Olivier’s attention was momentarily snatched away from the newcomer by the flower of the week. His stare drifted from the back of Aya’s now neatly braided head towards Cass and the parcel she carried in her arms.
“Oh, look at that!” he exclaimed leaning in the better examine the soft blue puff. “Maman was always partial to white hydrangeas, so I have not seen the blue variant in a long time. Hum. I remember thinking they were like giant cotton balls when I was a child and that I wanted to sleep on them.”
The memory was soothing, just as much as the hydrangea flower now sitting before them. He would have felt the pang of homesickness if it weren’t for Cass’ sudden story of the apologetic emperor who gifted his love such a flower.
“I think I would have to gift my beloved an entire garden for my unfortunate schedule! Anyone who has to put up with me deserves that much, I think.” He joined in the laughter with the other girls.
Exhaling, Olivier clapped his hands together and glanced from face to face. “I think we should all get started! Would anyone volunteer to take a list of things we might need from Gardening Club and go fetch them? I know I am in dire need of raspberries. Madam President, I believe we are all stocked on basic ingredients. I took a small inventory upon my arrival this afternoon. It’s just that we will need things from the Gardening Club, as you said.”
The two inseparable girls threw up their hands giving soft ‘Ooh, pick me!” sounds. Olivier laughed and reminded them his only need was for raspberries.
He turned and breezed by Aya, offering her a small smile before wandering back to the cabinets to retrieve a pan and measured ladle.
“I must wonder what sort of crepes you will be making, Sakamoto-san,” he said coolly, making sure no other members of the club could hear his addressing. “I look forward to seei-”
“Monsiuer Boulanger.” A smooth voice interrupted Olivier, pushing between him and Rei.
Aya and her silken braid now swishing coquettishly, pushed herself up against the closed cabinet door and studied Olivier with rapidly blinking eyes and slender fingers that wound around one another like small serpents. He could only blink in response, lofting a brow and inquiring whatever the matter was.
“And, please, there is no need to call me ‘Monsieur’. Just ‘Olivier’ is fine.”
“Oh! Right! Well, I was just wondering if I could get some professional tips or something, you know? Crepes are just… super delicate and all, and what if I made them look ugly!”
“Before you two go,” Cass calls out from the sink, taking her time lathering her hands in soap making sure to wash up to her wrists and in between fingers. “We should ask everyone what kind of crepes they want, we might need more fruit!”
“Oh! Fresh mint to garnish would be lovely!” Says a fellow club member, and her smile widens when Cass agrees with her. Why wouldn’t she? Mint offers that spruce of color!
After drying her hands, Cass pulls out her pink little sakura-shaped sticky note pad, scribbling down a list with her pen that’s just as pink, on top of it is a glittery fluffy bouncy ball that sways as she writes.
Rei doesn’t appreciate Olivier approaching her once again, and looks at him with little amusement when he speaks to her. Then her view is thankfully blocked by a blonde braid. Now is her chance to escape; the pair deserve one another, she thinks.
Off Rei goes to provide her list of ingredients to Cass: strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, and fudge sauce. It’s too sweet for her liking, but it’s what her grandmother loves and has told her about many times of her youth as a Neo Domino girl enjoying life.
‘How could I have a flat belly when these things are around!?’ Grandmother would say, and the blue tattoo makes her grin look wider than normal.
“Hihi you two! Aya, what crepes will you be making?” Cass walks up to Oli and Aya, oblivious to what is happening. “And Oli, we should make extra batter to make snack crepes. Have you ever had one? It’s basically a crepe in the shape of a cone that we sell as street food.”
Rei has gone to find the crepe spreaders which were hidden in the back drawers. She pulls out the pair and washes them. Even though she doesn’t plan on eating, crepes filled with dust doesn’t sound appetizing.
“We should also divide up into teams: one to make the crepes and other teams to prepare dressing like the chantilly cream and fudge, and another to cut the fruits.” Cass spoke to and looks at everyone, willing to listen and compromise if a member has suggestions. “Keep in mind everyone, we have ice cream and brownies in the freezer that we can use to!”
The Baking Club freezer has containers filled with goods that they can take out to de-frost and eat. One of their recent tests is a batch of ruby chocolate brownies. Delicious pink chocolate with the taste of berries, and a tart aftertaste. It thrilled the club members that the chocolate was not only delicious but matches most of the décor as well.
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