Episode 27
“This is strange.”
Celia, who had been meeting with Dustin more frequently lately, frowned.
“Indeed. I’m not sure what to make of it.”
Dustin nodded in agreement.
“H-here, this is from my family. Take it if you want…!”
“Ooh, a melon! This is a rare fruit!”
“I’ve grown tired of eating them…”
“Then I’ll gladly take it! Thanks, Roa.”
“I’m only giving it to you because I don’t need it!”
“Sure, sure~”
This was truly baffling.
They had spent days plotting Aroa’s downfall, yet…
For some inexplicable reason, Yuri and Aroa seemed to have become quite close.
“Oh, Celia! Dustin! I haven’t seen you two lately. What are you doing together? That’s unusual!”
Yuri, spotting them from afar, approached with a bright smile, deepening their frowns.
“Master.”
“Master.”
Startled by their simultaneous greeting, Yuri paused, melon in hand, and looked at them.
“What?”
“What happened with that girl just now?”
“Why are you two together?”
Yuri smiled warmly as they bombarded her with nearly identical questions.
“Ah, she’s been giving me food lately.”
This made no sense.
Aroa had been scheming to bully Yuri just a few days ago, and now she was giving her food?
“Has she ever given you anything that upset your stomach?”
“Hmm? Not at all. In fact, it’s been so easy to digest.”
“Has anything tasted strange?”
“Nope, it’s all delicious.”
It seemed like she wasn’t giving Yuri spoiled or tainted food.
But they couldn’t understand her motives.
‘Maybe she’s slowly poisoning Master with small doses of poison that accumulate over time?’
‘There are plenty of herbs that can cause addiction and harm with prolonged consumption, even if the initial effects are undetectable.’
They were both thinking the same thing, completely oblivious to the other’s suspicions.
“This might be dangerous. Let me examine it.”
“Tsk, what would a quack like you know? Give it to me. I’ll check it.”
Yuri sighed as Celia and Dustin glared at each other, sparks practically flying between them.
“What are you talking about? Explain it so I can understand.”
“That girl was trying to bully you.”
“Exactly! I heard it with my own ears! Ask the girls in your class, and they’ll tell you!”
Dustin had already secured the cooperation of the girls in Yuri’s class.
He had threatened them into reporting any further bullying attempts by Aroa, so they would readily confess if he questioned them.
“Really? But I haven’t been bullied.”
“That ball incident was her doing.”
“To be precise, it was orchestrated by the girls she manipulated in your class.”
“Ball?”
Yuri pondered for a moment, trying to recall the incident, and then let out an “Ah.”
“But that was just a harmless prank. No one got hurt.”
“A harmless prank?!”
“You call that a harmless prank?!”
“Well, yeah, I guess someone could get hurt even if the ball was thrown that slowly.”
Dustin knew the truth.
He knew that Yuri had effortlessly caught both balls.
But the string was magically treated, and a slight miscalculation could have resulted in serious injury.
“And she has a bad personality.”
“Exactly! Manipulating all the noblewomen to bully Master speaks for itself.”
“Hmm, she did seem like she had a bit of a temper.”
Just as they were starting to feel relieved that Yuri was finally understanding the situation, her next words sent a wave of shock, anger, and jealousy crashing over them.
“I’ll stop her. Roa listens to me.”
“Roa…?”
“Roa…? Is that… Miss Aroa’s nickname, Master…?”
“Ah, yeah. It just happened.”
They couldn’t comprehend what had transpired while they were busy plotting their counterattack.
Why would that girl listen to Yuri? Why was she showering her with gifts and affection?
It was beyond their understanding.
***
I knew Roa had a bit of a temper.
But this was the first time I heard about her bullying others.
If it’s true, I need to have a word with her.
“Hey, hey, don’t worry. I’ll set her straight.”
I smile reassuringly at Celia and Dustin, who have been silently brooding.
When did they become so close?
I noticed them finishing each other’s sentences earlier.
Did they develop feelings for each other after all that bickering?
Wait, then what about Lia?
Dustin, you player.
“Anyway, I’ll talk to her, so you two just relax and wait.”
“Master, I’ll come with…”
“Master, I want to come too…!”
Oh, look at that.
Finishing each other’s sentences again.
Hmm, these two…
I eye them suspiciously, and they seem to realize they spoke in unison.
“…Don’t copy me.”
“You’re the one copying me.”
Are they getting along or not?
Just pick one, you two!
“You two stay here and behave. I’ll be back.”
Honestly, it’s a hassle to bring both of them.
They’re annoying when they’re together, but I miss them when they’re not around.
It’s manageable when it’s just one of them, but the annoyance doubles when they’re together.
Before they can protest, I spot Roa in the distance and quickly head towards her.
“Roa!”
“Ah, ah…!”
