Pumpkin Cake (1)

Chapter 82: Episode 36 - Pumpkin Cake (1)

After the second round had ended, Halloween was already coming around at the St. Marie Academy. Our classmates in 2-A were discussing that the 3rd round would be taking place at the Halloween fair. Consequently, we got news of this too and gathered at the cooking lab to discuss our next dish.

"Pumpkin cake?!" Kashino, Hanabusa, and I questioned in unison. Andou just presented his idea to us as we stood at Group A's station.

"Yes! Why don't we make a pumpkin cake to sell?" Andou asked us. "I think the pumpkin theme will go well with Halloween and there should be an abundance of pumpkins this season."

'Well, making a pumpkin cake isn't such a bad idea. I don't mind it but…'

"I think it'll be a good idea but there are two things that worry me. One, how we're going to mass-produce a pumpkin cake. And two, the consideration of other groups possibly making pumpkin cakes as well," I said bringing up my two worries. The sweets princes and their spirits nodded their heads at my consideration.

"Well, Michiko brings up a good point. If our dish is hard, it'll be hard to produce them to the masses," Hanabusa agreed.

"Not only that, but we have to consider what other teams will be making as well," Kashino added.

"Well, well! No need to worry about that! I just checked with our teacher and no other team has taken it yet surprisingly!" Andou boasted excitedly.

"If that's true, it doesn't mean that they can't still choose it," I brought up again.

"That's why I'm asking you guys about what you think about the idea. It might be a hit if we try!" Andou exclaimed with a cheerful smile.

"You're oddly positive about this, Sennosuke," Kashino said, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course! Because this time, the highest seller wins! It's about time I showed off my skills from our Wagashi shop!" He said with spirit.

"If it's not taken, then I agree to the pumpkin cake," I said.

"Me too," said Hanabusa.

"Fine," said Kashino.

"All right! Let's hurry and apply for it!" Said Andou.

We quickly found Teacher Ameya who was going around from place to place, writing down our competitors' dishes.

"Team Michiko is "Pumpkin Cake"... And okay!" Teacher Ameya said in approval as she looked down the list to make sure that our dessert wasn't taken. "Good luck you four. Make your teacher and your classmates proud!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" The four of us responded in unison.

Bam! Bam! Thump! Thump!

We could hear construction from outside so I took a look to see that there were workers creating little stalls in the plaza of the school grounds.

"Are they making some kind of stage in the plaza?" I asked, taking a peek outside.

"Ah, that's the stage for the third round," Teacher Ameya interjected. "To depict a circle, 9 booths have been lined up; that's where you'll be selling cakes. The middle is the dining area where guests will be seated. Guests will eat their bought cakes there, of course, they can take it to go too."

"How do you know who's sold the most?" I asked her and she smiled.

"Excellent question! First, visitors can buy 5 tickets for $10 at the entrance. They can then exchange one ticket of $2 for any team's sweets. Afterward, all the tickets will be counted and the team with the most will win. But, one team can only make up to 500 desserts each day! If you're sold out, then the day is done. It's going to be busy, but if you're not popular then you'll have to watch out for those around you selling."

I took another glance at the empty food stalls being set up below us in the plaza.

'We're going to be battling against Tennouji Mari, Koshiro Miya, and other strong competitors down there… Regardless, this is a competition so nobody ever said that it was going to be easy. The only way that we can progress is if we work hard!'

I held a determined look on my face and Teacher Ameya looked at the four of us.

"Although you guys may be nervous, I believe that you have gathered a strong following over the last couple rounds. As your teacher, it's my job and pleasure to reassure you that your team will do just fine," Teacher Ameya said with a calming smile.

"Thank you, Teacher!" We said, bowing our heads to her and then left to go back to 2-A.

~

"What are you planning on making, Keiko?" Fraise asked me as I pondered down the hallway.

"I'm still not sure yet," I responded, contemplating different ideas but nothing came to mind.

"Is that Keiko?" A familiar girl's voice came from behind me as I heard rattling.

It was Rumi pushing a metal cart towards our classroom.

"Oh, Rumi!" I acknowledged as a bright smile filled her face. As she pushed the cart, we could see huge cookies laid out on top.

"What's with these cookies?" I asked.

"Hee hee! It's our 2-A's display production. Come take a look, Keiko! Ah, you princes, too!" Rumi said, forcefully grabbing my arm and pulling me inside the classroom.

When we entered, I could obviously see that our classmates had made a "candy house". It looked kind of similar to the cake my group made for Ringo back at the Piyo Piyo kindergarten.

"What do you think? It's actually a prop for the play; a candy house! We're aiming for the victory amongst the rest of the production group!" Rumi explained as she held up a big decorative cookie for the roof of the house.

"Hehe, it looks nice and it looks like you all are having so much fun," I noticed as everybody smiled to make the house.

"Actually, we were inspired by your group's candy house cake that you made for Ringo at the kindergarten!" Rumi admitted and I looked back in astonishment.

"You were inspired by our cake? But why?" I asked her.

'Out of anything they could have made, they were inspired by our cake?'

"Well, it was an amazing cake you guys made! We had a lot of fun watching the kids have fun and the smiles it brought to them so we thought that it'd be a good idea to remake it into a bigger version."

"Um, is that so?" I smiled awkwardly.

"I digress. You guys have to present our class and give your undivided attention to the 3rd round. So, good luck Team Michiko and make us proud!" Rumi gave us a thumbs up and I smiled back.

"A-ah, yes…" I responded quietly.

Our classmates that also worked on this project smiled back at us but even though it felt nice of them cheering us on, I couldn't help but feel this overwhelming pressure I was gathering from this. It felt as if everything depended on us winning or not and that failure wasn't an option. Then again, it may have been my fear of failing that I was scared of admitting out loud.

"Michiko, stop spacing out. Let's go practice," Kashino said, snapping me out of my mindset.

"All right. Good luck on your candy house, 2-A," I said bidding farewell to my classmates and followed after the three boys that left the classroom.