands for the second time when making this dish and then glanced at the basket full of strawberries that Mika had picked out. For a girl that's obsessed with Anime and Manga, she does know a few things about food like how perfectly ripe some fruits are.
Place strawberries on a new bowl and start cleaning them without bruising them. Clean for at least thirty seconds and grab some unused lollipop sticks and insert them on the stem of the strawberry without destroying it. Grab a knife and start making small slices on the strawberry until they have the shape of a rose. Repeat the process a number of times until you are satisfied with a certain number and grab a glass.
"Ah…Do I still have time to make the tea?" I asked myself and looked at the watch. I heard some clapping and saw Honey-Oppa and Mori-Oppa clapping for me for…um…cooking?
"That was great Mao-chan! You looked so cool and cute cooking that way!" Honey-Oppa told me; taking one of the strawberry roses I made and bit on it, smiling and blushing. "Yum!" He said. My cheeks turned a small pink shade and I smiled sheepishly.
"I don't think it was great…I'm just a novice and stuff! I have a long way to go." I said.
"You looked professional enough," Mori-Oppa says, in a deep voice that I forgot he had. Surprise, surprise, "You should compete." He told me.
"Huh?!" I said, dropping the frying pan that I was just going to use to make to make Bibimbap. It's a really great dish; it's the first thing I ate when I went to Korea at one point. I mean South Korea! North Korea is off limits for me! Hahaha.
"I d-d-don't think I should. Competing with people that practiced much more than I have is something I don't stand a chance in Mori-Oppa," I said, waving my arms frantically, "I don't like being in the spotlight and…"
"Well, can we help around Mao-chan?" Honey-oppa suddenly asked me and then stood on my right as Mori-Oppa stood on my left.
"What?"
"What do you want us to do Mao-chan!? We're helping you out."
I was awe-strucked. I never really had too many people help me out with cooking or helping me pay off the medical bills and stuff. I just did things on my own or found a way to do it on my own. Honey-Oppa's and Mori-Oppa's sudden want to help me was a big surprise that I didn't know what to do.
"Um…sure. T-take the fruit vase out to the buffet table and bring out the tray of used trays here so I can wash them." I timidly said and pointed out where they should place or get the things. They both nodded and went on their merry ways while I stood in the kitchen and watched do what I wanted them to do.
"Strange…"
~/+/~
If there is something a girl can't resist, its musicians and especially guys that can play the piano. In this case, it's Tama-Hyung who is now playing the piano. The piece that he played was the one he played for Shiro. The perfect piece that has a very peaceful and melodious tone that you can't compare to the city noises, and it was given here by yours truly, Tamaki Suoh.
Wow, I just said his whole name for the first time and….
It felt kind of strange…but in a good way..
His performance was so great that he even attracted the outside visitors and stuff.
"Uh oh, so much for winning." I said, giggling as I saw Hikaru passing by.
"What? Oh come on, there's always something happening, you know." He grins at me while I picked up the left out tea cups. Great and they mistreat these little guys. I always liked Ginori and Portabella Rose. They should be treated properly since they are a work of art.
"That's true," I said, hearing the piano clearly at least, "Kyo-Hyung created a freaking monster. No woman alive can resist a musician." I pointed out chuckling. But before I was able to get inside, I felt someone's hand on my wrist and I turned around to see Hikaru with a sly smirk.
"Is that so?" I felt my cheeks heat up but before things went further, the two of us suddenly heard a loud voice, "LOOK OUT!" It said and following that yell was a loud crash.
Oh crap…I hope no one was hurt. Including the porcelain!
"What happened?" I asked in a worried tone, running to where the incident was. "Kaoru!" Hikaru shouts and runs past me with some speed that the track team should need some day. The two of us ran and looked over at Haruhi and Kaoru.
"We're terribly sorry! Are you okay?" The girl from the window shouted from above.
"Haruhi-Noona!" I shouted and ran to her.
"Kaoru!" Hikaru yelled, running towards his brother. I really didn't realize then, but I got a good look at Kaoru's face and saw a scratch mark.
"Kaoru, you're hurt!" I yelled, pretty concerned that Mika heard me and saw the situation, deciding to go and bring out the first aid kit. I sighed in relief over the small little cut that Kaoru had while Hikaru started calming down.
"Hikaru?" Kaoru asked his brother when Hikaru placed his head on Kaoru's shoulder, "Don't scare me like that."
"Hey…I'm sorry…do you forgive me?" Kaoru asked and they really smile at each other. Awww, brotherly love that is just so precious, I'll tell you. You guys should check out Philly, the brotherly love state. Hikaru and Kaoru will fit right in at Philly.
"AND THE VICTORY GOES TO, THE HITACHIIN BROTHERS!" Misuzu-san screamed at the top of her lungs and with glee.
At the announcement of the winner, Tama-Hyung played that dramatic tune that has been played so many times in movies and stuff. I sort of feel sorry for him.
"Congrats you guys." Haruhi says while I golf-clapped for them.
The twins turned to face us and then there was an evil grin. "Oh, it was nothing, really." They said. I paused and then thought things through.
"Hang on. Was all of that….staged?" Haruhi asked, not really believing it.
"Well…no. Who could say?" They replyed.
