Chapter 31: Pudding Battle (1)
Chapter 31: Episode 17 - Pudding Battle (1)
"Satou, Shiotani, give Makoto the extra-large pudding," Koshiro ordered her two henchmen behind her who held a large pudding on a platter.
"My skills have improved. I learned from top-class chefs for your sake, Makoto!" She gave him a wink and a smile but I couldn't help but cringe. "Let's take the Grand Prix and go to Paris this year, Darling!"
Koshiro Miya ran up to Kashino and gave him a tight hug, trying to kiss his cheeks.
Kashino tried his best to get her off of him, pushing her away.
"Sorry. This year we're grouping up with Michiko over there," Kashino pointed at me who was witnessing the scene.
Koshiro let go of Kashino and looked at me.
"Ah, the girl who was highly recommended by Henri Lucas himself… I've heard rumors of you being called the "Ice Princess" because of your quiet personality and nice looks," Koshiro glared at me.
'Ugh, again with that nickname…'
"I also heard that most of the girls are jealous of you because you're always with the Sweets Princes," Koshiro smirked coldly at me.
"They can get jealous all they want, I don't care. I came here to this academy to learn and advance in my skills, not to play house," I directed that at her and her eyes flared up.
"I don't know how a girl like you could make it to the top of the class. Aren't the Sweets Princes here to cover up your inability to bake?" Koshiro said saltily as I tightly gripped my fists in irritation.
'Why is she starting to get personal? It's aggravating.'
"Somehow, it turned kind of interesting," some waitresses of the salon whispered amongst themselves.
"Anyways, team up with me rather than this girl. I'll prepare the highest class ingredients for us," Koshiro shot the Sweets Princes a kind smile, though she continued to give me a hostile look.
"You may be rich, but all you really are is a girl spoiled by her rich father. Have you ever done something by yourself without the help of your dad?" I replied as if what she said about me didn't anger me one bit.
"Who do you think you're talking to? Take that back!" Koshiro bit her lip. "You're talking to the daughter of the president of Chateau Seika!"
"I refuse to take that back if it's my opinion. You are spoiled and high-class ingredients don't always mean everything," I stated, reaching my arm out to grab the pudding she made. "Even I can make pudding better than you and I don't need expensive ingredients."
Koshiro looked at me blankly but then a condescending smirk formed on her lips.
"Hahaha… boys, did you hear that?" Koshiro laughed and looked at her two henchmen who were also laughing along. "If you can, I'd like to see you try. If you somehow manage, I'll accept your punishment. In exchange, if you can't succeed, I will team up with the Sweets Princes and you will bow on your knees and apologize to me."
The sweets princes looked distraught as she made this claim. Their eyes widened to the sound of Koshiro wanting to team up with them again but also with the punishment of apologizing to her.
"Fine. If I lose, I will accept bowing to you and apologizing. And if I win, I will team up with the sweets princes and you must get on your knees and apologize," I said seriously and confidently, my gaze unwavering.
"Woah! Idi—Don't decide it all on your own!" Kashino grabbed me by my sleeves, trying to shake some sense into me.
"That's right!" Andou agreed anxiously.
"—Break this up immediately, all of you. Don't you understand you're troubling our guests?" A girl's voice said seriously as they walked up behind us. We all turned around to see a girl with long blonde hair and mature, honey-colored eyes.
"President Tennouji," everyone besides me recognized.
'This is the acclaimed brilliant girl. Tennouji Mari… She's really beautiful.'
"President—Please approve of my pudding battle with this girl," Koshiro said boldly, pointing at me.
"What foolish—" Tennouji began.
"—Isn't this interesting? Why don't you approve of it, Tennouji?" A familiar old man that I'd recognized interrupted. He sat at a table behind Tennouji and he had green eyes, wore glasses, and had gray hair to his ears.
'This is Chairman Moriyama. He was the one who also judged me, alongside Henri Lucas, during my entrance examination.'
"Chairman Moriyama," Tennouji looked back at the man who took a sip from his cup.
I wasn't too far so I could see what was in his cup and could smell the strong scent coming from it, too.
'This bitter smell… It's black coffee, but it doesn't seem to have anything else in it.' I took notice of this as he gave us a jolly smile.
"It's nice to see you again, Miss Michiko," Chairman Moriyama greeted me with a smile. "I still can't forget the cake you made for your entrance exam."
Though I was acknowledged by him, everyone gave me a widened look filled with surprise.
"Michiko, you were also judged by the chairman?" Hanabusa asked in shock.
"Oh, yeah..." I nodded my head.
"Not only did you impress Henri Lucas, but you also impressed the chairman?" Andou's eyes shone brightly.
"Just how…?" Kashino looked at me in astonishment.
'I didn't know that it was such a big deal. I thought that everyone who wanted to transfer in the middle of the school year got judged by them, but seeing their reactions, I guess not… Then, why was I judged by them in the first place?'
The thought lingered for a short moment and I glanced over at the chairman again who still smiled.
"Tennouji, if you're willing to allow it, then I warmly welcome it. I will be the judge," the chairman said, grabbing a bit of his dark chocolate coffee cake.
Tennouji remained quiet for a bit before responding.
"... Understood," Tennouji concurred. "Then, you will be making the basic custard pudding, choose your own ingredients. The battle will be… 3 days later at noon. You'll be making it here in Salon de Marie's kitchen."
"Hahaha… What can an underclassman like you do in 3 days? It'll clearly be my victory," Koshiro folded her arms arrogantly.
'I definitely won't lose to her.'
"We'll see about that," I plastered a fake smile towards her and she gritted her teeth in frustration.
~
After the dispute had calmed down and the kids from Group A left the salon, the customers chatted interestedly about the battle that would happen in 3 days. Most talked about wanting to come again in 3 days just to witness who'd win: The Spoiled Daughter of a Company's President, or the Bold and Fearless Underclassman.
"What are you thinking of?" Chairman Moriyama spoke to Tennouji who stood still, her attention towards the doors that the Sweets Princes and Keiko just left through.
"Nothing…" She responded, paying no mind to it.
"Are you in the least bit fearful of the new transfer student?" Chairman Moriyama asked interestedly.
"Her fearlessness makes me want to feel that way, especially when she's bold enough to challenge an upperclassman. I've heard that her techniques and desserts are excellent for such a young girl as if she got special training from a high-class professional... But, finally, a real challenge…" Tennouji gave a small smile, thinking about that girl who interested her.
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