How to be a Star「Yowane Haku's Story」

Bottle 16✱ Blasting Differences

After the store was closed for the evening, Haku and the others were at the second floor, discussing on how and what would happen on the event that will take place in a matter of hours. As usual, Kaito and Tei - still hadn't switched clothes - were sitting next to each other. Akiko was at the left side of Kaito, facing Haku which still wearing the twin pigtails, sitting at the opposite end, and Gumi was at the kitchen, brewing some coffee for the group to have.

"So guys, we're just a day away from the event." He said. "For tomorrow, we need to transport the items that needs to be there at the school grounds."

"We can call Ritsu about transporting the materials." Haku said. "Sir Ted gave him a permission to help us whenever we need one."

"Well, that's good news!" he said, Gumi approached the group with a tray.

While Gumi was serving the cups one by one, Kaito asked the group. "So how about the treats and foods to be served at the school, what are we gonna make this year?" he asked, tries to grasp some ideas from the rest. "Any suggestions?"

"I think we need to add a healthy drink for our guests, a variety of fruits and vegetables in a shake!" Gumi suggested excitedly. "That would be good!"

Tei opposed. "It's terrible the last time I'd tasted your so-called Power Shake, it turned my stomach upside down. And this year, I'm against that shake thing of yours." she said, looking directly at Gumi.

"But... I think this time her 'formula' for that shake would be improved right?" Akiko said, smiling uneasily, pertaining the statement to Gumi, trying to make Tei agree on the suggestion.

"Yeah, I can.. Perhaps.. I'll can make a better one this time.." she said, unsure at her statement, making a quick sip of her coffee.

"Tei, what was the problem at Gumi's shake last time." asked Haku. "Was the shake too bitter? Too sweet? Too bland?"

"It's unbearable to drink!" Tei stressed out. "It was so so bad, I had to spent my time at the bathroom for several hours!"

"Hey! Its not that bad!" Gumi glared. "Your stomach is only too picky!"

"It is, Gumi! It sucks! Mixing leeks with oranges and carrots was the worst idea you had!"

"You only lack creativity!" Gumi said to Tei.

"You lack logic!" Tei replied.

"What!" Gumi reacted, angry. "Hey!"

Before a fight would broke out, Haku immediately breaks the argument. "Could you two stop it! It does not help any of us here and we are not yet have a solid plan for tomorrow."

"Haku was right," Kaito said, Tei and Gumi looked at him. "We need to focus on the planning first. It's getting late also, we need some time to rest after this."

Gumi settled down a little and sat beside Haku while Tei was still hugging Kaito's arm tightly, looking at Gumi, displeased she had recalled her past experience on the last event they'd hosted, which she accidentally drank the 'prototype' of the Power Shake Gumi had invented hours before the event.

"Believe me Haku, that was the most disgusting drink I ever tasted!" Tei said with exaggeration, mixed with weird facial expressions.

"It's your fault! Nobody told you to drink that!" Gumi responded.

"So basically, what does this so-called 'Gumi's Power Shake' contains?" Haku asked, "I am just curious..."

Kaito made a short nervous smile. "She blended several types of fruit and vegetables..."

"...like?" Haku said.

"...like spinach, tomato, cherry, apples...." Kaito said.

"...carrots, leeks that tastes terribly when raw - ugh.. So so so gross! Oranges...." Tei followed.

"...some watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, and..." Akiko trailed off, unable to continue the list.

"And what? Akiko?"

"Eh-" she said, waived her glance at the coffee, "Gumi shall answer that.."

Haku then faced Gumi. "And what was the other ingredients you blended up with...?"

"S-soy, soy beans," she replied, embarrassed. "and lemon."

Haku was astounded on what the ingredients were put on Gumi's shake. "Well in that case, no wonder why Tei doesn't want to do that drink of yours anymore, Gumi."

"Yeah, Indeed." then she changed her tone in slight anger. "But Tei was too desperate to get noticed that time, she drank all of that in front of Kaito!"

"HEY!" Tei reacted. "You merely got me killed at that potent mix you had that time!"

"You are so desperate to get noticed by big brother!" Gumi said.

"I guess you are lucky enough to survive that kind of drink." Haku said sarcastically to Tei.

"You bet!" she said, hugging Kaito's arms tighter.

"So.. What shall we serve at them this year?" Kaito inquired again.

"A healthy variety of foods that contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals will be the best candidate for that!" Akiko said.

"That will do Akiko! We only need to have some cooking manuals so we won't get lost at the recipe." Haku agreed, then sipping some coffee at her cup.

Akiko nodded at her with a smile.

Kaito asked again."And for the desserts?"

"Pies! Cherry pies!" Tei beamed, standing from her place and making a strong stance. "CHERRY PIES!"

"No! Carrot Pies are way better!" Gumi followed, raising her voice a bit, also standing from her place, looking fiercely at Tei.

"Cherry!"

"Carrot!"

"Che--rry!" She said, placing both of her hands at her hips, looking provocatively at Gumi. "Cause cherries are as sweet as my love for Kaito!"

"Brother Kaito is out of this Tei! We are talking about the children at the school, not about that affection of yours towards my big brother!"

"Eh?" a small confused smile and a twitching brow was seen on Kaito's face while listening at the two.

"Carrot pies is much better than your cherry ones." Gumi proudly introduced. "Because it has Vitamin A that is good for the eyes!"

"Whatever, me and my che—rry pies are still the best!" Tei said with confidence, smiling.

"Ca—rrot!"

"Che—rry!"

"Ca—rrot pies!"

"Can we just resort to ice cream?" He unmindedly jumped in, like he has no clue on what's happening neither the conversation they'd into.

"NO!" the two said simultaneously, scolding Kaito.

Kaito's forehead started to sweat when he felt the heat from Gumi and Tei's debate. Akiko and Haku were surprised at the two.

Akiko mediates between them. "Instead of fighting each other, could you guys just make both Cherry and Carrot pie stalls at the event, so everyone is happy?"

"Great idea Akiko!" Gumi strongly agreed. "You're gonna help me at making pies!"

She made a faltered smile. "O-okay then..."

"I agree." Tei said firmly, making a 'death hug' at Kaito and changing her voice similarly to a sweetheart. "I'm gonna make the sweetest cherry pie at the event with my Kaito-sama!"

Kaito was gasping for breath as Tei was hugging her tightly, merely crushing his bones. After a moment, Tei let go of him and sat down in 'floaty' reverie about making pie together with her Kaito-sama.