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Ichigo's POV

"Tomorrow we are starting an experimental project where students will have to bring their own ingredients for a cake." Ameya-sensei stated, eyes scanning her whiteboard. The class had been dismissed early to discuss the project. "The project will be graded on how well you incorporate those ingredients into the final pastry, as well as creativity in deciding the ingredients. Be prepared to take notes on how to create a recipe tomorrow."

Ichigo looked at her teammates nervously. This was the first time she was given a task like this, so she had no clue what to do. She walked over to Fumika and grabbed her arm, whispering, "Fumika, do you know how to do this project? I don't really understand it."

Fumika stared at her. "Ichigo, word of advice. Next time the teacher gives out instructions, pay attention to it."

"I did!" Ichigo pouted, offended." I just don't understand what I'm supposed to do."

Fumika sighed, shaking her head. "Ichigo, it's perfectly clear what you're 'supposed to do'. Find ingredients for a cake and make it creative. It can just be something normal with a twist. That's all you need to get a good grade."

Ichigo hummed, furrowing her brows as she thought about what she had to do. 'But, what kind of cake should I make? Hmm... oh! I got it.'

As soon as Ameya-sensei dismissed the class, Ichigo dragged Fumika out of the kitchen doors. It wasn't hard to drag her there, but there was a lot of resistance from her. It seemed that Fumika had decided to just give in to Ichigo's demands after a while, though, because she just rolled her eyes and walked alongside her.

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Fumika's POV

Fumika sighed and decided to just let Ichigo drag her towards... wherever they were going. As they walked outside the building, Fumika noticed that Ichigo was heading towards the forest.

Ichigo bent down and picked up a chestnut. "I'm sure we can use chestnuts for a cake. I think I've heard of chestnut cakes before."

Fumika shrugged, sighing. "Maybe, depends on if you use it correctly."

Ichigo continued looking around gathering fruits and chestnuts she can find. Fumika just followed Ichigo while occasionally gathering some fruits.

Ichigo finally stopped and looked around with a confused look."Um... Where are we?"

Fumika facepalmed, shaking her head at Ichigo, who had started wandering around.

They reach a large white building. "What a beautiful building! Maybe we can get some help from in there, since it looks like another dorm for Saint Marie."

Ichigo took off towards the dorm and Fumika followed. They entered and looked around. Fumika spotted a somewhat familiar blonde haired girl.

Ichigo quickly walked up to her, leaving Fumika standing near the doorway. "Excuse me!" The girl turned around, and Fumika gasped.

"Mari!" Fumika rushed over to the girl and hugged her. Ichigo squeaked, confused as to why Fumika knew the girl.

"Fumika? What are you doing here?" Mari asked, giving the girl a confused gaze while hugging Fumika back.

"Ichigo decided to look for ingredients for a project that our teacher gave in class today, and we got lost. " Fumika explained.

Ichigo snapped out of her surprise. She bowed and added to Fumika's explanation, "We saw this building and came here to ask for some help."

"Oh, I see. Why don't you come to my room and settle down first?" Mari offered. They nodded and followed her to her place.

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Ichigo's POV

Mari Tennouji. Ichigo's fixed gaze on her did not budge, even as she watched her walk out of the room to get some refreshments for her and Fumika. She had heard wonderful things about her from her classmates, about how she would win the Grand Prix and go to Paris next year.

"Hey, Fumika," Ichigo said softly. Fumika turned to her, eyes questioning. "What's the Grand Prix? I know it's something that I should know, but no one has told me about what it's really for."

Fumika gazed at her curiously, "You never saw the posters that the teachers have put up for it? It's the talk of the school."

Ichigo nibbled at her bottom lips, racking her brain for any memory of the poster that Fumika was talking about. Although she had seen quite a few posters around the school, she had always disregarded them because she thought that they didn't relate to her.

"I don't really remember seeing any posters about it." Ichigo admitted.

Just then, Mari came back with a plate of sweets. Fumika looked at Ichigo and said, "We'll discuss the Grand Prix later."

Ichigo nodded, and promptly forgot the conversation as her attention caught on the sweets. "Oh my gosh! They look delicious!" Ichigo exclaimed, mouth watering as her eyes glanced over each sweet. "May... may I have one?"

"Yes, of course. I brought these sweets so that you two could enjoy it." Mari responded, setting the plate down. "Please, help yourselves!"

Fumika and Ichigo started eating the sweets, with constant little hums of appreciation coming from Ichigo as she scarfed down sweet after sweet. "This soufflé is really good, Mari-san! Where did you get this from?"

"I baked it myself." Mari smiled. "I'm sorry that it's not entirely fresh because I didn't have enough time to bake for you two. I had to reheat a few soufflés I had made earlier."

"Did you use honey to make it? It's sweet and tender. It's so delicious and it just melts in my mouth." Fumika complimented, tasting another spoon full of the soufflé.

The three chatted about sweets for a while more, but eventually Ichigo and Fumika had to leave. Ichigo was deep in thought as Mari showed them the way back to their dorm. It was no wonder that so many people often talked about her success and her amazing sweets. Ichigo looked forward to the day where she could become as great of a patissiere as Mari was.