Dawn had passed and the vintage clock that hanged on the wall dutifully woke Yumeko up. As soon as she opened her eyes; her eyesight was covered in total darkness. She could hardly breathe and shouted,

“Ahhhhhhh!” A large vintage pillow placed on her face.

“Lady Yumeko! What’s wrong?” Koharu came running.

“I...I survived…” she said in disbelief.

“What do you mean my lady?” Koharu curiously asked.

“I slept with a pillow on my face! I..survived!"

“There she goes again.” Koharu thought to herself.

“... there’s so much dust in this window. I should clean it later. Get up now my lady. It’s another day for school. Dream time is over.” she added, as she opened Yumeko’s window for her.

“Ahh… Koharu, you’re no fun. Okay....fuwaaahh,” she anwered and yawned.

Yumeko then checked her teeth in the mirror if there was some yellow stains—tartar, as you say it. She stretched the end of her lips and smile, followed by light slaps on her cheeks. 

“I’m awake!”

Koharu was shocked.

“Was this your morning routine all this time, my lady? It...uhm..It’s interesting.”

“Hmm…I am…not sure... Teehee! Anyway, let’s get ready for school now, Koharu!”

“Was it something I always do in the morning before I lost my memory? My body just moved on its own.” Yumeko thought to herself and then ignored it.

The two young hearts happily prepared for school. Yumeko could not wait to see her new friend, Yui. She was looking forward to today’s activities as well. She was glad that her father loved the flower she gave him last time. This sweet daughter wanted to see her father’s smile more often, so she was determined to give her all, every single day at school.

“Yumeko! Koharu! Good morning!” It was the voice of Yui waiting for them at the entrance.

“Yui! Hello!” cheerfully said by the two young ladies as soon as they arrived.

After warm greetings with each other, Koharu then waved goodbye to them, as she did not need to wait and worry for her lady knowing that she had found a good friend.

Yumeko and Yui walked side by side as they entered their classroom, as if all the cold stares did not enter their positive zone.

“Kiritsu. Rei.”

“Good morning, Mori-sensei,” greeted by the class as she entered.

“Good morning young ladies. I bet everyone slept well last night. Moving on, our activity for today is baking an anpan.”

‘”Baking! Oh no! I don’t know how to bake! I guess, I’ve never tried it. I don’t think I would survive.” Yumeko said to hopelessly, as her mind was already in panic.

“As you are all aware of, anpan is very popular bread throughout our country; it was even daily served to the previous Emperor, Meiji, during his reign. As future fine wives, one of the things you have to learn is baking.”

“Was it that popular? I am going crazy...” the war inside Yumeko’s mind never ended.

 “Today’s event is very special. I have invited students from the all mens school to judge your outputs. You are going to bake at least seven pieces of anpan and at least five pieces from your creation should be eaten.”

Most students were overly motivated as if they were ready for an all-out war to bake the best anpan for them. Their romantic excitement manifested that they had not seen young men in their school.

“Men?! What’s happening!? This is the end of me... I’m sorry father...” Yumeko continued to complain in her mind.

Yui started to notice the uneasiness of her friend, Yumeko.

“Oh and they are already here, you have to bake it before lunch time. Yes, you heard me right. Anpan will be part of their meal. I will call them up once everything is ready. So, give your best, future wives of Taisho Era.”

“I heard the son of Higuchi Publishing Company goes to that school! I will bake the sweetest anpan for him,” a student murmured.

“If he’s here, then he’s already in one of the school’s room. Kyaa! I want to sneak out for a moment.”

“I am expecting him too and the others! I wonder if I can choose my husband today, tee-hee,” a student added.

“He will be here, I’ve heard from my father. Anyway, I’ve been baking since childhood, so this task just a piece of cake,” Marika confidently replied.

“Heh, as expected from you, Marika. You are gorgeous and you know a lot of things. We envy you,” a student added.

Meanwhile, Yumeko heard all of it, as if they are all confident in today’s task, except her. Her mind was going crazy ever since the announcement.

“They are so excited about some guys and here I am...Okay, I’ve decided! I will pray that a guy with no taste buds will try some of my anpan. Please, all gods hear me, please, please. A guy with no taste buds, please, please.” Yumeko desperately prayed, as her gesture became obvious to Yui.

Yui then leaned forward and softly whispered on her right ear,

“Yumeko, don’t worry. I can’t bake too. We can mess up sometimes even if we do our best, you know.”

Then Yumeko’s worries slowly disappeared after learning that she was not alone. She finally came back to her senses, realizing it was okay to mess up sometimes, it was part of learning.

“Yui, thank you,” she softly whispered.

She then lifted her right thumb up for Yui to see, as a sign that she felt better already. Yui put on a big smile from behind, upon seeing that Yumeko had became calm.

“Enough with all the chatters. I could see all the butterflies of excitement in this room right now. Just remember, you won’t marry someone just by baking anpan. However, cooking is one of the capabilities of a good wife, so learn as much as you could in today’s task. Hurry up, and let’s head to the cooking area now.”

They went after Mrs. Mori to a special kitchen the school used for cooking. It had many cooking tools and had about fifteen furnace ovens.

As soon as they entered, they wore their bib apron, all in similar colors and design. It was in vast black color and edges were sewn with white frills. There was a big front pocket and a top pocket with a cosmos logo.

Mrs. Mori already prepared all the baking tools the girls beforehand. All the anpan ingredients, such as flour, milk, egg, yeast, unsalted butter, sweet bean paste, yudane, salt, and sugar were already placed on porcelain plates and bowls. The anpan procedure was posted as a guide for the young women.

Yumeko and Yui stayed close to each other, positioned by the window facing the abundant trees. They stayed relax ready to mess up but would still do their best efforts.

 “Okay girls, it is already quarter to 10. Keep your eyes on the clock too and begin!”

To be continued.

End Notes

Anpan - Japanese bread with sweet bean paste filling

Yudane - paste of flour cooked in water or milk

Emperor Meiji - he reigned from 1867 to 1912, father of Emperor Taisho

“Kiretsu. Rei.” - greetings in Japanese schools when the teacher comes in. It literally means, “stand up. Bow.”