Sonya’s Unexpected Request
Sonya’s condition: “Teacher, there’s something I’d like to ask of you……. Could you perhaps listen to it-?!” Sonya proposes a condition-based rapport with me, showing a meaningful gaze for the first time. This side of Sonya is new to me. She always seemed prickly and emotionless, but now she seemed far from her usual mechanical and stiff demeanor.
—Swish…! Even more, noticing my gaze, Sonya hurriedly wipes the pie crumbs from her mouth. I can now fully sense the emotions of the one who’s extremely embarrassed.
“……”
I hesitate at this sight of Sonya. It’s only natural, as it’s hard to get used to. I thought I was facing a different hatchling. That’s how full of vitality Sonya is right now.
“Um, Teacher? Why aren’t you saying anything…?!”
Her speech pattern has been different from usual since earlier, using nervous phrasing like ‘~perhaps-?!’. On the other hand, it also sounded like a voice filled with anticipation.
“Miss Sonya? Suddenly a request? What kind of……?”
In reality, I had no choice. More precisely, I couldn’t refuse. Every time a condition-based rapport appears……
[…If refused or failed, they might hate you for life…]
…because threatening messages like that always come attached. In the end, it’s something I have to accept, so I decided to hear what the request is. Hoping it’s not a difficult one.
“That is… it’s, it’s nothing much! I-if you have time tomorrow, together with me…….”
When I asked for the reason, Sonya suddenly starts trembling her voice a lot. Even her words trail off, and she can’t continue properly.
“Huh? What did you say? Tomorrow with Miss Sonya?”
“Together with me… that is, sooooo…….”
Sonya stutters while saying it’s nothing much. What on earth is it that’s making her shy? Usually she answers like a machine, but today for some reason her face is flushed red. Because of her pink hair, her whole face looks even more flushed.
‘But what exactly is it? Don’t tell me she’s trying to ask me out on a date?’
There had been signs for the past few days. She’s changed a lot since Raylin visited. At first I thought it was just because of Raylin’s instructions, but the more I see, the more selfish feelings are showing through. But to suddenly push like this? I didn’t have any personal entanglements with Sonya yet. That’s why it was even more bewildering.
“…P-please go on patrol duty with me tomorrow-!”
“…Huh? Patrol duty?”
What’s this? Did I hear wrong? Or is this the academy’s way of confessing? Suddenly asking me to go on duty with her? It was a completely unexpected request. No, does this even make sense as a request to begin with? I thought it would be a date request or asking me to make something special like Sofia or Raylin.
“Yes…! As you probably heard earlier, Senior Raylin, who was supposed to be the supervisor for tomorrow’s patrol duty, won’t be able to make it. So I hope Breeder Teacher will come with me!”
Sonya explains while pointing behind her. Behind, Derke and Raylin are still leaning back to back, intoxicated by sugar, both looking dazed.
“Wait a minute, Miss Sonya? I understand the supervisor can’t make the duty, but why are you trying to take me instead? If you’re going to ask a favor, it seems better to ask another lady.”
“I already checked the duty roster and tried to find a replacement from other seniors, but…… they all said no. Since weekend duties are something everyone avoids, I had no choice.”
“Even if there’s no replacement…….”
Sonya gave reasons without hesitation, but she couldn’t convince me. I’m just a servant to begin with, why would I do duty? And on a holiday that won’t come again.
“Actually, there’s another reason besides that-!”
As if reading my inner thoughts, Sonya continues explaining.
“What is it?”
“Th-that is… I can’t tell you the exact reason…! It’s because there’s something only Breeder Teacher can do!”
“So what is it that only I can do?”
“I-I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you what it is right now…!”
When I persistently asked for the exact reason, Sonya seemed flustered and her speech became short again. The one who was usually only stiff is showing intense emotional expressions, which is cute. Is it like a reversal charm?
“Something only I can do during duty…? Does that mean you’re planning to do something else during duty?”
“N-no, absolutely not! J-just…! I thought I could feel at ease if it’s with Breeder Teacher during duty-!”
“Feeling at ease with me…….”
I’ve heard the explanation, but I still can’t get a grasp on what she means. Given Sonya’s personality, it doesn’t seem like she’d make me make something like a snack during duty……?
“Anyway, is it possible? There’s no time left now. Please answer quickly, Breeder Teacher.”
Sonya looks up at me with an anxious gaze. Her usually icicle-like sharp eyes seemed like they would melt and shed tears at any moment today.
“Well, I understand. After all, it’s a holiday until the lounge is completed…….”
“R-really-?!”
When I accepted the condition-based rapport, Sonya’s eyes sparkle like stars and she looks excited. Since she’s showing her sincerity outwardly like this, quite…… a very cute face is revealed. Of course I accepted because I had no choice, but I didn’t expect her to be so genuinely happy. Seeing Sonya’s bright expression for the first time makes me feel good too.
