Cherry Blossom Picnic (1)
The next day.
"That'll wrap up today's lecture. Midterms are done, but we're still in the semester—don't get complacent."
Cecil listened to the lecture as if yesterday's events had never happened, her usual self.
Except for the occasional…
"Do you work out?"
"About two hours a day, yeah. Been consistent since I was little."
"Oh? Can I feel your biceps?"
"Sure. *phew!*
"…*eep*. *tsk*."
Her fingers brushed my forearm.
"Your hands are really big. Wanna compare?"
"Huh? Sure."
"…*tsk*. *gasp!*
She pressed her palm against mine.
That was the only difference from her usual self.
"I'm gonna hit the bathroom."
"Alright. Be back soon."
I left Cecil and ducked into a stall.
I wasn't in pain.
"…*sigh*."
I just needed somewhere to hide my flushed face. So I ducked into a stall.
Like I didn't know what she was doing.
No—no one could miss those lecherous touches, the way she'd stroke my arm and press our hands together with that wicked little grin.
Playing dumb was killing me.
…Wasn't she supposed to be the slow-burn type?
Wasn't this supposed to be us gradually getting closer as friends?
Am I the slow one here?
I don't know.
But when I pictured Cecil's face, none of that mattered.
They say looks can blind you, and they weren't wrong.
She looked like a squirrel but acted like a fox… well, not quite. More like a curious cat.
What made it worse was how openly she did it.
Oh. Stop thinking.
Calm down. Just calm down and go back.
"Did you wait long?"
"Not really. Let's go, we're short on time."
We stepped outside the Academy.
Where to?
Yesterday I noticed the cherry blossoms had bloomed on campus.
They'd carpeted the accessible lawn—perfect for a flower viewing picnic.
…Though with that many trees, isn't it more of a park than a lawn?
Who knows.
Anyway.
A flower viewing picnic means falling petals, a beautiful girl, and a bento box, right?
We had the first two. Just needed the lunchbox.
"What are we making?"
"It's a secret."
So we'd buy ingredients ourselves, pack the lunchbox at a cooking studio, and head out early the next day.
Cooking wasn't allowed in the dorms, so it was our best option.
Buying pre-made food… just wouldn't feel right.
"I'm fine with ordering in, actually."
"When else would we do this?"
Cecil grumbled beside me, but she didn't seem truly opposed.
Our destination was D-Mart. From groceries to clothes, toilet paper, detergents, shower supplies, potted plants, furniture, alcohol, cigarettes—you name it.
Saying they sold everything wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Not long ago, an outsider was caught smuggling drugs inside. Caused quite a stir.
"…We're really going there?"
"That was just the drop point. D-Mart actually cooperated with the Royal Investigators to catch the culprit."
"Oh?"
The brand damage could've been bad, but maybe it turned into a blessing in disguise.
And then we entered D-Mart.
Its interior…
"Wow…"
It was so grand and dazzling that Cecil's mouth hung open in awe.
…Though I found it oddly fascinating how her tiny mouth stayed agape.
"Eep, tsk! What was that!"
"Oops."
I couldn't resist sticking my finger in her mouth.
Same reaction as when you poke a yawning hamster.
Maybe it's the rodent thing.
"I'm a person, you acorn-brain."
"Heh, sorry."
What could I say?
I'd never do something like that normally.
But after she'd been all over me since morning, making me flustered, then acting like nothing happened… it made me irrationally annoyed. Like she only noticed me when it suited her.
"Agh, ouch."
"My finger isn't an acorn, squirrel-girl."
"Bite?"
"…*tsk*."
That might've been a bit scary.
"Sigh. Anyway, look around and meet back here."
"Okay."
Even though she'd find out at the cooking studio, Cecil clearly wanted to keep it a secret.
I grabbed a big wheeled basket and started browsing the grocery section.
What I planned to make for the lunchbox was kimbap.
Luke had told me that back home, people always packed kimbap for picnics or outings.
He called it a "national rule," something officially designated by the country.
It was a bit startling that even picnic food was regulated.
From what he'd said, it seemed like a pretty free country otherwise.
Anyway.
D-Mart's biggest advantage was its unique ingredients you couldn't find elsewhere.
Seaweed from the East, fish from the West Sea, rice sun-ripened in the south, fruits that survived the northern winters—you could find them all here.
I started with the seafood section, grabbing seaweed.
There was regular seaweed and seasoned seaweed. Did "seasoned" mean they used additives?
Well, with dessert shops popping up everywhere, maybe additives weren't as rare as before.
Since I had the funds, I bought the seasoned kind.
Then there was brick-shaped ham, yellow pickled radish, and spinach—familiar from when I'd grown it myself.
Oh, right. It's kimbap, so I almost forgot rice. Cooking it here would be impossible, so instant rice it is.
City life really is convenient.
Back in the countryside, we didn't even have instant rice—just regular stores.
Rural areas have their charm, but they can't beat urban convenience.
"Oh."
Strawberries.
Cecil loved strawberries, especially in desserts.