I grab her by the scruff of her neck before she can disappear again.
“Why do you keep running away from me?”
“R-running away? I just remembered something else I had to do.”
“I heard everything.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
She avoids my gaze, her eyes darting around nervously.
Hmm, so those kids were telling the truth.
“You’ve been up to no good, haven’t you?”
“Wh-what?! N-no…!”
She still can’t meet my eyes.
Well, she’s always been a bit shy, but…
Her pupils are practically doing the jitterbug. She’s definitely guilty.
This girl wears her heart on her sleeve.
How could someone so transparent bully others?
Was she so openly hateful that it showed?
“Stop doing bad things.”
“But…”
“It’s a shame to have an ugly heart when you have such a pretty face. You’ll just end up being hated.”
People might overlook her rudeness because of her beauty and haughty demeanor.
I’m not asking her to completely change her personality.
“Do… do you hate me too, Yuri…?”
“Who would like someone who bullies others?”
I shrug.
No matter how pretty someone is, bullying is a dealbreaker.
“And I heard you were trying to bully me too?”
“Ugh, uh… That’s…”
Her face flushes crimson, and she hangs her head.
Then, she speaks softly, her voice barely a whisper.
“I’m… sorry…”
I know if she lifts her head, I’ll see tears welling up in her eyes and her face even redder.
It would probably be cute, but I’m not that cruel, so I reach out and gently pat her head.
“It’s okay. No harm was done. But if you do it again, I’ll hate you.”
“Never! I’ll never do it again…!”
She leans into my touch and then suddenly lifts her head, her tear-filled eyes gazing at me with fierce determination.
“Uh, hmm. Don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying..! I’m not a child! I wouldn’t cry over something like this!”
“That’s the Roa I know.”
I like that she has a strong personality.
Honestly, I prefer this kind of haughty, cat-like charm over someone who’s overly submissive.
“By the way, are you wearing the academy uniform now?”
“Ah, th-that’s… I’m wearing it because the dress was uncomfortable! I’m definitely not wearing it because you told me to!”
She keeps telling obvious lies.
But it’s so tsundere and adorable.
Wait, is she… into me?
Am I being too self-centered? Ahem.
Well, she’s a girl. Would she really like another girl?
I mean, I’m a guy, but…
Still, I look like a girl. Ahem!
“Oh, is that so? Well, it suits you. You look pretty.”
“Hmph, w-well, I’m naturally pretty, so of course I look good in everything.”
“You’re right, Roa. You look good in anything. But the uniform looks especially good on you.”
“Ugh… Anyway! I’m planning to have scones after class today.”
Oh, scones.
I haven’t had those in a while since coming to the academy.
I used to enjoy them during tea time with my mother.
But why is she suddenly telling me this?
Is she bragging?
“I have too many, and I don’t think I can finish them all by myself. Well, you can come if you want…!”
Oh, is she inviting me?
“Okay, I’ll…”
“Ooh! I love scones too! Can I come along?!”
“Lia? When did you get here?”
“I saw Master Yuri and Roa from over there and rushed over!”
“Don’t call me Roa, Lia!”
“Why are you being discriminatory? Roa calls me Lia, so it’s only fair!”
Watching them bicker reminds me of Dustin and Celia.
But with one side being more aggressive.
“Okay, okay, I’ll go with Lia.”
“No, I wanted to go alone with…!”
“Hmm?”
“Ugh… Fine! Do whatever you want!”
Roa stomps off, a pout on her face, and Lia and I burst into laughter.
“Pfft, ah, Roa is so cute, isn’t she?”
“I know, right? I can see why Master Yuri likes her! Wahaha!”
“She’s so adorable.”
Even when she’s angry, she’s like a little kitten hissing.
“Master…”
“Master…”
And as if they had been watching the entire scene, Celia and Dustin approach from afar.
Their expressions are filled with shock.
“Oh, Dustin! Celia! You’re here! Wahaha!”
“Miss Basilia, did you know…?”
“Know what?”
“Miss Aroa…”
“Oh, Roa? We’ve been friends for a while now! She’s a sweet girl! Wahaha!”
Why are they looking so grim?
Do they dislike Roa that much?
“Guys, there’s a saying, ‘Hate the sin, not the sinner.’ She might have tried to bully me, but she apologized and is trying to make amends.”
“Ooh, what a wise saying, Master Yuri! As expected of Master, you’re amazing!”
“Hehe, Lia’s the only one who truly understands me!”
As Lia and I engage in our comedic routine, I hear deep sighs from beside me.
“…Sigh, Master. Stop charming everyone.”
“…Sigh… If that’s Master’s wish, then I’ll obey.”
? What are they talking about?
I really love Lia so much! Her character is such a hoot, and really enhances the story with her boisterous and laid back personality.