Operation: Scare Nozomi

Sub-unit Printemps Trick

"Honoka-chan, Lily White has made their move, shouldn't we go next?" Kotori approached her other two unit mates during break a few days after the previous events.

The other two seemed to brighten up at the suggestion, and they silently agreed to meet somewhere private after class.

Our three masters of cuteness sat in a circle in the corner of the field whispering excitedly to each other, as if there were people within earshot to tattle to Nozomi. Except, there wasn't another soul around to hear them.

"Maybe we can build a caramel monster! She'll freak out at that right?" They burst out in laughter at Honoka's half-hearted idea.

Hanayo quipped, "what about we take her to a haunted house? Wouldn't that count as scaring her?"

The other two shook their heads. "We tried scaring her with monsters and ghosts before, didn't we? Nozomi-chan isn't afraid of supernatural stuff..." Kotori offered kindly.

"Maybe Honoka-chan's idea is still the best... I can't come up with any other idea." Kotori cracked a smile as Honoka let herself fall back on to the grass.

"But that doesn't really count as a scare...?" Hanayo followed Honoka's example.

"All in all, it's still a prank!"

As planned, Kotori and Hanayo met up at Honoka's house to start baking their delicious prank. After getting approval from Honoka's mum to use the kitchen, they set tow work quickly. The three scrapped the idea of a 'caramel monster', (how would they transport that to school without being seen anyway?) and decided to bake a box of caramel bonbons for her instead.

All was well; the girls diligently tried to shape and decorate the bonbons as perfectly as possible, all while trying to resist 'sampling' their handiwork. That is, until Kotori decided to smear chocolate on Honoka's cheek.

Hanayo had to watch meekly as chocolate flew back and forth between Kotori and Honoka, while classifying the whole episode as merely a 'lover's spat'. (Pity Umi wasn't there to get dragging into the fun.)

By the time they finished making one box of bonbons, Kotori and Honoka as chocolate smeared all over, even in their hair.

They didn't know how to answer to Honoka's mum about the kitchen afterward.

"Here Nozomi-chan!" Honoka offered the box to Nozomi, "We made this especially for you. They're to thank you for being such a great senior, never hesitating to help us out with our troubles or studies!"

Only Nozomi, Eli, Nico, Kotori, Hanayo and Honoka were in the clubroom today. Nico, sensing their true intentions, got up to make herself scarce, winking at the Printemps trio on her way out.

And then there were five.

Nozomi looked at the confectionary in delighted shock, "You really didn't have to, thank you!" She smiled as she opened the box. "These will last me for a while."

"Nozomi-chan please try it and tell us if it's nice!"

Kotori gave her best puppy pleading face.

"Alright, alright. Itadakimasu!"

Nozomi popped the sweet into her mouth. The chocolate was nice until it melted away to a... Caramel center?!

Nozomi cringed and twitched. Eh... Maybe Honoka and the others forgot I hate caramel?

Nozomi twitched again, and then forced herself to put on a smile. Well it was their hard work after all.

"It's really good... I never knew you all were so good at baking."

Honoka, Hanayo and Kotori were shocked into silence as Nozomi continued to stuff chocolates into her mouth.

"I'm glad Nozomi-chan likes them!" Hanayo cried out, before dragging her unit mates out of the room.

Once outside, all three of them stood in awed silence. "Nozomi-senpai is such a nice person..." Hanayo was moved to tears, and the other two agreed gravely.

Omake:

Nozomi held out the box of confectionary, close to tears as well.

"Elicchi, will you finish this for me?" A hint of desperation laced her voice.

Laughing, Eli received the box as Nozomi gulped down about a litre of water.

"Uuuehh the taste of caramel is still there!"

Here's me at my best ─worst─ at 2 a.m. trying to write fluffy comedy because to me Printemps =Fluff + extra cotton candy. And yes I ship 2nd years as well coz nobody should be left out of the shipping fun! Hope you enjoyed!