Chapter 6: Episode 3 - A Hidden Test (2)
The two judges, Henri Lucas and Chairman Moriyama, stood a good distance away from Keiko to where they could still analyze her movements and techniques while still being able to quietly talk to one another.
Keiko still hadn't begun yet and she looked at the ingredients laid out before her as if intensely analyzing each and everything.
"Do you think she'll be able to figure out our game?" Chairman Moriyama asked Henri Lucas who stood next to him.
"I don't know, but if she doesn't, there's a possibility that she could still pass if the flavors are there and if it's executed well. If she goes with the recipe she'd been planning for a week, it will only show that her thinking and creativity are mediocre. Most students who try to enter mid-way through only focus on what they'd been planning for a week instead of looking at the bigger picture," Henri Lucas responded and the chairman nodded his head in agreement.
"That's right. Those who can sense even the tiniest bit of suspicion and come up with an even better idea are a force to be reckoned with, especially with their ability to think quickly. Just because she has good grades in school doesn't mean that she will figure this out. Only those who aspire to challenge themselves and can come up with ideas fast are the ones who can truly succeed in this career path," Chairman Moriyama stated as the two men gazed at Keiko who looked up at them readily.
Keiko nodded her head to signal that she was about to begin.
Henri Lucas nodded his head to acknowledge her. The look that they both saw on her face was full of confidence. She showed no signs of nervousness, instead, she gave a small smirk when she looked at the two men.
"Okay… Begin!" Henri Lucas shouted and she quickly began to run towards the refrigerator to grab more ingredients.
"It was only a minute but she's already going for more ingredients?!" Chairman pointed out and they both could see her eagerness to comply with other ingredients.
Some of the ingredients that stood before her meant absolutely nothing, instead, she kept only a few of them while pushing the others aside.
"Don't tell me… she already figured out our trick? Or is she only changing it because she's not confident in her own recipe?" The chairman asked, his green eyes widened in shock.
"Hmmm… I don't know..." Henri Lucas analyzed the young girl who quickly moved around to grab what she needed, her movements were unwavering.
'Most of the kids I've witnessed so far don't get the hint and think that everything is set for them, continuing with their recipe. Some still fail even though everything was ready for them whether it's due to nervousness or incompetence. Even if they do catch on, they continue with their original recipe because they think it's enough to help them pass the exam. But, I've never seen someone on their exam quickly catch on to the trick in just mere seconds. Truly… unbelievable…'
"Do you think that her parents told her about what we were planning, Mr. Henri?" The chairman asked but Henri Lucas continued to look at the girl, shaking his head in disagreement.
"No… her parents don't know about this either. We only told them to send us their child's recipe and what it looks like. This girl... figured this out by herself and is playing along with our game," Henri gazed amazedly at Keiko from afar.
'Strangely, her appearance and nature reminds me of my teacher who died a few years ago, Ella Fournier—'
Henri Lucas shook his head to ruin this thought.
'That's impossible. My teacher didn't have a child before she died. How could I even think of this?'
"Regardless, if she changes her idea to something else, we still don't know whether the flavors will be good or if it will turn out well. We'll have to wait and see until the end. Right now, we have to focus on her techniques and see if she truly is a force to be reckoned with," Henri stated, both focusing their attention back on Keiko who'd grabbed everything she needed to make her dessert.
Her area was filled with more ingredients than what the two judges laid out before. From the looks of it, it seemed like she was making something much more complex with the number of ingredients she had at her station.
The real question in both of the judges' minds was, can she really execute her new idea well?
'It'll be fine, Keiko,' Keiko thought to herself. 'Just remember what Mom said while she baked: "Be confident in your moves. Even if you make a mistake, play it out to look as if it were intended." After all, I am the daughter of the famous patissiere, Ella Fournier!' Keiko quickly reassured herself before she began. Remembering her late mother's words wiped away all of the doubt and possibility of messing up.
Keiko closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Suddenly, her bright blue eyes opened with determination and she started immediately.
Her movements were concise and swift as if her body was being controlled. To her, it felt like if her mom was there with her, her presence watching over her daughter.
'Just like you, Mom. I will become a world-renown patissiere and start my dream at the St. Marie Academy. Please guide me toward that dream.'
"A-astonishing! Her movements are quick and exact. There is no sign of hesitance or faltering that ruins her presence!" The chairman spoke shockingly as he watched the young girl move.
Henri said nothing. Just like the chairman, he was shocked as well but didn't express it.
'Where did this young girl learn these kinds of moves? It feels as if her movements resemble Teacher Ella's moves, but this girl has her own style as well. Though it does resemble Teacher Ella's moves, she also made the techniques she uses her own! Breathtaking! Just… who is she?' Henri observed remarkably, his mouth almost agape as he watched.
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"Hehehe! Is this the same girl that I watched over before?" A small fairy-like creature observed Keiko from above, silently giggling to herself excitedly while she watched. The two judges and Keiko didn't notice her presence at all.
She had long, light pink to white gradient hair brushed to the side. Her bright blue eyes shone in anticipation just from watching Keiko. She held a small golden staff with an emblem with an "M" on one end and a small gold whisk on the other.
'I hope I can finally meet you now,' the small sparkling fairy claimed, continuing to quietly observe Keiko from above.