Chapter 80
Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Lunchbox Date(?)
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Letting out a soft sigh, I looked down at Luena sitting off to one side of the courtyard.
The scrap of cloth she was sitting on.
That wasn't a picnic mat—
it was a blanket worth two months' living expenses for commoners.
That expensive mat…
No, blanket. Luena was sitting right in the center,
tapping the spot next to her with her palm and calling me over as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Celen, come sit down already."
"……."
Exactly… as if it were a given.
She wasn't even considering refusal.
Kind of like a request, but not really.
Gentle, yet somehow firm.
Luena's unique way of speaking
reflected that attitude of hers perfectly.
There was no room for choice.
The answer was already set.
Still, I didn't really mind that attitude.
It was nothing new,
and there was no point in making a fuss about it now.
This was just another natural part of our daily routine, something we'd gone through hundreds of times already.
But….
I stopped short just as I was about to sit next to Luena.
'No matter how you look at it, no. Are you seriously… putting this on the ground?'
Really.
Human nature isn't something you can easily shake off.
Luena's clumsiness, carried over from childhood.
And me….
A thief's instinct to appraise every item's value at a glance.
Even as Luena urged me on from in front, my eyes were naturally drawn only to the blanket.
'How much was it exactly? Right, limited release of just ten from that famous dress shop with over three hundred years of history last winter, made from Scconia wool, and the embroidery done by an artisan with over forty years of experience….'
The more I calculated, the more my head throbbed.
To casually spread out something you wouldn't even see in a noble family's drawing room
right in the middle of the sunlit courtyard like this.
And using it as a mat to sit on the bare ground, no less.
'Of course, for the Eliad family's finances, it wouldn't even make a dent….'
I pressed my temple without thinking.
Right then—
the sound of her tapping the ground came again.
Turning my gaze straight ahead….
Luena was puffing out her cheeks, tapping the spot next to her with her palm much faster than before.
"Hurry up. Lunchtime's almost over."
"…Haa."
Fine.
The water was already spilled.
It wasn't mine anyway,
and how it was used was up to the owner who bought it.
Whether as a blanket,
as a mat,
or even as a rag to wipe up filth.
It was entirely the owner's call.
Plus—
there was already some random cat I'd never seen before lounging behind us.
In a situation like this, me sitting down wouldn't change a thing.
…or so I'd like to think.
Unfortunately, the cleanup was all on me.
'…Damn. Can't exactly cover for using a noble's blanket as a mat, so I'll have to get a new one. I did bring a spare from the mansion, but it's a lower price range. For the duke's family's reputation, I should aim for something similar in cost….'
My mind was a whirlwind like that—
but at least for today, I'd decided not to nag Luena about it.
More than anything, today….
I wanted to be there not as her retainer keeping tabs on her every move,
but simply as the childhood friend who'd grown up with her for over a decade.
I tossed the calculator out of my head and approached Luena.
Thud—.
I settled down obediently in the spot she'd pointed to.
It was… nicer than I'd expected.
Maybe expensive things really are worth it.
Fluffier and better textured than any picnic mat—it was surprisingly satisfying.
The moment that thought crossed my mind—
a light, deflating laugh came from right beside me.
"Pfft—. See? Comfy, right?"
"…Yeah. Loving it."
"Hehe, me too. …The weather's really nice today, isn't it?"
Luena leaned into me naturally, as if she'd been waiting for it.
Her head touched my arm.
Our usual distance, unchanged since childhood.
A moment later—
perhaps because she was in a good mood, a soft purring sound like a cat's came from her.
"Mmm…. Being next to you really is the most comfortable place in the world, Celen."
"……Hey. You."
Normally, I'd have scolded her plenty.
There are eyes everywhere.
Act with some decorum as a young lady.
We're officially lord and retainer.
…I'd have laid into her with all that,
but today, I kept my mouth shut and let the closeness linger.
Just…
I wanted to leave it like this.
Because I was grateful for the way Luena looked at me like always.
Because she didn't get swept up easily by that Compelling Force or whatever annoying crap it was.
I chuckled and stroked her head out of habit.
At that—
the corners of Luena's mouth curved up in satisfaction.
"Hehe…."
"What are you, a cat? You melt the second I pet you."
"Huh? A cat?"
"Never mind. …More importantly, what's with the cat back there."
"Hm? Cat? What?"
Luena tilted her head and looked behind her.
Where her gaze landed—
a cat had curled up and claimed its spot behind Luena.
