Testing My Knowledge (2)

Chapter 39: Episode 19 - Testing My Knowledge (2)

I recalled the sweets princes in my memories to think of how they behaved around each other.

'Hm… Kashino is usually blunt towards them but he still gets along well with Andou though his words are harsh. Kashino and Hanabusa seem to tolerate each other, but I don't understand what's happening right now along with Andou. Usually, everyone's fine when they work together, but the air seems different for some reason…'

As I quickly thought about it, Hanabusa brought my attention back to him.

"Let's see how you do when it comes to piping a flower. Watch me first," Hanabusa instructed as he got a piping bag out and began piping a flower.

"Do it like this for each one to tighten into a flower. Once you're done, transfer it to the cake with a palette knife."

I observed his quick skill and took note of it. He quickly piped the petals as close to one another to replicate a real flower's petals protruding outward.

When he was done, he looked at me to start piping. Doing my best to replicate his quick and graceful skill when piping flowers, I finished quickly in a few seconds to produce a beautiful flower.

"This is stunning, Michiko. I can see you replicated my movements extravagantly," Hanabusa praised and I nodded my head.

"Thank you." I gave a small smile and continued to practice a few more times until I truly got it down.

"I think this is good for right now, Michiko. Nice job," Hanabusa gave me a bright flowery smile but it seemed like I was immune to it by now.

"Okay, now it's my turn to work with Michiko," Andou said in anticipation. I walked over to Andou who had a bright look on his face.

"Let's try making a roll cake with souffle batter. Combine the meringue and we'll bake it gently." Andou instructed as the ingredients were already out.

I nodded my head and began making the souffle batter. We'd worked on making souffles in class recently so I had gotten quick with it. The technique with this was to fold in the whipped egg whites carefully without ruining the light, airy batter.

* * *

When I'd finished with the souffle batter, baked it, spread cream, and rolled it up, I cut a piece and Andou looked at it approvingly while tasting it.

"Ah, as expected of Michiko. You are truly the best when it comes to absorbing information and replicating it perfectly," Andou praised and I bowed my head down.

"Thank you guys for helping me out," I directed towards the sweets princes. "It was much faster and more motivating when I worked with you guys, so thank you."

I remained indifferent as we cleaned up the stations that didn't have much of a mess on them anyway.

'I guess it's already lunchtime. I guess I should leave now…'

As I was making the roll cake, Fraise had been pestering me to eat for a while now. She's still concerned about my health though I still didn't feel hungry.

Once I was done cleaning, I took off my apron and put it into a laundry basket for the school to wash.

"Are you leaving already, Michiko?" Hanabusa asked and I nodded my head.

"Ah, yeah. I can practice with you all later if you want but it's already lunchtime so I think I should start eating. It'd be nice if I could stay longer but Fraise has been pestering me to eat since an hour ago, so I think I should eat," I explained but their looks didn't falter when they stared at me.

"It's about time for everybody to eat so should we join you?" Hanabusa asked but I shook my head.

"No, it's fine. I don't want to bother you any more than I have. Thank you for today and farewell." I said goodbye to the sweets princes and their sweets spirits as I left the cooking lab with Fraise following me closely behind.

"Why didn't you want to eat with them? They were offering," Fraise admitted and I gave a big sigh.

"I've already bothered them enough today so I think they should continue practicing without me," I gave a bothered smile but Fraise noticed quickly.

'I guess I still haven't wrapped my head around my thoughts since yesterday. I still can't think properly…'

"Keiko, do you think you're a liability to them?" Fraise hesitantly asked and I stopped in my tracks.

"Maybe… I don't know… I just need time to think right now," I said quietly and Fraise gazed at me with her bright blue eyes in shock.

I'd already passed the cafeteria and was making my way out of the school.

"Where are you going? You missed the cafeteria," she pointed out but I remained indifferent.

"I know. I'm going for a walk right now," I admitted and she looked at me weirdly.

"A walk? I thought you said you were going to eat lunch?"

"Well, I'm not that hungry."

I continued walking and made my way outside. Fraise followed silently behind without questioning me.

I walked on a pathway outside, caught in a daze. I couldn't focus on the scenery I passed since I was too preoccupied thinking to myself.

'I guess I am a liability to them… I can't really focus on anything right now without doubting myself. Why do I feel this way? Is something wrong with me? It… just feels like I can't do anything…'

When I brought myself back to reality, I noticed that trees and bushes aligned the path and there was a tall building with big windows that I could see through.

"Where are we?" I asked out loud and took a look back at the path I walked on. From across the path, I noticed that the middle school department was far away from where I was so I could only guess that I was at the high school division.

'I didn't even notice how far I walked… to make it to the high school division without noticing…'

It was still bright outside but I noticed that there was a light illuminating from the windows.

'There's a light so somebody must be in here.'

I walked closer toward the window and peeked through. A girl with long, wavy blonde hair parted in the middle and mature, brown eyes stood at a station, practicing making candy sculptures.

"Is that… Tennouji Mari?"