Damn…I think I know why they're called the devilish type now.
…..
"Well…Time to move out I guess." I said and went to the kitchen and started to rethink all my things.
~/+/~
"Come on…I said I'm sorry! What do you want me to do?" Hikaru complained, "I didn't mean to kick you out of bed. It was an accident." He said.
"Accident or not, my back is killing me." Kaoru said back. I put on my neutral face and then served them tea and headed back to the kitchen where I belong.
Ah, the kitchen.
"Get us some breakfast please," Hikaru said to Haruhi while I started mincing some of the onions to make a classic, omelets, along with some biscuits and some other things that I like. "I'll have two pieces of baguette toast with clarified butter and Garner sells syrup." Hikaru ordered while I just scoffed. Poor Haruhi, clearly didn't know what the hell he was talking about.
"I'll take poached eggs with bacon and a bowl of whole-grained cereal – the kind with those little pieces of fruit with it." Kaoru ordered as I already decided to cook up some food for the customers, not including what the twins wanted.
"Hold on, we don't even have that stuff on the menu." Haruhi answered as I smiled.
"Huh?!" The twins asked, not really believing what they were told.
"Behave!" Tama-Hyung suddenly appeared out of nowhere and slaps them at the top of their head with a roll of paper. "Just who do you think you are? Acting like some privileged aristocracy on holiday?" He said, pretty pissed off that they're asking too much from Haruhi.
"Uh…we are aristocracy." Hikaru was the first to answer and sounded like it was so known and yet Tama-Hyung didn't know or something. "So are you boss." Kaoru answered back.
"You are missing the whole point of travel! When in Rome, do as the Romans do that's what I say!" Tama-Hyung says and pulls out a tray, "Just look at this!" He said, pulling the top and then revealed a really impressive dish of Karuizawa cuisine! "Karuizawa cuisine fit for a king!" He said.
"Cold pasteurized Jersey Steaks, fresh juice, Highland vegetables, smoked salmon cooked over cherry wood – the local proal I might add and the loveliest bread with homemade jam. Bon appetite~!" Tama-Hyung finished and I was almost tempted to clap for him for knowing this stuff.
Almost.
"Since when have you been such a connoisseur boss?" Kaoru asked.
"Oh, since he started learning from Misuzu and Mao. He's been in the kitchen with those two all morning long." Haruhi explained and I just happened to remember what happened early morning.
"And you arrange them like so."
"Mhm! Brilliant! And Mao, homemade jam! That's even more brilliant!"
"You should try homemade marmalade with Scones."
"While the two of you were sleeping the day away, I decided to start a refreshing host workshop! I even wrote a manual." Tama-Hyung said.
I grabbed one of the manuals and I just almost bursted into laughing with some of these.
"You really need to get a life Senpai." Haruhi said while I subconsciously ate some of the omelets that I made.
"While you're acting as my apprentice, you may not treat me as your senpai or –Hyung." Tama-Hyung declared, looking at Haruhi and me.
"Hey wait, have you got to rule number 5 yet? It says we have to get up at 6 A.M." Hikaru says.
"Hey, have Kyoya-senpai and Honey-senpai read through the manual yet?" Kaoru asked. Why? Is there something that I need to know about those two? Come on, it's not like those two are type AB and wake up grumpy or something…are they?
Tama-Hyung starts crying at his corner and the two had to apologize. I didn't care so much as they don't interfere with my work or anything.
"Good morning! Arai produce!"
"Morning! Yamaguchi bakery!" Two voices shout at the door. I turn my head and look at those two guys. I don't know why, but something about one of those guys looks so familiar.
"Good morning to you!" Misuzu-san greets the two guys, "Working boys, eh? High schoolers?" He wondered out loud.
"Yes, ma'am." The guys reply, "We're helping our uncle's shop for the summer." They said.
One second, two seconds…
"OH! REFRESHING!" Misuzu said, creeping the two boys out. Poor boys. "Haruhi, Mao! Would one of you put these in the refrigerator for me? And also put these pastries out in display?" Misuzu says. Wow, those goods look amazing.
"Okay." Haruhi and I reply. The guys caps fall down when they try to get a good look of us. I stopped and then took a good look at the boy with black hair.
"Haruhi…Fujioka?" The boy with the produce said with a blush on his face. The black haired guy looked at me with his eyes wide, "Mao…Kurosaki?" He said and there was also a blush on his face…
Man, it's been forever since I've seen that face and since I heard that voice.
"….Hi…Kohaku." I said.
The guy that was friends with Mika's boyfriend. Kohaku Yamaguchi, this uncle who I started working for him for a few months.
"Hey Mao, we got another order."
"Mao, you're always such a hard working. You should take a break."
"Mao…I like you."
"I like you….I like you…"
In the background, there was a mysterious flow of wind all around us and there was also some flower petals flying about.
"A new rival for a heart? A past co-worker of the girl they all like? What will happen after this sudden arrival! Find out soon on the next chapter!" There was some echoing voice in my head….
…..
That was not in my head; that was coming from my loud mouthed sister, who somehow had a microphone in her hands and now she decided to narrate the story.
"SHUT UP! AND WHO TOLD YOU TO NARRATE THE STORY?! MY LIFE, MY STORY!"