Thunderous applause resounded after the words 'THE END' displayed itself on the back-drop of a large screen. Most belonged to me, and as soon as Koyuki hit the lights when the credits began to roll, I lurched from my seat and bounded up to him.
"That was amazing!" I exclaimed. "Beautiful. Spectacular, even. Was that really me or someone who's just as talented? And did we really film the final scene and edit the entire thing in five days? The transitions, the camera angles; it was like I was watching a professionally made movie. We can make the world a better place with those shots. We can save mankind with that message. Also, can you please tell me if you're really Koyuki Tamura or are just an alien disguised as a film director disguised as him needing an inspiring video to save the universe from galactic enemies—"
"Are you out of breath yet?" Koyuki snorted, raising an amused eyebrow.
I gasped for air for at least seven seconds to inflate my exhausted lungs, but as soon as my diaphragm was working again, I was unable to stop myself from beaming from ear to ear.
"So is that a yes to being an alien?"
"I'm so glad to hear you liked it."
He removed himself from the wall, entering the back room to shut off the film.
"I'm sure he gets the point, Kotori," Miko called out as she started up the stairs from her seat in this theatre room.
"Miko, your composition was out of this world! Are you secretly one of the goddesses of music and have never told me?"
"Why yes, how'd you know?"
"Never has my pathetic existence been graced by such beauty. You are literally the best gift this world has ever seen."
Rolling her eyes, Miko barely stifled a guffaw. "Dork. This is why I love you."
Grinning, I poked my head inside the small room Koyuki was in. "Did you already show this to everybody else?"
I really was rambling like there was no tomorrow. And maybe I was exaggerating a bit too much. But the film was just too good for something that was finished a few days ago. I still couldn't believe I was apart of it.
"We gathered them in here this morning," Koyuki explained as he stepped outside. "Sumio and I sent it in a minute to the deadline last night. It was so stressful, but here the final product is. Officially done and over with."
I whistled, placing my hands to the sides of my mouth. "And what a masterpiece it was! Koyuki Tamura, a genius at both filming and baking! Tell the world the secret to your success!"
Koyuki chuckled, the corners of his eyelids crinkling as he did. "You're way too energized today and it's weirding me out."
"I agree," Miko said. "Even this morning when Gouda turned you down for your cookies you weren't angry. Why?"
Their inquiry only allowed my exhilaration to reach new heights.
"Because now that everything is finished and I'm back to my regular sleep schedule," I drawled, hopping up to Koyuki and throwing my arms toward him, "I have secured my very first club member! The Baking Society is finally underway!"
Koyuki mussed his hair, releasing a heavy breath. "Yeah, yeah. I know what I promised. I'll help you out with whatever you want until we graduate."
His submission consumed me with newfound excitement. It was finally happening! Koyuki was mine to use!
Amidst my cheers, Koyuki's gaze flickered over to the seats, primarily at the brown-haired boy currently snoozing away.
"I can't believe Chiaki fell asleep at the beginning of the film," Miko said.
"Tell me about it," I agreed, resting my hands on my hips. "I was so breathtaking I could watch myself act forever."
She shook her head.
Koyuki took the time to make his way toward him. He leaned over and jostled his shoulder. "Chiaki, wake up. It's time to go home."
After rocking his shoulder for a while longer, the boy finally stirred from his sleep. His eyelids slowly parted, eyelashes faintly batting against his cheeks when he blinked. He carefully helped himself up, sluggishly going to rub his eyes. His grogginess as his eyelids kept unintentionally shutting and opening was on par to a child's, and his pout was enough to make anyone's heart melt.
"Come on."
Koyuki nudged him one last time before making his way back to Miko and I. Chiaki eventually picked himself up. While squinting at the light, he toddled his way toward us as well.
"Is the... film already over?"
Koyuki set his hand to his side. "A long time ago. You're seriously so out of it all the time."
This wasn't the first time I'd seen Koyuki reprimanding him. It was almost he was a guardian figure to Chiaki, always looking out for the guy.
My mouth curving upwards, I crossed my arms behind my back.
"Guys," I said, skipping closer to them. "As members of the Baking Society, we need to figure out what our next move should be. Any suggestions?"
Koyuki craned his neck down to me, a dubious frown framing his lips. Chiaki's reaction was more lethargic as if proving his wear.
"Aren't you jumping to conclusions?" Koyuki brought up, piquing my confusion. "Chiaki didn't say anything about joining your club."
I froze, eyebrows elevating on my forehead. Shoot.
I hopped over to the guy. "Chiaki, do you mind joining the Baking Society with Koyuki and me?"
Koyuki's mouth fell in disbelief. "Do you think it'd be that easy? It's a club that doesn't exist yet so why would he ever waste his time—"
"Sure."
Dramatic sparkles filled my eyes.
"Chiaki!" Koyuki shouted.
But the guy was still pouting as he dropped his hands to his sides.
"If... Ko is in it, I'll join."
I threw my hands into the air. "Yay! We're up to three members!"
Koyuki face-palmed.
Miko laughed. "You two sure are so close. Have you known each other your whole lives?"
"Since middle school," Koyuki replied to her. "We were in the Cooking Club together."
Suddenly eager, Chiaki stepped in. "Ko made me a pudding popsicle one day. It was so good."
Koyuki waved him off. "Ever since the day I told him he could make his own frozen desserts, that's all he's ever cared to make. I mean, he is good at it so I can't exactly complain, but—"
"—he's been stuck to you ever since," Miko finished for him. "You two even joined the Film Club together."
Koyuki nodded and spared him a look. "Outside of cold desserts, Chiaki's way too air-headed to do his own thing."
"That's because Ko needs me."
"Isn't it the other way around?"
Miko and I glanced at one another, mouthing 'they're so cute' in unison. Upon seeing that, Koyuki knitted his eyebrows in confusion, but I hurried to raise a hand.
"Koyuki, if you two were in the Cooking Club together, why did you quit? You've been attending Soetsu since middle school so you could've continued it in high school couldn't you? Does it have to do with why you said you stopped baking?"
The rumour Miko told me ran through my mind—the one about him quitting during his first year of high school. It'd make sense if he took up the Film Club as soon as his first year began, but he didn't. He chose the Cooking Club and then quit. Considering his talent at baking and him once mentioning wanting to become a pastry chef, there had to be a reason.
There was absolute stillness as soon as I'd asked the question. Koyuki lost all remaining nonchalance in his features, and even Chiaki from beside him had been jolted awake as well. It became obvious rather swiftly that I'd asked a forbidden thing; inched outside the border he'd intentionally drawn between us the first day we met.
The quiet pressed onward with every expelled breath until I finally caved.
"Koyu—"
"What's going on here?"
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