"That's an interesting face you have on. 'The Scream' part two?"

My fingers which were clasping my cheeks slowly drew apart. I aimed a frown at the girl who had entered the classroom, hooking her bag to the underside of her desk with an amused grin in tow. I lowered my arms to my sides, jutting my chin.

"For your information, I ate a really, really sour candy."

"That so?" Her eyes fell onto my desk, where the empty wrapper lay. "You're still eating sweets, huh?"

I flinched.

She hummed, and after pulling out the books and utensils needed for our first period, returned her focus to me. She slyly studied me until finally asking, "Don't tell me you're already reconsidering what you told me about abandoning your pastry chef dream?"

My blood ran cold. Miko certainly caught it, seeing by the way she cocked a challenging eyebrow. Swallowing hard, I reached to fiddle with my bangs.

"N-no? What would give you that idea?"

She continued to watch me for a while longer. I was so sure she'd saw through my fib but fortunately, she abandoned the topic altogether with a shrug. "If that's not the case, all is good."

I released a discreet sigh of relief. Miko took the opportunity to twirl her lead pencil between her fingers.

"More importantly," she said, gaze sliding ahead—primarily to the blond seated at his desk, tapping away at his cell, "you talked to Tamura, right? Is he still working on the film?"

I cringed, allowing my bangs to hang free. "I'm not too sure. They did lose a lot of actors."

Frowning, she rested her chin on her open palm. "I feel kind of responsible. I should've kept better watch of those cupcakes."

"If that's what you're getting at, I shouldn't have made them to begin with."

She shook her head. "I don't blame you for making them. You did your best. That's all that matters."

As always, my best friend was way too nice to me.

I stared at Koyuki's back, lingering guilt coursing through my veins.

"Hey, Miko."

"Yeah?"

"I really want to make it up to Tamura."

Dropping her pencil, she gandered at him all the same. "I get what you mean."

"If I hadn't forced the club on him, I'm sure he could've managed a decent film with what he had. Now he just has less than what he started with."

"Casting new people would take a while," Miko agreed. "Unless we can somehow convince those same actors to come back, I'm not really sure..."

In a split second, I'd bolted to my feet and situated my face inches from hers. Her brown eyes widened as a result. I beamed from ear to ear.

"That's it."

"Kotori, you're too close."

"Miko, you're a genius."

"I understand but you're too close."

I performed a fist-pump, whooping as I backed away from her.

"That's all I have to do! I just need to convince them to come back!"

Bubbling with delight, I took the opportunity to dash towards the exit. It was after I'd manoeuvred into the next hallway that realization hit me, causing me to skid in my tracks. Disregarding the frazzled stares of passing students, I jogged my way back into my classroom and up to Miko.

I slapped her desk. "Who were those students again?"

She face-palmed, completely done with me. It wasn't a new occurrence, really.

"Take a seat."

I pulled up my chair and did as told.

She continued, "If I do give you their names, what do you plan to do exactly? If it's simple persuasion, I'm sure Tamura has already tried that."

As always, my best friend brought up the best points.

I placed my forefinger to my chin and hummed. "True. I need to show them I come in peace."

Miko's eyebrows knitted together. "Are you an alien?"

I pushed to my feet, drawing my face to hers. "But if I don't give them a reason to listen to me, I'm sure whatever I say will float over their heads."

She waved me off and I took my seat again. Silence floated over our heads until with the most deadpanned expression she could muster, she said, "And what exactly is your grand idea of a peace offering?"

"A date with me."

Her mouth twitched. "Kotori," she said, appalled, "I'm certain nobody will accept that bargain."

I gasped, a hand shooting to my chest. "Is it because I'm ugly?"

"Of course not. You're a gem."

"Why thank you—"

"But even if you are beautiful, why would that make them want to go on a date with you?"

I didn't understand her question. "Why wouldn't it?"

She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. I laughed.

"Did you finish that composition?"

"Just about. Why?"

"Then complete it and leave the rest to me. I'll get those students back in no time!"

Miko's lips pursed in distaste. Nonetheless, I'd risen to my feet yet again, glimmering like always.

"Why do you always make me worry more than I need to?"

"Because you love me," I reasoned.

She grumbled under her breath. Snickering, I tossed my arms into the air.

"That said, Kotori Teruhashi will be taking off!"

Miko's eyes bulged.

"Right now?" she demanded. "But it's—"

"I'll make them return if it's the last thing I do!" I shouted, making a beeline for the door again. "I'm leaving!"

As soon as I slid open the door, my forehead clashed with a hard surface. A chest. Tilting my head back and seeing my homeroom teacher's face scrunched in disappointment assured me I'd sealed my fate.

"No you are not," Mr. Hanamura said, shutting the door behind him.

Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead. I robotically backed away and went hurtling the way I came.

"I am not leaving," I repeated, throwing myself into my chair and sitting as straight as a ruler. "Classes come first, everyone. Please resume, Mr. Hanamura!"

Miko face-palmed once more. After Mr. Hanamura chuckled and took the wheel in starting class, my mortification faded as well as the boring gazes of my classmates.

I cast a glance at Koyuki's broad shoulders, then was back to stifling my excitement whilst grinning like a maniac.

I'd make it up to him no matter what.

"A dessert... to mend relationships?"