Condition Accepted!
Condition-based Rapport Target
Sonya (Lv.350 / Ice) — Favorability Relationship
Success Condition: Safely complete tomorrow’s patrol duty on Valkyrie Island with Sonya. Specifically, complete the duty without any harm.
Deadline: Until midnight the next day.
‘Huh? So the condition really is just this?’
Surprisingly, Sonya’s request had no hidden motives. Just completing the duty together is enough? I thought there would be something she was hiding. It really is just standing duty together for a day. Maybe this time I can approach an SSR-rank more comfortably. No need to worry about making a special dessert either.
Still, the phrase “without any harm” bothered me a little……
I didn’t know what kind of quest this was, but overall it turned out well. Derke and Raylin were half-unconscious, so there was no one to notice either.
“Breeder Teacher…! Thank you so much! Then I’ll come find you before the patrol starts at exactly noon tomorrow-!”
—Bow!
After successfully completing the condition-based rapport, Sonya gives a polite 90-degree bow and leaves. She looks completely different from when we first met. I didn’t really do anything for her, so why? All I did was give her a meringue cookie……
Anyway, good is good. Seeing her like this feels refreshing.
“Phew, anyway, I should start preparing now.”
The condition-based rapport is settled, so that’s done. The tea party will start soon. Before that, I need to wake Derke and Raylin……
—Tap! Tap! Tap!
“Hm?”
It was the moment I turned around to wake them.
“I assume everyone’s ready?”
From behind came a voice colder than Sonya’s…… more precisely, a chilling voice. It was Benetric’s voice. She had clearly come to evaluate the desserts before the tea party started.
Fortunately, Benetric hadn’t noticed us yet. She was absorbed in conversation with Maruti in the front kitchen.
“Raylin? Derke? Both of you, get up quickly! The professor is here!”
“Howaaa…♡”
“Huheeeet─♡”
Still dazed from the sugar rush. No matter how much I shook their shoulders, there was no sign of them waking. They just kept their mouths open, intoxicated by sugar……
The power of a four-and-a-half-star dessert was truly impressive.
“…Good, Maruti. As expected, your skills are excellent. Considering the short time, this is quite a decent result. I’ll taste it later.”
“You flatter me, Professor. I simply did my best.”
Behind us, Benetric was checking Maruti’s dessert first. She would soon move on to ours.
“Raylin, please wake up!”
“Howaat…? N-nuna? Ah, Whitey-?!”
“Derke? I brought your favorite hardtack. Wake up quickly!”
“Huat…? H-hardtack-?! I want to eat the star candies separately, desuyong…!”
The girls who hadn’t moved an inch when called by name reacted instantly, eyes wide open, the moment they heard what they were obsessed with.
“Tsk……”
Just like Pavlov’s dogs. It was an absurd reaction, but at least it was simple, which was a relief. And rightly so……
“Hmm? What are you two doing here?”
Just as Benetric arrived, they snapped out of it perfectly on cue. She looked at the two students and asked curiously.
“Howaat…? Professor? We’re not really…….”
“Teacher? We’re just……”
But neither could come up with a proper excuse. They were still dizzy from just waking up. I didn’t know what to say either and trailed off.
“We just helped out for a bit because it looked like they were short-handed, desuyong…!”
“……?!”
Even Derke boldly confessed the truth.
“Is that so? So you two made the dessert together?”
“That’s right, desuyong-! I’m sure you’ll like it too, Professor!”
“Ho, how interesting.”
Surprisingly, Benetric didn’t nitpick. Her gaze had already shifted toward the dessert I made. She seemed more interested in the unfamiliar shape than in the girls.
“…By the way, this one also used chocolate. It’s a new appearance, but it looks like a regular pie with chocolate on top?”
When Derke picked up a chocolate pie and handed it to Benetric, she immediately showed interest. It was as if Derke and Raylin helping didn’t matter at all.
“This is different from Maruti’s. Quite intriguing…… Ah, and you two, return to your seats now. The tea party will start soon.”
““Yes, understood!””
Benetric kept her eyes fixed on the chocolate pie and waved them away with a gesture. Derke and Raylin gave me a quick nod and hurried off. I was worried she might question them, but thankfully she let it pass without a word.
Now only Benetric’s evaluation remained.
“Maruti? Breeder? Bring one of the desserts you each made over here.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll give my evaluation as quickly as possible since these need to be served at the tea party soon.”
—Clink…!
I picked a suitable plate and neatly arranged the pie on it. Then I brought it straight to Benetric. Maruti did the same.
“Hm? That……?”
I couldn’t help but let out a surprised voice upon checking the guy’s dessert. After all, his plate had not just one but several kinds of desserts. Desserts with a mix of black and white.
‘What? There are more varieties than I thought? When did he make all that?’