Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Kimi or the plot. So the scene ideas are from Hana Kimi, but I changed it to suit my story about Princess Mizuki being a chef. So it's like following Hana Kimi plot somewhat, but cooking/palace style. Hope I make sense? I felt like I should make it clear that I do not own the ideas.
A NOTE TO THE READERS:
I'm thinking ahead here. I wanted to ask the readers your opinions about how Mizuki and Izumi will meet as prince/princess b/c I can write both ways, but will need reviews for this alright? Okay, should Mizuki showing up at the dance (where Mizuki/Izumi will finally meet as prince/princess, should he know it's her, or should he just think they happen to look alike and find out later? b/c she'll have her long wig on, so he might just think it's a coincidence that they look alike. If that is the case, a coincidence, I'll also have her switch back and forth in the ball and for a couple of chapters, then get mad at her when he finds out. If he catches that it is her, then he'll probably get mad. Which should I do? It depends on your reviews! I hope my explanation wasn't too confusing.
A/N: Hi there. Hope you guys read the note to the readers. I'm also very happy that I already have 59 reviews! Keep the reviews and comments coming! It makes me feel special and makes me work more quickly too, as sad as it seems. I also like people critiquing my work since it does make me write better, and hence write a better story for all people that read my fic, so if you feel like I'm writing too little description, or if I'm writing too little, tell me and I'll write longer chapters. Thanks for the support!
Chapter 12 – And The Result Is?
Hokuto walked down the path, heading toward the judge's table. He looked at his "prey" and smiled. He hasn't seen Shizuki for a long while now. The poor guy didn't know what was in store for him.
"Oh, is the competition almost done?" Hokuto asked the unsuspecting Shizuki, already knowing how Shizuki would react upon seeing him.
Let's just say the last time Hokuto went to pick Rio and Mizuki up, Shizuki ended up being homophobic.
Hokuto looked down at the table, seeing little cookies, crackers, and even tea! He moved his fingers down Shizuki's back. Shizuki looked like he wanted to puke.
"Yay free food. Hey Shizuki!" he waved happily to Shizuki.
Shizuki looked scared and contemplated whether to run for it or not, wondering if his little sister is more important than his homophobia. He decided that his little sister is worth making a sacrifice for.
Hokuto eyed Shizuki, asking him why Shizuki was wearing such weird attire.
Shizuki looked surprised at his comment. Frankly, he thought he was very clever with his disguise. The black sun glasses were supposed to make him look mysterious, and the dark clothing was supposed to make him less eye catching. Did it have an opposite affect, he wondered?
"Your blond hair isn't helping much either," Hokuto commented. "You stick out like a sore thumb."
"I'm undercover," he replied to Hokuto, crossing his arms to look intimidating.
He wasn't sure if it worked or not though, for Hokuto retorted sarcastically back.
"Right. You are a judge for this competition. You can't be more eye catching than this."
"Damn!" Shizuki said, realizing what Hokuto said was true.
"So, what do you think of Osaka Kingdom?" Hokuto asked as he took out a cigarette and lighted it.
"Not too good or too bad," he replied.
"Excuse me?" Hokuto asked, offering Shizuki a cigarette.
"You know I don't smoke," Shizuki said, deadpanned.
Hokuto shrugged.
"Who knows, you might've tried during the time we didn't meet."
"You know, there are a lot of good things that happen around here," Hokuto said, adjusting his glasses while letting out another puff of smoke.
The smoke started to bother Shizuki, who started coughing. Hokuto seemed to take note of this and chuckled. Then he dropped the cigarette and put his foot over it, ceasing the light.
"What good things?" Shizuki wondered.
"Things like an exchange chef covering as a chef but is actually here to observe her fiancé. Very interesting right?"
Hokuto wondered how Mizuki's older brother would react. The look could be priceless.
"Yes," Shizuki replied, gulping the coffee down, hoping he wouldn't spill the coffee.
"But this chef is actually female," Hokuto continued.
At this, Shizuki's eyes bulged, the coffee spilling everywhere by this point.
"A petite and cute girl. It seems Prince Izumi really wants her to stay here. He hates cooking so much too. The poor guy," Hokuto said as he got out some pre-prepared napkins and cleaned the spill.