I vigorously bobbed my head, surging to my tippy-toes to stare Chiaki right in the eyes. "I want to help Tamura and the rest of the Film Club finish their film. I can't move on unless I fix everything."

Chiaki's green eyes were even more striking up close—brighter, a more crystalline shade. His back was against the wall, surprise burrowed deep on his face.

"That's why I need your help," I pressed, moving even closer. "As long as it still stands, I want to take up your offer from yesterday. Teach me how to make a dessert tasty enough to make amends with everyone who went on the trip!"

He didn't respond. My heart sunk and I subconsciously moved closer.

"Chiaki," I pleaded, my lips barely grazing his. "You're my last hope. Please!"

Before I could dare continue, his cheeks bloated with air. Startled, I watched as his hands crept from his sides and covered his mouth. Like a wave, our current proximity washed over me. The discomfort dormant on his features stuck out like a sore thumb also.

"Sorry." I inched a good couple of steps back. "It's a habit. You should've said something if you were uncomfortable."

Once assured I was back to my senses and was no longer close enough to kiss him, he reluctantly returned his hands to his sides. Although I typically didn't find any emotion on him besides weariness, this time he went to play with his baby hairs underneath his ear—a clear indication of his bashfulness.

"I didn't... want to be rude," he told me.

There was another tug at my heartstrings, making me break out into a smile. He was seriously so adorable.

As soon as lunch had arrived, I'd bolted out of the classroom to find Chiaki and ask him to meet me after school. Fortunately, I'd found him in the cafeteria right before he'd begun digging into his lunch and practically made the plans before he could accept them. But now that after school had arrived and I saw him waiting for me in the promised spot, I couldn't help but get all excited and ramble whatever I'd left unsaid at lunch.

But I guess this confrontation could've gone a lot better...

"Please teach me how to make a dessert," I said again, breaking out into a respectful bow.

Chiaki continued to fiddle with his hair. "Today...?"

"Today would be greatly appreciated!" I lurched up from my bow. "I don't have much time! And I already got permission from Mr. Hanamura to use this lab until clubs are over, so there's no need to worry about that!"

Like everyone else, he didn't bode too well against my enthusiasm. After what felt like centuries, Chiaki finally parted his lips and mumbled a low, "All right."

My grin was back on my face. "Thank you, Chiaki," I cheered, scooping up his free hand. "I owe you!"

He peered down at our interlocked hands but I was already lugging him into the kitchen. I left him next to the first cooking station before returning to the door to slide it shut. I hit the lock after that and rested my hands on my hips as I faced him.

"Let's get started now," I said. "What do you think we should make?"

But Chiaki was once again lost amidst his thoughts. Rather than brush my bubbly declaration aside, it seemed to be affecting him a lot. As he shuffled his feet, his pout was as clear as day. His eyes flickered between me and the floor.

"You," he finally said, piquing my confusion, "locked the door."

My shoulders grew rigid. A bad premonition settled at the pit of my stomach.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"A bit."

My thrill tumbled downhill. I guess his fear was reasonable. It was what I got for being way too pushy. He couldn't trust me alone.

I hurried toward the door and unlocked it slowly for emphasis. When I returned to his side, Chiaki's composure had resurfaced. I suppressed a sigh, making a mental note to not jump and corner him again.

"So what do you think we should make?"

Chiaki set his belongings aside at the far back of the room. He then sauntered up to a station. There was a cookbook conveniently propped up and he didn't hesitate to flip through it until arriving at a stop.

He pointed straight at the page he left off at. "This."

I leaned forward to see it. I scanned what looked like pink ice cream in a cup and a simple leaf aesthetic surrounding it. My eyelids rose as I read what kind of recipe it was.

Watermelon sorbet. A frozen dessert.

Animated stars were quick to fill my eyes. I rotated toward Chiaki before I could stop myself.

"Are you suggesting this cold dessert because it'll work to freeze over all awkward tension and bring everyone involved closer together with the warmth of friendship?"

The idea went off like a lightbulb in my head. I wasn't giving Chiaki enough credit! Warm hearts brought together by a cold dessert—it was perfect! And watermelons were delicious so that was a bonus as well.

I waited for Chiaki to nod and prove me right. But it seemed what I'd said had flown over his own head.

Lightly scratching at his cheek, he responded, "Watermelon sorbet... tastes really amazing, so..."

Eyelashes fluttering, I retreated. "Oh."

Chiaki nodded and headed toward the freezers. "I had home economics today... and we made some. There should be extra watermelon left in here... Ah, found it."

Content, Chiaki glided a tray of frozen watermelons from one of the racks and returned to my side. I could only watch as he set it down on the counter before heading off to wash his hands in the nearby sink.

"Oh," was all I could say again. "So... you totally didn't hear a single thing I said about making a dessert good enough to make amends with the Film Club and the other actors?"

Chiaki who had gone to sling on an apron paused to send me a petulant frown. "I heard you, but... I really wanted to make this. We can't?"

The look shot and fired at my defenceless heart.

"Of course we can!" I shouted, feeling myself blush. This boy was as cute as a puppy! I swiped an apron for myself, stopped to make a hand-washing pit stop, then hurried back to him. "So what's first?"

Chiaki pushed out his lower lip further, in a pensive manner that only brought more cuteness from his chubby cheeks. By and by, and without the slightest glimpse at the recipe, he toddled toward the cupboards.

"I think it's..."