Start of a New Friendship (2)

Chapter 43: Episode 21 - Start of a New Friendship (2)

We hadn't realized how late it was getting as we talked until evening. We said our thanks and goodbyes to Mari and Honey as we left the high school division and walked back to the middle school division.

Fraise's quiet crying stopped right after we agreed to help her find my mother's sweet spirit. It was nice to see that the burden that always lingered in Fraise seemed to be lifted a little. After our talk with them, she seemed more free-spirited after saying those things as we shared the burden with her. She doesn't have to do this alone, she has others who will help her.

'I guess the same could go for me… I don't always have to suffer alone, I have others to help me become better.'

I thought about the Sweets Princes, their sweets spirits, my family, and the people I've met so far.

'I shouldn't have to push them away… They are the people I care about the most…'

A felt a sudden urge to go to the cafeteria. It was only about 5:40, so it was still dinnertime.

I quickly made my way over to the large school hallway and went inside the cafeteria to buy some of the food that was offered. I quickly saw the heads of Andou, Hanabusa, and Kashino sitting at their usual seat. Once I bought my food, I walked over to their table and took the open seat by Hanabusa.

"Oh, Michiko is joining us?" Hanabusa noticed my sudden appearance at their table and I nodded my head.

"Yes, I was feeling quite hungry so I decided to stop by the cafeteria," I explained and Kashino's brown eyes stared directly at me, his gaze felt quite heavy as he stared me down.

"You didn't go to the cafeteria to eat lunch," Kashino said in a monotone voice but it meant that he was serious.

'Sh*t, I got caught.'

"How did you know?" I asked him back and he took a sip from his drink, remaining quiet.

"Well... we went to the cafeteria right after you left but we noticed that you weren't there," Andou chuckled nervously, answering for Kashino who was still staring at me.

"Yeah, where did you go?" Hanabusa asked me and I swallowed a bit of my food.

As I recalled the memories of me and Fraise talking to Mari and Honey, a small smile formed on my face.

"To talk to a friend…" I responded as I remembered our talk with her inspiring words.

"A friend? Is it… a guy?" Hanabusa asked and Andou and Kashino's eyes widened in surprise. Kashino spat out his drink and Andou coughed out his food.

"A-a guy? You went to go talk to a guy?" Andou raised his voice a bit in shock and Kashino wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Who-who cares. It's none of my business," Kashino said coolly while Hanabusa and Andou glared back at him.

"Shut up, Maa-chan. You're just as disturbed as us…" Andou pointed out.

"Even with the mention of Michiko's name, you pay close attention as well," Hanabusa smirked at him and Kashino's eyebrows furrowed and he scoffed, though he didn't respond back.

'Seriously, what is going on? Why do they think I saw a guy? I don't have any other guy friends except them…'

I glanced over at Fraise who gave me a mischievous smirk, but then she looked away. I gazed over at Cafe, Chocolat, and Caramel, but they all gave me a suspicious smile as well.

'What's wrong with them?!'

"Geez, I didn't see a guy. I saw Tennouji Mari and we talked for a while," I explained with a bit of irritation in my voice. "Don't just automatically suspect that I talked to a boy. Anyways, the only guys I talk to are you three."

Cafe's face seemed hurt and then I sighed.

"And Cafe as well," I finished.

They all looked at me and they chuckled nervously.

"What's wrong with you guys? You suspected that she met up with a guy before she was able to explain?" Kashino scoffed at Andou and Hanabusa, but they shot him glares.

"You thought of it as well, Kashino. Well, if it were a guy, I wouldn't be able to sleep for a week," Hanabusa admitted and Andou nodded his head in agreement.

"You said you met up with the high school's student council president," Kashino brought attention back to that, though my face was struck with confusion during this whole conversation.

"Ah, yes," I responded, bringing my focus back.

"It's only been a day since the pudding battle but you're already talking to Tennouji Mari?" Hanabusa asked in amazement.

"Yeah, I decided to go on a walk right after I left and I somehow ended up talking with Mari. Not only did we agree to be friends, but we're rivals as well," I explained to them and their eyes widened into even more amazement.

"Rivals? The genius president must see a lot of potential in you if she can call you her rival," Andou told in amusement. "But you came back so late."

"We talked until evening and we hadn't realized that it was dinnertime, so Fraise and I said goodbye and left."

"But why did you come here?" Kashino said frankly and my eyebrows twitched.

'Why, am I not allowed to be here and eat food either?' My face was beginning to tense up but I decided not to show it. I decided to let it go since Kashino was always blunt and straightforward. He definitely isn't one who'd sugarcoat things.

I decided to think before answering his question. I thought about my deep conversation with Mari and the revelations from Fraise and Honey. When we said our goodbyes, I came to the realization that I didn't have to keep pushing them away. I had to stop thinking that I was the weight that would hold back the team.

"Actually, once I left… I was so lost in thought about everything that was going on… I was caught up in my own little world, doubting my capabilities and whether I could really be a part of this team or not… I think of myself as a liability…"

As I confessed, their mouths gaped wide open in surprise from this admission.

Nobody had said anything so I decided to continue.

"Because of me and because of my lack of confidence, I feared that I would be the reason why we would fail… I feared that because of me, I was holding us back from truly shining as a team…" My true thoughts began coming out of my mouth subconsciously. I didn't want to show them what I truly thought but it was something that they deserved to know. "I push people away to make it easier on myself when really, I'd regret not saying what I wanted…"

Their gazes continued to remain the same, shocked at my revealing words. I hadn't realized the kind of expression on my face but I could tell that it was some sort of sadness. I decided to continue no matter what.

"But when I talked with the president today, she helped me realize that I didn't need to put myself down to cope with the things I lack. I don't need to push people away who care about me and my well-being more than I do myself. I need to work through my obstacles and try to better myself with the people around me. I… apologize if I've been distant from you all but please understand that… some things are hard to explain right now… I promise that I'll do my best for the Grand Prix and… I want to aim for the top together with all of you… I want to try making cakes that will make people who eat them happy…" I ended my speech and stared down at the table.

When I thought about my Mom, it was always a wake-up call to remember why I want to be a patissiere and why it's so important for me to complete this dream. With everybody's dreams on the line… I have to try my best.

"Wow, I never thought Michiko thought like that…" Hanabusa began but his voice faded.

"We knew you had reasons why you kept yourself distant from us, but this is…" Andou's sentence remained unfinished.

"... Idiot!" Kashino looked at me, his expression turned to annoyance.

'Idiot?' I looked at him with confusion along with Hanabusa and Andou.

"We didn't choose you as our comrade because we thought you were a liability! Have you ever tried thinking about why we chose you?" Kashino interrogated with a scolding voice.

"N-no…" I quietly responded.

"It's because we know that Michiko is someone who works hard and has the skills to prove it," Hanabusa explained with a warm smile.

"And, we didn't choose you just because you had great skills, we chose you because you make us truly shine as a team. Let's work hard and aim for the top together," Andou smiled as well.

'Even they don't see me as a liability, after all, it was… just me…'

After what they'd said, I formed a smile on my face and nodded my head.

"Okay, we'll make our dreams come true as a team," I said confidently as everybody nodded their heads in agreement.

'To Mom… may I shine brightly at this school. I will fulfill my dreams along with my team members and go to the Grand Prix with everything we've got… So please, guide and watch over us…'