2 Remember Your Dream? (2)

Chapter 2: Episode 1 - Remember Your Dream? (2)

"After thinking about it for a bit, I don't mind the thought of going to a prestigious school, but I'm not so sure about the idea of becoming a patissiere," I stated clearly, expressing some of my thoughts.

The gleam in my father's eyes quickly faded when I said this and the smile on Kaori's face disappeared as well.

The excitement they had when they entered the room was gone when I stated my thoughts, so I felt a bit guilty for saying what I had. But, I wasn't done with my answer.

"*sigh* BUT, I wouldn't mind giving it a try if you are offering," I finished, sighing as I gave in.

My father's mouth curled up into a wide grin and Kaori looked at me endearingly.

"Really?!" Dad asked in disbelief, his hazel eyes widening in surprise.

I nodded my head in agreeance and he let out a small sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness!" He exclaimed. "But, what made you change your mind?"

Both of them looked at me in confusion and curiosity, but I looked off into the distance as if recalling a memory.

"Who knows?" I gave a small smile and they both looked at each other in confusion, then shrugged as if to forget about it.

My father stood up from my bed and looked down at me who was still sitting at my desk.

"There will be an entrance exam for students wishing to transfer to this school. Since it is a prestigious school, they will be looking at how you ranked in your previous school and the grades that you received," Dad explained and I nodded my head while closely listening.

"But, Keiko, remember that this will be a hard school to enter and they won't let just anyone in. These kids are the best of the best in terms of academics and crafts, but knowing you, you will do fine since your academics in school are the best."

It felt nice to be assured that there was a possibility that I could be accepted into a prestigious school, but there was still a sense of doubt that bothered me.

'Am I good enough? What if I'm not accepted?'

"You said there was an entrance exam... What is it?" I asked and my father breathed in a heavy sigh.

"Well, this isn't a typical entrance exam where you have to take a test on academics. This is a baking exam to see how much potential you have as a patissiere."

I felt troubled to know that this was a baking exam. I hadn't baked since I was 8-years-old, the year when my mother passed away due to a car accident. When I learned that she died in the hospital, I gave up on trying to make sweets.

I furrowed my eyebrows with a troubled expression on my face.

'If it's a baking exam, there's no way I'll be able to pass it since I haven't baked in so long… I-I can't do it…'

Suddenly, I felt a light pat on my head that brought me out of my thoughts. My father's hand gently patted my head and he gave an affectionate smile while gazing at me.

"I know you can do it, Keiko. Although it's been a while since you last baked, don't give up so easily. You are the daughter of the famous patissiere, Ella Fournier. Her drive to bake runs through you, never forget that," Dad stated and I slowly nodded my head unsurely.

As if he could see my hesitance, something he said caught me off guard.

"The day you give up on your dreams is—"

"—The day you give up on yourself," I finished the quote automatically.

"Your mom always said this to anybody who doubted themselves. She said it to me quite often when I lost sight of what I wanted to be. Because of her, I've accomplished my dream of becoming a prosecutor and now I'm one of the top prosecutors in Japan. Don't forget these words because you will need them to work hard to achieve your dreams."

'How could I have forgotten her valuable words?'

I looked down at the floor as I remembered her inspiring phrase. I just couldn't meet my father's eyes because I felt so ashamed of forgetting this dream that was so important to me.

Dad stopped patting my head to look at me who was deep in thought.

'How would Mom feel if she learned that her daughter gave up on herself just to forget her mom's passing? She must feel so ashamed now… but Mom… if you're watching me from the heavens above, am I too late to accomplish a dream that I had 6 years ago? Will you support me—my dream of becoming someone like you?'

I brought my head up to face my father again. My bright blue eyes met with his hazel eyes and I confidently looked at him.

"I will try!" I confidently stated, my gaze unwavering as I made this claim.

As if he could see my confidence showing through my eyes, he smiled and gave another pat on my head.

"I know you will be a patissiere like your mother. The entrance exams are next week, so be prepared to think of something that will knock the socks off of those judges!" Dad said and I could feel a small smile forming on my face.

"Keiko, if you need ingredients, we'll provide them for you so you can practice," Kaori assured after remaining quiet for a while.

"Thank you, Kaori," I gave a small smile in return for her kind words.

"Good night," they both said as they finally walked out of my bedroom, closing the door behind them.

Keuchuk!

"Hah…" I took in a deep breath and let it out after they left. "What should I make?"

I felt a rush in my blood when I began to come up with different ideas that I could execute during the entrance exam.

'It's been a while since I felt like this.'

A smile formed on my face as I got a notepad and pencil out, brainstorming several ideas for sweets I could make.

"Hehehe!" A small petite voice, the sound of a little girl, chuckled and I scanned my room alarmingly.

"Who is that?" I asked out loud before I began to work.

'Strange… I could've sworn that I heard a little girl giggle…'

The giggling from the girl disappeared and so I decided to disregard it and focus on the task at hand.