Chapter 15: Something Doesn't Seem Right (2)
Chapter 15: Episode 7 - Something Doesn't Seem Right (2)
I completed all of my homework beforehand so that I could continue to think of an idea for this chocolate cake test.
Today, I also skipped dinner again and went back to the kitchen during dinnertime. I was by myself again with the company of my new sweets spirit, Fraise.
I had brainstormed different ideas about what I could make after I finished my homework. I only had a solid idea to work off of.
"Have you thought of an idea yet for your chocolate cake?" Fraise asked as I put on an apron and tied my long hair up.
"I'm thinking of a chocolate torte cake with 4 layers of chocolate sponge covered with a chocolate glaze," I explained to Fraise and she nodded her head in acceptance.
"I think that's a good idea! I'll do my best to help you!" Fraise smiled cheerfully, accepting my idea.
*A torte cake is a rich (usually multilayered) cake that is filled with whipped cream, buttercream, mousses, jams, or fruits. The cooled torte is glazed and garnished.
I began getting my ingredients out and started making my chocolate glaze for the cake so that it would cool first. One of the main steps of this glaze was melting the chocolate and working over the fire, so it's easy for chocolate to split in higher temperatures if you're not paying close attention.
Once I was satisfied that the chocolate glaze was silky and smooth, I transferred it into a bowl and placed it in the fridge to cool down.
Next, I began working on the chocolate cake batter for the sponge. Once I was pleased with the consistency of the cake batter, I transferred it into a tall cake pan and baked it for 40 minutes.
While the cake was baking, Fraise had given me some helpful tips about the melting point of chocolate and how to not make it overly sweet or too bitter. From what I could tell, Fraise was very experienced in each field so far and aided me in some basic rules for chocolate.
When the cake finished baking and cooled off, I cut it into 4 layers. In between each layer, I added in some chocolate cream and finally glazed the cake with the cooled chocolate glaze that I'd put in the fridge.
"Okay, it's done," I said, adding the final touches so that it looked nice.
"Wow! It looks good, Keiko!" Fraise complimented, awed by the cake's appearance.
The chocolate torte cake shimmered brightly under the light and the appearance looked nice. The light of the room reflected off of the shiny chocolate glaze.
I cut up a slice so that me and Fraise could sample it.
"Hmmm…" I pondered, taking a bite of the cake.
"I think it tastes nice but something seems odd," Fraise admitted with a troubled look on her face.
Something also troubled me.
"It looks nice but it feels like the glaze isn't sweet enough and like it's missing something," I also confirmed that something was strange.
'Is it just the chocolate glaze that's too bitter? It... feels like something else doesn't seem to be right with the cake.'
The chocolate whipped cream in between the layers was fine but I was still troubled. Although the whipped cream was just right in sweetness and the chocolate sponge wasn't bitter, it felt like something else was wrong inside the cake.
Adjusting the measurements for the chocolate glaze would be easy because I would just have to add more sugar into it, but my eyebrows still furrowed anxiously.
"What's wrong, Keiko?" Fraise asked me with a concerned look on her face when she gazed at me.
"I don't know. Something about this cake doesn't sit well with me," I confessed, glancing over at my torte cake.
"Well, it's alright if you don't like it now but you can always readjust a few things next time," Fraise reassured and I agreed.
"Okay then. I think we'll stop for today."
Fraise and I cleaned up our station for classes tomorrow and we left the kitchen. I made some mental notes about what I could change next time with my chocolate torte cake but the thought of something missing in the cake lingered. It still bothered me because I just couldn't figure it out.
'I'll work on it early tomorrow morning.'
We walked back to my dorm room and went to sleep.
* * *
I got up early around 5:00 AM and changed my clothes so that others wouldn't see me walking around in my pajamas.
I'd only met Fraise two days ago but I found out that she was a heavy sleeper, unlike me who'd usually get up early in the morning. Fraise layed in my bed and was sleeping soundly so I decided that I wouldn't disturb her.
I grabbed my notebook where I wrote my ideas and recipes down and left my room quietly, walking over to the cooking lab.
'Although there's still one day left before the test, I have to fix this cake and figure out how to make it better.'
I pondered as I walked down the large school hallway towards the cooking lab. When I opened the huge door leading to the kitchen, one of the lights at a station was on.
'Someone's already in here this early?'
When I walked in, I could see a boy standing at one of the stations that I recognized.
'Kashino?!'
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