Why So Soon? (1)
Chapter 29: Episode 15 - Why So Soon? (1)
Later the next day, Fraise and I noticed people gathering around a bulletin board right outside the main school.
"Fraise, why are there so many people gathered up?" I asked curiously from afar, witnessing the group of people.
As we looked from afar, my gaze met up with Rumi's, who was also in the crowd.
"Oh, Michiko, over here!" Rumi waved me over and I approached her. We stood together to where we could still see the bulletin.
"What's going on here?" I asked her and she raised her eyebrows in excitement.
"It's a notice for the Cake Grand Prix Series. It's a cake contest within the school. If you win, as a representative of the school, you'll go to nationals," Rumi pointed at the paper posted. "Everyone's eager because, if you win in the nationals, you can study abroad in the Paris branch."
'The Paris branch? That's the branch my mother attended before she became a patissiere!'
"Really? Is it true that you can study abroad in Paris?" I asked to confirm the information.
"Yeah, it's true. The Paris branch is known for being more advanced than the one here in Japan. Lots of famous patissiers graduated from there and were successful."
'If I win the Grand Prix Series and the nationals, I'll have a chance to study abroad at the same St. Marie Academy that Mom went to where her dream began!'
My face lit up at this thought, pondering the idea of being able to attend the Paris branch.
"Oh, Michiko? You look excited," Rumi viewed with a smile on her face.
"I guess…" I clocked my head sideways gazing at her.
'I've always wanted to make another friend right after Fraise… Maybe, this is my chance to do it!'
"Hey, Rumi, would you like to discuss this over at the cafeteria?" I asked timidly, a bit fearful that she might reject my invite.
"Oh? Michiko is asking me to eat with her?" Rumi looked at me in shock, not expecting that to happen.
'As I thought… She might not even want to be friends…'
"Of course I'll come with you! You can go over there first, I just need to grab the pamphlets so I can explain it to you in more detail," Rumi smiled cheerfully, her face lighting up.
'She agreed? I thought she would've said no…'
"Okay," I said as Rumi and I parted ways. I went ahead over to the cafeteria while she went over to the bulletin to grab the flyers.
I looked over at Fraise who gave me a warm smile, looking proud of my progress.
* * *
"Michiko, I got a pamphlet for you," Rumi said as she ran toward me who sat at one of the tables near the windows. She didn't take too long, but I'd already bought some food for us to eat as I waited.
"Oh, thanks for buying food for me," Rumi bowed her head and I nodded. She sat down across from me and handed over a paper with more information about the Cake Grand Prix.
"Thanks, Rumi." I bowed my head and held the paper in my hands. Fraise flew closer toward me so she could also see the information but I wasn't worried about Rumi seeing her since she can't see sweets spirits.
"Ok, so the Grand Prix Series is a great event for the student patissiers. First, a group of 4 people will enter, and in the span of 3 months, they'll compete in a tournament, covering 5 themes. If you and your team win in St. Marie Academy, your team will represent the school in the nationals. If you win the nationals, it'd be amazing 'cause it means that you're Japan's #1," Rumi explained as I scanned the pamphlet.
'Japan's #1… It seems like a high title to hold.'
"Who won last year?" I said, taking a bite of the food in front of me.
"Obviously a high school 3rd-year team. They're studying abroad right now," Rumi said, taking a sip from her cup.
'Hm? Not only the oldest students in the school but high school 3rd years? Does that mean that even the middle school department competes against the high schoolers?'
"Do the middle schoolers and high schoolers compete against each other? Aren't the levels too far apart?" I questioned, putting down my fork.
"Well, it might be a disadvantage but it is possible." She winked as she continued to explain. "In their first year, the Sweets Princes were the only ones to make it into the third round. The middle school division winning the first match was unheard of until they came along."
'Nobody else in the middle school department besides those three made it past the first round… I knew they were looked up to and admired upon, but wow... those three are really amazing…'
"Hm… they probably would have made it higher if they didn't group up with Ojou in the beginning…" Rumi thought to herself.
"Ojou? Who's that?" I asked curiously, taking a sip from my drink.
"Oh, nothin'. Just someone a year above us. The word is taboo for Kashino though," Rumi responded with a flustered expression. "Besides, Michiko, are you entering the Grand Prix with the sweets princes?"
'Me, joining up with the sweets princes? Will they even agree?'
"I don't know… but it does sound interesting," I stated with hesitance.
"I like Michiko's cakes. Every cake I've tasted from you is high leveled, even at this age. Like the cake you made for Ringo, it was enjoyable and delicious. You're also skillful when it comes to technique and flavor as if you got training from a professional. Who knows, with you in their team, you and the Sweets Princes could even win the Grand Prix and make a name for yourselves as the 1st middle school team to win the Grand Prix!" Rumi exclaimed with a friendly gaze, taking a bite of her food.
"Really? You think if I team up with them we could win?" I pondered.
"You guys are the best, not only in our grade but in the entire middle school department! I think it's possible," Rumi assured. "Though you've only been here for a month, you bake as if you're already experienced in the field. Though you're quiet and aloof, your face lights up when you bake. It'd be a waste to not challenge yourself."
'Rumi… Her words are encouraging.'
"She'll join, just leave it to me!" Fraise popped out of nowhere and made a claim.
"Geez, what are you saying?" I muttered to Fraise under my breath.
"Oh! As expected of the talented "Ice Princess!" Rumi exclaimed.
"Ice… Princess?" I furrowed my eyebrows confusedly.
'What kind of nickname is that?!'
"That's what everyone calls you!" Rumi explained with a smile. "Michiko is the beautiful transfer student that people admire from afar. Though, people say you look unapproachable because of your beauty, so that's why we call you the Ice Princess!"
'Should I be taking that as a compliment or an insult?'
"Is that so?" I chuckled nervously at her response.
"Though you don't talk much, I think Michiko is a very interesting person! If you don't mind, is it alright if I can call you Keiko?" She asked shyly as I looked dumbfounded at this request.
'She wants to call me by my first name… Does that mean, she wants to be my friend?'
"Hehe, of course," I gave a light chuckle at her strange request and her eyes brightened.
"Okay… Keiko!"
'Today… I think I made another friend…'
Rumi and I continued to talk until the sun started to set, talking about the smallest things. We hadn't realized that it was already late, but we eventually said goodbye and I went back to my dorm room.
I got ready for bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling.
'Mom… Do you think I have the qualifications to enter the Grand Prix? Ever since you passed, I missed eating your sweets every day and seeing you… Why did that have to happen? Why… did you have to go so soon?'