Jet-black fur.
Plump build.
A somewhat languid expression.
It must have been pampered by academy folks,
because for a stray, it showed zero wariness.
Like this was its territory.
It didn't look like it had any intention of running away.
Two cats.
No, one person and a cat's eyes met.
Blink blink.
A brief silence.
Luena broke it first.
"Ah…?"
She let out a short gasp.
Her eyes went wide, like she really hadn't noticed.
I couldn't help but chuckle at how ridiculous it was.
'Where the hell was her head at that she didn't notice something that big right behind her?'
Anyway—
this girl was hopelessly oblivious to her surroundings when it didn't matter.
Especially in a situation where so many people had their eyes on her.
I wished she'd at least change in that regard.
Unfortunately, even that hadn't budged from childhood to now.
I let out a short sigh and slowly opened my mouth.
"It's been there the whole time. Since I was over there."
"R-Really? …I didn't notice."
"Yeah. What were you even doing that you missed something that huge behind you."
"Huh? Well… I was just looking straight ahead. Because you'd come."
A tone that treated it as obvious.
Her face said there'd never been any other option.
'…Gonna drive me crazy, seriously.'
Was it the spring breeze carrying summer's warmth?
Heat rushed up suddenly, cracking my calm expression for a split second.
I whipped my head away, unable to face her.
Yeah. This was how she always was.
From back then to now—
she had a heaven-sent talent for shattering my poker face.
I scratched my nape for no reason.
Because I wanted to play it cool somehow.
And—
because I could feel my heart racing pointlessly.
"Hm? Celen, what's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Just, uh, …figuring out how to shoo the cat. …It's shedding."
"Since when do you care? Animals came around during picnics by the garden or lake sometimes, and you never minded."
Right on the mark.
I had no comeback.
Along with any logic for arguing, my composure to brush it off casually evaporated too.
"Plus, you even shared food with them…."
Right then—
Luena's voice cut off mid-sentence.
Did she notice something off about me?
I held my breath anxiously.
Soon, a rustling came from right beside me.
"…Not today!"
"……Huh?"
"Today it's all ours. I eat your snacks every day, but this food—I haven't had it in a month…!"
I turned to see what she was on about.
Luena was—
hugging the lunchbox I'd made, glaring at the cat.
A bizarre standoff with the lunchbox between them.
Unlike Luena, cheeks puffed and hackles up,
the plump cat showed no greed despite its size.
It yawned lazily, tail swishing slowly.
Like the lunchbox meant nothing to it.
A completely pointless battle of wills.
The tension drained from me at the sight.
Guess I'd worked myself up for nothing.
I let out a relieved breath and gently pinched Luena's cheek.
"Ow—!"
"It's not even trying to steal any. Quit picking on the innocent cat and eat already."
"Ah, okay!"
The cat curled up tighter, nestling deeper.
In the sunlight, with not a care in the world.
Only then did Luena beam and pick up her fork.
A brief silence fell.
But it wasn't awkward at all.
Just as common between us
as our chatty moments.
I glanced at Luena peeking at the lunchbox.
'Bet she'll go for the fried egg first.'
Sure enough—
After careful deliberation, Luena popped the fried egg into her mouth just as I'd predicted.
'Always does that, so why even pretend to think?'
I chuckled and watched her.
A satisfied smile spread across her lips.
"Mmm. So good—!"
"Fried eggs are all the same."
"No way. Yours are nuttier and warmer and tastier somehow!"
"Warmer? Made it hours ago—it's all cold now."
"…If I say it's warm, it is."
Luena's cheeks puffed up again.
For some reason, she looked just like the plump cat behind her.
I glanced between them and muttered without thinking.
"…You really do look alike."
"Hm? What does?"
"Nothing."
I shut my mouth, regretting saying it.
If she heard that—
knowing Luena, she'd pester me about what looked alike.
The moment that thought hit,
Luena's face scooted right up close.
"What looks alike? Huh?"
"……."
"You called me a cat earlier. Do I look like a cat? Huh?"
Heat rushed up again.
The more I met her eyes, the hotter it got.
My poker face… had been in pieces for a while now.
After agonizing over it,
I reached out and stroked her head again.
"…Just eat."
"Okay!"
Luena grinned and popped some salad into her mouth.
Just as I thought we'd settled into a peaceful lunch.
"Hey, Celen—!"
"…Yeah."
"……."
Melissa and Marian.
Until those uninvited guests called my name.