Hokuto probably planned it from the start.
"About the hate…may I ask why?"
"Yep. Don't know specific details, but it seems when he was ten, his mother, who is a talented chef, disappeared after making him a big gourmet dinner. Think of how shocking that must be for the kid. It happened on his birthday too. And yet, he never shed a single tear during that incident and onwards.
"What do you mean disappeared? Isn't she the queen?"
"Dunno. I heard she had an affair with one of the servants. Of course Prince Izumi is really troubled by this, and couldn't forgive her. The queen never returned home either."
"Why do you dislike Prince Izumi so much though Prince Shizuki?" he asked, touching Shizuki's face.
Shizuki backed away, disgusted by the sudden affection.
"My, my. You aren't used to my gayness yet?" Hokuto looked sad and shocked, sighing and putting his hands over his heart.
"Get away. Don't touch me!" Shizuki demanded.
"But it's so much fun teasing you!"
"You know how much I detest homos."
"I know, that's why I do it," Hokuto revealed.
"It's on purpose?!" Shizuki asked, flustered.
"Common give me a quick kiss," Hokuto said, edging closer and closer.
The people around them are wondering what the judges were doing. They looked very suspicious, but fortunately, most of the people and the audience were preoccupied with watching the competition, not the judges. Afraid of what Hokuto may do next, Shizuki decided to run away from Hokuto and hide.
However, before getting out of earshot, he heard Hokuto say with a serious face, "But Shizuki, whatever you do or think of saying, please do it after seeing the real Prince Izumi. Don't let your prejudice of him get in the way."
At that moment, Shizuki looked from the sidelines, hearing the alarm buzz, which signaled the end of the competition.
The rest of the judges, save for Shizuki sampled all of the foods and declared Prince Izumi and Mizuki as the winner.
"I did it, I really did it! I didn't think I could!" Prince Izumi said, hugging Mizuki out of happiness.
"Ah!What the hell are you guys doing?!" Shizuki shouted from the sidelines.
Mizuki knew he'd get first place. His preparation and the form for the food and pastry looked very elegant and beautiful. She even taste tested a few. The food was really on a higher level than hers. She still wondered why he hated to cook though. Would he ever tell her why?
Embarrassed and blushing beet red, Prince Izumi faced Mizuki and said "Let's go back and walk Yujiro. He must be very lonely now."
"Sure," he heard her say.
His food style and form were flawless.
"Sano you did it!" Shuuichi congratulated.
"You aren't bad yourself. You got second place!" Mizuki exclaimed.
"Yeah, but who knew the prince could cook this well!" Shuuichi said.
"Yeah, who knew," Prince Izumi said a bit solemnly.
Shuuichi handed Mizuki a letter.
"Your bro told me to give you this before he left," Shuuichi explained, scratching his head.
"At least come home for Christmas and New Years," it read.
Mizuki cried, bringing the note close to her face. She was really happy and relieved. She got to stay here a bit longer with her friends and Prince Izumi.
"What did he say?" Prince Izumi questioned.
"Good luck," she said. "He told me good luck."
'Thank you, brother.'
Somewhere on a plane, Shizuki cried endlessly in his first class seat. The flight attendants shook their heads sadly, wondering if the guy was okay in the head. They whispered to each other.
"Should we do something about this guy?" The flight attendants wondered, but decided to leave him alone.
"Should we offer him some ice cream?" a black haired flight attendant whispered to her coworkers.
"I'm not sure. I think he'll get more emotional," another one whispered back.
"Let's just ignore him," they decided and got back to their work.
A/N: Well hope you guys liked it! Here's also a little note to my readers who I couldn't reply to by PM.
Linh-Chi: I shall continue this story and will try to update it regularly. I hope you will give me your opinion about how Izumi should react when he finds out. Thanks for your review!
Mikanou: Glad you love my interpretation. Hope you liked what happened to Sano and cooking, although the story is not from Sano's viewpoint just yet, so you may be unclear on why it hurts Sano so much. And I read the manga, Japanese drama and twdrama. You should check out the Jap version too (it had the dance scene too, although I think it's different from the manga…) thanks for the review!