She'd devour mint chocolate ice cream but preferred strawberry or chocolate for bread and cakes.
I added them to the basket.
They'd make a nice dessert.
And this… oh. Sour candies?
Should I get some? I like sour things.
"Hmm…"
I held the box of lemon-shaped candies with frowny faces, hesitating.
"*tsk*."
I set it down and walked away.
I'd already bought too much.
Especially since strawberries were expensive.
After quickly checking out, I headed to our meeting spot. Cecil was already there.
Feeling mischievous, I approached her from behind.
Using Silent Step from Ode and Sound Prison from Eri, I moved with the stealth of a true 5th Realm master. By the time I reached her, she was still fiddling with her phone.
Chuckling internally, I was about to scare her when—
"MWAH!"
"Wah?!"
?!
Cecil suddenly spun around and screamed.
Startled, I stumbled back.
"Wha—! How did you know?!"
"Your reflection showed in my phone, babe."
"Ah."
That was unavoidable.
I'd only blocked sound.
"Ugh, you really scared me."
"Karma's a bitch. Got everything we need?"
"Yeah. Did you wait long?"
"Not really. Let's go."
It was the first time my stealth had been spotted since Luke and Ode, so I was a bit flustered.
Maybe I'd been careless.
Not making excuses, though.
The cooking studio was a ten-minute walk away.
Chatting with Cecil, we arrived quickly.
"…*pant*. Can we rest a sec?"
"Sure."
Poor Cecil had already burned through all her stamina.
"Want a strawberry? I bought some."
"Oh. Yeah. Just three, okay?"
"Wait here."
I grabbed a pack of strawberries and washed them all.
Knowing Cecil's appetite, she'd never eat just three, even as a snack.
She'd probably say three to be polite, then feel guilty eating more.
Better to wash plenty upfront.
"Ta-da."
"Huh? Why did you wash so many!"
"I'm packing some for the lunchbox, so there'll be extras. Eat up and clean up after."
"Hmm… okay?"
Not exactly a lie.
I'd bought two packs.
Cecil seemed pleased and started eating freely.
*Munch. Munch munch munch munch.*
*Munch. Munch munch munch munch.*
*Munch. Munch munch munch munch.*
Her small mouth took forever to finish one strawberry.
I'd wondered how she managed that much food with such a tiny mouth—turns out it was just very busy.
She'd grab the next strawberry while still chewing the previous one.
It looked gluttonous, but with her squirrel-like face, it was oddly cute.
Adorable.
"…You're not eating?"
After she'd nearly finished the washed strawberries, she shyly offered me one from her hand.
Was she embarrassed? Or shy?
I don't know.
But the way she held it out… it was hard to resist.
*gulp*.
"…!"
I took the offered strawberry not with my hand, but with my mouth.
The juicy fruit nearly vanished after one bite.
"Yum."
"Y-yeah…"
I left a brief review.
"S-should we start soon?"
"Let's."
Cecil hastily stood from the couch and walked to the kitchen.
Her steps were stiff, almost clumsy.
Once there, she immediately started rummaging through the drawers.
"Wash your hands first."
"Obviously. This first… ah, found it."
What Cecil pulled from the drawer was an apron.
"Do you usually wear one when cooking?"
"Not really necessary, but it feels more… thematic."
"I see."
Right.
We were making the lunchbox for the vibe, after all.
I took the blue apron with an "L" on it and tied it around myself.
"…Huh?"
"What?"
"No, wait a sec."
Wait a sec.
I'd never worn an apron before—only seen them. The ties go in the back, right?
"*struggle*. I think I can do it."
"What's wrong?"
"The ties go in the back, but I can't reach. Did you do yours?"
She asked while struggling, then I saw her show off her neatly tied apron.
"I already finished mine."
She spun around to display it.
She's really good with her hands.
"Can you tie mine?"
"Sure…"
I quickly agreed. We couldn't get stuck on this.
"Lift your arms."
"Ah."
Cecil swatted my arms away—probably annoyed—and stood in front of me.
"…?!?!?!!!?!"
She tied my apron strings.
Standing right in front of me.
Her slender arms passed over my waist.
To tie the strings at my back.
…It felt like a hug.
…Was I sweating?
Could she hear my heartbeat?
Her delicate arms moved softly.
Feeling awkward, I looked away.
…She smelled like shampoo.
A soft, floral scent. Warm and comforting.
What was it called again? I couldn't remember.
But it was definitely pleasant.
And Cecil's natural scent…
'Shut up, Jeden.'
You pervert.
What scent?
Calm down.
She's just tying your apron.
"…Done."
"Y-yeah. Th-thanks."
"No problem."
I wished it would end quickly, but when it did, it felt oddly disappointing.
Cecil quickly backed away and started unpacking the shopping boxes.
Her ears were faintly red.
…I turned my head and started rummaging through the boxes too.
They were sturdy enough to handle roughly, but for some reason, I rummaged.
Nothing to find, nothing to be careful about—just rummaging aimlessly.
I still don't know why.
But I suspect it was for the same reason as Cecil.
