Trial (3)
“Of all people, you had to be the first one here.”
“I'm first? What about Rana unnie?”
“Rana hasn't come.”
I'd figured she'd be bawling her eyes out before I left and show up first thing, but contrary to expectations, Rana hadn't visited.
“Hng~ Lucky me. I was worried unnie might already be here.”
“...Just say what you came to say and go. The bed here's crap, and I'm tired.”
“Come on, no fibbing. How's that a tired face? You look like you slept like a baby.”
Cloi beamed at me, her smile wide and sparkling. I sighed inwardly and replied.
“So. What's with all the stuff you hauled in?”
“Oh, this?”
At my words, Cloi unpacked her bundle.
“Ta-da! I brought lunchboxes. A whopping five tiers!”
“......”
I was speechless at her ridiculous stunt. Sure, you could bring food to the visiting room, but five stacked lunchboxes was way over the top.
In the meantime, Cloi spread them out and popped the lids. Steam rose gently—they must've been made fresh.
“...Why bring lunchboxes? They feed you here just fine.”
“Prison food's supposed to suck. So I made these specially! For you, senpai.”
Where the hell does she hear this crap? She picks up the weirdest things and uses them to bug me.
Cloi pressed a fork into my hand and continued. “Looks tasty, right? Dig in. I put so much effort into these~”
“Uh, haa... Fine.”
Maybe it'd be easier to take a bite, send her off, and be done. I reached for the lunchbox. Thankfully, the presentation looked decent. I speared a piece of rolled omelet.
More importantly... can this girl even cook?
A sudden doubt crept in. Was it safe to eat this?
The novel had mentioned the main characters' cooking skills a few times. Rana took first place, Evan second, and everyone else was middling at best. But Cloi? Never even brought up. She was always the one eating.
So I wasn't sure if I could trust her food. Cloi's culinary prowess was uncharted territory, even for me.
What's the worst that could happen? Death?
Even Veil and the princess, raised pampered, were described as edible. Cloi's had to be at least human-consumable.
Decision made, I popped the omelet into my mouth. A soft texture enveloped my tongue. Phase one: satisfactory. Perfectly cooked, no underdone bits. Then the flavor hit...
“...Cloi.”
“What's up? Not good?”
“No, it's not that...”
Yeah, it wasn't bad. Not Rana-level, but above average. The problem was...
“Who the hell puts sugar in rolled omelet? Salt, not sugar.”
Where there should've been a salty savor, I got sweetness. It bugged the crap out of me.
“Rolled omelets always have sugar. Most places in the Eastern Continent do it that way~”
“That's Eastern Continent stuff.”
“Psh, if it tastes good, who cares? You're so picky about weird things, senpai.”
“...Haa, shoulda kept my mouth shut.”
I skipped the omelet and eyed the other dishes. As I'd said, above average overall—perfectly edible. Though a few had that love-it-or-hate-it vibe, like the first one.
“You're eating well, senpai. Outside food hits different, huh?”
“...Yeah.”
If it'd been Rana's cooking, I'd have been thrilled, but I let it slide. As I filled my stomach...
Cloi, who'd been staring intently, slyly took my other hand and spoke softly. “But senpai.”
“What.”
“Don't you hate being cooped up here? Want me to help?”
“Warning you now: I don't need it. Don't do anything stupid. Or... if you hate seeing me, go ahead.”
If Cloi stuck her nose in, things would only get messier. I could guess what she'd pull, so I had to shut it down.
“I'm worried, that's all. And senpai, you're in a bind, right? Expulsion seems pretty much locked in.”
“None of your business.”
“Hng~ Fair enough.”
Then, as if struck by inspiration, Cloi clapped. “Oh! Wait, getting expelled might not be so bad. Everyone hates on you, your family disowns you—no place to go.”
“......”
Speechless again at her nonsense. Ignoring me, she pressed on.
“I'll pick you up and take care of you. Sound good? Great plan, right?”
“Please think like a normal person for once...”
“Don't say that~. I'll pamper you. Feed you on time, no worries about clothes or bed. So don't get expelled, okay? Pretty please~!”
Her headache-inducing spiel made me tune her out and focus on the food. More chat with Cloi, and I'd lose my mind.
“Tch, so mean. Your kouhai's sending love signals with all her might, and you ignore her.”
“If that's love, the world's been doomed for ages.”
“Senpai, love comes in all forms. Can't view the world through such narrow eyes.”
“Sigh... What's the point.”
No reasoning with her. Better to shut up. Soon, I'd emptied all the tiers.
Cloi noted it. “All gone? Want more tomorrow? Gotta wake up at dawn and hustle, but for you, I can do it.”
“No. Don't bring any.”
“Aww, you love it~”
She sidled up, grinning slyly. I shoved her off. “Done? Go home.”
“Boo, it's been two weeks, and you're so cold...”
She pouted dramatically, but it didn't faze me.
“Keep it up, and I won't show for the next visit.”
“Huh? I can come again?”
“Do what you want. Just go.”
I herded her out like an unwelcome guest. Her smaller frame reached the door quick. As she went to close it...
“Senpai! See you tomorrow~!”
She shouted with a beaming smile. Humming cheerfully, Cloi vanished. I slumped back into my chair.
“Haa... exhausting...”
I'd done jack squat, but she drained me anyway. Sigh escaped unbidden. Might even prefer Ruina-senpai's company.
“At least she's gone for now...”
She'd probably show tomorrow, but that's future me's problem. I sought the staffer to head back to my cell.
“Next visitor's up. Wait here.”
Who now? I sat and waited. Two minutes later, the door opened. Professor Ratral Heytald.
“You're second, Professor.”
“Saw Cloi leaving earlier. She was first?”
“Yeah.”
As Magic Department prof, he knew the top first-year.
“So, why're you here?”
“What else? Catch up on the outside.”
Obvious reason. I asked first. “How'd the hearing go?”
“Don't ask. They grilled me endlessly. Showed every record—took eight hours.”
“You're here, so no disasters.”
“Told you yesterday. Tiran can't touch me easily. Needs the Emperor or your dad.”
Reassuring words. An 8-circle mage like Ratral Heytald wielded that clout.
“Hearing wrapped clean. No service attacks at trial. Don't sweat it.”
“Thanks.”
“No need. Just did my job as Contract Land caretaker.”
He eyed me warmly. I pressed on. “Academy mood? Probably louder than expected.”
“Mm, noisy for sure. But way more chaotic than your trial half a year back.”
He explained: Back then, everyone—students, profs, staff—hated me unanimously. Now? Split 4-6, some defending me. Academy's a mess.
“...Unexpected.”
Image not fully set—could flip to wastrel anytime. No shock there.
“Your good deeds piled up. Plenty saw them.”
“Efforts paid off. Trial might end smooth.”
“We'll see.”
I nodded. Trials twist unpredictably—even leads can lose.
“I'll pull strings too, but don't bank on it.”
“Got it. How's Rana?”
Shifted topics. Odd she skipped even with grandpa.
“Rana's fine. Tantrum till bedtime, but bounced back. Headed to library this morning—hasn't emerged.”
“Hope no trouble.”
“I'll check.”
Rana's type: piss her off, who knows what happens. Novel proved it.
“Chats enough. Wanted longer, but duties call.”
“No worries. See you out.”
Unlike Cloi, I walked him. Back to nest? Nope.
“Next visitor.”
Staffer left me again. After Cloi and Ratral...
“Your Highness.”
“Long time no see.”
None other than Ariel Tianis, who might've been here half a year ago.
“Never thought I'd meet you like this...”