DREAMORIES #214 - LIKE=BULLET (One-Shot)

Like=Bullet

It was still dark when Yumi finished her project. She stepped back and tried to pick out the dough that has sticked itself to her hair like glue. In front of her, the heart-shaped box was the fruit of her labors.

"It doesn't look too bad..."

Yumi proudly declared to herself. Not that she was bragging, but compared to her classmates' results in Home Economics this week, their lumps of chocolate can't be judged with her (almost) perfectly molded velvet lava cake.

"...hope he likes it."

Yumi's ears and face was painted in a deep shade of red. If a third party was present, there's no doubt she would be labeled as "a pure maiden in love;" but for now, no one was looking, so she was free to express her inmost feelings.

Without warning, a digit inside a square display flipped to reveal the number '7'. At the same time, a sharp "ding" was issued out of the clock on the flour-covered countertop.

"All right! I can do this!"

O O O

"Hiiii~ Miki, Karen!"

A girl in standard high school uniform called out breathlessly while running towards the school gate.

"Good morning."

"You're excited, Yumi."

Pleasant greetings were exchanged as the three friends met outside the walled garden of Stepping Stones High School.

"Wow, Karen you are really pretty. I'm jealous."

"O-of course I'm beautiful. It's proper etiquette for a princess to present herself as a proper lady."

Karen's face reddened in embarrassment as she added a "Hmph" with an air of royalty.

"Did you bring it? Are you ready for today?"

Miki asked as she stared at Yumi.

"Yes and no. But with your support, I'm sure I can do it."

"Good, because I, the Mistress of Love, shall watch you confess your heart out."

Seeing that all this time Miki's face was one of solemn resolve over one's sacred duty, while Yumi was mumbling along the lines of "it can't be helped..." Karen couldn't help but laugh at this exchange.

"Who would have thought that the student president is interested in her fellow student's love life?"

"I am merely helping her overcome her lack of confidence."

"R-really... Anyways, Yumi. What do you like about Masako?"

Karen quickly changed the focus to Yumi.

"Umm... he's very kind and gentle to everyone... also he is good looking...?"

"Isn't he just a nice person then!?"

"N-no... he treats me differently. Maybe he also like me..."

Yumi blushed at the thought.

"Ohoho, your true feelings have finally shown! Say, have you two ever... k-k-kissed?"

"O-of course not!"

Yumi waved her hands in a panic as Miki stared at Karen with an amused face.

"Why are you also blushing, Karen? Are you imagining improper thoughts?"

"Why are you asking me such a weird question?! I just wanted to know how far she went!"

"You, as a member of the royal blood, should have many opportunities to court the opposite gender. You should understand how aggressive one must be for the sake of love. Perhaps you've done the whole route...?"