A Little Slip-Up

Chapter 131: S2 Episode 30 - A Little Slip-Up

Since the teams had to start preparing their ingredients quickly, they hadn't talked about who would be the team's spokesperson. But instead of dwelling on that thought for too long, the team leaders of both groups—Michiko Keiko and Tennouji Mari—volunteered themselves to talk to the news reporters since it only made sense as their team's leader.

The two leaders of both teams were also the first ones done prepping their ingredients before all of their other teammates. It was pretty evident that they were very much capable and quick in their team. In both of their eyes, it was apparent that a spark underneath pushed them forward to keep going.

In Tennouji Mari's honey-gold eyes, an air of elegance and confidence radiated in them with her dream to stay by the side of the famous patissier, Henri Lucas. Her honey eyes were as clear as day if one looked deeply into them, but it could sting like a bee.

In Michiko Keiko's bright blue eyes, an air of determination and reliance could be seen within since her dream was to become a world-famous patissier like her late mother, Ella Fournier. In her bright blue eyes, there was a sense of clouds that had formed, as if they'd been there for a while now. There was no life in the eyes that had captivated the attention of others, but those who watched the strong persona she put on never would've noticed.

When 8:15 hit, the two girls stood in front of a news channel that approached them, but it was no ordinary news channel—it was the most popular news channel of Japan, "Japan Today."

Their audience reached so many people in the nation, yet many came to watch this competition between two teams of a prestigious school.

"Okay, so we'll be asking you both to introduce your teams to the camera. After that, we'll be asking you some questions, all right? We'll start the talk with the oldest one," the female reporter of Japan Today explained to the two girls, who nodded their heads readily.

Tennouji Mari stood next to the female reporter as the cameraman knelt with his camera to capture a good angle. Michiko Keiko patiently waited to the side until it was her turn to talk.

Once they quickly readied everything, the female reporter gave a thumbs up to start the live broadcast.

"Today, we are here at one of the world's most esteemed academies here in Japan, the St. Marie Academy, where each student hopes to fulfill their dream of becoming a patissier. We've come here to attend the final round of the Cake Grand Prix which has been gathering a lot of attention from the public due to its 8 prominent students of the academy. Here, we have one of these reputable students here today. Now, if you may introduce yourself and your team," the female reporter spoke into her microphone and handed it to Tennouji Mari.

When she grabbed the microphone, it was apparent that Tennouji Mari had a calm and collected air to her that could ease the mind of others.

"Hello and thank you for taking your time to watch us here today. I am Tennouji Mari, the team leader of Team Tennouji. We are a group consisting of four high school 3rd years: Kaidou Rui, Saeki Ryou, and Takigawa Rei. We hope that you will cheer our team on," Tennouji Mari said quickly as her beautiful appearance sparkled in front of the camera.

She was like a beautiful celebrity who was used to all of the attention others gave her as she shined in the limelight.

When she gave the reporter back her microphone, it was time for the reporter to question her.

"Thank you for that beautiful introduction, Tennouji Mari. Say, what would you say your *dream* is to be taking part in this competition?" The reporter asked, panning it back to Mari, who looked ready for that sort of question.

"Well, I am the Hotel King of Japan's daughter so I've always been surrounded by adults to the point where my world has been dull and lifeless—That was, until someone had shown me just how colorful life could be when I saw sweets. My dream that I wish to fulfill in this competition is to stand by the side of that person who opened my eyes and inspired me to make sweets," said Tennouji Mari to the camera.

"AWWW!" The audience sitting in the auditorium's chairs reacted to the girl's sweet words.

They'd forgotten that the people in the audience could see everything the news was broadcasting onto three large screens on the left, right, and center of the room's front stage. Everything that was being said live then and there was shown on those three large screens and in the nation's homes.

"That's very sweet to hear. I wish you good luck to you and your team," the reporter said with a friendly smile, to which Tennouji Mari bowed her head in response. Since she wasn't told she could leave just yet, she switched places with Michiko Keiko.

Now, it was Michiko Keiko's turn.

The cameraman and reporter switched their focus to Keiko, who stood in the place Tennouji Mari was once in.

"We also have a young yet illustrious student here by our side as well! Can you introduce yourself and your team?" The female reporter asked her.

When the camera focused on Michiko Keiko, they could see such an ethereal beauty in front of their eyes that could captivate the hearts of many. She seemed levelheaded and relaxed in front of the camera as if she'd disregarded the fact that she was talking to 3,000 people in the room, plus millions of others.

Her facial expression was very serene to the point where you could get lost in her blue eyes. Unlike Mari's calming attitude, Michiko Keiko carried a bold presence that could make one sense she was strong-willed. It could make people's minds feel energized and anticipate what Michiko Keiko could do.

"Hello to you all, I am Team Michiko's leader, Michiko Keiko. We are a capable group containing talented 2nd year middle schoolers: Andou Sennosuke, Hanabusa Satsuki, and Kashino Makoto. Although we are still young, we are competent in the kitchen and will try our hardest in everything we do if we set our hearts to it. I thank you for taking your time to watch us and I *hope for the best of both teams*," Michiko Keiko said with a light-hearted smile that could grab the hearts of the audience. She bowed her head gracefully to the camera with respect.

Although most of the contents of her introduction were similar to Tennouji Mari's introduction, there was still a difference. Mari's wanted the public to cheer for her team, appearing as if she completely disregarded the other competitors. And although this may be true, Michiko Keiko used this to her advantage when explaining her self introduction. Instead of appearing as self-centered in the public's eyes, she would "hope for the best of both teams" to garner the public's favor. It was an intelligent strategy on her behalf to gain more notoriety. There was no such thing as being "friends" with the other team from here on out. They were all enemies from this point, so they would use any cards they had to win that seemed sensible, and that was it.

Since it seemed that Tennouji Mari hadn't picked up on her slip up, Michiko Keiko figured that this was the best strategy to use to her advantage. Although Mari wouldn't be able to pick up on this crucial exchange of words right now, she would indeed find her slip up if she looked back at the live broadcast.

"Wow! Amazing! Thank you for that graceful introduction, Michiko Keiko!" The reporter exclaimed with excitement as she witnessed the young girl before her display a charming air. Already, it was apparent that Michiko Keiko had gathered the reporter's attention, not to mention the entire room and those that watched the live broadcast.

It was all going according to Keiko's plan. Everything relied on this—her teammates' dreams, their sweets spirits' dreams, and her dream. If she couldn't play all her cards right, there was no way that they could ever make it through this.

"Now, I recall that your team is still quite young, right? You all are only 2nd years in middle school yet you have so much fame and talent at such a young age! With how far you've gotten in this competition… Do you think that your team is *superior to Team Tennouji?*" The reporter asked, which for some reason, made Keiko silent in response.

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'What did she just ask me?' Keiko thought to herself as she felt her face twitch at this question.