Chapter 98: S2 Episode 3 - It Was a Mask All Along (2)
Fraise and Keiko made it back to the central plaza where students were gathered around a stage. From afar, they could see Andou, Hanabusa, Kashino, and the other sweets spirits waiting for them.
There were no more visitors at the academy anymore since the Halloween fair had ended, but there were a lot of students gathered at the stage set up in the central plaza, anticipating Chairman Moriyama's announcement.
Both Fraise and Keiko walked over to the sweets princes and Keiko had her usual calm, collected, and serious expression that everyone was used to. It was as if nothing had happened before and she did well in acting like it.
"I apologize for my behavior back then. That was uncalled for and I took my frustration out on all of you. I hope that you will forgive me," Keiko said, bowing her head respectfully to them.
The boys didn't know how to respond to her apology. She appeared to be the same Michiko Keiko that they "knew" but it felt weird to talk to her after her sudden outburst. They could never bring themselves to hate her, but one thing was for sure, they were worried about her well-being.
"It's all right. We didn't take it to heart," Hanabusa said easily, giving her his flowery smile that could make the hearts of girls swoon.
"Are you all right now?" Andou asked gently, with concerned eyes.
"Just as long as you don't give up on the competition…" Kashino said smugly and Keiko nodded her head in response to all three of their concerns.
"Yes, I am fine and no, I'm not ready to give up on the competition," Keiko said confidently. There was a spark in her bright blue eyes that they were used to seeing when she was confident. But somehow, this time, there seemed to be a fog clouding her eyes? They wondered if it was just their imagination, so they disregarded it.
"The chairman of the academy is going to give an announcement soon about the fair and the 3rd round," Andou described, trying to catch her up on the situation.
"We're hoping that he can at least say some decent news," Kashino added in response.
"Speak of the devil," Hanabusa said as Chairman Moriyama, who was dressed up as a warlock, walked onto the stage that hundreds of students gathered around.
"Hohoho! Good work everyone! I got to see the results of everyone's habitual training. Cakes, candy sculptures, chocolate sculptures—each and every one of them was wonderful!" Chairman Moriyama complimented the students happily with wrinkles running to his eyes as he smiled.
"In the midst of that, high school division class 3-A's "Fairytale Castle" placed 1st amongst guest surveys. 2nd place is 2-C's candy sculpture, "Flowers of the Four Seasons". 3rd place is 3-D's Japanese style production sweets, "Miyabi". And lastly, the Special Award goes to middle school division's 2-A's "Candy House"! The children's smiling faces were very impressive!" Said Chairman Moriyama.
Team Michiko gave small smiles towards their classmates of 2-A who stood near them. Rumi and the others were celebrating happily after receiving the special award.
"Now then, about the Grand Prix 3rd Round, I'm sure everybody is anticipating the results," Chairman Moriyama began as students waited in excitement for his speech.
It was clear that everybody knew about the showdown that happened earlier in the festival where the three top teams, Team Tennouji, Team Michiko, and Team Koshiro, were competing for 1st place. The crowd of people was also curious about the proceedings earlier during the fair and it was clear about which team got which place. It would be no surprise for anybody, but they still wanted to hear what the jolly chairman had to say about it.
"Three teams were competing to sell out their desserts in order to receive 1st place. The reward that the team would be getting is automatic admission into the finals! It was a very close match and one team had accomplished 1st with the other teams finishing only seconds later. Congratulations… Team Tennouji for achieving 1st place! Your team will be admitted into the finals without a doubt!"
After declaring that Team Tennouji had gotten 1st place, the many students cheered for them and their accomplishments. Tennouji Mari and her team stood with serious gazes and smug smiles after hearing the news that everyone had already known.
"Finishing only a second later is… Team Michiko, who received 2nd place! Everyone loved the taste and appearance of your Pumpkin Cakes! Implementing a DIY station to draw a face on the pumpkin cakes was highly praised by the public! Though you guys are only a second-year middle school team, you guys are unstoppable! Congratulations because you guys are going into the semi-finals!" Chairman Moriyama exclaimed, erupting into praise.
Once he announced this, students began cheering and the class of 2-A could be heard the loudest. It seemed that this amount of cheers was louder than the previous one as everyone cheered Team Michiko on.
"Good job guys!"
"You made us proud!"
"You're all amazing!"
"Team Michiko! Team Michiko! Team Michiko!"
Team Michiko also stood with calm expressions on their faces as people cheered for their team. It was hard to celebrate their earnings after *someone* wasn't pleased with the place they'd gotten.
Although Keiko had a calm front, there was a hint of uneasiness that she still had when it was announced that they'd gotten 2nd place, but she did her best not to show it.
"3rd place is Team Koshiro's Mont Blancs! They had finished right after Team Michiko had sold out their Pumpkin Cakes! Your team's Mont Blancs was deeply praised for its high quality of ingredients and finest chestnuts! Congratulations because you are admitted into the semi-finals!"
The cheers were faint this time when it came to Team Koshiro. Koshiro Miya couldn't do anything but stand still and take in some light-hearted cheers that couldn't be compared to the two teams before them.
"Lastly, in 4th place is Team Sugino's Black Cat Profiteroles! They were enjoyed by many of our guests and so you will be the last team admitted into the semi-finals! Good effort from the rest of the teams, you have all done a great job and we, the people of St. Marie Academy, are proud of you!" Chairman Moriyama declared, ending his speech at the front.
Team Michiko stood still at the chairman's words, unable to fathom a response.
That was it? That was all he had to say?
'No… there has to be something more to what the chairman has to say! Where's that scheming old man who'd plot things just to screw with our minds?!' Michiko Keiko thought anxiously to herself.
"GRRR!" It was Koshiro Miya who was infuriated at this news as she stood within the crowd of students around the stage.
'Ugh! I wanted Michiko Keiko to be below us in ranks but they only surpassed us by mere seconds! How could I, Koshiro Miya, get 3rd?! Despicable!' Koshiro Miya bit her lip and gritted her teeth angrily after being announced 3rd.
She felt anger rush up to her throat and the only way she could deal with it was to express it. Suddenly, she turned to face her teammates as she clenched her fists in pure rage.
"You guys didn't try your best so we lost! What are you going to do about this?!" Koshiro Miya lashed out at her team and her sweets spirit, Marron.
None of them could quell their Princess's anger.
"That damn Michiko Keiko! How could her team get ranked above us!?" Koshiro Miya yelled angrily at the top of her lungs to the point where everyone could hear her.
'WHERE IS THAT CONNIVING BITCH THAT HUMILIATED ME?!' Koshiro Miya thought as she stormed through the crowd, trying to look for Michiko Keiko and the sweets princes.
"MICHIKO KEIKO—!!!"